New Carnegie-Caltech partnership will advance life science research in Pasadena
Pasadena, CA—A new alliance between Carnegie Science and Caltech will strengthen historical collaboration in astronomy and the physical sciences to advance bold new directions in life and environmental research and burnish Pasadena’s reputation as a hub for high-impact scientific research.
The intention to pursue an expanded partnership between these two elite research organizations was first announced in March 2020 and has been in development since then, as Carnegie prepared to relocate its life and environmental scientists to Pasadena.
From their new home base, Carnegie scientists with expertise that spans from genomes to ecosystems to planet-scale dynamics—will be able to address some of the most significant challenges facing humankind today—including climate change, global hunger, sustainable energy, and biodiversity loss—as well as to probe long-standing mysteries, such as the origins of life on Earth, which have intrigued humanity for centuries.
The new partnership reflects a mutual commitment to develop research programs in Pasadena that will better foster collaboration between Carnegie and Caltech. It provides new opportunities to build on decades of collaboration in astronomy and the physical sciences—including the work of Charles Richter and others at the Seismological Laboratory that was jointly operated in the 1920s and 30s—and advance a new approach studying the natural world.
“I know that Caltech shares our desire to use discovery science to understand our world and to improve our lives and the health of our planet. I am confident that deepening our historic partnership will make a decisive impact on the research enterprise,” said Carnegie President Eric D. Isaacs.
As part of this arrangement, both institutions will prioritize cooperation and support toward achieving joint research objectives. A handful of Carnegie and Caltech scientists are already collaborating at the university’s Pasadena campus. Other Carnegie scientists will arrive in 2025 and 2026.
The Pasadena location will also enable Carnegie to expand upon existing research partnerships with the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, the Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Garden, and other Southern California-based universities research institutes, making a powerful contribution to Los Angeles’ robust intellectual ecosystem.
“Caltech and Carnegie have followed remarkably similar scientific trajectories through their histories,” says Caltech President Thomas F. Rosenbaum, the Sonja and William Davidow Presidential Chair and professor of physics. “We welcome the opportunity to more deeply connect these pursuits by building with focus and intention new collaborations in astronomy and the life and environmental sciences.”