A former professor of life sciences has filed suit against the University of Houston, claiming she was unlawfully let go from her position.
Adriana Alcantara filed a lawsuit on Feb. 25 in the Houston Division of the Southern District of Texas against the University of Houston, citing employment discrimination.
Alcantara claims while she was working as a phycology professor at the defendant's facility in Houston, beginning in September 2007, she was harassed by Dr. Leigh Leasure, an assistant professor.
According to Alcantara, she was yelled at and denied the use of essential lab equipment by Dr. Leasure. Leasure allegedly also interfered with Alcantara's experiments and student recruitment.
The suit alleges Dr. Leasure also participated in Alcantara's evaluation for tenure. According to the brief, Alcantara's tenure was denied on May 29, 2012, she believes this was as a result of her being a Hispanic female.
Alcantara is seeking back pay and benefits, damages, interest, attorney's fees and court costs.
She is being represented in the case by Houston attorney Keith Lovelace of Law Offices of Keith Lovelace.
Houston Division Court Case No. 4:14-cv-00463
This is a report on a civil lawsuit filed at the Houston Division Courthouse. The details in this report come from an original complaint filed by a plaintiff. Please note, a complaint represents an accusation by a private individual, not the government. It is not an indication of guilt, and it only represents one side of the story.