Sign in

Nina Friedman

@ngfriedman.bsky.social
988 followers 281 following 125 posts

Recent PhD in neuro at NIH & UMD Co-executive director @27unihted.bsky.social Bethesda Declaration organizer Opinions my own 🇺🇸🏳️‍⚧️💞

PostsRepliesMedia
Nina Friedman @ngfriedman.bsky.social · 09/10/2026
010
Nina Friedman @ngfriedman.bsky.social · 09/10/2026
Visited this very cool unofficial art display at NIH yesterday! One painting for every day in September. By www.paintbrains.com
150
Reposted by Nina Friedman
27 UNIHTED @27unihted.bsky.social · 09/10/2026
…both the radio show and Substack article outlined how the changes were recommended by an anonymous internal working group at NIH and would allow political interference in grantmaking.” Listen and read at above link. Comment here: rfi.grants.nih.gov?s=6a2b1c22c3...
rfi.grants.nih.gov
Request For Information
053
Reposted by Nina Friedman
Michael D. Green, PhD @michaeldgreen.phd · 08/10/2026
This is misleading. Comparing ‘26 to a 10-year average is a poor choice. Interesting to claim a “record # of early career awards”issued solely from R01 ESI grants. What about Ks, or I dunno every other award type that early career ppl get… @grantwitness.org @noamross.net @jeremymberg.bsky.social
NEWS: NIH announced that 1,648 early-stage investigators were awarded extramural research grants in fiscal year 2026-the most ever recorded.
The agency also launched Generation Discovery, a new initiative to recruit 100 early-career Principal Investigators into NIH's Intramural Research Program.
NIH shared these and other recent accomplishments as part of the Golden Age of Science Summit, an event hosted by the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy to highlight the administration's comprehensive rethinking of the U.S. science and technology enterprise, and to showcase significant areas ot progress.
Read the full story →
https://bit.ly/3Vp3y4tThe Trump Administration places a high priority on increasing opportunities for early-stage investigators to receive funding support to test new ideas. NIH has found that the average age of an extramural researcher serving for the first time as a principal investigator on a R01-equivalent grant has climbed & in recent decades, from 38 years old in FY1995 to 42 in FY2025. The 1,648 R01-equivalent grants awarded to support early-stage investigators in FY2026 represented a 25% increase over the ten-year average of 1,323.
With NIH's Intramural Research Program (IRP), Generation Discovery is a concerted effort to connect talented early-career researchers with the unparalleled resources and research opportunities found within the IRP.
Beyond these two announcements, NIH highlighted several other initiatives and
accomplishments designed to reinvigorate
4209
Reposted by Nina Friedman
Jenna Norton @jenna-m-norton.bsky.social · 09/10/2026
4 reasons the Trump administration is attacking science. 🧵 This is still one of the most common questions I hear from people - but why!? Isn't science good for everyone?! So, here is my current thinking on why...
513053
Reposted by Nina Friedman
27 UNIHTED @27unihted.bsky.social · 09/10/2026
Comment on peer review proposal by Oct 13th “Although NIH leadership says this proposal is the same as the NSF review process, we’ve spoken to people who have experienced review for both agencies who say that it is very different. The NSF process is transparent; there are no ‘secret scores.’…
27unihted.substack.com
How to comment on a plan that decreases transparency in NIH peer review — listen on WCOM radio
Deadline to respond is Tuesday, October 13th. Research staff or anyone who benefits or hopes to benefit from health research someday can express their opinion about the proposal.
1811
Nina Friedman @ngfriedman.bsky.social · 09/10/2026
Plenty of space in intramural for those new labs. Lots of labs closed when PIs were fired, left, or moved internationally in 2025/2026.
010
Reposted by Nina Friedman
Nate Brought @usfreepressspain.bsky.social · 06/10/2026
So, the guy who wrote The Blind Side released a new book today, Blockers: Rebels In The Deep State, and I'm quoted at least once... 🤣😂 Glad he quoted the story about how I called Matt Memoli a bitch to his face...
5379
Reposted by Nina Friedman
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
713245
Nina Friedman @ngfriedman.bsky.social · 06/10/2026
Also thank you to @jeremymberg.bsky.social and the Bethesda Declaration community, who helped dream up the “Freedom From Science” Lecture Counterprogramming Series.
050
Nina Friedman @ngfriedman.bsky.social · 06/10/2026
Another slide of interest, this well posed counter factual! Thanks for the talk @kgandersen.bsky.social . If there is a version on YouTube, would love to link!
Counter factual showing what if Wuhan Institute of Virology was geographically located at center of the market instead of the market and cases concentrated by WIV.
