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Kristian G. Andersen

@kgandersen.bsky.social
17K followers 238 following 2.6K 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.

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Kristian G. Andersen @kgandersen.bsky.social · 17m
Looking forward to it!
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Greg Folkers @gregfolkers.bsky.social · 1h
CIDRAP: Hepatitis B vaccine study condemned as unethical wins approval from Danish university by Liz Szabo @cidrap.bsky.social @lizszabo.bsky.social bit.ly/4i9QSHf 💥
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Jemma Geoghegan @jemmageoghegan.bsky.social · 1h
See you in Geneva!
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Kristian G. Andersen @kgandersen.bsky.social · 4h
Good question...
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Kristian G. Andersen @kgandersen.bsky.social · 4h
I really *do* hope your article will age better than the one it covered 😜.
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Richard Sever @richardsever.bsky.social · 6h
"Jacobsen’s scenario is a poor map of biological risk...stacking worst-case assumptions about pathogen transmissibility, blurring the distinction between dual-use research and weaponization, and overstating what AI changes" thebulletin.org/2026/10/anni...
thebulletin.org
Annie Jacobsen’s road from Siberia to Armageddon is paved with bad assumptions
Following recent reports of a death at a secretive Siberian disease research lab, author Annie Jacobsen has become a sought-after media interview. Some interviewers are now casting Jacobsen's new best...
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Kristian G. Andersen @kgandersen.bsky.social · 6h
Overall, though, I'm glad to see CREID (re)funded and hope that the centers - despite the shackles they have been put in - will be able to continue their impactful work. The new+old CREID centers all do great work across the spectrum of infectious disease research, so seeing them funded is great!
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Kristian G. Andersen @kgandersen.bsky.social · 6h
Further, the prior quote from HHS said ".. CREID money will go to people looking at infectious diseases in public health." Which, given the fact that technologies and tools we developed as part of CREID v1 are highly utilized by public health agencies, locally, nationally, and internationally, is 🤷‍♂️
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Kristian G. Andersen @kgandersen.bsky.social · 6h
... which is kinda funny because HHS specifically told Science "The CREID program will focus on emerging pathogens [..], such as Ebola virus and hantaviruses.." 😆🤷‍♂️
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Kristian G. Andersen @kgandersen.bsky.social · 6h
"... “We’re not funding Kristian Andersen and that virologist crew,” the [HHS] official was quoted as saying [...] Science has confirmed that Andersen’s team applied for continued CREID funding but did not get a new award." Indeed. With a specific focus on Ebola, Hantaviruses, Mpox, and Lassa.
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Alex Crits-Christoph @acritschristoph.bsky.social · 12h
Maybe the only real lesson from the Russian PUE case has been that authoritative sources- medias, scientists, even the WHO itself- are overly uncritical of, and influenced by, misinformation and conspiratorial thinking. there is a need for more info hygiene and empirical skepticism in biosecurity.
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Amy Maxmen, PhD @amymaxmen.bsky.social · 11h
Russian bioweapon lab-leak pandemic? Nope, for the reasons stated in this oped from biosecurity wiz @ggronvall.bsky.social. But, she writes, there are plenty of related reasons to be worried. www.nytimes.com/2026/10/08/o...
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Kristian G. Andersen @kgandersen.bsky.social · 08/10/2026
Oh, definitely all of them - except the latter 😆.
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Greg Folkers @gregfolkers.bsky.social · 07/10/2026
ScienceInsider: November elections may bring little relief for scientists beleaguered by Trump If Democrats win one or both chambers of Congress, investigations are likely, but meaningful change may elusive By @jocelynkaiser.bsky.social @policyhound.bsky.social @science.org bit.ly/4zlHxlC
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Kristian G. Andersen @kgandersen.bsky.social · 07/10/2026
Yup, I agree with all of that - and as I mentioned in my reply too, the key is that chronic infections are likely rare in all/most (non-bat...) mammals. bsky.app/profile/kgan...
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Kristian G. Andersen @kgandersen.bsky.social · 07/10/2026
Since I'm getting some questions related to the talk itself - I unfortunately don't have a recording, but here are the slides. bsky.app/profile/kgan...
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Kristian G. Andersen @kgandersen.bsky.social · 07/10/2026
I haven't studied the origin question for more than a year now, so it fits. I'm done with the topic [unless more data were to show up...] 😆😇.
