Nobel-winning chemist criticizes visa curbs as he relocates from US to China
Nobel Prize-winning chemist Omar Yaghi has criticized increasingly restrictive visa policies in the United States and other Western countries, warning they are undermining international scientific collaboration.
Yaghi, a Nobel-winning chemist who shared the 2025 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for his work on metal-organic frameworks, is relocating from the United States to China. He made this announcement as he prepares to leave the University of California, Berkeley, for Tsinghua University in Beijing. The U.S. research environment is currently experiencing uncertainty, with the Trump administration proposing significant changes to federal research funding and imposing stricter restrictions on collaborations with Chinese universities.
These factors have led many top scientists to seek opportunities overseas. In an interview with Times Higher Education, Yaghi criticized current U.S. policies, stating that they are making it increasingly difficult for scientists to collaborate across borders. He expressed concern that limited visa access is causing frustration and hopelessness among young scientists.
Yaghi also highlighted the challenges faced by academic couples, as visa restrictions hinder their ability to pursue careers in the same country. To address these issues, Yaghi argued for greater investment in international research partnerships and emphasized the importance of universities treating international engagement as a core mission.
He called for stronger global cooperation to foster scientific talent and drive innovation and economic growth.
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