Lawrence A. Tabak Abruptly Resigns as NIH Principal Deputy Director

Headline:

NIH’s No. 2, Dr. Lawrence Tabak, Resigns Amid Shakeup at HHS

Introduction:

Dr. Lawrence A. Tabak, the National Institutes of Health’s (NIH) Principal Deputy Director and former Acting Director during the COVID-19 pandemic, has abruptly resigned. Tabak, 73, had served at the NIH for 25 years, overseeing various leadership roles, including Director of the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research.

Reason for Departure:

Tabak’s resignation letter, circulated to NIH staff earlier this week, did not disclose the specific reasons for his departure. The note simply stated, "I write to inform you that I have retired from government service, effective today, 2/11/2025."

Contextualizing the Resignation:

Tabak’s resignation occurs amidst a broader shakeup within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the parent agency of the NIH. Since the inauguration of President Donald Trump, the HHS has experienced cuts to programs and reports of potential layoffs for employees.

Shift in NIH Leadership:

Typically, Tabak would have been promoted to Acting Director while awaiting confirmation of Trump’s nominee. However, the position was instead assigned to Dr. Matthew Memoli, a former top researcher at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and a vocal critic of COVID-19 vaccine mandates.

Controversy and Political Scrutiny:

Tabak was among a group of NIH executives, including Dr. Anthony Fauci and former Director Francis Collins, who faced scrutiny from congressional investigators over allegations of manipulating the narrative surrounding the origins of the COVID-19 virus. Investigations revealed Tabak’s participation in a controversial phone call with Fauci, Collins, and other prominent scientists, which critics maintain influenced the publication of a scientific paper positing that the virus’s lab origin was unlikely.

GOP Probes and Criticism:

Tabak also faced criticism for his handling of Republican probes into risky gain-of-function research at the Wuhan Institute of Virology in China. Critics accused him of delaying the release of information requested by investigators, leading to accusations of obstruction.

Reaction to Tabak’s Resignation:

Jeremy Berg, former Director of NIH’s National Institute of General Medical Sciences, acknowledged Tabak’s role in addressing difficult issues but also suggested that he had often been the target of blame when things went awry. Berg remarked, "Larry has shoveled so much s— over the years that he would have been well qualified to work behind the elephants in an old circus."

Conclusion:

Dr. Lawrence A. Tabak’s abrupt resignation from the NIH marks a significant shift within the organization. While the reasons for his departure remain undisclosed, his resignation comes during a period of political scrutiny and administrative changes at the agency. The transition to Dr. Matthew Memoli as Acting Director may signal a change in priorities and a renewed focus on Republican concerns regarding the COVID-19 pandemic and scientific research.