The research must go on: A student learns to advocate for funding

Biomedical engineering Ph.D. candidate Sophie Ashbrook recently attended an educational seminar, known as a “fly-in,” on the topic of chronic diseases and emerging technologies in Washington, D.C., presented by FIU’s center located there. The three-day experience had students meeting with leaders of industry, nonprofits and government to understand how the relationship between scientists and funders can best serve the public. On the agenda: sharing FIU’s important health-related research to reinforce the value of work that takes place in campus laboratories every day. Training students to communicate at the highest levels will bear fruit in the coming years as they make the case for turning university discoveries into the foundation for life-enhancing therapies.

Stepping out of a university laboratory in Miami and into the heart of Washington, D.C., was nothing short of transformative. As a biomedical engineering Ph.D. candidate, I focus my research on cardiovascular disease, specifically calcification—the hardening of arteries that can lead to serious health complications. While I thrive in the lab studying disease mechanisms, I have always been intrigued by how my findings can influence public health policies. Participating in FIU's student-oriented event in our nation’s capital – a “fly-in” seminar on the topic of chronic diseases and emerging technologies - opened my eyes to the vital bridge between scientific discovery and real-world impact.

Before heading to D.C., I had the opportunity to introduce other participating students to the world of biomedical research through a tour of the Cardiovascular Matrix Remodeling Laboratory at the Engineering Center. I walked them through key areas, including the facility that houses the confocal and Raman microscopes, specialized equipment that offers high-resolution imaging and detailed chemical/molecular analysis, as well as our cell culture facilities. I also highlighted our lab’s projects, from valve development to therapeutic strategies for calcification. It was a rewarding experience to showcase the breadth of biomedical engineering research at FIU and provide insight into how our work translates, as they say, from bench to bedside.

Once in D.C., the experience was a whirlwind of conversations, insights and hands-on advocacy. Our first day was packed with discussions on science policy, public health initiatives and the power of advocacy. We met with Rachel Stauffer and Jeff Davis from lobbyist/consulting firm McDermott+ to learn how to navigate the regulatory and legislative landscape to drive evidence-based decision-making. They counseled us on maintaining a political neutral perspective while working to ensure that scientific voices are heard.

One of the most thought-provoking stops was at Research!America, a nonprofit medical and health research advocacy group, where Trent Carlson walked us through the process of advocating for university research funding explained the typically long and winding road from discoveries in the lab to life-saving therapies available to patients.

Taking our newfound knowledge into the real world, we visited Johnson & Johnson’s JLabs, an incubator fostering the next generation of healthcare and life science startups. The intersection of science and industry came to life for me as I walked through state-of-the-art labs, heard about partnerships with institutions like Children’s National Hospital and learned how J&J collaborates with the Department of Health and Human Services to anticipate threats to public health. It was a glimpse into how innovative research gets translated into life-saving medical solutions.

The culmination of our trip was the opportunity to advocate on Capitol Hill. Armed with storytelling techniques from Sean Gallagher at the nonprofit American Association for the Advancement of Science, we met with policymakers, including Congressman Jared Moskowitz’s team, to discuss the importance of funding for chronic disease research. Sharing how FIU has stewarded the millions it has received to achieve groundbreaking scientific discoveries was not just rewarding, it was a call to action. Science doesn’t exist in a vacuum, and securing support for research ensures that the innovations of today become the treatments of tomorrow.

The trip concluded with an inspiring conversation with Dr. Vijeth Iyengar, a neuroscientist-turned-policy expert at AARP. Hearing about his transition from academia to science advocacy resonated deeply with me. As scientists, we often get lost in the complexity of our work, forgetting that our ability to communicate effectively determines our impact. Dr. Iyengar’s journey reinforced my desire to merge my expertise in cardiovascular research with science policy to shape the conversations and legislation that influence public health.

The experience in D.C. was more than just a trip. It was a turning point. It underscored that my role as a scientist doesn’t end in the laboratory but extends into the legislative chambers, the boardrooms, and the communities that depend on biomedical innovation. As I prepare to complete my Ph.D. next year, I feel a renewed sense of purpose: to not only push the boundaries of cardiovascular research but to ensure those discoveries translate into policies that improve lives.