IBC Minutes for the University of Virginia, Charlottesville VA
October 6th, 2026
8:30 AM-10:30 AM, in-person (MR6, room 2501)

Glynis Kolling (Chair), called the meeting to order. Members in attendance were Jennifer Kershner (BSO), Stacy Agar (local non-affiliated member), Aaron Mills (IBC member), Brett Moreau (IBC member), Tom Leonard (EHS Director), Danielle Cook (IBC member), Ira Schulman (IBC member), Paul Skoglund (IBC member/IBC contact), Raphael Malbrue (Director (CCM) and Animal Containment Expert), and Matthew Crawford (IBC member). Sam Driver (local non-affiliated member) was unable to attend the meeting. The 11 members present exceeded the quorum threshold of seven. Dave Clark, the Associate Biosafety Officer, attended the meeting to observe the proceedings. Dr. Kolling reminded everybody that anyone who might have a conflict of interest participating in review of a particular protocol should be placed in a breakout room during the discussion of that protocol unless requested to stay and answer questions.

  1. The minutes from the meeting of September 1st, 2026, were approved with no dissent.
  2. Review of Prior Business
    1. None at present.
  3. The following IARs have no changes from last year or exhibit a minor modification such as stating that they are not using AAV at BSL-1, making room changes, moving inventory to storage only, changing sourcing of materials, small changes to text, or similar changes. All these protocols were approved at either BSL-2 or at BSL-1/BSL-3 (when indicated) with no dissent but pending successful laboratory inspection, training, or clerical modifications in indicated cases:
    1. AI, HUIWANG (5484-17) was reviewed by Leonard and Agar. He develops novel in vivo imaging tools, both to allow cell tracing and to monitor cell signaling in vertebrates, using viral expressing strategies, HDM, and recombinant DNA (III-D-1).
    2. BLOOM, GEORGE (121-01) was reviewed by Kolling, Schulman, and Cook. He studies aortic aneurisms using viral expression strategies, HDM, NHPDM, and recombinant DNA (III-D-1).
    3. CALIARI, STEVEN ( 4921-16) was reviewed by Crawford and Malbrue. He studies the interaction between cells and natural polymers such as collagen or hyaluronic acid during wound healing and disease progression, using BSL2 agents, HDM, and recombinant DNA (III-D-2). There are training issues to address before approval.
    4. DERRE, ISABELLE (3914-15) was reviewed by Malbrue and Agar. She studies the life cycle of Chlamydia trachomatis and Chlamydia muridarum in host cells using BSL-2 agents, HDM, and recombinant DNA (III-D-1). There are training issues to address before approval.
    5. GUMBINER, BARRY (11115-23) was reviewed by Schulman and Malbrue. He studies the role of cadherins in endothelial junctions and permeability using lentivirus, HDM, and recombinant DNA (III-D-1).
    6. KITTLESEN, DAVID (1290-11) was reviewed by Malbrue and Agar. He uses BSL-1 and BSL-2 bacteria in an upper-level general microbiology course.
    7. OROURKE, EYLEEN (3352-14) was reviewed by Kolling, Agar, and Cook. She studies the relationship between fat metabolism and age-related diseases, using BSL-2 agents and HDM.
    8. PLATTS-MILLS, THOMAS (134-02) was reviewed by Schulman and Agar. He studies both the antibody and T-cell mediated immune response to various allergens using HDM. There are training issues to address before approval.
    9. RAY, PATRICIO (6886-19) was reviewed by Crawford and Kershner. He studies HIV associated renal disease using adenoviral vectors, HDM, and recombinant DNA (III-D-1; III- D-2).
    10. SCOTT, EVAN (11992-24) was reviewed by Leonard, Kolling, and Cook. He engineers nano- to micro- scale-controlled delivery systems using synthetic polymer chemistry to deliver various therapeutics and diagnostics, using BSL-2 agents, NHPDM, and recombinant DNA (III-D-1). There are training issues to address before approval.
