virusnerdette.bsky.social - Profile | ThreadSky | a Reddit-style client for Bluesky

This account is for sharing info with US scientists, both extramural and intramural to NIH, about attacks on science in the US. Education is power, and we can help advocate for science and medicine together. 💪🧪 We are a team of NIH people. Please ask us questions you might have.

submitted 30 days ago • 80 comments

First measles death in Texas. Unfortunately, not surprising. Number of cases likely to increase and we may see more deaths. A tragic, preventable death of a school aged child. But the outbreak is called "not so unusual" by RFK. Simply not true. This is both unusual AND preventable. #vaccineswork

submitted 2 days ago • 1 comment

“It is hard to put into words the extent of the damage being done to the US research enterprise, which is of almost incalculable value to both the nation itself and the wider world… these actions will make people in the US and around the world less prosperous and more vulnerable.”

submitted 2 days ago • 0 comments

RFK at his confirmation hearing: “I am not anti-vaccine” After RFK confirmed as HHS head: - CDC flu vaccine campaign pulled - Childhood vaccine schedule reviewed - Federal funding to schools with COVID vaccine mandates withdrawn - Meeting to update flu vaccines cancelled

submitted 2 days ago • 68 comments

FDA cancels meeting to select flu strains for next season's shots www.nbcnews.com/health/healt...

submitted 2 days ago • 7 comments

No indication as to why these types of meeting are being canceled. There are serious repercussions to public health by canceling these meetings. We are in the worst flu season in over a decade and we cannot afford to not be prepared for next year.

submitted 2 days ago • 0 comments

One of the remarkable things about #NIH is how rigorously its grants, research, and employees are reviewed. NIH science and scientists are held to a high standard by external reviewers — via study sections and councils, or BSC/site visit reviewers. And the reviews have teeth. 🧪

submitted 4 days ago • 8 comments

Yes this continues to be devatating. It is so much easier to destroy a world class scientific research enterprise than it will be to someday try to rebuild it.

submitted 4 days ago • 0 comments

NIDA has announced it, but all the NIH summer internship programs are likely cancelled. Sorry college students interested in STEM jobs, sorry high school students looking at science 🧪 careers. Trump and Musk are cancelling your futures.

submitted 4 days ago • 14 comments

Grateful for our incredible colleagues at NIAID. Your dedication, insights, and support inspire us every day. 🌟 @niaidnews.bsky.social

submitted 5 days ago • 0 comments

I’m kinda blown away by all these TikToks of people showing up to Republican reps’ town halls & letting them have it over Musk/Trump/DOGE. It seems grassroots. If it becomes a lasting trend to go to town halls, shout down people who are lying to you, and post it online, we might all survive this.

submitted 5 days ago • 75 comments

Everyone who ever got funding through NIAID should be aware of this bill and start sending messages to their US legislators. The bill intends to dissolve NIAID. This is Project 2025 www.congress.gov/bill/119th-c...

submitted 6 days ago • 4 comments

I reached out to a friend in Europe and asked his perspectives on what America is up to. "We're all looking on in dismay and bewilderment. Dismay at the reckless, utterly pointless damage that's being done, and bewilderment at how it's being allowed to happen." 1/2

submitted 6 days ago • 5 comments

Guardian story about Federal Register issue is up. www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...

submitted 6 days ago • 7 comments

Pretty sad. Just got the email that CZI is canceling the second round of Diversity Leadership Awards. Private industry will definitely not fill the hole that NIH and NSF are leaving. 😢💔

submitted 10 days ago • 56 comments

So #BillCassidy, #SusanCollins and the rest of the Quisling caucus knew that #RFKJr was lying then. But they cowered under the hot breath of the man in the White House and capitulated as they always do. Now, all this is on them.

submitted 10 days ago • 9 comments

I agree. Unfortunately, measles is one of the most transmissible viruses and the vaccination rate in this area of Texas is estimated at ~82%, well below the ~95% needed to prevent community transmission. I'm worry that the horse has left the barn here and this is just the beginning.

submitted 10 days ago • 0 comments

One of the many, many “pauses” and cancellations devastating our next generation of researchers. “The NIH Intramural Program has paused the recruitment of IRTAs, CRTAs, and Visiting Fellows in all training programs pending guidance from Health and Human Services. Check back daily for updates.”

submitted 11 days ago • 9 comments

The Program Officer of my R01 to be discussed next month was just fired. FIRED. She was going to send me a feedback on a Specific Aims page, but sorry, she was fired. If you are a scientist in the US and haven't gone nuts or lost you mind by know, you are completely delusional.

