Mayo Clinic to Collaborate with Indian Science Leaders

Leaders from Mayo and Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), India have signed a memorandum of understanding to work together.

"We look forward to working with our colleagues in India to advance health care for everyone,'' says Robert Rizza, M.D., Mayo executive dean for research and the Earl and Annette R. McDonough Professor.

"We welcome this new relationship with Mayo Clinic, with which we share many strong interests in medical and technology research as well as health care delivery at affordable cost," says Samir Brahmachari, Ph.D., director general of CSIR.

Dr. Rizza signed the documents for Mayo and Dr. Brahmachari signed for CSIR. The ceremony took place in Mayo's historic Plummer Library and was the highlight of a three-day visit by CSIR officials and researchers. Many already collaborate with Mayo investigators.

"We are engaging the best minds to help our research teams improve our fundamental understanding of disease and develop new, more effective therapies for our patients," says Eric Wieben, Ph.D., Mayo's associate dean for external collaborations. "Strategic international research collaborations, such as this with the CSIR, India will help us achieve those goals."

CSIR, formed in 1942, is the premier industrial research and development organization in India. It includes technology and life science research and 39 national laboratories. The prime minister of India is the organization's president.