Researcher's dismissal still under scrutiny

Wildcat File Photo Arizona Daily Wildcat Marguerite Kay defends her position at a Faculty Senate meeting earlier this year. In a decision that sharply divided Senate members, Kay was fired after a UA committee found that her research in Alzheimer's disease was fabricated.

Kay's midsummer termination, recommended by a University of Arizona Committee on Academic Freedom and Tenure, was condemned by several vocal faculty members.

While CAFT said Kay falsified and manipulated her medical research, Kay's backers said she did not receive due process.

A tennis match of sorts began between both sides of the issue, as each Faculty Senate meeting became a venue for speakers to plead their cases and get shot down by their opposition.

And Kay appeared at October's Faculty Senate meeting, firing back at the individuals who terminated her.

In a speech Monday to faculty senators, Likins said he stands by the decision to follow CAFT's recommendation and terminate Kay.

"I am certain, in mind and heart, that Dr. Kay is responsible for this scientific misconduct," Likins said. "No one can argue (with the fact) that she should be held responsible."

Kay said she disregards Likins speeches, and said she has heard them before at various venues.

"Likins is giving the same speech he's been rehearsing since last May," Kay said last night from her home. "He is misrepresenting data. He has data that supports my innocence."

Kay would not elaborate on the data and refused comment on other questions about her situation.

At Monday's Senate meeting, physics professor William Bickel gave a repeat performance of his November presentation, telling Likins that the decision to terminate Kay was "flawed."

Bickel said he comes to Faculty Senate meetings and speaks about Kay to "right wrongs."

Faculty Chairman Jerrold Hogle said Monday that due process was followed, and Bickel has no wrong to right.

"I felt it was my duty as faculty chair to make sure that due process was followed," Hogle told the Senate. "In the best of my judgment, I think the process was fair."

Likins did not return phone calls or an e-mail requesting comment yesterday.

David J. Cieslak can be reached via e-mail at David.J.Cieslak@wildcat.arizona.edu.