Ex-Mount Sinai postdoc who falsified 50+ images earns 5-year funding ban

A former postdoctoral researcher at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York has received a five-year funding ban after an investigation concluded that they had falsified data underlying more than 50 images.

According to a report released today by the Office of Research Integrity (ORI), Zhiyu Li falsified

histopathological data reported in fifty-seven (57) images in two (2) published papers, one (1) submitted manuscript, two (2) poster presentations, and seven (7) of Respondent’s supervisor’s grant applications and fabricating the corresponding nineteen (19) summary bar graphs that were based on those false images.

The case seems to mark the conclusion of a longstanding case involving the lab of Savio Woo, a leading U.S. gene therapy scientist. Starting in 2010, we previously reported on six retractions from the lab, all due to the actions of two postdocs — Li Chen and Zhiyu Li — both of who were dismissed from their positions at Mount Sinai.

In April 2014, a different ORI report concluded that Li Chen

intentionally, knowingly, and recklessly fabricated and falsified data reported in four (4) publications, one (1) submitted manuscript, and four (4) grant applications…

And the ORI findings released today say that Zhiyu Li

intentionally, knowingly, and recklessly engaged in research misconduct…

The two published papers that Zhiyu Li falsified data in were both retracted in 2010. “A Genetically Enhanced Anaerobic Bacterium for Oncopathic Therapy of Pancreatic Cancer,” which was published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute in 2008, has been cited 14 times, according to Thomson Reuters Web of Science. At least five of those citations came after the paper was retracted.

And “The Oncopathic Potency of Clostridium perfringens is Independent of its α-Toxin Gene” has been cited three times since being published in Human Gene Therapy in 2009, all by retraction notices.

According to the ORI, the unpublished paper, which Zhiyu Li submitted to Cancer Research, was also withdrawn.

Beginning July 3, Zhiyu Li is not eligible for any NIH grants for five years, the ORI report notes. For the same time period, Li can’t serve on any NIH committees, including peer review committees.

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