Caught!

The Office of Research Integrity is taking action against a Columbia University researcher who's accused of 21 instances of scientific misconduct, reports Writedit at Medical Writing, Editing & Grantsmanship. Based on the findings of a Columbia investigation and internal analysis, the ORI has found that Bengu Sezen, a former grad student in the university's chemistry department, engaged in misconduct in federally funded research. Specifically, ORI says she knowingly falsified, fabricated, and plagiarized data reported in three papers as well as her doctoral thesis, according to Writedit. For the next five years, Bengu will not be eligible for any contracting or subcontracting with the US government, and she is prohibited from serving in any advisory capacity to the US Public Health Service, Writedit reports, adding, "I wonder what Columbia does/did about the degree itself."