Lilli Fishman spends most of her time in the lab.
And like most of the others here at the March for Science in Washington, D.C., on Saturday, she's worried about the future of funding for the sciences.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) LILLI FISHMAN, FOURTH YEAR PH.D. STUDENT AT UNIVERSITY OF TOLEDO, SAYING:
"People don't think about what that money really goes to - anything from pipette tips to cells - they cost money so we need that money to make this happen."
Fishman's a fourth year PhD student at the University of Toledo studying male infertility.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) LILLI FISHMAN, FOURTH YEAR PH.D. STUDENT AT UNIVERSITY OF TOLEDO, SAYING:
"A lot of the materials that I grow or when we have to buy sperm from a sperm bank, it's expensive. It's the same price that couples pay when they're doing IVF."
The march is putting President Donald Trump's questioning of climate change and proposed cuts to federal science programs at center stage.
Posters mocking the president line the crowds.
Science groups held teach-in's and discussions to promote environmental issues.
Jennifer Molner is the lead scientist at The Nature Conservancy's Center for Sustainability Science.
She too is concerned about funding, especially after Trump's budget proposal included a 31 percent reduction to the Environmental Protection Agency.
Molner hopes the march galvanizes the public.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) JENNIFER MOLNER, THE NATURE CONSERVANCY, SAYING:
"Whether it's providing us with clean air, clean water, giving us medicines that keep us healthy, I think it's really important for the public to see some of the exciting science work that's going on and speak out for why it's important."
A message these folks here hope the White House hears loud and clear.
Website: [ Ссылка ]
Facebook: [ Ссылка ]
Twitter: [ Ссылка ]
