Charge
The committee will:
- Formulate and recommend policy in the use of radioactive materials and other sources of radiation;
- Monitor their use in compliance with the Texas Department of State Health Service's regulations and UTHealth Houston policy;
- Assure compliance with federal regulations; and
- Set standards for radiation safety.
The Committee reports to the Senior Vice President of Academic and Faculty Affairs.
Committee Composition
Chair
Designated by the President on recommendation from the Senior Vice President of Academic and Faculty Affairs.
Membership
One faculty representative from the School of Dentistry
Five faculty representatives from the McGovern Medical School representing education, research and patient care (clinical).
One faculty representative from the Cizik School of Nursing
One faculty representative from the School of Public Health
One student representative rotated among schools
Others deemed appropriate and appointed by the President
Ex Officio Membership (without vote)
Senior Vice President of Academic and Faculty Affairs
Assistant Vice President, Environmental Health and Safety
Manager, Radiation Safety
Manager, Environmental Protection
Radiation Safety Officer, Memorial Hermann Hospital
Scope of the Radiation Safety Committee
The UTHealth Houston Radiation Safety Committee reviews and votes for Primary Investigators (Researchers) and Human Use Authorized Users for Radioactive Material on the Broad License L02774 and UTHealth Houston Primary Investigators for Lasers with humans, animal use, and benchtop use on permit Z00853. The UTHealth Houston Radiation Safety Committee provides guidance and policy for UTHealth Houston X-ray Registration R10908 and UT Physicians X-ray Registration R26367, UT Physicians Specific License for 3 Non-Invasive Cardiology Locations for L05465, and UT Physicians Laser Registration Z01811. Additionally, UTHealth Houston Radiation Safety Committee recommends policy in collaboration with other institutions for UTHealth Houston employees working in the Texas Medical Center at other nearby institutions. The UTHealth Houston Radiation Safety Committee also has a Sub-Committee for CT and Fluoroscopically Guided Interventional (FGI) Protocols that meets at least every 14 months and often annually. This Sub-Committee will meet more frequent as needed (e.g. new types of CT and/or FGI, new protocols, and/or Action Threshold events). The requirements for the CT and FGI Protocol Sub-Committee are defined in the Texas DSHS Radiation Control regulations for the radiation producing devices in the healing arts and in the Radiation Safety Manuals and Operating & Safety Procedures. Additional members are optional at the discretion of the President and Senior Vice President of Academic and Faculty Affairs.
Membership of the CT and FGI Protocols Sub-Committee
The UTHealth Houston X-ray Registration R10908 Radiation Safety Officer (RSO)
The UT Physicians X-ray Registration R26367 Radiation Safety Officer (RSO)
Licensed Medical Physicist familiar with the CT and FGI uses on above X-ray permit(s)
Radiologist(s) familiar with CT and FGI uses on above X-ray permit(s)
Cardiologist(s) familiar with CT and/or FGI uses on above X-ray permit(s) may fit into the “Radiologist” definition for committee representation specifically for cardiology applications of CT and/or FGI protocols.
Others as deemed appropriate and appointed by the President
Term of Membership
Staggered three-year term with one term expiring each year.
2025 – 2026 Membership Roster
Chair: Dr. Pamela Wenzel, Faculty, McGovern Medical School, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences
Vice Chair: Dr. Carolyn Huynh, Faculty, School of Dentistry
Terms Expire August 31, 2026
| Dr. Nicholas Beckmann, Faculty, McGovern Medical School |
Clinical Care, CT/FGI Protocol Sub-Committee: Radiologist |
| Dr. Carolyn Huynh, Faculty, School of Dentistry | School of Dentistry |
| Dr. Ali Azhdarinia, Faculty, McGovern Medical School, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences | Research |
| Dr. Pamela Wenzel, Faculty, McGovern Medical School, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences | Chair Radiation Safety Committee, Research |
| Dr. Alan Prossin, Faculty, McGovern Medical School | Research |
Terms Expire August 31, 2027
| Dr. Nils Johnson, Faculty, McGovern Medical School |
Clinical Care, Research, CT/FGI Protocol Sub-Committee: Radiologist/Cardiologist |
| Dr. Christopher Janssen, Center for Laboratory Animal Medicine & Care | Animal Care, Research |
| Dr. Myron Arnaud, Faculty, School of Nursing | School of Nursing |
| Dr. Otu Inyang, Community Member, University of Texas Arlington | Optional Community Member, †Ex Officio |
|
Ms. Catherine Vaziri, Student, School of Public Health |
Student rotated among schools, if two or more students, only one student vote |
Terms Expire August 31, 2028
| Dr. Lance Gould, Faculty, McGovern Medical School | Clinical Care, Research, CT/FGI Protocol Sub-Committee: Radiologist/Cardiologist |
| Dr. Charles Darkoh, Faculty, School of Public Health, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences | School of Public Health |
| Dr. Akihiko Urayama, Faculty, McGovern Medical School | Research, Laser Experience |
| Dr. Ching Mei "Janet" Feng, Faculty, McGovern Medical School | Clinical Care, Medical Physics, CT/FGI Protocol Sub-Committee: Medical Physicist, RSO Memorial Hermann Hospital TMC X-rays |
Ex Officio Members†
| Dr. Kevin Morano, Senior Vice President of Academic and Faculty Affairs | Senior Vice President of Academic and Faculty Affairs |
| Dr. Robert Emery, Vice President for Safety, Health, Environment & Risk Management | Vice President for Safety, Health, Environment & Risk Management, RSO, CT/FGI Protocol Sub-Committee: RSO |
| Dr. Scott Patlovich, Assistant Vice President, Environmental Health & Safety | Assistant Vice President, Environmental Health & Safety, CT/FGI Protocol Sub-Committee |
| Dr. Janet Gutierrez, Manager, Radiation Safety Program, Assistant RSO | Manager, Radiation Safety Program, CT/FGI Protocol Sub-Committee: RSO |
|
Mr. Alan Lucas, University Administration, EPP |
Manager, Environmental Protection Program |
| Dr. Tianliang Gu, RSO for Radioactive Material |
RSO Memorial Hermann Hospital in TMC |
†Ex Officio is a member without a vote