SAN DIEGO _ Inder Verma, a star cancer researcher at the Salk Institute, gave his "unconditional resignation" after an investigation into his conduct, the institute said Monday.
"Last week, prior to the board concluding its discussions regarding the investigation and taking formal action, Dr. Verma tendered his unconditional resignation," the San Diego-based institute said in a letter. "This morning, the Board of Trustees voted unanimously to accept it."
The letter was signed by Salk Institute Chairman Dan Lewis and President Rusty Gage. It said the institute would not comment on the investigation.
Verma was accused of sexual harassment by eight women, according to a story in the journal Science.
The institute's letter made no mention of that or any other allegations, but implied Verma's conduct went against the biomedical facility's mission.
"When we signed on to be part of the Salk, we signed on to Jonas Salk's bold mission to better humanity," the letter said. "And no humanistic value can be more important than respectful, fair treatment of each and every person _ not just on our campus, but in all walks of our lives."
