World-renown scientist suddenly quits as female lab worker airs bombshell sexual claims

A world-renowned scientist who spent more than two decades at a prestigious California research institute is abruptly stepping down after a female worker in his lab raised allegations of sexual misconduct.

Satchin Panda, a prominent biologist at the Salk Institute in La Jolla, will formally leave his post Aug. 13 after 22 years at the institute, according to The San Diego Union-Tribune.

Panda had recently been placed on leave while the institute investigated a complaint of workplace misconduct filed by a female research assistant in his laboratory.

“In March of this year, a staff research assistant raised concerns about workplace misconduct through Salk’s official reporting channels,” it said in a statement.

“The Institute offered support and resources to the staff member and initiated a prompt, thorough, and impartial investigation.”

The woman, whose identity has not been disclosed, later left the institute voluntarily. Panda denied the allegations in an email cited by the journal Science.

“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,” he wrote.

Panda’s laboratory studies circadian rhythms and intermittent fasting, also known as time-restricted eating, and his work has brought millions of dollars to the Salk.

His research has focused on the molecular mechanisms underlying the body’s internal 24-hour clock and how this research could help researchers find ways to prevent and reverse chronic disease.

Panda has also been a leading researcher on intermittent fasting and its potential role in improving health.

His resignation comes eight years after another prominent Salk biologist, Inder Verma, stepped down following an investigation into alleged sexual harassment.

Eight women, including six who had affiliations with the institute, accused Verma of harassment. He, too, denied the allegations.

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