The Science That Saved Me Is Being Destroyed
What's happening to science in the U.S. is not normal. A brief update on topics related to science in the U.S.
I discovered science as a high school student (more on this here). It was then that I understood it was not only a career option, but an amazing subject that helped me make sense of the world. Since that high school course, I’ve never looked back. For the past 18 years, I’ve dedicated my life to becoming and working as a scientist.
My journey was made possible through the support of the NIH. They funded the lab I worked in as an undergrad, supported much of the infrastructure behind my PhD research and later funded me directly through a competitive NIH postdoctoral fellowship.
Without these opportunities and programs, I likely never would have realized that a career in science was an option for me. I likely wouldn’t have received the training I needed to become one. I also may never have escaped or overcome the challenges of my family of origin.
Science funding matters. It matters for many reasons I have talked about before, but its importance also includes the fact that it opens doors for students like me to imagine new futures and make them reality.
That’s why I’m deeply distraught by the continued attacks on and defunding of science in the United States. This isn’t just about research grants being cancelled, but it is also about the disappearing educational opportunities to train the next generation of scientists, the current students who are the past version of me.
All this means that everyday I wake up with a pit of dread in my stomach, wondering what fresh blow will hit. I know science isn’t the only thing under attack right now. But it’s the one I know best, so it is the one I can speak to.
Therefore, this post is another quick roundup of where things stand as of today on some of the major science-related issues we’ve been facing since January:
More Grants Are Being Cancelled
NIH-funded grants continue to be cancelled by HHS. When I first wrote about this a few weeks ago, the public list of cancelled grants was about six pages long. It’s now over 51 pages, and growing.
These are research programs being forced to stop their work that could one day save your life or the life of someone you love. We're talking about vaccines, the immune system, wound healing, Alzheimer’s, diabetes, and many more important research topics.
These grants also fund real jobs for real people. They help fund technicians, admin staff, researchers, facilities crews and more. Canceling them doesn’t just stall scientific progress, it also upends the lives of these people. Some have children, some have elderly parents they are caregivers for, some have health costs they need to pay for, some may have all the above and more. In an already unstable job market, these workers may not be able to find new roles anytime soon.
I personally have so many friends who have lost jobs in the last few months due to everything happening. These are real people who now do not know how they’ll pay their bills next month.
Educational Programs Are Being Slashed
Last week, all NIH-funded PREP programs (post-baccalaureate research education programs) were cancelled. These programs helped recent college grads get the experience they needed to be competitive for grad school or other advanced training.
As a result, most PREP programs have paused or cancelled recruitment because they don’t have the funding to continue without NIH support.
Other educational programs have also been cut including the U-RISE program at Rowan University, which supported research training for underrepresented undergraduate students. Programs like this don't just benefit the included students. Research shows that when diverse perspectives are included at the table in many sectors, the output improves. This means programs like this can benefit both the students and the wider society.
Tariffs Are Hitting Science and Medicine, Too
While many people are talking about the new tariffs, what’s flying under the radar is how much they’ll also impact science. Rising costs for scientific supplies and equipment are coming at the exact moment that funding is being cut and uncertainty is high. This will make it even harder to conduct research and keep jobs.
A mom messaged me recently, deeply worried, because she was trying to figure out where her child’s medication was manufactured. It is already astronomically expensive. If tariffs raise the cost even further, her family may not be able to afford it.
Indirect Rate Cap Ruled Illegal—But It’s Not Over
Last Friday, a judge ruled that the proposed 15% cap on indirect costs was not legal. That’s a huge win and one worth celebrating, but the battle isn’t over. Many of us expect more court fights ahead, and this ruling didn’t change all of the grants cancelled.
Remember, that Indirect costs aren’t a waste. They help keep the lights on, the buildings clean, the lab managers paid and the safety inspections up to date. If you’re trying to explain why this matters, I recently found a great website showing how much economic revenue and how many jobs each state will lose if the cap were implemented. It’s a powerful tool to help conceptualize a complicated topic. You can also find my other pieces on indirect costs here and here.
The Gutting of HHS
Last week, I spent most of Tuesday distracted, following group chat updates as news came in about more and more people being fired from HHS.
On the surface, some might think a reduction in the workforce is a good thing. Many organizations can stand to improve and streamline. But not like this. The layoffs were so deep and sudden that entire programs vital to health, safety, and research have been destabilized. My friends
and both wrote about this topic here and here, I highly recommend reading both.What can we do?
All of this combined makes it a very scary time to be a scientist.
I was recently interviewed for a piece in The Maine Monitor as part of my day job. They, and other outlets that picked it up really highlighted one quote I said:
“It is very scary, I would say, to be a scientist in the U.S. right now.” - Elisabeth Marnik in the Maine Monitor
At first, I wasn’t sure I wanted that to be the takeaway. But the more I’ve sat with it, the more I realize… it is accurate.
Again, I know that what’s happening isn’t just affecting scientists. It’s affecting people across all areas and walks of life. I care deeply about that, too. I’m calling my representatives on many fronts these days.
Right now, life feels heavy. I’m finding solace in the small things—collaborating with people I care about, spending time with family, good coffee, warmer weather, good books and giving myself permission to rest when I need to.
If you’re feeling it too, I see you. Take breaks. Look for light. We need to pace ourselves. I am a long distance runner, and even I am having a hard time remembering that this is a marathon, not a sprint. We need to take care of ourselves if we want to keep showing up for others.
When you are able to take action then think about things like:
calling your representatives
writing letters to the editor
talking about science with friends and family
One additional note: I am aware of the third measles death, the second that happened in an otherwise healthy child. This is tragic and was preventable. I have more thoughts on this coming in a future post.
- Liz
