University-of-Alabama-Birmingham-Office-of-Research-Integrity-Complaint-7-13-21

Alexander Runko, Ph.D Division of Investigative Oversight Office of Research Integrity U.S Department of Health and Human Services 1101 Wootton Parkway, Suite 240 Rockville, Maryland 20852 Via email: AskORI@hhs.gov Alexander.Runko@hhs.gov 7/13/21 Dr Runko, I am writing to you today to insist that your office immediately launch an investigation of potential Research Misconduct at the University of Alabama, Birmingham (UAB) I have obtained (via FOIA) a UAB report which involves a whistleblower complaint regarding mishandling of animals, falsification of records, etc in a project involving non-human primates The initial telephone log of the incident references: “Faculty members falsifying animal records.” The later more complete report states: “On October 28, 2020, the IACUC received allegations of non-compliance by two members of the same lab One person was a faculty member (not the PI of the protocol) and the other a visiting scientist The species were NHPs and federal funding was involved under award number U19AI090959 The Allegations included: *Inadequate restraint of animals for minor experimental and/or diagnostic procedures *Recording specific values in animal records, without performing the corresponding necessary measurements , e.g., pulse rate, blood pressure, weight, fluid input/output *Recording inaccurate time of drug administration in animal records.” This incident, which involves a federally funded project, would clearly meet the definition of Research Misconduct, as stated on the ORI website: “Research misconduct means fabrication, falsification, or plagiarism in proposing, performing, or reviewing research, or in reporting research results (a) Fabrication is making up data or results and recording or reporting them (b) Falsification is manipulating research materials, equipment, or processes, or changing or omitting data or results such that the research is not accurately represented in the research record (c) Plagiarism is the appropriation of another person's ideas, processes, results, or words without giving appropriate credit (d) Research misconduct does not include honest error or differences of opinion.” 1081-B State Route 28 #280 Milford, OH 45150 513-575-5517 www.SAENonline.org Clearly, falsifying the records of animals used in experimentation would qualify as Research Misconduct because: “Research misconduct means fabrication, falsification, or plagiarism in proposing, performing, or reviewing research, or in reporting research results.” I believe this would be in the category of Fabrication: “making up data or results and recording or reporting them.” Therefore, you must launch a full investigation of the events discussed in the UAB report, and at the end of the investigation I am certain that the events surrounding this project will be judged to constitute Research Misconduct I will expect a response from your office within business days Sincerely, ! Michael A Budkie, A.H.T., Executive Director, SAEN Attachments: UAB Report ! ! !