After receiving numerous grants related to fabricated data, a former researcher at Durham, N.C.-based Duke University has received an uncommon permanent federal funding ban beginning Oct. 1, according to HHS' Office of Research Integrity.
Erin Potts-Kant, fired in 2013 from Duke University for embezzling over $25,000, according to Retraction Watch, intentionally falsified and fabricated research data used in 117 figures and two tables in 39 published papers, three manuscripts and two research records.
The fake data was part of work supported by 60 National Institutes of Health grants, according to Retraction Watch. To date, 18 of Ms. Potts-Kant's papers have been retracted.
According to a voluntary agreement with the Office of Research Integrity, the former researcher is permanently excluded from contracting with any government agency, eligibility for "covered transaction" government programs or serving as any public health service adviser.
In a lawsuit Duke University settled for $112.5 million earlier this year, Ms. Potts-Kant and another colleague said they used fake data to collect hundreds of millions of dollars in grants with the knowledge of the institution.