    11. TANG, SHANGMING (10996-23) was reviewed by Crawford and Kershner. He studies genomic rearrangements in cancer and congenital diseases, using viral expression strategies, HDM, and recombinant DNA (III-D-1).
    12. TSUNG, ALLAN (9680-22) was reviewed by Malbrue and Kershner. He studies the immune responses in the hepatic immune microenvironment with specific emphasis on the effects of inflammation on hepatic tumor development using viral expression strategies, HDM, biotoxins, and recombinant DNA (III-D-1).
    13. WITT, RUSSELL (11088-23; MOD) was reviewed by Kolling, and Malbrue. He studies the relationship between obesity and improved outcomes for immunotherapy targeting melanoma (the “obesity paradox”) using HDM. There are training issues to address before approval.
    14. XU, KEXIN (12277-24) was reviewed by Leonard and Schulman. She studies epigenetics in cancer, using various viral expression strategies, HDM, NHPDM, and recombinant DNA (III-D-1). There are training issues to address before approval.
  4. The following IARs have few changes from last year but were discussed in committee:
    1. BRODY, EDMUND (405-06) was reviewed by Kershner, Kolling and Cook. He studies naturally occurring tetrodotoxin in amphibians, and tetrodotoxin resistance in predators of amphibians such as snakes, using biotoxins. The committee discussed his listing of TTX while not currently having TTX in the lab after a freezer failure. His protocol was approved at BSL2 with no dissent.
    2. DWYER, NOELLE (597-08) was reviewed by Agar and Leonard. She studies brain development using mice and HDM. In Narrative question #4 she needs to change 5% bleach to 10% bleach for decontaminating surfaces. In Narrative question #8, she needs to fix a punctuation issue to increase clarity.
    3. LAURIE, GORDON (308-05) was reviewed by Schulman and Crawford. He studies secretion mechanisms and composition of tears, using viral expression strategies, biotoxins, HDM, and recombinant DNA (III-D-1). He needs to add Enterobacter cloacae to the species list he provides in Narrative question #1. In the Potential Hazards/Risks (BSL-2) discussion for E. cloacae he needs to remove mention of decontamination of surfaces with 70% ethanol. In the HDM section he needs to update his Sources of Material (HDM) for tears and saliva to include patient/donor to match his human subjects/IRB response. He needs to consolidate the Potential Hazards/Risks (HDM) answer into a single description for all HDM to limit repetition. In Narrative question #16 he needs to click both the BSL1 and BSL2 checkboxes.
    4. MILLER, CLINT (5584-17) was reviewed by Kershner and Leonard. He evaluates and validates coronary artery disease target proteins and identifies their binding partners utilizing genome wide approaches, using lentivirus, HDM, and recombinant DNA (III-D-1). In the BSL2 section, he needs to provide an actual estimated maximum concentration of lentivirus in the lab in his Maximum concentration question. Also, in Narrative question #3 he needs to define DGS at first mention. There are room issues to address before approval.
    5. OROURKE, EYLEEN (3352-14) was reviewed by Kolling, Agar, and Cook. She studies the relationship between fat metabolism and age-related diseases, using BSL-2 agents and HDM. She needs to rectify the fact that two people are now listed as personnel in both the BSL2 and HDM sections of the protocol with the statement in Narrative question #1 that only the PI will work with HDM or BSL2 agents.
    6. SMITH, SCOTT (13136-25) was reviewed by Schulman and Crawford. He investigates the role of IgE antibodies in the context of both allergic diseases and parasite immunity, using various BSL2 agents including ticks and filarial worms, and HDM. He needs to update the status of his pending IRB submissions In the HDM section. There are training issues to address before approval.
    7. SWAMI, NATHAN (2176-12) was reviewed by Kershner and Leonard. He fabricates microfluidic devices for multiple biological applications, using various BSL-2 pathogens and HDM. There are training issues to address before approval. He has removed several BSL2 agents from his protocol and appropriately deleted mention of those agents from his Narrative question #1. However, he still lists Pseudomonas aeruginosa as a BSL2 agent, so he needs to add back a sentence or two to Narrative question #1 describing how the lab uses Pseudomonas aeruginosa. He also needs to change his answer to Narrative question #2 to No because it no longer applies, and to remove information specific to C. diff, Cryptosporidium and Giardia from both Narrative questions #4 and #8.
