National Institutes of Health Director Elias Zerhouni said last week that he will resign from his position at the end of October "to pursue writing projects and explore other professional opportunities."
Zerhouni said that his departure is timed to synchronize with the end of the current White House administration and that he does not consider the move to be a resignation.
Raynard Kington, deputy director of NIH, is expected to serve as acting director until a new White House names his successor.