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Kristina Brooks

@kmb-pharmd.bsky.social
800 followers 1.3K following 3 posts

Clinical pharmacologist specialized in HIV and all things antiviral. Views are my own. 🦠👩‍🔬🧪

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Reposted by Kristina Brooks
Jenna Norton @jenna-m-norton.bsky.social · 09/08/2025
The NIH clinical center has long accepted trial participants regardless of documentation status. Remember, clinical trial participation is a gift to others, a donation to the greater good, with no guarantee of benefit to the participant. This is a new low. www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/...
washingtonpost.com
Patient seeking care at NIH hospital detained by ICE
NIH officials called immigration authorities after scrutinizing the patient’s identification presented to security at the National Institutes of Health Clinical Center.
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Madhu Pai, MD, PhD @madhupai.bsky.social · 01/07/2025
Mpox in Africa "It is hard to envisage a similar degree of complacency and indifference to human deaths and suffering had the outbreaks been occurring in the Global North" @thelancet.com www.thelancet.com/journals/lan...
thelancet.com
The mpox response: African leadership, global responsibility
On June 9, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus announced that mpox would remain a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC)—the highest level of alarm under international he...
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Elizabeth Jacobs, PhD @elizabethjacobs.bsky.social · 25/06/2025
Dr. Steven Rosenberg is a world-class surgeon who led breakthroughs in cancer research at NIH. He has been vocal about the delays to clinical trials caused by rampant staff cuts. Jay Bhattacharya, current NIH Director, has the weapons-grade arrogance to call Dr. Rosenberg a liar.
Screenshots of three posts from Bhattacharya that say: 

Jay Bhattach...
@NIHD... • 22h g.••
The @NIH remains absolutely committed to the health and welfare of our clinical trial participants, so many of whom over the years have been successfully treated and helped advance medical knowledge by orders of magnitude. 1/3
Jay Bhattach...
@NIHD... •22h g.••
I find it deeply disappointing of Dr.
Rosenberg to claim staffing issues are delaying his research, especially in light of the funding alternatives that were presented to him, which he has been slow in pursuing.
目 2/3

Jay Bhattach. & B @NIHD... •22h g...
As to the current re-organization, no clinical trial has been delayed, nor has any participant been dropped from any clinical trial. These are the facts. NIH clinical trial participants and the American people need to know them. 3/3
@11 1724 0300
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Krutika Kuppalli, MD FIDSA @krutikakuppalli.bsky.social · 21/06/2025
Phasing out NIH’s HIV clinical guidelines is flat-out immoral and unethical. These guidelines drive early diagnosis, ART initiation, and viral suppression—82% linked to care within 30 days, 69% virally suppressed by 6 months. Removing them puts millions of lives at risk. wapo.st/3FQovhf
wapo.st
Administration to phase out NIH support of HIV clinical guidelines
The National Institutes of Health will phase out its support of the clinical practice guidelines that advise doctors how to diagnose and treat HIV.
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Dr. Lucky Tran @luckytran.com · 18/06/2025
Wow. Lenacapavir, a twice-yearly shot that prevents HIV spread was just approved by the FDA. The problem? Due to government cuts to Medicaid, PEPFAR, and Global Fund, it's unlikely this game-changing drug will reach the many people who need it most in the US and globally.
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Megan Ranney MD MPH @meganranney.bsky.social · 15/06/2025
Over the next 25 years, if proposed cuts in NIH funding are made real, “In a population of more than 340 million, this reflects **82 million** fewer years of life.” In the US alone. jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
jamanetwork.com
Cutting the NIH—The $8 Trillion Health Care Catastrophe
This JAMA Forum discusses the recent budget cuts to National Institutes of Health (NIH), the effects of these cuts on scientific research and health of individuals in the US, and the prospects for cha...
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Stand Up for Science! @standupforscience.net · 10/06/2025
Sen. Baldwin with opening statement: "if this administration has its way, it will dismantle biomedical research enterprise...w/o NIH there would be no cancer immuno therapy, no overdose reversal treatment...Congress has spent 100 years building up NIH as the world's premier biomedical institution."
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Jeremy Berg @jeremymberg.bsky.social · 09/06/2025
Here is a link you can blast out to all of your networks to ask them to consider signing on in support of our NIH heroes. actionnetwork.org/forms/add-na... We are at 5000 folks who have signed on. But we can do better Only for people who have ever been sick or knows someone who has been.
actionnetwork.org
ADD YOUR NAME: Sign the Open Letter in Support of NIH Staff
Join the courageous and committed National Institutes of Health (NIH) public servants by adding your name now.
