Chemical Safety Committee

Charge 

The Committee reports to the UTHealth Houston Senior Vice President of Academic and Faculty Affairs on matters related to the use of chemicals that may be hazardous in the research, clinical and educational activities of UTHealth Houston. Hazardous chemicals are defined as substances which are potential physical or health hazards by exhibiting harmful characteristics such as toxicity, reactivity or flammability. The Office of Environmental Health and Safety administratively coordinates and manages the Chemical Safety Committee. Specific charges to the Committee include the following:

• To recommend to the Senior Vice President of Academic and Faculty Affairs policies and procedures to ensure UTHealth Houston's compliance with all federal, state and local statutes, regulations, procedures and principles relating to the purchase, storage, use and disposal of hazardous chemicals used in UTHealth Houston's research, clinical and educational programs.

• To provide support and consultation regarding DEA registration, including the storage and use of controlled substances, in both the research and clinical settings at UTHealth Houston.

• To review risk assessments and recommend appropriate controls for investigators, their laboratories and their programs for work with hazardous chemicals. Designated high-risk activities may not proceed without the approval of the Committee.

• To recommend to the Senior Vice President of Academic and Faculty Affairs the need for general and specific training programs for research, clinical and teaching activities involving hazardous chemicals, and to review the appropriateness and effectiveness of such training programs.

• To submit reports, at least annually, to the Senior Vice President of Academic and Faculty Affairs recommending measures to control potential chemical hazards and to ensure compliance with all applicable regulations.

Committee Composition

Chair 

Designated by the President on recommendation from the Senior Vice President of Academic and Faculty Affairs. 

Membership

 All members must have appropriate experience and an active research program involving the use of chemicals. The membership shall include at least:

• At least one faculty representative from the Cizik School of Nursing, School of Public Health and School of Dentistry

• Four faculty representatives from the McGovern Medical School
• One student member
• Additional faculty members may be appointed as deemed necessary to provide adequate expertise and size as dictated by the issues and work encountered and as recommended by the Committee. Such members shall be selected to reflect the degree of research activity involving potential chemical hazards at various UTHealth Houston schools, departments and units.

Ex Officio Membership (without vote)

Senior Vice President of Academic and Faculty Affairs
Assistant Vice President, Environmental Health and Safety 
Safety Manager, Chemical Safety Program
Safety Manager, Environmental Protection Program
Additional faculty members providing invaluable expertise

Terms of Membership: Staggered three-year terms with one term expiring each year.

2024-2025 Membership Roster

Chair: Dr. Donald Molony, Faculty, McGovern Medical School
Vice Chair:  Vacant

Terms Expire August 31, 2025

Dr. Victor Lopez Del Amo, Faculty, School of Public Health
Dr. Lissette Cruz, School of Dentistry
Dr. Anjali Chauhan, Faculty, McGovern Medical School
Dr. Lovepreet Mann, Faculty, McGovern Medical School

Terms Expire August 31, 2026

Vacant, School of Dentistry
Dr. Donald Molony, Faculty, McGovern Medical School
Dr. Thomas Gomez, Animal Care
Dr. Geraldine L Wood, Faculty, Cizik School of Nursing
Dr. Yi-Ping Li, Faculty, McGovern Medical School

Terms Expire August 31, 2027

Dr. Jooyeon Hwang, Faculty, School of Public Health
Dr. Yanna Cao, Faculty, McGovern Medical School
Shafali Patel, Student, School of Public Health

Terms Expire August 31, 2027

Dr. Jooyeon Hwang, Faculty, School of Public Health
Dr. Yanna Cao, Faculty, McGovern Medical School
Shafali Patel, Student, School of Public Health

Ex Officio Members

Dr. Kevin Morano, Senior Vice President of Academic and Faculty Affairs
Dr. Robert Emery, Vice President for Safety, Health, Environment & Risk Management
Dr. Scott Patlovich, Assistant Vice President, Environmental Health & Safety
Dr. William Bryan, Safety Manager, Chemical Safety Program
Mr. Alan Lucas, Safety Manager, Environmental Protection Program