CALIFORNIA (Monitoring Desk): Indian-origin renowned scientist Satchidananda Panda has been removed from his position at the prestigious Salk Institute in California during an investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct.
According to international media reports, Satchidananda Panda had been associated with the Salk Institute for the past 22 years and will officially leave the institution on August 13.
According to the institute, a female research assistant filed a complaint through the official reporting system in March this year regarding alleged inappropriate behavior in the laboratory, following which an investigation was launched. Later, the woman voluntarily left the institution.
Reports stated that this is the second investigation involving harassment allegations against Satchidananda Panda.
The scientist denied all allegations, saying that he has always remained committed to maintaining a safe, respectful, and professional environment for his research team and the institute.
In a message sent to colleagues, he attributed his decision to leave the institute to his future plans to write a book on the body’s biological clock and scientific advancements related to health. He said he would now focus on the goals of the next phase of his career.
Satchidananda Panda is internationally recognized for his significant research in the fields of the human biological clock, intermittent fasting, and time-restricted eating.