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Duke Participates In Multi-Institute National Science Foundation Artificial Intelligence Showcase

With Congress focusing more time and attention on artificial intelligence (AI), the National Science Foundation (NSF) celebrated its higher education and industry partners’ AI endeavors and achievements in a recent research showcase on Capitol Hill. Duke’s Pratt School of Engineering’s Athena program was among the 25 institutes demonstrating their work through hands-on exhibits for NSF and congressional staff.

The event included remarks from NSF Director Sethuraman Panchanathan, as well as Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Mike Rounds (R-S.D.). Panchanathan lauded the efforts of what he said was a decades-long investment into the NSF for the development of artificial intelligence research and production.

Senators Martin Heinrich and Mike Rounds represented the Senate’s Artificial Intelligence Caucus. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has said that he feels an obligation to get involved to start crafting a comprehensive AI policy. Heinrich said they also recently had the Senate’s first AI forum.

“This gives me hope,” Heinrich said. “This is where the rubber meets the road in a way that is accessible to all of our constituents, not just a few geographies. And that I think is really, really important.”

Professors Yiran Chen and Jeffrey Krolik represented Duke’s Athena Institute, highlighting the institute’s efforts in edge computing. Edge computing solves the problem of latency in cloud-based services, enabling mobile devices to process data closer to the source for near real-time results and increased security. For example, first responders can use edge technology to annotate maps of their environment in challenging situations to make them safer. NSF Director Panchanathan  participated in a demonstration of such technology, using a VR headset to simulate brain surgery.

The following day, Duke participated in a separate Advocacy Day hosted by the Coalition for the National Science Foundation (CNSF). CNSF is a coalition of over 140 organizations, universities, and industries, including Duke, united in support of increasing funding to NSF. In addition to discussions with staff from the North Carolina congressional delegation, Athena leadership joined other AI Institutes to discuss their work and the importance of sustained federal support for the AI Institutes with staff from the Senate Commerce, Justice, Science Appropriations Subcommittee, Senate Armed Services Committee and Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee.

Congressional Staffers, State Innovation and Defense Partners Visit Duke Quantum Center

Duke Government Relations and Duke State Relations hosted state and federal partners on August 30th for “Quantum Day” at the Duke Quantum Center (DQC) in the historic Chesterfield Building in Downtown Durham. Attendees included congressional staff members from the offices of Sen. Thom Tillis, Sen. Ted Budd, Rep. Valerie Foushee and Rep. Deborah Ross. Representatives from the NC Office of Science, Technology and Innovation, the NC Defense Technology Transfer Office, and the National Security Innovation Network were also in attendance.

Leaders from DQC, including Chris Monroe, PhD, Gilhuly Family Presidential Distinguished Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering and Physics, Director of DQC; Jungsang Kim, PhD, Schiciano Family Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Professor of Physics; and Ken Brown, PhD, Michael Fitzpatrick Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Professor of Physics, Associate Professor of Chemistry welcomed the federal and state guests. DQC kicked off the program by giving an overview of quantum information science & technology (QIST) and applications of QIST – ranging from everyday activities to national and economic security. DQC leaders explained some of the basic principles of quantum computing, elaborating on how atoms, elements, ions, electrodes, and lasers work together to control a quantum system.

An integral part of the discussion was how the federal government supports quantum computing research at Duke. Collectively, members of the DQC have brought in over $170 million in funding and performed over $100 million in government contracts since 2007. Support from the federal government positions DQC and North Carolina to be at the forefront of innovation and groundbreaking research. DQC also plays a role in educating the future quantum computing workforce. Through collaboration with government agencies, private industries, and other universities, DQC’s expertise and infrastructure allows North Carolina to be a major player and contributor in the fast-emerging field of quantum computing.

Dan Vick, director of Duke University‘s Office of Export Controls, also provided attendees with an overview of how Duke balances its international collaborations with national security concerns. Duke was one of the first universities to create an office focused on export controls and continues to evolve research security compliance efforts based on federal policies and procedures in place.

The day ended with a tour of the labs at Duke Quantum Center. Participants were able to view quantum computer stacks and simulators while learning more about the infrastructure and technology needed to support quantum components.

Experts Share Insights on Farm Bill Reauthorization and Nutrition Assistance Programs

The Farm Bill, which is up for reauthorization this year, includes nutrition assistance programs, rural development, agricultural research and many other initiatives.

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) comprised roughly 80% of the 2018 Farm Bill’s funding allocation. This year, this critical legislation is up for reauthorization in Congress and several experts from Duke University, along with a co-author from Syracuse University, shared insights from their research in the field and weighed in on potential changes to these programs to reduce the food insecurity and food resource gap between demographic groups. Watch the full conversation here and read the panelists’ excerpts below:

The 2023 Farm Bill Reauthorization Landscape and Recommendations to Policymakers

Norbert Wilson

“As we’re thinking about the current moment, we’re in and thinking about this, the current conversations around the debt ceiling, and then what’s going to roll into the Farm Bill in the coming months, this issue of eligibility is going to be an important conversation about who actually gets to participate, what are the rules that may shape this?”

