In recent days we have received questions from the RPI community about an autism research project at RPI, as well as a recent federal proclamation about H1-B visas. We wanted to share additional information about these items to address some of those concerns.

Autism research
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently announced that it is going to fund a research project by Professor Juergen Hahn. The project is a statistical analysis investigating whether there are potential links between vaccine administration and autism diagnoses. Professor Hahn has previously used large datasets to explore different factors linked to autism.

The current scientific consensus is clear: to date, the vast majority of studies have not found an association. But science never stops. Even when prior studies have suggested certain conclusions, additional research, especially involving new sources of data, carries the potential to provide new insights to deepen scientific understanding.

We are aware of a petition calling for RPI to reject this project. RPI is a learning community in which academic freedom is a core principle. As with any funded research opportunity, this one involved a rigorous contract review process to safeguard the integrity and rigor of the science. At the conclusion of the project, Professor Hahn will be free to publish his findings. 

H1-B visa proclamation
The White House recently announced a proclamation concerning H1-B visas and a new requirement of a $100,000 fee for each new applicant. Based on the latest guidance, the fee only applies to new H1-B visa applications submitted after the government’s September 21, 2025, deadline. We are closely monitoring the situation and have reached out to our community members who are H1-B visa holders. Students with immigration-related questions should reach out to International Services for Students and Scholars by email at isssoffice@rpi.edu. Faculty or staff with immigration-related questions should contact Kathy McNamara in Human Resources by email at mcnamk@rpi.edu or by phone at (518) 276-8426.