Sign in

Nina J. Gao

@biologistnina.bsky.social
1.1K followers 117 following 82 posts

microbiologist 🦠🧫 in public health | she/her | Ph.D., PHM, D(ABMM) | Opinions are my own

PostsRepliesMedia
Reposted by Nina J. Gao
Terry McGlynn @hormiga.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
I became a biologist because of a museum exhibit. Real artifacts tell stories that are more powerful than anything we can get from scrolling. They are part of our engine for training the next generation of scientists. 🧪 scienceforeveryone.science/the-awesomen...
scienceforeveryone.science
The awesomeness of museums
Genuine artifacts tell the richest stories that fill our souls. And they fuel the scientific enterprise.
922080
Reposted by Nina J. Gao
WHO @who.int · 29/09/2026
Once symptoms of rabies set in, it is fatal. But, rabies deaths are preventable. And every minute matters. Here's what you need to know.
09036
Reposted by Nina J. Gao
Amesh Adalja @ameshaa.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
“Hillsborough county authorities have expressed optimism that dengue infections might slow down in the coming weeks, with zero “mosquito test pools” testing positive recently” www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...
theguardian.com
Dengue fever outbreak prompts Florida counties to declare state of emergency
CDC says 392 cases of Dengue were reported for the year so far in the state, along with different county-level data
022
Reposted by Nina J. Gao
ASM @asm.org · 29/09/2026
Join ASM and APHL tomorrow, Sept. 30 at 2 p.m. ET to learn how to relocate laboratories with biological safety requirements, particularly BSL-2 and BSL-3 facilities, presents unique regulatory and validation challenges. Register for free: asm.social/36G #ASMClinMicro
asm.social
Moving BSL-2/3 Labs (An ASM-APHL Webinar)
This webinar will explore best practices for planning and executing laboratory moves while maintaining biosafety, containment integrity and compliance.
011
Reposted by Nina J. Gao
Gail Hansen @gailrhansendvm.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
There is not a shred of evidence that she will follow science; every indication that she will loyally follow Trump no matter what lies he spouts. www.cidrap.umn.edu/childhood-va...
cidrap.umn.edu
Public health advocates express concern about nominee to lead the FDA
024
Reposted by Nina J. Gao
Apoorva Mandavilli @apoorvanyt.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
I’ve been reporting on the CDC for years, and have written about many of its troubles over the past year. I was still shocked by the extent of the staff losses and political interference I found when reporting this one. www.nytimes.com/2026/09/26/h...
nytimes.com
‘Zombified’ C.D.C., Hobbled by Cuts, Struggles to Fulfill Scientific Mission (Gift Article)
The agency has lost its independence and nearly a third of its staff, as Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and associates have tightened control.
381374572
Reposted by Nina J. Gao
Jonathan Pruneda @jnpruneda.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
Calling all microbiologists of the PNW! Please join us at this year's ASM Northwest Branch Meeting in Moscow, ID over 10/31-11/1. @drpaulrowley.bsky.social has put together a fantastic schedule - you won't want to miss it! See our website for details: www.nwasm.org Spread the news!
nwasm.org
American Society for Microbiology | Northwest Branch
Welcome to the NW ASM Branch Meeting website serving professionals in Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Montana.
043
Reposted by Nina J. Gao
Dorit Reiss @doritreiss.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
Local, state public health officials overwhelmingly faced serious backlash during pandemic, report reveals www.cidrap.umn.edu/public-healt... via @missmeghanmack.bsky.social @cidrap.bsky.social
cidrap.umn.edu
Local, state public health officials overwhelmingly faced serious backlash during pandemic, report reveals
1218
Reposted by Nina J. Gao
ASM @asm.org · 23/09/2026
Join us Sept. 24 at 12 p.m. ET to discuss the 2026 Cyclospora outbreak. We will examine the partnership between clinical and public health laboratories during outbreak response, including surveillance investigations. Register for free: asm.social/368 #ASMClinMicro
asm.social
ASM-CDC Cyclospora Webinar
The session will also discuss emerging diagnostic technologies, diagnostic stewardship considerations and lessons learned that can help laboratories prepare for and respond to future outbreaks.