Alfonso Flores-Lagunes

“By and large, SNAP is a public investment that generates large returns, particularly in the medium and long term… the disincentives to work generated by the program are, in general, at most, very small and lightly nonexistent… policymakers should try for SNAP to reach as many eligible households as possible given the high returns that the program has.”

Carolyn Barnes

“Given the long-run positive effects of SNAP on kids and, ultimately, adults, we should think about ways of simplifying the application and recertification process or in other words, we should reduce administrative burden in accessing nutrition assistance programs.”

Lessons learned from the pandemic

Carolyn Barnes

“The pandemic offered an opportunity to see what happens when we essentially eliminate the barriers to accessing these programs. SNAP was an essential buffer to economic hardship. We know that it was crucial for folks that were weathering potential food insecurity. But for the folks that couldn’t, couldn’t get access or for the more complicated, the complicated question of whether or not these burden-reducing strategies really had the impact they could have had.”

On inflation’s impact to SNAP and other nutritional assistance programs

Alfonso Flores-Lagunes

“We also need to take into consideration the extraordinary circumstances in terms of the world economy with the conflict in Ukraine, and so on, that limited the availability of grains and other products throughout the world… In general, I wouldn’t be overly concerned about inflationary pressures that having these additional snap resources for nourishing is going to create in the larger economy through inflation.”

Policy changes and administrative burden in the Farm Bill

Carolyn Barnes

“It expands the burden to a population that did not experience the burden before. There’s a whole new set of learning costs, learning what’s required of me (the recipient) now, that I that I’m no longer eligible in the way that I was prior to this change… and then the psychological cost of having to meet with the snap worker potentially, in whatever stigma or stress or complexity that might present itself that I otherwise would have forgone in the previous sort of iteration of the federal policy.”

“From the caseworker’s perspective, it’s again learning new policy and adapting to the new policy.”

How to support nonprofit workers who process SNAP applications and help people enroll in the program?

Carolyn Barnes

“I think outreach is critical and reducing some of those costs in advance of submitting the application would both increase the likelihood that someone has a successful claim for SNAP, and would also reduce the burden of the worker that’s trying to help someone enroll… A way to kind of shift gears and engage in sort of a grassroots communication strategy about what’s necessary to have a successful snap application? I think that could be a way to, to support workers.”

Norbert Wilson

“I’ve been in conversation with a person who’s involved in a local nonprofit, and this person has raised the challenge of navigating the rules and being able to help applicants through the process and and there was and because of the differences by state, there’s some variation that can occur, that it’s critical for nonprofits who are trying to help individuals to have a really detailed understanding of what the rules are to help people navigate that.”

Any parts of the application process or anything else within individuals’ interaction with the SNAP benefit that would be either most complicated or burdensome that might be able to benefit from policy changes?

Carolyn Barnes

“For both workers and participants, it’s documenting employment. What’s most burdensome for participants actually ends up being most burdensome for workers who are implementing the program and that’s gathering and confirming information… The second thing would be like household composition, which can be which can be tricky for low-income families.”

Final thoughts for Congress on reauthorization

Norbert Wilson

“An adjustment of the Thrifty Food Plan, which sets the maximum benefit level that then influences the benefit levels that everyone receives, is a critical factor in helping make sure the SNAP program really meets the food needs of families. And I would say the other part is anything that we can do that allows people to understand their ability to access the program and their ability to get the benefits.”

Carolyn Barnes

“Were at an all-time low in terms of poverty, but in general, relative to other developed countries, our safety net isn’t where it should be. And I think we could be far more generous.”


Carolyn Barnes is an assistant professor in the Duke University Sanford School of Public Policy

Norbert Wilson is a professor of food, economics, and community and serves as director of the Duke University Sanford World Food Policy Center

Alfonso Flores-Lagunes is a professor of economics at the Syracuse University Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs

Duke Experts Share Climate Considerations on the Farm Bill

Last reauthorized in 2018, the Farm Bill remains one of the most significant and comprehensive pieces of legislation affecting American agriculture and rural communities. As Congress prepares to reauthorize the critical legislation again this year, three Duke experts shared insights from their research on how the bill can be strengthened to address pressing agriculture issues, exacerbated by the climate crisis.

Below are the excerpts from the conversation, and you can watch the full briefing here.

The Farm Bill and U.S. Agriculture’s Far-Reaching Impact on Climate

Michelle Nowlin

“In the 2023 Farm Bill, Congress has the potential to counteract the harm caused by certain agricultural practices and ensure that agriculture is part of the climate solution moving forward, and it can also make farms more resilient to the impacts of climate change.”

