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David R. Soll, Carver/Emil Witschi Professor of the Biological Sciences at The University of Iowa, protesting the charges against Dr. Kay
A letter to Dr. John J. Marchalonis, Ph.D., Professor and Chairman of the Department of Microbiology and Immunology at the University of Arizona College of Medicine
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THE UNIVERSITY OF IOWA
July 17, 1998
Dr. John J. Marchalonis, Ph.D.
Department of Microbiology and Immunology
University of Arizona
College of Medicine
1501 North Campbell Ave.
Tucson, AZ 85724
Dear Dr. Marchalonis,
I was asked by Dr. Kay to review the charges brought against her for mismanagement and scientific fraud several months ago. I did so. The strength of my judgment was weighted by my experience as head of a relatively large research group with similarities in management and research to those of the Kay lab. Without going into the details included in my "witness statement" that is enclosed, I found that all of the charges were without merit. I believe that the reviewing committee that recommended dismissal of Dr. Kay was selected and/or influenced by Dr. Cusanovich, that Dr. Cusanovich is pursuing a clear vendetta against Dr. Kay and that the University of Arizona is guilty of a witch hunt not unlike those in Puritan New England. I deplore your actions. From the outside, this is the worst attack on academic freedom and example of administration fascism I have ever been witness to. It in no way reflects a pier-based review. I have begun to share the information I have gathered with my colleagues across the United States and all have concluded, unanimously, that this is definitely everyone's worst nightmare, only in this case, it is Dr. Kay's worst reality. I never met Dr. Kay until I was asked by her lawyer to review the information relevant to the case. Please cease and desist.
Sincerely yours,
David R. Soll
Carver/Emil Witschi Professor of the Biological Sciences
The University of Iowa
Department of Biological Sciences
138 Biology Bldg.
Iowa City, Iowa 52242-1324 U.S.A.
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