Policy Position Paper: Investing in International Graduate Students for the Scientific Endeavour Keeps the United States Competitive
Nuri Jeong (1), Esra Sefik (2,3), Fu Hung Shiu (2), Thiago Arzua (4,5)
Corresponding author: [email protected] |
Keywords: international doctoral students; student visa; immigration; federal funding; Congress
Executive Summary: As the global scientific and engineering powerhouse, the United States has pioneered numerous inventions such as the telephone, alternating current, radio broadcasting, and controlled nuclear chain reactions. Some may be surprised to find that these were products of immigrants, who pushed the boundaries of science and technology. In the past years, however, the U.S. has been losing its competitive advantage in the global labor market. A key reason for this is that the U.S. is failing to attract and retain international graduate students in STEM fields. Historically, a large portion of these students stayed after graduation and drove innovations that fueled the nation’s trillion-dollar economy. That trend is changing, with many now opting to go elsewhere for their graduate education. Critical flaws in U.S. visa and immigration policy and a lack of federal funding mechanisms for international graduate students are exacerbating this trend. As a result, the U.S. is losing promising junior scientists to other countries with more aggressive foreign recruitment strategies. To counter this trend, we outline in detail the areas with room for growth and propose policy solutions to be implemented by the federal government. These solutions will help the U.S. excel in STEM research workforce diversity, equality, cultural competence, and ultimately, retain its global leadership.
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Nuri Jeong is an international Ph.D. candidate in the Neuroscience Graduate Program at Emory University. Her dissertation research aims to understand the neural mechanisms of learning and novel memory formation in adulthood. She holds two B.S. degrees in Allied Health and Biotechnology from a partnership program between Immaculata University and Thomas Jefferson University. Nuri is originally from South Korea.
Esra Sefik is an international Ph.D. candidate in the Neuroscience Graduate Program at Emory University. Her doctoral work investigates clinical and genetic high-risk states for vulnerability to psychotic disorders, including schizophrenia. She holds a B.A. in clinical psychology from Tufts University. She is originally from Istanbul, Turkey, and is a dual citizen of Turkey and Bulgaria.
Fu Hung Shiu is an international Ph.D. candidate in the Neuroscience Graduate Program at Emory University. In his doctoral work, he examines the contribution of a G protein-coupled receptor to neurological disorders and brain development. He also holds a B.S. in Materials Science & Engineering from Georgia Institute of Technology. He is originally from Hong Kong, China.
Thiago Arzua is an international Ph.D. candidate in the Neuroscience Doctoral Program at the Medical College of Wisconsin. His research focuses on human stem cell-derived brain organoids and disease modeling – more specifically Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders. Before that, he completed his Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, with a minor in French, at the University of South Florida. He is originally from Curitiba, Brazil.
Acknowledgments
The authors are grateful for the contributions of George Andrew S. Inglis, Eric M. Feltham, and Robert P. Webber in providing suggestions and reviewing this manuscript.
Disclaimer
The authors disclose that they have no conflict of interest.
Esra Sefik is an international Ph.D. candidate in the Neuroscience Graduate Program at Emory University. Her doctoral work investigates clinical and genetic high-risk states for vulnerability to psychotic disorders, including schizophrenia. She holds a B.A. in clinical psychology from Tufts University. She is originally from Istanbul, Turkey, and is a dual citizen of Turkey and Bulgaria.
Fu Hung Shiu is an international Ph.D. candidate in the Neuroscience Graduate Program at Emory University. In his doctoral work, he examines the contribution of a G protein-coupled receptor to neurological disorders and brain development. He also holds a B.S. in Materials Science & Engineering from Georgia Institute of Technology. He is originally from Hong Kong, China.
Thiago Arzua is an international Ph.D. candidate in the Neuroscience Doctoral Program at the Medical College of Wisconsin. His research focuses on human stem cell-derived brain organoids and disease modeling – more specifically Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders. Before that, he completed his Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, with a minor in French, at the University of South Florida. He is originally from Curitiba, Brazil.
Acknowledgments
The authors are grateful for the contributions of George Andrew S. Inglis, Eric M. Feltham, and Robert P. Webber in providing suggestions and reviewing this manuscript.
Disclaimer
The authors disclose that they have no conflict of interest.
DISCLAIMER: The findings and conclusions published herein are solely attributed to the author and not necessarily endorsed or adopted by the Journal of Science Policy and Governance. Articles are distributed in compliance with copyright and trademark agreements.
ISSN 2372-2193
ISSN 2372-2193