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Kristian G. Andersen @kgandersen.bsky.social · 07/10/2026
IT'S NEVER HAPPENED BEFORE!!!!! 😆
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Kristian G. Andersen @kgandersen.bsky.social · 07/10/2026
Nice find by @gregfolkers.bsky.social btw - I don't know how he does it... 🤷‍♂️⚡
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Kristian G. Andersen @kgandersen.bsky.social · 07/10/2026
I try... 😆
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Kai Kupferschmidt @kakape.bsky.social · 07/10/2026
"Information from Russia has been incomplete, confusing, and contradictory." My colleague @martinenserink.bsky.social on what we know so far about the possible plague death in Russia and the implications. 🧪
science.org
Possible plague death at a Siberian lab baffles scientists
Much is unclear about the tragedy, but plague researchers say there is “zero” chance of an epidemic
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Kristian G. Andersen @kgandersen.bsky.social · 07/10/2026
Oh, I am - to all my amazing colleagues, collaborators, and mentees - and, of course, for the talk, those who invited me for the visit. I can't imagine that was easy and certainly not without risk. Which is an insane thing to have to say.
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Kristian G. Andersen @kgandersen.bsky.social · 07/10/2026
A scientist gave a scientific talk - on scientific work he has led for 5+ years - on a scientific topic at a scientific institution. And apparently it's so newsworthy that Politico had to write about it? Talk was only possible thanks to "academic freedom", apparently 🙄. What a world we live in 😵‍💫.
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Kristian G. Andersen @kgandersen.bsky.social · 07/10/2026
Correct, the source could have been a single animal, although I expect likely more (chronic infections in intermediate hosts are likely as rare as in humans). Haven’t seen any studies on iSNVs in bats, but I agree that’d be cool!
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Kristian G. Andersen @kgandersen.bsky.social · 07/10/2026
Thanks again to the organizers for inviting me and for all of those who listened in - sorry I couldn't be there in person as initially planned. I believe the talk was recorded, but I'm not sure these are made publicly available. I'll find time one day to give a proper recorded talk... One day...
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Kristian G. Andersen @kgandersen.bsky.social · 07/10/2026
Today I gave a talk at the NIH on "Virus Emergence & The Origin of Pandemics". I had a fun time presenting on five+ years of collaborative research and got a lot of great questions! The NIH Director even found time to tweet about it.. 💫 Slides for those interested: andersen-lab.com/files/2026.1...
Virus Emergence & The Origin of Pandemics
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Kristian G. Andersen @kgandersen.bsky.social · 06/10/2026
Nice one 😆. I hope he got a chance to listen in.
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Aaron Rupar @atrupar.com · 06/10/2026
Trump: "With the war, it's just artificial. It's a little bit high. It's a small price to pay ... let them take out Los Angeles, let them take out San Diego. This is a very small price to pay."
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Kristian G. Andersen @kgandersen.bsky.social · 06/10/2026
Looking forward to it! I had to cancel my travel because of some family stuff, but looking forward to giving the talk virtually!
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Kristian G. Andersen @kgandersen.bsky.social · 05/10/2026
Just a friendly reminder that plague is prevalent, including in the western United States (see, prairie dogs), with multiple cases annually. It is also highly treatable and, yes, lab acquired infections (incl. fatal cases) have happened over the years, including e.g., UChicago.
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Greg Folkers @gregfolkers.bsky.social · 05/10/2026
Nature: AI biohazard hype must not divert attention from the real risks we face now by Saskia Popescu @nature.com @saskiapopescu.bsky.social bit.ly/4AQkwZo
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Ran Blekhman @blekhman.bsky.social · 04/10/2026
My inbox is being flooded with fully AI-generated emails from prospective students. I tried to work out why I can't bring myself to read them, and ended up with some thoughts and advice for writing cold emails in the age of AI. My new post: blekhman.substack.com/p/why-i-am-n...
blekhman.substack.com
Why I am not reading your AI-generated email
I hope this email finds you well-aligned
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Gigi Gronvall @ggronvall.bsky.social · 03/10/2026
I enjoyed joining Sam and Philipp for Science Counterpunch! We talked biosafety, biosecurity, and why real scientific progress is essential to preparedness. Protecting people requires investing in the science and capabilities that make us all safer. Thank you for having me on!
