Salk Institute President Elizabeth Blackburn sent an email to the institute’s workers last week that contradicts the public criticism she leveled at two faculty who sued the La Jolla science center for gender discrimination.
The lawsuits were filed in July by researchers Vicki Lundblad and Katherine Jones, who accused the Salk of favoring men when it comes to pay, promotions, grants and leadership opportunities.
In a statement approved by Blackburn following the suit, the Salk denied the charges, then criticized the women’s work. The statement said Lundblad and Jones had ranked below their peers in producing high quality research, and that they had failed to publish in the top science journals for a decade.
Such criticism is rarely made publicly in science, and it led many prominent scholars to accuse Salk of trying to tarnish the scholar’s reputations.
The Salk used a milder tone when a third professor, Beverly Emerson, later sued the institute for gender discrimination. The institute said that Emerson’s claims are without merit.
Then on Aug. 18, Blackburn, a Nobel laureate, sent an email to the Salk community that says, in part, “I also want to address directly and correct any unintended impressions from prior statements related to litigation. The Salk greatly values the contributions of Professors Emerson, Jones, and Lundblad to the scientific community and to the Institute.
“These Professors are our colleagues and of the Salk community we all cherish. Indeed, the Institute greatly values all of your contributions to the progression of science.”
Deborah Dixon, the attorney representing Jones and Lundblad in their lawsuit, said Monday, “Drs. Jones and Lundblad are excellent scientists, both of whom are well-regarded within the scientific community for their work and contributions.
“Salk has consistently failed to recognize their accomplishments and Salk’s disparaging comments are reflective of the treatment Drs. Jones and Lundblad have endured for years.”
Blackburn issued her conciliatory remarks as the institute is preparing for “Symphony for Salk,” its largest annual community and fundraising event. More than 700 people are scheduled to attend the symphony on Saturday. Salk’s board of trustees will meet on Friday.
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