Editor’s Note: The following statements were released July 10 by the University of Michigan in response to an announcement by the University of California, San Diego that Jack Dixon, director of U-M’s Life Sciences Institute, will be leaving to become UCSD’s Health Science Dean for Scientific Affairs. In addition, a letter was sent to the campus community. Letter to the community

Statement by U-M President-elect Mary Sue Coleman ANN ARBOR–“The investment in and progress of the Life Sciences Institute were important factors in my decision to accept the presidency of the University of Michigan. The Institute is a wise investment in the future. It is part of a comprehensive and significant commitment by the University to advance life sciences teaching and research, and by the state of Michigan to support a fertile environment for research and development in the life sciences. “I have enormous respect for Jack Dixon. While I regret that he will leave the University, I do understand the personal factors which led to his decision. “I am very pleased with the progress of the Life Sciences Institute to date. A distinguished senior faculty group has agreed to advise me and our provost on the path forward. This advisory committee will bring a wealth of experience and wisdom to our discussions. I look forward to the opportunities ahead and to the continued growth and progress in the life sciences at Michigan.”

Statement by Jack Dixon: “This was a very difficult choice for me and Claudia to make, but it came down to some personal factors. U-M’s new president, Mary Sue Coleman, is going to be a terrific leader for the sciences at Michigan and she’s committed to making LSI work. But in the end, it came down to the fact that Southern California is where I trained and grew up; I have family there; and this would be an opportunity for me to give back something to the UC system which nurtured my career. “I’m leaving the Institute in great shape and in capable hands. Even from afar, I will always be proud of what we achieved during my early leadership of the Life Sciences Institute, and my participation in the Life Sciences Commission that set the direction for this effort. A core faculty is being assembled for the Institute that will spark scientific excitement, and inspire other great researchers to join Michigan’s effort. There will be several faculty on board when the building opens in September 2003. The Institute building is going to be a great place to do science, because it was designed by scientists for scientists. It’s on schedule and budget to open just over a year from now.”

Related Links:

• Life Sciences Insitute