Several high -level scientists Responsible for supervising research on disease prevention and remedies at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) were informed that they were subject to a reduction in force Tuesday as part of a devastating purge of federal employees led by the American Secretary for Health and Social Services Robert Kennedy Jr., Wired.
Multiple sources in NIH, granted anonymity because they were not allowed to speak to the media, confirmed on Tuesday afternoon that at least 10 main investigators who led and led medical research to the agency had been dismissed. Among them, Dr. Richard Youle, a leading researcher in the field of neurodegenerative disorders, previously awarded the revolutionary prize for life sciences for its revolutionary research mechanisms for identifying Parkinson’s disease.
The revolutionary prize ceremony, often called “science Oscars”, was frequented last year By Elon MuskIncluding the Ministry of Effectiveness of the Government (DOGE) was the point of the lance in the campaign of President Donald Trump to eliminate the large expanses of the federal workforce.
HHS did not answer WIRED questions on the dismissals of NIH scientists. Vianca Rodriguez, agency spokesperson, underlined the previous statements of secretary Kennedy, of which plans Announced last week to eliminate 1,200 NIH jobs in the fields of supply, human resources and communications.
Multiple sources of NIH indicate that layoffs include – in addition to work, IT and human resources personnel – of the main investigators accomplished from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Cerebral Vascular Accidents (NINDS), high -level scientists from the National Institute on Aging, and several researchers born for their work in HIV, emerging infected diseases and brain disorders of children and children.
During a meeting of the town hall of Ninds on Tuesday, the leadership of this institute expressed its confusion as to the cuts, claiming that they were blinded by the dismissals of main investigators, or worse, which lead research teams. Nih At around 1,200 pisses In its 27 centers and institutes. “To get rid of 11 of our seniors … We hope it is a mistake, because we cannot understand why they would like to do it,” said Walter Koroshetz, director of Ninds, according to a source present in Reunion.
Laboratories affected by layoffs include those involved in clinical trials as well as preclinical studies. It is not known, said that NIH staff said that the plans for the data they have accumulated or what will happen to patients involved in current trials.
An email sent Tuesday to more than 2,000 recent university graduates, graduate students and postdoctoral scholarship holders working at the NIH seems to confirm the layoffs of multiple IPs. “Many of us know someone, directly or indirectly, who has received a notice of dismissal today as part of a HHS reduction on the HHS scale,” reads an email from Sharon Milgram, director of the NIH training and intramural education office, which was shared with Wired.
The NIH supports young researchers through various programs, generally temporary grants of one or two years. These scientists at the start of their career are placed in laboratories under a PI. In his e-mail, Milgram tells the scholarship holders of postbaccalaureate programs, cancer research and NIH visits whose IP has received a RIF opinion: “I can assure you that your scholarship meeting is not immediately terminated and that we will work with each of you to explore the reallowing options soon.”