Milan P. Yage
r, Executive Director of the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering, visited the department in early March and met several times with our students. Two, Meredith Owen, a graduate student in Dr. John DesJardins’s lab, and Cody Dunton, a graduate student in Dr. Jiro Nagatomi’s lab, commented on their impressions of Mr. Yager. Editor
Meredith Owen: The coffee talk with Milan Yager was an extremely informative experience. Mr. Yager highlighted the importance of engaging those outside of our immediate field.
Cody Dunton: Mr. Yager is passionate about advocating the importance of research locally, on a state level, and nationally to ensure the continued progression of scientific research. The current downward trend in government-funded research needs to be addressed by the current generation of students. We cannot stand idly by while less and less funding is funneled into the research departments at universities. This leads to a decrease in scientific discoveries and advancements, and if we do not begin to advocate for change now, even on a community level, then we will be sitting on the sidelines as countries like China and South Korea lead the world into a new age of scientific discovery.
Meredith Owen: Mr. Yager brought to our attention the fact that funding for scientific research has been dramatically reduced and that it is our job as students and researchers in the field to combat this. He even gave examples of simple actions that students can take to help the cause, from simple Twitter campaigns to writing letters to the editor for local newspapers.
Cody Dunton: I was already aware of many of the issues Mr. Yager discussed, such as decreased government spending on scientific research; however, talking with him encouraged a belief that I could be a part of bringing about change. I don’t want to speak for all graduate students, but personally I am passionate about research, but apathetic about politics. However, I now realize that I cannot have that attitude if I want the future of research in America to grow. Apathy gets us nowhere, and we need to talk about what we do and why it is important so that people will care about scientific research, and funding will not continue to be cut in favor of other trending policies.
Meredith Owen: Mr. Yager’s excitement for promoting scientific research was contagious, and I left the coffee talk with increased enthusiasm and a greater knowledge of how we as students can help.
Cody Dunton: In talking with students after the event, I found that many believed that action needs to be taken to advocate for scientific research, starting in our community and hopefully growing in support.
