**Physicist Ranga Dias Dismissed Over Retracted Superconductivity Claims**

Ranga Dias, a physicist at the University of Rochester, has been terminated from his position following a year-long investigation into allegations of research misconduct. Dias made headlines with his groundbreaking claims of achieving high-temperature superconductivity, but controversy ensued when the papers documenting these breakthroughs were retracted.

The high-profile investigation, conducted by a panel of renowned physicists, concluded with a report that found Dias guilty of research misconduct. The university announced his dismissal, emphasizing the thoroughness and fairness of the investigative process.

Dias, who was not tenured, saw his fate sealed by a decision from the Board of Trustees, influenced by a recommendation from University President Sarah Mangelsdorf. This decision followed an August letter from Mangelsdorf to the Board's chair and vice chair, advocating for Dias' termination. Earlier in April, Dias' lawsuit alleging investigative bias was dismissed by a judge.

Dias first captured the scientific community's attention in 2020 with a paper in Nature that described a room-temperature superconductor functioning under high pressure. However, as questions about data validity surfaced, the paper was retracted. A second retracted paper soon followed, claiming to achieve similar superconductivity at slightly lower pressures, further embroiling Dias in controversy.

The university's second investigation corroborated allegations of misconduct related to this second paper. Reports from Dias' graduate students to Nature News revealed that some critical data had been procured rather than generated within the lab, casting further doubt on the paper’s credibility.

Peer reviews obtained by Nature News showed that both of Dias' papers underwent extensive revisions and ambiguous reviewer feedback before eventual publication. Despite these reservations, the editorial team at Nature had decided to publish the papers, a decision that ultimately proved contentious.

The saga of Ranga Dias serves as a cautionary tale in the scientific community, highlighting the importance of transparent and rigorous research practices.