Issue date: 2/1/08 Section: News

And increasing materialism makes the US less conducive to research careers, he said.

"Twenty or thirty years ago, the crème-de-la-crème of students would consider science research," Weinberg said.

"Now people who would have gone into something like biomedical research or some creative humanities area are lured [away] by huge salaries."

He said Penn can continue to improve the research climate with facilities that attract top researchers, such as the new medical school complex.

The University can also offer grants to start new projects and sustain current ones, he added.

But the bulk of funding must come from the government.

"The amount of money a university can put into research is just a drop in the bucket compared to what's needed," Weinberg said.

Fluharty said Penn looks for alternative aid from private corporations and foundations, and collaborates with peer institutions to lobby for more support.

"We need to ensure the government understands these kinds of cuts strike the heart of the nation's strength in science and technology," he said.

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