2026 NWABR IRB Virtual Conference Series
NWABR is pleased to launch the 2026 IRB Virtual Conference Series, a four-part program designed to support IRB professionals, researchers, and human subjects protections staff in navigating timely regulatory, ethical, and operational challenges in human subjects research.
Each session will provide practical insights, expert perspectives, and opportunities for discussion across a range of topics relevant to IRB review and oversight. Scroll down past registration links to see the 2026 session lineup.
Register Here
- See the below 2026 Session Lineup for individual session information by date.
- $100 per session if you register for each session individually
- $180 if you register for Sessions III & IV together
- NWABR Members get a discount of 50%. You can check to see if your institution is a member here, or become an individual here. Use code MEMBER2026 to access the discount. Must use valid institutional email to receive the discount.
- Zoom links for each session will be sent out to registered attendees by the day before the event. Look for an email from melissa@nwabr.org.
- Each session will be recorded to view after broadcast if you are not able to attend live.
Contact melissa@nwabr.org with questions.
2026 Session Lineup
Session I: June 24, 2026 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM Pacific Time
Improving Informed Consent
- Certificates of Attendance were sent out to all registered attendees on 7/1 at 12:30pm, and again on 7/9, from NW Association for Biomedical Research via Zeffy, our event platform. Email melissa@nwabr.org if you did not receive your Certificate.
- The session was recorded if you were not able to attend live on 6/24. Recordings were distributed to all registered attendees on 7/9.
Hosted by
- Improving Informed Consent is a two-hour session that explores advanced approaches to strengthening participant understanding while meeting regulatory and ethical obligations. Through participant experience, regulatory expertise, and institutional perspectives, attendees will examine practical strategies for evaluating consent documents and processes, improving communication in pediatric and multisite research, and applying participant-centered principles during IRB review to enhance both compliance and meaningful informed decision-making. Hear diverse, firsthand insights and perspectives paired with real-world approaches to ensuring participants and families truly comprehend research participation.
- Jill McNair - Jill McNair is a life sciences leader with 25+ years of experience in clinical research, with a strong focus on patient engagement. She is passionate about making clinical trials more accessible, understandable, and patient-centered, and views patients as true partners in the research process. At CISCRP, she supported initiatives to improve patient communication and health literacy, with a focus on reducing barriers to participation. In her current role at WCG, Jill partners with sponsors and CROs to navigate IRB services, connecting them with internal experts to ensure seamless study support. She is committed to delivering a high-quality client experience through collaboration, responsiveness, and deep regulatory expertise, and continues to serve on the CISCRP Advisory Board to advance transparency and patient engagement in clinical research.
- Lindsey Wahlstrom - Lindsey Wahlstrom has spent the past decade advocating for the inclusion of participant voices in medical research, supporting recruitment and engagement efforts for more than 230 clinical trials. In 2023, her professional and personal worlds collided when her daughter, Rona, was diagnosed with a rare disease and later passed away from treatment complications. As Rona’s stem cell donor, Lindsey participated in four clinical trials alongside her daughter in just three months, reshaping her understanding of outcomes, success, and meaningful participation in research. Lindsey is the Co-Founder & Chief Momatologist of Rona’s FUN LAB and works in patient engagement in digital health. Her previous roles include leadership positions at PicnicHealth, Sano Genetics, Antidote Technologies, and Columbia University. She is committed to building a more human-centered research ecosystem that honors the lived experiences of patients and caregivers.
- R. Bert Wilkins, JD MHA CIP - R. Bert Wilkins is one of the Regulatory Chair Directors at WCG. Bert has been working for IRBs since 2007. In this role, Bert advises the IRB, our staff, and clients on the appropriateness and regulatory aspects of a wide array of research including FDA regulated studies, Social/Behavioral Health, International research, Emergency Research, and research involving vulnerable subjects. Bert has earned a Juris Doctorate from Seattle University, a Master of Healthcare Administration from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and Bachelor of Science from the University of Washington.
Session II: July 21, 2026 10:00 AM - Noon Pacific Time
Top Five Pitfalls that Delay IRB Approval and How to Avoid Them
- All registered attendees will receive Certificates of Attendance by 7/29. Recordings of the live broadcast will be distributed at a later date.
- Top Five Pitfalls that Delay IRB Approval—and How to Avoid Them is a two hour program that examines the most common issues that slow ethical review and lead to avoidable revision requests. Through real-world examples, attendees will learn how inconsistencies across study documents, risk assessment challenges, participant-facing language, privacy protections, and overlooked protocol details affect IRB review. The session offers practical strategies for strengthening research submissions, improving regulatory compliance, and supporting efficient, high-quality IRB review.
