University of Zurich clears former 'star researcher' Aguzzi of misconduct allegations

The University of Zurich has cleared Adriano Aguzzi, a former professor and director of neuropathology, of scientific misconduct following a lengthy investigation. The probe was initiated after allegations surfaced in early 2024, when a journalist from the magazine 'Science' confronted Aguzzi with accusations concerning several publications from his research group.

Aguzzi promptly informed university leadership about the allegations, leading to the university's investigation. The findings, announced Thursday, indicate that while Aguzzi was admonished seven years ago to review manuscripts more carefully, particularly regarding data presentation, the current investigation found little substance to the recent claims. The university stated that Aguzzi himself did not commit scientific misconduct.

The allegations gained public attention in late 2024, with media reports focusing on accusations of falsified data, specifically involving mouse brain images. A former researcher in Aguzzi's team was accused of reusing microscope images from earlier studies to fabricate results and manipulating data sets. These concerns had previously been flagged on the platform 'Pubpeer'.

Despite the exoneration regarding misconduct, the university acknowledged that the case has caused reputational damage to the institution. Aguzzi, now an emeritus professor, reportedly stated, "I should have been more diligent." The investigation's conclusion brings a close to a complex case that has cast a shadow over the university and its prominent researchers.

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I should have been more diligent.