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UTEP President Revisits Past Plagiarism Case Amid Grant Controversy

El Paso Matters•Monday, March 2, 2026 at 9:53 PM•Robert Moore and Daniel Perez

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The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) President Heather Wilson has brought attention back to a 2006 plagiarism case involving Professor Ahsan Choudhuri, who has been a significant recipient of grants, including a controversial NSF award worth $160 million. The case resurfaced after federal investigators cleared Choudhuri of allegations related to a 2024 grant application aimed at boosting El Paso's aerospace sector. Wilson cited previous allegations of falsification in an internal audit that led to Choudhuri's removal as associate vice president. Choudhuri, who disputed the findings, claims he provided accurate documentation for the grant application. The NSF inspector general's investigation did not publicly disclose its findings, leaving questions about the relevance of the past allegations to Choudhuri's current standing.

Key Details: • Choudhuri faced plagiarism allegations in 2006 but was later promoted. • In May 2024, he was removed from a leadership position amid new grant application scrutiny. • The NSF grant worth $160 million was suspended in April 2024 and eliminated in August 2025. • Choudhuri was required to complete ethics training and present on scientific integrity as part of his 2006 sanctions.

education utep grant aerospace plagiarism

People & Organizations

University of Texas at El PasoWest El PasoUTEPHeather WilsonDiana NatalicioAhsan ChoudhuriNational Science Foundation

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