Harvard Researchers Scramble to Save Projects After Trump Administration Issues Stop-Work Orders

Don Ingber, the founding director of Harvard's Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering and a professor at Harvard Medical School and the Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, found himself in the middle of a significant crisis on April 14, 2021. That day, Ingber received a stop-work order targeting two of his organ-on-a-chip projects, which collectively held more than $19 million in multiyear contracts with a division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The order was one of several issued to Harvard University, aimed at freezing approximately $2.2 billion in research funding. This dramatic action followed Harvard’s refusal to comply with the Trump administration’s demands, which included altering governance, hiring practices, admissions policies, and conducting audits of student, faculty, and staff opinions. A week later, Harvard filed a lawsuit against the administration, arguing that the demands constituted an unlawful and unconstitutional encroachment on academic freedom and sought the restoration of the frozen funds. The stop-work order immediately plunged Ingber and his team into a flurry of activity and uncertainty. With the halt of project funding, essential work on the two critical organ-on-a-chip studies was put on hold. The primary project investigates radiation damage to human lung, intestine, bone marrow, and lymph node tissues using organ-on-a-chip technology. This technology can model the effects of radiation on tissues, helping to identify potential drugs to mitigate these damages. The research is especially pertinent given the administration’s plans to increase nuclear power for energy-intensive sectors like artificial intelligence, as well as its importance in preparing for nuclear accidents and improving cancer treatments. The second project focuses on modeling the effects of microgravity and radiation exposure on astronauts in space. This study, scheduled to be part of the Artemis II mission to the moon, uses chips implanted with the astronauts' own cells to study the impact of spaceflight on bone marrow. Ingber emphasized that this research is crucial for long-duration missions, such as flights to Mars, where astronauts face heightened risks from solar flares and cosmic radiation. The abrupt stop in funding has had immediate and far-reaching consequences. Experiments halted midstream may result in significant data loss, setting back the progress of students and postdoctoral fellows whose work is tied to these projects. Ingber and his team have been scrambling to reallocate personnel to other ongoing projects and secure internal funding to maintain continuity until the situation is resolved. The political tension and funding crisis are not just affecting ongoing research but also deterring prospective talent. Ingber mentioned a recent case where a scientist who had recently immigrated to the United States chose to leave the Wyss Institute to work in Europe, citing concerns over the unstable environment. Another European postdoctoral scientist decided to withdraw his acceptance of a position at the Wyss, influenced by warnings from family and friends about the perceived dangers of being a foreigner in the U.S. These incidents highlight a broader trend of top international scientists reconsidering their plans to work or study in the country, potentially eroding the U.S.’s longstanding position as a hub for global scientific talent. Ingber devoted the majority of his time in the subsequent week to managing the crisis, holding meetings with his leadership team, researchers, and staff, and consulting with university administrators. He also began advocating for the restoration of research funding through op-eds and media interviews. He argued that academic research is the backbone of America’s innovation economy, driving advancements that have shaped modern technology and healthcare. The current rift between the government and academia, Ingber believes, threatens this vital partnership. Industry insiders and observers echo Ingber’s concerns. They view the stop-work orders as a dangerous precedent that undermines the stability and growth of scientific endeavors. The cutbacks at major institutions like the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have further exacerbated the issue. These cuts not only disrupt ongoing research but also send a chilling message to aspiring scientists about the stability and support they can expect in the United States. The Wyss Institute, founded in 2009, is a leading research organization that bridges the gap between biology, engineering, and medicine. It has made significant contributions to various fields, including the development of organ-on-a-chip technologies, which have revolutionized drug testing and personalized medicine. The institute's ongoing struggle highlights the broader challenges facing academic research in the current political climate and underscores the critical need for stable government support in maintaining and advancing scientific innovation.