Stanford University President Marc Tessier-Lavigne resigned on July 19, 2023, following an independent review that identified flaws in his research.
The review, conducted by an independent panel of scientists at the request of Stanford’s Board of Trustees, investigated allegations of research misconduct against Tessier-Lavigne. While the panel found no direct falsification of data in a 2015 study co-authored by Tessier-Lavigne, it did uncover issues with his lab oversight and manipulation of data in some research papers.
The allegations against Tessier-Lavigne stemmed from the 2015 study, which initially suggested that the protein BDNF could protect against Alzheimer’s disease. However, the study was later retracted when it was discovered that some data had been manipulated.
In his resignation letter, Tessier-Lavigne expressed deep disappointment in the review’s findings and took responsibility for the mistakes made in his lab. He emphasized his commitment to maintaining Stanford’s reputation as a world-leader in research integrity.
Tessier-Lavigne’s departure comes at a challenging time for Stanford, as the university has faced increased scrutiny over its research practices, with several researchers accused of misconduct in recent years.
This resignation serves as a poignant reminder of the significance of research integrity and underscores that even esteemed scientists can make mistakes. It also highlights the need for rigorous oversight and adherence to ethical standards in the pursuit of knowledge.
