Former Cardiff researcher found guilty of misconduct “very disappointed,” calls process “unprofessional”

Yesterday, we reported on the second retraction in a case at Cardiff University, which had found misconduct by a former scientist. Cancer Research, which published the retraction, said that scientist, Rossen Donev, could not be reached.

Donev responded to our request for comment this morning:

I disagree with the retraction in Cancer Research. When this paper was published, I did not realize there is anything wrong preparing the figures from different experimental repeats as this has been done by others. As a matter of fact, I gave an example to the investigation panel appointed by Cardiff University of a very similarly prepared figure published in a well respected journal. Due to the lack of any clear information on this matter at the time the paper was published, the lack of adequate feedback from people who were supposed to give one and the very demanding environment without providing for a very long time some basic facilities (e.g. suitable laboratory and office place, internet connection), I prepared the figures in a manner similar to what I have seen already published by others. However, for some reason the investigation panel did not take into account any of the evidences I have shown and left this information out of the report. In general, I am very disappointed by the unprofessional way the whole process was handled by the panel blaming me even for figures from experiments I did not even carry out. As a result of this investigation, based on a “balance of probabilities” as stated by the panel, I was conveniently pointed out as the only person responsible for the preparation of figures from different experimental repeats.

Please see an update on this post.