Cora Marrett, who has served twice as the acting director of the US National Science Foundation, is retiring from her deputy director post there, ScienceInsider reports.
“As you know, the past year has been very challenging, with the shutdown and the effects of sequestration," she tells ScienceInsider. "And having seen that NSF was moving along and that the prospects looked very good, I thought this would be a good time to go home, as I had planned."
Marrett first served as the assistant director of the Social, Behavioral, and Economic Sciences directorate after it was formed in the early 1990s, and she returned to NSF as the assistant director for the Education and Human Resources directorate. She then became the acting deputy director and was confirmed by the US Senate as deputy director in 2011.
She took on the acting director role first after Arden Bement left the agency in 2010, and then when Subra Suresh left as director in 2013. France Córdova was confirmed earlier this year as the new head of NSF.
"Cora's unwavering support of NSF's mission and her stewardship in challenging times are widely appreciated," Córdova says in a statement. "On a personal note, Cora's deep knowledge and insights were pivotal to my smooth transition to NSF Director. I cannot thank her enough for her advice and friendship."
Marrett's last day is toward the end of August.