160
Nina Friedman @ngfriedman.bsky.social · 06/10/2026
…system in the market connects to positive samples. Maybe ignorance, but I did not realize how much epidemiology could feel like detective work. So cool! I am thinking about how non-experts like myself can be responsible stewards of this information.
160
Nina Friedman @ngfriedman.bsky.social · 06/10/2026
…Kristian walk through the story as a more classic scientific talk. With a larger audience (~200) than the “Freedom” series, I think others were excited too. The photos of the stalls with animals that were in conditions primed for contagion were compelling, paired with the diagram of the drainage…
Diagram of drainages at market
151
Nina Friedman @ngfriedman.bsky.social · 06/10/2026
Just went to a fantastic talk at NIH by @kgandersen.bsky.social on the origins of SARS-CoV-2. We worked together on a counterprogramming lecture (linked) when Matt Ridley joined Jay Bhattacharya for the inaugural “Scientific Freedom” lecture at NIH, but I learned even more from watching…
rasmussenretorts.substack.com
NIH FFS: The Freedom From Science Lab Leak Lecture Series
The NIH Director invited a conspiracy theorist to present his evidence-free,views on how the pandemic started. So I brought my co-conspirators to set them straight.
2229
Nina Friedman @ngfriedman.bsky.social · 06/10/2026
@elizabethjacobs.bsky.social they have been open since last fall.
130
Reposted by Nina Friedman
Jeremy Berg @jeremymberg.bsky.social · 05/10/2026
AP story about the Nobel Prize... abcnews.com/Internationa...
abcnews.com
Nobel medicine prize goes to 3 scientists for research into brain activity
The Nobel Prize in medicine has been awarded to three scientists whose work led to a tool that uses light to help unravel how the brain works
0184
Reposted by Nina Friedman
27 UNIHTED @27unihted.bsky.social · 05/10/2026
Check out this fantastic to the editor by 27 UNIHTED Senior Advisor, Dr. Lori Frank wapo.st/4hXWkwV
This dementia research shows why the NIH matters
1228
Reposted by Nina Friedman
Jenna Norton @jenna-m-norton.bsky.social · 05/10/2026
This language will be crucial to protect NIH science from being politicized. Thanks to @murray.senate.gov and Sen Collins for leading this. Kennedy is opposed, so especially if you are in Louisiana, time to flood phone lines. rollcall.com/2026/10/01/l...
rollcall.com
Lame-duck effort brewing to protect NIH grantmaking
​Senate appropriators from both parties are workshopping language that could be added to a spending bill to prevent the White House from exerting political influence on medical research grants. The pr...
17838
Reposted by Nina Friedman
Michael D. Green, PhD @michaeldgreen.phd · 03/10/2026
One of the most striking things from an essay in @theatlantic.com from an employee at OpenAI who resigned last week. Empathy and humility are absent from so many these days. Really appreciate this message. www.theatlantic.com/technology/2...
The future depends on wisdom that Silicon Valley lacks. Wisdom about how to handle dangerous technology and, more
fundamentally, wisdom about what it means to care for people. This moment needs a degree of humility that isn't natural for people who have succeeded through their extreme confidence.
My former colleagues at
182
Reposted by Nina Friedman
Theresa Kim, PhD, MS @tyk314.net · 02/10/2026
#NIH will eliminate clinical trials for K awards starting October 2027. Again, there are troubles with training clinical trialists. That doesn't mean eliminate the program. It means support trainees to the fullest extent possible. Read the statement from @asa-scipol.bsky.social.
amstat.org
Letters Organized, Signed, and/or Sent
The American Statistical Association is the world’s largest community of statisticians, the “Big Tent for Statistics.
1157
Nina Friedman @ngfriedman.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
lol sounds good sign me up
100
Nina Friedman @ngfriedman.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
v. picking up litter while jogging
000
Nina Friedman @ngfriedman.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
Came here to say thank you to @tyk314.net for teaching me a new word: Plogging.