“It’s really impossible for us to address climate change, or more generally environmental quality in the US without addressing agricultural production, because as much as 50% of the land in the lower 48 states is presently in agricultural production.”

“This is a vicious cycle that contemporary agricultural practices contribute to greenhouse gas emissions because agriculture is uniquely vulnerable to the impacts of climate change through drought, catastrophic storms, flooding, increased heat and humidity in many regions, and changing and unpredictable weather patterns that affect planting and harvesting.”

Lee Miller

“Agriculture is one of the only, perhaps the only, major emitting sectors that have at least the theoretical potential to be a net sink of greenhouse gas emissions… these are also systems that are really well suited to helping farmers adapt to climate change, to make to making their farms more resilient in the face of the droughts and floods and disease and heat stress.”

Where the U.S. is Falling Short on Climate-Smart Agriculture R&D Research Compared to Global Leaders

Lucia Strader

“Investment in research is one of the best possible returns on investment that the federal government can make… This funding has really remained flat in the US, and the purchasing power has declined over the past couple of decades.”

“As of today, most of the high-impact papers looking at plant biology and agriculture are coming from labs based in China. And that’s reflective of the dramatic increase in funding that China and other countries around the world are investing in agricultural research as the U.S. is, sadly started to fall behind… it’s important for us to continue this R&D investment through the Farm Bill.”

Investing in Research, Technology and People Through Budget & Appropriations

Lee Miller

“There’s pretty broad agreement that we need more, more investment and conservation, technical assistance… At the end of the day, those dollars [existing appropriations from the Inflation Reduction Act and Farm Bill] have to be deployed in a responsible way and deployed through the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). And if the folks aren’t on the ground to help farmers figure out how to put those practices onto the land, then those dollars are not going to be well spent, or they’re not going to be spent at all.”

Lucia Strader

“I’ve seen over the past six months that the extension services from each U.S. institution have started to work more closely together to try to understand how they can innovate.”

Enhancing Agricultural Diversification Through Small and Medium-Size Farms

Lee Miller

“This is a country that mostly, most of our food and fiber is produced on very large monocultures. And we have a pretty good sense at this point that that’s, that’s just not the future that we should all be striving for… we can do climate mitigation and build resilience into our agricultural sector by increasing the opportunities for diversified farms to thrive… One proposal that I’ve certainly heard kind of thrown around is creating an Office of Small Farms within the USDA.”

Supporting Equity for Underserved Communities Through the Farm Bill

Michelle Nowlin

“We need to be directing more support to historically underserved communities through our farm belt programs. USDA and Congress like to refer to them as historically underserved, but I think it’s important to remember that they were historically discriminated against intentionally under these different programs that have resulted in the decimation of rural economies and land loss.”

The Importance of Including Outreach and Farmer-to-Farmer Education in Reauthorization

Michelle Nowlin

“Farmer-to-Farmer education has proven absolutely essential in moving some of the more conservation or climate-sensitive practices out of the research institutions and into the field… But I don’t believe that Farm Bill programs currently fund that type of outreach and education.”

Lee Miller

“In addition to the laboratory research that Dr. Strader is doing, we need farmers trying things out on the field level and at scale. To get them to take a risk like that – is a perfect opportunity for us to come in with public dollars and support that research directly.”

Limitations of Rented Farmland in Implementing Climate-Smart Solutions in Agriculture

Lucia Strader

“One limitation that I see is that so much of our farmlands, particularly for large-scale operations, is done on rented land… There’s not a lot of motivation [for long-term planning] for someone who’s just renting the land to do that.”

Michelle Nowlin

“If there’s a way for the Farm Bill to force longer contracts or to incentivize longer contracts… it can certainly incentivize long-term planning.”

Crop Insurance in the Farm Bill as an Incentive for Climate-Smart Farming

Lee Miller

“Other than the SNAP program, the nutrition program, crop insurance is the major funding that we provide through the Farm Bill.”

“There’s a real chance to put a couple have to use that program to do kind of good climate work. There are all kinds of proposals out there for how one might do that… we the public are willing to subsidize [farmer] insurance costs and to help mitigate some of the risks of the inherent risks of farming. And in return, what we’re asking for are some very baseline practices that we believe will, will both mitigate and help you adapt to climate change.”


Lucia Strader is an associate professor in biology at Duke University 

Lee Miller is a lecturing fellow at Duke University School of Law

Michelle Nowlin is a clinical professor of law and co-director of the Environmental Law and Policy Clinic at Duke University School of Law 

A Semester of Student Advocacy in Review

Government Relations Intern Blog

Bella DiMeo ’25

This spring proved to be a busy season for Duke student advocacy in DC. Five different groups made their way to the nation’s capital to discuss different issues with North Carolina lawmakers and outside advocacy organizations. All the groups were able to work with Duke in DC and the Office of Government Relations (OGR) in planning and preparing to make their trips successful. My OGR internship allowed me to learn more about each of these treks as well as also embark on my own journey of student advocacy in the nation’s capital.

