UCLA Chancellor Gene D. Block released this statement on April 26, after a judge ordered an organic chemistry professor to stand trial on criminal charges in connection with a December 2008 lab accident that claimed the life of a staff research associate.
"The accident that took Sheri Sangji's life was a terrible tragedy for our campus, and I can't begin to imagine the devastation to her family. We must remember, however, that this was an accident, not a crime. Patrick Harran is a talented and dedicated faculty member, and our support for him is unwavering. Ever since the accident, UCLA has been working to enhance lab safety, and we will continue that work in the years ahead."