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BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute (BCCHR)ServicesResearch Ethics Board

Research Ethics Board

Ensuring that BCCHR research projects meet the highest ethical standards.

We Review the Ethical Acceptability of Research Studies

The University of British Columbia/BC Children’s Hospital and BC Women’s Hospital + Health Centre Research Ethics Board (UBC C&W REB) is one of two PHSA site-based REBs that reviews all clinical and behavioural studies to ensure they meet rigorous ethical standards and guarantee the wellbeing of participants and partners.

Research Ethics Board (REB) Services

We provide guidance on everything you need to do before applying for ethics approval. If you are not sure whether your project requires an ethics review, please refer to the PHSA Project Sorting Tool. Also, be sure to complete the following before you apply for ethics approval:

1 – Register for a RISe Account

To start an ethics application, you must first be registered with RISe, a web-based platform used across UBC to process applications for ethical review. Detailed instructions can be found at Accessing RISe.

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2 – Complete the Required Training

All study team members must have completed the Tri-Council Policy Statement Tutorial (TCPS 2 Tutorial) and the PHSA Privacy and Security 101 course. Additional training is needed for staff involved in clinical trials.

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3 – Review All Requirements

It is important that you check all the requirements before starting your ethics application. This will minimize the approval process time and maximize the success rate of your application.

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4 – Compile All Documentation

To ensure a successful ethics application, you’ll need to follow specific study protocol requirements, develop consent forms, and compile a list of data to be collected.

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REB Core Personnel

We ensure that all research conducted on the Oak Street campus meets the highest ethical standards.

Jennie Prasad

Director, Research Ethics Board

Jennie Prasad

She/Her/Hers

Director, Research Ethics Board

Jennie Prasad is the Director of the University of British Columbia/BC Children’s Hospital and BC Women’s Hospital + Health Centre Research Ethics Board (UBC C&W REB). She oversees the functioning of the REB staff and board, monitors ethical review process standards, and advises on compliance with ethics policies. Jennie has a Master of Science (MSc) degree in Experimental Medicine from UBC and has been with the REB since it was formed in 2009. Before starting her career in ethics, she was a Research Scientist in an HIV research lab and subsequently a Research Manager in HIV clinical trials, giving her a unique perspective in all areas of research.

Farin Meralli

Research Ethics and Regulatory Specialist, Research Ethics Board

Farin Meralli

She/Her/Hers

Research Ethics and Regulatory Specialist, Research Ethics Board

Farin Meralli is the Research Ethics and Regulatory Specialist at the UBC C&W REB. She is responsible for reviewing new full-board and minimal-risk applications and associated deferral/proviso responses, assisting study teams with applications prior to submission, and responding to general inquiries. Farin has a Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree and has nearly 20 years of Research Ethics Board administration experience — both at the UBC Clinical Ethics Board and at the UBC C&W REB.

Talysa Dhahan

Jr. Research Ethics and Regulatory Specialist, Research Ethics Board

Talysa Dhahan

She/Her/Hers

Jr. Research Ethics and Regulatory Specialist, Research Ethics Board

Talysa is the Jr. Research Ethics and Regulatory Specialist at the UBC C&W REB. She is responsible for reviewing new minimal-risk applications and associated deferral/proviso responses and responding to general inquiries.

Manisha Sangha

Administrative Coordinator, Research Ethics Board

Manisha Sangha

She/Her/Hers

Administrative Coordinator, Research Ethics Board

Manisha Sangha is the Administrative Coordinator for the UBC C&W REB. In this role, she is responsible for screening post-approval activities and submissions to ensure completeness, facilitating the institutional approval process and invoices, and tracking fees and payments. Manisha recently graduated from Simon Fraser University with a Bachelor of Science degree from the Faculty of Health Sciences.

Contact UBC C&W REB

If you are affiliated with BCCHR, please visit ResearchHub to learn more. For general questions about research ethics, contact the UBC C&W REB.

email UBC C&W REB