  5. Discussion and review of modified protocols that are not annual renewals- Reviewers can review just the modification or notice other changes as well. Other changes can either be made during that revision cycle or addressed at the subsequent annual review at the reviewee’s discretion. (Note that this type of review leads to approval with no change in annual renewal date):
    1. MATHERS, AMY (4646-16; MOD) was reviewed by Agar and Crawford. She studies the role of sinks and drains in facilitating the spread of bacteria in hospital settings using BSL-2 agents and has paused a study concerning the detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in wastewater. She is adding C. difficile as a BSL2 agent. She needs to clarify whether C. difficile vegetative cells and/or spores will be used in planned work in Narrative question #1. She also needs to update Narrative Question #4 to include a decontamination procedure for spores (for example by use of SporGon).
    2. VARADARAJAN, INDUMATHY (7907-20; NEW HGT added – this is #10 in protocol) was reviewed by Moreau and Mills. She is conducting nine HGT clinical trials using CAR-T cells generated using lentivirus and HDM in an off-site transfection and cell expansion model. She is adding a new clinical trial using AZD0120 (which are autologous BCMA/CD19 dual-targeting CAR-T cells) to treat Transplant eligible Newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (TE NDMM). Her protocol was approved at BSL2 with no dissent.
  6. Discussion and review of annual renewal protocols that contain modifications:
    1. KOSEK, MARGARET (6851-19) was reviewed by adding Kolling, Agar, and Cook. She studies enteric infections using various BSL-2 agents and HDM. She is adding Bacillus cereus to her protocol. In the BSL2 section, she needs to provide a maximum concentration for the new Bacillus cereus bacteria listing, rather than a volume. Also, in the Hazards/Risks portion of the BSL2 section of the protocol she needs to remove the statement “However, because it carries a pXO1-like plasmid similar to Bacillus anthracis, handle it with appropriate biological containment to prevent accidental ingestion, inoculation, or contamination.”
    2. MARTO, JARROD (13203-25) was reviewed by Kershner and Malbrue. He uses proteomic approaches to study the effects of covalent protein modifications and other pre- and posttranslational modifications on protein activity or localization using viral expression strategies, HDM, and recombinant DNA (III-D-1). He is adding Formalin -fixed, paraffin embedded (FFPE) fallopian tube tissue specimens to his HDM inventory. He needs to remove Formalin -fixed, paraffin embedded (FFPE) Fallopian tube blocks and sections from his HDM inventory and to remove discussion of FFPE tube blocks and sections from the Hazards/ Risks (HDM) section of his protocol. He needs to add a sentence or two describing his work with Formalin -fixed, paraffin embedded (FFPE) fallopian tube tissue specimens, including mentioning the IRB exemption email and to keep the discussion of
      FFPE Fallopian tube blocks and sections in the IRB question in the HDM section. There are training issues to address before approval.
  7. Discussion and review of new protocols:
    1. IBRAHIM, MICHAEL (14229-26; NEW) was reviewed by Crawford and Leonard. He studies the pathology of failing hearts by focusing on the t-tubule network, using HDM and recombinant DNA (III-E-1). In the BSL1 section, he needs to add the statement “None of the transgenes we express are oncogenes or toxin molecules.” into the answer to the question concerning transgene expression. In Narrative question #4, he needs to state that liquid waste is put down the sink with running water after decontamination. In Narrative question #5, he needs to confirm if eye protection will be worn while conducting work in a biosafety cabinet. In Narrative question #8, he needs to explicitly add that “No work with HDM will occur on the benchtop.”
    2. KUPPERMAN, NATALIE (14175-26; NEW) was reviewed by Kolling, Malbrue, and Cook. She is conducting a prospective observational repeated -measures feasibility pilot study assaying serum hormone concentrations to track physiological status using HDM. In Narrative question #1 she needs to clarify specifically that study personnel do not come into physical possession of blood at any point and that if that changed, they would first need to modify this IAR and have the modifications approved by the IBC before performing any work.
