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"I believe that her vision of this building was not linked to its purpose," UI interim president Gary Fethke said. "I perceived that she was trying to build a facility that she had envisioned for herself, and there was a disconnect between that vision and what this first-rate lab was going to deliver."

Fethke was one of two UI officials to testify Thursday during a hearing in Johnson County District Court. Gilchrist, who was fired last October, sued Fethke and UI vice president for research Meredith Hay. Gilchrist is seeking an injunction from a judge to get her old job back plus punitive and compensatory damages.

Gilchrist alleges Fethke and Hay violated state law by trying to prevent her from "whistle blowing" to public officials regarding mismanagement of the lab, which presented, "a substantial and specific danger to public health and safety," according to the lawsuit.

Gilchrist also has said she sought a change in governing structure for the rapid testing program for infectious diseases called Iowa Vanguard -- Protecting Your Health.

"That's why they fired her because she wouldn't be quiet," said Gilchrist's lawyer, Pat Ingram of Iowa City. "She wouldn't be muzzled, and that's what this case is about."

The issue arises from the design and costs associated with a new hygienic laboratory under construction on UI's Oakdale campus. Gilchrist has said the scaled back design would impede lab functions. Part of the original $41 million design called for more than 10,000 square feet of empty "surge space" planned for the lab's future growth. That space was cut from the revised $36 million design.

Fethke said he became concerned that Gilchrist's objections to the scaled back project would put the $36 million state appropriation for the lab at risk.

"I think anytime there is noise about that, you become genuinely concerned," he said.

Hay testified that Gilchrist repeatedly ignored requests not to lobby funds from state legislators and other government officials without Hay's permission. Setting funding priorities for UI is the president's job, not Gilchrist's, Hay said.

"She was never prohibited from articulating threats about public health," Hay said. "She was not authorized to approve lobbying strategies for the UI."

Gilchrist is expected to testify when the hearing resumes Monday morning.