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Research Ethics

University research is governed by policies and practices that ensure the protection of research participants, researchers (faculty, students and staff members), the university and the public. These policies and practices cover research involving humans, the use of animals, controlled goods and hazardous materials, among others.

Please note that research may not begin before all university approvals/certifications, institutional requirements or governmental authorizations are obtained.

Individual researchers, in addition to being governed by internal policies and procedures, may be governed by external ethical guidelines imposed by professional associations such as the Canadian Psychological Association or the Canadian College of Physicians and Surgeons, as well as the guidelines of Canadian and other regulatory agencies, such as the Health Protection Branch of Health Canada and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

All funded or unfunded research involving humans, animals or controlled goods undertaken at Toronto Metropolitan University facilities and conducted by Toronto Metropolitan University faculty, students and staff is subject to review and approval.

REB Open Office Hours

Every Thursday - 10:00 am to 12:00 pm

The TMU REB hosts virtual office hours via Zoom every Thursday between 10 am - 12 pm. 

Join Zoom meeting to attend virtual office hours (opens in new window) 

Meeting ID: 949 1974 0301 

Please drop in if you have any questions. No appointment necessary.

Contacts

Office of the Vice-President, Research & Innovation 
1 Dundas Street West, 11th Floor
Toronto, Ontario M5G 1Z3

Asher Alkoby, LL.B., LL.M., S.J.D.
Chair, Toronto Metropolitan University Research Ethics Board
416-979-5000 ext. 552491
aalkoby@torontomu.ca
rebchair@torontomu.ca

Todd Girard, PhD
Vice-Chair, Toronto Metropolitan University Research Ethics Board
416-979-5000 ext. 552646
todd.girard@torontomu.ca

J. Anneke Rummens, PhD
Interim Chair, Health Sciences Research Ethics Board
416-979-5000 ext. 543595
arummens@torontomu.ca

Zakiya Atcha, MSW
Director, Research Ethics
(Human Ethics, Animal Care, Controlled Goods, Undergraduate Ethics)
416-979-5000 ext. 554841
zakiya.atcha@torontomu.ca

Bryanna Hines (she/her), MA, MSW
Manager, Research Ethics Board
416-979-5000 ext. 552963 
bryanna.hines@torontomu.ca

Federica Berdini (she/they), PhD
Research Ethics Administrator
416-979-5000 ext. 552963 
fberdini@torontomu.ca

Seema Tejani, B.A/B.Ed
Research Ethics Administrator 
416-979-5000 ext. 552963 
stejani2@torontomu.ca

To access the online ethics submission and review system, log into your my.torontomu account and go to the "Research" box.

Research Ethics Board

The Research Ethics Board (REB) approves, rejects, proposes modifications to, or terminates any proposed or ongoing research involving humans that is conducted by faculty, staff or undergraduate students of the university, so as to protect research subjects and ensure that research is conducted in an ethical manner. No research on humans shall be undertaken without the prior approval of the REB.

The REB shall:

  • Interpret and apply the Tri-Council Policy Statement and relevant legislation.
  • Establish guidelines and procedures consistent with the Tri-Council Policy Statement and relevant legislation.
  • Facilitate research by consulting with and assisting researchers.

Chair

Name Faculty/Expertise
Asher Alkoby Ted Rogers School of Business Management (Law & Business)

Vice-Chair

Name Faculty/Expertise
Todd Girard
Arts (Psychology)

Interim Chair, Health Sciences Research Ethics Board

Name Faculty/Expertise
Joanna Anneke Rummens Community Services (Nursing)

Ex-Officio Members (non-voting)

Name Faculty/Expertise
Zakiya Atcha Director, Research Ethics
Bryanna Hines Manager, Research Ethics Board
Seema Tejani REB Administrator 
Federica Berdini REB Administrator
Daniel Dabir Research Ethics Intern

Faculty and Staff Representatives

Name Faculty/Department
Sean Bellaviti Arts (Philosophy/Ethnomusicology)
Sarah Dermody Arts (Psychology)
Alexandra Fiocco Arts (Psychology)
Frank Russo Arts (Psychology)
Areej Al-Hamad Community Services (Nursing)
Beverly-Jean Daniel Community Services (Child and Youth Care)
Nicole Ineese-Nash Community Services (Early Childhood Studies/Indigenous Expert)
Kateryna Metersky Community Services (Nursing)
Henry Parada
Community Services (Social Work)
Susan Preston Community Services (Social Work)
Joanna Anneke Rummens Community Services (Nursing)
Fatih Sekercioglu Community Services (Occupational and Public Health)
Kateryna Metersky Community Services (Nursing)
Opeyemi Akanbi The Creative School (Professional Communications)
Laura Nenych The Creative School (Media Productions)
Yukari Seko
The Creative School (Professional Communication)
Naimul Khan Engineering and Architectural Science (Electrical and Computer Engineering)
Terri Peters Engineering and Architectural Science (Architectural Science)
Kathleen Hammond Law
Naomi Eichenlaub Library
Vess Stamenova Ted Rogers School of Management (Information Technology Management) 
Michael Baumtrog Ted Rogers School of Management (Law and Business)
Tom Griffin Ted Rogers School of Management (Hospitality, Tourism and Management)
Chris Macdonald Ted Rogers School of Management (Law and Business)
Matthew Marinett Ted Rogers School of Management (Law and Business)
Zahava Rosenberg-Yunger Ted Rogers School of Management (Health Services Management)
Kristyn Scott Ted Rogers School of Management (HR Management & Organizational Behaviour)
Nukhet Taylor Ted Rogers School of Management (Marketing Management)
Sarah Sabatinos Chemistry and Biology
Nirojini Sivachandran Science (Chemistry and Biology)
Nagina Parmar Science (Biomedical Science)

Students

Name Faculty/Expertise
Caitlin Cosgrove Graduate Student (Nursing)
Menahal Latif Graduate Student (Psychology)
Anik Obomsawin Graduate Student (Psychology)
Samantha Pejic Graduate Student (Psychology)
Cassandra Skortzki Graduate Student (Psychology)
Vania Abbasi Graduate Student (Law)
Samantha Corion Undergraduate Student (Psychology)
Naomi Wokocha Undergraduate Student (Philosophy and English)

Community Members

Name Expertise
Prasantha De Silva Medicine/Public Health
Daniel Sanchez Morales International Research / Neuropsychology
Faridoddin Pesteh Criminology / Cyber Security
Fleur Esteron Nutrition/Sociology/Communications and Culture
Marco Tang Philosophy/Ethics
Emily Rolufs Psychology
Laura Feltham Child and Youth Worker/Early Childhood Studies
Jane Burns Arts, History, Research Ethics

Ad Hoc / Advisors

Name Faculty/Expertise
Damien Lee Arts (Sociology) / Indigenous Advisor
Megan Scribe Arts (Sociology) / Indigenous Advisor
Aurelia Di Santo Early Childhood Studies
Nancy Walton Community Services (Nursing)