QIMR Berghofer states its governing legislation obliged it to refer findings against former employee Mark Smyth

The move follows a preliminary investigation in “response to a number of complaints” relating to Professor Smyth’s research conduct and a subsequent independent external investigation by a retired judge and three unnamed “eminent independent scientists.”

This panel found Professor Smyth had breached codes of conduct relating to research. The inquiry process followed the National Health and Medical Research Council and Australian Research Council guide to investigating potential breaches of the national research conduct code.

QIMR Berghofer adds that it has also established “an independent review” into “a broad range of issues arising out of the panel report.”  This will be conducted by Bruce Lander, the immediate past South Australian Independent Commissioner Against Corruption.

Professor Smyth is a very senior scientist, on the NHMRC honour roll of peer reviewers and the “most highly cited immunologist” in the country, according to the Australian Academy of Science.