I don't know why, but somehow I am not too bothered by the research itself. Sure, in retrospect, it does not sounds like it was the right thing to do (or the right way to do). But, you know, stuff happens.

Instead, what bothered me immensely is the way the PhD student handled that interaction: immediately claiming "bias", "slander", playing "victim", etc... I don't know if he learned such a way to communicate from his professors, other students at the CS&E department, or UMN environment in general, but it's very bothersome to me. Such way to communicate precludes constructive (and perhaps heated) exchange of ideas. I think people like that should be nowhere near important CS/EE projects.