Biden’s Nominee for Science Chief Issues Apology, Defends Character at Confirmation Hearing
Eric Lander, President Joe Biden’s nominee to lead the White House’s science office, apologized today to a U.S. Senate panel for “understating” the contributions of two female scientists to the discovery of the CRISPR gene-editing technology. But the molecular biologist and former head of the Broad Institute also mounted an aggressive defense of his character and suitability for the job during a 2-hour confirmation hearing that included pointed questions—from both Democrats and Republicans—about his past actions related to gender and controversial figures including Nobel laureate James Watson and sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. In January, Biden nominated Lander, a molecular biologist and former head of the Broad Institute, to lead the Office of Science and Technology, and said he would also elevate the position to his Cabinet. But Lander’s confirmation hearing was reportedly delayed as the committee investigated Lander’s past. And in a twist, some of the harshest criticism today came from members of Biden’s own party. ( Science Magazine - Apr. 29, 2021)
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Senators Introduce Bill to Increase US Technology Competitiveness against China
Sens. Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and Rob Portman (R-Ohio) on Friday introduced a bill to improve U.S. competitiveness against China and other nations by strengthening the nation’s ability to set standards around emerging technologies. The new legislation would create a task force led by the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) to develop a long-term plan to assess standards around emerging technologies such as 5G and artificial intelligence. The task force would include representatives from multiple U.S. federal agencies, who would engage with both academia and the private sector. The ultimate goal would be to create a strategy to engage with international organizations on standards-setting and prevent China from dominating the standards-setting space around emerging technologies. ( The Hill - Apr. 30, 2021)
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Lawmakers, Academic Medicine Leaders Make Case for Research Recovery Needs
Bipartisan members of the House of Representatives and leaders in academic medicine both recently emphasized the need for one-time funding to enable federal research agencies to address pandemic-related impacts to research progress. Reps. Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-Texas), Diana DeGette (D-Colo.), Fred Upton (R-Mich.), Anna Eshoo (D-Calif.), and Anthony Gonzalez (R-Ohio)—the lead sponsors of the Research Investment to Spark the Economy Act (RISE, H.R. 869)—sent an April 23 letter urging the administration’s support for the funding included in the RISE Act. The RISE Act would direct $25 billion in supplemental funds to federal research agencies, including $10 billion to the National Institutes of Health. The AAMC and 325 other members of the higher education and research communities have endorsed the RISE Act and have been urging lawmakers to provide the supplemental funding outlined in the bill. ( Association of American Medical Colleges - Apr. 30, 2021)
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Senate Unanimously Confirms Nelson as NASA Administrator
The Senate unanimously confirmed Bill Nelson to be NASA’s next administrator, wrapping up a whirlwind confirmation process that was vastly different from that experienced by his predecessor. The Senate confirmed Nelson’s nomination to be NASA administrator late April 29 via unanimous consent, a mechanism used for the expedited passage of bills and nominations where no senator disapproves. The confirmation came just a day after the Senate Commerce Committee favorably reported his nomination to the full Senate. The speed at which the full Senate acted on the nomination—just before it adjourned for a weeklong recess—took many by surprise. Just before the Senate confirmed Nelson, NASA issued a news release touting its accomplishments in the first 100 days of the Biden administration, one that mentioned Nelson’s nomination but not his confirmation. ( SpaceNews - Apr. 29, 2021)
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U.S. Restricts Travel from India; Students Eligible for Exemptions
President Biden added India to the list of countries affected by coronavirus-related travel restrictions, but students and certain academics participating in exchange programs will be eligible for exemptions. "Students subject to these geographic COVID proclamations due to their presence in India, China, Iran, Brazil, or South Africa, may qualify for a National Interest Exception only if their academic program begins August 1, 2021 or later," the State Department says on its website. Students with valid F and M student visas who are starting or continuing academic programs that start Aug. 1 or later do not need to contact an embassy or consulate to seek an individual national interest exception to travel; they can enter the U.S. no earlier than 30 days prior before the start of their studies. Students who are applying for new visas who are found to be otherwise qualified for F and M visas will be automatically considered for a national interest exception to the travel restrictions. ( Inside Higher Ed - May 3, 2021)
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US Embassy in China to Open Student Visa Service on May 4; Restrictions on Chinese STEM Students Still Effective
The US embassy and consulates in China are scheduled to open visa appointments for Chinese students on May 4, after Washington announced easing of travel restrictions for foreign students. The move is positive but no sign of improvement for China-US people-to-people exchange, Chinese analysts say, as visa restrictions for Chinese STEM students remain effective. William Bistransky, acting consul general at the US Embassy in China, announced the visa re-opening for Chinese students during a Friday press conference. Mr. Bristransky said the embassy will gear up visa processing for those students once appointments officially re-opened, but certain details, such as anti-pandemic measures for those students and whether local vaccinations received by Chinese students will be recognized by the US, remain unknown. ( Global Times - Apr. 30, 2021)
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Health Officials Plan Major Research on COVID-19 Long-haulers
The National Institutes of Health is preparing to award grants in the next three weeks to researchers studying the long-term effects of COVID-19 and patients experiencing “long COVID.” NIH Director Francis Collins told the Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee this week that the agency expects laboratory research and imaging studies to be underway by the summer. The agency received 273 research proposals after Congress provided more than $1 billion for research into the long-term effects of COVID-19. Many people who have been sick with COVID-19, including some who had mild or no symptoms, reported dealing with additional symptoms long after their acute illness ended. The long-haul COVID-19 symptoms can range from fatigue or headaches to mental health issues or chronic pain. ( Roll Call - Apr. 30, 2021)
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Going Big
President Joe Biden’s American Families Plan is a game-changer for community colleges and minority-serving institutions, campus leaders say. The $1.8 trillion plan, proposed Wednesday, could bring a much-needed windfall to institutions serving students most hard-hit by the COVID-19 pandemic. The plan is a grab bag of opportunities for open-access institutions. It dedicates $109 billion toward two years of free community college and $39 billion for two years of tuition at minority-serving institutions for students with a household income of less than $125,000. It also invests $62 billion for “completion and retention activities at colleges and universities that serve high numbers of low-income students” and allocates $80 billion to increase the maximum Pell Grant by $1,400 per student. ( Inside Higher Ed - Apr. 30, 2021)
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Shifting Focus from Access to Completion
Details surrounding President Biden’s proposed investment of $62 billion to support student completion and retention in higher education are scarce, but experts say there’s potential for the program to be the most transformative of the administration’s postsecondary proposals. The grant program would offer funding to colleges and universities that serve high numbers of low-income students, particularly community colleges, to adopt success solutions that help students stay enrolled and earn a degree. The student success proposal represents a partial shift in focus at the federal level —from helping students access and afford college to now helping students stay in and complete college . . . . ( Inside Higher Ed - May 3, 2021)
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Coalition for International Education Supports Enhancements Found in the Advancing International and Foreign Language Education Act
On Tuesday, AAU joined the Coalition for International Education on a letter to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) urging them to support enhancements to Title VI of the Higher Education Act, as proposed in the bipartisan Advancing International and Foreign Language Education Act. The legislation would restore federal investments in foreign language education that have remained flat for a decade after significant cuts in FY11. ( Association of American Universities - Apr. 30, 2021)
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