Research–Including Cancer Research–is Being Crippled

I am writing this now because research—across all disciplines, including cancer research—is being systematically dismantled by the current administration.

I grew up in Oakdale, a rural town in California. It is a red town in a red county in a blue state in a red country in a blue world. (Utah Phillips said something similar once). I often refer to it and its surrounding area affectionately as the "Texas of California."

After leaving Oakdale, I moved to Davis, California, a blue town in a blue county, then to Austin, Texas (which I often say is the "California of Texas"), the bluest of dots surrounded by red. I reside presently in Chicago, Illinois, a massive blue metropolis in a less-populated red sea.

Living in these places has taught me that people are the same in each. They celebrate the same occasions, take pride in their origins, suffer the same disappointments and diseases, and—crucially—all benefit from the extraordinary scientific advancements made in our lifetimes.

The People Behind the Research

Individuals with highly specialized knowledge conduct medical and academic research—those earning Ph.D.s. A Ph.D. is a doctorate degree in a specific field requiring years of dedication and study.

Growing up, I didn’t know what a Ph.D. was. I had never knowingly met someone with one. In Oakdale, there weren’t many jobs (if any) that required one. However, I did meet plenty of medical doctors—pillars of the community who were respected for their expertise. I was taught they possessed knowledge essential to my well-being, even when I didn’t want to go to the doctor’s office.

In college, I took it for granted that my professors had Ph.D.s. I knew they were experts, but I didn’t fully understand the grueling process they went through to earn that distinction. In hindsight, I feel incredibly privileged to have been taught by them.

My Perspective on Research and Its Value

After college, something unusual happened. I stayed in the same place. I lived in Davis (home to UC Davis, one of the best research institutions in the world) for 22 years while most of my peers moved away. During this time, I met an entirely new wave of people—my exact age—arriving for graduate school. Nearly all of them were there to conduct research and advance human knowledge.

Every single one of those people dedicated years of their lives—at wages far below minimum—to make scientific advancements that benefit us all. Through them, I learned:

1. The doctors I admired growing up rely on the discoveries made by Ph.D.s. Without research, medical professionals would have few treatments to offer.

2. Up to a few weeks ago, the United States was the global leader in research.

3. Researchers don’t do this work for money or fame.

4. Their goal is to make the world a better place.

5. Becoming an expert requires an immense amount of time and discipline.

What It Takes to Earn a Ph.D.

Earning a Ph.D. is an arduous journey. It requires:

• A four-year undergraduate degree

• Four to six years of graduate school

Thus, 8 to 10 years for a Ph.D. THEN…

There are often additional years in postdoctoral research position(s), which is an apprenticeship under someone with more experience before someone might be in charge of running a lab or teaching students at a university.

This is 8–12+ years of focused study on a single problem.

In my 20s and 30s, I became incredibly acquainted with 80–120 people going through this process. Each worked 80+ hours a week while earning just $17,000–$35,000 per year. And they weren’t in it for a "big payout" at the end because there usually isn’t one.

The Value of Research

As a middle-aged non-academic, my social circle is filled with researchers. At least half of my closest friends have Ph.D.s. I recognize that this is not normal.

One of them, Charles Caskey (🔗 to his Professional profile), runs a cutting-edge biomedical engineering research lab at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. (🔗). His lab is developing non-drug-based treatments for brain disorders (chronic pain, Parkinson's, intractable depression, Alzheimer's), treatments for chronic pain (🔗), and ways to improve cancer therapy (🔗). By some metrics, his lab is one of the country's top 10 biomedical engineering labs.

I also know researchers working on:

• Autism interventions

• Childhood development

• Diabetes

• Heart disease

• Climate change

• Nutrition

• Agriculture

• Bee pollination

• Shock waves at the edge of the universe (math/physics)

• Material science

• Economics

• Renewable energy

• Psychedelic therapy for PTSD

... and the list goes on.

I could have written about any or all of them in this post. Their work is fascinating and it will improve all of our lives.

Quantifying what these people know is incredibly difficult. However, each is among the world’s top 25–150 experts in their respective fields, out of the 8 billion people on the planet. Losing them would be like losing a generation of major league baseball players, except with incredible consequences for human health and the United States’ strategic position in industries with market values in the trillions.

Charles is to biomedical engineering, cancer, and Alzheimer’s research, what Shohei Ohtani is to baseball, Snoop Dogg is to rap, Taylor Swift is to pop music, LeBron James is to Basketball, and Serena Williams is to Tennis. That is not hyperbole (although Charles says he is more of a Jose Ramirez or Q-Tip from A Tribe Called Quest). Either way, he’s among the best in the world.

Yet researchers don’t live lavishly. Charles still drives the same 2002 GMC Stepside he had when we met in 2005. When we travel together, we split hotel rooms—and sometimes beds—to save money.

