FINDINGS OF SCIENTIFIC MISCONDUCT 

NIH GUIDE, Volume 25, Number 1, January 26, 1996

 

P.T. 34



Keywords:

  Ethics/Values in Science & Technol 

  Grants Administration/Policy+ 

 

Department of Health and Human Services

 

Notice is hereby given that the Office of Research Integrity (ORI)

has made final findings of scientific misconduct in the following

cases:

 

Ms. Victoria Santa Cruz, University of Arizona:  Based on an

investigation conducted by the institution, ORI found that Ms.

Victoria Santa Cruz, former Program Coordinator, College of Nursing,

University of Arizona, engaged in scientific misconduct by

fabricating interview data on a questionnaire intended for use in two

studies funded by two Public Health Service (PHS) grants.

 

Ms. Santa Cruz did not contest the ORI findings or administrative

actions, which require that, for a period of three years, any

institution that proposes her participation in PHS-supported research

must submit a supervisory plan designed to ensure the scientific

integrity of her contribution.  Ms. Santa Cruz is also prohibited

from serving in any advisory capacity to PHS, including but not

limited to service on any PHS advisory committee, board, and/or peer

review committee, or as a consultant for a period of three years.

 

Because the studies involved are ongoing, no publications were

affected by the fabricated data, and no clinical treatment has been

based on the results of the studies.

 

Ruth Lupu, Ph.D., Georgetown University Medical Center:  On December

6, 1995, based on an investigation conducted by Georgetown University

Medical Center, ORI found that Ruth Lupu, Ph.D., committed scientific

misconduct by submitting a false letter of collaboration in an

unfunded application to the Public Health Service (PHS).  Letters of

collaboration are a significant factor in the evaluation of

applications.

 

Dr. Lupu has entered into a Voluntary Exclusion Agreement with ORI in

which she has accepted ORI's finding and has agreed to exclude

herself voluntarily, for the period beginning December 6, 1995, and

ending January 30, 1997, from serving in any advisory capacity to

PHS, including but not limited to service on any PHS advisory

committee, board, and/or peer review committee, or as a consultant.

 

In addition, Dr. Lupu has voluntarily agreed to accept the

administrative sanctions imposed by Georgetown University Medical

Center, which include requirements that:

 

(1) a letter of reprimand be issued and retained in her personnel

file for two years; and

 

(2) her future grant applications, proposals, and other publications

be subject to special monitoring and review for two years.

 

No scientific publications were required to be corrected as part of

this Agreement.

 

Harry L. June, Ph.D., Indiana University-Purdue University at

Indianapolis:  On November 21, 1995, ORI found that Harry L. June,

Ph.D., Indiana University-Purdue University (IUPUI) at Indianapolis,

committed scientific misconduct by falsifying three letters of

recommendation submitted with and in support of a FIRST Award

application to the Public Health Service (PHS).

 

Dr. June has entered into a Voluntary Exclusion Agreement with ORI in

which he has accepted ORI's finding and has agreed to exclude himself

voluntarily, for the three year period beginning November 21, 1995,

from serving in any advisory capacity to PHS, including but not

limited to service on any PHS advisory committee, board, and/or peer

review committee, or as a consultant.

 

In addition, Dr. June has voluntarily agreed to accept the

administrative sanctions imposed by IUPUI, which include requirements

that Dr. June:

 

(1) take a course in research ethics;

 

(2) be supervised by a senior faculty member for not less than three

years; and

 

(3) submit all grant applications to his supervisor for review for at

least one month prior to the agency deadline and to the Dean's office

at least two weeks prior to the agency deadline.

 

No scientific publications were required to be corrected as part of

this Agreement.

 

INQUIRIES

 

For Further information contact:

 

Director, Division of Research Investigations

Office of Research Integrity

5515 Security Lane, Suite 700

Rockville, MD  20852

Telephone:  (301) 443-5330

 

.

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