80 FR 52324 - Findings of Research Misconduct

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Office of the Secretary

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 167 (August 28, 2015)

Notice is hereby given that the Office of Research Integrity (ORI) has taken final action in the following case: Brandi Blaylock, Wake Forest School of Medicine: Based on an investigation conducted by Wake Forest School of Medicine (WFSOM) and additional analysis conducted by ORI, ORI found that Ms. Brandi Blaylock, former Graduate Student, WFSOM, engaged in research misconduct in research supported by National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA), National Institutes of Health (NIH), grant R01 DA012460 and Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA) K31 DA033106. ORI found that Respondent engaged in research misconduct by falsifying and/or fabricating data reported in two poster presentations, several laboratory meetings, and progress reports associated with NIDA, NIH, grant R01 DA012460. Specifically, ORI found that the Respondent knowingly presented falsified and/or fabricated data indicating that twelve non-human primates (either rhesus or cynomolgus monkeys) responded to anti-abuse nicotinic acetylcholine and/or dopamine receptor selective compounds in self-selectivity assays for cocaine, methamphetamines, or nicotine when the compounds were never given to the monkeys per protocol. Respondent has not applied for or engaged in U.S. Public Health Service (PHS)-supported research within the last three (3) years and has stated that she has no intention of engaging in PHS-supported research in the future. Ms. Blaylock has entered into a Voluntary Settlement Agreement and has voluntarily agreed: (1) That if within three (3) years from the effective date of the Agreement, Respondent receives or applies for PHS support, Respondent agreed to have her research supervised for a period of three (3) years beginning on the date of her employment in a position in which she receives or applies for PHS support and to notify her employer(s)/ institution(s) of the terms of this supervision; Respondent agreed that prior to the submission of an application for PHS support for a research project on which her participation is proposed and prior to her participation in any capacity on PHS-supported research, Respondent shall ensure that a plan for supervision of her duties is submitted to ORI for approval; the supervision plan must be designed to ensure the scientific integrity of her research contribution; Respondent agreed that she shall not participate in any PHS-supported research until such a supervision plan is submitted to and approved by ORI; Respondent agreed to maintain responsibility for compliance with the agreed upon supervision plan; (2) that if within three (3) years from the effective date of the Agreement, Respondent receives or applies for PHS support, Respondent agreed that for a period of three (3) years beginning on the data of her employment in a position in which she receives or applies for PHS support, any institution employing her shall submit in conjunction with each application for PHS funds, or report, manuscript, or abstract involving PHS-supported research in which Respondent is involved, a certification to ORI that the data provided by Respondent are based on actual experiments or are otherwise legitimately derived, and that the data, procedures, and methodology are accurately reported in the application, report, manuscript, or abstract; and (3) to exclude herself voluntarily from serving in any advisory capacity to PHS including, but not limited to, service on any PHS advisory committee, board, and/or peer review committee, or as a consultant for a period of three (3) years, beginning on August 4, 2015.

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 167 (Friday, August 28, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Page 52324]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-21354]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Office of the Secretary


Findings of Research Misconduct

AGENCY: Office of the Secretary, HHS.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that the Office of Research Integrity 
(ORI) has taken final action in the following case:
    Brandi Blaylock, Wake Forest School of Medicine: Based on an 
investigation conducted by Wake Forest School of Medicine (WFSOM) and 
additional analysis conducted by ORI, ORI found that Ms. Brandi 
Blaylock, former Graduate Student, WFSOM, engaged in research 
misconduct in research supported by National Institute of Drug Abuse 
(NIDA), National Institutes of Health (NIH), grant R01 DA012460 and 
Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA) K31 
DA033106.
    ORI found that Respondent engaged in research misconduct by 
falsifying and/or fabricating data reported in two poster 
presentations, several laboratory meetings, and progress reports 
associated with NIDA, NIH, grant R01 DA012460.
    Specifically, ORI found that the Respondent knowingly presented 
falsified and/or fabricated data indicating that twelve non-human 
primates (either rhesus or cynomolgus monkeys) responded to anti-abuse 
nicotinic acetylcholine and/or dopamine receptor selective compounds in 
self-selectivity assays for cocaine, methamphetamines, or nicotine when 
the compounds were never given to the monkeys per protocol.
    Respondent has not applied for or engaged in U.S. Public Health 
Service (PHS)-supported research within the last three (3) years and 
has stated that she has no intention of engaging in PHS-supported 
research in the future.
    Ms. Blaylock has entered into a Voluntary Settlement Agreement and 
has voluntarily agreed:
    (1) That if within three (3) years from the effective date of the 
Agreement, Respondent receives or applies for PHS support, Respondent 
agreed to have her research supervised for a period of three (3) years 
beginning on the date of her employment in a position in which she 
receives or applies for PHS support and to notify her employer(s)/
institution(s) of the terms of this supervision; Respondent agreed that 
prior to the submission of an application for PHS support for a 
research project on which her participation is proposed and prior to 
her participation in any capacity on PHS-supported research, Respondent 
shall ensure that a plan for supervision of her duties is submitted to 
ORI for approval; the supervision plan must be designed to ensure the 
scientific integrity of her research contribution; Respondent agreed 
that she shall not participate in any PHS-supported research until such 
a supervision plan is submitted to and approved by ORI; Respondent 
agreed to maintain responsibility for compliance with the agreed upon 
supervision plan;
    (2) that if within three (3) years from the effective date of the 
Agreement, Respondent receives or applies for PHS support, Respondent 
agreed that for a period of three (3) years beginning on the data of 
her employment in a position in which she receives or applies for PHS 
support, any institution employing her shall submit in conjunction with 
each application for PHS funds, or report, manuscript, or abstract 
involving PHS-supported research in which Respondent is involved, a 
certification to ORI that the data provided by Respondent are based on 
actual experiments or are otherwise legitimately derived, and that the 
data, procedures, and methodology are accurately reported in the 
application, report, manuscript, or abstract; and
    (3) to exclude herself voluntarily from serving in any advisory 
capacity to PHS including, but not limited to, service on any PHS 
advisory committee, board, and/or peer review committee, or as a 
consultant for a period of three (3) years, beginning on August 4, 
2015.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Acting Director, Office of Research 
Integrity, 1101 Wootton Parkway, Suite 750, Rockville, MD 20852, (240) 
453-8200.

Donald Wright,
Acting Director, Office of Research Integrity.
[FR Doc. 2015-21354 Filed 8-27-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4150-31-P