Milena Penkowa
Encyclopedia
Milena Penkowa is a Danish neuroscientist
who was a Professor at the Panum Institute
at the University of Copenhagen
from 2009–2010. Her prolific research mainly concerned the protein metallothionein
. She received the Danish Elite Research prize in 2009. In 2010 she was accused of scientific misconduct
and resigned her professorship.
in Millstreet, Ireland.
She graduated from Kalundborg Gymnasium
in 1991 and went on to study at the University of Copenhagen soon afterwards, first as assistant professor in 2000 and associate professor in 2002. Already in 1993 she was featured in a yearbook from the University for research. Again in 1994 her name was credited in an article on metal-binding proteins. In 2001 she wrote, along with her Spanish partner, Juan Hidalgo Pareja and two others, articles on metallothionein
-containing liposome
s which were published in May 2003. Her prolific research at Panum Institute
at the University of Copenhagen from 2009–2010 mainly concerned the protein metallothionein. She received the Danish Elite Research prize in 2009.
In 2010 she was accused of scientific misconduct
, as her graduate students were unable to replicate her previous results. Doubts arose about whether Penkowa had in fact carried out the experiments that she had reported. Penkowa was suspended from her professorship and research articles that she had authored were retracted from several journals. During the investigation, accusations of having misspent part of a 5.6 million kroner
research grant were also leveled against her, and the University of Copenhagen paid back 2 million kroner to the donor. Fifty-eight Danish researchers signed a letter requesting an open review of Penkowa's research, citing suspicions about data fabrication going back to her doctoral thesis in 2002. Penkowa herself denied any wrongdoing, but resigned her professorship in December 2010.
Neuroscience
Neuroscience is the scientific study of the nervous system. Traditionally, neuroscience has been seen as a branch of biology. However, it is currently an interdisciplinary science that collaborates with other fields such as chemistry, computer science, engineering, linguistics, mathematics,...
who was a Professor at the Panum Institute
Panum Institute
The Panum Institute is a part of the University of Copenhagen, Denmark. It is a large building complex and houses the Faculty of Health Sciences...
at the University of Copenhagen
University of Copenhagen
The University of Copenhagen is the oldest and largest university and research institution in Denmark. Founded in 1479, it has more than 37,000 students, the majority of whom are female , and more than 7,000 employees. The university has several campuses located in and around Copenhagen, with the...
from 2009–2010. Her prolific research mainly concerned the protein metallothionein
Metallothionein
Metallothionein is a family of cysteine-rich, low molecular weight proteins. They are localized to the membrane of the Golgi apparatus...
. She received the Danish Elite Research prize in 2009. In 2010 she was accused of scientific misconduct
Scientific misconduct
Scientific misconduct is the violation of the standard codes of scholarly conduct and ethical behavior in professional scientific research. A Lancet review on Handling of Scientific Misconduct in Scandinavian countries provides the following sample definitions: *Danish definition: "Intention or...
and resigned her professorship.
Biography
Penkowa has Danish-Bulgarian roots. In 1989 she participated in the European Championships for show jumpingShow jumping
Show jumping, also known as "stadium jumping," "open jumping," or "jumpers," is a member of a family of English riding equestrian events that also includes dressage, eventing, hunters, and equitation. Jumping classes commonly are seen at horse shows throughout the world, including the Olympics...
in Millstreet, Ireland.
She graduated from Kalundborg Gymnasium
Kalundborg Gymnasium
Kalundborg Gymnasium is a municipal gymnasium in Kalundborg Municipality, Denmark. Established on August 12, 1957, as a high school, the first rector was R. Stig Hansen. , the rector is Peter Abildgaard Andersen, who has held the position since August 2006....
in 1991 and went on to study at the University of Copenhagen soon afterwards, first as assistant professor in 2000 and associate professor in 2002. Already in 1993 she was featured in a yearbook from the University for research. Again in 1994 her name was credited in an article on metal-binding proteins. In 2001 she wrote, along with her Spanish partner, Juan Hidalgo Pareja and two others, articles on metallothionein
Metallothionein
Metallothionein is a family of cysteine-rich, low molecular weight proteins. They are localized to the membrane of the Golgi apparatus...
-containing liposome
Liposome
Liposomes are artificially prepared vesicles made of lipid bilayer. Liposomes can be filled with drugs, and used to deliver drugs for cancer and other diseases. Liposomes are composite structures made of phospholipids and may contain small amounts of other molecules...
s which were published in May 2003. Her prolific research at Panum Institute
Panum Institute
The Panum Institute is a part of the University of Copenhagen, Denmark. It is a large building complex and houses the Faculty of Health Sciences...
at the University of Copenhagen from 2009–2010 mainly concerned the protein metallothionein. She received the Danish Elite Research prize in 2009.
In 2010 she was accused of scientific misconduct
Scientific misconduct
Scientific misconduct is the violation of the standard codes of scholarly conduct and ethical behavior in professional scientific research. A Lancet review on Handling of Scientific Misconduct in Scandinavian countries provides the following sample definitions: *Danish definition: "Intention or...
, as her graduate students were unable to replicate her previous results. Doubts arose about whether Penkowa had in fact carried out the experiments that she had reported. Penkowa was suspended from her professorship and research articles that she had authored were retracted from several journals. During the investigation, accusations of having misspent part of a 5.6 million kroner
Danish krone
The krone is the official currency of the Kingdom of Denmark consisting of Denmark, the Faroe Islands and Greenland. It is subdivided into 100 øre...
research grant were also leveled against her, and the University of Copenhagen paid back 2 million kroner to the donor. Fifty-eight Danish researchers signed a letter requesting an open review of Penkowa's research, citing suspicions about data fabrication going back to her doctoral thesis in 2002. Penkowa herself denied any wrongdoing, but resigned her professorship in December 2010.