University of Iowa radiology Professor Malik Juweid who has been on paid leave since January filed a lawsuit against the UI, the state Board of Regents, and numerous UI officials on May 6.

According to court documents, the suit claims UI officials retaliated against him for speaking out against discrimination of Arab-Americans and the medical mistreatment of children.

The suit comes after Juweid filed a complaint with the Iowa Civil Rights Commission in December 2010 alleging his supervisor, UI radiology Professor Lauri Fajardo, referred to him as an "academic terrorist" and called a Pakistani staff member "Osama bin Laden."

Juweid was placed on paid leave after UI employees said they felt threatened in conversations and by his continued e-mails, per recommendation of the Threat Assessment Team.

— by Hayley Bruce