Neuroscience
Marc Tessier-Lavigne: Stanford president research review, 2022 to 2023
President of Stanford University (papers came from labs he ran at earlier institutions and at Genentech)
Cleared Resigned as Stanford president effective 31 August 2023 and remained on the faculty, after the panel found no evidence that he personally manipulated data.2,3
Papers
| Paper | Action | Date | Reason stated |
|---|---|---|---|
| APP binds DR6 to trigger axon pruning and neuron death via distinct caspases Nature, 2009 https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-023-06943-31 | Retracted | 18 December 2023 | The notice says follow-up work showed some conclusions were incorrect, cites image anomalies and biostatistical errors, and notes the lack of original data for several figures. All the authors agreed with the retraction. |
| Other papers on which he was principal author (not named in the sources read) Science and other journals, 2,3 | Retraction requested | 19 July 2023 | Of five papers with problematic data on which he was principal author, he planned to retract three and correct two, according to NPR. |
Investigations
- Scientific panel commissioned by a special committee of the Stanford Board of Trustees, 19 July 2023The Stanford Daily reported the panel found no evidence that he himself manipulated data in the papers reviewed, nor that he knew about manipulation at the time, while identifying repeated instances of manipulation of research data and/or subpar scientific practices by people in labs he ran. According to NPR, the panel said he could have overseen his lab better and was not aggressive enough in correcting the record.2,3
Response
He said I am gratified that the Panel concluded I did not engage in any fraud or falsification of scientific data, and accepted that the report identified areas where he should have done better (Stanford Daily).2
Sources
- Nature, Retraction Note: APP binds DR6 to trigger axon pruning and neuron death via distinct caspases (18 December 2023)
- The Stanford Daily, Stanford president resigns over manipulated research, will retract at least three papers (19 July 2023)
- NPR, Stanford University president resigns (19 July 2023)