Dr. Pearlie Epling-Burnette was an immunologist who began working at Moffitt Cancer Center in 1988. On December 19, 2019, Moffitt told Dr. Epling-Burnette and five other senior scientists to resign immediately.
According to the Science Magazine article titled "Fired cancer scientist says ‘good people are being crushed’ by overzealous probes into possible Chinese ties," they were forced to leave for their involvement in collaborations with institutions in China that “violated multiple Moffitt policies and federal grant standards.” Dr. Epling-Burnette asserts that she is being blamed for things that never happened and her actions violated no federal or institutional policies. In fact, everything was done with Moffitt’s knowledge and consent.
Dr. Epling-Burnette has hired a lawyer, John Lauro, to help broadcast her message that these investigations pose a threat not just to those caught up in them, but to the entire U.S. research enterprise— and to the country.
According to the Science Magazine article titled "Fired cancer scientist says ‘good people are being crushed’ by overzealous probes into possible Chinese ties," they were forced to leave for their involvement in collaborations with institutions in China that “violated multiple Moffitt policies and federal grant standards.” Dr. Epling-Burnette asserts that she is being blamed for things that never happened and her actions violated no federal or institutional policies. In fact, everything was done with Moffitt’s knowledge and consent.
Dr. Epling-Burnette has hired a lawyer, John Lauro, to help broadcast her message that these investigations pose a threat not just to those caught up in them, but to the entire U.S. research enterprise— and to the country.