Sign in

Kristian G. Andersen

@kgandersen.bsky.social
17K followers 237 following 2.5K posts

Infectious diseases & genomics. Immunologist in (voluntary) exile. Minimal sarcasm. Fierce HOA (Hater of Acronyms). Personal account - opinions expressed are my own and not those of my employer.

PostsRepliesMedia
Kristian G. Andersen @kgandersen.bsky.social · 8h
"Den politiske virus" For de danske, med abonnement - jeg kan ikke læse den, men lyder relevant 😆. www.weekendavisen.dk/samfund/den-...
weekendavisen.dk
Den politiske virus
Covid-19. Republikanerne ønsker at se USAs mest berømte sundhedschef, dr. Fauci, bag tremmer. Han beskyldes for at dække over sin egen andel i coronakrisens oprindelse. En dansker spiller en ufrivilli...
040
Reposted by Kristian G. Andersen
Greg Folkers @gregfolkers.bsky.social · 8h
Pennsylvania DoH Confirms Fifth Measles-Associated Death, Provides Statewide Update on Outbreak as Cases Reach 943 in 39 Counties bit.ly/47yDbvn2 Lancaster County, unvaccinated
361
Kristian G. Andersen @kgandersen.bsky.social · 10h
Counterpoint(ish..) from Gates and IMO significantly more informed from someone who has a deep(er) understanding of the models and software - and has thought hard about societal impacts. I don't agree on some of his "bioterrorism" fears, but everything else, 👍. www.nytimes.com/2026/09/29/o...
nytimes.com
Opinion | Bill Gates’s Blunt Warning on A.I.
As A.I. capabilities accelerate, the technologist is shocked by the “complete lack of engagement” with the question of how to manage its risks.
1123
Reposted by Kristian G. Andersen
Michael Hobbes @michaelhobbes.bsky.social · 13h
My favorite example of this is the lab leak, where LEAKED SECRET SLACK MESSAGES show scientists going "wow, this could really be a lab leak," then investigating, finding no evidence and moving on. To this day conspiracy theorists claim the chats prove the leak is real.
541923
Reposted by Kristian G. Andersen
Michael Hobbes @michaelhobbes.bsky.social · 13h
I'm sure it wasn't the first time it happened, but this was the first time I noticed the pattern where conspiracy theorists declare complete vindication on the basis of LEAKED SECRET DOCUMENTS that even more strongly prove that they are wrong.
1262662
Kristian G. Andersen @kgandersen.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Pre-2023: Make sure you have no typos in your CV!!! Post-2023: Make sure you have typos in your CV!!!
48313
Kristian G. Andersen @kgandersen.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
That's one helluva opener @theguardian.com...
1161
Reposted by Kristian G. Andersen
Amy Maxmen, PhD @amymaxmen.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
While the news & white papers breathlessly cover the idea of a threat of a future AI bioweapon, an Ebola outbreak is escalating, having killed nearly 4,000 people so far. The Trump admin has diminished US support to control it w/travel bans, an eroded CDC & a hobbled WHO www.who.int/emergencies/...
who.int
Ebola disease caused by Bundibugyo virus - Democratic Republic of the Congo
Since the last Disease Outbreak News was published on 11 September 2026, the Bundibugyo virus outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has expanded further, with two additional health zones af...
06642
Reposted by Kristian G. Andersen
Ryan Hisner @ryanhisner.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
Mink farming is a massive pandemic risk. It's insane that they are allowed to exist. Now we have an active H5N1 outbreak on a mink farm, & "state officials have no clear plan to rein it in." Imagine if uncontrolled H5N1 transmission in mink were allowed in a research lab...
1118582
Kristian G. Andersen @kgandersen.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
I don't care how many lists they make, there can only be one - and it's been known since 2002. Forever and always.
Bunk
1141
Reposted by Kristian G. Andersen
Nick Loman @pathogenomenick.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
This is spectacular: kudos to whoever did it meridian-ai.info
meridian-ai.info
Meridian — Pathogen surveillance, reasoned by AI, pandemic ready.
