8/8/02

BURSON NAMED TO HEAD AUBURN'S OFFICE OF HUMAN SUBJECTS

AUBURN -- E.N. "Chip" Burson, whose background spans some 30 years in health care management and business development, has been named director of Auburn University's Office of Human Subjects.

Burson comes to Auburn from Fort Lauderdale, Fla., where he was development consultant with Research Sample Bank Inc., a supplier of biological materials to national and international research organizations. Its clients include pharmaceutical companies, universities, medical schools and government agencies.

Additionally, Burson has business interests in and has served at the director's level for other health care entities in Alabama, Florida and Tennessee.

"I am pleased to have Chip join our administrative team," said Michael Moriarty, Auburn's vice president for research. "Chip brings a broad base of experience, including significant expertise in regulatory compliance."

Burson's healthcare administrative background involves hospitals, managed-care units and adult and adolescent recovery programs. As a business developer, he successfully raised more than $30 million in equity and venture capital for healthcare operations.

"I am excited about being here at Auburn and about the potential offered in its Office of Human Subjects," Burson said. "I look forward to meeting the faculty researchers over the coming weeks, and to working with the IRB (Institutional Review Board)."

The Office of Human Subjects is responsible for ensuring regulatory compliance of research involving the participation of human beings, such as survey studies, observational research, or any projects that require the voluntary participation of people. The IRB operates under the auspices of the Office of Human Subjects to ensure, among other things, the protection of research participants and the institution.

# # #

aug02:AU-burson