Establishment of Southwest Tribal Institutional Review Board

The primary purpose of an institutional review board (IRB) is to protect the rights and welfare of people who participate in research activities. Both Albuquerque Area Indian Health Board (AAIHB) and Albuquerque Area Southwest Tribal Epidemiology Center (AASTEC) are responsible for health-related projects that take place in tribal communities. Until mid-2009, there was not a local tribal-based IRB to serve Southwest tribes participating in research activities. The Indian Health Service IRB in Rockville, MD, has served as the reviewer of research in the Albuquerque Area. AAIHB Directors recognized the need to provide critically needed support for tribes to approve, require modification to, or disapprove all health research activities taking place in southwest tribal communities. At their March 2009 meeting, the AAIHB Board passed a resolution to establish the Southwest Tribal IRB to provide services to AAIHB and AASTEC research projects.
 

Southwest Tribal IRB Services to Tribes in New Mexico, Colorado, and Texas

The Southwest Tribal IRB is available to provide supplemental review of research projects based on federal code and regulations specific to human subjects’ protection. The Southwest Tribal IRB does not supplant or replace local tribal review but is meant to provide additional insight and recommendation. It was determined that Tribes will be required to submit a resolution from their tribal government indicating the approval and authorization of Southwest Tribal IRB services.

Point of Contact
This is a brief overview of the Southwest Tribal IRB. Please contact Rachell Tenorio (IRB Coordinator) at [email protected] or (505) 962-2603, if you have questions about the Southwest Tribal IRB.