ASN NEWS USA — SPECIAL REPORT

BOSTON (ASN NEWS USA)— Dr. David Sabatini — the prominent MIT biologist whose career exploded in 2021 over sexual misconduct allegations — just staged a massive courtroom comeback.

On Friday, a Boston jury awarded Sabatini $6 million in damages, finding that his former colleague Dr. Kristin Knouse defamed him. Sabatini had sued Knouse for defamation and tortious interference, alleging her claims about their relationship cost him his position.

Sabatini had led a research lab at the Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research in Cambridge for roughly 24 years, studying cell biology and its links to neurodegenerative diseases, diabetes, aging, and cancer. The two met in 2012 and had a sexual relationship from 2018 to 2019. After Knouse later alleged the relationship was coerced, a Whitehead investigation found Sabatini had fostered a sexualized atmosphere in his lab — and he resigned.

Knouse countersued, alleging sexual harassment, so the legal war went both ways.

The verdict flips the script on one of science’s most high-profile #MeToo-era fallouts — and it’s already reigniting debate about how institutions handle misconduct allegations against star researchers.

Stay tuned to ASN News USA for updates on this developing story. Reported by ASN News USA. Visit asnnewsusa.com or follow @ASNNewsUSA for updates.

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