6243
Reposted by Kristian G. Andersen
Greg Folkers @gregfolkers.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
JID: Effectiveness of timely hepatitis B birth dose vaccination to prevent mother-to-child transmission in Ethiopia Waiting until 6 weeks not good. Need birth dose. Nega Berhe⁠ et al bit.ly/3T7DPN7
072
Reposted by Kristian G. Andersen
Amy Maxmen, PhD @amymaxmen.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
CDC is reporting one US measles death in 2026, but won't say when or where. Pennsylvania clearly reports that four people have died with measles in their state. The obstruction of public health data serves no one (except for an administration hellbent on saving face).
011735
Kristian G. Andersen @kgandersen.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
On current events. www.nytimes.com/2026/09/24/o...
nytimes.com
Opinion | Don’t Give Trump the Benefit of Low Expectations (Gift Article)
Trump’s flailing presidency leaves Americans with the thinnest of hopes for this week’s summit: that he does not further damage the national interest.
131
Kristian G. Andersen @kgandersen.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
This is very much worth listening to. I'll largely keep my opinions to myself, but this one spanned strong disagreement (no, we can't just let the TechBros figure it out) to strong agreement (general risk discourse) and everything in-between. Give it a listen. www.nytimes.com/2026/09/23/o...
nytimes.com
Opinion | Jensen Huang Thinks A.I. Alarmism Has Gone Too Far (Gift Article)
Jensen Huang, the chief executive of Nvidia, does not want you to be afraid of A.I.
251
Reposted by Kristian G. Andersen
Stefan Pöhlmann @snpoehlm.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
🧪Where is SARS-CoV-2 circulating? Below is a collection of useful surveillance sites from around the world - wastewater, genomic and respiratory-virus data - that may help you assess virus circulation in your area and make informed decisions about protection.
46737
Reposted by Kristian G. Andersen
Rep. Scott Peters @repscottpeters.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
Science shouldn’t be political. Researchers need stability to develop the cures and treatments patients rely on. President Trump’s repeated attacks on research funding will lead to fewer scientific breakthroughs happening in America. In San Diego, it means fewer jobs and more economic chaos.
nytimes.com
White House Moves to Take Control of N.I.H. Grants
Federal officials are drafting an executive order that would place grants under review by an outside panel, the latest effort to redirect billions of dollars in research spending.
2188
Kristian G. Andersen @kgandersen.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
"White House Moves to Take Control of N.I.H. Grants" [everybody up in arms, as they should be, but for those who have been paying close attention, this has pretty much already happened - the realization just hasn't sunk in yet] www.nytimes.com/2026/09/20/s...
nytimes.com
White House Moves to Take Control of N.I.H. Grants (Gift Article)
Federal officials are drafting an executive order that would place grants under review by an outside panel, the latest effort to redirect billions of dollars in research spending.
1015270
Reposted by Kristian G. Andersen
Greg Folkers @gregfolkers.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
Politico: Trump asked budget chief to draft order bringing health research funding under his control By @sophiacai.bsky.social and @timroehn.bsky.social Proposed board would include Bhattacharya and Vought and would be required to reach unanimous decisions on grant awards.... politi.co/4iEqx56
1107
Kristian G. Andersen @kgandersen.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
PJ.2.1 seems a likely *parental* lineage for our winter wave this year. It's clearly got teeth, but given its very high ACE2 binding and low immune escape, I expect it'll be an off-shoot of it that'll gain traction. Maybe even a near-complete sweep, which has been a while.
14817
Kristian G. Andersen @kgandersen.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
"Pennsylvania’s Measles Outbreak Is Enormous". Indeed it is. Given 4 _reported_ deaths from measles and given a 0.1% - 0.3% CFR, the true number of cases - currently reported at 731 - is likely a couple/few thousand. That is big - and 100% vaccine preventable. www.theatlantic.com/health/2026/...
theatlantic.com
Pennsylvania’s Measles Outbreak Is Enormous
The two latest deaths suggest that the true number of infections is much larger than reported.
