UConn's resveratrol star faked 145 counts of data — and sued the university for $35M

Dipak Das was a prominent researcher and director of the Cardiovascular Research Center at the University of Connecticut Health Center. He was best known for his work on resveratrol, a compound found in red wine, which he claimed had powerful cardiovascular benefits. His research was widely cited and helped fuel interest in resveratrol as a health supplement.

A three-year university investigation found Das guilty of 145 counts of fabrication or falsification of data. The investigation examined over seven years of lab activity and found widespread manipulation of Western blot images used in published papers. The report noted that 'many figures had more manipulations but, for expediency, the review board only noted the most obvious' and concluded the acts were 'intentional and designed to deceive.' The misconduct dated back to 2005, when Das's lab had no one with the expertise to prepare the experiments being published.

UConn fired Das in May 2012. All research in his lab was terminated, and federal research grants were declined. Eleven journals were notified. As of 2024, 24 of his papers had been retracted. Das responded by filing a $35 million defamation lawsuit against UConn. He died in September 2013.