Dr. Ebadi is allegedly demoted for trying to "tap'" the ladies on staff and gets tapped for post 6 months later!

UND: Ebadi tapped for post
Researcher will serve as associate VP of health affairs
By David Dodds
Herald Staff Writer

Dr. Manuchair "Mike" Ebadi, one of UND's star medical researchers, has been appointed to associate vice president for health affairs at the university.

Ebadi, who already serves as associate dean for research and program development at UND's School of Medicine and Health Sciences, will assume the new role immediately. He will work to create synergism among UND's health programs - inside and outside of the medical school - and forge research connections across all health areas on campus.

Ebadi will answer to UND's vice president for health affairs, Dr. David Wilson, who is also the dean of the medical school.

UND President Charles Kupchella says Ebadi's new role will be crucial in attaining goals set forth by the university in research.

"This is an area of great potential for UND," Kupchella said, "given the doubling of the budget of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) now under way."

Successful scientist

Ebadi's appointment follows a demotion in July of 2001 in which he was forced to vacate his position as chair of the medical school's Department of Pharmacology, Physiology and Therapeutics. An internal investigation found enough reason to merit the demotion on the basis of complaints by medical school employees who worked under Ebadi.

A well-respected researcher of multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases, Ebadi will continue to focus on those areas, as well as build on other ideas to increase research at UND.

Ebadi's appointment was based on administrators' recognition of his talents and ability to help UND meet its research goals, according to Wilson.

"(Ebadi) is one of the most successful scientists on campus," Wilson said. "He's attracted nearly $4 million in external grant funding, and recruited . . . young researchers who, we believe, have great potential to make a name for themselves and for UND."

Reach Dodds at 780-1110, (800) 477-6572, ext. 110, or at ddodds@gfherald.com