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Rowan Walrath

@rowanwalrath.bsky.social
862 followers 1K following 189 posts

Associate editor, life sciences reporter @cenmag.bsky.social. Texan Bostonian. she/her. r_walrath@acs.org. For sensitive tips, I'm on Signal @rowanwalrath.01 or email rowan.walrath@proton.me

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Rowan Walrath @rowanwalrath.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
Heads up: I'll be away the weeks of 9/21 and 9/28. I trust that my sharp C&EN colleagues will capably handle anything that comes up in my absence. I return 10/5, so if you need something from me specifically, I'd reach out or re-up then!
A sunset view out an airplane window. Overlaying the image is text that reads "out of office" in a mix of script and serif fonts.
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Bri Barbu @bribarbu.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
Very very cool interactive data story from some of C&EN's finest!
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Laurel Oldach @laureloldach.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
At the end of this comprehensive story by @rowanwalrath.bsky.social and Shea Murphy, you can play with several data dimensions to see which US city ranks highest in factors that matter to you. (You also have to scroll to find the global cities - they're there!) cen.acs.org/business/inv...
cen.acs.org
Cities of chemistry
C&EN explores which cities have the ingredients for chemical innovation
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Rowan Walrath @rowanwalrath.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
The coolest part, IMO, is this "build your own city ranking" tool. You can use sliders to adjust how much weight you'd give to one dimension, like VC funding or lab space, and see what cities come out on top.
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Rowan Walrath @rowanwalrath.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
What are the most important ingredients for chemical innovation? For @cenmag.bsky.social, my colleague Shea Murphy and I sought to find out. 🧵
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Carl Zimmer @carlzimmer.com · 26/08/2026
Nature honors Dolly Parton's scientific legacy. www.nature.com/articles/d41...
nature.com
Dolly Parton dies aged 80 – researchers celebrate her contributions to science
The country singer was an advocate for vaccines, public health, literacy and marginalized communities.
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Rowan Walrath @rowanwalrath.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
Biopharmaceutical executives and investors are cautiously hopeful that President Donald J. Trump’s nominee to head the US Food and Drug Administration will bring some much-needed stability to the agency. @cenmag.bsky.social cen.acs.org/policy/regul...
cen.acs.org
Drug industry leaders size up Trump’s FDA commissioner nominee
White House aide Heidi Overton has been tapped to lead the agency after a tumultuous period
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Eric Topol @erictopol.bsky.social · 05/08/2026
Severe Covid leads to persistent viral reactivation, with >10 different viruses noted in the first 40 days after hospital admission. Long Covid was specifically associated with reactivation of latent Anelloviridae virus @nature.com www.nature.com/articles/s41...
nature.com
Virus reactivation in acute and long COVID-19 - Nature
Chronic reactivation of distinct herpesviruses and anelloviruses occur during acute and long COVID-19, and track with disease severity, inflammation and outcomes, revealing immune signatures with prog...
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Miles W. Griffis @mileswgriffis.bsky.social · 20/07/2026
""We’re interested in FcRn inhibitors as a treatment option for a subset of folks with Long COVID...” Putrino [said]." A great story on Vyvgart and Ampligen, and the challenges of study design for Long COVID, POTS, and ME by @rowanwalrath.bsky.social cen.acs.org/pharmaceutic...
cen.acs.org
Access to potential long COVID drugs dwindles as trials falter
Two sets of studies for COVID-driven conditions show the struggles of drug development
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Chemjobber @chemjobber.bsky.social · 20/07/2026
#chemsky thread on long COVID therapies
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Laura Howes @laurahowes.bsky.social · 20/07/2026
A complicated disease, competing corporate and scientific priorities, and regulatory catch-22s. Please read the results of @rowanwalrath.bsky.social 's reporting as she's tried to better understand the state of drug development for long COVID and related conditions
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Julia Métraux @juliametraux.bsky.social · 20/07/2026
Really good story from @rowanwalrath.bsky.social on the desperation of patients with debilitating chronic illness symptoms for drugs that may give them relief and the lack of transparency to patients of why some trials stop. cen.acs.org/pharmaceutic...
