Sign in

Natalie Dean, PhD

@nataliexdean.bsky.social
2.4K followers 157 following 45 posts

Associate Professor of Biostatistics at Emory Rollins School of Public Health

PostsRepliesMedia
Reposted by Natalie Dean, PhD
Carl T. Bergstrom @carlbergstrom.com · 20/09/2025
I have to keep this deliberately vague, but this is a total disaster for academic research. And imposing it so suddenly is just cruel. I’ve got friends scrambling to get back to the US before midnight tonight. Do you know how hard that is to do on 36 hours of notice?
reuters.com
Trump to impose $100,000 fee per year for H-1B visas, in blow to tech
The Trump administration said on Friday it would ask companies to pay $100,000 per year for H-1B worker visas, prompting some big tech companies to warn visa holders to stay in the U.S. or quickly return.
501176331
Reposted by Natalie Dean, PhD
Dr. Nahid Bhadelia @bhadeliamd.bsky.social · 04/09/2025
Democratic Republic of Congo declares Ebola virus disease outbreak in Kasai province with 28 suspected cases and 15 deaths. Ebola zairevirus is confirmed. via @beaconbio.bsky.social - beaconbio.org/en/report/?r...
beaconbio.org
BEACON
Track biological threats, share vital information, and collaborate on solutions for community protection and preparedness.
043
Reposted by Natalie Dean, PhD
Apoorva Mandavilli @apoorvanyt.bsky.social · 29/08/2025
Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s assault may have dealt lasting damage to the CDC, experts fear, with harsh consequences for public health. (Gift article) www.nytimes.com/2025/08/29/h...
nytimes.com
Will the C.D.C. Survive?
1521980
Reposted by Natalie Dean, PhD
Maryn McKenna @marynmck.bsky.social · 29/08/2025
My heart. Members of the US Public Health Service (the uniformed service branch no one has ever heard of, who serve at the CDC and elsewhere in the US), massed within the CDC property, saluting their departing uniformed leaders who were escorted out by security today after resigning on principle.
7355118
Reposted by Natalie Dean, PhD
Maggie Fox @maggiefox.bsky.social · 07/08/2025
You can track the spread of 16 viruses all at once, team at @childrensresearch.bsky.social and elsewhere found, including EV-D68, RSV, metapneumovirus, flu, Covid, rhinovirus. They started out looking for the cause of acute flaccid myelitis - remember that one? www.thelancet.com/journals/lan...
thelancet.com
Dynamics of endemic virus re-emergence in children in the USA following the COVID-19 pandemic (2022–23): a prospective, multicentre, longitudinal, immunoepidemiological surveillance study
In this study, we captured immunological evidence of endemic virus re-emergence in children following lifting of pandemic NPIs, which revealed high rates of exposure to endemic respiratory pathogens i...
143
Reposted by Natalie Dean, PhD
Elizabeth Jacobs, PhD @elizabethjacobs.bsky.social · 07/08/2025
And they were singing Bye bye to American Sci
Screenshot from Whitehouse webpage that says The WHITE HOUSE
Going forward, President Trump's appointees will review funding opportunity
announcements and grant awards to verify that each grant dollar benefits Americans instead of lining grantees' pocketbooks or furthering causes that damage America.
1322281
Reposted by Natalie Dean, PhD
Jen Bendery @jbendery.bsky.social · 05/08/2025
"The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) today announced the beginning of a coordinated wind-down of its mRNA vaccine development activities...." cc: Sen. Bill Cassidy
3142396979
Reposted by Natalie Dean, PhD
Katie Mack @astrokatie.com · 05/08/2025
Every reputable expert I know considers mRNA vaccine technology to be one of the most revolutionary advances in medicine in our lifetimes. Its inventors won the Nobel Prize in 2023. Shutting it down now is pointless self-harm to humanity.
539179706695
Reposted by Natalie Dean, PhD
Don Moynihan @donmoyn.bsky.social · 30/07/2025
Shout out to the WSJ journalists who reported on Vought’s impoundment by footnote, causing the White House to walk it back. Impact journalism!!
232279568
Reposted by Natalie Dean, PhD
Dr Edward Hill @edmhill.bsky.social · 17/06/2025
📣 Funded 3.5yr PhD opportunity (UK tuition fee rate) in @hpruezi.bsky.social @liverpooluni.bsky.social. #PhDSky 🧪 On "Optimising testing & control strategies in the early stages of infectious disease outbreaks" #IDSky #EpiSky ⏳ Deadline to apply: 07 Jul 2025 🔗: www.liverpool.ac.uk/courses/opti...
Optimising testing and control strategies in the early stages of infectious disease outbreaks

Supervisors: Dr Emily Nixon, Professor Christl Donnelly, Dr Richard Vipond, Dr Emily Adams, Dr Chris Overton.


