I was very excited to learn of the opportunity to become a member of the Blog Squad for the 2018 Advancing Ethical Research Conference (AER18). I am the Research Director for the Department of the Emergency Medicine and serve as the Vice Chair for the IRB at The Lincoln Medical Center in The Bronx, New York.

Initially, I became familiar with the IRB as a Principal Investigator, when I conducted a research project to fulfil the requirement for Pediatric Emergency Medicine (PEM) fellowship training. I quickly realized that research is vitally important to for the advancement of medical science and I also understood that human subjects protections, particularly in children and other vulnerable populations, is critical. As I practiced in a neighborhood of diverse and low-income households, I appreciate the importance that subjects’ rights not be violated, and that they not be unduly coerced to participate in research. It is also important that participants enter into research studies voluntarily and with sufficient information and understanding.

As we gather together at AER18 to learn, deconstruct, discuss, and debate issues related to human subjects’ protections, research ethics, and oversight of research, I am excited explore sessions specifically addressing the ethical challenges in research involving children.. The ethical conduct of research on pediatric subjects is crucial to optimizing clinical care. I believe this conference is an important avenue to express our commitment to advancing the ethical conduct of medical research.

For many years, I’ve been very grateful for the opportunities I have had, with respect to attending AER conferences. Being selected as a member of the blog squad provides me an opportunity to express my gratitude toward PRIM&R for providing opportunities to fulfil the educational and professional needs of both my and many other professionals. I look forward to this opportunity to bring the AER18 conference highlights to a greater audience, including thosewho may not have been able to attend.

Muhammad Waseem, MD, MS, CIP, CPI, CCRP, is currently Professor of Emergency Medicine in Clinical Pediatrics at Weill Cornell Medical College, New York. He completed a residency in Pediatrics and a fellowship in Pediatric Emergency Medicine. He also holds Master’s degrees in Clinical Investigation and Epidemiology & Health Services Research from Cornell University, New York. He serves as the Research Director for the Department of Emergency Medicine and Vice chair for the IRB at Lincoln Medical Center Bronx, New York.

His special interests are ethical issues involving children and protection of vulnerable populations. He addresses these interests via his work in the pediatric emergency department as an investigator and educator. He has been serving an under-represented population in an urban community for over 20 years.

Members of PRIM&R’s Blog Squad and other guest contributors are valued members of our community willing to share their insights. The views expressed in their posts do not necessarily reflect those of PRIM&R or its employees.

PRIM&R’s 2018 Advancing Ethical Research Conference takes place November 14-17 in San Diego, CA. Explore the agenda and register on our website.