EDITOR’S NOTE: This story is the final part in a three-part series. Read parts one and two.
A Consolidated Hearing Committee (CHC) at the U concluded earlier this summer that a distinguished pathology lab in Research Park “recklessly” misrepresented data in 11 published papers dating back to 2007.
The lead author of these papers, Ivana De Domenico, a professor of biochemistry is no longer employed at the U. The senior author, Jerry Kaplan, a professor in the department of pathology, is retiring.
According to the CHC, the majority of the blame for the faulty research fell on De Domenico, who is the lead author of 10 of the 11 papers in question. Twenty-one errors were found within the 11 papers, and so far two papers have been retracted. The errors included manipulation of images and lab films, misleading graphs, duplication of data, poor record keeping and inaccurate error bars.
The Kaplan lab’s research focuses on iron metabolism in the blood and also on membrane trafficking in mammalian cells.
Kaplan is a professor of medicine in the Department of Pathology, an assistant vice president for Health Sciences for Basic Sciences, the associate dean for research at the School of Medicine and the director of Medical Student Research Program at the U. He served his postdoctoral fellowship at Harvard Medical School. He is also the principle investigator for the Hematology Training grant, a grant the U has held onto for over 35 years.
“He’s been one of the most respected and productive investigators at the university in recent decades,” Botkin said. “And he has been someone who has been quite influential nationally and internationally dealing with issues around iron metabolism. So he’s been somebody who has been greatly respected … for the work that he’s done. “
Dustin Bagley, a doctorate student and former employee in the lab, said he had no pertinent knowledge of the situation, but he has “nothing but respect” for Kaplan and all the members of the lab.
According to the U’s official statement regarding this case, De Domenico has worked at the U since 2008. De Domenico completed her Ph.D. at the University of Messina, Italy. Since 2005 Dr. De Domenico has published nearly 40 peer-reviewed articles.
When the charges from the CHC elevated to an investigation, De Domenico argued that the investigation was not warranted at all. She also said the inquiry committee did not recommend an investigation and her due process was violated during the investigation.
The U’s rebuttal to De Domenico’s allegations were that “the integrity of the University could mandate an investigation in any event” and that the committee gave De Domenico adequate time and the opportunity to answer the charges, because she met with the committee three times and was given six weeks to respond to the committee’s preliminary report.
De Domenico also stated she experienced “open hostility” from a member of the investigation committee. When the panel asked the chair of the committee about this, he responded that emotions naturally run high in charges of misconduct and did not perceive “any bias or prejudice” against De Domenico.
The UCLA professor who reported the situation says the “specific area of investigation will have to undergo a complete reevaluation, as it is difficult to know which of the results reported in the papers are valid. Misconduct on this scale has a demoralizing effect, especially on young investigators trying to establish themselves in the field.”
The U’s efforts to diminish future scientific misconduct have “redoubled,” Botkin said.
“We provide regular presentations to the faculty and staff about these issues, but this provides an opportunity for folks to recognize that is can happen,” Botkin says, “We all need to be aware of these kind of problems and know how to deal with them should concerns arise.”
The Federal Office of Research Integrity is still considering opening an investigation into this case.
U president David Pershing forwarded a request for comment to U communications director Keith Sterling who referred to the U’s official statement. Vice president for research Thomas Parks did not respond to a request for comment.