Subject area: Mathematics

Stipend Amount: Funded studentship
Study mode: Full-time
Duration: 3.5 years

Application deadline: 07 July 2025
Start date: 01 October 2025Overview
Develop models to help make decisions early in a major disease outbreak when availability of new tests is limited, on where and how best to use them for maximum impact in controlling spread, e.g. in low versus high areas of transmission, in hospitals or in the community. These will depend on the pathogen type, its mode of transmission, reproduction number, etc.

About this opportunity
In the early stages of a major disease outbreak, the availability of suitable diagnostic tests is often limited, however, timely interventions are critical for controlling the spread of disease. In this PhD, you will develop mechanistic and statistical models to investigate the effectiveness of various diagnostic test deployment strategies for emerging and zoonotic diseases which are at risk of causing large outbreaks, such as respiratory viruses (Influenza, SARS-CoV-2, Respiratory syncytial virus), vector-borne diseases (Dengue, Tick-borne encephalitis) or viral haemorrhagic fevers (Nipah, Lassa fever and Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever). You will investigate the effectiveness of targeting use of tests in different settings, for example in areas of high versus low transmission, or in hospitals versus the community. The optimum strategy for diagnostic test deployment will vary depending on prevalence of disease, the sensitivity and specificity of the tests and the time it takes to receive and act on results. In addition, variation between pathogens, for example, in their mode of transmission, reproduction number and incubation period, will influence which strategy is the most effective in controlling the impact of the outbreak. These insights will inform stockpiling strategies of medical countermeasures for pandemic preparedness and in the event of a major outbreak, can be used and adapted to help inform decision making.Who is this for?

Applicants must hold, in a relevant STEM subject, either a first-class honours degree, a distinction at master level, or equivalent achievements. A background in programming (such as R, Python, Julia) would be advantageous, along with a keen desire to develop those skills.  

Prospective applicants are encouraged to contact the primary supervisor, Dr Emily Nixon, emily.nixon@liverpool.ac.uk prior to preparation of an application to discuss the fit of the project with your background and qualifications.Funding your PhD

This PhD opportunity is funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Health Protection Research Unit (HPRU) in Emerging and Zoonotic Infections (EZI).

This studentship will be for a maximum of 3.5 years duration. The studentship includes tuition fees at the UK/home rate, stipend and research-related travel. International students may apply but must be able to themselves cover the additional tuition fee costs as outlined on the University website: https://www.liverpool.ac.uk/study/fees-and-funding/tuition-fees/postgraduate-research/.

The supervisory team have no additional funding to support this difference in tuition fee costs for international students. The stipend amount is aligned with UK Research and Innovation rates. For the academic year 2025-2026, the rate of the UKRI Stipend is £20,780 per annum (tax free).
1108
Reposted by Natalie Dean, PhD
Dr. Tom Frieden @drtomfrieden.bsky.social · 09/06/2025
17 dedicated doctors, pediatricians, scientists, and parents who served on the Advisory Committee of Immunization Practices (ACIP) were just fired by Secretary Kennedy based on false claims of conflicts of interest – a dangerous and unprecedented action that makes our families less safe.
107638
Reposted by Natalie Dean, PhD
Jason L. Schwartz @jasonlschwartz.bsky.social · 20/02/2025
If people are interested in learning about the ACIP and its decades of contributions to US vaccine policy successes, here’s a short 2014 piece I wrote in NEJM with Adel Mahmoud (timed with its 50th anniversary) www.nejm.org/doi/full/10....
nejm.org
A Half-Century of Prevention — The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices | NEJM
In 1964, after a vaccination program against polio, diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis began, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices was created to advise the U.S. government on vaccinati...
2216129
Reposted by Natalie Dean, PhD
Brandy Zadrozny @brandyzadrozny.bsky.social · 09/06/2025
Kennedy does the thing he said for years he wanted to www.nbcnews.com/health/healt...
nbcnews.com
Kennedy guts CDC's vaccine panel of independent experts
The Advisory Committee for Immunization Practices helps the agency make recommendations on who should get certain vaccines.
36717253
Reposted by Natalie Dean, PhD
Jennifer Nuzzo, DrPH, SM @jennifernuzzo.bsky.social · 09/06/2025
RFK Jr has worked for more than a decade to sow distrust in vaccines. Despite his efforts, the vast majority of Americans still support vaccines and follow federal guidance. Secretary Kennedy’s decision to remove ACIP members is another act in his crusade to prevent Americans from getting vaccines.
1028681
Reposted by Natalie Dean, PhD
Alexander Tin @alexander-a-tin.bsky.social · 10/06/2025
This evening, a member of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices told us they received "formal notice of your immediate termination" "This is horrifying," a CDC official said of Secy Kennedy's move www.cbsnews.com/news/rfk-jr-...
"Per the June 9, 2025 directive from the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, this email serves as formal notice of your immediate termination as a member of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). We appreciate your prior service and commitment," read an email to one committee member from the CDC.