Each group that traveled to Washington, DC this semester emphasized that the advice and resources provided to them by the OGR and Duke in DC staff were essential in helping them prepare, along with the support from the university more broadly. Through the lessons learned from the leadership positions they hold on campus, public policy classes and hands-on research experience, the students could speak from a place of knowledge and successfully advocate for their respective causes, maximizing their advocacy trip experiences.

Define America, which is a group made up of undergraduate students advocating for “justice for immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers in the United States of America,” met with staff from Vote Latina as well as several congressional offices to discuss their goals. In addition to their coursework and leadership positions which helped them prepare for the trip, Duke’s Define America treasurer Yadira Paz-Martinez explained, “We leaned on other Duke alumni and Duke students to prepare ourselves with a foundational understanding of current bills and policies advocating for immigration reform.”

Another group of students representing the Graduate and Professional Student Government External Advocacy Committee came prepared to discuss basic research funding, federal funding for graduate student financial aid, U.S. scientific literacy and the importance of access to genetic information in health care as well as protections for such genetic data with lawmakers on Capitol Hill, most notably in the office of Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC).

They learned through action that advocacy goes beyond support, “it is analysis, discussion and explanation” of an issue, explained Gabriel Kennedy, a first-year Ph.D. student in Genetics and Genomics, “The very actions we take as students directly translate into advocacy.  Often, people underestimate how translational these soft skills can be.” Kamilah Kassam, a fifth-year Ph.D. Candidate in Chemistry added, “My time at Duke taught me… the nature of true advocacy: to amplify the voices of the marginalized, never to speak over them.” These ideas, fostered at Duke, inspired the group’s presentations in D.C. and the engaging conversations they took part in.

These students also had a dinner organized by Duke in DC with Duke Alum Robert Bonnie, Under Secretary for Farm Production and Conservation at USDA. Bonnie, a former Rubenstein Fellow and Executive in Residence at Duke, spoke with the students about the changes he has seen in advocacy and the value of their Duke education.

On another advocacy trip organized with the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), Duke student Balraj Singh reflected, “I had the pleasure of being involved in groundbreaking scientific research… Duke empowered me to put my best foot forward when asking for increased funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and various other governmental organizations that directly and indirectly fund research at Duke.” The bonds this group formed with Duke alumni working on Capitol Hill were also the highlight of the trip. Their shared connection helped them convey “the impact of federal funding on research and education, both at Duke and in the broader community,” according to Meredith Schmehl, a Ph.D. Candidate in Neurobiology at Duke’s Graduate School.

The Sanford School of Public Policy’s Latin American and Caribbean group had a different focus throughout their trip. Instead of engaging in direct advocacy with lawmakers, these students connected with outside advocacy organizations, sometimes hosting them at the Duke in DC office, to learn how they approach their work first-hand. Throughout their visit, the group stressed the importance of an open-minded approach to viewing their public policy issues. With support from Duke’s Center for International Development (DCID), the students were encouraged to engage in thorough research and planning before their meetings “to gain insight into their professional trajectories and areas of expertise,” explained Camila Herrera, MPP ‘24. This preparation enabled the group to converse more openly about their policy interests.

A rising junior majoring in Classics, I had the personal privilege to travel to D.C. and meet with staff from various congressional offices as a part of the National Humanities Alliance’s Humanities Advocacy Day, described in greater detail here. While I was the only student in my group of advocates, the resources and guidance I received from my internship managers in Duke’s Office of Government Relations helped me successfully contribute to the day’s advocacy meetings.

The Semester in Review at Duke in DC

Celebrating the 10th Anniversary of Sanford’s Study-Away Program in Washington, DC

Each year at the start of a new spring semester at Duke University, a group of students voyage to Washington, DC, to carry out their studies and complete an internship in the nation’s capital. Along the way, they gain new perspectives about themselves and the policies that influence the world around them.

Sponsored by Duke’s Global Education Office and the Sanford School of Public Policy, the Duke in DC: Policy, Leadership & Innovation program celebrated its 10th year this spring semester with 11 students studying away in Washington, DC.

“I truly enjoyed the opportunity to take four different classes with the same group of students. Over the course of the semester, we engaged in thoughtful debates with each other in the classroom that oftentimes spilled over into hours-long conversations in the home where we all lived. This dynamic pushed me to truly consider my own stances on different policy issues in a way I haven’t before.” – Chloe Decker, Trinity ‘25

Mirroring their unique backgrounds and interests, each member of the 2023 student cohort interned at a range of places across the capital, including in both chambers of Congress, the Departments of Education and Commerce, the Public Defender Service, the US-ASEAN Business Council, and several policy advocacy firms.

