Ashoka University establishes Dr. Ajit Varma Centre for Planetary Health

Ashoka University, India's leading interdisciplinary and research university, has inaugurated Dr. Ajit Varma Centre for Planetary Health, a first-of-its-kind transdisciplinary Centre for Planetary Health in India, on the campus in the presence of University's leadership and members of the Varma family.

Established with the support of Dr Amit Varma, the Centre is named in the memory of his father, Dr Ajit Varma. The Centre will advance work across five strategic pillars, including Research and Discovery; Academics and Capacity Building; Innovation Hub and Venture Studio; Industry and Ecosystem Partnerships; and Policy Engagement.

Its work will focus on addressing complex and interconnected challenges that extend beyond the direct effects of environmental change, spanning climate and health systems, pollution and exposure science and agroecology, marine ecosystems, and emerging infectious risks.

Beyond supporting the establishment of the Centre, Dr Varma's association with Ashoka as Trustee and Advisor to Trivedi School of BioSciences reflects a shared commitment to advancing interdisciplinary research, innovation and institution-building. In his role, he will work closely with the University's leadership to strengthen its research ecosystem, foster collaboration across academia, industry and the innovation ecosystem, and support Ashoka's long-term vision of building globally relevant research institutions.