Community Connections in Research
March 3-5, 2025 | Seattle Children's Research Institute Building Cure - Seattle, WA
and ONLINE Everywhere
IRB - 3/3 | IBC - 3/4 | 3/5 - IACUC
REGISTER NOW for one or multiple days!
Ticket prices:
- Single day, in-person - $600 Non-member | $210 Member
- Single day, virtual - $400 Non-member | $140 Member
- Registering for more than one day? Use code MULTIDAY to receive an additional 15% off your order.
Work at an NWABR Member Institution? Use code NWABRMEMBER2025 for a 65% discount! Must register with a valid company email address. Find our member list here.
Additional discounts available for bulk registrations for our valued members. Contact melissa@nwabr.org for more information.
IRB Conference - 3/3/25
NWABR’s IRB Conference brings together Institutional Review Board members, ethics professionals, researchers, and compliance experts to explore the evolving landscape of human subjects research. Guided by a volunteer Planning Committee deeply committed to ethical standards, this conference delivers timely, actionable insights on IRB regulations, participant protections, and ethical review processes.
Whether you’re new to IRB work or a seasoned practitioner, you’ll benefit from sessions designed to enhance your day-to-day responsibilities while addressing the complex challenges facing research oversight. Network with peers, share best practices, and deepen your understanding of the ethical foundations that protect research participants. Join us to connect, learn, and contribute to the ongoing mission of ethical research.
Confirmed IRB Sessions:
- We are the Movement - Melissa Tribelhorn, MPA (NWABR)
- Best Practices for Effectively Addressing Public Inquiries and Complaints about Human Subjects Research - Linda Coleman, JD (Stanford)
- Panel: Climbing the Ladder of IRB Review - Finding the Right Rung - Emily Guthrie, PhD (UW), Tanya Matthews, PhD (Kaiser), Bert Wilkins, JD, MHA, CIP (WCG)
- Crafting Compelling Research Stories: Navigating Media, IRB Guidelines & Ethical Boundaries - Karen Hunt (WSU)
- How Will the Use of AI in Research Impact Your HRPP? - James Riddle, MCSE, CIP, CPIA, CRQM (Advarra)
- The Business Case for DEI in Clinical Trials - Tara Coffin, PhD, MEd, CIP (WCG IRB)
- The Data Left Behind: Confronting the Challenges of Researching Strategically Excluded Populations - Doretha Walker, PhD, MPA, Olga I. Balderas, JD
Last year's 2024 IRB Conference Agenda
IBC Conference - 3/4/25
NWABR’s IBC Conference is a must-attend event for Institutional Biosafety Committee members, biosafety officers, researchers, and professionals committed to safe and compliant research practices. Curated by a passionate volunteer planning committee, this conference addresses critical biosafety topics with a focus on current regulatory guidelines, innovative safety solutions, and real-world applications.
Attendees will gain valuable insights to support their daily responsibilities and ensure ethical standards in biosafety. Additionally, the conference provides unique networking opportunities, allowing participants to connect and collaborate with peers in the biosafety community. Join us to stay informed, engaged, and equipped for the evolving challenges in biosafety and research oversight.
Confirmed IBC Sessions:
- We are the Movement - Melissa Tribelhorn, MPA (NWABR)
- Implementing Biosafety Best Practices for Cell Sorting - Michele Black (Fred Hutch)
- Panel: The Role of IBC Communications: Crisis Management, Incident Training & Forces Majeures
- Karen Hunt (WSU)
- Levi O'Loughlin, PhD (WSU)
- Kenna Gonzalez, PhD (FBI)
- Panel: Biosafety Incident Response
- Lesley Decker, MS, RBP (UW)
- Patrick Davidson, ASP, RBP (OHSU)
- Allison Zelikoff, RN, MSN (Fred Hutch)
- Risk assessment for clinical trials involving genetically modified bacteria or bacteriophages - Dan Eisenman, PhD, RBP, SM(NRCM), CBSP (Advarra)
- Export Controls - Levi O'Loughlin, PhD (WSU)
- Genetic ReMODELing: Using DNA editing technologies to unlock superior nonhuman primate models of human disease - Ben Burwitz, PhD (OHSU)
Last year's 2024 IBC Conference Agenda
IACUC Conference - 3/5/25
For the past 25 years, NWABR has proudly hosted the annual IACUC Conference, a premier event tailored for IACUC Committee members, veterinarians, animal technicians, and researchers. Designed by a dedicated volunteer Planning Committee, this conference champions the ethical use of animals in research and provides essential training and resources for both new and seasoned professionals.
