Professor who uncovered Lake Maurepas pollution removed from team. SLU says move was unrelated.

A Southeastern Louisiana University professor's removal as a leading researcher for a team that uncovered high levels of pollution in Lake Maurepas has led to concerns over whether she was being sidelined because of her work — an allegation the university categorically denies.

Fereshteh Emami, an SLU analytical chemist, was removed from her post on the research team last week, even though she and other scientists were poised to potentially nail down the sources of high concentrations of lead and other heavy metals with a new $2.3 million phase of work, she and university officials said.

Emami was notified of her removal in a terse letter July 28, she said. Since then, SLU has provided her more details, though her lawyer, William Most, said he isn't convinced.

"Almost a week after the un