The National Academy of Sciences has banned Jane Lubchenko, a leading White House field candidate, from involvement in NAS publications and activities for five years for violating its code of conduct before joining the administration, the organization said. Stated.

Important reasons: The move represents a serious outcry against Lubchenko, deputy director for climate and the environment at the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy.

News promotion: The NAS, the nation’s most authoritative scientific body, said the decision, which took effect on August 8, was based on Section 3 of the NAS’ Code of Conduct. It states that members “should avoid harmful research practices that clearly violate basic tenets of research.”

• A NAS spokesperson confirmed the decision was related to the retraction of last year’s paper. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS).
• Lubchenko edited a retracted paper from the journal before joining OSTP. PNAS As of October 2021, the data underlying the analysis is not the most recent available and due to a personal relationship with one of the authors (brother-in-law).
• While in the White House, Lubchenko spearheaded efforts to develop a scientific integrity policy across the agency.

What they say: “I accept these sanctions for my errors of judgment in editing a paper written by some of my research collaborators,” Lubchenko said in a statement.

• Marine scientist Lubchenko headed the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration during the Obama administration.

Catch up soon: Lubchenco’s involvement in the paper has drawn criticism from House Republicans and the American Accountability Foundation (AAF), a conservative group that called on the NAS to investigate Lubchenco.

• “The American people deserve a White House leader who doesn’t use their position of influence to value their friends and family. Dr. Jane Lubchenko doesn’t meet that standard and doesn’t deserve to be an aide to the president.” Chairman,” AAF founder Tom Jones said in a statement.

Andrew Freedman contributed to the report.

Further details: House Republicans Call for Investigation of White House Climate Officer