A third female professor at the Salk Institute for Biological Studios in San Diego, a center for biology founded 57 years ago by polio vaccine pioneer Jonas Salk, has sued the institute, alleging a “hostile environment in which they are undermined, disrespected, disparaged, and treated unequally”.  The latest lawsuit was filed by molecular biologist Dr. Beverly Emerson, 65, who has worked at the Institute since 1986.  She claims, “For over half a century, the Salk Institute has operated as a antiquated boys’ club, systematically undermining and marginalizing its three female Full Professors” and adds,  “What is worse,” [Salk administration and board of trustees] have known about this discrimination, yet done absolutely nothing to stop it or right the wrongs perpetrated against its … talented and decorated female Full Professors.”

Katherine Jones (left) and Vicki Lundblad (right), Image Courtesy of Alejandro Tamayo/San Diego Union-Tribune via ZUMA Wire

Salk President Elizabeth Blackburn said in a statement that she is “saddened that an institute as justly revered as the Salk Institute is being misrepresented by accusations of gender discrimination. I would never preside over an institute that in any way condoned, openly or otherwise, the marginalizing of female scientists.” However, in a statement, Lundblad alleged, “Even Dr. Blackburn, one of the most accomplished scientists in the world, has not been immune to judgmental comments about her abilities to function as Salk’s president.”  Jones has said that Salk also uses female faculty members and scientists as “donor-bait” by picturing them on mailers “in an effort to make it appear that Salk recognizes the importance of retaining and promoting and paying women equally.”  It’s all part of a false facade.  The lawsuit is “entirely appropriate,” Emerson says, adding that “unbiased data show that the situation at Salk for senior women faculty is grim on many levels, resulting in a slow death even for the strongest individuals.”

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Third Sex Discrimination Lawsuit Filed Against Salk InstituteSalk Institute hit with discrimination lawsuit by third female scientistSalk Institute under fire for ‘smear’ on women suing it for discrimination