Institutional Biosafety Committee

The Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) is responsible for monitoring and oversight of the use of biohazardous agents to safeguard the health and safety of Ohio University personnel, students, the community, and the environment. 

The IBC must also ensure compliance with applicable federal regulations and guidelines, granting agency guidelines, as well as Ohio University policies and procedures. 

The IBC meets at least three times each year to discuss and approve new researcher proposals. They also review the status of biosafety policies, procedures and manuals.

Contact the Safety Department for details about submission deadlines and upcoming meeting dates.

IBC Bylaws and Procedures [PDF]

IBC Committee Roster

Administrators/Faculty

Chair
Tomohiko Sugiyama, Ph.D.
sugiyama@ohio.edu
Associate Professor, Biological Sciences
March 4, 2029

Biological Safety Officer
Brent Mattox, Ph.D.
mattoxb@ohio.edu
Director, Environmental Health and Safety
September 9, 2026

BSO Alternate
Crystal Brooks
brooksc3@ohio.edu
Biological and Radiological Safety Officer
September 9, 2026

Plant Expert
Zhihua Hua, Ph.D.
hua@ohio.edu
Associate Professor, Environmental and Plant Biology
March 4, 2029

Animal Expert
Shigeru Okada, Ph.D.
okada@ohio.edu
Associate Professor, HCOM-Specialty Medicine
March 5, 2029

Karen Coschigano, Ph.D.
coschigk@ohio.edu
Associate Professor, HCOM-Biomedical Sciences
March 4, 2029

Ex-Officio

Hillary Snyder, Ph.D.
hillary.snyder@ohio.edu
Director, Research Compliance
March 4, 2029

Community Members

Gordon Muhlberger
gpmuhlberger@gmail.com
July 11, 2026

Scott Blatter
blatter@gmail.com
January 6, 2029
 

Meetings Archive

IBC meeting agendas and minutes will be uploaded here as they become available.