UNC chancellor responds to research plagiarism report

Renowned UNC-Chapel Hill genetics professor Terry Magnuson stepped down from his position as vice chancellor for research this week after he “intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly“ plagiarized text in a federal grant application for cancer research.

As vice chancellor since 2016, Magnuson has helped develop and manage UNC’s $1 billion research enterprise.

Chancellor Kevin Guskiewicz and Provost Chris Clemens announced Magnuson’s resignation Thursday, two days after the report and following a letter from the faculty demanding action.

Here is the full statement from UNC’s academic leaders:

“Dear Carolina Community,

Today, we accepted Terry Magnuson’s resignation from his position as vice chancellor for research. The three of us have agreed that this decision is in the best interest of the University.

Terry has served as vice chancellor since 2016 and is also the Kay M. & Van L. Weatherspoon Eminent Distinguished Professor of Genetics in the UNC School of Medicine and was the founding chair of the department of genetics. He is also an elected member of the National Academy of Medicine, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and the American Association for the Advancement of Science.

During his tenure, Terry has transformed Carolina’s research operation with awards now topping $1 billion. He has broken barriers with initiatives like Creativity Hubs, a seed funding initiative that creates evolving virtual research networks, concentrating interdisciplinary talent and resources on bold ideas. In addition, he was a key partner on developing the concept for the Institute for Convergent Science, along with representatives from the College of Arts & Sciences and Innovate Carolina. His contributions in this role have been significant and will have long-lasting impacts on our research enterprise.

On Tuesday, the federal Office of Research Integrity posted a finding of research misconduct involving a grant application submitted by Terry in his role as a faculty researcher. The University has a very specific role it must play in these matters, and it followed its federally mandated policy regarding research misconduct. Terry accepts responsibility for his mistake and will share more with you about his experience tomorrow.

We have asked Penny Gordon-Larsen, associate dean for research at the Gillings School of Global Public Health and Carla Smith Chamblee Distinguished Professor of Global Nutrition, to serve as interim vice chancellor for research. In her current role, Gordon-Larsen leads the Gillings School’s $200 million research enterprise and is a leading nutritional science researcher. We thank her for her willingness to step in to ensure a smooth transition.

Terry has left an indelible mark on Carolina, and we thank him for his service. His last day as vice chancellor will be March 11.

Sincerely,

Kevin M. Guskiewicz

Chancellor

J. Christopher Clemens

Provost and Chief Academic Officer”

Kate Murphy covers higher education for The News & Observer. Previously, she covered higher education for the Cincinnati Enquirer on the investigative and enterprise team and USA Today Network. Her work has won state awards in Ohio and Kentucky and she was recently named a 2019 Education Writers Association finalist for digital storytelling.
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