Institutional Review Board

To be able to view all questions on the form at once, access the PDF version of the IRB Application Form: PDF Version of IRB Application Form

The Santa Monica Community College District (SMCCD) Institutional Review Board (IRB) is charged with protecting the rights and welfare of human subjects involved in research studies collecting data from SMCCD students and/or employees.

Guided by the principles of "The Belmont Report" (or "Ethical Principles and Guidelines for the Protection of Human Subjects of Research"), the SMCCD IRB reviews all proposed research involving human subjects in accordance with federal regulations, state laws, and local and District policies and ensures:

That the rights and welfare of human subjects are protected;
That risks of participating in the research have been considered and minimized;
That the potential for benefits of participating in the research has been identified and maximized; and,
All human subjects are volunteers who choose to participate in research only after being provided with legally effective informed consents.

The IRB does not evaluate the soundness or quality of the proposed research nor does IRB approval of a study indicate SMCCD's endorsement or sponsorship of the study.

SMCCD's IRB is registered with the U.S. Office of Human Subjects Research (IRB# 00012168) and has received federalwide assurance (FWA# 00028689).

Types of IRB Review

All SMC human subjects research must undergo IRB approval and review prior to the start of research activities. Although there are four types of IRB reviews, we are currently only accepting proposals for Acceptance Review.

Currently Accepted:

✅ Acceptance Review – For proposals with current IRB approval or exemption from another organization. Reviews are conducted by one or both co-chairs of the IRB and take approximately 2 weeks from the submission date, provided that all required materials are complete.

Other Types of IRB Review (Not Currently Accepted):

❌ Exemption from Further Review – For proposals that qualify for exemption under U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) guidelines.

❌ Expedited Review – For minimal risk research.

❌ Full Review – Required for research that does not qualify for Exemption or Expedited Review.

Members of the SMMCD IRB

The IRB is composed of five members from diverse backgrounds to ensure comprehensive and adequate review of research activities. Currently, the SMCCD IRB is comprised of three faculty members from varying disciplines, one college administrator, and one external community member, and one staff member who serves as an alternate. All members of the IRB have received extensive training on the policies and procedures involving ethical human subjects research.

Dr. Luis Andrade, Co-chair (Communications/Media, Social Scientist)
Anne Marre Bautista, Alternate Member (Institutional Research)
Vacant Member (Computer Science, Scientist)
Dr. Hannah Lawler, Co-chair (Institutional Research/Academic Administrator)
Carolyn Pineda, Member (External Member/El Camino College Institutional Research)
Olivia Vallejo, Member (Counseling, Non-Scientist)