Institutional Review Board

Cheryl Knight, PhD BCBA-D
Affiliation: LDH Office for Citizens with Developmental Disabilities
Title: Psychologist
Role in IRB: Chair; Scientist

Arundhati (Runa) Bakshi, PhD
Affiliation: LDH Office of Public Health
Title: Data Analytics Program Manager (Immunization)
Role in IRB: Director; Scientist

Charles Daspit, JD
Affiliation: LDH Bureau of Legal Services
Title: Deputy General Counsel 2
Role in IRB: Legal counsel; Client rights protection

Billy Robinson, PhD
Affiliation: LDH Office of Public Health
Title: Evaluation Team Lead (STD/HIV/Hepatitis)
Role in IRB: Scientist

Shamim Akhter, MBBS MPH
Affiliation: LDH Office of Behavioral Health
Title: Analytics Director
Role in IRB: Scientist

Pam Sund
Affiliation: LDH Office for Citizens with Developmental Disabilities
Title: Quality Director
Role in IRB: Consumer/Non-scientific member

Patricia Soto, PhD
Affiliation: LDH Office of Aging and Adult Services
Title: Program Manager
Role in IRB: Scientist

Heather Newsom, CNMT
Affiliation: LDH Office of Aging and Adult Services
Title: Medical Certification Program Manager
Role in IRB: Licensed Medical Practitioner

Timothy Williams, MPA MDIV CLSSGB
Affiliation: Bureau Health Services Financing (Medicaid)
Title: Section Chief (Quality Improvement and Innovations)
Role in IRB: Consumer/Non-scientific member

Ralph Abraham, DVM, MD
Affiliation: LDH Office of the Surgeon General
Title: Surgeon General
Role in IRB: Licensed Medical Practitioner

Wyche Coleman III, MD
Affiliation: LDH Office of the Surgeon General
Title: Deputy Surgeon General
Role in IRB: Licensed Medical Practitioner

Benjamin Doga, MD
Affiliation: LHC Group
Title: Chief Medical Officer
Role: External medical member

Jay Sevin, PhD
Affiliation: Magnolia Community Services
Title: Psychologist
Role in IRB: External member

Reginald A. Parquet, PhD LCSW-BACS
Affiliation: Tulane University, New Orleans, LA
Title: Clinical Associate Professor; Associate Dean for EDI and Student Experience
Role in IRB: External non-medical member