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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

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

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

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

Fabiola Limón Bravo (she/her), MA

Research Ethics Administrator
416-979-5000 ext. 552963 
Fabiola.LimonBravo@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
Fabiola Bravo REB Administrator 
Bryanna Hines Manager, Research Ethics Board
Seema Tejani REB Administrator 
Marco Tang Research Ethics Assistant
Natalie Waldbrook Research Ethics Assistant

Faculty and Staff Representatives

Name Faculty/Department
Sean Bellaviti Arts (Philosophy/Ethnomusicology)
Sarah Dermody Arts (Psychology)
Alexandra Fiocco Arts (Psychology)
Areej Al-Hamad Community Services (Nursing)
Aurelia DiSanto Community Services (Early Childhood Studies)
Esther Ignani Community Services (Disability Studies)
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)
Opeyemi Akanbi The Creative School (Professional Communications)
Laura Nenych The Creative School (Media Productions)
Yukari Seko
The Creative School (Professional Communication)
Jeff Yokota Engineering and Architectural Science (Aerospace Engineering)
Kathleen Hammond Law
Naomi Eichenlaub Library
Michael Baumtrog Ted Rogers School of Management (Law and Business)
Daniele Bertolini 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)
Mathew 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)
Nagina Parmar Science (Biomedical Science)

Students

Name Faculty/Expertise
Caitlin Cosgrove Graduate Student (Nursing)
Menehal Latif Graduate Student (Psychology)
Anik Obomsawin Graduate Student (Psychology)
Samantha Pejic Graduate Student (Psychology)
Tara Raessi Undergraduate Student (Psychology)
Emily Rolufs  Undergraduate Student (Psychology)
Cassandra Skortzki Graduate Student (Psychology)
Naomi Wokocha Undergraduate Student (Philosophy and English)

Community Members

Name Expertise
Jonah Arnold Health Law
Prasantha De Silva Medicine/Public Health
Daniel Sanchez Morales International Research / Neuropsychology
Farid Pesteh Criminology / Cyber Security

Ad Hoc / Advisors

Name Faculty/Expertise
Damien Lee Arts (Sociology) / Indigenous Advisor
Megan Scribe Arts (Sociology) / Indigenous Advisor
Nancy Walton Community Services (Nursing)