Lab Rats

Another incident involves an alleged comment by Torchia. At least five employees say the director told them not to discuss research-related issues with employees whose first language is not English because they would not understand. Torchia, in a memo responding to the complaint, said that her comments were misunderstood.

When he left the lab in 1997, Percy Sherman described the negative environment in his parting letter. "There are several compelling factors that have contributed to my resignation. First of all, I feel that racial discrimination was routinely exhibited by the director at the Hunters Point facility, which was very offensive to me being a person of color [African-American]. Secondly, the threatening and hostile work environment that was created and maintained by the facility director, Dr. Marilyn Torchia."

University officials refused comment on the matter.
Last June, more than half of the Hunters Point work force -- 17 employees -- signed a petition asking that Torchia be removed from the facility, and sent it to Prusiner.

"We are working in an increasingly hostile environment, and are repeatedly subjected to unfair and intimidating treatment on both an individual and group basis," the petition said.

"We fully support and believe in your research, and are gravely concerned that this discriminatory and retaliatory work environment is affecting the quality of research at this facility."

Prusiner backed Torchia, and said that the employees' complaints were being addressed through the university's grievance process, and the Public Employee Relations Board.