Attendees will gain access to the latest updates in regulatory requirements, best practices, and hands-on solutions that directly support their daily work. In addition, this event offers invaluable networking opportunities, fostering connections that enhance collaboration and knowledge-sharing across the field. Join us for a day of learning, engagement, and professional growth at the region’s leading conference on animal research ethics and oversight.
Confirmed IACUC Sessions:
- Pre-Session: "Why are You Here?": A History of the IACUC & IACUC Basics - Cindy Pekow, DVM (Veteran's Administration), Heather Sidener (OHSU), Shannon Ramsey (Allen Institute)
- We are the Movement - Melissa Tribelhorn, MPA (NWABR)
- Keynote: Culture of Care: Building Bridges between Research Goals and Ethical Practice
- Sally Thompson-Iritani, DVM, PhD, CPIA (UW Office of Research)
- IACUC Evaluation of Enrichment Programs - Kristine Coleman, PhD (Oregon National Primate Center)
- Panel: Programmatic Approaches to Contemporary Issues
- VVC determinations, Culture of Care issues
- Moderator: Shannon Ramsey (Allen Institute)
- Jennifer Wilks, DVM (OHSU), Heather Sidener, DVM, DACLAM, Norm Peterson, DVM (Pfizer)
- As a reference: Lesley Colby, DVM, MS, DACLAM (AAALAC)
- Mock IACUC
- How an IACUC discusses guidelines on reporting, when incidents become programmatic issues, reporting requirements for different species; role delineations with the IACUC
- Moderators: Heather Sidener (OHSU), Shannon Ramsey (Allen Institute)
- Mock IACUC Committee Members: Kristine Coleman, PhD (Oregon National Primate Center), Jennifer Wilks, DVM (OHSU), Norm Peterson, DVM (Pfizer), Jane Sullivan, PhD (UW), Ken Gordon (Washington State Veterinary Medical Association)
- As a reference: Lesley Colby (AAALAC)
- Fireside Chat: The Regulatory Environment in 2025
- Taylor Bennett, DVM, Phd, DACLAM, DACAW (National Association for Biomedical Research)
- Melissa Tribelhorn, MPA (NWABR)
- Moderator: Sally Thompson-Iritani, DVM, PhD, CPIA (UW Office of Research)
Last year's 2024 IACUC Conference Agenda
Registration is now open.
Registration FYI- when registering more than one person at a time, only the primary contact on the registration will receive a confirmation email, not each individual attendee. On the confirmation email, you can scroll down to and click on the "View Tickets" button to verify attendee registration. Rest assured, each individual attendee will receive a logistics email and/or join links two days before the conference.
CONFERENCE CANCELLATION POLICY:
If you are unable to attend the conference, you may donate your registration fee to NWABR or receive a full refund one week out from the event and a 50% refund within one week of the event. Refunds cannot be given once the conference begins. We also accept replacement names, but we need to receive those as soon as possible, please, and no later than noon on February 27, 2025. For cancelations or replacements, please email melissa@nwabr.org.
Traveling to the conference from out of town?
Accommodations: NWABR has negotiated a group rate at the Hilton Garden Inn around the corner from the conference venue.
Transportation: We encourage folks to use public transportation to Building Cure. The venue is located 11 blocks from the Westlake Light Rail Station, and there are many bus routes that serve the general area.
Parking: Unfortunately, the conference venue does not have on-site parking, but there are many garages located within a two-block radius.
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