SAN DIEGO _ Eight women have told the journal Science that they were sexually harassed by Salk Institute biologist Inder Verma, allegations that the star biologist denied through his attorney on Tuesday morning.
Science reported that the alleged harassment occurred from 1976 to 2016 and involved such things as forced kissing, pinched buttocks and the touching of women's breasts.
Five of the women spoke on the record, including Pam Mellon, a neuroscientist at the University of California, San Diego. Three spoke anonymously.
Science quoted Mellon as saying, "I have been avoiding (Verma) for 30 years." She told the journal that Verma grabbed her breasts during a party at her home when she was an assistant professor at Salk in the mid-1980s.
"The quotes and story about my experience are correct," Mellon told The San Diego Union-Tribune by email on Tuesday.
The Science article deepens an uproar that has been going on at the Salk's La Jolla campus since last summer when three of the institute's female professors separately sued the center for alleged gender discrimination.
Victoria Lundblad, Katherine Jones and Beverly Emerson characterized the privately run Salk as an old boys' club that systematically discriminates against women when it comes to salary, promotions, lab space and access to private grants.
In the Science story, Emerson also alleges that Verma grabbed her and kissed her on the mouth in the Salk library.
Salk officials have denied the allegations about gender discrimination. But the case has not faded.
In late December, Nobel laureate Elizabeth Blackburn unexpectedly announced that she was planning to retire as the president of the Salk far earlier than expected. She has since been replaced as president by Fred "Rusty" Gage, one of the institute's most renowned scientists.
A few days after Blackburn's announcement, Verma, 70, revealed that he had been removed as editor of one of the world's leading science journals after being implicated in the gender discrimination lawsuits at the Salk.
Then in late April, the Salk announced that it had placed Verma on leave because of unspecified allegations. The institute did not publicly indicate that it was investigating sexual issue.
A short time later, Verma released an email to the Union-Tribune that says, in part, "I have never used my position at the Salk Institute to take advantage of others. I have also never engaged in any sort of intimate relationship with anyone affiliated with the Salk Institute.
"I have never inappropriately touched, nor have I made any sexually charged comments, to anyone affiliated with the Salk Institute. I have never allowed any offensive or sexually charged conversations, jokes, material, etc. to occur at the Salk Institute," he said.
The Salk released a statement Tuesday that says the institute "has not condoned _ and will not condone _ workplace behavior found to be inappropriate, regardless of the stature or influence of the person who engaged in such conduct.
"While privacy laws prohibit us from commenting on the details of personnel matters, when Salk officials have been made aware of allegations of inappropriate conduct by an employee, the Institute has investigated and responded, including taking disciplinary action when warranted."
Regarding Verma, the Institute said, "Consistent with Salk's long-standing policies governing workplace conduct, including policies prohibiting sexual harassment, the Institute undertook a formal investigation of Dr. Verma in early March. The investigation is being led by an independent outside party.
"On April 21st, Dr. Verma was placed on administrative leave, pending the outcome of the investigation, and he will not be performing scientific or administrative roles on behalf of the Institute during this period ...
"There is no timetable on the investigation. The Institute will not comment on the investigation or speculate on what will happen following its conclusion."
"To ensure that research programs being conducted in the Verma lab continue without disruption, Dr. Tony Hunter is overseeing the lab during Dr. Verma's leave."
