NEW YORK – The National Institutes of Health's National Human Genome Research Institute on Tuesday started laying off dozens of employees, putting them on administrative leave, including acting Director Vence Bonham Jr., who had replaced former NHGRI director Eric Green just two weeks ago.
The firings are part of a "Reduction in Force" (RIF) plan under a broader reorganization of the Department of Health and Human Services that aims to lay off 10,000 full-time employees, including approximately 1,200 at the NIH. According to HHS, the NIH cuts will be made "by centralizing procurement, human resources, and communications across its 27 institutes and centers." The layoffs are occurring the same day that Jay Bhattacharya is taking office as NIH director, following his Senate confirmation on March 25.
According to an NHGRI employee, who requested anonymity, employees of at least four institute branches received RIF notices on Tuesday: The Office of Communications (OC); the Policy and Program Analysis Branch (PPAB) of the Division of Genomics and Society, which develops policy and conducts analyses to help NHGRI pursue its mission; the Management Analysis and Workforce Development Branch (MAWDB), which advises management, develops policies and procedures, and coordinates their implementation and evaluation; and the Education and Community Involvement Branch (ECIB), which develops education and community involvement programs to engage the public in understanding genomics and ELSI issues.
Combined, these four branches have been employing 34 workers, according to a list of staff members on NHGRI's website as of Tuesday morning.
"The institute will not be able to properly function for some time to come given all of these firings," the NHGRI employee said.
In an email sent to NHGRI staff members on Monday, Bonham, who became acting director of NHGRI after Green's appointment ended on March 17 and was not renewed, said that he was "unexpectedly" placed on administrative leave.
Bonham, who holds B.A. and J.D. degrees, had been at NHGRI for more than 20 years. His research had focused on the social implications of genomics, particularly in communities that had historically lacked access to genomics, as well as on sickle cell disease. Besides acting director, he was an associate investigator within NHGRI's Division of Intramural Research's Social and Behavioral Research Branch.
"I have had the privilege of working with all of you and our scientific community to increase access to genomics, to alleviate health disparities, and to improve health and well-being for all," Bonham wrote.
It was not immediately clear who will succeed Bonham as NHGRI acting director.