Trump Administration Suspends Research Aimed at Assisting Infants with Heart Defects

James Antaki, a biomedical engineering professor at Cornell University, recently faced a devastating setback when a $6.7 million grant from the Department of Defense was abruptly revoked. This funding was aimed at enhancing the production and testing of PediaFlow, a device designed to improve blood flow in infants suffering from heart defects. Just a week after learning about the award on March 30, Antaki received a stop-work order on April 8, leaving him puzzled about the rationale behind the government’s decision. Antaki has devoted three decades to this research, and he expressed his determination to continue his work despite the challenging circumstances.

“I feel that it’s my calling in life to complete this project,” he stated, adding that he frequently grapples with the thoughts of giving up but believes it is not within his prerogative to do so. His situation reflects a broader trend impacting numerous scholars across various disciplines since President Donald Trump took office. Funding cuts have resulted from new executive orders and grant cancellations imposed by Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency. This challenge is particularly pressing as one in every 100 babies in the U.S. is born with a heart defect, many of whom require immediate medical interventions.

Antaki’s invention, which is about the size of a AA battery, utilizes a rotating propeller to enhance blood flow, supporting infants as they await surgeries or donor hearts. The recent funding was crucial for the prototype’s further testing and for navigating the regulatory process with the Food and Drug Administration. Antaki’s work began in 2003 and has previously received multiple grants from the National Institutes of Health and the Department of Defense. Unfortunately, he now faces the daunting prospect of layoffs in his lab and significant disruptions in his team’s research efforts.

As Dr. Evan Zahn, a pediatric cardiologist, noted, cutting funding for this research represents a regression in children’s healthcare, highlighting the critical need for advancements in pediatric medical devices. Without restoration of funding within 90 days, Antaki’s team risks disbanding crucial research efforts that could significantly benefit vulnerable infants.