The Board of Regents of the University of California has today (Jan. 19) dismissed Ting Guo from the faculty of UC Davis. The regents made their decision at the request of UC Davis Chancellor Gary S. May and on the recommendation of UC President Michael Drake, in accordance with university policy.

“We are grateful that the regents agreed with our recommendation to terminate the employment of Dr. Guo effectively immediately,” said Chancellor May. “Sexual misconduct is not tolerated at UC Davis. We encourage people to report abuse and seek support.”

An investigation by the UC Davis Title IX office found that Guo had sexually assaulted a high school student who had worked in his laboratory. The disciplinary process concluded with a recommendation that Guo be dismissed from the faculty. He had been on administrative leave since the investigation was launched in early 2021.

Following the case, Chancellor May asked the Title IX office to initiate an independent, external review of all UC Davis programs involving youths. The review is being conducted by Eve Peek Fichtner, a partner with the law firm of Atkinson, Andelson, Loya, Ruud & Romo. 

Fichtner is examining:

• Protections for minors in all youth programs in university facilities from 2010 to the present, and whether there are areas for improvement
• Protocols and practices governing communication and information sharing between the UC Davis Police Department and the UC Davis Title IX Office  
• Whether anyone in a leadership position in the chemistry department knew or should have known about sexual misconduct concerns related to Ting Guo between 2010 and 2021 and whether those concerns were appropriately reported. If so, whether appropriate action was taken to respond to concerns.

UC Davis is committed to responding promptly and effectively to all reports of sexual violence and sexual harassment.

Cases of sexual violence, sexual harassment and discrimination may be reported to the Harassment and Discrimination Assistance and Prevention Program (HDAPP): https://sexualviolence.ucdavis.edu/file-report.

The UC Davis CARE office provides confidential resources for survivors of sexual assault: https://sexualviolence.ucdavis.edu/get-support.

More information and resources are available at https://sexualviolence.ucdavis.edu.