“From my internship at the U.S. Department of Commerce, I learned about the extremely nuanced considerations that must be made by leaders in government agencies to implement policy most effectively. My internship has shown me the tremendous responsibility that federal employees in the executive branch have when ensuring a policy or program leads to its intended outcomes.” – Zach Dobson, Trinity ‘24

Throughout the school year, the students also embarked on a variety of class excursions, meeting with key Duke alumni and touring quintessential DC attractions. From local institutions like Ben’s Chili Bowl to the annual Cherry Blossom Festival, each student got a real taste of what it’s like to live and work in DC.

Over the course of the semester, we engaged in thoughtful debates with each other in the classroom that oftentimes spilled over into hours-long conversations in the home where we all lived. This dynamic pushed me to truly consider my own stances on different policy issues in a way I haven’t before.”

Chloe Decker, Trinity ‘25

Former Young Trustee Amy Kramer, Trinity ‘18, took the students on a tour of the Pentagon and organized a series of meetings with senior defense officials to discuss career opportunities that blend public service and national security.

Bringing it closer to home, the group met with North Carolina’s senior Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC) and his staff to discuss their experience in DC and learn about Senator Tillis’s path to public office.

“I found it eye-opening to engage with a member of Congress with a different political perspective, especially through the lens of my Hill internship this semester.” – Sam Sreeram, Trinity ‘24

A flagship experience of this year’s Duke in DC program included a student-organized Alumni Conference celebrating the program’s 10-year anniversary. The two-day event included multiple panel discussions with Duke in DC alumni, as well as an evening reception where the current students were able to learn about potential career paths in Washington, DC, and beyond.

When considering the spring semester in review, the academic and real-world experiences the Duke in DC program offers provide a rich launchpad for Duke students to explore future careers and think critically about the impact they want to make on the world.

The Vitality of the Humanities: A View Through Advocacy

By Bella DiMeo ’25

When I declared as a humanities major at the beginning of this year, I could never have guessed that my passion for this field would take me out of Durham, much less to meet with lawmakers on Capitol Hill. However, as Duke University’s advocate for National Humanities Advocacy Day this past month, I had the opportunity to directly discuss the importance of federal humanities funding with lawmakers and their staff in Washington, DC.

When I came to Duke, I was excited to explore my passion for the Classics and Political Science, but I was disappointed to see I was one of the few, not of the many. Among the top five majors at Duke last year, Computer Science, Economics, Public Policy, Biology, and Electrical and Computer Engineering, the humanities are notably absent. 

As one of 5 Classical Civilizations majors in my year at Duke, I wanted to try and find ways to represent my field through research and engage in my community through my studies. Shortly after I began this search, through my internship with the Office of Government Relations I was afforded the opportunity to work with the National Humanities Alliance (NHA) as part of their Spring advocacy efforts. 

The NHA is an organization that advocates for federal humanities funding and makes a case for its public value. I felt especially excited about this opportunity because President Biden’s 2022 Executive Order on Promoting the Arts, Humanities, and Library Sciences showed a new focus on the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), which the NHA directly supports. 

My fellow advocates on Capitol Hill were Dr. Candace Bailey and Dr. Prudence Layne, professors at North Carolina Central University and Elon University respectively, who both had experience collaborating with the NEH and the NHA. 

During my trip, I had the opportunity to speak with staffers from the offices of Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC) and Representatives Valerie Foushee (D-NC) and Deborah Ross (D-NC) about the importance of the humanities opportunities for the younger generations as the field becomes less popular. My goal during these meetings was to try to present myself as an example of what this work and funding could do, and the type of global citizens the humanities helps to create. I spoke about my individual experience as a lifelong student of the humanities and the value of my chosen field. Together, we discussed the programming the NHA supports in North Carolina, the importance of the humanities as a field, and the national impacts of humanities support such as preserving the material heritage of the country through the National Archives. 

Overall, the trip strengthened my passion for the arts and humanities and was a helpful step forward in my experiences in advocacy. As a young person and a student, I know I still have much to learn and many experiences to gain in the Humanities and beyond, but the encouraging words from staffers and my fellow advocates made me feel I have a place in the advocacy space. Participating in National Humanities Advocacy Day allowed me to discover my voice on an issue near and dear to my heart. I felt supported by the organization I was advocating for and inspired by the individuals with whom I was advocating. I look forward to continuing my journey in the Humanities with a greater awareness of my studies’ impact as a lifelong advocate.

Appropriations Season Kicks off in Washington, DC

While Duke’s campus started clearing out for spring break, Washington, DC, was buzzing amid President Biden’s FY24 budget request.

In addition to the appropriations season taking flight, the last few months also brought a flurry of activity on student aid, research, federal appointments and more in the nation’s capital. Below are the highlights of federal activity relevant to Duke and the higher education community.