cen.acs.org
Access to potential long COVID drugs dwindles as trials falter
Two sets of studies for COVID-driven conditions show the struggles of drug development
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Greg Folkers @gregfolkers.bsky.social · 20/07/2026
C&EN: Access to potential long COVID drugs dwindles as trials falter by Rowan Walrath @rowanwalrath.bsky.social @cenmag.bsky.social bit.ly/4psZxH7
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Rowan Walrath @rowanwalrath.bsky.social · 20/07/2026
In the picture on her GoFundMe page, Mia Delli Gatti looks bright and cheerful. She sticks out her tongue and curls her left hand into a “rock on” symbol. The sun shines through the short, dark curls that halo her face. 1/
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C&EN (Chemical & Engineering News) @cenmag.bsky.social · 30/06/2026
C&EN's 10 Start-Ups to Watch program is seeking nominations for promising chemistry #StartUps. Nominate a company today and help us uncover the future of innovation in chemistry. The deadline is tomorrow, July 1! Nominate here: cen.acs.org/surveys/star... #10StartUpsToWatch #chemsky 🧪
Nominate a start-up for C&EN’s 10 Start-Ups to Watch
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Rowan Walrath @rowanwalrath.bsky.social · 30/06/2026
Me the other night: “here, let me take a photo of the can since we liked this beer” The photo in the cold light of day:
A beer can in motion. It is completely blurred. It is clearly white with an illustration of a honeybee on the front but all other distinguishing characteristics are indiscernible.
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Rowan Walrath @rowanwalrath.bsky.social · 25/06/2026
Across conversations at #BIO2026, pharma leaders made it apparent that they do not care where, geographically, a drug candidate originates, so long as it has clinical and commercial potential. Here's what Boehringer Ingelheim, Sanofi, J&J, Bayer, and more are looking for cen.acs.org/pharmaceutic...
cen.acs.org
Here’s what pharmas and investors are looking for at BIO
And yes, China is at the forefront
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Dan Vergano @danvergano.bsky.social · 23/06/2026
Scientific American is being sold to LabX Media, publisher of Discover: group.springernature.com/gp/group/med... They've fired me and other union staff, ahead of June 26 vote ratification. My rates are suddenly more reasonable, if you need editing or reporting - Argonaut2026@gmail.com
group.springernature.com
Springer Nature to divest its consumer media businesses | Springer Nature Group | Springer Nature
Strategic divestment of consumer media portfolio enables Springer Nature to focus on its core business Transaction supports the long-term development
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Laura Howes @laurahowes.bsky.social · 23/06/2026
For all the agency chaos, some bits of the FDA are just getting on with things. Speaking to @rowanwalrath.bsky.social at this year's BIO conference, Vaxart's CEO says they've worked consistently with the same set of reviewers at the agency @cenmag.bsky.social cen.acs.org/pharmaceutic...
cen.acs.org
‘We’re prepared for whatever the FDA wants’: A vaccine developer gets back on track
Vaxart is weeks away from a key readout from its COVID-19 vaccine-pill trial
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C&EN (Chemical & Engineering News) @cenmag.bsky.social · 13/05/2026
They’re here! Introducing the Talented 12 Class for 2026. These early-career scientists are taking on big global #chemistry challenges. Meet the 2026 Class: cen.acs.org/people/profi... #CENT12 #chemsky 🧪
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Laura Howes @laurahowes.bsky.social · 13/05/2026
Marty Makary resigned on Tuesday after a tumultuous year as FDA commissioner. He leaves behind a mixed legacy, as @rowanwalrath.bsky.social reports for @cenmag.bsky.social cen.acs.org/policy/regul...
Marty Makary sits behind a microphone in a suit and tie
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Laurel Oldach @laureloldach.bsky.social · 23/04/2026
Really interesting to see the role the Berkeley grad student union has played in this case: cen.acs.org/research-int...
cen.acs.org
UC Berkeley professor accused of sexual harassment
Graduate student union files grievance on behalf of PhD student
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Universal Hub @universalhub.com · 17/04/2026
BU issues Marathon advice to students: No Animal Housing in the GAP and for God's sake, stay away from parties at BC if you can't handle your liquor www.universalhub.com/2026/bu-issu... #Boston #PatriotsDay
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John Bistline @bistline.bsky.social · 01/04/2026
This is my favorite climate change chart. Japanese monks, aristocrats, and emperors kept meticulous records of cherry blossom festivals for 1,200 years and accidentally built the world's longest climate dataset.
