Program Reviews and Site Visit Support

AIBS SPARS organizes program reviews, often involving site visits, for a number of our clients. A program review helps the client agency assess its research programs, in an effort to ensure that research programs reflect the state-of-the-art in the targeted field. AIBS SPARS recruits expert reviewers in the selected research field(s), makes all arrangements for the review meeting, and hosts the meeting, where scientists and program officials have the opportunity to present their individual research projects and research programs. Reviewers offer immediate feedback, then AIBS SPARS develops a review report that is delivered to the client. In many cases, reviews include a site visit to the organization's research facilities. AIBS SPARS offers a full range of support services for arranging and facilitating productive site visits.

Panel Program Reviews

Air Force Research Laboratory Biosciences and Protection Division Research Programs - 2005-2006

Two site visits took place in 2006, both at Brooks City Base. These reviews, which covered a wide range of topics, were separated into two separate panels, Biobehavioral Performance and Extreme Environments Protection, which met in subsequent fashion during the same week. These reviews were structured similarly to the program reviews for USAMRMC, with panel sizes ranging from 3 to 5 reviewers.

Alaska Sea Life Center Steller Sea Lion Research Program Review 2005

On November 9-11, 2005, AIBS SPARS organized an on-site program review in Seward, Alaska, of the Alaska Sea Life Center's (ASLC's) Steller Sea Lion Research Program. The AIBS staff recruited four reviewers whose expertise comprised marine mammal population dynamics, marine mammal management, coastal marine mammal ecology, marine mammal physiology, and instrumentation to track these animals at sea.

Military Operational Medicine Research Program Reviews-2003 to Present

Since 1996, AIBS SPARS has organized 35 program reviews, including site visits, for the Military Operational Medicine Research Program. In 2006, we managed 2 reviews. The diversity of subject matter, which has included human thermal physiology, wake/rest performance, and inhalation injury and toxicology models, underscores the ability of AIBS staff to recruit multidisciplinary expertise and manage the logistics of multi-site panel meetings.