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Aaron Rupar @atrupar.com · 03/06/2025
wow -- @lawrenceodonnell.msnbc.com chokes up while talking about how the Trump administration is killing kids who relied on USAID to get life-saving medicine
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Mina Kimes @minakimes.bsky.social · 30/05/2025
Musk should be asked about this in every interview he does now and forever. To ignore it is a dereliction of duty. www.nytimes.com/2025/05/30/o...
There is one place, however, where Musk, with the help of his minions, achieved his goals. He did indeed shred U.S.A.I.D. Though a rump operation is now operating inside the State Department, the administration says that it has terminated more than 80 percent of U.S.A.I.D. grants. Brooke Nichols, an associate professor of global health at Boston University, has estimated that these cuts have already resulted in about 300,000 deaths, most of them of children, and will most likely lead to significantly more by the end of the year. That is what Musk’s foray into politics accomplished.
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Chise @sailorrooscout.bsky.social · 20/05/2025
GUYS. The comment period for this ends in THREE DAYS. PLEASE if you have even a little bit of time, submit a comment here: www.regulations.gov/commenton/FD... Let them know EVERYONE should be able to get COVID vaccines. They BACK DOWN when WE PUSH BACK. www.statnews.com/2025/05/20/f...
statnews.com
FDA will limit Covid vaccines to people over 65 or at high risk of serious illness, leaders say
The FDA announced it will limit access to Covid-19 vaccines going forward to people 65 and older and others at high risk of serious illness
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Princess Vimentin PhD | Cancer Biologist @princess-vimentin.bsky.social · 16/05/2025
🧪 This is important.The public has vague awareness about why research is important. But what needs emphasis is the details on HOW the govt is crippling research. Every state needs public outreach by local organizations. 6O Minutes & John Oliver aren’t enough. talkingpointsmemo.com/edblog/a-pat...
talkingpointsmemo.com
A Path Forward to Save American Bio-Medical Research
Over the past four months, I’ve spoken to dozens of biomedical researchers...
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Jeremy Berg @jeremymberg.bsky.social · 08/05/2025
Powerful new piece "Inside the Bloodbath at the NIH" from @gregggonsalves.bsky.social in The Nation... www.thenation.com/article/poli...
thenation.com
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Julia Raifman, ScD @juliaraifman.bsky.social · 29/04/2025
“A complete cessation of US funding without replacement by other sources of funding would lead to dramatic increases in deaths from 2025-2040: 15.2 (9.3-20.8) million additional AIDS deaths, 2.2 (1.5-1.9) million additional TB deaths, 7.9 million additional child deaths from other causes”
papers.ssrn.com
The Effects of Reductions in United States Foreign Assistance on Global Health
Background: The United States (US) has traditionally been the largest donor to health programs in low- and middle-income countries. In January 2025 almost all s
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Liz Szabo @lizszabo.bsky.social · 18/04/2025
Kids who participate in Head Start see benefits immediately and many years later. They’re more prepared for kindergarten and more likely to graduate high school.
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Joseph Cherabie MD MSc (They/He) @jncherabiemd.bsky.social · 25/03/2025
Strong words from my brilliant colleague @anuhazramd.bsky.social concerning the NIH HIV cuts. Read the whole article here #SaveHIVFunding #HIVSky #IDSky @hivma.bsky.social www.cnn.com/2025/03/25/h...
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Angie Rasmussen @angierasmussen.bsky.social · 24/03/2025
The pandemic inspired a whole new generation to pursue careers in infectious disease research & response. They made it through COVID only to face destruction at the hands of their own government.
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BK. Titanji @boghuma.bsky.social · 22/03/2025
I know there's a lot happening but this week several grenades were thrown to decimate domestic HIV treatment and prevention research. I know more colleagues with canceled grants than not. Our patients will die or get worse care as a direct result. www.theatlantic.com/health/archi...
theatlantic.com
What It Really Means to ‘Give Infectious Disease a Break’
The Trump administration isn’t just dismantling protections against illnesses. It’s inviting them right in.
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Josh Barocas, MD ⭕️ @jabarocas.bsky.social · 21/03/2025
I hope that folks in media know the scope of the bloodbath that is happening across the #NIH. They are literally cutting millions of $ focused on #HIV, improving human health across populations, & PREVENTING DISEASES. I can't go 1 hour without another colleague telling me their work was ended (1/3)
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Edward Nirenberg @enirenberg.bsky.social · 19/03/2025
Today on “Get me out of this solar system” www.nbcnews.com/health/healt...
nbcnews.com
Trump administration considers plan to eliminate CDC's HIV prevention division
If the administration does move forward with the plan, the CDC’s HIV prevention work could move over to another department under HHS.
