Benilda P. Pooser has joined the university as the new human subjects unit administrative officer in the Office of the Vice President for Research. She will be involved in reviewing research protocols for human subjects research to ensure compliance with university, state and federal guidelines and regulations. In addition, she will provide training to UGA faculty, students and staff on research protections and will manage activities of the Institutional Review Board.
“UGA is very excited about Dr. Pooser’s breadth of experience and professional certifications in human subjects protections,” says Regina Smith, associate vice president for research. “Her work with the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee at the University of South Carolina and experience managing the IRB at Clemson University will benefit many UGA research programs.”
After receiving her doctorate from Clemson in animal physiology in 1996, Pooser joined Clemson as a research assistant professor where she studied the structures of seminal macrophages, reproductive immune cells found in both humans and turkeys. Her findings were published in refereed journals including Poultry Science and the Journal of Andrology.
“It is a privilege to join a university as distinguished as UGA. I look forward to working with the research community in setting the highest standards for protecting human subjects,” Pooser says. “UGA will seek accreditation of its human research program though the Association for the Accreditation of Human Research Protections Program. This accreditation will help us achieve compliance with federal regulations and enhance the quality of our research. These benefits can instill confidence in funding agencies about the quality of our program and help build public trust.”