Professor Wolf Reik steps down as Institute Director

The Board of Trustees has accepted the resignation of Professor Wolf Reik, FRS, FMedSci, from his position as Director of the Babraham Institute.

Professor Reik has accepted a new role with another research organisation and has agreed with the Board to resign his position as Director with immediate effect. The Board has also agreed with Professor Reik that he will continue as a group leader at the Institute.

The Board will now begin the search for a new Institute Director. To help manage this process the Board have appointed Dr Simon Cook as the Interim Director.

The Board would like to thank Professor Reik for his work at the Institute over more than 30 years and wish him every success in the future.

Professor Peter W. J. Rigby, FRS, FMedSci,

Chair of the Babraham Institute Board of Trustees

Notes to Editors

Press contact

Dr Louisa Wood, Institute Communications Manager, louisa.wood@babraham.ac.uk

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Babraham Hall on the Babraham Research Campus

About the Babraham Institute

The Babraham Institute undertakes world-class life sciences research to generate new knowledge of biological mechanisms underpinning ageing, development and the maintenance of health. Our research focuses on cellular signalling, gene regulation and the impact of epigenetic regulation at different stages of life. By determining how the body reacts to dietary and environmental stimuli and manages microbial and viral interactions, we aim to improve wellbeing and support healthier ageing. The Institute is strategically funded by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC), part of UK Research and Innovation, through strategic programme grants and also receives funding from other UK research councils, charitable foundations, the EU and medical charities.

About BBSRC

The Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) is part of UK Research and Innovation, a non-departmental public body funded by a grant-in-aid from the UK government.

BBSRC invests in world-class bioscience research and training on behalf of the UK public. Our aim is to further scientific knowledge, to promote economic growth, wealth and job creation and to improve quality of life in the UK and beyond.

Funded by government, BBSRC invested £451 million in world-class bioscience in 2019-20. We support research and training in universities and strategically funded institutes. BBSRC research and the people we fund are helping society to meet major challenges, including food security, green energy and healthier, longer lives. Our investments underpin important UK economic sectors, such as farming, food, industrial biotechnology and pharmaceuticals.