New Delhi, Feb. 25 -- Richard Axel, a professor at the neuroscience institute of Columbia University, on Tuesday stepped down from his role as the co-director of the Zuckerman Mind Brain Behavior Institute after his long-standing friendship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein became public.

"My past association with Jeffrey Epstein was a serious error in judgment, which I deeply regret," Axel said in a statement alongside his resignation. "I apologize for compromising the trust of my friends, students, and colleagues. I recognize the problems this has caused, and I will work to restore this trust."

"What has emerged about Epstein's appalling conduct, the harm that he has caused to so many people, makes my association with him al...