Researcher loses disability lawsuit against major science funder

A jury in Maryland today delivered a unanimous verdict in favor of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI), finding it did not discriminate against Vivian Cheung, a disabled biologist and physician, when it failed to renew her multimillion-dollar award in 2018. The closely watched case put a spotlight on obstacles faced by disabled scientists. Lawyer Chong Park of Ropes & Gray was successful in persuading a jury of four women and two men that HHMI and its reviewers treated Cheung like any other scientist when she competed unsuccessfully to renew her investigator award for RNA studies. At the end of an 8-day trial, the jury deliberated for about 3 hours before delivering its verdict against Cheung, who sued HHMI in 2020. Cheung, 56, suffers from a rare genetic disorder affecting her vision, immune system, and blood pressure.  It was diagnosed in 2014, 4 years before she came up for a competitive renewal from HHMI. Cheung, who is a pediatric neurologist at the University of Michigan, had alleged that the institute discriminated against her from the moment she revealed her disorder and requested disability accommodations. “HHMI is pleased that a Montgomery county jury has agreed that Dr. Cheung’s allegations are without merit,” HHMI President Erin O’Shea said in a written statement. “We look forward to putting this matter behind us and continuing to focus on supporting scientific discoveries that advance human health.” "I am very disap...
Source: ScienceNOW - Category: Science Source Type: news