    3. LIU, NING (14207-26; NEW) was reviewed by Kershner, Kolling, and Cook. He studies the role of specific enzymes or proteins in regulating bioenergetics and cell functions after Traumatic Brain Injury, using HDM. He needs to answer Narrative #2 No, or else describe a special occupational health or medical consideration that pertains to his work. He also needs to modify his answer to Narrative #3 to focus on biological agents rather than chemicals, to modify his answer to Narrative #4 to replace CMCs with red step-on containers, and to mention that sharps containers will be picked up by EHS when ¾ full.
    4. MEDRANO, SILVIA (14171-26; NEW) was reviewed by Schulman and Kershner. She studies renal vascular disease using a mouse co-culture model system focused on Notch signaling, and the role of miRNAs in leukemia, using various viral expression strategies, HDM, and recombinant DNA (III-D-1). She needs to clarify statements in Narrative question #1 concerning the timing of initiation of experiments, and to supply the identities of the target proteins that will be expressed. Also, mention is made of both the BSL2 pathogenic bacteria EAEC and Salmonella typhimurium in Narrative question #1 as well as other Narrative questions, but neither agent is listed in the BSL2 inventory. She needs to rectify this discrepancy. In the Hazards/Risks question in the BSL2 section, she needs to remove the statement at there is a major risk of generation of replication competent virus. In the Hazards/Risks question in the HDM section she needs to describe the hazards and risks associated with human urine. She also needs to update Narrative question #3 to remove room MR4 115 and instead include a room listed on the protocol.
    5. SHERWOOD, PAULA (14238-26; NEW) was reviewed by Malbrue and Crawford. She is conducting a study to collect longitudinal trajectory profiles of stress levels in caregivers of persons with primary malignant brain tumors using HDM. In Narrative question #1 she needs to provide more information describing the specimen workflow. She also needs to define the abbreviations used to describe the work (i.e., PMBT, EPB, PPB, HSI) at first mention. In Narrative question #4,she should not preclean a potentially contaminated surface but should go straight to the decontamination step for that surface. She needs to state that Cavicide will be used to treat potentially contaminated surfaces using a 3-minute contact time, that a CMC is being used is for solid waste disposal and that it will be processed for pickup/disposal by EHS when ¾ full, and also mention that sharps containers are picked up by EHS when ¾ full. She also needs to add that liquid waste is decontaminated with 10 % bleach (final concentration) for 30 minutes, then put down the sink with running water. In Narrative questions #5 and #8, she needs to provide more info as to what aerosol generating procedures might occur in the lab (i.e. opening tubes, aliquoting, pipetting, centrifugation, mixing etc.). Because a Biosafety cabinet (BSC) is not used, then gloves, gown, goggles and face mask, or a face shield, are required.
    6. WANG, XIAOYING (14248-26; NEW) was reviewed by Leonard and Schulman. He studies the role of specific enzymes or proteins in regulating bioenergetics and cell functions after Traumatic Brain Injury, using HDM. In the HDM section, he needs to include mention of human cell lines as well as HBMECs and human brain microglial cells in the Potential Hazards/Risks question. in Narrative question #4 he needs to specify that the bleach concentration for decontamination is 10 % bleach, and that the bleach concentration for liquid decontamination is 10 % bleach (final concentration), and to mention that solid waste will be collected in provided red step-on containers, as well as that sharps containers are picked up by EHS when ¾ full.
  8. Mid-Month Review and Administrative review:
    1. COTTLER, PATRICK (3466-14) Administrative Review. He modified the rooms listings in his protocol. His protocol was approved at BSL-2 after the rooms were approved by the Biosafety office
    2. CULVER, SILAS (13139-25) Administrative Review. He modified the rooms listings in his protocol. His protocol was approved at BSL-2 after the rooms were approved by the Biosafety office.