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Rowan Walrath @rowanwalrath.bsky.social · 31/03/2026
I'm proud to share that an article I published in @cenmag.bsky.social last February, "Long COVID studies stymied by pharma's lack of cooperation," has been selected as a finalist in the trade journalism category of the @nihcm.bsky.social Journalism Awards:
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Rowan Walrath @rowanwalrath.bsky.social · 31/03/2026
Lilly's acquisition of Centessa Pharmaceuticals is the third-largest biopharma acquisition of the year so far. $LLY $CNTA cen.acs.org/business/mer... @cenmag.bsky.social
cen.acs.org
Lilly to buy narcolepsy drug developer for $6.3 billion
The pharma giant has agreed to acquire Centessa Pharmaceuticals
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Scientific American @sciam.bsky.social · 31/03/2026
Infections of the BA.3.2 variant of the COVID-causing coronavirus are still at very low levels, but experts are concerned it may be resistant to immunity from vaccines or prior infection
scientificamerican.com
A new COVID variant is spreading in the U.S. How worried should you be?
Infections of the BA.3.2 variant of the COVID-causing coronavirus are still at very low levels, but experts are concerned it may be resistant to immunity from vaccines or prior infection
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Rowan Walrath @rowanwalrath.bsky.social · 30/03/2026
I'll be at BIO this June. Relatedly, it's so hard to imagine traveling to San Diego just to hang out in the convention center. Who wants to meet with me at the Point Loma tide pools? #biosky
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betsy ladyzhets 😷 @betsyladyzhets.bsky.social · 26/03/2026
RECOVER-TLC is hosting another webinar today, sharing updates on the Long COVID clinical trials program. I will do some live blogging here and might have further writing at @thesicktimes.org (if they share anything newsworthy).
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National Association of Science Writers (NASW) @sciencewriters.org · 19/03/2026
New Fellowship Alert: Our colleagues at The Open Notebook are partnering with Retraction Watch to offer up to six $7,500 fellowships + training to support reporting on local issues of scientific accountability. Learn more and register for the Mar 26 informational webinar:
theopennotebook.com
Announcing the Retraction Watch Research Accountability Reporting Fellowship - The Open Notebook
The Open Notebook and Retraction Watch are thrilled to announce a new fellowship program funded by The Center for Scientific Integrity. This six-month program will equip up to six reporters and editors at local newsrooms to report stories of scientific integrity unfolding at research universities or institutions in their areas.
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Rowan Walrath @rowanwalrath.bsky.social · 18/03/2026
A new start-up is launching out of Shanghai with $68.7 million and a plan to tackle cancer and autoimmune diseases with T-cell-engaging antibodies. cen.acs.org/pharmaceutic... @cenmag.bsky.social #chemsky #biosky
cen.acs.org
Shanghai start-up launches to develop trispecific antibodies
Excalipoint Therapeutics has raised $68.7 million
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Rowan Walrath @rowanwalrath.bsky.social · 17/03/2026
Many health scientists and practitioners are breathing a sigh of relief following a court decision that effectively reversed every change to US vaccine policy made since RFK took office last February. But for many children, irreversible damage has already been done.
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Overheard at C&EN @censays.bsky.social · 12/03/2026
In like a lamb, out like a lion, and presumably the middle is some horrible lamb/lion chimera
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cenguild.bsky.social @cenguild.bsky.social · 05/03/2026
The Chemical & Engineering News Guild has overwhelmingly won its union election, with 96% of participants voting in favor of unionization! @wbng.org @newsguild.org
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Rowan Walrath @rowanwalrath.bsky.social · 05/03/2026
The FDA recently described a new regulatory framework that would let personalized medicines with a “plausible mechanism” of action bypass randomized clinical trials. But recent decisions about rare disease drug applications raise doubts about what the pathway means for patients. #chemsky #biosky
"I think that there’s a lack of really trusting that this pathway that’s commercially viable for individualized medicine is really going to open up. If investors don’t believe in it, there are no companies in this space. The companies won’t last."

Julia Vitarello, patient advocate and founder, EveryONE Medicines
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Laurel Oldach @laureloldach.bsky.social · 04/03/2026
In light of FDA's recent announcement of new regulatory flexibility for individualized medicines that work through a "plausible mechanism," @rowanwalrath.bsky.social and I dug into what the agency is saying, what it's doing, and what's at stake for ppl w/ rare diseases. cen.acs.org/pharmaceutic...
cen.acs.org
FDA says it wants individualized medicines. Can we get there?
The agency has announced a new framework for approving rare disease drugs, but investors are still skeptical
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Laura Howes @laurahowes.bsky.social · 04/03/2026
The FDA recently announced a new regulatory framework that would let personalized medicines with a “plausible mechanism” of action bypass randomized clinical trials. For @cenmag.bsky.social, @rowanwalrath.bsky.social and @laureloldach.bsky.social dig into it
cen.acs.org
FDA says it wants individualized medicines. Can we get there?
