Assa’ad-Faltas’s claim regarding the University’s refusal to give her a certificate of completion for the residency program was previously challenged by Assa’ad-Faltas without success. See Assa’ad-Faltas v. Univ. of S.C., No. 96-2159(L), 1998 WL 792209 (4th Cir. Nov.16, 1998) (unpublished), cert, denied, 528 U.S. 922, 120 S.Ct. 285, 145 L.Ed.2d 239 (1999). Thus, this claim is barred by the doctrine of res judicata. See Meekins v. United Transp. Union, 946 F.2d 1054, 1057 (4th Cir.1991). This is so even though the pri- or action was dismissed with prejudice based on Assa’ad-Faltas’s failure to comply with discovery and her abusive demeanor during a deposition, rather than on the merits of her claims. See Hells Canyon Pres. Council v. U.S. Forest Serv., 403 F.3d 683, 686 (9th Cir.2005) (<HOLDING>). Moreover, the claim is barred by the
holding that a dismissal on statute of limitations grounds is an adjudication on the merits for purposes of res judicata holding that an unappealed contempt order by a bankruptcy court is a final judgment on the merits for res judicata purposes holding in res judicata context that  final judgment on the merits is synonymous with dismissal with prejudice  holding that an unappealed order is a final judgment on the merits for res judicata purposes holding that the parties stipulation of dismissal with prejudice was a final judgment