The Ferris State University Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) was established
to ensure that all research, including teaching activities, involving recombinant
or synthetic nucleic acid molecules conducted at Ferris State University are conducted
in compliance with National Institute of Health (NIH) Guidelines. The Ferris State
University IBC is registered with NIH Office of Science Policy and can be viewed via
their online IBC Registration Management System.
The IBC reviews applications to ensure that biohazardous agents are used safely and
that the research done at Ferris State University meets the highest scientific and
ethical standards. For laboratory safety and/or biohazardous waste disposal information,
refer to Safety, Health, Environmental and Risk Management.
The IBC Meets on an Ad Hoc Basis monthly during the academic year (September-May).
For details regarding meeting times and locations, contact [email protected]
IBC Committee Members
Glen Alberts, BS, Community Member, Van Andel Institute
Biosafety/Biosecurity CITI Training is available for employees and students. Required CITI courses for faculty, staff, & students working with BSL organisms or
in a lab that houses BLS2 organisms include: Intro to Biosafety, OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens, OSHA PPE Training, and Emergency &
Incident Response to Biohazard Spills & Releases. Shipping & Transport course required for faculty and staff involved in S&T of BSL2 organisms.
Meeting Minutes
Voting Members Present (5): Chris DeFraia (Chair, Plant Expert), Eric Nybo (Co-Chair),
Brad Isler (Animal Expert), David Petillo, Glen Alberts (Local non-Affiliated)
Voting Members Not Present (2): Derek Thomas (Local Non-Affiliated), Mike McKay (Lab
Rep)
Other Individuals in Attendance: Maureen Wawsczyk, Michele Upton (Lab Rep)
Quorum: The IBC has 7 voting members and 4 members are required to conduct business. Quorum has been met
Call to Order: IBC Chair called the meeting to order at 2:01pm Conflicts of Interest: IBC Chair reminded all members present to identify any conflicts
of interest, financial or otherwise, with each registration or lab discussions. No conflicts of
interest noted.
Review and Approval of previous meeting minutes: No Discussion. Motion to approve October 24, 2025 minutes as written; seconded Total Voting: 5, Approved: 5, Disapproved: 0, Abstain: 0
Review of Prior Business:
Final approval of DeRegnier application (registration #241201) was sent following completion of lab inspection action items, 12/18/2025
New IBC Registrations or Amendments for Review Milan Prajapati (registration #251201); question: what are they doing with the cultured
cells beyond the cabinet? Quick review of IRB application (project determined NHSR)
MD Siraj (registration #251202); is or does an MTA need to be in place? Clarify: what
is being done with the cultured cells beyond the cabinet
New Business/Additional Topics: Only new IBC registrations & lab inspections
Lab manual, in person PI provided lab training & documentation, including lab coat
process
Updated Signage
Revisit 314 lab when fully set up
IBC Training: Nothing to report. Public Comments: There were no public comments. Adjournment: The IBC Chair moved to adjourn the meeting at 2:54pm Next Meeting: Feb. 25, 2026
Voting Members Present (6): Chris DeFraia (Chair, Plant Expert), Eric Nybo (Co-Chair),
Brad Isler (Animal Expert), David Petillo, Mike McKay (Lab Rep), Glen Alberts (Local
non-Affiliated),
Voting Members Not Present (1): Derek Thomas (Local Non-Affiliated)
Other Individuals in Attendance: Maureen Wawsczyk, Holly Holstrom (lab rep)
Quorum: The IBC has 7 voting members and 4 members are required to conduct business.
Quorum has been met.
Call to Order: IBC Chair called the meeting to order at 2:05pm
Conflicts of Interest: IBC Chair reminded all members present to identify any conflicts
of interest, financial or otherwise, with each registration or lab discussions. No
conflicts of interest noted.
Review and Approval of previous meeting minutes: No Discussion. Motion to approve
April 30, 2025 minutes as written; seconded Total Voting: 6, Approved: 6, Disapproved:
0, Abstain: 0
Review of Prior Business:
Update of Daniel deRegnier application (registration #241201); MTA fully signed May
7, 2025. Verified student and lab employee training completed via CITI. Final approval
of application will be sent following completion of lab inspection action items.
No New IBC Registrations or Amendments for Review New Business/Additional Topics:
Review of IV-B-2-b-(7) language from self-assessment Motion to approve language; seconded
Total Voting: 6, Approved: 6, Disapproved: 0, Abstain: 0
In-Take Survey faculty responses were due 10/10/25; one faculty submitted response.
IBC determined project is exempt, thus full app is not needed. Motion to approve;
seconded Total Voting: 6, Approved: 6, Disapproved: 0, Abstain: 0
Review of Incidents: Nothing to report
Inspections/Ongoing Oversight: BSL-2 lab inspection of Medical Lab Sciences Program
took place Monday 9/29/2025. Report discussed and made available to all committee
members.
IBC Training: Nothing to report.
Public Comments: There were no public comments.
Adjournment: The IBC Chair moved to adjourn the meeting at 2:26pm
Next Meeting: TBA, likely early Spring Semester
Contact
Office of Research & Sponsored Programs
Ferris Library for Information, Technology and Education (FLITE) Ferris State University 1010 Campus Drive, FLITE 410 D & F Big Rapids, MI 49307 (231) 591-2547 [email protected]