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Gregg Gonsalves @gregggonsalves.bsky.social · 16/03/2025
Universities need to stand up. Students, faculty and staff must press presidents and trustees on this. Your silence will not protect you. www.thecrimson.com/article/2025...
thecrimson.com
First They Came for Columbia | Opinion | The Harvard Crimson
We must learn from the past. We cannot remain silent in the face of authoritarian attacks on our peers, even if they have not yet come for us.
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Andres Henao, MD PhD FIDSA @andhen25.bsky.social · 13/03/2025
It’s with great pleasure to introduce our @tainfdis.bsky.social journal to @bsky.app We welcome innovative and groundbreaking clinical research in infectious diseases Please connect with us ❤️❤️
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Alt NIH Bluesky 🧪 @altnih4science.bsky.social · 13/03/2025
Trump just withdrew the bad CDC nominee after public blowback about the measles vaccine. Scientists, we can achieve the same with the bad NIH nominee. Public pressure can force out Bhattacharya. Your voices are needed now. Please take action. 🧪
reuters.com
White House withdraws Trump's pick Dave Weldon as CDC director pick
The White House is withdrawing President Donald Trump's nomination of Republican former congressman and vaccine critic Dave Weldon to serve as director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a source briefed on the matter said on Thursday.
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Kristina Brooks @kmb-pharmd.bsky.social · 13/03/2025
Proud to be part of the #ACTG A5418 study team! This is why we need these studies - we can’t rely on animal data alone and people deserve safe and effective #mpox treatment. Stay tuned for more on the PK and PK/PD! @cupharmacy.bsky.social @cuanschutz.bsky.social #IDSky www.nih.gov/news-events/...
nih.gov
Tecovirimat is safe but ineffective as treatment for clade II mpox
NIH-sponsored trial data offer further evidence to help inform mpox treatment decisions.
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Jeff Duchin @docjeffd.bsky.social · 11/03/2025
“Decades of research and hundreds of carefully designed and scientifically sound studies show no link or association between vaccines and autism.” www.idsociety.org/news--public...
idsociety.org
Statement on CDC Decision to Study Vaccines and Autism
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Hank Green @hankgreen.bsky.social · 02/03/2025
We are experiencing an assault on science unparalleled by anything I’ve seen in my life. It’s not one issue or another anymore, the entire institution is under attack by the most powerful individuals in the country. This Friday, where will you be? standupforscience2025.org
standupforscience2025.org
STAND UP FOR SCIENCE
March 7, 2025. Washington DC and nationwide. Because science is for everyone.
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AltFDA @altfda.altgov.info · 02/03/2025
Have you been RIF’ed (insert ambulance chaser commercial here) we we have some info for you.
Ag in states looking for RIFed ppl. NM, AZ, CA, MD, MI, Mm, NV, OR, WA, RI, VT
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Alt NIH Bluesky 🧪 @altnih4science.bsky.social · 01/03/2025
Francis Collins, longtime NIH director with bipartisan bona fides*, retires as of yesterday. He returned to NIH in 2023 to focus on research in his own lab, in the NIH in-house intramural research campus. His letter seems to imply he wasn’t ready to leave. NIH is being torn down. 1/🧪 #academicsky
Statement by Francis Collins, MD. PhD
March 1, 2025 Yesterday I notified NIH Acting Director Matt Memoli, MD of my retirement from the federal government.
effective February 28, 2025. The National Institutes of Health is the world's foremost medical research institution. It has been rightfully called the "crown jewel" of the federal government for decades. It has been the greatest honor of my life to be part of this institution in various roles
over the last four decades. In the 1980s, NIH supported my work at the University of Michigan through a peer-reviewed grant. That led
to the identification of the gene for cystic fibrosis. Thirty years later that has led to an almost miraculous treatment that allows most kids with cystic fibrosis to
look forward to an almost normal life span. I was recruited to NIH in 1993 to lead the Human Genome Project - an extraordinarily bold initiative to read out the three billion letters of the human DNA instruction book. Funded by the U.S. Congress, the project completed its work -- two years ahead of schedule, and $400 million under budget. The success of the project, and the commitment to share all of the data rapidly and freely, has revolutionized every aspect
of human biomedical research and medical practice. Subsequently I was honored to be asked to serve as the Director of the National Institutes of Health. I had the chance to serve three Presidents - Barack Obama, Donald Trump, and Joseph Biden. I also had the opportunity to work regularly
with members of Congress in both parties. I loved those interactions and
relationships.
