TAMPA, Fla. — The CEO and president of H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute resigned Wednesday amid a controversy that linked him and others to possible exploitation of American-funded research by China.

Dr. Alan List stepped down, along with Thomas Sellers, a vice president and director at Moffitt, and four of the cancer center’s researchers.

Timothy Adams, Moffitt's board chairman, will assume responsibilities for operating the center while a national CEO search is underway.

An internal review by Moffitt focused on its team members’ participation in China's "Thousand Talents" Program, which recruits global researchers and academics. Moffitt has shared the preliminary findings of its ongoing review with the federal government.

"At Moffitt, we pride ourselves not only on our life-saving research and world-class patient care, but also on transparency and integrity among all our employees. This was an unfortunate but necessary decision," said Adams.

Florida lawmakers weigh in

Both of Florida's U.S. Senators weighed in later Wednesday on the resignations. Sen. Rick Scott issued a statement applauding the cancer center for "taking decisive action."

“I applaud Lee Moffitt and the board of directors of Florida’s H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute for their proactive leadership in taking swift and decisive action against these individuals, who had an improper and undisclosed relationship with the Communist Chinese government. According to the U.S. Senate Homeland Security Committee, the Thousand Talents Program ‘incentivizes individuals engaged in research and development in the United States to transmit the knowledge and research they gain here to China in exchange for salaries, research funding, lab space, and other incentives.’ We should all be very concerned about the threat of Communist China and its attempts to steal U.S. research and intellectual property. We have to remain vigilant and proactive, and I will to continue to work with universities, hospitals and businesses to make sure they are protected.”    

Sen. Marco Rubio, meanwhile, took to Twitter to share his stance on the news:

 

 

What happens next?

There is no indication Moffitt research was compromised or patient care affected.

“This great institution did its job:  We listened to the warnings from NIH (National Institutes of Health), conducted a proactive review, and took strong action when it was needed," said founder and former Speaker of the House H. Lee Moffitt.

Moffitt also is thoroughly reviewing its 12-year partnership with China’s Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital for the training of oncology practitioners, including through international exchanges.