Ethics Boards

Research Ethics Boards (REBs) are independent committees established by the University and in partnership with its affiliated hospitals and research institutes.

Acting on behalf of these institutions, REBs are authorized to review the ethical acceptability of research and to approve, reject, propose modifications to, or terminate any proposed or ongoing research involving human participants. 

There are three UBC REBs and three Affiliated REBs. The UBC REBs are the Clinical REB (CREB), the UBC-Vancouver Behavioural REB (BREB), and the UBC-Okanagan REB (BREB). The three UBC Affiliated REBs are BC Cancer REB, Children’s and Women’s REB, and Providence Health Care REB. UBC researchers can submit their ethics applications to any one of these REBs in order to use any of the sites covered by these boards. Multiple ethics approvals are not required

UBC’s REBs are independent of the parent institution(s) in their decision-making, and they are required to operate free of inappropriate influence, including situations of real, potential or perceived conflict of interest. The parent institution(s) may not override REB decisions concerning the ethical acceptability of a study.

UBC’s REBs meet all requisite criteria for an authorized research ethics board, pursuant to the Tri-Council Policy Statement (TCPS2 2014), the International Conference on Harmonization Good Clinical Practice Guidelines (ICH-GCP) and the requirements of the US Department of Health and Human Services, as set out in the Federal Policy for the Protection of Human Subjects, 45CFR Part 46, sub-part A. 

The mandate of the REBs at UBC is:

"To assist the University and its affiliated hospitals and agencies to create a research environment in which human subjects are protected and to ensure responsibilities are discharged according to the relevant ethical standards, by promoting awareness of research ethics amongst faculty, staff and students, by independently reviewing research studies in accordance with the guiding ethical principles of the Tri-Council Policy Statement, and to put into place mechanisms for the protection of human participants in ongoing research conducted under the auspices of the University of British Columbia."

UBC BEHAVIOURAL RESEARCH ETHICS BOARD (BREB)

The BREB reviews behavioural and social science/humanities research, and research that may involve the study of patients or health care providers. Behavioural studies do not involve the use of invasive procedures. They do include research involving interviews, observations, and the administration of questionnaires and tests.

Maria Valente, BREB Research Ethics Review Officer
The BREB Review Coordinator advises researchers on BREB policies and expectations, and coordinates the review of applications.
604-827-5112 | maria.valente@ubc.ca 

Anita Lillquist, BREB Review Coordinator
The BREB Review Coordinator advises researchers on BREB policies and expectations, and coordinates the review of applications.
604-827-5597 | anital@mail.ubc.ca

Leah Meanwell, Jr. Research Ethics Review Coordinator-Behavioural
The BREB Jr. Research Ethics Review Coordinator advises researchers on BREB policies and expectations, and coordinates the review of post-approval activities for behavioural applications.
leah.meanwell@ubc.ca 

Wendy Bond, Research Ethics Coordinator, Compliance & Outreach
The Research Ethics Coordinator advises researchers on BREB policies and expectations, assists in the review of applications, and maintains the BREB website, in addition to compliance responsibilities.
604-822-4581 | wendy.bond@ubc.ca

UBC Behavioural Research Ethics Office
#102, Technology Enterprise Facility III
6190 Agronomy Road Campus map
Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3
Fax: 604-822-5093

UBC CLINICAL RESEARCH ETHICS BOARD (CREB)

Reviews research involving clinical interventions such as the testing of drugs, medical devices and rehabilitation exercise programs, and/or the analysis of clinical data obtained from medical records or studies of a clinical nature involving the linkage of data from existing databases.

Reviews clinical research conducted at Vancouver Coastal Health Authority sites, including UBC Hospital, Vancouver General Hospital and GF Strong.

