Richard Murphy, former head of the Salk Institute for Biological Studies, will assume the role of interim president of the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine, the agency announced yesterday.

Murphy will take over for Lori Hoffman, who served as acting present since the spring, when Zach Hall resigned from CIRM's top position.

"We are grateful that Dr. Murphy has agreed to assume this responsibility for a period up to the beginning of March, 2008, while we complete the search and transition to a new permanent president," Robert Klein, chairman of the Independent Citizens Oversight Committee (ICOC), which governs CIRM, said in a statement.

According to the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights in Santa Monica, who supports stem cell research but has been a vocal critic of CIRM, Murphy will recuse himself from decisions involving institutions located in San Diego, where Salk is based.

Murphy said he does not want to accept a permanent position as CIRM president, since he plans to move to the East Coast. He will receive $300,000 for the six month temporary position.

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