Introduction to Institutional Biosafety Committees and Supporting Programs

We have redesigned our online IBC training course!

This six-week online training course, offered by the New England Society for Biomedical Research (NESBR), provides an in-depth examination of Institutional Biosafety Commitees (IBCs) and their evolving role in research oversight, governance, and public accountability. Established under the NIH Guidelines to formalize biosafety oversight in academic institutions, IBCs have expanded in scope to address the growing complexity of biotechnology across academic and private sectors.

  • WEEK 1: INTRODUCTION
  • WEEK 2: NIH GUIDELINES: OVERSIGHT and PRACTICE
  • WEEK 3: PRACTICAL GUIDANCE for IBC ADMINISTRATION
  • WEEK 4: IBC PROTOCOL REVIEW PROCESS
  • WEEK 5: CONNECTING IBCs TO OTHER UNITS AT YOUR ORGANIZATION and CREATING a HIGH PERFORMING IBC PROGRAM
  • WEEK 6: OVERVIEW and FINAL EXAM

EVERY TUESDAY WE WILL HAVE ZOOM OFFICE HOURS FROM 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM

Through this self-led training, participants will explore how IBCs Frameworks operate across research, teaching, and private biotechnology settings, including emerging models such as the Cambridge Biosafety Commitee, which incorporates community oversight and enhanced transparency.

The course will also examine coordination among IBCs, Institutional Animal Care and Use Commitees (IACUCs), and Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) to support ethical, compliant research involving biological materials, animals, and human subjects.

Throughout the course, emphasis is placed on strategies to strengthen IBC effectiveness, promote ethical governance, and foster a proactive culture of safety, transparency, and public trust. By the conclusion of the course, participants will have a clear understanding of IBC functions, evolving responsibilities, and their role in supporting responsible bioscience innovation.

Meet your IBC Online TRAINER, Matrida Neli

Matrida, is a Program Manager and Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) Liaison at Harvard Medical School, where they support the operations of the Commitee on Microbiology Safety (COMS), the Institutional Biosafety Commitee (IBC). In this role, they coordinate protocol review, ensure regulatory compliance, and serve as a key liaison between researchers and EHS to support safe and responsible research practices.

With over a decade of experience in clinical microbiology at Mass General Brigham, Matrida has extensive expertise in biosafety, including BSL-2 and BSL-3 laboratory operations, specimen processing, and quality control. Their work is grounded in advancing biosafety oversight, strengthening compliance frameworks, and promoting a culture of safety and accountability in research environments.

Course Content