ORP Staff Accomplishments

Debra Thurley, Assistant Director of ORP and Conflict of Interest (COI) Program Leader, presented at the 2011 SRA (Society of Research Administrators) International Annual Meeting in October with her COI colleague from the University of Iowa. Their presentation was entitled “Troubled Waters: Navigating Financial Conflict of Interest.” Debra also attended the three day conference and completed the requirements necessary to earn a certificate in Research Law.

Jessica Hoffman, Jodi Rodgers, Deborah Trialonas and Laura Young, led the ORP staff through Penn State's Green Paws Program and earned Level 1 Green Paws Office Certification. The program is meant to be a "simple, yet effective way for faculty and staff to "green" their workspace". The certification requires that 75% of the office staff must complete all the actions on the checklists provided by The Penn State Sustainability Office. The certification signifies the ORP's progression towards higher levels of efficiency, health and environmental sustainability. Jessica serves as the Education Assistant, Jodi serves as the Administrative Support Coordinator, Deborah serves as the Project Management Programs Administrative Support Assistant and Laura serves as the Project Coordinator.

Tracie Kahler, Joyel Moeller and Laura Young, traveled to Penn State Harrisburg to give a presentation to faculty and staff about the use of human participants in research and use of the Protocol Review Approval and Management System (PRAMS) for submissions. Members of the IRB team do their best to travel to Penn State campuses as often as possible to provide a presence and resource there for researchers. The team met with about 20 faculty and Marian Walters, The Associate Dean for Research, to answer questions and provide one-on-one time with review coordinators. Tracie and Joyel both serve as Research Compliance Coordinators for the IRB Team and Laura serves as the Project Coordinator for the ORP.