By Breaking Editor 
Richard Axel, a Nobel Prize-winning scientist and esteemed professor, has announced his resignation as co-director of a leading neuroscience institute at Columbia University, citing his friendship with Jeffrey Epstein as a significant moral misstep. In a statement, Axel described the relationship as a “serious error in judgment,” emphasizing the importance of maintaining integrity in academic and scientific pursuits.
While Axel has not been accused of any wrongdoing, his ties to Epstein, a figure embroiled in controversy due to his criminal activities, have raised ethical concerns within academic circles. Reports indicate that Axel was mentioned over 900 times in documents referring to Epstein and had accepted invitations to visit Epstein’s private island in 2011, along with his wife, Cori Bargmann.
This resignation spotlights the ongoing scrutiny faced by numerous academics linked to Epstein. Some colleagues have also been implicated, underscoring a broader examination of associations that may jeopardize the reputations of distinguished institutions and their members. Axel’s departure follows the release of sensitive documents by the Department of Justice, which further elaborate on Epstein’s connections to various high-profile figures in academia.
The fallout from this situation continues to unfold, as the academic community reflects on the implications of such associations and their impact on public trust and institutional integrity.