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Kristian G. Andersen @kgandersen.bsky.social · 03/10/2026
"The future depends on wisdom that Silicon Valley lacks" That's exactly right - a critical read on the future of AI (safety): www.theatlantic.com/technology/2...
theatlantic.com
I Quit OpenAI Because Its Culture Is Broken
The industry’s approach to safety will guarantee more failures unless something changes.
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Greg Folkers @gregfolkers.bsky.social · 03/10/2026
Health Policy Watch: COVID-19 Drops Out of World’s Top 10 Causes of Death for First Time Since Pandemic Began by Stefan Anderson @healthpolicywatch.bsky.social @stefananderson.bsky.social bit.ly/4hDFMsS 💥
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Kristian G. Andersen @kgandersen.bsky.social · 03/10/2026
Absolutely - the conspiracy theories will continue in perpetuity (see, flat earth, faked moon landings, HIV and lyme lab leaks, climate change, etc, etc), but they will fade out of the mainstream, only to become relegated to the loony bin with all the rest of them. In time.
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Kristian G. Andersen @kgandersen.bsky.social · 03/10/2026
For sure - and that'll continue for the time being, however, I am a firm believer in the fact that truth will always prevail and as for the current moment, people will eventually tire of all the dumbfuckery and realize it's not a viable path forward.
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Kristian G. Andersen @kgandersen.bsky.social · 03/10/2026
.. diagnosed with pneumonia of unknown causes.” And: “no indication that the WIV’s pre-pandemic research holdings included SARS-CoV-2 or a close progenitor..” In other words, the ICs have absolutely nothing pointing to a lab leak. Zilch.
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Kristian G. Andersen @kgandersen.bsky.social · 03/10/2026
I’m sorry to hear - and, of course, the editor is wrong. Always wort quoting the ICs themselves: “Information available to the IC indicates that the WIV first possessed SARS-CoV-2 in late December 2019, when WIV researchers isolated and identified the virus from samples from patients…
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Kristian G. Andersen @kgandersen.bsky.social · 03/10/2026
I’m confident it won’t, for the simple reason that the science stands and the conspiracy theories are more insane than most, involving whole cabals of scientists and public health officials. It’ll require time, but this will be a key component of our future, saner, history books of the pandemic.
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Amy Maxmen, PhD @amymaxmen.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
The Ebola outbreak in Congo is now exploding in North Kivu, where 34% of Ebola patients are being treated in bare-bones health facilities instead of Ebola Treatment Units, according to @msf.org 3,982 confirmed deaths 😔 www.doctorswithoutborders.org/latest/ebola...
doctorswithoutborders.org
Ebola outbreak spreading like “wildfire” across North Kivu
The province is bearing an increasing share of the Ebola burden in DR Congo, while access to specialized care remains insufficient.
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Kristian G. Andersen @kgandersen.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
H/T to @runestava.bsky.social and @philippmarkolin.eurosky.social for noticing this excellent article. And, yes, go read @philippmarkolin.eurosky.social's book - it's excellent and exceptionally well researched.
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Kristian G. Andersen @kgandersen.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
Norway has been an interesting case study in how far lab leak conspiracy theories can spread in the media because of just a few commentators - who are so far over their skis that they'd make Holmenkollbakken jumpy - dominating the discourse. It won't last. www.journalisten.no/nar-mainstre...
journalisten.no
Når mainstream media fremmer konspirasjons­teorier
Jeg har lenge irritert meg over hvordan den såkalte lab leak-teorien er blitt presentert i norske medier. Teorien dreier seg om at covidpandemien stammer fra et virus som lekket fra et laboratorium i ...
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Amy Maxmen, PhD @amymaxmen.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
Absolutely stunning/horrifying to see a 5th measles death in PA. This means the outbreak is probably far higher than numbers count, seeing as roughly 1-3 people die per 1,000. Many people aren't being tested. Also: I'm going to states now for info, not the CDC* app.powerbigov.us/view?r=eyJrI...
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Kristian G. Andersen @kgandersen.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
"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...
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Greg Folkers @gregfolkers.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
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
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Kristian G. Andersen @kgandersen.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
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.
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Michael Hobbes @michaelhobbes.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
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.
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Michael Hobbes @michaelhobbes.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
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.
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Kristian G. Andersen @kgandersen.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
That is definitely too hot for Copenhagen!
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