Comment from J K

I am a biomedical scientist doing research and teaching in the area of cell and molecular neurobiology. I currently hold an NIH grant for my research (and have received both NIH and NSF funding previously) investigating the mechanisms by which signals from the gut and other tissues regulate neuronal signaling in different physiological conditions. This research is critical for helping to identify potential new therapeutic targets for a variety of neurological and neurodegenerative conditions in which neuronal signaling balance is disrupted – conditions that represent a huge disease burden in this country. I am concerned about Section 200.205 of the proposed regulations, which would take funding decisions out of the hands of scientific experts and place them in the hands of political appointees. This could lead to lack of funding for research like my own which uses experiments with model organisms rather than human studies to understand fundamental and universal aspects of nervous system function simply because the appointees making the decisions did not understand the value of this type of science. In fact, research using model organisms from yeast to roundworms to fruit flies to mice and many others has contributed to the identification and characterization of numerous genes and pathways important for human nervous system function. If provision 200.205 is enacted, it has the potential to limit the research my own lab can do, which would not only hinder our scientific contributions but it would reduce training opportunities for future scientists. My lab exclusively trains undergraduates and the funding from the NIH and NSF allows me to provide summer research training positions for many students, as well as funding course-based research experiences that help prepare our students for additional graduate training in science and medicine. This training is vital for the maintenance of the country’s biomedical and STEM workforce development pipeline, which is essential for the U.S.’s continued scientific, medical, and technological advancement. This provision would impact not only my lab, but multiple other labs and courses at my institution who also receive federal funding for research and training grants, ultimately impacting hundreds of students at my institution alone. I urge OMB to eliminate this provision and to not enact this rule in order to preserve the continued strength and integrity of U.S. science.