033
Reposted by Nina J. Gao
Sarah McAnulty, Ph.D. @sarahmackattack.bsky.social · 21/08/2026
Goooood morning! The 2026 Snail Facts Calendars are OUT! We've got 24 days of scratchable snail fact goodness, designed by Philly artist Kelly Nichols! Advent calendars are cute as hell, a delightful tradition, and keep @skypeascientist.bsky.social funded! Get one at SquidFacts.net Pls repost ❤️
An 11x14 inch poster featuring snails, slugs, nudibranchs, and other snails! There are 24 yellow-green snail shells that you can scratch off. There's a leaf sheep and sea bunny and sea angel and fire snail and banana slug and mystery snail and ramshorn snail and candy cane snail
15372278
Reposted by Nina J. Gao
Sarah McAnulty, Ph.D. @sarahmackattack.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
Attention Philadelphia! We need your help saving the Academy of Natural Sciences! The Save the Academy Coalition needs volunteers to help hand out organizing flyers in front of the museum this weekend, Sept 25-27. Please sign up here if you can take a shift! docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
docs.google.com
Help Save the Academy: Volunteer to talk with visitors and hand out flyers at the Academy.
Sign up for a shift outside the Academy of Natural Sciences during its last open days: Fridays to Sundays, Sept 18 to 20 and 25 to 27, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Volunteers will be on the ground outside the Ac...
09382
Reposted by Nina J. Gao
IDSA @idsainfo.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
Hear from IDSA, the Vaccine Integrity Project, and representatives from @ama-assn.org, @aafp.org, AAPA and @acog.org next Wed. Sept. 23 at 12pm ET for a free webinar highlighting this season’s respiratory virus immunization recommendations. Register: bit.ly/4dFZjrb
164
Reposted by Nina J. Gao
Ed Yong is offline @edyong209.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
Briefly popping my head back in to unveil the cover of my upcoming book, LIFE BEYOND MEASURE: Nature's Hidden Wonders at Every Scale. It’ll be out on April 6 in the U.S. and April 29 in the U.K. and you can pre-order it right now! www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/757705... 1/
A book cover featuring a beautiful closely cropped portrait of an Anna's hummingbird. The cover says LIFE BEYOND MEASURE: Nature's Hidden Wonders at Every Scale, by Ed Yong. The image also says US: 4/06/27 and UK: 4/29/27
271621360
Nina J. Gao @biologistnina.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
CDC recently released a HAN on nation-wide increase in rabies exposure and therefore post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP): www.cdc.gov/han/php/noti... This piece is poignant: even if you can get the vaccine in a timely manner, there are cost$
cdc.gov
Nationwide Increase in Reported Human Rabies Exposures: Rabies Post-exposure Prophylaxis Administration
Nationwide Increase in Reported Human Rabies Exposures: Rabies Post-exposure Prophylaxis Administrat
000
Reposted by Nina J. Gao
Greg Folkers @gregfolkers.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
A duty to act Emily Sickbert-Bennett   et al now in 12 journals bit.ly/4r9r1Cp
11510
Nina J. Gao @biologistnina.bsky.social · 06/09/2026
Hell.
000
Reposted by Nina J. Gao
Robert Reich @rbreich.bsky.social · 16/08/2026
The cyclospora outbreak has reached 13,895 cases across 47 states. The FDA has recalled 1.6 million eggs due to salmonella contamination. Screwworm cases continue to rise. And we’ve just surpassed 2,500 measles cases — breaking 2025’s record. “Make America Healthy Again.”
860210307938
Reposted by Nina J. Gao
American Society for Virology @amersocvirology.bsky.social · 06/08/2026
ASV stands in support of Dr. Tony Fauci and his long career advancing the health of Americans and protecting them from the worst infectious diseases.
