Integrity Proceedings Clear Adriano Aguzzi

In spring 2024, the Executive Board of the University of Zurich (UZH) initiated integrity proceedings to examine allegations of academic misconduct relating to several publications by Adriano Aguzzi, Full Professor at UZH and Director of the Institute of Neuropathology at the University Hospital Zurich. The allegations primarily concerned the inappropriate alteration or reuse of figures derived from image-based laboratory methods, microscopy images and visual representations of numerical data.

The investigation examined a total of 36 publications to which Adriano Aguzzi contributed. The publications reviewed were published over a period of 28 years, from 1996 to 2023.

The proceedings found that the majority of the irregularities identified relate to visual material presented in the publications. In some instances, figures were misassigned, inadequately processed or modified in an impermissible or inappropriate manner.

Scientifically relevant errors were conclusively identified in seven publications that named Adriano Aguzzi as both the last author and corresponding author. In this capacity, he bears scientific responsibility for these publications.

The other publications under review also showed formal shortcomings; however, these could be remedied through corrections, leaving a core body of scientific findings whose validity was not affected. In several publications, the suspected violation of academic integrity was not substantiated. In other cases, the irregularities identified were assessed as minor or inconclusive.

Under the University of Zurich’s Integrity Ordinance, academic misconduct is deemed to occur when researchers intentionally or negligently violate the principles of good scientific practice.  The proceedings, however, found no evidence that Adriano Aguzzi acted intentionally.

Based on a reasonable standard of care expected within the relevant scientific community, the proceedings also concluded that Adriano Aguzzi cannot be found to have acted negligently. He supervised the research and publication activities in his laboratory with the necessary care and oversight. As a result, no culpable conduct and therefore no academic misconduct as defined by the university’s Integrity Ordinance can be attributed to him. The proceedings are therefore closed.

The Executive Board of the University of Zurich emphasizes that the university’s quality standards must be adhered to consistently in the future and instructs Adriano Aguzzi to continue addressing the identified errors and irregularities with the utmost care and diligence. He is also required to strengthen the quality management and control mechanisms governing his publications, particularly with regard to the use of figures, to ensure that potential errors are identified and prevented at an early stage.