Kseniia Petrova, a 30-year-old scientist at Harvard Medical School, developed computer scripts for a groundbreaking microscope that could revolutionize cancer detection and longevity research. However, she has been detained in an immigration center for two months and faces potential deportation to Russia, where she fears persecution due to her protests against the war in Ukraine. Petrova’s detention, along with similar cases across the country, is damaging the ability of U.S. universities to recruit and retain international talent, which could have severe consequences for the future of medicine and scientific discovery globally. Petrova’s manager and mentor, Dr. Leon Peshkin, is deeply concerned about the impact of aggressive immigration policies on the scientific community, as other researchers are also considering leaving institutions due to fears of visa revocation or deportation. Petrova’s unique skills and dedication to her work have been highlighted by colleagues, who describe her as irreplaceable in their research projects. Despite the uncertainty surrounding her case, Petrova remains passionate about her work and believes that there should be democracy in science. International scientists like Petrova are increasingly worried about the enforcement of immigration policies in the U.S. and await her fate anxiously, as they fear that she may never return if deported to Russia.
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