Budget & Appropriations

On March 9th, the White House released its FY24 budget proposal, totaling $1.7 trillion. The blueprint – which is also expected to reduce the deficit by $3 trillion over the next decade – marks the beginning of Congress’s year-long federal appropriations process. In the coming weeks, both chambers of Congress will finalize their hearing schedule to decide on final topline numbers. Duke’s Office of Government Relations’ primer provides additional background on the process.

Below is an up-to-date table outlining the status of Duke University’s funding priorities.

Federal Appointments and Roles

Biden Administration

Starting at the top, Duke alum Jeff Zients T’88 began his new role as President Biden’s Chief of Staff this January. Zients previously served as the White House COVID-19 response coordinator early in Biden’s term and previously held positions in the Obama administration.

In other administration updates, the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) Deputy Director Alondra Nelson stepped down from her position in February after two years in the role. The Biden administration also announced eight new appointments to the National Science Board. The Board, established by the National Science Foundation (NSF) Act of 1950, establishes the policies of NSF and serves as an independent body of advisors to the President and Congress on policy matters related to science and engineering and education in science and engineering.

The Department of Defense (DOD) recently announced Doug Beck as the next Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) director. Beck is currently the vice president of Apple and has co-led the company’s global business development and sales functions, leading the company’s business across Northeast Asia and the Americas.

Congress

After a start delayed by the prolonged Speaker of the House election, the 118th Congress now has a full list of committee assignments for the North Carolina delegation, Duke alumni in Congress and relevant committees to higher education. All relevant positions can be seen here.

Student Aid & Other Issues Related to Higher Ed

The Department of Education released its Title IX proposed rule on participation and eligibility for male and female athletic teams. The proposed regulation would allow schools to adopt or apply sex-related eligibility criteria for male and female teams and use criteria that would limit or deny a student’s eligibility to participate on a male or female team consistent with their gender identity if those criteria are “substantially related to the achievement of an important educational objective.” The department states that a “one-size-fits-all” policy to ban transgender students from participating in sports consistent with their gender identity would not satisfy the proposed regulation. The administration unveiled a more comprehensive set of Title IX policy changes last year, intentionally leaving more time to craft this rule thoughtfully.

In February, the Supreme Court heard arguments regarding the legality of President Biden’s student loan forgiveness plan. Already, about 26 million people have applied for debt forgiveness, and 16 million applications have been approved. However, because of court rulings, all the relief is on hold. A decision on the case is expected this June.

The same month, the Department of Education released a ‘Dear Colleague Letter’ intended to update guidance to institutions that contract with third-party servicers (TPS). The department responded to an initial request to extend its comment period to allow the higher education community and other stakeholders sufficient time to consider the broadly expanded TPS definition. In March, the American Council on Education led a letter to Education Secretary Miguel Cardona, followed by a NASFA led-letter, both outlining the higher education community’s request that the Department rescind their letter and engage with higher education stakeholders in a meaningful and less hurried process. Duke also joined a group of public and private schools from across North Carolina in echoing this request.

Research

In only the first few months of 2023, the Biden administration and its federal agencies have already rolled out a substantial number of new initiatives and guidance involving research.

The Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H), established last year with the mission of speeding medical breakthroughs, announced its first initiatives as an agency. Among the list are new funding opportunities through an Open Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) and three agency hubs – the national capital region (NCR), customer experience and investor catalyst – in various locations to be determined through a solicitation process.

The Department of Energy (DOE) also announced a brand-new venture, its first-ever agency-related foundation, the Foundation for Energy Security and Innovation (FESI), authorized by the CHIPS and Science Act. FESI aims to accelerate the commercialization of new and existing energy technologies by raising and investing funds through engagements with the private sector and philanthropic communities.

To implement the bipartisan CHIPS and Science Act and invest in the U.S. semiconductor industry, the Department of Commerce recently announced a group of leaders from public and private sectors who will create ‘CHIPS for America.’ These individuals will serve in the CHIPS Program Office, which is housed within the Department of Commerce’s National Institute of Standards and Technology.

In terms of reports, the White House released several documents covering cybersecurity, U.S.-India relations, biotechnology and biomanufacturing. The National Cybersecurity Strategy includes five pillars and several recommendations, including prioritizing investments in next-generation cybersecurity R&D and developing a diverse cyber workforce. Meanwhile, OSTP released a new report that outlines the administration’s priorities to advance American biotechnology and biomanufacturing.

The White House fact sheet on the United States-India Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology (iCET), intends to “elevate and expand” the “strategic technology partnership and defense industrial cooperation between the governments, businesses, and academic institutions” of the two countries. The fact sheet emphasizes that the U.S. will collaborate with India on several initiatives, focusing on quantum, artificial intelligence, defense, space, and advanced telecommunications.

