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Human Subjects

Shimojo Lab Human Subject Policy

The Shimojo lab in Biology and Biological Engineering follows the Caltech Internal Review Board (IRB) Policy for human subject testing.

Caltech Policy Summary:

Human subject research is the collection of data from an individual, either through a direct intervention/interaction or by the use of private identifiable information. Caltech is guided by the ethical principles set forth in the report of the National Commission for the Protection of Human. Subjects of Biomedical and Behavioral Research (the "Belmont Report") and Caltech abides by the Department of Health and Human Services’ regulations found at 45 CFR 46 (the "Common Rule"). Caltech performs human subject research on campus and at JPL under a Federal Wide Assurance (FWA 00003897) filed with the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and an addendum on file with the Department of Navy. While the ultimate responsibility for the treatment of all human participants in research rests with the individual researcher (faculty, students, or staff) who has been given the privilege to conduct research with humans, all human subjects research at Caltech is overseen by the Caltech Institutional Review Board (IRB) which acts to safeguard and promote the ethical and responsible treatment of human participants in research. All research that involves human participants, regardless of the source of financial support, must be reviewed and approved by the RB before it can be initiated. The IRB members conduct scientific and ethical review of research studies, while providing education and guidance for the research community.

More Information can be found at the Caltech IRB website: https://irb.caltech.edu/ (especially
under Useful Links, Caltech IRB policy).

 

Issues Specific to Research in the Shimojo Lab:

The Shimojo lab performs experiments on special populations including infants, disabled groups (such as the blind), and patients. All experiments involving special populations include precautions for proper recruitment, informed consent, and experiment documentation. All experiments performed within the Shimojo lab on human subjects are approved by the Caltech IRB.

 

Questions?

If you have any questions about human subject participation and regulations, please contact Professor Shinsuke Shimojo (sshimojo@caltech.edu).