Dipak K. Das, a longtime UConn Health Center professor accused last year of fabricating research, died last week, according to an obituary in The Hartford Courant.
He was 67 and lived in West Hartford. He retired from UConn last year, according to his obituary.
Das had been a tenured professor at the UConn Health Center and director of the Cardiovascula Research Center. He gained attention for his work on the benefits of resveratrol, a substance found in red wine.
But last year, the university announced that a three-year investigation determined that Das had fabricated and falsified data. The review board that looked into his work produced a 59,929-page report and alleged that figures used in Das’ publications had been manipulated without disclosure.
Das disputed the review board’s findings, and wrote that he had not made up figures. He criticized the investigation, and alleged that he was the target of a conspiracy against Indians at the health center.
Earlier this year, he filed a lawsuit against UConn. It remains pending in federal court.
Das was born in India and graduated from Jadavpur University in Kolkata. He earned a PhD from New York University. He joined the UConn Health Center in 1984 and received tenure in 1993.
According to his obituary, Das is survived by his wife of 43 years, two children and three grandchildren.