Official statement from ASV in support of Dr. Tony Fauci.
011540
Reposted by Nina J. Gao
Chair in European Values (UCLouvain) @values4eu.bsky.social · 02/08/2026
"I hope we learn from COVID-19 (..) how we balance different values. Public health has a (..) priority on saving and protecting lives. But there are other values that are also important. (..) how we balance all those different values?" @npr.org @ayesharascoe.bsky.social www.npr.org/2026/08/02/n...
npr.org
Trust in public health institutions is eroding. What can officials do?
NPR's Ayesha Rascoe discusses America's declining trust in public health officials with Marianne Udow-Phillips, a lecturer at the School of Public Health at the University of Michigan.
073
Reposted by Nina J. Gao
Paul Alcocer @paul28730.bsky.social · 25/07/2026
This is the latest one that I can't believe doesn't have legs. They listed all the grants by whether the states they were in went for Harris or Trump and whether they had at least one republican Senator. All grants in Harris states w/o a republican Senator were canceled.
nytimes.com
Trump Administration Admits Canceling Grants to States That Did Not Vote for Him (Gift Article)
Federal officials said in court documents that they halted billions of dollars in funding for energy projects to states “based solely” on whether they backed President Trump in the 2024 election.
10257109
Reposted by Nina J. Gao
ProPublica @propublica.org · 23/07/2026
Autopsies show how hard doctors tried to save babies who died after not getting a vitamin K shot: tubes inserted in their airways, blood transfusions. They’re excruciating to read because they underscore how preventable these deaths could have been. (Published May)
propublica.org
What I Can’t Forget About the Babies Who Died After Not Receiving a Vitamin K Shot
Babies have died after not receiving the vitamin K shot at birth. Their autopsy records underscore how preventable their deaths could have been.
511489631
Nina J. Gao @biologistnina.bsky.social · 21/06/2026
👀
000
Reposted by Nina J. Gao
ProPublica @propublica.org · 09/06/2026
NEW: Regulators have linked Mark McAfee’s raw dairy farm to more than a dozen recalls and outbreaks that left hundreds of people ill. “I’ve put a couple kids in the hospital,” McAfee said. “But here’s the thing: I’m a pioneer.”
propublica.org
He Profits Off Raw Milk That's Making People Sick. The Government Isn't Stopping Him.
With Raw Farm, the largest raw-milk dairy in the country, Mark McAfee has capitalized on a once-fringe product that's been thrust into the mainstream in recent years and backed by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
51528181125
Reposted by Nina J. Gao
André Picard @picardonhealth @picardonhealth.bsky.social · 10/06/2026
Tetanus is making a comeback. The U.S. just recorded its highest annual death rate in two decades. Experts attribute this 'comeback' to declining vaccination rates and warn that cases could rise further, by @meryldl.bsky.social www.nationalgeographic.com/health/artic...
nationalgeographic.com
Tetanus is making a comeback. There’s an easy way to fight back.
It's easy to dismiss, but more Americans died from tetanus last year than any year in nearly two decades.
45241
Reposted by Nina J. Gao
Sarah McAnulty, Ph.D. @sarahmackattack.bsky.social · 05/06/2026
🚨🦐🚨🦐🚨🦐🚨 This is a Shrimp ALERT 🚨🦐🚨🦐🚨🦐🚨 Anyone who buys a shirt in the final day of our pre-sale gets entered to win a shrimp plate, handmade by the shrimp artist The 666 Cat! These shirts fund science education in Philly & are cool as hell. It's last call for shrimp! Get one at SquidFacts.net
a shrimp sweats on a square 4 inch platea cream colored t-shirt with a bunch of shrimp all over it. It's titled "Shrimp City (& friends)" with himbo shrimp, yeti shrimp, mantis shrimp, pistol shrimp, and a hermit crab living in a skull
113255
Reposted by Nina J. Gao
Carl T. Bergstrom @carlbergstrom.com · 06/06/2026
Remember the current NIH director going on about protecting researchers from government censorship? Today his people called the police in to forcibly remove my colleagues from their own society meeting for sharing an editorial published in their flagship journal that was critical of him. Gift link
nytimes.com
Police Remove Diabetes Experts From Conference for Distributing Critique of Trump Administration
5629151465
Reposted by Nina J. Gao
Greg Folkers @gregfolkers.bsky.social · 06/06/2026
MMWR: Notes from the Field: Outbreak of Ebola Disease Caused by Bundibugyo Virus — Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda, May 2026 Delayo L. Zomahoun et al bit.ly/4xcY0bA
bit.ly
Notes from the Field: Outbreak of Ebola Disease Caused ...
