NATION

The Howard Hughes Medical Institute, saying it is “increasing its disbursements” as a result of the $5-billion sale of Hughes Aircraft to General Motors in June, has created a second tier of management, consisting of five new vice presidents, to help beef up its medical research program.

Purnell W. Choppin, named vice president and chief scientific officer, reports to Donald S. Fredrickson, president and chief executive of the institute. Choppin was dean of graduate studies at Rockefeller University before joining HHMI.

The other appointments are George Francis Cahill, vice president-scientific training and development; David J. Taylor, vice president and general counsel; Robert C. White, vice president and chief financial officer, and Graham O. Harrison, vice president and chief investment officer.