Dear Editor:
In the field of cancer research, the states that for cancer to successfully spread, both the cancer cells (the seeds) and the environment in other organs (the soil) need to be just right. As a graduate student in bioengineering at UPenn, I research how to hijack the way cancer cells communicate so that we can weaken these seeds and make the soil less friendly to them. This is a painstaking process, but I find it deeply rewarding because it enables the creation of life-saving medical treatments.
However, in the face of funding cuts from federal institutions like the and , I have been forced to cut corners in ways that will in taxpayer dollars, cause , and as a global scientific powerhouse.
As a city with thriving research-dependent sectors, Cincy is far from immune to this fallout. Healthcare is our largest industry, with a reported $13.2 billion annual impact locally (). CCHMC and UC collectively support over 30,000 jobs (), and more than 75% of their research funding came from federal sources in 2024 (; ). From the NIH alone, these numbers translate to a $250+ million loss from funding cuts (; ).
Without such funding, as a high schooler, I couldn’t have researched in Dr. Daniel Hassett’s lab at UC and helped develop an FDA-approved drug. Nor would I have learned how to optimize disease profiling methods in CCHMC’s Sickle Cell Program. These early opportunities gave me the basis to identify and address complex medical needs in our community.
If funding is the water that sustains seedling scientists like me, then mentors and educational environments are the soil that harbors us throughout our growth.
My scientific journey started in 2008 as a third grader at Western Row, where my project on DNA spawned notions of coding animal wings and night-vision into humans. Though I outgrew these fantasies, at Seven Hills, Miss Wildfong (and furry chinchillas) encouraged me to continue drawing inspiration from the natural world around me. At Walnut Hills, Mr. LoVaglio seared the “magic†of science into my mind by safely running his hand through fire. He also connected me with a UC professor to channel my love of food into a science fair project assessing the effects of pineapple enzyme on dental health.
These experiences planted the seed of scientific curiosity in me and grew it into an enduring, productive scientific passion. But the funding cuts heavily compromise the ability of local institutions to offer such experiences and also that between scientists and the public. Additional totaling $12 billion will wipe out the ability of K-12 institutions to sow and nurture the seeds of science, effectively nipping US science in the bud.
Without nourishing water and soil, how can we expect anything but the extinction of the next generation of seedling scientists?
While these funding cuts are already being felt and will , we can take action to prevent a scientific blight. First, contact our representatives and ask them to protect research and education funding. Second, I urge you to reconnect with science. Embrace the wonder of science by visiting a , ask local researchers about their work, or fill out this short to support others like me in sharing our stories through the . Conducting research is a privilege for us, and we are eager to explain why our work matters. With proper support and communication, we can create a fertile scientific climate that will allow the next generation of seedling scientists to flourish and grow, enabling them to continue contributing to the health and wealth of our community.
Seung-Hyun Brianna Ko
PhD in Bioengineering
University of Pennsylvania