Sun, Hui Bin

Hui (Herb) Bin Sun, Ph.D., Albert Einstein College of Medicine: Based on the report of an investigation conducted by Albert Einstein College of Medicine (AECM) and additional analysis conducted by the Office of Research Integrity (ORI) in its oversight review, ORI found that Hui (Herb) Bin Sun, Ph.D., (Respondent), formerly Professor of Orthopedic Surgery and Radiation Oncology, AECM, engaged in research misconduct in research supported by U.S. Public Health Service (PHS) funds, specifically National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS), National Institutes of Health (NIH), grant R01 AR050968 and National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), NIH, grant P01 HL110900.

ORI found that Respondent engaged in research misconduct by intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly falsifying and/or fabricating data included in sixteen (16) grant applications submitted for PHS funds:

ORI found that Respondent intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly reported falsified and/or fabricated Western blot and histological image data for chronic deep tissue conditions including osteoarthritis (OA) and tendinopathy in murine models. Respondent included image data that were falsely reused and relabeled as data representing different experiments in fifty (50) figures included in sixteen (16) PHS grant applications. In the absence of reliable image data, the figures, quantitative data in associated graphs purportedly derived from those images, statistical analyses, and related text also are false.

Specifically, ORI found that:

Specifically, in:

Figure 2C in R01 AG056623-01 to falsely represent p16 staining in Cited2 KO mice

Figure 8 in R01 AG056623-01 to falsely represent p16 in control mice following DMM surgery

Respondent neither admits nor denies ORI’s findings of research misconduct. The parties entered into a Voluntary Settlement Agreement (Agreement) to conclude this matter without further expenditure of time, finances, or other resources. The settlement is not an admission of liability on the part of the Respondent.

Respondent voluntarily agreed to the following:

The requirements for Respondent’s supervision plan are as follows:
1. A committee of 2-3 senior faculty members at the institution who are familiar with Respondent’s field of research, but not including Respondent’s supervisor or collaborators, will provide oversight and guidance. The committee will review primary data from Respondent’s laboratory on a quarterly basis and submit a report to ORI at six (6) month intervals setting forth the committee meeting dates and Respondent’s compliance with appropriate research standards and confirming the integrity of Respondent’s research.
2. The committee will conduct an advance review of each application for PHS funds, or report, manuscript, or abstract involving PHS-supported research in which Respondent is involved. The review will include a discussion with Respondent of the primary data represented in those documents and will include a certification to ORI that the data presented in the proposed application, report, manuscript, or abstract is supported by the research record.
During the Supervision Period, Respondent will ensure that any institution employing him submits, in conjunction with each application for PHS funds, or report, manuscript, or abstract involving PHS-supported research in which Respondent is involved, a certification to ORI that the data provided by Respondent are based on actual experiments or are otherwise legitimately derived and that the data, procedures, and methodology are accurately reported in the application, report, manuscript, or abstract.

If no supervision plan is provided to ORI, Respondent will provide certification to ORI at the conclusion of the Supervision Period that his participation was not proposed on a research project for which an application for PHS support was submitted and that he has not participated in any capacity in PHS-supported research.

During the Supervision Period, Respondent will exclude himself voluntarily from serving in any advisory or consultant capacity to PHS including, but not limited to, service on any PHS advisory committee, board, and/or peer review committee.