Harvard’s Faculty of Arts and Sciences has announced that Jeff W. Lichtman is stepping down as dean of Science after a tenure of under two years and will become senior advisor on science to Dean Hopi E. Hoekstra.

Lichtman is renowned for his connectomics work—mapping neural connections with imaging and machine learning—and has a background teaching Neuroscience 80 and serving on the Mind, Brain, and Behavior program committee.

The Harvard Crimson notes that Hoekstra will solicit feedback from faculty on the leadership transition, with a February 15 deadline for formal comments.

Hoekstra’s email indicates the division is seeking input on potentially separating the Division of Science into distinct life sciences and physical sciences divisions, a reorganization last done in 2007.

As dean, Lichtman championed tackling hard problems for students, promoting resilience amid rising interest in artificial intelligence, and piloted a first-year seminar on scientific mysteries.

Hoekstra expressed gratitude for Lichtman’s leadership and said Lichtman will return to focus on his scientific work and teaching.

The departure comes amid broader funding challenges for Harvard scientists, including federal funding freezes and cuts to national grants, and Lichtman was reportedly the FAS’s largest NIH funding recipient.

David T. Johnston will serve as interim dean of Science through the spring semester as the search for Lichtman’s successor proceeds.

Lichtman’s tenure was the shortest since the dean position was created in 2007, and he did not comment on the reasons for stepping down.