Jonathan Green, M.D. Class of 1986, has been appointed to the Secretary's Advisory Committee on Human Research Protections within the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services.

Dr. Green, the associate dean for Human Studies and executive chair of the Institutional Review Board at Washington University, will serve a three-year term on the committee beginning Oct. 21.

The advisory committee provides advice and recommendations to the HHS secretary on issues pertaining to the protection of human research subjects. Formed in 2001, the committee, according to the HHS, has focused on areas such as "research involving children, prisoners and individuals with impaired decision-making capacity; informed consent and the use of biospecimens; harmonization of human subjects regulations and guidance; the reduction of regulatory burden; the HIPAA Privacy Rule; community-engaged research, and accreditation."

Dr. Green, in a release from Washington University, said one of the committee's most important contributions will be its recommendations to HHS on proposed revisions to current regulations regarding human subject research.

"This is an especially important time to be on this committee, as the regulations are undergoing a huge revision right now," Dr. Green said. "I believe my experience as chair of our IRB, as well as my role as an investigator, will allow me to bring an important perspective to the committee."