Graduates of New York University’s Grossman School of Medicine came out on Wednesday to protest a report that the school may soon hire Dr. David Sabatini, a biologist facing sexual harassment charges.
More than 100 people marched across First Avenue in front of New York University Medical Center, chanting and holding placards with slogans such as “No means no” and “No to Sabatini.” They said they felt betrayed and confused by the opportunity for Dr. Sabatini to join their school, which was reported on science.org.
“I hope they don’t hire him,” said Grant Hussey, a medical graduate student. “The record is clear.”
Dr David Sabatini claims he has been falsely accused of sexual harassment by a colleague with whom he said he had a consensual relationship. Credit … Sylvain Gabury / Patrick McMullan, via Getty Images
Dr. Sabatini, 54, is a prominent biologist best known for his discovery of the mTOR protein, which regulates cell growth in animals, as a graduate student. In a statement, he said allegations of sexual misconduct were false and declined to comment on potential work at NYU.
“As I have consistently stated from the outset, I differ sharply in the way this issue is characterized and I intend to set a record and uphold my integrity,” Dr Sabatini said.
Last August, Dr. Sabatini was placed on administrative leave at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where he ran a research lab through the Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, following an investigation into allegations of sexual harassment against him – conducted by a separate university law firm. has violated the Institute’s policy on sexual misconduct.
On the same day, Dr. Sabatini also resigned from the Whitehead Institute and was fired from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, which funded his work at MIT.
He resigned from MIT earlier this month after three professors recommended that his term be revoked, according to a letter to professors from L. Rafael Reif, president of MIT, received by The Boston Globe.
In the letter, Dr. Rafe wrote that faculty members reviewed the allegations and found that Dr. Sabatini had violated the school’s policy on love relationships by mutual consent in the workplace. They also had concerns about his “unprofessional” behavior with lab members.
During the protest, Megan Kirchgesner, a doctoral student at the medical school, said she was disappointed that the school would consider hiring a person facing sexual harassment charges when the role could be offered to someone with a lower background in science.
“It was a moment of cynical reality scrutiny,” Ms. Kirchgesner said.
Deborah DeLair, a professor at the medical school, said hiring Dr. Sabatini would run counter to the school’s policies on sexual misconduct.
“The rules should apply to everyone, whether you’re a renowned researcher,” she said. “You can’t say one thing and then do another.”
Several professors wrote a letter to the dean and deputy dean of the medical school urging them not to appoint Dr. Sabatini. A letter from The New York Times said such a move could have a profound effect on the school’s reputation. As of Wednesday, it was signed by about 90 teachers.
“Although we understand that legal proceedings are still pending and that the public does not yet have all the facts, we are concerned that this hiring will signal a change in policy that runs counter to our commitment to providing a respectable learning environment.” a culture of respect for women and zero tolerance for bad behavior, “the letter said.
In a statement, Daphne Bar-Sagi, deputy dean of the medical school, said the administration was assessing the allegations and would not take a hiring decision that would “deviate” from the school’s policies.
“We are looking closely at Dr. Sabatini’s case because it is clear that many aspects of his departure from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the Whitehead Institute have never been publicly discussed,” said Dr. Bar-Sagi. “In addition, dozens of Dr. Sabatini’s colleagues shared with us views that contradict the investigation and its outcome. However, we take the concerns we hear from our teachers and students very seriously. “
It was not immediately clear what position was being considered for Dr. Sabatini or what stage the hiring process had reached.
In October 2021, Dr. Sabatini filed a lawsuit against the Whitehead Institute and his prosecutor, a former colleague, alleging that he had been wrongfully accused of sexual harassment by a colleague with whom he said he had a consensual relationship. The prosecutor filed a counterclaim in December, alleging that Dr. Sabatini forced her to have sex, created a “toxic and sexually charged laboratory environment” and “prepared” her while she was still a student under the guidance of him.
Standing in front of New York University on Wednesday, several medical school students and staff said that if Dr. Sabatini was hired, they would not attend his seminars and would avoid any school functions he attended.
“We are still at the point where we hope we can hear enough of our voices before that happens,” Ms Kirchgesner said.
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