Thompson

Melissa Thompson joined OFA in February 2020 to serve as the institution’s Research Integrity Officer (RIO). As RIO, Melissa oversees and manages misconduct proceedings conducted under the University’s Policy and Procedures Concerning Scholarly Misconduct. She also coordinates with various institutional offices and committees on other efforts related to the integrity of the research performed at UMD, including training in the responsible conduct of research and the identification of associated policy and program needs.

Melissa comes to UMD from Johns Hopkins University (JHU), where she served as the Director of Research Integrity in the School of Medicine, handling cases of research and professional misconduct and overseeing the Responsible Conduct of Research Program. She previously served there as the Assistant Director of Outside Interests, working on issues related to conflicts of interest in research. Prior to joining JHU, Melissa practiced as an associate attorney with a law firm in Towson, Maryland. She also worked in the field of journalism, most recently as the Assistant Managing Editor of The American Prospect, a magazine based in Washington, DC.

Melissa received her juris doctorate from the University of Maryland School of Law, along with a certificate in health law. She received her bachelor’s degree in political science from Salisbury University. Melissa is a member of the Association of Research Integrity Officers. She enjoys spending time outdoors, preferably while hiking with her husband.