Dr Alison Peel
@alibat.bsky.social
🦇 disease ecologist & veterinarian, Horizon Fellow at Sydney Uni, using One Health approaches to study #viralspillover from bats #TeamHB7 She/her.
Reposted by Dr Alison Peel
ARC says they’ll announce DECRA and LIEF outcomes tomorrow (Tuesday 25th Nov).
In recent times these announcements have been around 11am Canberra time. With 2 schemes on the same day, I assume they’ll announce one of them later in the day (probably DECRA first).
In recent times these announcements have been around 11am Canberra time. With 2 schemes on the same day, I assume they’ll announce one of them later in the day (probably DECRA first).
November 23, 2025 at 11:40 PM
ARC says they’ll announce DECRA and LIEF outcomes tomorrow (Tuesday 25th Nov).
In recent times these announcements have been around 11am Canberra time. With 2 schemes on the same day, I assume they’ll announce one of them later in the day (probably DECRA first).
In recent times these announcements have been around 11am Canberra time. With 2 schemes on the same day, I assume they’ll announce one of them later in the day (probably DECRA first).
Reposted by Dr Alison Peel
Where to start, with a statement like this?
"Tim Ayres said the cuts were aimed at refocusing … CSIRO towards research priorities, such as critical minerals, iron & steel production in Australia."
From some rando down the bus stop, one would brush it off.
But this is from our Science Minister 🤯
"Tim Ayres said the cuts were aimed at refocusing … CSIRO towards research priorities, such as critical minerals, iron & steel production in Australia."
From some rando down the bus stop, one would brush it off.
But this is from our Science Minister 🤯
CSIRO to cut up to 350 research jobs in major overhaul
After 440 positions were slashed last year, the CSIRO has announced more staff cuts across the country in a bid to remain financially viable.
www.abc.net.au
November 19, 2025 at 12:10 AM
Where to start, with a statement like this?
"Tim Ayres said the cuts were aimed at refocusing … CSIRO towards research priorities, such as critical minerals, iron & steel production in Australia."
From some rando down the bus stop, one would brush it off.
But this is from our Science Minister 🤯
"Tim Ayres said the cuts were aimed at refocusing … CSIRO towards research priorities, such as critical minerals, iron & steel production in Australia."
From some rando down the bus stop, one would brush it off.
But this is from our Science Minister 🤯
Reposted by Dr Alison Peel
Thrilled to see this finally announced - and glad to see good things still happening to good people!
Congratulations to Pardis, Christian, and the rest of the Sentinel team! 👏🥳
www.macfound.org/press/press-...
Congratulations to Pardis, Christian, and the rest of the Sentinel team! 👏🥳
www.macfound.org/press/press-...
Sentinel Awarded $100 Million to Prevent Pandemics
www.macfound.org
November 18, 2025 at 10:17 PM
Thrilled to see this finally announced - and glad to see good things still happening to good people!
Congratulations to Pardis, Christian, and the rest of the Sentinel team! 👏🥳
www.macfound.org/press/press-...
Congratulations to Pardis, Christian, and the rest of the Sentinel team! 👏🥳
www.macfound.org/press/press-...
Reposted by Dr Alison Peel
“CSIRO has announced it will slash up to 350 jobs as the national science agency grapples with long-term financial challenges … with current funding failing to keep pace with the rising costs of running a modern science agency.”
Not “challenges”. They’re choices. 😡
Not “challenges”. They’re choices. 😡
CSIRO to cut up to 350 research jobs in major overhaul
After 440 positions were slashed last year, the CSIRO has announced more staff cuts across the country in a bid to remain financially viable.
www.abc.net.au
November 18, 2025 at 6:15 AM
“CSIRO has announced it will slash up to 350 jobs as the national science agency grapples with long-term financial challenges … with current funding failing to keep pace with the rising costs of running a modern science agency.”
Not “challenges”. They’re choices. 😡
Not “challenges”. They’re choices. 😡
Reposted by Dr Alison Peel
First outbreak of Marburg (or Ebola) in Ethiopia. There isn't a licensed vaccine for Marburg, but an experimental one was used for a 2024 outbreak in Rwanda (www.science.org/content/arti...).
The suspected outbreak of a hemorrhagic vial illness in Ethiopia has now been confirmed to Marburg Virus Disease. So far 9 cases have been identified in a part of the country that shares a border with Sudan.
apnews.com/article/ethi...
apnews.com/article/ethi...
Ethiopia confirms first Marburg outbreak as WHO lauds country's fast action
Ethiopia has confirmed its first Marburg outbreak after nine cases were identified in the southern region of the country that borders South Sudan.
apnews.com
November 14, 2025 at 9:39 PM
First outbreak of Marburg (or Ebola) in Ethiopia. There isn't a licensed vaccine for Marburg, but an experimental one was used for a 2024 outbreak in Rwanda (www.science.org/content/arti...).
