A researcher accused of falsifying research in work funded by the National Institutes of Health has cost Northwestern University $2.3 million.
The university, based in Evanston, Ill., violated the Civil Monetary Penalties Law when a former researcher at the school falsified work funded by an NIH award, according to a November press release from the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services’ Office of Inspector General. The researcher and other investigators then referenced the falsified research in grant applications, reports and other submissions to NIH for two other awards, according to OIG. Together, the three grants totaled about $5 million, with $3.5 million tied to Northwestern.
The Civil Monetary Penalties law allows OIG to impose penalties against individuals and entities that engage in fraud and other improper conduct related to government grants. OIG learned of the researcher’s manipulation when Northwestern self-disclosed the conduct, the release said.
Northwestern did not respond to multiple messages seeking comment.
Jing Liu, who now works at the University of Illinois Cancer Center, is the principal investigator named on the three grants. She did not return messages seeking comment.
Liu worked at Northwestern from at least 2008 to 2018, according to grant records. Her research was frequently showcased in news stories at Northwestern, and in 2024, she was awarded the Lung Cancer Research Award by the Respiratory Health Association.
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