The agency has announced a new framework for approving rare disease drugs, but investors are still skeptical
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Overheard at C&EN @censays.bsky.social · 27/02/2026
I haven't solved the epistemic crisis since we last talked, unfortunately
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Laurel Oldach @laureloldach.bsky.social · 18/02/2026
My colleagues @rowanwalrath.bsky.social and @sarahbraner.bsky.social dug into what we know about how alum and related adjuvants stimulate immunity and why MAHA regulators are going after them. cen.acs.org/pharmaceutic...
cen.acs.org
MAHA’s next target: metals in vaccine ingredients
Officials are going after metal-containing ingredients, including aluminum adjuvants. Here’s why vaccines need them
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Max Barnhart @maxhenrybarnhart.bsky.social · 30/01/2026
In the past, the US Advisory Committee on Immunization practices used a detailed, scientific methodology to assess vaccine data before making a recommendation. Now that process “has completely been circumvented,” under RFK Jr. @rowanwalrath.bsky.social and I have the details for @cenmag.bsky.social.
cen.acs.org
US vaccine recommendations used to be based in science. Now it’s all vibes
The Evidence to Recommendations framework ensured that the US vaccine schedule was scientifically sound. Then RFK Jr. abandoned it
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Carl Zimmer @carlzimmer.com · 15/01/2026
Controversial US study on hepatitis B vaccines in Africa is cancelled. Story by @melodyschreiber.com www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...
theguardian.com
Controversial US study on hepatitis B vaccines in Africa is cancelled
$1.6m project drew outrage over ethical questions about withholding vaccines proven to prevent disease
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C&EN (Chemical & Engineering News) @cenmag.bsky.social · 14/01/2026
C&EN’s Weekly Newsletter has evolved. Meet C&EN Elements, redesigned to deliver the essential developments in chemistry across research, industry, and policy: connect.discoveracs.org/weeklynewsle... #chemsky 🧪
The essential chemistry newsletter.
A concise weekly briefing from C&EN, covering the research, policy, and industry developments that matter most to chemists.
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Rowan Walrath @rowanwalrath.bsky.social · 13/01/2026
Discussions not deals on JPM day one: cen.acs.org/pharmaceutic... @cenmag.bsky.social #chemsky #biosky
cen.acs.org
Despite few big announcements at JPM, biotech investors optimistic
Discussions not deals on the first day of the J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference in San Francisco
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Maggie Astor @maggieastor.bsky.social · 06/01/2026
Copy Editing Matters, from HHS's release on the new childhood vaccine schedule: All the diseases will still be available to anyone who wants them
Ensures that all the diseases covered by the previous immunization schedule will still be available to anyone who wants them through Affordable Care Act insurance plans and federal insurance programs, including Medicaid, the Children’s Health Insurance Program, and the Vaccines for Children program. Families will not have to purchase them out of pocket. Among peer nations, the U.S. will continue to offer the most childhood vaccines for free to those who want them.
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FX Coudert @nanoporous.net · 06/01/2026
Congratulations to the amazing C&EN staff! As C&EN Advisory Board member, whose mission is to “provide insight, advice, and suggestions on how to best serve our audience and the world of chemistry”, I believe this is a good step toward a stronger magazine.
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Rowan Walrath @rowanwalrath.bsky.social · 06/01/2026
The new CDC schedule no longer universally recommends immunizations against meningitis, hepatitis A and B, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), rotavirus, COVID-19, and influenza. cen.acs.org/pharmaceutic...
cen.acs.org
6 shots removed from US childhood vaccine recommendations
Several immunizations now need a health-care provider’s endorsement
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Jason @nanojason.bsky.social · 05/01/2026
Long live c&en and everyone who brings us quality stories about chemistry
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Rowan Walrath @rowanwalrath.bsky.social · 05/01/2026
New year, new union! We’re forming @cenguild.bsky.social with @wbng.org so that everyone at C&EN—reporters, copy editors, production and operations staff, web and creative designers, multimedia producers, audience development—will have a voice in the direction of this magazine. ✊
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Leigh Krietsch Boerner @leighkboerner.bsky.social · 05/01/2026
new year, new union. heck yeah
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Washington-Baltimore News Guild @wbng.org · 05/01/2026
New year, new unit! Workers at Chemical & Engineering News have formed a union with WBNG! Read more here: wbng.org/2026/01/05/w...
wbng.org
Workers at Chemical & Engineering News announce union campaign - Washington-Baltimore News Guild
Workers of Chemical & Engineering News, the independent magazine of the American Chemical Society, have announced the formation of the union.
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