Biosafety Committee

Membership

Name	Role	Discipline	Voting
Eddie Arias	Member	Environmental Health & Safety	Yes
Maria Gabriela Bowden	Member	Microbiology	Yes
Mehdi Esmaeiliyan	Member	Laboratory Staff	Yes
Lisa Morano	Member	Biology/Microbiology	Yes
Rachna Sadana	Member	Biology/Biochemistry	Yes
Jacob Theruvathu	Member	Chemistry	Yes
Michael Tobin	Member	Biology	Yes
Brett Haltiwanger	Member	UT Health	Yes
Jerry Johnson	Member	OSRP	Yes

Charge

In consultation with the Assistant Vice President for Research and Sponsored Programs, the Biosafety Committee reviews and approves all research projects affiliated with or conducted at the university involving recombinant DNA (animal, plant and microbiological), infectious agents, genetically modified organisms, nanoparticles, and other potentially hazardous agents of biological or other origin (biological carcinogens or toxins).

Composition

Membership consists of select faculty members from the Department of Natural Sciences with appropriate expertise, on member of the laboratory staff, on member from Environmental Safety, and two members not affiliated with the UH System. One additional position on the committee includes the Assistant Vice President for Research and Sponsored Program, who serves in an ex-officio capacity.