5236122
Kristian G. Andersen @kgandersen.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
I have been spending a bit of time reading up on the AI Bioweapons discourse on X and I must say, fascinating. It also made me realize that if we truly want to save the world* cutting tweets back down to 140 characters would likely be a lot more effective than blocking basic research in Claude.
7405
Reposted by Kristian G. Andersen
Claus Wilke @clauswilke.com · 15/09/2026
The Department of Integrative Biology at UT Austin has two open positions for assistant professors, one in evolutionary biology and one in mechanistic processes. Please share. Apply here: apply.interfolio.com/193270
Two Assistant Professor Positions in Evolutionary Biology and Mechanistic Processes

Description
The Department of Integrative Biology at The University of Texas at Austin seeks to fill two faculty positions in the areas of Evolutionary Biology and Mechanistic Processes, broadly defined. We are looking for candidates who are advancing (1) evolutionary biology or (2) the mechanistic understanding of organismal processes. These positions will be filled at the level of Assistant Professor.


Qualifications
Candidates should be using innovative approaches in evolutionary biology and/or the mechanistic understanding of whole-organism processes. Mechanistic processes include, but are not limited to, behavior, biomechanics, cognition, physiology, and development. The phylogenetic scope of the Evolutionary Biology position may include eukaryotes, prokaryotes, viruses, and the scale may include individual molecules to entire ecosystems and beyond. Candidates for either position may employ experimental, theoretical, or computational frameworks, or a combination thereof. Special consideration will be given to applicants with demonstrated potential for integrating across our target disciplines. 

We seek applicants with a strong record of high-quality research, publications, potential for extramural funding, and a commitment to excellence in teaching and mentorship. A PhD or equivalent is required at the time of appointment, and postdoctoral research experience is strongly recommended.
05483
Reposted by Kristian G. Andersen
Claus Wilke @clauswilke.com · 15/09/2026
I wrote up my thoughts about the COVID origin. I don't plan to weigh in on the topic beyond this one post for the next five years or so. Looking into what the evidence says once or twice every decade feels like a good cadence. blog.genesmindsmachines.com/p/it-still-w...
blog.genesmindsmachines.com
It still wasn’t a lab leak
Six years in, all the evidence points in one direction
23517
Kristian G. Andersen @kgandersen.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
More reporting on how scientists were trying to create bioweapons and how that was blocked by Anthropic. Again, that is not correct - Anthropic blocked what was likely basic research. I understand the concerns and the difficulty, but hyped and inaccurate reporting does not help. nyti.ms/4rdk6rJ
nyti.ms
A.I. Queries From Abroad Raise Fears of a Biological Weapons Race (Gift Article)
Today’s chatbots aren’t likely to help lone actors invent a deadly pathogen, experts say. But newer models, trained in biology, may need stronger safeguards.
14217
Reposted by Kristian G. Andersen
Greg Folkers @gregfolkers.bsky.social · 13/09/2026
ScienceInsider: “Chilling” warning or overreaction? AI bioweapons report divides experts By Jocelyn Kaiser @science.org @jocelynkaiser.bsky.social bit.ly/4rtJytr
132
Reposted by Kristian G. Andersen
Greg Folkers @gregfolkers.bsky.social · 13/09/2026
Guardian: Food-borne illnesses, funding cuts and layoffs: Maha movement’s glaring limitations are now showing Policies enacted by RFK Jr have not delivered the expected results, but have instead hindered people’s ability to eat healthy by Melody Schreiber @melodyschreiber.com bit.ly/3UPchwo 💥
bit.ly
Food-borne illnesses, funding cuts and layoffs: Maha movement’s glaring limitations are now showing
Policies enacted by RFK Jr have not delivered the expected results, but have instead hindered people’s ability to eat healthy
3188
Reposted by Kristian G. Andersen
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
Kristian G. Andersen @kgandersen.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
Let me bring up one example from Anthropic's report and compare the proposed research to a paper we wrote: "Genomic and phenotypic analyses suggest moderate fitness differences among Zika virus lineages". See the difference? Yeah, except the virus, me neither. journals.plos.org/plosntds/art...
