[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 228 (Monday, November 29, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 73084-73085]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-29867]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Office of the Secretary


Findings of Misconduct in Science

AGENCY: Office of the Secretary, HHS.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that the Office of Research Integrity 
(ORI) has taken final action in the following case:
    Bengu Sezen, Ph.D., Columbia University: Based on the findings of 
an investigation by Columbia University (CU) and additional analysis 
conducted by the Office of Research Integrity (ORI) during its 
oversight review, ORI found that Bengu Sezen, former graduate student, 
Department of Chemistry, CU, engaged in misconduct in science in 
research funded by National Institute of General Medical Sciences 
(NIGMS), National Institutes of Health (NIH), grant R01 GM60326.
    Specifically, ORI made twenty-one (21) findings of scientific 
misconduct against Dr. Sezen based on evidence that she knowingly and 
intentionally falsified and fabricated, and in one instance 
plagiarized, data reported in three (3) papers \1\ and her doctoral 
thesis.
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    \1\ Sezen, B., Franz, R., & Sames, D. ``C-C bond formation via 
C-H bond activations: Catalytic arylation and alkenation of alkane 
segments.'' J. Am. Chem. Soc. 124:13372-13373, 2002. Retracted in J. 
Am. Chem. Soc. 128:8364, 2006.
    Sezen, B. & Sames, D. ``Oxidative C-arylation of free (NH)--
heterocycles via direct (sp\3\) C-H bond functionalization.'' J. Am. 
Chem. Soc. 126:13244-13246, 2004. Retracted in J. Am. Chem. Soc. 
128:3102, 2006.
    Sezen, B. & Sames, D. ``Selective and catalytic arylation of N-
phenylpryrrolidine: sp\3\ C-H bond functionalization in the absence 
of a directing group.'' J. Am. Chem. Soc. 127:5284-5285, 2005. 
Retracted in J. Am. Chem Soc. 128:3102, 2006.
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    The following administrative actions have been implemented for a 
period of five (5) years, beginning on November 4, 2010:
    (1) Dr. Sezen is debarred from eligibility for any contracting or 
subcontracting with any agency of the United States Government and from 
eligibility or involvement in nonprocurement programs of the United 
States Government, referred to as ``covered transactions,'' pursuant to 
HHS' Implementation of OMB Guidelines to Agencies on Governmentwide 
Debarment and Suspension (2 CFR 376 et seq.); and
    (2) Dr. Sezen is prohibited from serving in any advisory capacity 
to the U.S. Public Health Service (PHS), including but not limited to 
service on any PHS advisory committee, board, and/or peer review 
committee, or as a consultant.

[[Page 73085]]


FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Director, Division of Investigative 
Oversight, Office of Research Integrity, 1101 Wootton Parkway, Suite 
750, Rockville, MD 20852, (240) 453-8800.

John Dahlberg,
Director, Division of Investigative Oversight, Office of Research 
Integrity.
[FR Doc. 2010-29867 Filed 11-26-10; 8:45 am]
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