A Nobel Prize-winning British scientist who said there was "trouble with girls" working in laboratories has resigned from his honorary post at University College London.

Tim Hunt apologized for his remarks at the World Conference of Science Journalists in South Korea but had stood by his assertion that mixed-gender labs were disruptive. The university said Wednesday he had left his position after "comments he made about women in science."

UCL says it's the "first university in England to admit women students on equal terms to men" and "this outcome is compatible with our commitment to gender equality."

The 72-year-old Hunt, a biochemist who jointly won the 2001 Nobel for physiology or medicine, said he was just trying to be funny.