Report shows student involvement in CU Boulder research fraud

Report of the University of Colorado at Boulder investigation into recalled chemicals research article containing falsified data indicate students’ participation in improper research proceedings.

The paper, “Synthesis of γ-graphyne using dynamic covalent chemistry,” was published in the journal Nature Synthesis on May 9, 2022. The paper was retracted from the journal on September 2 after an investigation by CU Boulder’s Office of Research Integrity found that some of the data had been falsified.

A 47-page investigative report dated Dec. 22, 2023, obtained through a public records request, found that CU Boulder investigated chemistry professor and corresponding article author Wei Zhang and a student. The report concluded that Zhang had committed a serious research error that did not rise to the level of research misconduct.

Details about each student or students involved in this case have been redacted, and the university has provided exceptions for disclosure of information in students’ educational records and personally identifying student information. The report was heavily redacted.

The investigation found that Zhang provided poor mentoring and a lack of supervision, which constituted serious research misconduct, not research misconduct. It found that Zhang had “neglected his duties as an advisor and mentor.”

The report said Zhang “was not found to have fabricated or falsified any data (redacted) (by a vote of 3 to 0).” “Nonetheless, (Zhang) did not make sufficient efforts to report the methods used and potential limitations that could have prevented the misconduct.”

Two committees took part in the investigation. The three-member investigative committee, which included two CU Boulder professors and one from CU Anschutz, presented its report to the broader Standing Committee regarding improper research conduct. Thirteen voting members of the Standing Committee on Research Misconduct asked questions and voted to support the findings and recommendations of the investigative committee, on which unanimous agreement was reached.

The early stages of the investigation began within a week of the university receiving allegations of research misconduct in December 2022. The committee of inquiry first met in June 2023, and the final investigation report was submitted in December 2023.

The report recommended corrective action by notifying the National Science Foundation and the journal Nature Synthesis.

A National Science Foundation grant helped support the retracted research. According to the report, the National Science Foundation’s Office of Inspector General monitored the investigation, was notified of all case results and received a copy of the final investigation report.

Zhang and his lab are working to republish the paper. The retracted article claimed that he had created a new type of material, carbon, called graphite.