Departments of Veterans Affairs

COMIRB serves as one of the IRBs for the Departments of Veterans Affairs and the VA Eastern Colorado Health Care System (ECHCS).

Site Specific Information

1. Compile your study documents

2. Contact the VA Research Administration Office for VA R&D approval

Research Administrative Office
PH: 720-857-5092
Fax: 303-377-5686
Website: http://www.va.gov/visn19

3. If your study involves other sites, obtain necessary approvals

4. Submit to COMIRB through InfoEd (eRA) - Include the VA R&D approval letter in your submission

VA Research

The Department of Veteran Affairs Research Service aspires to discover knowledge, develop VA researchers and health care leaders, and create innovations that advance health care for our veterans and the nation. 

The VA Research Office supports the hospital’s efforts to provide high quality health care to veterans through the VA’s four research programs: Biomedical Research and Development, Clinical Science Research and Development (includes Cooperative Studies Programs), Health Services Research and Development; and Rehabilitation Research and Development. 

The Research and Development (R&D) Committee, with assistance from the Research Office, oversees all human subjects research, including clinical trials research, medical records reviews, and human tissue studies. 

The VA Research Office is located in Building A, 3rd Floor (southeast corner).

VA Research Study Submissions through the new VAIRRS (IRBNet) Platform is open

All researchers will be required to submit their studies for VA approval through IRBNet (VAIRRS) beginning in October.

After reviewing the Researcher Basics New Submission training, you may begin to submit your new studies through VAIRRS, or you can reach out to schedule training by contacting VHAECHResearchAdmin@va.gov .

If you have existing studies, the VA Research Admin office can transfer your studies to your profile as soon as you register. Notify the research office by emailing VHAECHResearchAdmin@va.gov  or calling 720-857-5106 once you have established your new account and affiliated with ECHCS.

All amendments and continuing reviews will be submitted to the VA and reviewed via VAIRRS beginning in October 2020.

Register as a new user at: GOV.IRBNet.org

Select Institution: Eastern Colorado VA Health Care System

Important Contacts

TitleNameEmailPhone
Human Research Protection Program (HRPP) ManagerBrandi Lippmannbrandi.lippmann@va.gov720-857-5106
Research Compliance AnalystTodd Furbachertodd.furbacher@va.gov720-857-5105
VA Research and Development Committee CoordinatorKarleen Strattonkarleen.stratton@va.gov720-857-5107
Research Compliance OfficerKristine Martinkristine.martin2@va.gov720-857-5080
Chair, Subcommittee on Research SafetyPete Watsonpete.watson@va.gov  | pete.watson@ucdenver.edu303-724-3977
Vice Chair, Subcommittee on Research SafetyGreg Pottgregory.pott@va.gov303-399-8020 x3615