weekly letter

Dear Research Advocate, In a n important piece in The Guardian , Eric Topol, MD, founder and director of the Scripps Research Translational Institute, compellingly lays out the case for a renewed sense of urgency in the response to COVID-19. From growing infection rates to waning immunity, Dr. Topol walks readers through the myriad reasons supporting his conclusion: “Rather than giving up, it is time to double down on innovations that have a high likelihood of anticipating the further evolution of the virus and facilitating the end of the pandemic.” W hile the Senate passed a supplemental package of military aid for Ukraine this afternoon, Congress is still debating urgently needed COVID-19...

Dear Research Advocate, I n an opinion piece in The Hill yesterday, Research!America Board Member Sudip Parikh, PhD, CEO of AAAS, and Gary K. Michelson, MD, founder and co-chair of Michelson Philanthropies, stress the importance of federal investment in science, noting how federally supported innovations have produced tremendous return on investment and, along with private-sector innovation, have kept America at the forefront of science and technology. A n editorial by The Roanoke Times this week highlights the power of public opinion surveys to provide fuel for positive action in regard to science and technology (and so many other priorities). It cites our recent survey of Virginians’...

Dear Research Advocate, We hosted our Annual Meeting of Members this afternoon, pausing to reflect on our work together over the last year and looking ahead. ( Watch the recording .) One meeting highlight was Sjögren’s Foundation CEO Janet Church’s powerful recounting of the challenges she and others with Sjögren’s syndrome face. She made a rock-solid case for patient engagement in research and advocacy. Another highlight was a fireside chat between our Board Vice Chair The Honorable Bart Gordon (U.S. Representative 1985-2011) and Senator Roy Blunt (R-MO), an extraordinary research champion who is retiring at the end of 2022 after 26 years in Congress. Sen. Blunt offered this advice: “Big...

Dear Research Advocate, Today is World Health Day ; it’s National Public Health Wee k ; and National Minority Health Month as well – calling attention to how we are connected to each other. The COVID-19 pandemic has made the persistence of domestic and global health disparities more apparent; it is time to act! Please us e this editable email to let your representatives in Congress know a rock-solid public health system is important to their constituents! Just In From the Hill : Leaders in both parties in the House and Senate have announced conferees on vital competitiveness legislation ( H.R. 4521; S. 1260 ). Both bills include authorization for significant increases in the National...