Richard Axel, a professor at Columbia University’s Neuroscience Institute, stepped down from his role as co-director of the Zuckerman Mind Brain Behavior Institute on Tuesday after his longtime friendship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein became public.
What Richard Axel said
“My past association with Jeffrey Epstein was a serious error of judgment that I deeply regret,” Axel said in a statement accompanying his resignation. “I apologize for compromising the trust of my friends, students and colleagues. I recognize the problems this has caused and will work to restore that trust.”
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“What has come to light about Epstein’s appalling behavior, the harm he has caused to so many people, makes my association with him all the more painful and inexcusable,” he added.
Awarded the Nobel Prize in 2004
79-year-old Axel won the Nobel Prize in Medicine in 2004 for the discovery of odor receptors and the organizational principles of the olfactory system.
Axel, who has taught at Columbia for 53 years, holds the title of university professor, a permanent role given to “exceptional scholars” above the level of a traditional professorship.
While Axel, who co-founded the Zuckerman Institute, has stepped down as co-director, he will retain his role as a university professor and continue research in his laboratory.
He is not accused of wrongdoing
Axel announced his resignation despite the fact that he was not accused of any wrongdoing in the recently released Epstein files.
But documents released by the US Department of Justice (DOJ) last month showed that Axel was a frequent guest of Epstein at his Manhattan home.
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According to the Columbia Spectator, Axel had been in contact with Epstein since at least 2010, two years after he pleaded guilty to prostitution of a minor. The two stayed in touch until five months before Epstein died in prison in August 2019 under mysterious circumstances.
In response to Axel’s announcement, Columbia University said in a statement that it agreed with his decision and recognized his extraordinary contributions.
“The university has seen no evidence that Dr. Axel violated any university policy or law,” the statement said. “However, Dr. Axel has made it clear that in light of this past association and the ongoing impact of the DOJ files’ release, he deems it appropriate to relinquish his position as co-director,” the statement added.
Another Columbia faculty associated with Epstein
Axel is not the only Columbia faculty member to face heat for his past association with Epstein.
Earlier this month, Columbia University cut ties with Dr. Thomas Magnani, a New York dentist, after it was revealed that he played a key role in facilitating the admission of Jeffrey Epstein’s girlfriend, Karyna Shuliak, to the College of Dental Medicine.
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Dr. Letty Moss-Salentijn, the Edward V. Zegarelli Professor of Dentistry and former associate dean, was also relieved of her administrative duties for allegedly helping Shuliak.
Columbia University physicist Brian Greene also came under the scanner after internal documents and emails revealed he invited Epstein to various scientific conferences and events even after his 2008 conviction.
Key things
- Richard Axel’s resignation highlights the significant impact that personal associations with controversial figures can have on professional reputations, regardless of the individual’s achievements.
- Columbia University’s response demonstrates the institution’s commitment to ethical standards and transparency in light of past relationships with convicted individuals.
- The case illustrates the wider societal implications of accountability, particularly in academia, where the integrity of relationships and professional conduct is scrutinized by public and legal scrutiny.