220
Reposted by Nina Friedman
Jenna Norton @jenna-m-norton.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
Hope can feel in short supply these days. But I am truly hopeful for the future, in large part because of the community we've built through the Bethesda Declaration. Proud to share these reflections on hope: ajph.aphapublications.org/doi/full/10.... May they bring you some hope.
ajph.aphapublications.org
Hope From the Front Lines: Reflections From the Bethesda Declaration Movement | Hope: A Public Health Blueprint for Action
American Journal of Public Health (AJPH) from the American Public Health Association (APHA)
25417
Reposted by Nina Friedman
Jenna Norton @jenna-m-norton.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
The admin’s actions can be hard to understand, especially because they often conflict. (Why attack science?) Recognizing the admin as an alliance of factions with different & often competing motivations helps make sense of the chaos. adversarialanalysis.substack.com/p/yes-they-a...
adversarialanalysis.substack.com
Yes, they are Crazy Extremists: An Erratic Alliance of Irrational Ideologies and Pathological Motivations
The Ideologies and Motivations of the Four Factions of the Regime
0225
Reposted by Nina Friedman
I-270, Exit 1 @i270exit1.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
Compelling opinion by Misti Allison on the impact of NIH research in local communities and how OMB threatens the trust between those communities and researchers. h/t @ngfriedman.bsky.social thehill.com/opinion/heal...
thehill.com
A political veto over NIH grants could leave East Palestine in the dark
The research that serves us is exactly the kind of work that could land on a veto list.
021
Reposted by Nina Friedman
Jenna Norton @jenna-m-norton.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
Loved this write up from @jocelynkaiser.bsky.social on the @nihvigils.bsky.social this past Saturday. We’ve held the NIH Vigil every single Saturday since May 3, 2025, with our friends @27unihted.bsky.social. This past Saturday featured @jeremymberg.bsky.social www.science.org/content/arti...
science.org
ScienceAdviser: Finally, a transgenic cephalopod
Today in Science and science: An archaic lineage made boars big, 142 years of cheese, and more
13614
Reposted by Nina Friedman
Theresa Kim, PhD, MS @tyk314.net · 29/09/2026
"Therefore, even if some of the partisan messaging in the communications described in this assessment violated the Hatch Act, it would be inappropriate for OSC to pursue disciplinary action in these cases." My goodness, you are useless.
Email from OSC saying that though the White House violated the Hatch Act, they are not going to do anything about it.
3208
Reposted by Nina Friedman
Dr Katie Twomey @k2mey.eurosky.social · 28/09/2026
This is quite cool. My university is the first organisation in the world to force Microsoft to allow us to turn off copilot summaries in Word 365, after a backlash against it from staff (including, very vocally, me). That cannot have been easy for our heroic IT people so hats very much off to them!
895443936
Reposted by Nina Friedman
Dr. Rabbithole @drrabbithole.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Accurate. Also, absolutely humbling to have my art still resonating with people.
psychologicalscience.org
NIH Employees Lived in A Culture of Fear, So They Started Keeping Receipts
Sylvia Chou, former NIH program director, says “nobody’s OK” after massive disruptions to funding policies and infrastructure.
1177
Reposted by Nina Friedman
Dr. Rabbithole @drrabbithole.bsky.social · 23/09/2025
Today, I am making a long overdue post, adding USAID to Courage is Contagious On March 5, USAID wrote a dissent letter. It read:
A drawing of civil servants from NIH, NSF, EPA, USAID, CDC, FEMA and NASA, symbolizing the organizations that have signaled dissent. USAID DART worker carrying a sack of food.
36811
Reposted by Nina Friedman
27 UNIHTED @27unihted.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
We joined The American Society for Clinical Investigation and more than 30 other organizations to support early career clinician scientists because we believe patients deserve to see steady development of new treatments far into the future.
1159
Nina Friedman @ngfriedman.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
… and my 22 year old brother, who grew up in Amherst, deep in the culture that inspired these events. He probably goes to school with many of the patrons. Neither my mother nor my brother had heard of the drama. We are all in a bubble. I am anxiously awaiting their takes after they read up.
060
Nina Friedman @ngfriedman.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
I had assumed that everyone at this point had heard about the Covid conscious lesbian bar in Greenfield, MA which eased its stringent mask mandate fracturing the queer community. Then I asked my lesbian mom who lives in nearby Amherst, MA…
130
Nina Friedman @ngfriedman.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
“There wasn’t a single COVID case reported in Greenfield in 2 months. The risk of COVID in the region is miniscule. Viruses don’t lie in wait, like evil Goldilocks looking for just the right immunocompromised queer person to disable with long COVID.” -from @angierasmussen.bsky.social on substack
rasmussenretorts.substack.com
A Deep Dive into the Last Ditch by an Expert on COVID and Western Massachusetts Lesbians
I am a bisexual virologist who studies emerging coronaviruses, a Smith College alumna, and a veteran lesbian social critic. Ask me anything about respiratory raw-dogging your next Feeld date
2297
Reposted by Nina Friedman
ImmigrantsAreUS @immigrantsareus.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
This weekend, I spoke at the SOS for Health rally at the @nihvigils.bsky.social Organized by @27unihted.bsky.social Here is the link to the full Livestream. www.instagram.com/savehealthre...
instagram.com
Save Health Research on Instagram: "Live stream of the SOS for Health Event: Speakers: Jeremy Berg, Dave G., Nicolette P., Sylvia C., Lee Eiden, Anna Culbertson, et al."
