Comment from Johnna Temenoff

[200.432, 200.454, 200.461, 200.206, 200.450] To Whom it May Concern: I am a chaired professor in biomedical engineering. I am writing in my personal capacity to oppose the proposed revisions to sections 200.432, 200.454, 200.461, 200.206, and 200.450 that would restrict typical professional expenses, curtail the communication of scientific results, and place excessive scrutiny on the activities of scientists. I have been going to events organized by professional societies for 30 years, starting when I was an undergraduate student. These events shaped my understanding of my field and allowed me to build critical mentoring relationships at all stages of my career. Because my research spans several fields, I need flexibility in the scientific conferences I attend each year to make sure I am up to date on the newest information in all of the fields that are crucial to my research program. I have published 8 papers in the past year and almost 80 over the course of my career. Sharing these results publicly has allowed me to recruit top-notch graduate students, find collaborators to move forward key aspects of my research, and inform the public of how I have used taxpayer money (federal grants) to improve healthcare. Additional restrictions on how funds are used for publication and attending conferences will limit scientific exchange, thus reducing US scientific innovation. In addition, limiting participation in scientific conferences will greatly impact younger scientists, hampering their ability to make connections with mentors and experts in their field that are crucial for career development.