The Growing Disconnect

Most people in small towns don’t know what researchers do. When I visit Oakdale with friends with Ph.D.s, people are surprised to hear about their work. Further, the only people I have had conversations with during the last few weeks who are truly surprised to hear about the cuts to research are those in small towns. They have all been incredibly distraught. That’s part of why I’m writing this.

In 1900, a person was expected to live 30 to 40 years. In other words, back then, I would not have lived long enough to write this today. Since then, life expectancy has risen 30 to 40 additional years. Today, one can expect to live more than 70 years. The reason? Research. It is the source of every medical breakthrough, every life-saving treatment, and every improvement in nutrition and safety.

Research Is Being Crippled

Right now, research funding in the U.S. is being gutted. I know this firsthand:

• I’ve read the executive orders.

• I’ve read the notices.

• I’ve seen university emails.

• I have conducted follow-up research/investigation to be as informed as possible about what the above means.

• And, importantly, I have had hours and hours of discussions directly with those doing the research and whose work is being impacted.

This is not a partisan issue. Researchers do not work for Republicans or Democrats—they work to improve human lives1.

A particularly misleading attack concerns "direct" versus "indirect" research costs. This distinction is merely semantic. Both are crucial for funding research. Cutting "indirect costs" is simply a tactic to defund research without explicitly stating it.

Indeed, I have heard it justified that what is taking place in the Federal Government at present is to deal with issues of efficiency and waste. While things can ALWAYS be made more efficient, I struggle to see how this “justification” is justified. I will offer one basis for this here (though I could do an entire post on this alone, and that post would deal with an area I have significantly more firsthand training with/in: civics): the United States WAS the envy of the world for research. Before what took place over the last month, every student on the planet wanted to come here to be trained. They wanted this because the system that was created worked. According to the United Nations, there are 195 countries in the world (🔗) and the United States was the pinnacle. Period. Mic Drop. Was it perfect? No. Is anything perfect? No. Thus, I will challenge anyone to consider what they hear from any leader or news source who says it is causing problems in our country. I would welcome an opportunity to chat directly with any of those “leaders” or “news” sources related to this.

If This Surprises You, Let’s Talk

I have yet to meet someone who believes we should stop seeking cures for cancer (or any of the other things that Charles is working on at present). And yet, that is precisely what these cuts will do. Research is slow. It takes decades to bear fruit. For example, the discovery that led to Ozempic—a groundbreaking diabetes and weight loss drug—began in the 19th century (i.e., the 1800s) and had incremental progress. It even involved the venom of the Gila Monster in the 1980s before we had the drugs we know today. 🔗. Cutting research now means losing future breakthroughs.

If this is new information to you, let’s talk. If there is enough interest, I would happily schedule a Zoom discussion with a Ph.D. researcher to answer questions. Let me know what topics interest you—I probably know someone who can provide insight. Alternatively, if you live in a place that does not have a lot (or any) Ph.D.s, perhaps we can get one to your town to give a talk at the library, local coffee shop, brewery, or pub. One thing that I have found curious about Ph.D.s. is that they come from everywhere. However, they often do not get to return to where they are from because the jobs they work towards can not be done there. Thus, it is certainly possible that a Ph.D. from your town (i.e. one of your “own”) could give a talk in your town someday.

I highly recommend Heather Cox Richardson’s newsletter if you’d like to stay informed of the brisk changes in our country. She is a history professor at Boston College who writes detailed, fact-checked summaries of current events. Her work is free and nonpartisan; she holds a Ph.D.

🔗 Heather Cox Richardson’s Substack

If you’d like a starting point, here’s an interview with her:

🔗 Interview with Heather Cox Richardson on The Bulwark (from a right-leaning news source)

Take Action

I have hope because I know the people of Oakdale—and small towns across the country—show up when it matters. They show up on Friday nights for their neighbors and their communities. This is one of those community issues. It impacts every single one of us.

If you want to do something, the most straightforward action is to call your representative. Here’s how:

🔗 5 Calls – Contact Your Congressperson

This is a moment when we all need to show up. Because whether it’s cancer, heart disease, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer's, or some other crisis, you or someone you love will need research to be there.

Perhaps you or someone you know has already benefited from research (e.g., a cancer survivor, someone who has benefitted from drugs to treat HIV, addiction, ADHD, or Diabetes, an X-ray for a broken bone or MRI ahead of an operation, perhaps you never got polio, measles, cowpox, had life saving cardiac surgery, repair to a bad wound or injury, the list goes on and on…). If so, share your story with your community and to your representatives when making the above calls. Research should not be taken for granted; it is presently in dire straights.

Finally, there is protest. Even if you have never done it, it is okay to try. Although the occasions are often somber, there is some catharsis in people coming together for things they believe in and that are essential. I have yet to speak to someone who does not accept that the research discussed in this post is vital.

Now is the time to save it.