Caltech President Resigns to Pursue HIV/AIDS Research

California Institute of Technology President David Baltimore announced on Monday that he is resigning in June to focus on AIDS research and teaching, the AP/Boston Globe reports. He will stay on at the institute as a biology professor and continue his HIV/AIDS research through a five-year, $13.9 million grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (AP/Boston Globe, 10/4). His research aims to develop a method of modifying the immune system using gene therapy to attack HIV (Groshong, San Gabriel Valley Tribune, 10/3). Baltimore in 1975 received the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for his work in virology and the discovery of the enzyme reverse transcriptase, used by HIV and other viruses to replicate (Lee Hotz, Los Angeles Times, 10/3). He also has advocated over the past few years for increased access to condoms to curb the spread of HIV worldwide (San Gabriel Valley Tribune, 10/3). Baltimore has promised to remain in his post until a replacement is found (AP/Boston Globe, 10/4).

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