In a major boost for India's scientific research landscape, a premier laboratory in Nagpur has received a prestigious national honour. The Environmental Epidemiology and Pandemic Management (EE&PM) Laboratory at the CSIR–National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (CSIR-NEERI) has been designated as an ICMR Collaborating Centre of Excellence (ICMR-CCoE).
A National Honour for Groundbreaking Research
This significant recognition, effective from December 2025, comes after a rigorous and competitive national selection process. The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) bestows the CCoE status only on select institutions that demonstrate sustained excellence in research, translational outcomes, and capacity building aligned with the country's health priorities.
Led by Senior Scientist Dr. Krishna Khairnar, the Nagpur-based lab was among a very few centres selected nationwide. This underscores CSIR-NEERI's expanding and critical role in advancing interdisciplinary research that bridges environmental science and public health.
Building on a Strong Global Foundation
The ICMR accolade further solidifies the laboratory's international reputation. Since 2024, the EE&PM lab has also been functioning as a World Health Organization (WHO) Collaborating Centre and Reference Laboratory for CoViNet. CoViNet is the WHO's global network dedicated to coronavirus surveillance and response.
In this vital global role, the Nagpur laboratory contributes to:
- Worldwide pathogen surveillance.
- Critical data generation for tracking viruses.
- Providing scientific inputs essential for global pandemic preparedness and response strategies.
Dual Recognition for a Collective Effort
Dr. Krishna Khairnar highlighted that the dual recognition from both ICMR and WHO is a testament to the collective efforts of the entire research team and the strong institutional support at CSIR-NEERI. He emphasised that the new Centre of Excellence will focus on strengthening evidence-based interventions where environment, infectious diseases, and public health intersect.
The centre will also actively support and foster national and international collaborations to tackle complex health challenges.
Shaping India's Health Security Future
The ICMR-CCoE designation is expected to be a catalyst for several key advancements:
- Enhanced Advanced Research: Facilitating cutting-edge studies in environmental epidemiology.
- Training the Next Generation: Building capacity by training young scientists in specialised fields.
- Policy-Relevant Outputs: Generating data and insights to inform national health policies and preparedness plans for future emergencies.
With its combined mandate from India's premier medical research body and the world's leading health authority, the EE&PM laboratory at CSIR-NEERI, Nagpur, is now uniquely positioned. It is poised to play a pivotal role in shaping integrated, science-driven approaches to environmental health and pandemic management for years to come.
