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Caleb E. Finch, Ph.D.,
University of Southern California,
ARCO-William F. Kieschnick Professor in the Neurobiology of Aging,
protesting the charges against Dr. Kay
A letter to Dr. Peter Likins, President of the University of Arizona
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July 15, 1998
Dr. Peter Likins, President
University of Arizona
Administration Building, Room 712
Tucson AZ 85721
Dear President Likins,
I am writing on behalf of my colleague, Dr. Marguerite Kay, of your university, who has been accused of scientific misconduct for her research. As a long time researcher in the field of biomedical gerontology, there has never been any of Dr. Kay's publications or presentations at meeting that raised a concen of misconduct. She is a brilliant and highly regarded scientist. During her career as an independent scientist for more than 25 years, Dr. Kay has made many novel findings with major impact, particularly in the areas of oxidative stress. Her publications are widely cited, by me and her other senior peers which is powerful evidence in support of our confidence in her consistent excellence as a scientist.
I became aware of the University of Arizona proceedings against Dr. Kay through my long-standing colleague Dr. Jack Marchalonis, also her Chair. I am appalled that this case was brought against her at all and that the process continues. Several of my relatives in Tucson also aware through the Tucson Citizen articles of June 26 and 27: although retired from professional life, they are active in civic affairs and expressed their dismay to me. This looks like a witch hunt to outsiders and is highly damaging to the reputation of your university. I urge you to halt these punitive and utjustified proceedings against Dr. Kay, who the University of Arizona should esteem as one of its crown jewels.
Caleb E. Finch, Ph.D.
University of Southern California,
ARCO-William F. Kieschnick Professor in the Neurobiology of Aging.
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