28 likes, 0 comments - savehealthresearch on September 26, 2026: "Live stream of the SOS for Health Event: Speakers: Jeremy Berg, Dave G., Nicolette P., Sylvia C., Lee Eiden, Anna Culbertson, et al."...
1124
Nina Friedman @ngfriedman.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
For those who missed it, here’s the synopsis from People magazine. people.com/mass-lesbian...
Info linked
000
Nina Friedman @ngfriedman.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
…interests that are at odds with one another? The situation is so niche and chaotic but also so real and touched me as a community organizer. I hope their viral moment launches them all to fame and success through podcasting, reality tv, or what brings them joy.
100
Nina Friedman @ngfriedman.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
… but not so many covid-conscious lesbians to sustain this business endeavor. I listened to the audio from their community meeting where the tried to address the issue at hand: how do we make this a viable business model and meet our community’s needs? What do we do when people have…
120
Nina Friedman @ngfriedman.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
The last time I was in Greenfield MA (the site of the now famous Covid conscious lesbian bar) I was renting a popcorn machine for my buddy’s wedding from Taylor’s Rental Center, pictured below. It is truly a working class town in a rural country with a surprising number of lesbians...
Yellow older garage with empty parking lot
130
Reposted by Nina Friedman
27 UNIHTED @27unihted.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
Thank you Theresa! Recording here: www.instagram.com/reel/DdwWH1S...
142
Reposted by Nina Friedman
Jeremy Berg @jeremymberg.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Apropos of this, the notes from the discussion at NIEHS Council are now available. www.niehs.nih.gov/sites/defaul... 1/8
niehs.nih.gov
2147
Reposted by Nina Friedman
I Scare You Like Sound Dog @chadstanton.blacksky.app · 23/09/2026
“The Department of Health and Human Services informed congressional appropriators earlier this year that it was moving about $12 million from its Office of Minority Health to help cover the ballooning cost of security for Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.” www.wsj.com/politics/pol...
wsj.com
Exclusive | RFK Jr.’s Enhanced Security Was Funded With Money From Minority Health Office
The cost of the health secretary’s security grew from roughly $10 million in fiscal year 2025 to $17 million in fiscal year 2026.
431140602
Nina Friedman @ngfriedman.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
If you are frustrated by this consider signing on to impeachvought.com
120
Nina Friedman @ngfriedman.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
And this was not isolated to NIH. As I understand, at very least, there was partial pause in pivotal gov. operations at CDC, State and the Office of Naval Research. Likely, it stretched further.
14213
Nina Friedman @ngfriedman.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
ImpeachVought.com if you want to do something about this.
impeachvought.com
Impeach Vought
We are current and former federal workers from across the government. We have witnessed first-hand the harm Russell Vought has inflicted on American communities. We are urging Congress to act now to p...
000
Reposted by Nina Friedman
Jenna Norton @jenna-m-norton.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
Around 4:30, I heard Jon Lorsch had approval to turn the system back on. Not clear who gave that approval. Given the impending end of the fiscal year and the many delays this year, the few hour pause could matter. Reminded me of this stunt from July 2025: www.statnews.com/2025/07/29/t...
statnews.com
Trump administration reverses course, lifts pause on NIH grant awards
The order applies to the entirety of new and, possibly, ongoing research grant dollars that go to universities and academic medical centers.
412422
Reposted by Nina Friedman
Jenna Norton @jenna-m-norton.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
Just another day of unnecessary stress and chaos very likely created by Russell "We want the bureaucrats to be traumatically affected" Vought. Just another day where Russell "Project 2025" Vought did his best to make it harder for civil servants to serve the American people. impeachvought.com
impeachvought.com
Impeach Vought
We are current and former federal workers from across the government. We have witnessed first-hand the harm Russell Vought has inflicted on American communities. We are urging Congress to act now to p...
420555
Reposted by Nina Friedman
Jenna Norton @jenna-m-norton.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
What. A. Day. NIH grant-making was paused for several hours today. Not sure who gave the order. But in light of the Friday night Bhattacharya-Vought feud & threatened EO to implement #ScienceDeathPanels, my money is on Russell Vought. I learned of the pause from a colleague around 11:30. 🧵
7340171
Reposted by Nina Friedman
ImmigrantsAreUS @immigrantsareus.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
Came here to share what @jenna-m-norton.bsky.social wrote (below). Will only add one thing: This felt like a threat, a rehearsal, not the real thing.
093