I don't know enough about academics to agree or disagree, but this passge gave me pause:

> This precipitated a correspondence with Noemi De Santis, who explained "I am Professor Rossi's secretary, who is not aware of our correspondence. I manage her mail account."

I'm surprised a professor would have a secretary handle their correspondence. That does sound like an entitled environment.

I read it as secretary De Santis was actually Professor Rossi, in an attempt to be distanced from the accusation.

Per other comments in the thread, Ms. De Santis might be imaginary and just a way to puff Ms. Rossi up. At the least, her portrait was a stock photograph on the staff page of RECEPTIO.