A case of research misconduct involving a former UNMC post-doctoral researcher recently was published in the Federal Register and elsewhere.
The Register entry stems from internal and external reports that found a researcher in the laboratory of James Shull, Ph.D., professor and chairman of UNMC’s Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Anatomy, falsified and fabricated findings from her genetic research into cancer susceptibility in rats.
The misconduct was discovered by personnel in Dr. Shull’s laboratory and was immediately reported, said John Gollan, M.D., Ph.D., dean of the UNMC College of Medicine. The misconduct did not compromise any published research, he said.
“Fortunately, Dr. Shull and his team discovered and reported the misconduct on their own before any publications were submitted for peer reviewed literature,” Dr. Gollan said.
UNMC has a policy to address suspected research misconduct. The policy requires the formation of an internal review committee, said Sheila Wrobel, J.D., UNMC’s research integrity officer.
The committee filed a report, which noted that misconduct had occurred in this case, she said. The Department of Health and Human Services Office of Research Integrity substantiated the report’s findings and praised the UNMC committee for its detailed and comprehensive review of the case, Wrobel said.
The post doctoral researcher involved in the misconduct worked at UNMC from 2002 to 2005. The research misconduct was discovered in 2005 and immediately reported. The researcher left the medical center later that year after her employment contract was not renewed.