Matt Fertakos | March 26th, 2025
Figure 1. The White House. (Source: PLBechly via WikimediaCommons)
Recent actions by the Trump Administration have impacted science at all levels throughout the United States. Funding freezes [1] and cuts [2], elimination of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs [3], and mass layoffs [4] are only a few examples of how science has come under fire. We, STEM graduate students and early career researchers at UMass Amherst, have been particularly affected as our funding, future career opportunities, and sense of belonging vanish [5]. We bring a unique perspective as both early career researchers, and students. Below are five accounts from graduate students at UMass Amherst describing how these federal actions have affected them and the science they do.
Matt Fertakos (Organismic and Evolutionary Biology PhD Student)
As a plant ecologist and biogeographer, I study the role of the ornamental plant trade on plant invasions as well as create models to identify sites for the restoration of vulnerable native plant species under future climate conditions. My time as a PhD student at UMass has been mainly funded through the National Science Foundation (NSF) Graduate Research Fellowship Program. Not only is the future of my funding that allows for work that directly benefits the health of our landscapes and ecosystems now uncertain, the government career path I have been working towards now seems impossible.
Elyse McCormick (Organismic and Evolutionary Biology PhD Student)
As an ecologist that studies bees and their parasites, my funding comes from the National Science Foundation, and hopefully the USDA (I have a grant in submission from October). The likelihood of getting this grant now seems even less tenable, and my ideas and hopes for my future career and the research we can do to benefit native pollinators seems murky at best.
Thomas Nuhfer (Organismic and Evolutionary Biology PhD Student)
I work on climate adaptation for healthy plant communities, and my funding is connected to the United States Geological Survey (USGS). I also work specifically on diversity, equity, accessibility, inclusion, and justice in climate adaptation science, so some of my work has been halted and censored by federal actions, and support for my research is unstable. As a transgender person, I am simultaneously affected by the loss of civil liberties for myself and my family. We all pay for climate change one way or another, so it’s important to me to continue to do the hard work of trying to protect ecosystems, food systems, and human communities as much as possible.
Julie Sentman (Plant & Soil Science PhD Student)
My research focuses on removing pollutants from our environment to protect the Earth and human health. Overall budget cuts have led to a smaller, and more competitive, funding pool, meaning the likelihood of continuing my research is on thin ice. With that, it is unlikely I will find employment opportunities through other alternatives, as academic programs are already rescinding accepted students and organizations like the USDA have faced large cuts to their funding and jobs.
Andrew Doig (Molecular & Cellular Biology PhD Student)
My research questions explore protein interactions that have been identified as targets for cancer therapies, particularly multiple myeloma. My initial research has been funded by a NIH traineeship. The fundamental biology that results in successful treatments and cures for disease often stems from funding like mine; cutting it will slow the treatment of disease and hamper American competitiveness in the biomedical industries.
These are only some of the many ways in which these federal actions are affecting graduate students at UMass Amherst. Science needs YOU more than ever. Please contact your representatives and make them aware that you care about science funding and do not approve of the actions of the Trump administration. Donate to organizations that support science education and advocacy. Keep yourself up to date on how the government is affecting science by reading the news, blogs, and having discussions with your peers. Whether you are a scientist yourself, or just interested in science, you can stand up for the innovation, employment, safety, and quality of life that science brings.
If you want to learn more, here are some groups which are organizing actions to protect science:
- The National Center for Science Education
- 500 Women Scientists
- Science for the People
- United for Medical Research
- Union for Concerned Scientists
References:
[1] Stein, R. (February 22, 2025). “NIH funding freeze stalls applications on $1.5 billion in medical research funds”. NPR. https://www.npr.org/sections/shots-health-news/2025/02/22/nx-s1-5305276/trump-nih-funding-freeze-medical-research
[2] Mervis, J. (February 19, 2025). “There’s a big courtroom showdown over NIH’s ‘indirect costs’ this week. What are they? Science. https://www.science.org/content/article/there-s-big-courtroom-showdown-over-nih-s-indirect-costs-week-what-are-they
[3] “Ending Radical and Wasteful Government DEI Programs and Preferencing”. Executive Order No. 14151. https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2025-01953
[4] Garisto,D., Kozlov, M., and Tollefson, J. “Trump team orders huge government lay-offs: how science could fare”. Nature. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-025-00660-9
[5] Langin, K. (February 21, 2025) “U.S. early-career researchers struggling amid chaos”. Science.