Stanford President Tessier-Lavigne Resigns Amid Concerns Over Research Practices
Stanford University President Marc Tessier-Lavigne is resigning, saying the failures highlighted in a recent review by a panel of top scientists could raise questions about his ability to continue leading the school. The panel, which issued its report Wednesday, found no evidence that Tessier-Lavigne personally engaged in research misconduct, or that he knew of misconduct by others, but determined that data were manipulated in some published scientific papers on which he was a main contributor.
The group also said he failed to decisively correct mistakes in published papers as they were uncovered and had lapses in oversight of his labs at multiple institutions. Stanford launched an investigation into Tessier-Lavigne late last fall, after the student newspaper published an article alleging that images were altered in at least four research papers to which he contributed.
The accusations raised concerns about the academic integrity of the leader of one of the world’s most prestigious research institutions. Tessier-Lavigne, a neuroscientist, has conducted research focused on degenerative brain diseases and therapies for spinal-cord injuries.
He will step down at the end of August. “As I have emphatically stated, I have never submitted a scientific paper without firmly believing that the data were correct and accurately presented," Tessier-Lavigne wrote in a letter Wednesday announcing his resignation.
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