November 30, 2010 -- Bar Harbor, Maine -- Jackson Laboratory President and CEO Richard Woychik, Ph.D., announced today that he will leave the institution in January 2011 to accept a new position as deputy director of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) in Research Triangle Park, N.C.
“It has been a great honor to serve The Jackson Laboratory," Woychik said. "I will miss the many fine people who have contributed to the Laboratory’s success during my time here, and I am confident that the institution will continue to grow and prosper.”
Brian Wruble, chairman of the Jackson Board of Trustees, said, “We owe a tremendous debt to Rick Woychik. Under his leadership, the Laboratory has achieved a great deal, both scientifically and operationally. The Laboratory is financially stronger today than ever before in its history. We wish Rick the very best of luck in the future. He will be sorely missed.”
Since Woychik arrived at the Laboratory in 2002, the institution has grown significantly. The total operating budget almost doubled from $103.8 million in 2002 to $192.4 million in 2010. The Laboratory constructed more than 118,000 square feet of new research and support spaces and renovated an additional 70,000 square feet for a total capital investment of $80.1 million. And the Laboratory's The Jackson Laboratory—West facility in California moved into larger facilities in Sacramento and expanded the staff to about 100.
At the NIEHS Woychik will be charged with creating a strategic plan for the agency and helping to manage its programs and operations. The NIEHS is one of 27 research institutes and centers that comprise the National Institutes of Health (NIH) under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Its mission is to reduce the burden of human illness and disability by understanding how the environment influences the development and progression of human disease.
Woychik announced in March his intention to leave The Jackson Laboratory but gave no timeline for his departure. The Laboratory began a national search for his replacement. Wruble indicated that until the arrival of a new president and CEO, interim leadership will be the responsibility of two senior managers. Charles Hewett, Ph.D., the Laboratory’s executive vice president will oversee all administrative, operating, and mouse resources activities and services. Robert Braun, Ph.D., associate director and chair of Research, will oversee research efforts and lead the scientific staff.
The Jackson Laboratory is an independent, nonprofit biomedical research institution and National Cancer Institute-designated Cancer Center based in Bar Harbor, Maine, with a facility in Sacramento, Calif. Its mission is to discover the genetic basis for preventing, treating and curing human diseases, and to enable research and education for the biomedical community.
Contact(s): Joyce Peterson, 207-288-6058
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Media Relations, Communications Office
The Jackson Laboratory
600 Main Street
Bar Harbor, Maine 04609-1500
Phone: 207-288-6058 (journalists only)
Main Jackson Laboratory phone: 207-288-6000
Fax: 207-288-6076
Email: news@jax.org
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