Journal of Science Policy & Governance
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Volume 25, Issue 01 | October 28, 2024
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Policy Brief: International STEM Graduate Students: A Key to Strengthening the American Economy and Building Competitiveness
Brendon E. M. Davis1,#, Milad Razavi-Mohseni2,#, John Soltis3, Hao Nick Zhang4, Erin W. Kavanagh5
#Equal Contribution Corresponding author: [email protected] |
Keywords: international STEM retention; international graduate students; US visas; industry growth; US economy
Executive Summary
The United States (US) is renowned for offering world-class education to thousands of international students seeking advanced degrees in the STEM fields. However, the US is at risk of losing a significant portion of this talent due to limited visa options. While US funds and resources are invested in training international STEM graduate students, many students are compelled to leave the US for other countries with more favorable visa policies. This potential loss of talent is particularly concerning as China is poised to overtake the US in Research and Development (R&D) investment, while countries like Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia, along with China, are seeking to attract foreign high-skilled STEM talents with their visa programs. STEM jobs comprise 48% of the 100 fastest growing jobs in the US while STEM industries such as the semiconductor sector already struggle to meet their growing demand for high-skilled workers. These demands can be alleviated by international STEM graduate students. In order for Congress to leverage this economic opportunity before losing American-trained students to other countries, we propose the following: i) Exempt international STEM graduate students from the visa requirement of proving their intent to leave the US after graduation, ii) Increase or circumvent the annual numerical employment green card cap for international STEM graduate students, iii) Extend the unemployment grace period for H-1B and OPT visa holders to allow sufficient time to find a new job.
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Background header image courtesy of internationalcitizens.com
Brendon Davis is a Ph.D. Candidate in the Cellular and Molecular Biology Program at Johns Hopkins University. He is studying the mechanisms of epigenetic inheritance in dividing Drosophila stem cells. Brendon is also part of the 2024 cohort for the ASBMB Advocacy Training Program, and he serves as a Science Policy Coordinator for the JHU Science Policy and Diplomacy Group, through which he interacts with policymakers and expands his science communication skills.
Milad Razavi-Mohseni is a Ph.D. Candidate in Biomedical Engineering at Johns Hopkins University. His research focuses on cancer genomics, epigenetics, and the role of transcription factors in driving cancer and other diseases. He is a Science Policy Coordinator of the JHU Science Policy and Diplomacy Group, where he is interested in policy initiatives related to STEM and healthcare.
John Soltis is a Ph.D. candidate in Astronomy and Astrophysics at Johns Hopkins University. His research focuses on machine learning applications to galaxy cluster cosmology, with a focus on characterizing galaxy cluster mass accretion rates. Outside of research, he is active in science policy through the JHU Science and Diplomacy Group, the American Astronomical Society, and the IEEE.
Hao Nick Zhang is a Ph.D. Candidate in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at Johns Hopkins University. His research focuses on carbon utilization using electrochemical methods. His goal is to design efficient processes that transform greenhouse gases into sustainable fuels to mitigate the effects of climate change. Outside the lab, Nick works on expanding his skills in science policy, communication, and diplomacy.
Erin Kavanagh is a Ph.D. Candidate in Biomedical Science at Johns Hopkins University. Her research focuses on nanoparticle chemistry for targeted delivery to the lungs, as well as gene therapies for rare genetic diseases such as Cystic Fibrosis. Additionally, she was a Fulbright Scholar to Germany where she constructed artificial lung devices. Outside of research, she participates in the JHU Science Policy and Diplomacy Group and advocates for patients with rare diseases.
Milad Razavi-Mohseni is a Ph.D. Candidate in Biomedical Engineering at Johns Hopkins University. His research focuses on cancer genomics, epigenetics, and the role of transcription factors in driving cancer and other diseases. He is a Science Policy Coordinator of the JHU Science Policy and Diplomacy Group, where he is interested in policy initiatives related to STEM and healthcare.
John Soltis is a Ph.D. candidate in Astronomy and Astrophysics at Johns Hopkins University. His research focuses on machine learning applications to galaxy cluster cosmology, with a focus on characterizing galaxy cluster mass accretion rates. Outside of research, he is active in science policy through the JHU Science and Diplomacy Group, the American Astronomical Society, and the IEEE.
Hao Nick Zhang is a Ph.D. Candidate in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at Johns Hopkins University. His research focuses on carbon utilization using electrochemical methods. His goal is to design efficient processes that transform greenhouse gases into sustainable fuels to mitigate the effects of climate change. Outside the lab, Nick works on expanding his skills in science policy, communication, and diplomacy.
Erin Kavanagh is a Ph.D. Candidate in Biomedical Science at Johns Hopkins University. Her research focuses on nanoparticle chemistry for targeted delivery to the lungs, as well as gene therapies for rare genetic diseases such as Cystic Fibrosis. Additionally, she was a Fulbright Scholar to Germany where she constructed artificial lung devices. Outside of research, she participates in the JHU Science Policy and Diplomacy Group and advocates for patients with rare diseases.
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ISSN 2372-2193
ISSN 2372-2193