- Tasha Mohseni - Tasha is dedicated to advancing ethical research practices, transparency, and integrity. With over six years of experience supporting human subjects research, IRB operations, COI, and RCR compliance programs, she focuses on helping researchers navigate complex regulatory requirements. Passionate about compliance education, Tasha creates accessible resources that empower research communities and welcomes collaboration on research integrity, mentorship, and innovative approaches to ethics and regulatory education. Tasha is the Founder and President of RD Research Services, LLC.
Thank you to WCG for generous in-kind production support.
Session III: September 22, 2026 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM Pacific Time
Flexibility & the IRB
Hosted by 
- IRBs and HRPPs often focus on regulatory requirements, but less attention is given to the discretion available within those requirements and to the oversight of research that is not subject to FDA or OHRP regulations. This two-part session will explore both.
- The first presentation will provide a high-level overview of IRB responsibilities under FDA and OHRP regulations, examine areas where the regulations permit flexibility, and explore how institutions may approach research that does not require application of those regulatory frameworks. Participants will be invited to consider when ethical oversight grounded in the principles of the Belmont Report, rather than FDA or OHRP requirements, may be appropriate for non-regulated research.
- The second presentation will describe how a Kaiser Permanente IRB developed and implemented a "Next Report Due" process for exempt, expedited, and ceded (to an external IRB) studies. This case study will highlight the practical application of regulatory flexibility, demonstrating how the IRB balanced oversight responsibilities, operational efficiency, and organizational needs.
- Together, these presentations will illustrate how institutions can thoughtfully apply flexibility, both within and outside traditional regulatory structures, to enhance efficiency, maintain compliance, and support ethical research oversight.
- Ben Mooso (UC Berkeley) - Ben is a graduate of UC Davis where he obtained his Bachelor's degree in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Sac State University where he earned his Masters degree in Cell & Molecular Biology. Ben has been involved in all stages of research beginning in basic research at the benchtop and progressing to animals and clinical research before continuing his career in human subjects protections. Ben's research background is in oncology and emergency medicine research. Ben has spent the last 8 years in UC IRBs at UC Davis, UC San Diego, and currently UC Berkeley.
- Tanya Matthews (Kaiser Permanente) - Tanya has served as the HRPP Director and IRB Specialist for Kaiser Permanente and the Kaiser Washington Health Research Institute. She also serves as the chair of the Education, Training, Research (ETR) IRB, a position she has held for 14 years. In addition to these roles, Tanya was the IRB chair for Group Health Cooperative. She has over 18 years of human protection experience, including the oversight and development of IRB and HRPP programs. Tanya has a strong interest in the value that IRBs bring to the research enterprise and is focused on partnering with researchers and research programs to ensure best practices in research, ethics, and regulatory compliance. She serves as a board member for the Northwest Association for Biomedical Research (NWABR), is a member of the Consortium to Advance Effective Research Ethics Oversight (AEREO) and, is a member of the IRB Directors group for the Health Care Systems Research Network (HCSRN). Tanya holds a PhD in linguistics from Cornell University and is a certified IRB professional.
Thank you to WCG for generous in-kind production support.
Session IV: October 6, 2026 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM Pacific Time
Navigating AI as Both Topic and Tool: Ideas for IRBs
Hosted by 
- Explore AI from both sides of the IRB table—reviewing AI-related research and using AI in IRB workflows. Learn from real-world experiences at the University of Washington and Mayo Clinic.
- Emily Guthrie, PhD (University of Washington) - Emily Guthrie, Ph.D., is an expert in facilitating the review of complex, international, and time-sensitive research for the University of Washington IRB including rapid COVID response protocols, public health surveillance, socio-behavioral research methods and multi-country jurisdictional issues. As Associate Director of Operations at the UW IRB, she has been managing the operations of all the IRB Committees for over a decade. She oversees staff training, continuing education and frequently consults and lectures about IRB issues both on and off campus. Prior to that she did research and taught at the University of Oregon and was a research associate at the National Museums of Kenya.
- Jeff Schmoll, MBA, FACHE (Mayo Clinic) - Jeff Schmoll has served Mayo Clinic for 22 years in a variety of roles supporting clinical and research departments. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Applied Mathematics and an MBA, providing a strong foundation in analytical thinking and business management. Currently, Jeff oversees animal, biologic, and human research regulatory programs across all Mayo Clinic campuses, promoting collaboration, compliance, quality, and innovation. Known for his transformational leadership, adaptability, and creative problem-solving, he effectively guides teams and programs through periods of change. Jeff is committed to advancing Mayo Clinic’s mission by thoughtfully bridging its trusted traditions with opportunities for continued innovation.
Thank you to WCG for generous in-kind production support.
Additional Information
- All sessions will be held virtually
- Sessions are designed for:
- IRB administrators and staff
- Researchers and study teams
- Compliance and regulatory professionals
- Continuing education credits available
Please check back regularly for updates and additional registration links as session dates approach.
Contact melissa@nwabr.org with questions.
