IISc and Tufts University Join Forces to Advance Nutrition Science Innovation

New Partnership Establishes Interdisciplinary Centre to Tackle Global Health Challenges

The Indian Institute of Science (IISc) has partnered with Tufts University, USA, through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed on June 23, 2025, to drive academic and research collaborations in nutrition science and medicine.

The agreement, formalized by IISc Director Govindan Rangarajan and Tufts University President Sunil Kumar, lays the foundation for a transformative Interdisciplinary Centre for Nutrition Science and Medicine (ICNSM) at IISc.

The ICNSM will harness the expertise of Tufts’ Gerald J and Dorothy R Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy and IISc’s strengths in basic sciences and engineering. Key initiatives include joint research in areas like ageing, cancer, precision nutrition, gut microbiome, and the health impacts of ultra-processed foods, alongside large-scale nutritional intervention studies targeting chronic diseases, malnutrition, and metabolic disorders. The centre will also develop nutrition-specific competencies for physicians, integrate nutrition into medical curricula, and establish a joint PhD supervision programme and a tele-nutrition system for primary care.

“This partnership synergizes our complementary strengths to address global health challenges through nutrition science,” said Christina Economos, Dean of Tufts’ Friedman School. “By combining research with a systems-level perspective on food access and affordability, we aim to deliver equitable healthcare solutions.”

Navakanta Bhat, Dean of IISc’s Division of Interdisciplinary Sciences, added, “Anchored at IISc’s medical school, the centre will leverage our expertise in science and technology to co-develop innovative nutrition-focused solutions for India, the US, and beyond.”

The collaboration promises to foster visiting scholar exchanges, innovative research, and a robust platform for tackling malnutrition and obesity-related diseases, positioning IISc and Tufts as global leaders in nutrition science.