This report describes a large outbreak of Bundibugyo virus disease identified in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda.
064
Reposted by Nina J. Gao
Richard Waite @waiterich.bsky.social · 05/06/2026
17) Dismantling USAID also led to ending of a program to monitor flesh-eating screwworms in Central America, which are now back on U.S. soil for the first time since 1966. (The screwworms are typically found in warmer climates, but may now be moving further north due to climate change.)
bbc.com
US plans to fight flesh-eating screwworm outbreak with flies and dogs
The insect, which has been found in America for the first time since 1966, is a growing concern in the southern US.
29447
Nina J. Gao @biologistnina.bsky.social · 04/06/2026
New world screw worm has made it into the US in Texas. www.aphis.usda.gov/news/agency-...
aphis.usda.gov
USDA Confirms Presence of New World Screwworm in the United States | Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
An official website of the United States government
010
Reposted by Nina J. Gao
WHO @who.int · 03/06/2026
🔴 LIVE - Press conference with @drtedros.who.int on #Ebola Bundibugyo and other global health issues ▶️ www.youtube.com/live/CdEW7qr...
youtube.com
LIVE: Media briefing on the Ebola outbreak caused by Bundibugyo Virus with Dr Tedros
YouTube video by World Health Organization (WHO)
02714
Reposted by Nina J. Gao
Carl Zimmer @carlzimmer.com · 02/06/2026
Scientists are scrambling to test vaccines and drugs that can work against the Bundibugyo virus. Here's my story on some of their prime candidates. Gift link: nyti.ms/4u7cN4A
nyti.ms
59433
Reposted by Nina J. Gao
WHO @who.int · 02/06/2026
Ebola disease is a severe, often fatal illness transmitting from animals to humans and between humans. Here’s what you need to know about how it spreads, the symptoms, and how to prevent infection.
712757
Reposted by Nina J. Gao
NPR @npr.org · 01/06/2026
The outbreak remains focused in Congo's eastern Ituri province. Congo has reported over 1,000 suspected cases with the Bundibugyo virus, which has no approved treatment or vaccine. n.pr/4fjUQfB
n.pr
Confirmed Ebola cases in Congo reach 282 as survivors describe their recoveries
The outbreak remains focused in Congo's eastern Ituri province. Congo has reported over 1,000 suspected cases with the Bundibugyo virus, which has no approved treatment or vaccine.
313447
Reposted by Nina J. Gao
Sarah McAnulty, Ph.D. @sarahmackattack.bsky.social · 29/05/2026
Word on the reef is, shrimp are SO in this season. A crab told me. And bonus? These shirts fund our fall Philly Bug mural series. 3 Murals, 3 Artists, 3 Neighborhoods, All bugs baby. Don't get caught without a crustacean. Tell your friends. Get a shrimp shirt. At SquidFacts.net (pls RT)
A cream colored shirt with a red and blue design featuring 9 crustaceans and a fly. A scuba diving Fly Says a”am I shrimp too?” A pistol shrimp wearing a cowboy hat says “bang bang” a mantis shrimp says KO, the title says a”shrimp city and friends” a hermit crab uses a skull as a shell, a jumbo shrimp is labeled himbo shrimp, and a yeti crab is labeled “snack bacteria cafe”. The fly has an asterisk next to him and underneath the whole design it says *the latest research shows that bugs is actually shrimp”
4219105
Reposted by Nina J. Gao
Elizabeth Jacobs, PhD @elizabethjacobs.bsky.social · 28/05/2026
Jay Bhattacharya has been a constant critic of the CDC and of public health strategies to protect the public from infectious disease. After mass firings of expert staff, he’s now looking for untrained volunteers to screen airport passengers for Ebola symptoms. A lot could go wrong with this.
