Hunter
07/30/25
An investigation by the state Auditor’s Office has reportedly found a University of Iowa professor misspent over $294,000 in grants and other funding, diverting it to his personal business.
The University of Iowa requested a special investigation in 2023 due to concerns that Dr. Calvin Carter, an assistant Professor of Neuroscience and Pharmacology at the U of I, was using funds for his personal business, Geminii, Inc., and not for University of Iowa research.
Geminii was founded in 2016 by Carter, his brother, and one of Carter’s research fellows. According to its website, Geminii is a medical device company that offers a new solution for people with diabetes.
According to the auditor’s report, nearly $295,000 in misspent funds was uncovered. Some of the money was allegedly spent on pigs that were being held in Indiana, although Carter only had approval to perform his research on mice. More was spent on lawyers and legal fees that was Geminii’s responsibility, and other money was reportedly misspent on services the University provides, and on items not approved or allowed for research funding.
The University of Iowa issued a statement on the Auditor’s report, saying it already made significant changes to its policies and procedures. They also said Dr. Carter would be afforded due process as they determine their options.
In a statement released late Wednesday, Dr. Carter said, “The idea that I intentionally misused funds is deeply hurtful and patently false. “I love my career and have devoted my life to trying to cure cancer, diabetes and advance the science of medicine in Iowa. The University has derailed both my life and my research because of its extremely complicated, wasteful, and unnecessary bureaucracies.”
Carter claims the university approved his research on pigs, and rather than have the UI provide him with securing a website and URL, he followed common practice and hired a vendor frequently used by other researchers and approved by the Chief Information Officer.
Carter stated he is considering taking legal action, including potential defamation claims, to address the damage to his reputation caused by the report and related media coverage.