Throughout that time, investmentrelieving
human suffering, and
contributing
substantially to the U.S. economy.
That consistent
support
made
possible
bold
new projects
in regenerative medicine, brain science, precision health, cancer, and solutions for opioid addiction, to name just
a few. When the worst pandemic in more than a century arose in 2020, it was my job as Director of NIH to pull together partnerships with the FDA, academia, and the private sector to produce what only America's unparalleled biomedical sector could have: COVID vaccines in just 11 months, a staggering medical
achievement that saved over three million lives in the
U.S.alone. After a stint in the White House as the President's Acting Science Advisor, where I had the chance to organize a major initiative to eliminate hepatitis C in the United States, i returned to the intramural research program of the National Human Genome Research Institute in 2023. There I have been overseeing a research laboratory of a dozen highly talented and visionary scientists who are providing new insights into the causes and possible means of prevention of type 2 diabetes, as well as seeking a gene therapy cure for one of the world's rarest diseases - progeria, a
premature aging disorder. NIH is the largest supporter of biomedical research in the world. It is the main piston of a biomedical discovery engine that is the envy of the globe. Yet it is not a household name. It should be. NIH supports everything from basic science to clinical trials,
providing the foundation of many breakthroughs. When you hear about patients surviving stage 4 cancer because of immunotherapy, that was based on NIH research over many decades. When you hear about
sickle cell disease being cured because of CRISPRgene editing, that was built on many years of research supported by NIH. It has also been the largest supporter of global health research in the world, winning us many friends and colleagues from across
the globe. I have loved being employed by this extraordinary, life-giving institution for 32 years. I will continue to devote my life in other ways to seeking knowledge and enhancing health, to healing disease and reducing suffering, and to doing what I can to bring together our fractured communities around the shared values of love, truth, goodness, and faith. As I depart NIH, I want to express my gratitude and love for the men and women with whom I have worked side-by-side for so many years. They are individuals of extraordinary intellect and integrity, selfless and hard-working, generous and compassionate. They personify excellence in every way, and they deserve the utmost
respect and support of all Americans.
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BK. Titanji @boghuma.bsky.social · 01/03/2025
"Bloodbath" is an apt description. The number of deaths that will occur as a direct result of U.S. funding being axed is no different from indiscriminate bombing erasing entire populations during a war. It is tantamount to genocide. The U.S. was once the "good" guy. www.science.org/content/arti...
science.org
‘A bloodbath’: HIV field is reeling after billions in U.S. funding are axed
USAID’s promises to support lifesaving efforts are broken, putting millions in peril
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Andy Pekosz @andrewpekosz.bsky.social · 22/02/2025
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...
congress.gov
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Alt NIH Bluesky 🧪 @altnih4science.bsky.social · 23/02/2025
Just saw that anyone can reply to Musk’s five-point email address. What can we say about NIH and government? In what ways is the federal government, NIH, university science, and the civil service better than Musk and his world? Send us your ideas! 🧪
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BK. Titanji @boghuma.bsky.social · 21/02/2025
1/ Being an infectious disease expert in the U.S. today feels like standing in the eye of a storm. Science should be our shield, but instead, we’re under attack, our expertise disregarded, our funding slashed, and public health increasingly politicized. 🧵
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Madhu Pai, MD, PhD @madhupai.bsky.social · 21/02/2025
Today is Dr Paul Farmer's 3rd death anniversary A good day to remember the lessons he taught us, even as we face the chaos caused by the US administration's attacks on science, and global health www.forbes.com/sites/madhuk...
forbes.com
Paul Farmer’s Moral Clarity Offers Hope, Amidst Chaos And Darkness
On the 3rd anniversary of Dr Paul Farmer's death, several leaders reflect on his lessons for dealing with the ongoing crisis in global health and development
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Alt NIH Bluesky 🧪 @altnih4science.bsky.social · 21/02/2025
Dear scientists at US universities: Trump/Musk continue to freeze your grants. NIH is not reviewing grants nor funding them in council. This is a backhanded, legal method to effectively stop NIH grants. See thread and linked article. Are we going to “keep our heads down” about this?
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Max Kozlov @maxkozlov.bsky.social · 20/02/2025
NEW: The Trump administration is exploiting a loophole to keep funding frozen at the NIH - a move that some legal scholars say is illegal. Federal Register notices are blocked, so no grant-review sessions can be scheduled. All the gritty details here, and a short 🧵: www.nature.com/articles/d41...
nature.com
Revealed: NIH research grants still frozen despite lawsuits challenging Trump order
The Trump administration is exploiting a loophole to keep a funding freeze in place, leaving researchers in limbo.
