Dr. FERESHTEH EMAMI (courtesy of Southeastern Louisiana University)
A chemistry professor at Southeastern Louisiana University has filed a grievance against the school, asking to be reinstated as the lead of the Lake Maurepas Monitoring Project.
William Most, the attorney who represents Dr. Fereshteh Emami, says she was removed after a report ran in the Louisiana Illuminator in which she described elevated levels of toxic metals and pollution in the lake.
“Publicity around Dr. Emami’s research showed that Lake Maurepas was more polluted than people thought. And also, that heavy industry was the potential cause of the pollution,” Most said.
Most says the findings of Dr. Emami’s research caught university officials off-guard, and they immediately plotted to remove her from the project.
“It appears that publicity, around that research, interfered with the school president’s plans to get more money from heavy industry,” Most said.
Emami is a tenured professor of chemistry and remains with the school in that capacity. Most says what the school did in removing her from the Lake Maurepas Monitoring Project is a clear violation of the First Amendment and a violation of her academic freedoms.
“No professor in America, at a public university, should be worried that telling the truth about their research will lead to them losing their project,” Most noted.
In an email, Southeastern says Dr. Emami’s complaint will be given due consideration to ensure that fairness and due process are afforded.
This story has been updated with Southeastern’s response to LRN’s request for comment.
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