|
Biological Safety
Miriam Lonon, PhD
, Biological Safety Officer, and Manager of Environmental Health and Safety,
came from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH),
Cincinnati, Ohio. A native Arkansan, Dr. Lonon received her Bachelor's and Master's
degrees from the University of Arkansas before earning her doctoral degree in medical
microbiology from Texas Tech School of Medicine. After completing a post-doctoral
fellowship in microbiology at Miami University, she was invited to remain at that
institution as Visiting Assistant Professor of Zoology. In 1991, she accepted a
position as research microbiologist at NIOSH, where she set up and directed a research
program for the investigation of microbiological hazards
in the workplace. She is the author of many journal articles, reports, and government documents
and guidelines on bioaerosols, occupational health, and microbial contamination of indoor
environments. She has presented her work at national and international symposia and has
received awards for her teaching and service to students, and for promoting science and the
ideals of equal opportunity in occupational health.
Room: FAMA-A108
Phone: 575-3597
Cell: 263-2840
E-mail: mlonon@uark.edu
Shatara Porchia-White
, Biological Safety Coordinator,
has a Bachelor of Science degree in
Biology and Community Health from the University of Central Arkansas. She worked at the University
of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in Little Rock, AR as a Special Procedures Technician in the hospital's
Flow Cytometry Laboratory from 2001 to 2003. From 2003 through 2007 she was with the University of Mississippi,
Thad Cochran National Center for Natural Products Research as an Associate Research and Development Biologist.
Most recently, before joining the Office of Environmental Health & Safety, she worked as a Research Assistant
in the University of Arkansas Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry.
Room: FAMA-A114
Phone: 575-3533
Cell: 879-2168
E-mail: sporchia@uark.edu
Policy
It is the policy of The University of Arkansas, that all principal investigators, students,
and technical personnel who are planning to undertake research projects involving
the use of certain biological agents or their products or derivatives, must submit
applications and/or usage forms and experimental protocols for written approval
from the Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) prior to beginning work on the
project. Projects requiring prior approval include, but may not be limited to, those
involving human pathogens (including materials that could contain blood-borne pathogens),
those using or constructing organisms having recombinant DNA, and those involving
the possession and/or use of agents or toxins subject to regulation under the federal
Laboratory Registration and Select Agents Transfer (LR/SAT) Tracking Program.
This policy governs the receipt, storage, transport, use and disposal of hazardous biological
agents and materials. It applies to all research, teaching or other activities using
hazardous biological materials conducted at the University campus or by University
faculty, staff or students when acting as representatives of the University at off-campus
locations. In addition, it has been adopted by the University of Arkansas Division
of Agriculture for application to all research, teaching or other activities using
hazardous biological materials conducted at the Agricultural Experiment Station
or by individuals acting as representatives of the Agricultural Experiment Station
at off-site locations. This policy does not apply to services provided by the Cooperative
Extension Service of the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture.
Procedures
All projects must conform
to the guidelines and requirements set forth in the University of Arkansas Biological
Safety Manual, the United States Department of Health and Human Services Biosafety
in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories, and the National Institutes of Health
Guidelines for Research Involving Recombinant DNA. Applications and protocols must
be submitted in writing, using the forms available from the Office of Research and
Sponsored Programs (RSSP) and Office of Environmental Health and Safety (EH&S).
Forms are available from the IBC website and from the RSSP. (Contact information
is provided below.)
Experimental protocols must, at a minimum, include the following:,
- description of the agent or toxin and its associated risks, including occupational and public
health implications and any provisions regarding immunization and/or medical surveillance;
- description of methods to be used for handling, containing and storing the agent or toxin with
reference to the appropriate containment level;
- description of the procedures to be used for decontamination of areas, and decontamination and/or
disposal of materials generated during or following normal procedures and upon spill or accidental
release of the agent or material;
- description of training and qualifications of identified personnel working on the project;
- description of measures taken to ensure the security of the area and materials.
All safety-related questions that arise during the course of the project are to be addressed by the
principal investigator, working in concert with the BSO. The BSO is to be notified of any major changes
in project plan or personnel and the project may be subject to re-review by the IBC at the discretion of
the BSO.
If you have any questions or comments about the University's Biological Safety Program
or would like to schedule a class, please do not hesitate to contact Environmental
Health & Safety at 575-5448 or e-mail the Director/Biological Safety Officer,
Dr. Miriam Lonon or the Assistant Biological Safety Officer
Shatara Porchia-White
Educational Resources and Other Useful Links:
|