Imagine a future where antibiotics no longer work—where common infections become life-threatening. This isn’t science fiction; it’s a real threat due to rising antibiotic resistance, already a major cause of death globally and expected to grow.

Thanks to federally-funded research, scientists like me are working on solutions to prevent this crisis. However, proposed cuts to scientific and medical research threaten our health, our economy, and the future of young scientific researchers.

My journey in science began in Woodland, where I grew up surrounded by alfalfa and tomato fields. My passion for science started early — nurtured by my parents, both scientists at UC Davis, who encouraged my curiosity and love for discovery. At Woodland High School, my science courses opened doors to incredible opportunities — I’ll never forget meeting Stephen Hawking during his 2003 UC Davis visit, an invitation extended to local high school students interested in physics.

I went to college at UC Berkeley, where—staying true to my Woodland roots—my first proper experiments focused on alfalfa yields in drought conditions and cross-breeding heirloom tomatoes to find the “perfect” tomato. My passion for science and health eventually led me to a career as an infectious diseases physician and researcher.

Today, I study sexually transmitted infections, focusing on drug-resistant gonorrhea, working to improve diagnosis and treatment of these infections. But my research isn’t just about treating infections today—it’s about ensuring antibiotics remain effective for future generations.

Science doesn’t happen in isolation. Breakthroughs require years of education, training, collaboration, and most importantly, funding. Agencies like the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the National Science Foundation (NSF) drive medical advancements.

The NIH is the largest public funder of biomedical research in the world, often considered the “crown jewel” of the US government. From developing antibiotics, to cancer treatments, to vaccines, nearly everyone has directly benefitted from NIH supported research.

In fact, 99% of new drugs approved between 2010-2019 stemmed from NIH-supported research. Take Ozempic (semaglutide), for example. While many know it as a diabetes and weight-loss medication, few realize its origins trace back to NIH-funded research on gila monsters decades ago. Without public investment in science, many medical advances we take for granted today wouldn’t exist.

Investing in science isn’t just about discovery; it’s also an economic investment. Every $1 spent on research generates $2.50 in return, driving innovation, creating jobs, and strengthening local economies. In California alone, NIH funding totaled $5.3 billion in 2023, directly supporting over 55,000 jobs and $13 billion in economic activity.

At UC Davis, federal research funding exceeded $441 million in 2023, supporting innovative studies on pancreatic cancer treatments and investigating bird flu in cow’s milk and the impact for the dairy industry, to name just a few.

Funding from NIH and NSF also plays a critical role in educating and training the next generation of scientists. NSF grants support STEM education from elementary schools to undergraduates.

NIH training programs fund Ph.D. students and postdoctoral researchers, equipping them with the skills needed to make scientific and technological breakthroughs; career development awards help launch research careers of people like me, who have completed their training. These investments keep the U.S. at the forefront of global scientific innovation.

Yet, proposed federal cuts threaten America’s standing as the world’s top scientific institution. Historically, NIH and NSF funding enjoyed bipartisan support, recognizing the role of scientific excellence in public health and national security. But that support is now in jeopardy.

Underfunding research means slower progress against diseases, fewer opportunities for young scientists, risking a lost generation of American scientists and researchers, and a weakened ability to respond to public health threats. We need sustained investment to keep our communities safe and our economy strong.

If you support American science, contact your state and federal representatives. Urge them to prioritize NIH and NSF funding. Encourage students to pursue STEM careers. Science isn’t an abstract concept—it’s the key to solving today’s challenges and building a better future.

For me, working as a physician-researcher has been the opportunity of a lifetime, made possible by public investment in science. My journey from Woodland to researching infectious disease threats on a global scale happened because our country values scientific knowledge and innovation.

I hope future generations from the Woodland area have even greater opportunities to engage in science and lead discoveries that enhance health and prosperity for all.

Paul Adamson is an infectious diseases physician, researcher, and faculty member at the UC Los Angeles School of Medicine. He grew up in Woodland and attended Woodland High School.