Columbia Brain Institute Co-Director and Nobel Laureate Steps Down Over Epstein Ties

Richard Axel resigns from prestigious post to focus on his own research after revelations about his association with disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein.

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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Richard Axel, a leading molecular biologist who won the Nobel Prize for his work on the human sense of smell, has resigned as co-director of Columbia University's Zuckerman Mind Brain Behavior Institute due to his past association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Axel said his ties to Epstein were a "serious error in judgment" that he deeply regrets, and that he is stepping down to focus on his own research and teaching.

Why it matters

Axel's resignation is the latest in a series of high-profile departures of academic leaders and other public figures whose connections to Epstein have come to light following the release of millions of files related to the disgraced financier's activities. The fallout continues to reverberate through elite institutions and circles that had ties to Epstein.

The details

Axel, who has been a professor at Columbia for over 50 years, is also stepping down as an investigator at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. He was a longstanding contact of Epstein's, appearing in or being mentioned in more than 900 of the files released by the Justice Department. Axel said his association with Epstein was "painful and inexcusable" given the "appalling conduct" and "harm" the financier caused. Columbia said Axel had not broken any university policies or laws, but agreed with his decision to relinquish his leadership role.

  • Axel won the Nobel Prize for Physiology or Medicine in 2004.
  • Epstein was accused in a 2019 indictment of sex trafficking minors.
  • Epstein was found dead by apparent suicide in a New York federal jail in August 2019.

The players

Richard Axel

A leading molecular biologist who won the Nobel Prize in 2004 for his research on the human sense of smell. He was the co-director of Columbia University's Zuckerman Mind Brain Behavior Institute.

Jeffrey Epstein

A disgraced financier who was accused of sex trafficking minors and was found dead by apparent suicide in 2019.

Columbia University

The Ivy League university where Axel was a professor for over 50 years and co-director of the Zuckerman Mind Brain Behavior Institute.

Howard Hughes Medical Institute

The research organization where Axel was an investigator and is now stepping down.

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What they’re saying

“My past association with Jeffrey Epstein was a serious error in judgment, which I deeply regret. I apologize for compromising the trust of my friends, students, and colleagues.”

— Richard Axel (NBC News)

“What has emerged about Epstein's appalling conduct, the harm that he has caused to so many people, makes my association with him all the more painful and inexcusable.”

— Richard Axel (NBC News)

“However, Dr. Axel made clear that in light of this past association, and the continued fallout from the release of DOJ files, he felt it appropriate to relinquish his position as co-director.”

— Columbia University (NBC News)

The takeaway

Axel's resignation highlights the ongoing fallout from the revelations about Epstein's connections to prominent academics and other public figures. It underscores the reputational damage and erosion of trust that can result from even peripheral associations with individuals accused of serious misconduct.