San Diego

The Salk Institute has announced that Thomas Pollard will step down as president at the start of next year, ending months of speculation about leadership at the biomedical research centre at La Jolla, California.

Pollard, who had two years remaining on his five-year administrative contract, will continue as a professor at the Salk, running the institute's structural biology laboratory.

In February, the Salk's board stripped Pollard of his title as chief executive after internal debate over his leadership (see Nature 400, 805; 1999). The board then undertook a governance study — completed in July — and is considering how to apply its recommendations on faculty, board and administrative issues.

“I'm proud of what we've accomplished,” said Pollard in a statement. “However, I have decided to step down as president so I can devote more time to my scientific research. This change also will allow me to spend more time on public service, particularly in advocacy for funding for biomedical research.”

Frederick Rentschler, chairman of the Salk's board and chief executive since February, issued a statement, thanking Pollard for his “vigorous efforts” as president. Rentschler, a retired corporate executive, became chief executive after some senior faculty members became displeased with Pollard.

Other senior staff, including cell biologist Ian Trowbridge, are concerned that Pollard's ousting will make it difficult to attract another top-flight scientific leader. Asked about plans to replace Pollard, Trowbridge said: “There has been no internal discussion with the faculty on leadership.” Stephen Heinemann, chairman of the institute's faculty, declined to comment.

The Salk Institute board has created a six-person search committee to find a replacement, chaired by investment banker Jerome Kohlberg. It remains unclear how the Salk Institute's executive and scientific leadership will be organized in the future. Institute officials have not released the consultant's report, but some staff may now now push to be told its recommendations.