« It’s been doing political research »

An Icelandic mechanical engineer who recently graduated from a doctoral program from UC Berkley gave a graduation speech on behalf of graduates on Saturday. He has been living in the United States for the past six years and says a strange time in the United States in terms of scientists’ freedom for research. He feels great uncertainty.

Númi Sveinsson Cepero graduated over the weekend from a five-year master’s and doctoral program in mechanical engineering from UC Berkley, California. In his studies, he examined and developed digital twins for cardiovascular progress. He now heads to the University of Texas Austin, where he will conduct further research in the field as a new doctor.

Asked what it means to develop digital twins to advance in cardiovascular healing, Númi explains that the idea is based on being able to make a computer model of organs like their hearts.

Computer heart or the computer system is tailored to each cardiovascular system, as it says that this technology can look at how the cardiovascular system responds to certain conditions such as operations or other stress on the cardiovascular system.

« Then we can explore all kinds of things without having to go into the patient, » says Númi.

Research should not be political

As mentioned earlier, Númi gave a speech on behalf of graduates on Saturday. In his speech, he turned to the independence of science and research, which he said should be hit.

« Engineering with Berkeley has long been in innovation, breaking walls and asking questions that others avoid. But today the independence of science and free research is under pressure. We who graduate from here as engineers, know that the truth matters.

Asked why he did this to his subject matter, Numi says that there is a great deal of uncertainty in the field of research and science in the United States after US President Donald Trump took office in January. He refers, among other things, that certain words are on the « ban » of the state when applying for research grants under the auspices of public grants.

« It is trying to control what universities are investigating and it is being done political research. So I completely disagree. I think scientists should have the freedom to look at what they think is most important and especially that we engineers get to look at what helps people and communities the most,

Large difference in the previous and later election season Trump

Numi moved to the United States in 2019 when Trump was president during his previous term. He said he found a great difference in Trump’s first and second term.

« During the first electoral period, there were no such direct action against universities and research. They were rather directed at international students to some extent. Then they were forced into standardization and not distance education, but this was in Covid times

Then comes Biden and then you got a little relief. He talked to MA about increasing financial contributions for research, but after last year’s election, one did not know what to expect. After he took over in January, it was immediately revealed that he had some plans for action and we found it at the same time, ”says Numi, but some of his friends lost his grants for research and some lost his residence permit after Trump took over.

Advised not to come home to Iceland

Númi plans to return to Iceland this summer, despite the fact that the University of Texas University has strongly opposed it because of the risk of not being able to return to the country.

« They think there is a high likelihood that I can get into trouble, » he says.

News was received yesterday that US Secretary of State had ordered to stop all disengage on student licenses of foreign students in the United States while waiting for further US government instructions.

Numi says yesterday’s news causes further uncertainty about the future.

« The only thing you can do is see and hope for the best, » he says.