Internal Reports Raise Concerns Over CNIO's Decline and Leadership
The National Center for Cancer Research (CNIO) in Spain is facing a significant crisis, as internal reports submitted to the Ministry of Science, Innovation, and Universities highlight a decline in scientific output and various operational issues. These documents, which have come to light, attribute the center's difficulties to the leadership of its director, María Blasco, who has been at the helm since 2011.
The reports reveal alarming trends, including a reported decrease of over 10% in scientific production since 2012, and nearly 20% when focusing solely on research groups directly associated with the CNIO. Additionally, the center has struggled to secure competitive public funding, seeing a drop of approximately four million euros annually from 2012 to 2023, resulting in an accumulated loss exceeding 40 million euros. The center's financial reserves have plummeted from 33 million euros in 2011 to just two million euros in 2023.
Moreover, the internal documents indicate a troubling pattern of alleged harassment and abuse of power linked to Blasco, with more than ten complaints reported against her. These allegations include instances of verbal abuse and racial discrimination. A notable case from the winter of 2023 prompted an internal investigation that suggested potential misconduct by Blasco and her communication director, who allegedly pressured an employee to delete critical comments from social media. The latest complaint against Blasco was filed this month and is currently under investigation.
In light of these findings, the CNIO's board has called for a comprehensive review of the center's finances for 2025 and has requested detailed reports explaining the current situation. The pressure on Blasco is mounting, as her future in the role may be at stake depending on the outcome of these evaluations, with a board meeting scheduled for January 29.
The reports also highlight a significant lack of transparency and communication within the CNIO, with many advisory committees failing to meet as required. The center, which employs over 400 staff and operates on an annual budget of around 40 million euros, has not only seen a decline in its scientific personnel but has also faced criticism for increasing its communication and public relations staff, raising concerns about priorities.
In a recent assembly with CNIO personnel, Blasco defended her leadership, asserting that the organization has not misallocated funds and that she has a strategic scientific vision for the CNIO. However, dissatisfaction among staff persists, especially regarding salary issues, as many employees have called for salary adjustments due to low compensation levels.
As the situation evolves, María Blasco has reached out to various stakeholders, including the Ombudsman, seeking support. Additionally, she has requested increased funding for the CNIO from the Ministry of Science, although specific amounts have yet to be clarified.
With the CNIO's reputation and operational effectiveness hanging in the balance, the outcome of the upcoming board meeting could have far-reaching implications for its leadership and future direction.
