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Health Care

The $3 Million Research Breakdown

University of Illinois at Chicago’s Troubling Study

The University of Illinois at Chicago’s acclaimed child psychiatrist Mani Pavuluri put vulnerable children at serious risk in one of her clinical trials by testing the powerful drug lithium on children younger than 13 — violating research rules, failing to properly alert parents of the study’s risks and falsifying data to cover up the misconduct.

If you or your child participated in one of Dr. Mani Pavuluri’s studies, we’d like to hear about your experience. Please email us at [email protected].

Impact of Our Reporting
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The $3 Million Research Breakdown

Illinois Regulators Are Investigating a Psychiatrist Whose Research With Children Was Marred by Misconduct

A former University of Illinois at Chicago researcher is at the center of a state medical licensing and disciplinary board inquiry.

by Jodi S. Cohen,

8 stories published since 2018

The University of Illinois Withheld Public Records for Months. Guess What They Showed?

by Jodi S. Cohen,

University of Illinois at Chicago Missed Warning Signs of Research Going Awry, Letters Show

by Jodi S. Cohen,

What We Learned From Letting a Mother and Her Son Tell Their Own Story

by Logan Jaffe and Jodi S. Cohen,

“We Will Keep on Fighting for Him.”

by Jodi S. Cohen and Logan Jaffe, ,

Documents Raise New Concerns About Lithium Study on Children

by Jodi S. Cohen,

University of Illinois at Chicago Officials Defend Handling of Researcher’s Misconduct

by Jodi S. Cohen,

How We Found Sources for Our Research Misconduct Story — And How You Can Help Us Find More

by Jodi S. Cohen,

The $3 Million Research Breakdown

by Jodi S. Cohen,

What We’re Watching

During Donald Trump’s second presidency, ProPublica will focus on the areas most in need of scrutiny. Here are some of the issues our reporters will be watching — and how to get in touch with them securely.

Learn more about our reporting team. We will continue to share our areas of interest as the news develops.

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Sharon Lerner

I cover health and the environment and the agencies that govern them, including the Environmental Protection Agency.

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Andy Kroll

I cover justice and the rule of law, including the Justice Department, U.S. attorneys and the courts.

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Melissa Sanchez

I report on immigration and labor, and I am based in Chicago.

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Jesse Coburn

I cover housing and transportation, including the companies working in those fields and the regulators overseeing them.

If you don’t have a specific tip or story in mind, we could still use your help. Sign up to be a member of our federal worker source network to stay in touch.

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