"This is horrifying," a CDC official said of Kennedy's move.
23512
Reposted by Natalie Dean, PhD
Joshua Weitz @joshuasweitz.bsky.social · 04/06/2025
What are we doing here?
2164
Reposted by Natalie Dean, PhD
Jeremy Berg @jeremymberg.bsky.social · 04/06/2025
New powerful article up in the New York Times on cancelled and delayed grants www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
nytimes.com
Here Are the Nearly 2,500 Medical Research Grants Canceled or Delayed by Trump (Gift Article)
Some cuts have been starkly visible, but the country’s medical grant-making machinery has also radically transformed outside the public eye.
11302207
Reposted by Natalie Dean, PhD
Jason Kindrachuk @kindrachukjason.bsky.social · 02/06/2025
Rolling clinical and epi updates for #mpox data from #SierraLeone. Watch for updated versions as additional data becomes available. Heartfelt thanks to our local colleagues in-country led by Dr. Jia Kangbai t.co/D9QosVP1Bq
t.co
https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2025.05.30.25328691v1
12310
Reposted by Natalie Dean, PhD
Max Kozlov @maxkozlov.bsky.social · 02/06/2025
Researcher Amita Gupta has spent more than a decade planning and running a $70-million trial to study a new tuberculosis drug, enrolling ~6,000 participants in 13 countries. It might all have been for nothing. That's because a new NIH policy has abruptly cut off billions to trials abroad. 🧪
nature.com
NIH grant cuts will axe clinical trials abroad — and could leave thousands without care
US agency’s new policy could abruptly end studies of infectious diseases and cancer, leaving researchers scrambling for funds.
7466320
Reposted by Natalie Dean, PhD
Alex Sundermann, DrPH @sundermannaj.bsky.social · 02/06/2025
I’m sure it will be rolled out perfectly and error free /s #MedSky
111
Reposted by Natalie Dean, PhD
Anil Kalhan @akalhan.bsky.social · 02/06/2025
"'It’s a total shit show,' one agency staffer told Important Context, explaining that Bhattacharya seemed unaware of how NIH operated when he arrived. They said he had been promising reforms that were already part of the agency’s work."
6390150
Reposted by Natalie Dean, PhD
Kristian G. Andersen @kgandersen.bsky.social · 30/05/2025
Here's the NIH's proposed budget - from $48 billion to $27 billion. NIAID, current ~$7 billion cut to ~$4.2 billion. The proposed 15% cap on indirect costs remains. Again, these budgets are passed, and our leadership in science, technology, and innovation is gone. www.hhs.gov/sites/defaul...
25635371
Reposted by Natalie Dean, PhD
Dr. Nahid Bhadelia @bhadeliamd.bsky.social · 30/05/2025
In 1 month, BEACON has already reported 181 disease events & 381 individual reports. We're excited to announce that starting June 2nd, BEACON will be sending a free Weekly Disease Event Digest on Mondays to help you stay informed about emerging threats globally. Sign up below!
0159
Reposted by Natalie Dean, PhD
Ed Yong is offline @edyong209.bsky.social · 30/05/2025
I urge everyone to read Unbreaking’s new page on everything the govt is doing to destroy & diminish medical research funding. It’s the best thing I’ve read on this topic: @lizneeley.bsky.social & co have such done an incredible job. unbreaking.org/issues/medic...
unbreaking.org
Medical Research Funding — Unbreaking
How the administration is breaking the government, and what that means for all of us.
361366805
Reposted by Natalie Dean, PhD
Carl T. Bergstrom @carlbergstrom.com · 30/05/2025
Gold standard science
nytimes.com
White House Health Report Included Fake Citations
851543328
Reposted by Natalie Dean, PhD
Eric Topol @erictopol.bsky.social · 30/05/2025
"Our calculations suggest that the proposed budgetary cuts to the NIH will create a social cost that is 16 times greater than the savings that the administration is attempting to achieve." 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...
11471290
Natalie Dean, PhD @nataliexdean.bsky.social · 30/05/2025
Who knew that “Do your own research” meant “Have ChatGPT hallucinate references”
514019
Reposted by Natalie Dean, PhD
ENAR @enar-ibs.bsky.social · 28/05/2025
Got an idea for a short course you'd like to see at the #ENAR2026 meeting? Submit your proposal by June 6! 📚