    3. FELDER, ROBIN (039-97) Administrative Review. He modified the rooms listings in his protocol. His protocol was approved at BSL-2 after the rooms were approved by the Biosafety office.
    4. ISAKSON, BRANT (505-07) Administrative Review. He modified the rooms listings in his protocol. His protocol was approved at BSL-2 after the rooms were approved by the Biosafety office.
  9. Discussion and Review of ACUC protocols with IBC Concerns
    1. AI, HUIWANG (4196; 3rd year) was reviewed by Leonard, Kolling, and Cook. He develops novel in vivo imaging tools, both to allow cell tracing and to monitor cell signaling in vertebrates, using viral expressing strategies, HDM, and recombinant DNA (III-D-1). He is adding a new species procedure titled “Evaluating C5orf24 in acute kidney injury models”. His protocol was approved at ABSL2 with no dissent.
    2. CHALFANT, CHARLES (4372; MOD) was reviewed by Schulman, Kolling, and Cook. He studies the role of bioactive lipids and RNA splicing in disease states such as cancer, diabetes, inflammation, and infection using viral expression strategies, HDM, and recombinant DNA (III-D-1). He is adding a new species procedure titled “In Vivo Treatment and Administration”. He needs to indicate the frequency of subcutaneous/i.p. injections of human cells, and to indicate which human cancer cell lines will be used in the route, volume, and frequency text box. He also needs to move information regarding the handling of human cells from the route, volume, and frequency text box to the “Duration of hazardous shedding… “ text box, and to state that mice receiving human cells are considered to shed for the duration of the experiment and will be maintained at ABSL-2 containment for the duration of the experiment.
    3. KELLY, KIMBERLY (3731; 3rd year) was reviewed by Kershner and Crawford. She studies pancreatic cancer using HDM, viral expression strategies, and recombinant DNA (III-D-1). There were no changes in the biological agents section of her protocol. Her protocol was approved at ABSL2 with no dissent.
    4. KLIBANOV, ALEXANDER (3734; 3rd year) was reviewed by Agar and Crawford. He uses contrast agents such as microbubbles or liposomes for imaging studies and image-guided drug delivery using viral expression strategies, HDM, and recombinant DNA (III-D-1). There were no changes in the biological agents section of the protocol. His protocol was approved at ABSL2 with no dissent.
    5. MA, JIANJIE (4475; 3rd year) was reviewed by Leonard and Malbrue. He studies muscle gene function in vitro and in vivo models using various viral expression strategies, HDM, and recombinant DNA (III-D-1, III-E-1). This is a BSL1 protocol using AAV at ABSL1. His protocol was approved at ABSL1 with no dissent.
    6. SONODA, TAKUMA (4628; MOD) was reviewed by Crawford and Schulman. He studies then development and function of neural circuits in the mammalian visual system using mice, AAV at BSL1 containment, and recombinant DNA (III-E-1). This is a BSL1 protocol using AAV at ABSL1. He needs to add some basic identifying information describing the BSL-1 AAV vector(s) to be used, and to clarify whether the “tracers” mentioned are AAV vectors.
    7. SUN, JIE (4369; MOD) was reviewed by Malbrue and Kershner. He studies the role of the immune response in generating pulmonary inflammation and exaggerated inflammatory cytokine production produced by viral infection with influenza, respiratory syncytial, and SARS-CoV-2 viruses using various BSL-2 and BSL-3 agents, HDM, NHPMP, biotoxins, and recombinant DNA (III-D-1). He is adding a new species procedure titled “AAV Restoration of Peroxisome Function After Viral Infection” and modifying the “Viral infection” procedure. He needs to unclick AAV at ABSL1 in the “AAV in Peroxisome Restoration after Viral Infection“ procedure, and to add the frequency of AAV and adenovirus administration in the “Viral Infection“ procedure.
    8. SUN, JIE (4370; MOD) was reviewed by Kershner and Malbrue. He studies the role of the immune response in generating pulmonary inflammation and exaggerated inflammatory cytokine production produced by viral infection with influenza, respiratory syncytial, and SARS-CoV-2 viruses using various BSL-2 and BSL-3 agents, HDM, NHPMP, biotoxins, and recombinant DNA (III-D-1). He is adding a new species procedure titled “AAV Restoration of Peroxisome Function After Viral Infection”. His protocol was approved at ABSL2 with no dissent.
