New images could change cancer diagnostics but ICE detained the Harvard scientist who analyzes them

The pioneering microscope at the Harvard University College of Medicine can lead to breakthroughs in detecting cancer and researching age. But the scientist who developed the computer’s textual programs to read its pictures and open its full capabilities was at the Immigration Detention Center for two months – endangering the decisive scientific developments.

The world, the 30 -year -old Russian Kesino, worked at the famous Kirchner Laboratory at Harvard University until her arrest at Boston Airport in mid -February. She is now being held at the ICE reformist Richwood Center in Monroe, Louisiana, and is fighting the potential deportation of Russia, as she said that she fears persecution and imprisoned the time of her protests against the war in Ukraine.

Experts and Petrova colleagues said that the Petrova case and the detention of academics across the country has damaged the ability of universities in the United States to recruit and maintain leading talents. In fields where experience is often very specialized, talent loss can have severe consequences in the world for the future of medicine and scientific discovery. Legal experts said that scientists and faculty members are planning to leave institutions throughout the country, because they are concerned about canceling their visas or that they can be invaded in immigration work.

“I would like to call it the grinding machine,” said Petrova, who spoke with NBC News from the Louisiana facility, about arrest. “We are in this device, and it does not care if you have a visa, green card, or any specific story … it only lasts.”

A hearing in the Petrova Immigration Court in Louisiana is scheduled to be held on Tuesday morning. Her lawyer, Gregory Romanovski, said they expect more information about the issue of asylum after the session.

Dr. Lyon Bishkin, a major research scientist in the Harvard Biology Department of Harvard and Director and Teacher of Petrova, received a call from customs and border protection on February 16 after the arrest of Petrova agents at Logan International Airport in Boston because of their failure to declare samples of frog embryos to use in scientific research.

“We received a call,” I refused to enter, “he said. This is all that we can tell you to protect its privacy.

Romovsky said that CBP usually imposes sanctions on these customs violations: confiscating the elements and a fine, usually about $ 500, and that “for a violation for the first time, the fine is reduced to $ 50.” Instead, officials canceled the J-1 researcher visa in Petrova.

“This seems to be part of a wider effort to create an unwanted environment and hostile to non -citizens,” said Romovsky.

A spokesman for the Ministry of National Security told NBC News on Monday that Petrova “was legally detained after lying to federal officers about carrying materials in the country.”

“They asked whether I had any biological samples in my luggage. I said yes,” Petrova said before describing her confusion about procedures and interrogation by customs and border officers.

“No one knew what was happening to me. I had no contact, not for my lawyers, not Lyon, not for anyone. The next day, they didn’t say what happened. I was waiting in a cell.”

Bishkin said that international researchers have become increasingly concerned in response to the Trump administration’s aggressive approach to illegal immigration. When asked if he was concerned that these policies may discourage other international scientists from coming to Harvard University, he said: “I am not worried about it. I felt terrifying that this is the case.”

“He had an impact already. I hear from many colleagues that people who were planning to stay had changed their opinion because they needed to travel,” he said, adding that scientists attend conferences around the world to present their research and share knowledge.

A A modern survey from the Magazine of the Nature Scientific Journal He revealed that 75 % of 1,600 scientists who were surveyed were considering moving to Europe or Canada, citing the business of President Donald Trump. Separately, Database tracking from the top interior Ed He explains that, as of April 18, more than 240 colleges and universitys stated that more than 1550 international students and graduates have changed their legal status by the US State Department.

About 180 international students have submitted 28 federal lawsuits seeking to restore the status of the student program and exchange or US visas, within the higher ED reports. A lawsuit filed by international studentsAmong them is a doctorate who argues the candidates in STEM fields, on April 15 that ending the recent visa is “arbitrary, volatile, and unlike the constitutional right, power, concession or immunity.” Prosecutors argue that sudden changes to politics threaten their academic and professional future.

Harvard has been recruited Petrova about two years ago. Bishkin said she had graduated from the prestigious Russian physics and technology institute and was strongly recommended. I also joined the high school itself in its Moscow, which is the place that it describes as “people who are usually non -selfish, consecrated, and fanatical science, ascetic.”

“These are the people who are not in science to earn money. They are in science because they feel that their mission is to understand how nature works and find treatments.”

Bishkin immediately witnessed this quality in the sincerity of Petrova for its work and its willingness to overcome the mathematical sciences, which was recruited to do. He explained that their laboratory research “requires a unique group of skills because it should be able to work as an embryo and mathematics specialist applied, modeling, and vital data and information analysis – all in one pack.”

When asked about the number of people in his laboratory they can do all of this, he simply said: “It was only. He just had it.”

Others chanted this feeling. Dr. William Tarim, a post -PhD colleague, a co -worker and a fellow in Petrova, confirmed her indispensable role in her research project using the unique microscope. Petrova has developed computer textual programs to analyze 100,000 photos in a microscope.

“I am very confident that it is the only way we can achieve the true potential of this microscope and visions that we can make,” said Tim. “Without it, I fully think that all ideas in the basic treatments or biology that we can make will not be made.”

I visited her at the Reform Center in Louisiana. I recently sent biology books on request, so you can study during detention. He, like others, described her as uniquely dedicated to her work.

Petrova does not see herself this way – she is passionate about the work and its team, and she told NBC News in interviews about the video link that she believes that the job at the Kirschner Laboratory was a “miracle”.

In 2021, after obtaining a master’s degree, Petrova was recruited by Dr. Constantine Severinov, a prominent molecular biologist in Rutgers, for the Genoom climbing project in Moscow. “She is a very talented scientist with tremendous potential … the ability to be the best of the best,” he said.

When she was asked about her political activity, Petrova said she believed that there should be democracy in science, and that America was a “beautiful place” where people can express themselves freely.

She said, “I do not want to hide my political opinion.” “If you want to say something against Putin, there is no way you will not be in prison. There is no way you will not be arrested.”

Anxiety and increasing number of international scientists increasingly increasingly anxious about how immigration policies are applied in the United States. Meanwhile, he and his colleagues are awaiting the fate of Petrova with anxiety.

He said: “We don’t really know if we will see it again, because if they deport it to Russia, we may not see it again.”

This article was originally published on NBCNEWS.com