002
Reposted by Natalie Dean, PhD
Kristian G. Andersen @kgandersen.bsky.social · 28/05/2025
And here’s the write-up with early findings and conclusions. Phenomenal work! (Note, all sequencing, analyses, response, etc. done locally!) virological.org/t/genomic-ep...
virological.org
Genomic epidemiology of Mpox virus in Sierra Leone
Background Sierra Leone confirmed its first Mpox case on January 10 2025, with the Minister of Health declaring a Public Health Emergency shortly thereafter. Cases have surged in recent weeks, with ov...
25621
Reposted by Natalie Dean, PhD
Eric Topol @erictopol.bsky.social · 27/05/2025
$9.5 billion of biomedical research support, 2,100 grants, have already been terminated at NIH www.statnews.com/2025/05/27/n...
statnews.com
A Harvard scientist built a database of 2,100 NIH grant terminations. Then his own funding was cut
Harvard's Scott Delaney helped build a database of NIH grant terminations that is being used in litigation against the Trump administration.
13398238
Reposted by Natalie Dean, PhD
Ed Belongia MD @belongia.bsky.social · 21/05/2025
Must-read post by Your Local Epidemiologist on new FDA COVID vax policy. 👉 "This is about how decisions are made—and who gets to make them. FDA political appointees are sidelining expert panels, bypassing transparency, & turning public health into a performance." open.substack.com/pub/yourloca...
open.substack.com
Covid-19 vaccines, what just happened at the FDA, and why it matters
This is not how vaccine policy should be made.
12414
Reposted by Natalie Dean, PhD
Alexandra Witze @alexwitze.bsky.social · 21/05/2025
"US scientists who are abruptly unemployed are turning desperation & defiance into coping strategies & advice. But 1 thing is clear: whether they move abroad, pivot to other research areas or leave science, their deep expertise is likely to be lost." By @virginiagewin.bsky.social in @nature.com 🧪
nature.com
#OpenToWork: how laid-off US scientists are coping with shattered careers
Unemployed researchers face some tough career choices as they flood the job market after the Trump administration’s cuts to science.
717071
Reposted by Natalie Dean, PhD
travis gerke @travisgerke.bsky.social · 16/05/2025
The grant that funded a large part of my doctoral work - a 40 year cohort study which has been running successfully and learning all sorts of things about disease and wellbeing - was just terminated. Surreal.
4348
Reposted by Natalie Dean, PhD
Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health @hsph.harvard.edu · 16/05/2025
With nearly all of Harvard Chan School’s direct federal grants terminated, we are relying on philanthropy to power our research and support our educational programs. Every gift, regardless of size, advances our vision of health, dignity, and justice for every human. Support our work: hsph.me/whygive
13274161
Reposted by Natalie Dean, PhD
Joshua Weitz @joshuasweitz.bsky.social · 15/05/2025
Abdication of an innovation economy, US 2025 edition.
03613
Reposted by Natalie Dean, PhD
Elizabeth Jacobs, PhD @elizabethjacobs.bsky.social · 15/05/2025
Defend Public Health has a new campaign aimed at stopping Medicaid cuts. We have a list of Reps from key areas to contact and remind them of why Medicaid is important to their constituents. Please join us in this important effort! @defendpublichealth www.defendpublichealth.org/campaign/sto...
defendpublichealth.org
Stop Medicaid Cuts | Defend Public Health
House Republicans have unveiled their updated plans to strip away Medicaid funding. The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office assessed that these proposed Medicaid cuts would leave at least 8.6 mill...
06434
Reposted by Natalie Dean, PhD
Michael L. Barnett @mlbarnett.bsky.social · 15/05/2025
All of my NIH grants terminated this afternoon along with those of all of my colleagues including big (and extremely successful) P01 grants.
3725386
Reposted by Natalie Dean, PhD
mmdesai.bsky.social @mmdesai.bsky.social · 16/05/2025
My first post here brings lovely news: just heard that all of my NIH and NSF grants were officially terminated today. Have been expecting this for some time, but still jarring to see the news. Have heard similar news from dozens of colleagues. Will be hard, but we'll find a way forward.
