Dear Colleagues,
I am writing to let you know that Karen Moe, Director of the Human Subjects Division, has decided to retire from the University as of January 14, 2022.
Dr. Moe became the HSD Director almost 15 years ago, in January 2007, after two years as its first Assistant Director. Prior to that she was a faculty member with a sleep research program in the UW’s Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences. She successfully led HSD through many profound changes, including a complete re-organization and multiple moves. She identified and developed key infra-structure elements and process improvements essential for improving the protection of human research subjects, promoting ethical considerations, and making it easier to accomplish research compliance. Some of her many accomplishments include: the e-IRB online system called Zipline; implementation of the revised Common Rule; successful elimination of a burdensome but no-longer-necessary state law; and significantly improved HSD and IRB effectiveness, efficiency, transparency, and approachability despite a steadily increasing workload. She has enjoyed her many interactions with UW researchers and study teams and has found it richly satisfying to play a role in supporting the University’s research mission.
We will all miss her dedication, dependability, thoughtful and practical approach to administration, and good humor. We thank her for her immeasurable contributions to the University, especially for her balanced approach to human subjects research during the pandemic, and wish her a happy and relaxing retirement!
The search for a new HSD Director will begin soon. In the meantime, Dr. Moe will remain fully engaged working with the IRBs, HSD staff, and other campus offices through the end of this calendar year, to ensure a smooth transition that paves the way for the success of the next Director.
Mary Lidstrom
Vice Provost for Research