CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA (CVILLE RIGHT NOW) – Local residents and scientists are gathering at the federal building than march to the Free Speech Wall on the Downtown Mall protesting what they call the Trump/Musk attack on research funding. Scientists and medical researchers, such as UVA medical grad student Isaiah Swann, explain what they call “devastating effects of this unexpected assault on America’s core research competencies” with NIH funding on pause. Dr. Scott Heysell, director of UVA’s Center for Global Health Equity as well microbiology, immunology, and cancer biology professor Dr. Marie-Louise Hammarskjold say these actions serve as a “brain drain” as researchers leave, and med students go elsewhere. They also point out research into deadly illnesses like ALS and cancer gene therapies are all on hold.

The rally begins with gathering at the federal building at 5, then a march starting at 5:15 to the Free Speech Wall on the Downtown Mall. A program starts at 5:45.
Speakers will include:

*Prof. Manuel Lerdau, served on the EPA’s Clean Air Scientific Advisory Council until fired on 1/27
* Dr. Scott Heysell, Director of UVA Center for Global Health Equity
* Deborah Lawrence, Chief Scientist at Calyx Global, UVA Professor Emerita of Environmental Sciences
* Prof. Mohan Nadkarni, co-founder of the Charlottesville Free Clinic
* Prof. Marie-Louise Hammarskjold, Microbiology, Immunology, and Cancer Biology
* Prof. Kathryn Laughon, UVA Nursing Department, Director of PhD Program