Findings of Scientific Misconduct

Abstract

Notice is hereby given that the Office of Research Integrity (ORI) has made final findings of scientific misconduct in the following case: Terence S. Herman, M.D., Harvard Medical School: The Division of Research Investigations (DRI) of the Office of Research Integrity (ORI) reviewed an investigation conducted by Harvard Medical School into possible scientific misconduct on the part of Dr. Herman while he was an employee of that institution. ORI concurred with the factual findings as set forth in the institution's report, and finds that Dr. Herman committed scientific misconduct by falsely reporting in a published article that research had been conducted according to a stated protocol when, in fact, Dr. Herman knew at the time that the protocol for tumor measurements had not been carried out exactly as described. The research was supported by grant awards from the National Cancer Institute and the National Center for Research Resources, National Institutes of Health. [[Page 22402]] Dr. Herman accepted the misconduct finding as part of a Voluntary Settlement Agreement under which, for a period of three years, an institution which submits an application for PHS support for a clinical research project on which his participation is proposed or which uses him in any capacity on PHS supported clinical research must concurrently submit a plan for supervision of his duties. The supervisory plan must be designed to ensure the scientific integrity of Dr. Herman's research contribution. Dr. Herman also is prohibited from serving on any Public Health Service advisory committee, board, and/or peer review committee for a period of three years. He has agreed to submit a letter to the International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology, Physics requesting retraction of that portion of the article dealing with tumor response (Herman, et al., A Phase I-II Trial of Cisplatin, Hyperthermia and Radiation in patients with Locally Advanced Malignancies. Int. J. Radiation Oncology Biol. Phys. 17:1273-1278; 1989).