Richard Axel
INTELLIGENCE SUMMARY
Richard Axel, a Nobel Prize-winning molecular biologist at Columbia University, stepped down as co-director of the Zuckerman Mind Brain Behavior Institute following public disclosure of his 11-year friendship with Jeffrey Epstein. According to the Epstein files released in February 2026, Axel maintained a close personal relationship with Epstein that included multiple invitations to his private island and attendance at social events. Axel served as a conduit connecting Epstein to Columbia University's admissions and philanthropic networks. He maintained contact with Epstein until approximately three months before Epstein's 2019 arrest. Axel characterized his association with Epstein as "a serious error in judgment" and announced his resignation to focus on research.
Determination Timeline
Richard Axel, University Professor and Nobel laureate at Columbia, stepped down as Zuckerman Institute co-director following his past association with Jeffrey Epstein, which he described as a serious error in judgment.
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Media Coverage (10)
Richard Axel
Axel maintained an 11-year friendship with Epstein that included multiple invitations to his private island. Axel served as a conduit to Columbia admissions and…
Epstein files: Nobel winner Axel quits Columbia U. brain institute over friendship with predator
Dr. Richard Axel, a Nobel Prize-winning scientist at Columbia University, is stepping down as co-director of the Zuckerman Mind Brain Behavior Institute followi…
Nobel winner Richard Axel steps down from some Columbia positions over Jeffrey Epstein ties
Nobel Prize winner Richard Axel announced he is stepping down from some of his Columbia University positions due to his past association with Jeffrey Epstein, s…
Epstein Files Cost Nobel Prize-Winning Scientist Richard Axel His Ivy League Post
The newly released Epstein files have ensnared Nobel Prize-winning scientist Richard Axel, leading to his resignation from his position as co-director of Columb…
Nobel Prize–winning brain scientist steps down over Epstein ties
Dr. Richard Axel, a Nobel Prize-winning neuroscientist, is stepping down from his leadership role at Columbia University's Zuckerman Mind Brain Behavior Institu…
Columbia brain institute co-director and Nobel laureate steps down over Epstein ties
Richard Axel, a Columbia University professor and Nobel Prize laureate, is stepping down as co-director of the university's brain institute following disclosure…
Nobel winner Richard Axel resigns from Columbia over Epstein files
Nobel Prize-winning scientist Richard Axel has resigned from his position at Columbia University following the release of Epstein files documenting his long fri…
Nobel Prize winner Richard Axel resigns from Columbia over Jeffrey Epstein ties
Nobel Prize-winning scientist Richard Axel resigned from his position at Columbia University following public revelation of his friendship with Jeffrey Epstein,…
University Professor and Nobel laureate Richard Axel, CC '67, to step down as Zuckerman Institute co-director following Epstein ties
Nobel laureate Richard Axel announced he will step down as co-director of Columbia's Zuckerman Mind Brain Behavior Institute following his association with Jeff…
University Professor and Nobel laureate Richard Axel, CC '67, was invited to close friend of 11 years Jeffrey Epstein's island in 2011
Documents reveal that Richard Axel was invited to Jeffrey Epstein's island in 2011, demonstrating the close personal relationship between the Nobel Prize-winnin…
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