Satchidananda Panda Ends 22-Year Salk Career Amid Sexual Misconduct Allegations
Satchidananda Panda Ends 22-Year Salk Career Amid Sexual Misconduct Allegations Published By, Last Updated: July 22, 2026, 14:19 IST Satchidananda Panda, known globally for his
Satchidananda Panda Ends 22-Year Salk Career Amid Sexual Misconduct Allegations Published By, Last Updated: July 22, 2026, 14:19 IST Satchidananda Panda, known globally for his work on circadian rhythms and intermittent fasting, will leave the Salk Institute after a workplace misconduct probe. Rapid Read Circadian rhythm researcher Satchidananda (Satchin) Panda,(Photo: Salk Institute) One of the world’s best-known researchers on circadian biology and intermittent fasting, Indian-origin scientist Dr. Satchidananda (Satchin) Panda, has resigned from California’s prestigious Salk Institute for Biological Studies, ending a distinguished 22-year career after a workplace sexual misconduct investigation. His resignation will take effect on August 13, the institute confirmed. The development follows an internal investigation launched after a female research assistant in Panda’s laboratory filed a workplace misconduct complaint earlier this year. While Panda has denied all allegations, the case has drawn renewed attention to workplace conduct and accountability in elite scientific institutions. Complaint Triggered Internal Investigation According to the Salk Institute, a staff research assistant reported concerns about workplace misconduct through its official channels in March 2026. In a statement, the institute said it immediately initiated an independent and impartial investigation while providing support and resources to the complainant.
Panda was subsequently placed on administrative leave. The research assistant later left the institute voluntarily. The journal Science, which first reported the resignation, said this was at least the second time in recent years that Salk investigated Panda following workplace harassment-related complaints. Panda Denies Misconduct Panda has strongly denied the allegations. In a statement quoted by Science, he said he remains committed to maintaining a safe and respectful workplace. “I am deeply committed to maintaining a safe, respectful, and professional environment for everyone in my research team and across the institute. These values are central to my leadership." In a separate message to colleagues announcing his resignation, Panda said he plans to focus on writing a new book exploring how advances in circadian rhythm science could shape the future of human health. “This is the right moment to pause, take fresh stock of these shifts, and redefine the goals for the next phase of my career," he wrote. A Global Authority On Body Clock Research For more than two decades, Panda has been among the world’s leading scientists studying the body’s internal biological clock, known as the circadian rhythm.
The BriefWire