Top Augusta University researcher resigns amid allegations, denies wrongdoing
A top Augusta University researcher has resigned after allegations of misusing university property for his own gain, which he denies, according to documents obtained by The Augusta Chronicle.
Dr. Jin-Xiong She resigned his position as director of the Center for Biotechnology and Genomic Medicine effective Sept. 30 as part of a settlement with the university in which he admitted to no wrongdoing, according to a copy obtained under the Georgia Open Records Act. She also terminated the agreement between his company, Jinfiniti Precision Medicine Inc., and the university and agreed to move out of incubator space in the Interdisciplinary Research Building no later than the end of this month, documents showed.
In the settlement agreement dated Aug. 24, the university said it had “become aware of information that may support allegations of violations of multiple policies and guidelines of AU by the Employee, to include but not limited to the policies governing use of AU and state property for personal gain, misuse and false statements with regard to outside professional activity and work commitment obligations, dishonesty, undisclosed conflicts of interest” and other allegations “all of which are denied by the employee.”
Reached by phone, She said the allegations were "not true" but said he could not talk about it.
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The agreement notes it “shall not in any way be construed as an admission by either party that they have acted wrongfully with respect to each other.” The university and She also agree not to sue each other. The agreement was supposed to be kept confidential if possible and as part of it She agreed not to discuss the terms. The two sides also agree not to “make any statements that disparage or damage the reputation” of the other.
She will not seek a job again with AU or the University System of Georgia and AU agreed to give him a “neutral” reference if contacted by prospective employers, just confirming the dates of his employment and positions held.
AU President Brooks Keel had just renewed She’s contract, at an annual salary of $321,579, on June 10. None of the documents turned over by AU detail the allegations against him and all of the evaluations included in his personnel file over the years were positive. AU spokeswoman Christen Engel said the university does not comment on personnel matters.
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She was a highly prized recruit at the University of Florida when he was wooed to Medical College of Georgia in 2002. The college created the Center of Biotechnology and Genomic Medicine for him, agreeing to give it most of the floor of new research building under construction and $1.5 million to outfit his new lab.
She was directing international studies involving thousands of patients at a time, searching for the genetic causes of autoimmune diseases such as type 1 diabetes. One study following nearly 8,000 children received a $10 million grant and his other work brought in millions more in grants. More recently, he was focused on precisely targeting cancer and COVID-19.
Jinfiniti appears to have grown out of that work in cancer and what the company calls "breakthrough cell culture technology" that the company uses to look for components in the blood that can indicate unhealthy aging. The company offers a number of tests, ranging in price from $248 to more than $2,500, that would allow someone to track what Jinfiniti calls "aging biomarkers" such as those associated with chronic inflammation. By monitoring these, the company would help "guide you to better health by showing you where your body needs your attention the most," through lifestyle interventions or supplements, according to its web site.