New York, NY (July 1, 2022) — Committee of 100, a non-profit membership organization of prominent Chinese Americans, today issued the following statement on the nomination of Dr. Arati Prabhakar to be the next Director of the Office of Science & Technology Policy (OSTP) and President Biden’s chief science advisor.
“Based on Dr. Prabhakar’s background, the issues of scientific collaborations and exchange have been important throughout her career – issues facing scientists and researchers of Chinese or Asian descent,” said Zhengyu Huang, President of Committee of 100. “Scientists of Chinese descent have reported far greater racial profiling, which has had direct impact on advancing America’s scientific leadership. As a woman of color, Dr. Prabhakar will bring a unique perspective to the role and we are hopeful for her leadership.”
Last year, Committee of 100 published critical joint research with Dr. Jenny Lee of the University of Arizona, “Racial Profiling Among Scientists of Chinese Descent and Consequences for the U.S. Scientific Community.” The white paper, press release, commentaries, and the virtual event discussing the findings focused survey data from nearly 2,000 scientists and found that those of Chinese or Asian descent had difficulty in obtaining research funds, encountered professional challenges and setbacks, and experienced fear and anxiety of being surveilled by the U.S. government. Data from the research also showed that the China Initiative was producing a wave of fear among scientists of non-Chinese descent as well, in which scientists have described cutting ties with their collaborators in China, no longer hiring Chinese postdocs, and limiting communications with scholars in China, even at the expense of their own research projects. The joint research can be found here.
About Committee of 100
Committee of 100 is a non-profit U.S. leadership organization of prominent Chinese Americans in business, government, academia, healthcare, and the arts focused on public policy engagement, civic engagement, and philanthropy. For over 30 years, Committee of 100 has served as the preeminent organization committed to the dual missions of promoting the full participation of Chinese Americans in all aspects of American life and constructive relations between the United States and Greater China. Visit https://www.committee100.org/ and follow on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram for more information.
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Contact:
Charles Zinkowski
Sr. Director of Marketing & Communications
Committee of 100
czinkowski@committee100.org