78110
Reposted by Natalie Dean, PhD
Ruth Franklin @ruthfranklinlab.bsky.social · 15/05/2025
Just said goodbye to my NIH MIRA award. Really hurts to see the word “terminated” in writing. Even worse to see it next to the F31 awarded to a fantastic PhD student in my lab @aybv.bsky.social. I REFUSE to let this stop us!!!
715128
Natalie Dean, PhD @nataliexdean.bsky.social · 15/05/2025
Last week I attended a meeting where a former NIH program officer looked out at her audience… 200 infectious disease modelers and field epidemiologists… and said “The United States ought to be very proud of you.” When I tell you I got a lump in my throat… 🥺
2506
Natalie Dean, PhD @nataliexdean.bsky.social · 15/05/2025
A post from an incredibly talented and hardworking colleague of mine in public health. So many research teams are dealing with this devastation right now. My heart breaks… 😔
0153
Reposted by Natalie Dean, PhD
Randall Munroe @xkcd.com · 25/04/2025
PhD Timeline xkcd.com/3081
5865978820441
Reposted by Natalie Dean, PhD
Derek Lowe @dereklowe.bsky.social · 05/04/2025
Here's the judge's ruling on the "cut the indirect cost funding" move by the Trump administration. Permanent injunction!
011019
Reposted by Natalie Dean, PhD
Eric Topol @erictopol.bsky.social · 03/04/2025
Another $2.6 billion in cuts to NIH are coming by next Tuesday www.statnews.com/2025/04/03/n... The shredded image fits
statnews.com
Trump administration orders NIH to eliminate $2.6 billion in federal contracts
At a chaotic time, the NIH is given a deadline of April 8 to make a 35% cut in services that may include specimen storage, genetic counseling, and administration.
7203137
Reposted by Natalie Dean, PhD
Helen Branswell 🇨🇦 @helenbranswell.bsky.social · 03/04/2025
The clearing out of #FDA leadership is extraordinary. So many people gone, so few replacements (even acting) named. www.statnews.com/2025/04/03/f...
statnews.com
A running list of senior FDA officials who have left the agency
Here is a running list of senior FDA officials who have left the agency recently.
211331
Reposted by Natalie Dean, PhD
Rachel Roubein @rachelroubein.bsky.social · 03/04/2025
Among those laid off yesterday: FDA's senior veterinarians working in a center that's played a key role in the response to the bird flu outbreak w/ @lenasun.bsky.social www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/...
washingtonpost.com
Veterinarians working on bird flu, pet food safety are fired in HHS purge
Among those laid off were employees in a center that has played a key role in the response to the bird flu outbreak, according to three FDA staffers.
27663329
Reposted by Natalie Dean, PhD
David Corn @davidcorn.bsky.social · 02/04/2025
It’s stunning to me that the New York Times did not put the story on the bloodbath at the NIH, CDC, and FDA on its front page this morning.
1220247975740
Reposted by Natalie Dean, PhD
Darren Incorvaia @megadarren.bsky.social · 01/04/2025
If you're a scientist at the NIH or another HHS agency who was affected by today's RIF, I'd love to hear about the work you were doing and how important it was for our nation's health! I'm a staff writer at Fierce Biotech, and I can be reached through DM on BlueSky or securely on Signal at dinc.49
011858
Reposted by Natalie Dean, PhD
APHA @apha.org · 01/04/2025
Dismantling CDC & HHS will lead to poorer health and unnecessary suffering and death. This is NOT the answer! Take a minute to tell your members of Congress we deserve better. It's quick & easy with APHA's action alert: www.votervoice.net/PublicHealth... #SpeakForHealth
Speak for health APHA logo people advocating using their voice
15532
Reposted by Natalie Dean, PhD
WIRED @wired.com · 01/04/2025
NEW: Thousands of CDC employees who worked on things like preventing HIV and lead poisoning have been told they were subject to a reduction in force. Experts say people will die.
wired.com
The CDC Has Been Gutted
Thousands of CDC employees who worked on things like preventing HIV and lead poisoning have been told they were subject to a reduction in force. Experts say people will die.
24652362577