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Alt NIH Bluesky 🧪 @altnih4science.bsky.social · 21/02/2025
This is a five-alarm fire 🔥 for US science 🧪. (We keep saying that, but it keeps being true 😭.) Trump and Musk are blocking *ALL* NIH grants ‼️ by "exploiting a loophole in the process"—stopping study sections & council meetings. Every biomedical researcher in the country should be screaming. 1/
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Saskia Popescu @saskiapopescu.bsky.social · 14/02/2025
It truly breaks my heart that after we went through COVID, the burnt out OG public health workforce *and* new grads/early career folks who went into it all bc they saw how vital it was during a pandemic, are now being fired, losing their funding, & ultimately shown how little our field is valued
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Stand Up for Science! @standupforscience.net · 12/02/2025
Welcome to the Bluesky account for Stand Up for Science 2025! Keep an eye on this space for updates, event information, and ways to get involved. We can't wait to see everyone #standupforscience2025 on March 7th, both in DC and locations nationwide! #scienceforall #sciencenotsilence
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Dr. Asmeret Asefaw Berhe @aaberhe.com · 13/02/2025
Professional societies stand together in defense of science & scientists. “science has led to humanity’s greatest advances, improving people’s lives & the health of our planet … (we’re) committed to supporting, elevating, & fighting for science & those who further it.“ www.unitedsciencealliance.org
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BK. Titanji @boghuma.bsky.social · 12/02/2025
Live footage of the average NIH-funding academic as we cycle between maybe no longer having a job and court rulings allow NIH to resume evaluating and funding grants. I do not recommend this life style, it sucks Most of us just want to do important science unpeturbed.
media.tenor.com
an elderly woman is riding a roller coaster with her mouth open .
ALT: an elderly woman is riding a roller coaster with her mouth open .
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Jeremy Berg @jeremymberg.bsky.social · 12/02/2025
The no cost extension button is back and at least some are being granted. If this applies to you, go for it. PLEASE SHARE
media.tenor.com
a man in a suit and tie says go for it in white letters
ALT: a man in a suit and tie says go for it in white letters
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BK. Titanji @boghuma.bsky.social · 11/02/2025
The announcement on exemptions to USAID/PEPFAR suspensions allowing continuation of HIV treatment and care interventions are very much a mirage. On the ground across Africa people living with HIV cannot access their medications. Deaths and new infections grow as we speak. apnews.com/article/hiv-...
apnews.com
HIV infections could jump over 6 times if US support is dropped and not replaced, UNAIDS chief says
The head of the U.N. AIDS agency says the number of new HIV infections could jump more than six times by 2029 if American support of the biggest AIDS program is dropped.
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University of Colorado Anschutz @cuanschutz.bsky.social · 11/02/2025
Chancellor Don Elliman says that #CUAnschutz could lose $74 million in medical #research funding due to proposed cuts to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) - jeopardizing the foundation of life-changing and life-saving research.
9news.com
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Jaclyn A. Siegel, PhD @jacasiegel.bsky.social · 11/02/2025
Happy International Day of Women in Science. The National Science Foundation’s list of flagged words includes both “Women” and “Female.”
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Colette Delawalla, PhD @cdelawalla.bsky.social · 10/02/2025
Get in dorks, we're going protesting! STAND UP FOR SCIENCE WITH US ON MARCH 7TH, 2025 WASHINGTON DC AND EVERY STATE CAPITOL Because science is for everyone! Find us at www.standupforscience2025.org #standupforscience2025 #scienceforall #sciencenotsilence
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Dr. Lucky Tran @luckytran.com · 09/02/2025
Elon Musk has purchased $40M on a series of Superbowl ads attacking USAID. Watch this ad, which tells the truth, instead. #saveforeignaid #standwithUSAID
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Gregg Gonsalves @gregggonsalves.bsky.social · 09/02/2025
A thread on what you can do to push back against the cuts to biomedical research at NIH.
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Kathleen Bachynski @bachynski.bsky.social · 08/02/2025
This is a moral abomination: “When you suddenly turn off those programs, I fully expect to see an exponential increase in new HIV infections,” said the USAID worker, who requested anonymity out of fear of retaliation and whose focus was on HIV in women and girls but was laid off last week.”
nbcnews.com
How USAID freeze could be the most catastrophic for women and girls
“I fully expect to see an exponential increase in new HIV infections,” one expert said. Women and girls are more susceptible to HIV and malaria in many developing countries.
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Rachel Maddow @maddow.bsky.social · 06/02/2025
www.nytimes.com/2025/02/05/h...
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