Pia Ganz, CREB Manager
The CREB Manager oversees the functioning of the CREB staff and Board, monitors ethical review process standards, and advises on compliance with ethics policies. 
604-875-4149 | pia.ganz@ubc.ca

Elmira Chan, Pre-Post Review Manager
The CREB Pre-Post Review Manager is responsible for managing the review of new minimal risk and full board applications and associated deferral/proviso responses, post-approval activities, and general inquiries. 
604-875-4111 ext. 68918 | elmira.chan@ubc.ca

Freda Tom, Research Ethics Coordinator
The CREB Ethics Review Coordinator is responsible for the review of new minimal risk and full board applications and associated deferral/proviso responses, post-approval activities, and general inquiries. 
604-875-4111 ext. 68919 | freda.tom@ubc.ca

Sarah Flann, Research Ethics Coordinator
The CREB Ethics Review Coordinator is responsible for the review of new minimal risk and full board applications and associated deferral/proviso responses, post-approval activities, and general inquiries. 
604-875-4111 ext. 68919 | sarah.flan@ubc.ca

Svitlana Franchuk, Administrative Assistant
The CREB Administrative Assistant is responsible for handling incoming general inquiries, minimal risk post-approval activities, SAEs, and fee payment. 
604-875-4111 ext. 68917 | svitlana.franchuk@ors.ubc.ca

UBC Clinical Research Ethics Office
Room 210, Research Pavilion
828 West 10th Avenue Google Map 
Vancouver, BC V5Z 1M9

UBC OKANAGAN BEHAVIOURAL RESEARCH ETHICS BOARD (UBC-O BREB)

The Okanagan REB reviews behavioural research conducted by investigators on the Okanagan campus that would otherwise be reviewed by the UBC Behavioural REB. Please check the board website for exact details regarding meeting dates and submission deadlines. 

Lisa Shearer, Manager, Administration and Compliance
The Associate Manager deals with general inquiries regarding research ethics and coordinates the review of applications.
250-807-8289 | lisa.shearer@ubc.ca

Website

BC CANCER RESEARCH ETHICS BOARD

BC Cancer Research Ethics oversees ethical conduct and decision making in clinical and behavioural adult oncology research projects at BC Cancer that use human materials and information. Visit the Board webpage for details on meeting dates and submission deadlines.

Jessica Gagliardi, Director, BC Cancer Research Ethics
Queries relating to compliance with local, national, and international policies and legislation; activities, procedures and direction of Research Ethics administration; ethics or integrity queries or concerns; and training. 
604-877-6284 | Jessica.Gagliardi@bccancer.bc.ca

The BCC REB Officers respond to queries relating to pre-review of all full board and delegated/minimal risk; and, post-review documentation of all full board REB decisions (e.g., deferrals, provisos, amendments, and renewals). Contact them at reb@bccancer.bc.ca.

Website

CHILDREN'S & WOMEN'S REB

The UBC Children’s and Women’s REB reviews both clinical and behavioural research taking place at BC Children’s Hospital, BC Women’s Hospital, BC Mental Health and Addiction Services and their affiliated research institutes.  The REB also reviews research taking place under the auspices of PHSA not covered by any of the other UBC REBs.  Visit the Board webpage for details on meeting dates and submission deadlines.

Jennie Prasad, C&W REB Manager
604-875-2441 | jprasad@bcchr.ubc.ca
Jennie oversees the functioning of the REB staff and Board, monitors ethical review process standards and advises on compliance with ethics policies.

Farin Meralli, Research Ethics & Regulatory Specialist
Farin is responsible for the review of new full-board and minimal risk applications and associated deferral/proviso responses and general inquiries.
604-875-2000 ext. 5396 | fmeralli@bcchr.ubc.ca

Talysa Dhahan, C&W REB Administrative Coordinator 
Talysa is responsible for handling incoming general inquiries, post-approval activities, institutional approvals, and fee payment..
604-875-3103 | tdhahan@bcchr.ubc.ca

Website

PROVIDENCE HEALTHCARE REB

The Providence Health Care REB reviews research being conducted at Providence Health Care sites, including St Paul’s Hospital, Mount Saint Joseph Hospital, St Vincent’s Hospitals, Holy Family Hospital, Youville Residence and Marion Hospice. Visit the Board webpage for details on meeting dates and submission deadlines.

Julie Hadden, PHC REB Manager, Ethical Reviews
Contact Julie for queries relating to policies, standards, REB administration inquiries.
604-682-2344 ext. 63496 | julie.hadden@ubc.ca

Alex Trethewey, PHC REB Manager, Pre and Post Review
Contact Alex for queries relating to pre-review of applications, post-review documentation of REB decisions, post-approval activities and general inquiries. 
604-806-8567 | alex.trethewey@ubc.ca

Paula Piper, Research Ethics Coordinator
ppiper@providencehealth.bc.ca

Website