Dr. Lawrence Tabak, a leading scientist at the National Institutes of Health, was compelled to retire this week, according to several sources familiar with the situation, marking the most significant departure of a health official under the Trump administration this year.
Tabak informed his colleagues that his retirement, effective Tuesday, concludes his long-standing career with the federal medical research agency, including several years as the acting director during the COVID-19 pandemic. He also held the position of the agency’s top ethics officer.
In an email shared with NIH staff, Tabak did not provide reasons for his sudden resignation. Sources indicate that this decision was made earlier than he had anticipated, with one suggesting he wasn’t planning to retire until at least the fall.
He mentioned to a federal researcher that he “found it necessary to retire today from federal service.” A former colleague noted that Tabak, who should have been the agency’s second-in-command, had been left out of significant meetings.
Requests for comments from Tabak and representatives for the National Institutes of Health went unanswered.
“He has influenced critical policy decisions at NIH across four administrations and has navigated the agency through complex challenges. He will be greatly missed,” acting NIH Director Dr. Matthew Memoli said in an email to NIH staff on Wednesday announcing Tabak’s retirement.
This departure comes after years of close scrutiny from Republican lawmakers during various congressional hearings, where Tabak faced questions regarding the agency’s management of “gain-of-function” research on viruses, which can increase their risk and is meant to be stringently regulated, along with grants awarded to the EcoHealth Alliance and the Wuhan Institute of Virology.
Under the Biden administration, the Department of Health and Human Services’ inspector general identified in a review of grants dating back to 2014 that the NIH had missed chances to avoid $89,171 in costs to certain groups, such as ambiguous employee bonuses. The review also criticized the NIH for its insufficient measures to ensure that its funding did not support gain-of-function research.
Tabak’s retirement coincides with ongoing legal disputes over a recent decision to implement significant cuts to federal funding allocated for facilities and administrative costs associated with medical research.
A federal judge has temporarily halted these cuts nationwide, pending further discussions in lawsuits initiated by medical colleges, universities, and state attorneys general.
Numerous scientists have expressed their admiration for Tabak, who frequently stepped in as the agency’s principal deputy director to tackle challenging issues at the NIH.
“Larry was exceptional at deflecting credit in order to uplift colleagues, mentees, and those who might otherwise remain unheard,” remarked Carrie Wolinetz, a former senior adviser to the NIH director.
Alongside his administrative responsibilities, Tabak continued to lead a research team at the NIH focusing on biochemistry.
Jordan Lara, a research fellow in Tabak’s lab, commended him for his consistent support for mentorship and scientific inquiry.
“He routinely worked 80-hour weeks without days off. He dedicated himself to the American public. It’s outrageous to see him pushed out like this and to portray him as anything other than a committed public servant,” Lara stated in a message.
