Biosafety Committee
Membership
Name | Role | Discipline | Voting |
Eddie Arias | Member | Environmental Health & Safety | Yes |
Maria Gabriela Bowden | Member | Microbiology | Yes |
Mehdi Esmaeiliyan | Member | Laboratory Staff | Yes |
Lisa Morano | Member | Biology/Microbiology | Yes |
Rachna Sadana | Member | Biology/Biochemistry | Yes |
Jacob Theruvathu | Member | Chemistry | Yes |
Michael Tobin | Member | Biology | Yes |
Brett Haltiwanger | Member | UT Health | Yes |
Jerry Johnson | Member | OSRP | Yes |
Charge
In consultation with the Assistant Vice President for Research and Sponsored Programs, the Biosafety Committee reviews and approves all research projects affiliated with or conducted at the university involving recombinant DNA (animal, plant and microbiological), infectious agents, genetically modified organisms, nanoparticles, and other potentially hazardous agents of biological or other origin (biological carcinogens or toxins).
Composition
Membership consists of select faculty members from the Department of Natural Sciences with appropriate expertise, on member of the laboratory staff, on member from Environmental Safety, and two members not affiliated with the UH System. One additional position on the committee includes the Assistant Vice President for Research and Sponsored Program, who serves in an ex-officio capacity.