Former NUS don under probe for research fraud
Dr Alirio Melendez (Photo by Dustin News)
BREAKING NEWS by Josheen Wee
28 October 2011
A former National University of Singapore (NUS) professor, Dr Alirio Melendez, is being investigated for fabricating research data in what could be the first major case of scientific fraud uncovered on 9 October.
NUS was alerted to the possible fraud case through an anonymous tip-off which was ‘compelling’ enough to spark enquiries regarding irregularities identified in his paper. Two of his articles from top journals claiming to have made breakthroughs in the treatment of generalized blood infections have since been retracted.
“The piece in Nature Immunology was retracted following some irregularities identified in the paper,” according to The Sunday Times. Questions regarding the validity of findings in the Science paper have been raised too and may soon be retracted as well.
Dr Melendez was the corresponding author and leader of research efforts in both papers. In addition, 70 other papers done by the scientist and his team are also being relooked by a ‘high-level’ panel of professors experienced in examining fraud cases.
The professor has been fired by his current employer, the University of Liverpool. He was considered to be a brilliant young researcher in immunology who had climbed quickly up the ranks.
The Deputy President of research and technology at NUS Professor, Barry Halliwell, said that “almost all, if not all" world-leading universities have experienced such cases. "Although we are sad that this has happened at NUS, we feel that the reputation of NUS will not be seriously damaged since we have handled the case according to best international practice.”
The professor had joined NUS a decade ago and left for professorships in Britain in 2009, but much of the work in question was done during his time here.
Nanyang Technological University (NTU) Vice President Professor Stephen Smith feels that there should be a “zero tolerance policy” for research fraud and disciplinary action should be taken against individuals guilty of such misconduct.
A spokesperson from the Agency of Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) also commented about its general ethics education programme which promotes research integrity and ethics among researchers. Compliance with its Code of Practice and Procedure related to research integrity is also expected.
28 October 2011
A former National University of Singapore (NUS) professor, Dr Alirio Melendez, is being investigated for fabricating research data in what could be the first major case of scientific fraud uncovered on 9 October.
NUS was alerted to the possible fraud case through an anonymous tip-off which was ‘compelling’ enough to spark enquiries regarding irregularities identified in his paper. Two of his articles from top journals claiming to have made breakthroughs in the treatment of generalized blood infections have since been retracted.
“The piece in Nature Immunology was retracted following some irregularities identified in the paper,” according to The Sunday Times. Questions regarding the validity of findings in the Science paper have been raised too and may soon be retracted as well.
Dr Melendez was the corresponding author and leader of research efforts in both papers. In addition, 70 other papers done by the scientist and his team are also being relooked by a ‘high-level’ panel of professors experienced in examining fraud cases.
The professor has been fired by his current employer, the University of Liverpool. He was considered to be a brilliant young researcher in immunology who had climbed quickly up the ranks.
The Deputy President of research and technology at NUS Professor, Barry Halliwell, said that “almost all, if not all" world-leading universities have experienced such cases. "Although we are sad that this has happened at NUS, we feel that the reputation of NUS will not be seriously damaged since we have handled the case according to best international practice.”
The professor had joined NUS a decade ago and left for professorships in Britain in 2009, but much of the work in question was done during his time here.
Nanyang Technological University (NTU) Vice President Professor Stephen Smith feels that there should be a “zero tolerance policy” for research fraud and disciplinary action should be taken against individuals guilty of such misconduct.
A spokesperson from the Agency of Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) also commented about its general ethics education programme which promotes research integrity and ethics among researchers. Compliance with its Code of Practice and Procedure related to research integrity is also expected.