    9. TRINH, BON (4420; MOD) was reviewed by Kolling, Leonard and Cook. He studies the relationship between RNA and proteins in the control of gene expression via chromatin architecture using various BSL2 viral expression strategies, HDM, and recombinant DNA (III-D-1). He is adding a new species procedure to his protocol titled Role of Gene Regulation in Sepsis”. He needs to add the one-time subcutaneous injection of 200 μL of 5 million AML cells in Matrigel suspension into the flank to the Route, Volume and Frequency text box. He also needs to add the agents used in his sepsis model to the protocol.
    10. VENTON, JILL (3517; 3rd year) was reviewed by Schulman and Agar. She studies neurotransmitter function using viral vectors, biotoxins, and recombinant DNA (III-D-1). There were no changes in the biological agents section of the protocol. However, it was felt that Dr. Venton should be made aware that she has the option of moving her AAV injected animals into ABSL1 containment 72 hours post injection, rather than holding animals at ABSL2 containment for the duration of the experiment.
    11. WITT, RUSSELL (4477; 3rd year) was reviewed by Malbrue and Kolling. He studies the relationship between obesity and improved outcomes for immunotherapy targeting melanoma (the “obesity paradox”) using HDM. He is adding a new species procedure “Subcutaneous injection of cancer cells”. He needs to remove information present in the "duration of shedding" text box that is redundant with the check boxes.
    12. ZEGARRA RUIZ, DANIEL (4473; 3rd year) was reviewed by Leonard and Agar. He studies the role of T cells in autoimmune disease, using BSL-2 agents and Biotoxins. There were no changes in the biological agents section of the protocol. He needs to clarify that liquid waste will be treated with 10%" bleach (final concentration).
  10. IBC and Biosafety issues:
    1. Paul Skoglund, IBC Coordinator, reminded everyone that the November IBC meeting will be held on Thursday, November 5th (by zoom at 8:30 AM) rather than Tuesday, November 3rd (because of the UVA voting day holiday).
    2. Glynis Kolling, IBC Chair, continued to discuss a recent ACUC/IBC communication and interactions concerning possible mid-month IBC reviews as well as deadlines for ACUC protocol submission for IBC review. The committee did decide to proceed with mod-month review by a small set of reviewers.
    3. Glynis Kolling, IBC Chair, and Jenni Kershner, Biosafety officer, continued to discuss the new Draft NIH Policy for Research Involving Biohazards policy. One component of this was a discussion of a draft response written mainly by Tom and Jenni on the proposed Draft NIH Biosafety Policy for Research Involving Biohazards. The plan with this draft commentary is to forward a draft of these IBC /Biosafety office/EHS suggestions to OVPR for edits and eventual submission to NIH on behalf of the VPR by Oct 19. Various possible interpretations of the new policy were also discussed. Biosafety awareness week was also mentioned.
    4. Dave Clark, Associate Biosafety officer, discussed an issue in the Lulu Jiang lab that is being dealt with by the IACUC. This was an issue concerning the improper labelling of animals and improper PPE use in the vivarium that did not directly affect the IBC.
    5. Jenni Kershner, Biosafety officer, discussed a regulated medical waste incident involving misplaced CMCs in MR4 that were briefly positioned to enter the regular waste stream. The improperly located CMCs were intercepted and placed in the correct waste stream. How this error occurred is under investigation .
  11. IRE Business:
    1. None at present.
  12. Renewals over 30 days old:
    1. None at present.
  13. Renewals over 60 days old:
    1. None at present.
  14. ACUC protocols for IBC over 30 days old:
    1. None at present.
  15. Renewals over 60 days old:
    1. None at present.
  16. ACUC protocols for IBC over 60 days old:
    1. None at present.
  17. New PIs who are in the process of doing their visits and training:
    1. None at present.