AAHRPP conference panelists share insights on “Conducting Research in the Current Environment"

The first 10 months of the second Trump administration have brought unprecedented disruption to the U.S. research enterprise and to global health and science initiatives.

In the U.S., the administration has frozen or canceled billions in research funding, removed critical data from government websites, and replaced highly respected scientists as leaders of key federal agencies. Nearly four dozen advisory panels and committees have been terminated.

On the global stage, the U.S. has dismantled the Agency for International Development (USAID) and announced its intention to withdraw from the World Health Organization (WHO) in January 2026. Cuts and cancellations of President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) programs are having a devastating impact on HIV/AIDs prevention and treatment, especially in sub-Saharan Africa.

The recent government shutdown—the longest in U.S. history—exacerbated what many in the research community consider the highest levels of uncertainty in their careers.

In this environment, what can research professionals do to alleviate stress on themselves and other members of their team?

How can they continue the essential work of advancing science and new knowledge through high-quality ethical research?

 AAHRPP posed these and other questions to Heather Pierce, JD, MPH, of the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), and Andy Lee, a retired pharmaceutical executive, during a “state of the research community” panel discussion at the recent AAHRPP Annual Conference and for two other articles — "Determination, Advocacy and Support” and “Taking the Long View" in this issue of AAHRPP Advance.

Heather and Andy both acknowledged the extraordinary nature of these times and the potentially devastating, even deadly, impact. They also offered words of encouragement and strategies on how to remain resilient in the current environment.

Andy, former Senior Vice President of Global Clinical Trial Operations for Merck, described the U.S. decision to withdraw from global partnerships as “tragic,” especially at a time when that withdrawal could stall HIV-related breakthroughs in Africa. Still, Andy emphasized that “research is a long game,” and it’s unlikely that cuts will target existing, long-running studies. He also spoke of the potential upside of difficult times and the link between adaptation and success.

“Crisis leads to innovation and a necessary change in behavior,” he said. “Otherwise, you won’t survive. What we’re going to have to do is adapt quickly.”

Heather is Senior Director for Science Policy and Regulatory Counsel at AAMC and Vice Chair of the AAHRPP Board of Directors. She is keenly aware of the challenges in a research landscape where directives change frequently and information can be difficult to verify due to shifting communications channels. When federal grants were slashed, updates from academic institutions whose research funding was reduced or eliminated helped fill the gap and informed AAMC’s lawsuits against the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Department of Energy (DOE), National Science Foundation (NSF), and Department of Defense.

“It’s uncomfortable to have to crowdsource information from our partners, but it’s effective,” Heather said, underscoring the importance of standing together. Ultimately, the courts required NIH to restore most of the withdrawn and suspended funds.

Heather and Andy cautioned conference attendees against losing hope and reminded them that, even in these turbulent times, much of what matters most has not changed. Heather cited the mission of academic medicine and the federal government, the drive for scientific progress, and “the care for humanity,” including research participants and future generations “whose lives can and must be improved by continuing this work.”

Andy closed the conference session with these words: “Do not be afraid of what’s going on. Do your job as you’ve done it always, with the (same) passion and integrity.” Citing William Ernest Henley’s poem, Invictus, Andy said, “Be the master of your fate. Be the captain of your soul.”

Those who registered for the conference can view the panel discussion and other on-demand content, slide decks, and session resources on the event website. Log in, go to “schedule,” and click on “on demand.