submitted 11 days ago • 7 comments

Destroying science, medical research, and universities is already well underway. We have heard from four different scientists in the last few days that they are actively calling colleagues abroad, asking about jobs.

submitted 12 days ago • 25 comments

The flying public needs answers. How many FAA personnel were just fired? What positions? And why?

submitted 12 days ago • 2398 comments

Do you have a friend or loved one with cancer? #DonaldTrump #ElonMusk #RussellVought are destroying cancer research, interrupting clinical trials and endangering patients. Call your Member of Congress every day until they take action and stop this. www.splinter.com/the-unhinged...

submitted 11 days ago • 1 comment

The trickle of updates of colleagues and friends purged is heartbreaking. Many of the POs and SROs that I know that joined in the last year were faculty that closed their labs and left positions to serve the country's scientific mission.

submitted 13 days ago • 4 comments

So a former postdoc from our department had just started as a PO at NIH and was terminated in the wave of terminations last week. He is in the research triangle and a phenomenal scientist with expertise in stress and glia. If anyone in the RTI is hiring asap please let me know! #neuroskyence

submitted 12 days ago • 23 comments

If only we had an effective vaccine that prevents measles, what is now the largest measles outbreak in the State's history in 30 years would be swiftly resolved 🙄. #VACCINATE www.nbcnews.com/health/healt...

submitted 12 days ago • 19 comments

For decades, the U.S. has funded science, then left scientists to direct their own work. Science has flourished, and the country has benefited. Now the government is testing just how much it can renegotiate that relationship, @katherinejwu.com writes:

submitted 13 days ago • 33 comments

An absolute must-read from @katherinejwu.com on the rapid destruction of American science: www.theatlantic.com/health/archi...

submitted 14 days ago • 2 comments

Sweeping layoffs are set to hit federal health and science agencies, including at the NIH, and former director Monica Bertagnolli called the situation at the NIH “devastating.”

submitted 12 days ago • 1 comment

Seeing US science being vandalised is devastating 💔 For anyone in need of a new job: we have several postdoc and PhD positions in computational genomics, cancer epigenetics and immunology available here in Oxford, UK. We still care about DEI, offer 3y+ contracts and do cool science - get in touch!

submitted 14 days ago • 0 comments

HEADLINE: Texas measles outbreak rises to 48 cases. It’s the state’s WORST in nearly 30 YEARS. There is absolutely NO REASON measles outbreaks should be on the rise. Two doses of MMR vaccine are 97% EFFECTIVE against measles. So, let’s talk about what YOU can do to PROTECT yourself AND others. 🧪🧵⬇️

submitted 12 days ago • 115 comments

“I never thought antivaxx policies would be put first in MY state,” sobs man who single-handedly cleared the way for antivaxxers to dictate health policy for the entire country

submitted 12 days ago • 65 comments

Gutting the CDC right as we’re on the cusp of major outbreaks of transmissible diseases is a very bad idea.

submitted 13 days ago • 1689 comments

ATTENTION (PLEASE SHARE) If anyone has or knows of any positions that might be appropriate for the NIH staff members who were terminated, please post the information in this thread. There are lots of talented and accomplished people who may be looking for new opportunities.

submitted 14 days ago • 92 comments

Thanks to all of the NIHers and their friends who reached out to me. I am still here (DM me or Signal jeremymberg.78) I still have a very incomplete picture but based on what I have been told, the damage to NIH and to many wonderful people who work(ed) there is/was impossible for me to imagine 1/n

submitted 13 days ago • 8 comments

It’s been buried in all the news today, but every scientist in the US should pay attention to this: Mike Lauer went out on a limb for us all, sending out a memo saying institutes should start awarding grants. And it looks like Trump/Musk fired him for that. 🧪

submitted 14 days ago • 21 comments

Yesterday many thousands of federal employees were terminated. This is a Reddit thread for federal employees that got laid off.

submitted 13 days ago • 84 comments

I'm still covering whatever the heck's happening to US federal science funding, especially at NSF and NIH. Any insider info, insights into long-term impacts or just feeling the weight of all the uncertainty? DMs open. Signal: kvasquez.12

submitted 14 days ago • 1 comment

Dear federal scientists: If you have been affected by the probationary firings and would be willing to speak with Science, please reach out to me by email ([email protected]) or on Signal. We can guarantee annonymity.

submitted 14 days ago • 24 comments