27628
Kristian G. Andersen @kgandersen.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
Good read. What truly baffles me seeing this "AI-designed-printed-in-the-lab-bioweapon will kill us all" guff is the fact that we have *the* biggest, out-of-control, Gain-of-Function experiment, in BSL-0, already running rampant in the US. In cattle 🐮. Yet, 🦗. www.theatlantic.com/health/2026/...
theatlantic.com
The AI Pandemic Isn’t On Its Way
Yet plenty of others might be, thanks to evolution.
56029
Reposted by Kristian G. Andersen
Greg Folkers @gregfolkers.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
Ars Technica: The quick guide to fall vaccines and when you should get them / nice chart bit.ly/4r8kwzx @arstechnica.com by @bethmariem.bsky.social
196
Kristian G. Andersen @kgandersen.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
When I read the news, I'm repeatedly being told that "AGI is just around the corner - keep sending billions, please" and "AI is going to kill us all within a decade"... Color me skeptical.
2267
Kristian G. Andersen @kgandersen.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
I guess that works 🙄.
1174
Reposted by Kristian G. Andersen
Alex Wild @alexwild.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
Ultimately, this letter from NSF is an announcement that universities will be funded a lot less and politically-connected industry will be funded a lot more. Fancy words around old-fashioned corruption.
nsf.gov
NSF leadership in a new golden age of science
The U.S. National Science Foundation was established in 1950 to keep American discovery at the frontier. That mission has not changed. The science and technology ecosystem around it has...
7319169
Kristian G. Andersen @kgandersen.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
Controversial, not so controversial, take - the dangers posed by AI are real, current, and well-documented. Those do not include human extinction within a decade, nor do they include AI-manufactured-printed-out-in-the-lab bioweapons, yet, those are the ones we chose to focus on. Good lord.
411018
Kristian G. Andersen @kgandersen.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
Take a look at the examples Antrophic provides for research that they blocked, and it's immediately clear almost much all of it is just basic research - but research that has gotten scary-sounding names via the media. An example, put Ebola genomes into Claude Science and ask for a TMRCA > blocked!
1319475
Reposted by Kristian G. Andersen
Onisillos @onisillos.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
"As of 7 September, the Democratic Republic of the Congo has reported a total of 6757 confirmed cases, including 3267 deaths (CFR 48.3%) … The historical CFR from the past two BVD outbreaks, reported in Uganda and in [DRC] in 2007 and 2012, were 30% and 50%, respectively."
who.int
Ebola disease caused by Bundibugyo virus - Democratic Republic of the Congo
Since the last Disease Outbreak News was published on 28 August 2026, the Bundibugyo virus outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has expanded to one additional health zone, Kayna, in North ...
02616
Kristian G. Andersen @kgandersen.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
Inspired by recent website shenanigans from USG - and prompted by one of my talented graduate students - I present to you a new subdomain of our website... Play along: arcade.andersen-lab.com
54717
Kristian G. Andersen @kgandersen.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
Imagine that - a novel, highly divergent, betacoronavirus with a weird-looking* furin cleavage site popped right out of a bat butt 🦇. You gotta wonder 🤔. www.nature.com/articles/s41...
56919
Reposted by Kristian G. Andersen
Michael Hobbes @michaelhobbes.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
I like AOC, but this is an incredibly bad analysis of the MAHA movement.
youtube.com
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Joins Us In Studio! | MR Live
YouTube video by The Majority Report w/ Sam Seder
451535196
Reposted by Kristian G. Andersen
Kai Kupferschmidt @kakape.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
Great 🧵 There’s been a willingness from the beginning to try and find the handful sane MAHA policy positions instead of concentrating on the overwhelming agenda of rolling back science, evidence and public health. But when someone offers you a shit sandwich you don’t concentrate on the bread part.