Foreign Influence and Research Security

China and threats to U.S. research security continue to be top of mind for the White House and Congress. OSTP released a roadmap in January to help strengthen scientific integrity policies and practices across the federal government.

In February, Congress also hosted several hearings focused on issues related to China and foreign influence. These hearings likely represent the beginning of increased scrutiny by in both chambers on China’s role in U.S. national defense and research security strategy, later underlined by Congress’ highly covered hearing investigating TikTok.

The Departments of Justice (DOJ) and Commerce also announced the launch of the Disruptive Technology Strike Force, which will bring together experts throughout the government to target illicit actors, strengthen supply chains and protect critical technological assets from being acquired or used by nation-state adversaries. The strike force’s work will focus broadly on export control investigation, prosecution and enforcement while strengthening connections with the Intelligence Community.

Immigration

Both the American Council on Education (ACE) and NASFA: Association of International Educators sent letters to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) outlining their concerns regarding a recent proposed rule to increase certain filing fees. Namely, the letters highlight an overcomplicated process that could result in slower adjudication times, an increased risk of errors and more burden on the applicants and universities.

In a positive development, in February the Department of State extended its issuance period for F and M visas up to one year allowing prospective students more time to make it through the processing times.

As they have done in recent session of Congress, Sens. Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Lindsey Graham (R-GA) joined forces to reintroduce the bipartisan DREAM Act, which would allow noncitizens without lawful status who were brought to the United States as children and meet certain education or work requirements to earn lawful permanent residence.

Duke’s Activity and Engagement

On Campus

On March 24, the Director of the Intelligence Advanced Research Projects Activity (IARPA), Catherine Marsh, visited Duke to tour the Duke Quantum Center, which has received over $30 million in funding from IARPA, and speak with interested faculty  about the agency’s programs and engagement opportunities, particularly in artificial intelligence, machine learning, quantum and synthetic biology.

Several members of the North Carolina delegation and their staff also visited campus, including Rep. Valerie Foushee (D-NC) who represents Duke University, Rep. Deborah Ross (D-NC) and  staff from Sen. Ted Budd (R-NC) and Rep. Greg Murphy (R-NC) offices.

In Washington, DC

The full reopening of Capitol Hill marked a busy start to 2023 in terms of DC-based advocacy visits. Several members of the Duke community traveled to DC to advocate in support of research funding, the humanities and sensible immigration policy. This included senior leaders like Vice President for Research and Innovation Jenny Lodge and Pratt Dean Jerry Lynch, along with various student groups.

Partnership and Driving Impact Across North Carolina

Duke in DC’s New Event Series Highlights How Duke Faculty, Students and Staff are Making a Difference in Their Local Communities

From left to right, Chris Simmons, Vincent Guilamo-Ramos, Brad Thie, Liz DeMattia and Aaron Kyle

For Liz DeMattia, Duke’s work to improve communities across North Carolina is about empowering them.

“I think the common theme … is agency,” said DeMattia, director of the Community Science Initiative at the Duke Marine Lab. “When you hear the negative and don’t have the agency, it can be depressing.”

In Beaufort, North Carolina, DeMattia creates K-12 curricula on marine debris, water quality, restoration and drones for the Community Science Initiative at the Duke Marine Lab (DUML). Researchers there work with local teachers and community members to engage elementary students with experiential learning based on local ecosystems.

Photo credit from the DUML Community Science Initiative

“Talking about hope and working towards restoration,” she said, “our faculty can work actively on restoration with students, local agencies and local schools.”

That effort is one of many Duke-led programs currently serving North Carolinians nationwide.

DeMattia joined Vincent Guilamo-Ramos, dean of the Duke School of Nursing; Brad Thie, director of the Duke University Divinity School Thriving Rural Communities Initiative; and Aaron Kyle, professor of the practice in the Department of Biomedical Engineering at Duke’s Pratt School of Engineering for the Duke Office of Government Relations’ new salon series, NC in DC. The discussion took place at the Duke in DC office on March 15.

With a focus on Duke’s engagement and workforce training across the state, the inaugural event of the series hosted a select group of D.C.-based policy and business leaders, including staff from the North Carolina delegation and NC-based companies. Chris Simmons, the interim vice president for Public Affairs and Government Relations at Duke, moderated. Duke State Relations and Duke Health Government Relations cosponsored the event.

Across all disciplines and geographies, Duke plays a pivotal role in workforce training and education throughout the state.

Like DeMattia, one of Kyle’s primary goals is empowering students to solve big problems and overcome their own. He is currently adapting his summer engineering design camps to Durham. His Outreach Design Education Program, supported by a National Institutes of Health (NIH) Science Education Partnership Award (SEPA), introduces grades 6-12 students, particularly underrepresented minority or economically disadvantaged students, to STEM concepts through biomedical engineering design projects. Kyle is also bringing local high school teachers through the program to help them learn how to incorporate engineering design into their curriculums.

