PRIM&R is pleased to introduce the members of the Blog Squad for our 2016 Advancing Ethical Research Conference (AER16). The Blog Squad is composed of PRIM&R members who will share their insights before, during, and after the conference. Check Ampersand regularly for their latest posts:

Sydney A. Boone, BS, MA, is the IRB research operations assistant at Westat, an independent social science research firm in Rockville, Maryland. Equipped with a master’s in forensic psychology, a BS in general psychology, a strong research background, and a passion for protecting human subjects in research, Ms. Boone has an experienced but self-proclaimed idiosyncratic approach to her work in Westat’s IRB Office.

Seth C. Hall, JD, is the associate director of the Human Research Office at the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson, Mississippi. After graduating from the University of Mississippi School of Law, Mr. Hall practiced civil litigation in a private law firm for six years. In 2015, he applied his education and experience to the protection of human research participants within the overall research mission at the University of Mississippi Medical Center. Mr. Hall is excited to grow in this role and help strengthen Mississippi’s medical research infrastructure.

Arturo Herreño Marin, MA, is a professor at Universidad de San Buenaventura Cali in Cali, Columbia. He has a master’s degree in education with a focus on human development; is an educational research specialist in the context of university teaching; and has a degree in philosophy and religious science. He has worked with the IRB of Universidad de San Buenaventura Cali since 2012, primarily on social, behavioral, and educational research activities.

Aimee E. Huard, PhD, is an associate professor of social sciences and chair of the Ethical Research Board at Nashua Community College in Nashua, New Hampshire. She received her PhD in Anthropology from Binghamton University. Her research interests include forensic anthropology, skeletal biology, mortuary rituals, and human rights.

Brenda L. Ruotolo, BA, CIP, is executive director of the Human Research Protection Office at Columbia University, and has been affiliated with Columbia since 2003. She has extensive experience with IRB review of both biomedical and social science/behavioral research. As executive director she is responsible for the functions of the seven IRBs and oversight of approximately 6000 active research studies. Ms. Ruotolo has been a member of PRIM&R for approximately 20 years. She presents at local and national conferences on a variety of topics related to the protection of human subjects.