From the Nanoworld to Planet Mars
Subscribe
Cover photo

Scientists Stand with Ukraine

Organizations around the world offer support to Ukrainian scientists

Yajaira Sierra Sastre, PhD

Feb 28

Perhaps you may have never thought about science as a human right. But advancements in science have enabled access to basic needs - such as good health, food, and water - through the development of vaccines, improved food production, and water purification systems to just name a few.

The right to enjoy the benefits of scientific and technological progress, as well as the right to engage in scientific enquiry, was recognized in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. This Declaration was adopted on 1948 by the United Nations General Assembly as the result of the horrific events that occurred during World War II.

Science is an international enterprise based on the principles of data sharing and cooperation. In the wake of Russia’s military invasion of Ukraine, many organizations around the world are raising their concerns about the threats and ramifications to the free pursuit of science. "At a time when science is of paramount importance to human and environmental well-being, the ISC is gravely concerned by threats caused by war on the free conduct of science and on international scientific collaborations." - wrote in a recent tweet the International Science Council, a non-governmental organization comprised by more than 200 international scientific unions, associations, academies and research councils.

(Note: Embedded tweets don't render on email at this time but they do in the web version of the article. Click below to see the posts on Twitter if you are reading from your inbox.)

An Open Letter has also been signed by more than 600 brave Russian scientists:

Ukrainian and Russian scientists are coworkers, colleagues, and collaborators to many in the scientific community. Researchers everywhere have been connecting on social media and looking for ways to help their fellow scientists.

Labs supporting Ukrainian scientists

A few days ago, associate professor Andrew Kern from the University of Oregon shared his desire on Twitter “to help support any Ukrainian geneticists that are displaced by the conflict”. Andrew and other scientists came up with the idea of putting together a list of laboratories, with information about their location, research focus, type of organization, and the possibility of funding. The responses to join this effort were immediate. I am sharing some of the tweets without further commentary because they are truly inspirational:

As of today, more than 450 principal investigators from many countries including the United States, Canada, Australia, China, Israel, Spain, Poland, Belgium, and many other European countries have responded to the call.

Past Efforts

Though many unknowns remain on how to successfully implement this initiative for people needing relocation, there have been similar efforts in the past that were successful in assisting victims of natural disasters and from war-torn countries. In 2017, Hurricane María embattled the northeastern Caribbean including my home island of Puerto Rico. The hurricane knocked out trees, flattened homes, and left millions of people without power for months. Many academic institutions in the United States volunteered and opened their lab spaces to those in need. Some professors in the hosting institutions were awarded supplemental grants to help faculty and university students continue with their research and education.

Satellites images of Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria knocked out the power grid and left millions without electricity. "During its life cycle a hurricane can expend as much energy as 10,000 nuclear bombs." Source: NESDIS/NOAA/NASA

Most recently, two senior staff members from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine were part of a rescue mission to help evacuate five Afghan scientists and engineers, along with their families. The Afghan scientists had worked with the Academies on a USAID-supported program and could have faced retaliation by the Taliban regime. I invite you to read the full story here: Safe Passage for Scientists: Evacuating Scientists and Engineers from Afghanistan.One of the heroes in this story is Dr. Franklin Carrero-Martínez, a colleague and friend of mine from Puerto Rico.

Do you want to help?

Please share this note, forward to a friend, and spread the word about ongoing efforts to help displaced Ukrainian scientists. Join the conversation on social media (#StandWithUkraine) and consider donating to humanitarian organizations.

"Let's do science, not war!"

Yajaira

___

Cover Photo: Gary Haywood / 500px (Getty Images)

Subscribe for free and you will receive four articles per month in your inbox. If you believe in the importance of scientific literacy for the betterment of society and Spaceship Earth, please consider trying our Premium Subscription for only $4.99/month. Try it today with a free 14 day trial. As a premium subscriber you will receive two additional articles behind the paywall, including Q&As and face-to-face live events with me for a more personal experience. Your support will help us grow and create new content for the benefit of all.

Subscribe to From the Nanoworld to Planet Mars
By subscribing, you agree to share your email address with Yajaira Sierra Sastre, PhD to receive their original content, including promotions. Unsubscribe at any time. Meta will also use your information subject to the Bulletin Terms and Policies

More from From the Nanoworld to Planet Mars
See all

From the Caribbean to Upstate New York

Third article in a series about life choices and career transitions
May 14

I Can See Atoms!

"It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye". - Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, The Little Prince
May 10
1

Cinco de Mayo and National Astronaut Day

Happy Cinco de Mayo! Today is the anniversary of the victory of the Mexican army over France at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862. Historians believe that if the Mexican troops would not have won this battle, the French would have allied with the Confederacy during the Civil War, which could have possibly changed the course of American histor...
May 5
Comments
Log in with Facebook to comment

0 Comments

Share quoteSelect how you’d like to share below
Share on Facebook
Share to Twitter
Send in Whatsapp
Share on Linkedin
Privacy  ·  Terms  ·  Cookies
© Meta 2022
Discover fresh voices. Tune into new conversations. Browse all publications