Moffitt executive resigns leadership role after investigation of her research

Scientists questioned whether images used in studies produced when Elsa Flores worked at a cancer center in Texas had been altered.

The executive who oversees much of Moffitt Cancer Center’s scientific research has resigned from her leadership role after science journals retracted or flagged concerns over the integrity of images used in several studies she co-authored.

Elsa R. Flores has stepped down from her roles as division chief and associate center director of basic science at the cancer center, according to an email sent to senior staffers at Moffitt last week. It said that her decision was made for personal reasons and that she would remain a senior member of the Department of Molecular Oncology and focus on her research program.

But her demotion comes after Flores’ former employer, UT MD Anderson, a cancer center at the University of Texas, recently completed a retrospective review of a number of studies she co-authored. Several papers had been questioned by scientists and others in online forums. Among their concerns were that images used to demonstrate findings appeared to have been manipulated.

Moffitt officials declined to answer questions about Flores but emailed the following statement to the Tampa Bay Times:

“Moffitt Cancer Center is committed to maintaining the highest levels of integrity in scientific research. All research at Moffitt is conducted in accordance with well-established standards supported by robust oversight, infrastructure and regulatory compliance.”

https://www.tampabay.com/news/health/2026/05/30/moffitt-cancer-research-retraction-resignation/