abcnews.com
CDC asks staff to volunteer to help with Ebola screenings at airports amid DRC outbreak
The CDC sent an "urgent request" to staff to help screen passengers coming from Central Africa for any potential signs of Ebola illness.
28348155
Reposted by Nina J. Gao
California Department of Public Health @capublichealth.bsky.social · 25/05/2026
📢 Exposure to MMA in Orange County right now is low if you evacuate. Leave the zone now to stay safe. Stay out of the area until given the all-clear. www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/OPA/Pages/… #GardenGrove #Evacuate #OrangeCounty #WeArePublicHealth
011635
Reposted by Nina J. Gao
Carl Zimmer @carlzimmer.com · 25/05/2026
WHO chief says suspected Ebola deaths at 220 and 'epidemic is outpacing us' www.rte.ie/news/world/2...
rte.ie
WHO chief warns Ebola 'epidemic is outpacing us'
⁠The director-general of the World Health Organization said that there had been 220 suspected deaths in the current Ebola outbreak and that a delay in detecting cases meant responders were now "playin...
36036
Reposted by Nina J. Gao
NPR @npr.org · 24/05/2026
One California town is in a state of emergency and 50,000 people are under an evacuation order as a malfunctioning chemical tank at an aerospace plant is overheating and could leak or explode.
n.pr
California chemical tank has cracked causing state of emergency, thousands to evacuate
One California town is in a state of emergency and 50,000 people are under an evacuation order as a malfunctioning chemical tank at an aerospace plant is overheating and could leak or explode.
23352102
Reposted by Nina J. Gao
Alex Sundermann, DrPH @sundermannaj.bsky.social · 25/05/2026
2nd attack on Ebola center where people demanded bodies back I haven’t seen news reports cover the need for safe/dignified burials in these incidents The practice which needs close, trusted community contacts www.washingtonpost.com/world/2026/0...
washingtonpost.com
Young men storm a Congo hospital treating Ebola patients to demand bodies of their kin
A local hospital official says that angry young men stormed a hospital treating Ebola patients at the heart of an outbreak in eastern Congo, demanding the bodies of their relatives
11710
Reposted by Nina J. Gao
Governor Gavin Newsom @governor.ca.gov · 24/05/2026
We have requested that President Trump issue an emergency declaration to support response operations in Orange County.
59650183
Nina J. Gao @biologistnina.bsky.social · 24/05/2026
CDC recently released operational guidance for investigation of locally acquired malaria. As we head towards summer in the us, check for standing water where mozzies may breed!! 🦟 Just a bottle cap full of water can be enough for some species! www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes...
cdc.gov
CDC Operational Guidance for Investigating Locally ...
This report describes operational guidance for public ...
031
Reposted by Nina J. Gao
Sarah McAnulty, Ph.D. @sarahmackattack.bsky.social · 23/05/2026
Everyone who pre-orders shrimp city shirt will get a free shrimp temporary tattoo 😘 These shirts are how we’re funding our fall mural series - 3 murals created by Philly women & gender non-conforming artists, about our city’s most charasmatic bugs! We’re almost 20% funded! SquidFacts.net
A jumbo- no, himbo shrimp pumping iron and holding a chain with a heart on the bottom
516459
Reposted by Nina J. Gao
BK. Titanji @boghuma.bsky.social · 22/05/2026
As Ebola resurfaces in eastern DRC and Uganda, familiar patterns are returning too. Fear, travel bans, stigma, and selective compassion. I wrote about what this outbreak about preparedness, whose lives we value and what we owe each other. bktitanji.substack.com/p/what-we-ow...
