Scientific American's special section 'The Young American Scientists' features MIT faculty, students, and alumni discussing the importance of curiosity-driven research and the state of American science. MIT President Sally Kornbluth, Institute Prof. Robert Langer, and others emphasize the need for sustained public investment in basic science. Profiles highlight researchers working on brain-on-a-chip models for Alzheimer's treatment, fusion energy commercialization, AI language model improvements, and CRISPR genome editing. A recurring concern is instability in federal funding from NIH and NSF, immigration uncertainty for international scientists, and erosion of public trust in expertise. Despite these challenges, contributors express optimism grounded in America's long history of scientific resilience and innovation.