24212
Kristian G. Andersen @kgandersen.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
In case you were wondering if grant making is political or merit based. arc.net/l/quote/faja... *Note, CREID had nothing to do with "biodefence" - it was a network focused on emerging infectious diseases and the threats they pose.
44524
Kristian G. Andersen @kgandersen.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
"Separation from the CDC and its consequences" "Three-quarters faced financial barriers to health care, nearly 80% reported moderate or severe sleep problems, and half experienced moderate or severe psychological distress" academic.oup.com/healthaffair...
academic.oup.com
Separation from the CDC and its consequences for the public health workforce: findings from the CDC WISE Survey
AbstractIntroduction. Since January 2025, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has shed more than one-quarter of its workforce through layo
03014
Reposted by Kristian G. Andersen
Gregg Gonsalves @gregggonsalves.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
No one. No one. No one can ever say to me again that Jay Bhattacharya was a reasonable pick for NIH Director. He was and is an ideological zealot. This is his doing. Shame on him. Shame on Matthew Memoli, Jon Lorsch, John Powers and the rest of them at NIH.
5282100
Reposted by Kristian G. Andersen
Greg Folkers @gregfolkers.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
New NIAID Strategic plan Launched quietly I guess. Apologies if I missed the press release. No more discussion of emerging infectious diseases/pandemic preparedness. That's not good amid the many ongoing outbreaks/epidemics and the ones to come. NIH Jay Bhattacharya RFK bit.ly/4qYzkRa
59459
Kristian G. Andersen @kgandersen.bsky.social · 05/09/2026
"The F.B.I., which has for years asserted that the virus originated in the Wuhan lab, has also more recently examined whether Dr. Fauci pushed a group of scientists in early 2020 to downplay early suspicions that the coronavirus may not have evolved naturally". www.nytimes.com/2026/09/05/h...
nytimes.com
Inside the D.O.J.’s Investigation of Fauci and Other Virus Scientists (Gift Article)
As Dr. Anthony Fauci has faced public scrutiny from congressional Republicans, the D.O.J. has pursued a quieter and more expansive effort against a wider circle of researchers.
32410
Kristian G. Andersen @kgandersen.bsky.social · 05/09/2026
Important context missing from all the reporting I have seen so far is the fact that Kadlec is a major Lab Leaker and with one of the craziest “hypotheses” to boot - that SARS-CoV-2 was a bioweapon, specifically created to target the brain but, weirdly, also a vaccine… That’s critical context.
1220685
Reposted by Kristian G. Andersen
Max Kozlov @maxkozlov.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
🚨 The NIH is moving to transfer hundreds of millions of dollars in infectious-disease research projects to the DOD under a secret 10-year pact. Here’s what’s happening inside “Operation Prevailing Edge” 🧵👇 www.nature.com/articles/d41...
nature.com
Revealed: inside the US military's plan to tap huge sums from the NIH
An agreement paves the way for hundreds of millions of dollars’ worth of projects to be transferred from the NIH’s institute for infectious diseases to the Department of Defense.
26444376
Kristian G. Andersen @kgandersen.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
The sole purpose of this is to suck NIAID dry and take away funding for infectious disease research. The administration attempted to do that earlier by demanding major restructuring and funding cuts for NIAID, but were rebuffed by congress - this'll achieve the same www.nytimes.com/2026/09/04/u...
nytimes.com
Pentagon Agreement With N.I.H. on Biodefense Draws Alarm From Democrats (Gift Article)
Under a new partnership, the Defense Department would play a larger role in biodefense and pandemic preparedness. Democrats warned it could allow a Pentagon cash grab.
23115
Reposted by Kristian G. Andersen
Jonathan Howard @joho.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
Confirmation from Podcast Jay himself.
NIH funds should be used to improve the health of Americans.

Far from siphoning money away from research, this partnership between 
@NIH
 and 
@DeptofWar
 focuses on research projects that will drive discoveries to improve the health of American citizens and members of the military. Led by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, all work will be 100% aligned with our public health mission.
34116