Conference not 'conflict of interest,' officials say

Dan Kampner Arizona Daily Wildcat Chris Pascal, acting director of the Office of Research and Integrity of the Public Health Service, spoke yesterday at the Management of Biomedical Research Laboratories conference in the Student Union. The conference, which continues through Saturday, focuses on the advancement of biomedical science, the careers of researchers and the integrity of research.

The Management of Biomedical Research Laboratories conference, which began yesterday, is aimed at promoting the advancement of biomedical science, research careers and academic integrity.

The conference is sponsored in part by the federal Public Health Service. The Office of Research Integrity, an investigative branch of the health service, is investigating charges of scientific misconduct brought by the University of Arizona against former Regents professor Marguerite Kay.

But Chris Pascal, ORI's acting director, said there was no cause to raise eyebrows.

"I don't think there is a conflict of interest," he said. "It (organizing the event) occurred 16-18 months ago - before we knew there would be an issue."

Kay, who conducted a study of vitamin E's effects on age-related brain deterioration, was fired in July following allegations of scientific misconduct.

Several committees conducted a two-year investigation of Kay, and UA President Peter Likins conducted his own month-long investigation.

Some members of the UA Faculty Senate have criticized the duration and methods of the investigation.

ORI, which is obligated to investigate charges of scientific misconduct made against recipients of public funds, is conducting its own review.

Pascal said education is a major function of the ORI, and it cannot stop informing researchers just because of an investigation.

"We tend to work with larger institutions, and they all have cases," Pascal said. "We can't stop promoting research integrity just because there is case activity."

John Marchalonis, head of the UA microbiology and immunology department and Kay's former superior, had a different view.

Marchalonis said he did not know enough facts about the conference arrangement to determine if it was creating a conflict of interest, but was surprised the ORI sponsored it under the circumstances.

"The federal government usually bends over backwards to avoid a conflict of interest or even the appearance of it," he said.

Thomas Davis, UA professor of pharmacology and chair of the UA Committee on Academic Freedom and Tenure, said he did not see an ethical conflict.

"The investigation is done by a completely separate division," Davis said. "The charge of ORI is to educate, and you cannot stop educating because another division is investigating someone."

Davis said he began planning for this conference two years ago and went to the ORI with the idea 18 months ago. He said he would like to make it a biennial event.

Pascal said that in addition to the ORI's main contribution of "organization and firepower," it awarded the UA about $18,000-$19,000 for the conference. He said the Public Health Service was considering continuing to hold such conferences.

"We are really interested in seeing how the topic is developed," Pascal said. "We may be interested in doing this again in a couple years."

Davis said the conference, attended by 140 people from 20 different schools - including 30 UA students - was good for the UA.

"It shows the UA is at the center for education of management of biomedical research labs," he said.

Paul Sypherd, UA provost and vice president for academic affairs, said he thought the conference topic was long overdue.

"This is something I could have used 35 years ago," he said. "Never being taught how to teach, I was also never taught how to do research."

The conference continues through Saturday in the UA Memorial Student Union's Senior Ballroom.

Anthony C. Braza can be reached via e-mail at Anthony.C.Braza@wildcat.arizona.edu.