Social Science IRB Chair Changes

February 15, 2024

On January 1, 2024, the Social Science / Behavioral / Education Institutional Review Board (SIRB) chair transitioned from Harry McGee to Dr. Nora Rifon. Harry McGee has provided many years of dedicated service to the MSU Institutional Review Boards (IRB) and the Human Research Protection Program (HRPP) is very appreciative of all that Harry has done for the MSU IRBs and the HRPP over the years. Harry first started as a community representative on the MSU University Committee on Research Involving Human Subjects (UCRIHS), has served as a member and vice chair on the MSU Biomedical and Health IRB, and then has served for over 13 years as SIRB chair. The HRPP is thankful for all of Harry’s service, dedication, leadership, knowledge, and expertise.

We are pleased to announce Dr. Nora Rifon as the new SIRB chair. Dr. Rifon earned her Ph. D. in Business (1989) from the City University of New York Graduate Center, and MA (1979, SUNY) and BA (1976, University of Rochester) in Psychology. Her research has focused on a range of problems (such as online privacy and advergames that target children) that intersect business, technology, and society, using a cognitive approach to understand consumer response to business strategies with implications for consumer protection. Her work has been funded by various agencies including NSF, NIH, and the state of Michigan. Dr. Rifon previously served as an IRB member on the MSU UCRIHS and has been a member of the MSU SIRB since 2019. The HRPP is thankful for Dr. Rifon’s previous contributions to the SIRB and looks forward to her new role as the SIRB chair.