Dr. Rashmi Gopal-Srivastava (known as Dolly) passed away from pancreatic cancer on December 24, 2025. She was a scientist and devoted public servant who touched many lives through science and art.
Gopal-Srivastava dedicated more than 30 years to the National Institutes of Health, beginning her service in 1989. Her work spanned rare diseases, biochemistry, molecular biology and basic and translational research. Her career reflected a combination of scientific rigor, collaborative leadership and deep commitment to improving lives. Most recently, she served as a program director in the Clinical and Translational Science Awards (CTSA) Program Branch within the Division of Clinical Innovation at NIH’s National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS). Prior to this, she coordinated the Rare Diseases Clinical Research Network (RDCRN), a multidisciplinary national program in collaboration with 10 NIH Institutes.
Gopal-Srivastava earned her Ph.D. in microbiology and immunology from the Medical College of Virginia at Virginia Commonwealth University. Her honors include the Virginia Commonwealth Fellowship; a research fellowship from the U.S. National Research Council; numerous NIH individual merit awards; and recognition from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for outstanding community service. She also contributed to the launch of the peer-reviewed journal Translational Research in Rare Diseases and served as co-editor-in-chief since its first issue.
She took great pride in passing down language, culture and tradition. She loved teaching Hindi to her students and was deeply committed to preserving and sharing Indian traditions across generations.
Gopal-Srivastava was a painter, photographer, cook, singer and speaker. Her hobbies included spending time with family, traveling, painting and sketching.
Gopal-Srivastava is survived by her husband, Dr. Sudhir Srivastava; her daughters, the Honorable Aditi Srivastav Bussells (Louis Bussells) and Dr. Jigisha Srivastav (Adam Goldammer); and two grandchildren. She will be remembered not only for what she accomplished, but for who she was: a person of intellect, creativity and joy.
About the Dr. Rashmi Gopal-Srivastava Pancreatic Cancer Research Fund. The mission of the Gopal-Srivastava Pancreatic Cancer Research Fund is to accelerate progress toward the eradication of pancreatic cancer by encouraging early-career investigators to pursue research that will lead to earlier detection of this deadly disease. The fund supports travel awards to early‑career investigators presenting the most promising research on pancreatic cancer screening and diagnosis at the American Pancreatic Cancer (APA) annual meeting.
About the American Pancreatic Association. The mission of the American Pancreatic Association is to foster clinical and basic science research needed to cure diseases of the pancreas, including pancreatic cancer. The APA strives to continue advancing the field of research, while training the next generation of researchers devoted to finding a cure for these deadly diseases. In order to donate to the APA, please see the information below:
By Credit Card: Click here
BY CHECK:
Please make your check payable to American Pancreatic Association and mail to:
American Pancreatic Association
170 Regency Isles Way
Cooper City FL 33330
BY DIRECT DEPOSIT OF ACH:
Chase Bank Account number: 871562331
Routing number: 267084131
BY WIRE TRANSFER: Chase Bank Account number: 871562331
Routing number: 021000021
Recipient information: American Pancreatic Association