Dr. Carl-Wilhelm Vogel has resigned as director of the Cancer Research Center of Hawaii, a job he held for nine years, effective Jan. 1, surprising and dismaying researchers.

“;He has many supporters here,”; said Dr. Suzanne Murphy, nutrition researcher. “;He's a very strong director of our cancer center.”;

Vogel confirmed a report of his resignation but declined further comment.

Gary Ostrander, University of Hawaii vice chancellor for research and graduate education, said the administration will start a national search for a new director.

Meanwhile, he said the Board of Regents will be asked at a meeting Nov. 21 on Kauai to approve Dr. Michele Carbone, director of thoracic oncology in the center, as interim director.

Faculty members said UH-Manoa Chancellor Virginia Hinshaw told them last week Vogel was stepping down at the end of December. She said Vogel would assist a transition team with Ostrander and Carbone.

The UH issued a news release yesterday about Vogel's resignation after the news began to spread, saying he has “;contributed significantly”; to building cancer research and outreach programs in Hawaii.

Cancer research funding has nearly tripled to more than $40 million annually under his leadership and the center has received about $20 million annually from the cigarette tax, the UH said.

Though expected to be interim director, Carbone said he will continue his research. He said one reason he came here was the prospect of a comprehensive center.

“;I think that's the ultimate goal we will want to reach. ... We are all looking forward to having a cancer center of which we can all be proud to push ourselves to the forefront of cancer research,”; said Carbone, who came to Hawaii in June 2006 from the Loyola University Medical Center in Chicago with a team and record federal funding for research on malignant mesothelioma.

Vogel came here with a lab and researchers from the University of Hamburg, Germany, where he was chairman of the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. He began working for more space for the cancer programs at 1236 Lauhala St. and strongly advocated development of a comprehensive center for research and clinical trials to make new drugs and treatments available for Isle patients.

Murphy said Vogel accomplished many things. “;Certainly, his vision for making us a comprehensive cancer center was a big contribution,”; she said. “;The tobacco tax funds that he negotiated for the cancer center were very important to getting our new building started and helping us recruit faculty.”;

Murphy worked with him on a partnership with the University of Guam “;that has really expanded the reach of the cancer center's research to other parts of the Pacific.”;

Lynne Wilkens, a biostatistician at the center, said the center under Vogel's leadership has maintained its funding when cancer research money has declined nationally “;and he's moved us forward on the road toward a growing clinical program.”;

  Dr. Laurence Kolonel, the cancer center's deputy director, said he is disappointed Vogel isn't staying as director to complete his vision for a comprehensive cancer center in Kakaako.