Several federal officials, states and the city of the state of Washington and Seattle participated in a March 10 event in the National Nordic Museum to honor David BakerBiochemistry professor at the University of Washington Medicine School who received 2024 Nobel Prize in chemistry.
The event celebrated Baker’s revolutionary contributions to biomedical research. However, in the midst of the celebration, Baker and other speakers have raised concerns concerning an increasing uncertainty surrounding federal support for scientific research. They warned against the long -term consequences of the next generation of scientists and the nation as a whole.
Before taking over the Nobel Conference which he gave to Stockholm, Baker said that recent instability in federal science financing already has harmful effects.
“It could be surprising for many people that most of the innovation does not actually occur in large companies; this happens in universities,” he said. “Universities also form the workforce for biotechnological and pharmaceutical companies.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z8NO4BG7-DS
Baker explained how the financing of uncertainty obliges universities across the country to reduce admissions to higher education, thus reducing opportunities for scientific aspirants.
“In my department,” he said, the acceptance rate – the number of students has admitted – has dropped by more than one factor of two, and this is true across the country. It will be much more difficult next year for students who want to continue careers in science to become scientists. »»
The hiring of gels and renewals of delayed grants also disrupt research laboratories in Uw Medicine and across the country, explained Baker.
“The cumulative effect of this uncertainty is out of proportion to the amount of funding saved. Instead, that is wreaking havoc on a system that must behave in a conservative way, because it cannot pay people if there is no money,” he said
Washington State Governor Bob Ferguson and the American senator Patty Murray (D-WA) sent congratulations messages which also underlined the critical role that scientific discovery plays in the region and across the country.
“Dr. Baker said proteins are the work horses of all living things,” said Governor Bob Ferguson. “We recognize and celebrate Dr. Baker as a workhorse himself. Its scientific progress continues to contribute significantly to biomedical research. Federal funding makes this type of vital research possible. We have to work to protect him. “
Senator Murray spoke of the importance of ensuring that scientists and researchers in the state of Washington and across the country have the resources they need to succeed.
“The revolutionary work of Dr. Baker has already led to medical breakthroughs that have changed life, including the very first COVVI-19 vaccine designed by the calculation developed in Uw Medicine in Seattle,” she said. “This is exactly the type of scientific advancement that research funded by the federal government makes it possible.” Inviting decision -makers to protect and extend research investments, she stressed that scientific breakthroughs “do not occur overnight and do not occur without strong and sustained funding”.
Murray added: “Now, more than ever, we need everyone to express and fight for federal funding and policies that support NIH and critical research.
Mayor of Seattle Bruce Harrell Presented to Baker the key to the city in recognition of his contributions to science and his roots in Seattle, where he attended local public schools while he grew up. After completing his undergraduate studies and higher cycles, Baker returned to direct pioneering research at the Washington University School.
Harrell said: “It is my honor to present the key from Seattle to the City to Dr. David Baker, a Nobel Prize winner whose revolutionary work has an advanced science and an improved life in the world.
Lāth CarlsonExecutive director and chief executive officer of Nordic National MuseumHosted a diversified audience, notably leaders of the Biotechnological Industry of Washington, officials of the University of Washington, local elected representatives, donors and scientific leaders.
“Celebrating a Nobel is perfectly in line with our mission here at the museum,” he said. “The only reason we collect the stories, objects and stories we do is because we want there to be a better future for everyone. The laboratory of Dr. Baker makes this future occur at the moment.”
Written by Ian Haydon, Uw Medicine Institute for Protein Design