Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) Public Information

Overview:
In compliance with the NIH Guidelines for Research Involving Recombinant or Synthetic Nucleic Acid Molecules (NIH Guidelines, Section IV-B-2-a-(7)), Tarleton State University is committed to maintaining transparency in its oversight of biosafety and research involving recombinant DNA. To fulfill this obligation, we make certain Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) information publicly available.

IBC Roster
Below is a list of current IBC members, including their roles and institutional affiliations. Personal contact information and other identifying details have been withheld to maintain privacy.

• Dr. Dustin Edwards – Chair, Biosafety Officer, Animal Expert (Institutional Member)
• Dr. Harold Rathburn – Vice Chair, Plant Expert (Institutional Member)
• Dr. Kristin Herrmann – Laboratory Representative (Institutional Member)
• Dr. Girdhari Rijal – Laboratory Representative (Institutional Member)
• Dr. Cheyenne Runyan – Laboratory Representative, Animal Expert (Institutional Member)
• Mr. James Hunter – Laboratory Representative TIAER (Institutional Member) 
• Mr. Clayton Gillespie  – Community Representative (Unaffiliated)
• Dr. Margaret Rutledge  – Community Representative (Unaffiliated)

This list is updated annually or as changes to membership occur.

IBC Meeting Minutes
The IBC convenes regularly to review research protocols, ensure biosafety compliance, and discuss institutional practices and policies. Summary minutes of these meetings are provided below. Confidential or proprietary information has been redacted in accordance with institutional policy.

Recent Meeting Summaries:

• June 2025 (pending)

For questions or further information related to the IBC or biosafety procedures, please contact:

Office of Research Compliance
Tarleton State University

Division of Research, Innovation, and Economic Development
1225 N US Highway US 281

Stephenville, TX 76401

Email: ibc@tarleton.edu
Phone: 254-459-5563