Walter Koroshetz, director of the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, will soon be leaving his role, STAT has learned. His departure in the coming days means nearly half the 27 NIH divisions will have interim leaders.

Koroshetz sent an email to NINDS staff late Friday night explaining that a request to reappoint him was denied, adding that his current temporary extension ends Sunday.

“There’s some possibility for a short term extension, but iffy at best,” he wrote in an email obtained by STAT.