Before joining Duke, Kyle led summer design camps for New York City high school students, allowing students from the local community to enter university workspaces and build biomedical devices. He helps students identify challenging engineering problems to solve while “empowering students to look at the world, develop skills and their identity… so that as they run into difficulties, they will persist in STEM.”

Dean Ramos spoke of the Duke School of Nursing’s (DUSON) priority to “serve as a thought leader and an agent of change” by addressing health inequities in rural and underserved populations in North Carolina.

DUSON recently received a $3.9 million award from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) to deliver nurse-led models of care in North Carolina communities. Ramos explained the importance of building trust in rural North Carolina communities, “rather than mitigate [mistrust], we are trying to bolster trustworthiness.”

DUSON’s collaborations with Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Hispanic-Serving Institutions and community colleges in the region – including the Watts School of Nursing and Durham Technical Community College – also create stronger and more lasting outcomes for the community.

“Our students and alumni are serving in local communities from Murphy to Manteo.”

Brad thie, director of the thriving rural communities initiative
Photo credit from the Duke Divinity School’s Thriving Rural Communities Initiative

That region-wide approach is also manifest in the Divinity School’s Thriving Rural Communities Initiative led by Thie. The initiative cultivates Christian leadership and congregations in rural North Carolina while preparing students for effective ministry in these areas.

“Our students and alumni,” Thie said, “are serving in local communities from Murphy to Manteo.”

The Shortest Month Proves Busier Than Ever for Duke on Capitol Hill

After a slow first month of the year, the 118th Congress has picked up the pace of activity. Accordingly, February proved to be a busy month for Blue Devils on Capitol Hill.

Welcome to the 118th Congress Reception on Capitol Hill

The month began with the in-person return of a bi-annual tradition. Duke and a host of its North Carolina peer institutions played host to staffers in the North Carolina delegation and the respective school alumni who work on Capitol Hill at the “Welcome 118th Congress” reception on Capitol Hill. On the evening of Feb. 8th, more than eight North Carolina universities were present to welcome the state’s newly elected and returning members of Congress. Nearly 200 people gathered for the reception, including half of the entire North Carolina delegation members: Sen. Ted Budd (R) and Reps. Don Davis (NC-01), Deborah Ross (NC-02), Kathy Manning (NC-06), Greg Murphy (NC-03), David Rouzer (NC-07), Valerie Foushee (NC-04) and Wiley Nickel (NC-13).

“My first time on the Hill with our state’s elected representatives was inspiring – the bi-partisan commitment of our delegation is empowering Duke and other North Carolina universities to collaborate on the elevation of our global competitiveness in the highly competitive fields of science and technology.”

Jerome Lynch, The Vinik Dean of Engineering at duke university
Dean Jerry Lynch Pictured (second from left)

Earlier that same day, Pratt School of Engineering Dean Jerry Lynch met with members and staff from the North Carolina congressional delegation, including Rep. Wiley Nickel (NC-13) and staff from Sen. Thom Tillis (R), Reps. Valerie Foushee (NC-4), Deborah Ross (NC-2), Kathy Manning (NC-6) and Alma Adams (NC-12). Dean Lynch was in town for the ASEE Engineering Deans Public Policy Colloquium. Lynch was joined by his fellow deans at Campbell University, North Carolina A&T State University and UNC-Charlotte, and the group raised a number of topics, including the importance of investments in the National Science Foundation and Department of Defense fundamental research to the state.

“My first time on the Hill with our state’s elected representatives was inspiring – the bi-partisan commitment of our delegation is empowering Duke and other North Carolina universities to collaborate on the elevation of our global competitiveness in the highly competitive fields of science and technology.” Jerome Lynch, Vinik Dean of Engineering

Duke faculty also spent time in February sharing their expertise in the more formal settings of congressional hearings. Lee Reiners, the policy director of the Duke Financial Economics Center and lecturing fellow at Duke University School of Law, provided his ‘two cents’ on the rise and fall of the cryptocurrency industry for the Senate Banking Committee.

Meanwhile, Gina-Gail Fletcher, professor of Law at Duke University School of Law, spoke with members of the House Committee on Financial Services, Subcommittee on Capital Markets, about federal securities law and how it could be reformed to enhance market efficiency and fairness.

Lee Reiners Testifying Before the Senate Banking Committee

Fourteen years have provided ample evidence of the dire harm cryptocurrency inflicts throughout our society,” Reiners stated in his opening remarks. “If there were going to be one change, I would recommend Congress focus on, it would be requiring these crypto platforms to segregate customer assets from firm assets so that if these firms do get into trouble, customers will still have access to their funds.”

The spring will bring even more activity and engagement for the Duke community in Washington beyond Capitol Hill. Sign up for Duke in DC’s mailing lists to stay current on future communications and events.

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