New IRB Chair Appointed

April 6, 2021 | By: Kaitlyn Hale 

Dr. Martin Binks will replace current Chair Kelly Cukrowicz beginning May 11.

The Institutional Review Board at Texas Tech has appointed Dr. Martin Binks, a professor in the College of Human Sciences, as its new Chair.

Binks will formally assume the role May 11, when current Chair Dr. Kelly Cukrowicz steps down, but he is already beginning to transition into the role by attending meetings with Cukrowicz, Associate Chair Dr. Malinda Colwell, and Human Research Protection Section Manager Dr. CassiDe Street.

“It's quite an honor to be chosen to chair the IRB because it's such an important role both in protecting the people who help us with our research, the human subjects, and also helping the researchers at Texas Tech do their jobs,” Binks said.

In addition to this new role, Binks is a professor in the Department of Nutritional Sciences, director of the Nutrition & Metabolic Health Initiative, leader of the Behavioral Medicine & Translational Research Lab, and an active member of several professional organizations.

Binks was part of the IRB training class in the fall of 2019 and began reviewing IRB proposals independently in the fall of 2020. Along with being the primary reviewer on three full board proposals, he also reviews expedited and limited proposals weekly.

Alice Young, the Institutional Official for Texas Tech and an Associate Vice President for Research in the Office of Research and Innovation, said she looks forward to working closely with both Binks and Colwell, who will remain the associate chair for the IRB.

Young also expressed her appreciation for the work Cukrowicz accomplished during her time as Chair.

“Kelly was an especially effective Chair of our IRB,” Young said. “Her calm leadership strengthened Texas Tech's research programs and helped our researchers and trainees develop new research avenues that explore complex social questions. I know I will continue to seek her wise counsel as she transitions fully to her new role in the School of Veterinary Medicine.”

After 14 years in the Department of Psychological Sciences, Cukrowicz joined Texas Tech's new School of Veterinary Medicine, where she will teach students how to manage stressors, anxiety, and more. 

During her time as IRB Chair, Cukrowicz expanded the capabilities of the IRB and HRPP by securing an additional staff member for the HRPP, an Associate IRB Chair position, and funding to continue IRB reviews over the summer. She has also trained 21 IRB reviewers, including Binks, and reviewed more than 1,000 IRB submissions. 

“Chairing the Institutional Review Board has been a very positive experience for me,” Cukrowicz said. 

“Texas Tech's human subjects research volume has increased tremendously, and it has been exciting to be a part of educating researchers, reviewing cutting-edge proposals, and ensuring safety for research participants. I have been fortunate to work with a wonderful staff and board, and I look forward to seeing all the great things our research community accomplishes in the future.”

Binks said he is excited to begin his new role and emphasized the accomplishments of Cukrowicz's time as Chair.

“Over my years at Texas Tech, I have been very impressed with the efficiency and helpfulness of the IRB under Dr. Cukrowicz's leadership. These are very big shoes to fill.”