Video related to this article is available below.Issue date: 2/1/08 Section: News
Against Europe, U.S. research dollars declining
Due to funding shortages, students cross the Atlantic for better science, tech opportunities
Jessica Riegel
If second-year physics graduate student John Alison were a few years older, he would have studied at Fermi, a famous physics lab in Chicago.
Instead he will head to Switzerland this summer to study particle physics.
Geneva, Switzerland boasts the world's premier particle accelerator thanks to a 1990s budget cut that halted construction of a similar model in the U.S.
"There's going to be a big influx of physics grad students going to Geneva instead of the other way around," he said.
This is just one illustration of what some call America's slipping grasp on science and technology.
The National Science Board reported this month that the U.S. is at risk of losing its dominance in these fields due to economic development abroad.
Stagnant federal funding makes it difficult to attract and sustain research, experts say.
While countries such as China and India increase their investments in science and technology, U.S. funds are at a standstill.
Research universities like Penn receive most of their science funding from government sources, primarily the National Institutes of Heath, according to Vice Provost for Research Steven Fluharty.
Federal pledges for more money fall through each year, he said.
Scarce funding hampers projects, increases competition and lowers morale, Biology Department undergraduate chair Eric Weinberg said.
It also makes it harder to draw new talent to the profession.
Associate Dean of the College and Director of Academic Affairs Kent Peterman said the "disproportionately high" number of international students in science and technology graduate programs reflects the US's declining edge.
"We're not graduating as many students who are competitive to go on in the sciences," Peterman said.
He attributed the trend to schools that don't cultivate ample interest and a culture that values more financially lucrative professions.
Weinberg said potential scientists may be discouraged when they see their colleagues facing challenges in the field, such as meager support.
Instead he will head to Switzerland this summer to study particle physics.
Geneva, Switzerland boasts the world's premier particle accelerator thanks to a 1990s budget cut that halted construction of a similar model in the U.S.
"There's going to be a big influx of physics grad students going to Geneva instead of the other way around," he said.
This is just one illustration of what some call America's slipping grasp on science and technology.
The National Science Board reported this month that the U.S. is at risk of losing its dominance in these fields due to economic development abroad.
Stagnant federal funding makes it difficult to attract and sustain research, experts say.
While countries such as China and India increase their investments in science and technology, U.S. funds are at a standstill.
Research universities like Penn receive most of their science funding from government sources, primarily the National Institutes of Heath, according to Vice Provost for Research Steven Fluharty.
Federal pledges for more money fall through each year, he said.
Scarce funding hampers projects, increases competition and lowers morale, Biology Department undergraduate chair Eric Weinberg said.
It also makes it harder to draw new talent to the profession.
Associate Dean of the College and Director of Academic Affairs Kent Peterman said the "disproportionately high" number of international students in science and technology graduate programs reflects the US's declining edge.
"We're not graduating as many students who are competitive to go on in the sciences," Peterman said.
He attributed the trend to schools that don't cultivate ample interest and a culture that values more financially lucrative professions.
Weinberg said potential scientists may be discouraged when they see their colleagues facing challenges in the field, such as meager support.
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Ginkgo
posted 2/03/08 @ 11:20 PM EST
Federal funds here are very limited since so much money is going to the war in Iraq.
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