[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 114 (Tuesday, June 14, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 34703-34704]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-14681]
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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
[EPA-HQ-ORD-2011-0503; FRL-9318-9]
Human Studies Review Board Advisory Committee
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Request for Nominations to the Human Studies Review Board
(HSRB) Advisory Committee.
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SUMMARY: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) invites
nominations from a diverse range of qualified candidates with expertise
in bioethics and toxicology to be considered for appointment to its
Human Studies Review Board (HSRB) advisory committee. Vacancies are
anticipated to be filled by September 1, 2011. Sources in addition to
this Federal Register Notice may also be utilized in the solicitation
of nominees.
Background: On February 6, 2006, the Agency published a final rule
for the protection of human subjects in research (71 FR 24 6138) that
called for creating a new, independent human studies review board
(i.e., HSRB). The HSRB is a Federal advisory committee operating in
accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA) 5 U.S.C. App.
2 Sec. 9 (Pub. L. 92-463). Each year the HSRB experiences membership
terms expiring, therefore needs candidates for consideration as
replacement members. The HSRB provides advice, information, and
recommendations to EPA on issues related to scientific and ethical
aspects of human subjects research. The major objectives of the HSRB
are to provide advice and recommendations on: (1) Research proposals
and protocols; (2) reports of completed research with human subjects;
and (3) how to strengthen EPA's programs for protection of human
subjects of research. The HSRB reports to the EPA Administrator through
EPA's Science Advisor. General information concerning the HSRB,
including its charter, current membership, and activities can be found
on the EPA Web site at http://www.epa.gov/osa/hsrb/.
HSRB members serve as special government employees or regular
government employees. Members are appointed by the EPA Administrator
for either two or three year terms with the possibility of
reappointment to additional terms, with a maximum of six years of
service. The HSRB usually meets four times a year and the typical
workload for HSRB members is approximately 40 to 50 hours per meeting,
including the time spent at the meeting. Responsibilities of HSRB
members include reviewing extensive background materials prior to
meetings of the Board, preparing draft responses to Agency charge
questions, attending Board meetings, participating in the discussion
and deliberations at these meetings, drafting assigned sections of
meeting reports, and helping to finalize Board reports. EPA compensates
special government employees for their time and provides reimbursement
for travel and other incidental expenses associated with official
government business. Currently, EPA is seeking nominations for
individuals with expertise in bioethics and toxicology. EPA values and
welcomes diversity. In an effort to obtain nominations of diverse
candidates, EPA encourages nominations of women and men of all racial
and ethnic groups.
The qualifications of nominees for membership on the HSRB will be
assessed in terms of the specific expertise sought for the HSRB.
Qualified nominees who agree to be considered further will be included
in a ``Short List.'' The Short List of nominees' names and biographical
sketches will be posted for 14 calendar days for public comment on the
HSRB Web site: http://www.epa.gov/osa/hsrb/index.htm. The public will
be encouraged to provide additional information about the nominees that
EPA should consider. At the completion of the comment period, EPA will
select new Board members from the Short List. Candidates not selected
for HSRB membership at this time may be considered for HSRB membership
as vacancies arise in the future or for service as consultants to the
HSRB. The Agency estimates that the names of Short List candidates will
be posted in July 2011. However, please be advised that this is an
approximate time frame and the date is subject to change. If you have
any questions concerning posting of Short List candidates on the HSRB
Web site, please consult the person listed under FOR FURTHER
INFORMATION CONTACT.
Members of the HSRB are subject to the provisions of 5 CFR part
2634, Executive Branch Financial Disclosure, as supplemented by the EPA
in 5 CFR part 6401. In anticipation of this requirement, each nominee
will be asked to submit confidential financial information that shall
fully disclose, among other financial interests, the candidate's
employment, stocks and bonds, and where applicable, sources of research
support. The information provided is strictly confidential and will not
be disclosed to the public. Before a candidate is considered further
for
[[Page 34704]]
service on the HSRB, EPA will evaluate each candidate to assess whether
there is any conflict of financial interest, appearance of a lack of
impartiality, or prior involvement with matters likely to be reviewed
by the Board.
Nominations will be evaluated on the basis of several criteria,
including: Their professional background, expertise and experience that
would contribute to the diversity of perspectives of the committee;
interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills and other
attributes that would contribute to the HSRB's collaborative process;
consensus building skills; absence of any financial conflicts of
interest or the appearance of a lack of impartiality, or lack of
independence, or bias; and the availability to attend meetings and
administrative sessions, participate in teleconferences, develop policy
recommendations to the Administrator, and prepare recommendations and
advice in reports.
Nominations should include a resume or C.V. providing the nominee's
educational background, qualifications, leadership positions in
national associations or professional societies, relevant research
experience and publications along with a short (one page) biography
describing how the nominee meets the above criteria and other
information that may be helpful in evaluating the nomination, as well
as the nominee's current business address, e-mail address, and daytime
telephone number. Interested candidates may self-nominate.
To help the Agency in evaluating the effectiveness of its outreach
efforts, nominees are requested to inform the Agency of how you learned
of this opportunity.
Final selection of HSRB members is a discretionary function of the
Agency and will be announced on the HSRB Web site at http://www.epa.gov/osa/hsrb/index.htm as soon as selections are made.
ADDRESSES: Submit your nominations by July 6, 2011, identified by
Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-ORD-2011-0503, by any of the following methods:
Internet: http://www.regulations.gov: Follow the on-line
instructions for submitting comments.
E-mail: ORD.Docket@epa.gov.
USPS Mail: ORD Docket, Environmental Protection Agency, Mailcode:
28221T, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460.
Hand or Courier Delivery: EPA Docket Center (EPA/DC), Room 3304,
EPA West Building, 1301 Constitution Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460,
Attention Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-ORD-2011-0503. Deliveries are accepted
from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding legal
holidays. Special arrangements should be made for deliveries of boxed
information.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jim Downing, Designated Federal
Official, Office of the Science Advisor, Mail Code 8105R, U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW.,
Washington, DC 20460; telephone number: (202) 564-2468, fax number:
(202) 564-2070, e-mail: downing.jim@epa.gov.
Dated: June 8, 2011.
Paul T. Anastas,
EPA Science Advisor.
[FR Doc. 2011-14681 Filed 6-13-11; 8:45 am]
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