Gale A. Spencer, professor of nursing at the Decker School of Nursing, has been named chair of the Human Subjects Research Review Committee by Stephen A. Gilje, associate vice president of research. Spencer, who is also director of The Roger L. and Mary F. Kresge Center for Nursing Research at the Decker School, received her Ph.D. from Syracuse University. She has extensive experience as a researcher and is a long-standing member of the Human Subjects Research Review Committee. Spencer will replace Gary D. James, who chaired the committee for six years. James will remain a professor of nursing and director of the Institute for Primary and Preventative Health Care.

The committee chair works with committee members, institutional officials, and investigators to ensure that the rights and welfare of research participants are adequately protected, and that the benefits of the research justify the risks to the research participant.

The Human Subjects Research Review Office has changed their contact numbers: telephone 607 777-3818; fax: 607 777-5025.