Contact us
- Phone: 603-650-1846
- Email: irb@hitchcock.org
- Address:
Human Resource Protection Program
Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center
One Medical Center Drive
Lebanon, NH 03756
Meet our team
Noel Cal
IRB Analyst
noel.a.cal@hitchcock.org
Noel Cal, MA, is an IRB Analyst with the Dartmouth Health Institutional Review Board (DH IRB). Noel has been part of the IRB office since June 2024.
Noel has a passion for being involved in all aspects of research and continues to do so throughout his career. His previous role was at Louisiana State University Health and Science Center, where he provided IRB administrative support and did reviews on reliance, exempt, and expedited studies. Noel has been involved in research since he was a college undergraduate and has several years of direct IRB experience. With his experience and enthusiasm, he is determined to provide the best IRB experience for researchers.
Katherine Collen
IRB Analyst
katherine.a.collen@hitchcock.org
Katherine Collen is an IRB Analyst with the Dartmouth Health Institutional Review Board (DH IRB). Katherine joined the DH IRB office in 2024.
Katherine brings with her a depth of biomedical IRB experience. She spent the last 8 years at Corewell Health IRB in Grand Rapids, MI. She is a Certified Institutional Review Board Professional (CIP) and has extensive knowledge of regulatory frameworks, including FDA regulations and HIPAA. Katherine has a passion for research and for protecting human research subjects while ensuring the ethical oversight for research.
Her favorite activities outside of work, are gardening, traveling, dancing, attending concerts and plays, and enjoying the water in Michigan.
Evangelina Espinoza
IRB Analyst
evangelina.j.espinoza@hitchcock.org
Evangelina Espinoza, MS, is an IRB Analyst with the Dartmouth Health Institutional Review Board (DH IRB). Evangelina has been part of the IRB office since 2024.
Before stepping into this role, Evangelina worked for the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus IRB as well as the department of otolaryngology. Her research experiences span pre-clinical, translational, and clinical methods with a particular emphasis on metabolism, diabetes, and tobacco use in vulnerable populations. Using her combined research expertise and cultural competency, Evangelina adds perspective and passion to the team. She is dedicated to the advancement of research at Dartmouth Health and upholding the welfare of those we serve.
Evynne Gartner
IRB Analyst
evynne.l.gartner@hitchcock.org
Evynne Gartner is an IRB Analyst with the Dartmouth Health Institutional Review Board (DH IRB). Evynne has been part of the DH IRB office since 2023.
She has an extensive background in clinical research, providing her with valuable expertise regarding regulatory and compliance standards, government regulations, and ethical oversight. Her multifaceted background spans pre-clinical pharmaceutical research, oncology research, and anesthesia and critical care research, each of which contributes to her comprehensive knowledge of the complex and ever-evolving healthcare landscape.
Tonya LaClair
IRB Manager
tonya.l.laclair@hitchcock.org
Tonya LaClair is an IRB Manager with the Dartmouth Health Institutional Review Board (DH IRB). Tonya has been part of the DH IRB office since 2019 and was one of the first DH IRB team members to be hired. Prior to this, Tonya was an IRB staff member of the Dartmouth College IRB, CPHS, for 11 years.
Tonya is passionate about the research world and enjoys working with the research community. In her spare time, she loves spending time at the beach, enjoys sunny, warm weather, and loves dogs of all types.
Nicole Marquez
IRB Analyst
nicole.e.marquez@hitchcock.org
Nicole Marquez is an IRB Analyst with the Dartmouth Health Institutional Review Board (DH IRB). In her role, she provides administrative support to the DH Institutional Review Board, works with researchers, the IRB Chairperson and members, and other Institutional offices to ensure the rights and welfare of participants in the human research activities conducted by DH researchers. Nicole has been part of the DH IRB office since 2021.
Nicole is a seasoned IRB professional, with an associate degree and over 13 years of IRB experience. Nicole ensures the ethical integrity of diverse research projects and is currently focused on becoming a multifaceted asset as an IRB generalist within Dartmouth Health’s IRB.
Known for her attention to detail and deep understanding of regulatory frameworks, Nicole guides researchers on ethical considerations and compliance. Her collaborative approach fosters constructive dialogue among IRB members and researchers. Nicole is a dedicated professional, bringing expertise and commitment to upholding ethical standards within the Institutional Review Board and the broader research community.
Outside of the research world, Nicole enjoys worldwide travel and immersing herself in various cultures. She also enjoys discovering new walking trails and hiking.
Shannon Sewards
Director of the Human Research Protection Program, Administrative Director of the Dartmouth Health IRB
shannon.e.sewards@hitchcock.org
Shannon Sewards is the Director of the Human Research Protection Program (HRPP) and Administrative Director of the Dartmouth Health Institutional Review Board (DH IRB). In this role, she is responsible for the leadership of the HRPP and oversight of human subject studies at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center and Dartmouth Hitchcock Clinics.
With over 20 years of experience in the field of human subject protection and regulatory compliance, she has held leadership positions at many institutions, nationwide, including Harvard University, the University of Washington, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, and Charles R. Drew University. Shannon’s educational background is in psychology with an undergraduate degree in psychology from the University of California, Los Angeles and a graduate degree in psychology from Pepperdine University.
Shannon is a process person who enjoys solving problems and troubleshooting situations that are challenging. She has taken a particular interest in streamlining IRB procedures and developing new methods to compete in the ever-changing regulatory arena. In her spare time, she loves to be outdoors: camping, trudging through the woods, and when snow is on the ground, she will be on skis for most of the time.
Kelly Stevens
IRB Reliance Supervisor
kelly.j.stevens@hitchcock.org
Kelly Stevens, JD, CIP, is the IRB Reliance Supervisor for the Dartmouth Health Institutional Review Board (DH IRB). In her role, she is responsible for leading the reliance process and negotiating relationships between the DH and outside/external IRBs, including institutional and commercial IRBs. Kelly has been part of the DH IRB office since 2020.
Kelly has a long background in regulatory compliance and research. She is a 2001 graduate of the Maine School of Law and an attorney licensed to practice in Maine and New Hampshire. She is a Certified Institutional Review Board Professional (CIP) and holds a certification from the Maine Regulatory Training and Ethics Center (MeRTEC). She worked in the Maine legal system as a criminal defense, child protective, and real estate attorney before she turned her concentration to real estate, contracts, and regulatory compliance. Prior to coming to DH, she was the Regulatory Compliance Administrator for the University of Southern Maine.
Kelly is a true Maine woman who grew up in Aroostook County. Her hobbies include hiking and traveling. She has traveled to almost every continent in the world. Kelly also enjoys giving back to her community. She sits on the Town of Lyman Zoning Board of Appeals and is committed to helping others.
Allegra Vazquez
IRB Analyst
allegra.r.vazquez@hitchcock.org
Allegra Vazquez, MS, is an IRB Analyst with the Dartmouth Health Institutional Review Board (DH IRB). She brings a strong scientific foundation and over 6 years of experience in research ethics gained through her previous roles at Colorado State University.
Allegra's scientific acumen is demonstrated by her contributions to multiple peer-reviewed publications in fields such as gut health, vascular function, and nutritional interventions. Coupled with her previous role as a Clinical Research Coordinator, she has honed her skills in regulatory compliance, data management, and quality control analysis within scientific settings. Her unique blend of scientific knowledge, research experience, and IRB proficiency, combined with her deep passion for upholding ethical standards in human subjects research, drives her commitment to advancing research and fostering collaborative relationships between Investigators, regulatory bodies, and the IRB. Allegra loves hiking, camping, cooking, dancing, and all types of music- except Polka.