Earlier this week, Steve Choi, an assistant professor of physics and astronomy at UC Riverside, traveled to Washington, D.C., to participate in the Planetary Society’s Save NASA Science Day of Action, an event dedicated to highlighting the importance of sustained federal investment in scientific research. 

The Planetary Society is an independent nonprofit organization co-founded by Carl Sagan in 1980 to advance space exploration, the search for life beyond Earth, and planetary defense. As the world’s largest community of space enthusiasts, it pursues these goals through advocacy, public outreach, and empowering individuals to support space exploration.

The event brought together scientists, educators, and advocates from across the country to meet with policymakers and discuss concerns about potential reductions to the NASA and National Science Foundation (NSF) budgets.

During the visit, Choi met with both California Senate offices and three House offices — those of Representatives Mark Takano, Dave Min, and Sara Jacobs — to emphasize how continued funding for NASA and NSF supports not only scientific discovery but also education and workforce development in STEM fields.

In the meeting with Rep. Takano’s office, the discussion included UCR’s vision for the Center for Experimental Cosmology and Instrumentation (CECI) within the Department of Physics and Astronomy. Choi highlighted how NASA-supported research, including work being done in his lab, connects directly to local educational and workforce development efforts, providing opportunities for UCR students to engage in hands-on scientific research and technology development.

“Federal support for NASA and NSF is vital for advancing research and innovation,” Choi said. “It also plays a crucial role in training the next generation of scientists and engineers, both nationally and here in Riverside.”