bktitanji.substack.com
What We Owe Each Other: Ebola, Borders, and the Politics of Shared Humanity
As Ebola resurfaces, familiar patterns of fear, exclusion, and selective compassion return with it
37839
Reposted by Nina J. Gao
Governor Gavin Newsom @governor.ca.gov · 23/05/2026
If you're in the area impacted by this incident in Garden Grove, follow local evacuation orders and guidance from local emergency officials. Get the latest information ➡️ ggcity.org/emergency
KTLA (May 22, 2026 at 2:23 PM):

#BreakingNews: Thousands of Orange County residents remained under evacuation orders Friday after officials warned that a massive storage tank leaking hazardous chemicals at a Garden Grove aerospace facility could potentially rupture or explode. Fire officials said in a news conference Friday that the situation had escalated significantly overnight and warned that crews had been unable to fully stabilize the overheating 34,000-gallon tank containing methyl methacrylate, a volatile and highly flammable industrial chemical.California Governor's Office of Emergency Services (May 22, 2026 at 3:05 PM):

Shelters are available for individuals evacuated in Garden Grove. Visit https://ggcity.org/emergency for additional information.

Garden Grove Sports & Recreation Center
13641 Deodara Dr
Garden Grove, CA 92844
(714) 741-5783

Cypress Community Center
5700 Orange Ave
Cypress, CA 90630
(714) 229-6780
20512198
Reposted by Nina J. Gao
NPR @npr.org · 23/05/2026
About 40,000 people were under evacuation orders and schools shut down Friday in Southern California after a storage tank continued to leak a hazardous chemical that officials said could rupture or explode. n.pr/42QnAVY
n.pr
40,000 people under evacuation orders after chemical tank leak in Southern California
About 40,000 people were under evacuation orders and schools shut down Friday in Southern California after a storage tank continued to leak a hazardous chemical that officials said could rupture or explode.
721559
Reposted by Nina J. Gao
WHO @who.int · 17/05/2026
Under the IHR (2005), @drtedros.who.int, the Director General of WHO, having consulted the States Parties where the event is occurring, has determined that the Ebola disease caused by Bundibugyo virus in DRC & Uganda constitutes a public health emergency of international concern bit.ly/3P4ZDac
Epidemic of Ebola Disease caused by Bundibugyo virus in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda determined a public health emergency of international concern
8231135
Reposted by Nina J. Gao
BK. Titanji @boghuma.bsky.social · 15/05/2026
The Ebola outbreak in the DRC has now been confirmed as the Bundibugyo strain. This is not good news, there are no licensed or candidate vaccines for this strain. No monoclonal antibodies. I am sure experimental antivirals will be tried. www.afro.who.int/countries/de...
afro.who.int
Democratic Republic of the Congo confirms new Ebola outbreak, WHO scales up support
The World Health Organization (WHO) is rapidly scaling up support to the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo following confirmation of an outbreak of Ebola Bundibugyo in the country’s n...
616688
Reposted by Nina J. Gao
Dr Emma Hodcroft @firefoxx66.bsky.social · 14/05/2026
Nextstrain #ANDV trees updated with a few improvements: - 2 outbreaks marked - host scientific/common name added - province now visible on map - date colouring added Here's a quick tour of how to change colours, geography & names! Links to trees here (scroll down): nextstrain.org/groups/hodcr...
25428
Reposted by Nina J. Gao
Bethany Brookshire @beebrookshire.bsky.social · 14/05/2026
Thank you @maiasz.bsky.social for this: the Trump admin likes to tout its success reducing overdoses but is cutting money to PREVENT those overdoses taking place, replacing hard-won harm reduction policy with yet more stigma. www.nytimes.com/2026/05/14/o...
nytimes.com
Opinion | Overdose Deaths Are Dropping. Maybe Not for Long.
073