Staff Directory
Office of Research Ethics Administrative Team
Sarah Kaatz
Director
(515) 294-3115
skaatz@iastate.eduAs Director of the Office of Research Ethics, Sarah is responsible for the oversight and programmatic development of a comprehensive, innovative, and responsive research compliance program involving Human Subjects, Animal & Biohazards, Conflict of Interest & Commitment, and International Collaborations. She also provides oversight of ISU’s federally mandated research compliance committees, including the Institutional Review Board (IRB), the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC), the Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC), and the Radiation Safety Committee (RSC). Sarah assures that ISU operates ethically and in compliance with applicable regulations regarding responsible research by implementing appropriate policies, training and educating the research community, and managing the investigation and resolution of incidents of noncompliance.
Anna Williams
Interim Associate Director
(515) 294-8601
amwill@iastate.eduAnna serves as the Interim Associate Director of the ORE and is responsible for the Conflict of Interest & Commitment and International Collaborations branch of ORE. Anna encourages innovation, cooperation, and effective research while being on the lookout for any risks or ethical quandaries. She chairs the conflict of interest and commitment in research committee, monitors research that has national security concerns and oversees the use of unmanned aircraft in research.
Bette Maybee
Administrative Assistant III/Office Manager
(515) 294-1516
bjmaybee@iastate.eduBette serves as Office Manager and Assistant to the Director of the Office of Research Ethics and the Research Integrity Officer. She is responsible for administrative support of the Office of Research Ethics, special projects for the OVPR and maintains the ORE website. Bette also coordinates CITI training and processes approvals for Export Control.
Kerry Agnitsch
Assistant Director, IRB Co-chair, Human Subjects team lead
(515) 294-4271
kagnitsc@iastate.eduKerry serves as Assistant Director of the ORE. Her primary responsibility is providing leadership and managing the processes and staff that support IRB review of human subjects research. Kerry also serves on the IRB as co-chair and is authorized to review and grant approval for research that does not require approval by the convened IRB. In conjunction with the ORE director and the IRB, she develops and implements policies to support the IRB’s mission to facilitate ethical human subjects research and ensure compliance with regulatory requirements. Kerry also provides training and guidance to the IRB, IRB staff, and ISU researchers regarding federal regulations, IRB procedures, and best practices.
Sarah Zamzow
Assistant Director, IACUC/IBC Administrator, Animal & Biohazards team lead
(515) 294-9581
sbastyr@iastate.eduSarah serves as the Assistant Director of ORE. Her primary responsibility is providing leadership and managing the processes and staff that support IACUC review of animal subject research, teaching, and testing, and the IBC review for biohazard research and teaching. Sarah provides preliminary review of all IACUC and IBC protocols to ensure that they are complete. She also provides training and guidance regarding federal regulations, answers questions regarding the review processes, and provides support for the IACUC and the IBC.
Animal & Biohazards Team
Elizabeth White
IACUC/IBC Program Coordinator
(515) 294-5412
eae@iastate.eduElizabeth assists the IACUC/IBC Administrator in providing support for the IACUC and the IBC. She maintains databases for the two committees and helps coordinate the review processes. Elizabeth is also responsible for communications with investigators and for documenting protocol reviews.
Katrina Plueger
IACUC/IBC Program Coordinator
(515) 294-6288
kplueger@iastate.eduKatrina assists the IACUC/IBC Administrator in providing support for the IACUC and the IBC. She maintains databases for the two committees and helps coordinate the review processes. Katrina is also responsible for communications with investigators and for documenting protocol reviews.
Cara Hageman
IACUC Post-Approval Monitor
(515) 294-4673
cara@iastate.eduCara conducts post-approval monitoring primarily for the IACUC to document compliance with committee-approved protocols and the regulations; she may also conduct post-approval monitoring for the IRB. Cara assists investigators in performing compliance self-monitoring and provides research compliance education and training opportunities for investigators conducting research that involves animal or human subjects.
Human Subjects Team
Roxanne Bappe
IRB Administrator (exempt review)
(515) 294-4215
rbappe@iastate.eduRoxanne coordinates the exempt review process, which is a level of review allowable for research that meets certain regulatory requirements. She reviews incoming applications to determine whether or not exemption is allowable and works with researchers to obtain any additional information necessary to complete review. Roxanne is available to answer questions and provide guidance regarding the exempt review process or any general questions about IRB review. Roxanne is also responsible for oversight of IRB record keeping and for implementing procedures and practices that ensure compliance with federal and institutional record keeping requirements.
Kristie Romsdahl
IRB Administrator (expedited review)
(515) 294-4566
romsdahl@iastate.eduKristie is responsible for coordination of the review process for non-exempt projects that may be reviewed and approved by an IRB chair (i.e., “expedited” review). She performs preliminary review of IRB protocols and works with researchers to obtain any additional information or revisions necessary to meet regulatory requirements and IRB policies. Kristie also communicates with researchers regarding the outcome of the IRB chair(s)’ review (e.g., approval or requests for additional information or revision). Kristie is available to answer questions and provide guidance to researchers related to the IRB review process and requirements.
Deirdre Rosenfeld
IRB Administrator (full-board review)
(515) 294-1329
rosen@iastate.eduDeirdre Rosenfeld coordinates and supports the activities of the Institutional Review Board (IRB). She conducts preliminary review of protocols that require review by the convened IRB. During preliminary review, she works with principal investigators to ensure their IRB applications are prepared for the board’s review by requesting any additional information or revisions necessary to meet regulatory requirements and IRB policies. Deirdre also communicates with researchers regarding the outcome of the IRB’s review (e.g., approval, requests for additional information or revisions, etc.).
Raeann Ritland
IRB Post-Approval Monitor
(515) 294-7792
raeannr@iastate.eduRaeann conducts post-approval monitoring primarily for the IRB to document compliance with committee-approved protocols and the regulations; she may also conduct post-approval monitoring for the IACUC. Raeann assists investigators in performing compliance self-monitoring and provides research compliance education and training opportunities for investigators conducting research that involves human or animal subjects.
Conflict of Interest & Commitment; International Collaborations Team
Kris Muhl
Conflict of Interest/Unmanned Aircraft Administrator
(515) 294-3324
kmuhl@iastate.eduKris is responsible for coordinating and supporting the activities of the Conflict of Interest (COI) in Research Committee. He conducts preliminary review of COIC Disclosures and COI in Research Management Plans that require review by the COI in Research Committee, provides guidance to researchers, and communicates the outcome of the committee’s review with researchers. Kris also assists department chairs, managers, and employees with questions about the process of COIC disclosure and management. Additionally, Kris administers the Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) in Research Project approval requests and is available to answer questions about FAA and ISU policies pertaining to UAS.
Matthew House
Export Control Administrator
(515) 294-0269
housmat@iastate.eduAs the Export Control Administrator, Matt oversees the daily functions of ISU’s Export Control program. Matt consults with and provides training to faculty, staff, and students involved in controlled activities. Behind the scenes, he performs export control reviews for sponsored projects, international collaborations, incoming scholars, shipments, transfers of materials and technology, and purchases. His goal is to identify and address any potential export violations before they occur.
Anna Williams
Export Control/COIC Post-Approval Monitor
(515) 294-8601
amwill@iastate.eduAnna monitors research activities related to ORE’s Export Control and Conflict of Interest and Commitment programs to ensure researchers understand and act in accordance with Iowa State-approved management plans, applicable regulations, laws, and policies. She reviews research activity and documents, provides training and tools to meet research requirements, and assists with the execution of corrective and preventative actions.