Findings of Scientific Misconduct

Notice is hereby given that the Office of Research Integrity (ORI) has made final findings of scientific misconduct in the following case: Danya J. Vardi, Harvard Medical School: Based on an investigation conducted by the institution as well as information obtained by ORI during its oversight review, ORI found that Danya J. Vardi, former Harvard Medical School Research Associate in Psychology in the Department of Psychiatry at the Massachusetts Mental Health Center and former part-time Research Assistant at the Cambridge Hospital, committed scientific misconduct. ORI found that Ms. Vardi fabricated subject responses regarding recall and recognition of words having an emotional valence in research supported by a Public Health Service (PHS) grant entitled ``Psychophysiologic study of child abuse imagery in adults'' at the Manchester, New Hampshire VA Research Center. Ms. Vardi has entered into a Voluntary Exclusion Agreement with ORI in which she has agreed to exclude herself voluntarily, for the three (3) year period beginning March 28, 1996, from: (1) contracting or subcontracting with any agency of the United States Government and from eligibility for, or involvement in, nonprocurement transactions (e.g., grants and cooperative agreements) of the United States Government, as defined in 45 CFR Part 76 (Debarment Regulations); and (2) serving in any advisory capacity to PHS, including but not limited to service on any PHS advisory committee, board, and/or peer review committee, or as a consultant. The above voluntary exclusion, however, shall not apply to Ms. Vardi's future clinical training or practice whether as a student, resident, fellow, or licensed practitioner, as the case may be, unless that practice involves research or research training. No scientific publications were required to be corrected as part of this Agreement.