The article focuses on the impact of the Trump administration's policies on foreign students and researchers at Harvard University. Michele Berselli, an Italian bioinformatician, describes a 'critical situation' where many international researchers face potential deportation due to visa restrictions.
Berselli, while secure in his position, notes that many colleagues are on J-1 visas, which appear to be under threat. He estimates a dozen researchers in his lab alone could be affected, significantly impacting research capabilities.
The article highlights the consequences of funding cuts to Harvard. Berselli's lab, involved in a large NIH-funded research project, lost its funding, forcing the university to find ways to compensate for the shortfall. The long-term sustainability of this situation is uncertain.
With the academic year ending and many students returning home, the immediate campus impact may be muted. However, many are re-evaluating their plans and considering other universities. Berselli himself expresses uncertainty, weighing the possibility of staying in the US (waiting on a Green Card application) against returning to Italy, while hoping for better contract stability in the Italian university system.