Reposted by Dr Alison Peel
Applications are open for the Postdoctoral Enrichment Program (PDEP)—supporting postdocs as they advance cutting-edge research and build thriving scientific careers.
Learn more & apply: bwfund.org/pdep #bwfpdep
Learn more & apply: bwfund.org/pdep #bwfpdep
November 14, 2025 at 7:26 PM
Applications are open for the Postdoctoral Enrichment Program (PDEP)—supporting postdocs as they advance cutting-edge research and build thriving scientific careers.
Learn more & apply: bwfund.org/pdep #bwfpdep
Learn more & apply: bwfund.org/pdep #bwfpdep
Reposted by Dr Alison Peel
I will try to do a tweetorial about this paper when I have more energy but this is really important data. It looks (tentatively, preliminarily) that COVID-19 mRNA vaccines might significantly enhance the effectiveness of cancer immunotherapy (subject to many caveats).
SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccines sensitize tumours to immune checkpoint blockade
Nature - mRNA vaccines targeting SARS-CoV-2 also sensitize tumours to immune checkpoint inhibitors.
rdcu.be
October 25, 2025 at 5:53 PM
Reposted by Dr Alison Peel
Our paper on the phenomenon of persistence and latency in Ebola virus in an unobserved reservoir is finally out in preprint: www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Evidence of latency reshapes our understanding of Ebola virus reservoir dynamics
Ebola virus (EBOV) has caused severe outbreaks of haemorrhagic fever in Central and West Africa since the first observed zoonotic epidemic in the late 1970s. While recent outbreaks have revealed much ...
www.biorxiv.org
October 19, 2025 at 11:36 AM
Our paper on the phenomenon of persistence and latency in Ebola virus in an unobserved reservoir is finally out in preprint: www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Reposted by Dr Alison Peel
Dunno if youse are across this... but it's forecast that in Sydney on Wednesday the temp will be 38C. (100 F)
It's OCTOBER! That's FIFTEEN DEGREES ABOVE AVERAGE!
Our Government and fossil fuel companies are determined to cook us alive! Boil the oceans. Kill our forests. Turn habitat to ash.🥺😩
It's OCTOBER! That's FIFTEEN DEGREES ABOVE AVERAGE!
Our Government and fossil fuel companies are determined to cook us alive! Boil the oceans. Kill our forests. Turn habitat to ash.🥺😩
October 18, 2025 at 4:57 AM
Dunno if youse are across this... but it's forecast that in Sydney on Wednesday the temp will be 38C. (100 F)
It's OCTOBER! That's FIFTEEN DEGREES ABOVE AVERAGE!
Our Government and fossil fuel companies are determined to cook us alive! Boil the oceans. Kill our forests. Turn habitat to ash.🥺😩
It's OCTOBER! That's FIFTEEN DEGREES ABOVE AVERAGE!
Our Government and fossil fuel companies are determined to cook us alive! Boil the oceans. Kill our forests. Turn habitat to ash.🥺😩
Reposted by Dr Alison Peel
… today, a group of 160 scientists from 23 countries is announcing that the planet has already reached its first major tipping point: the widespread death of warm-water coral reefs.
Corals are disappearing, pushing Earth to its first major ‘tipping point’
A new report says Earth has reached a dire milestone with the widespread death of warm-water coral reefs. It's not too late to save what remains.
grist.org
October 13, 2025 at 8:31 PM
… today, a group of 160 scientists from 23 countries is announcing that the planet has already reached its first major tipping point: the widespread death of warm-water coral reefs.
Reposted by Dr Alison Peel
I don’t know who needs to hear this but the CDC is being eviscerated right now. America is not going to have any kind of outbreak response capacity after tonight. Americans’ health data is no longer secure. Say goodbye to federal public health in any capacity. It’s a disaster. We won’t recover.
October 11, 2025 at 3:05 AM
I don’t know who needs to hear this but the CDC is being eviscerated right now. America is not going to have any kind of outbreak response capacity after tonight. Americans’ health data is no longer secure. Say goodbye to federal public health in any capacity. It’s a disaster. We won’t recover.
Reposted by Dr Alison Peel
An ode to the written word.
Here's a great Shot debut from David Rayfield. "Writing has nothing to fear from AI – just from those who support it"
Writing has nothing to fear from AI - just from those who support it - The Shot
“We’re seeing a year-on-year decline on text,” said Facebook VP for Europe, Middle East and Africa, Nicola Mendelsohn, in a...
theshot.net.au
October 11, 2025 at 7:41 AM
An ode to the written word.
Reposted by Dr Alison Peel
This is desperately sad. Professor John Woinarski breaks the news for @aunz.theconversation.com that Australia's next animal - the tiny Christmas Island Shrew - has officially been declared extinct.
theconversation.com/and-then-the...
theconversation.com/and-then-the...
And then there were none: Australia’s only shrew declared extinct
Australia’s only known shrew has been declared extinct. Its loss emphasises the need for national protection of Australia’s rare and unique wildlife.
theconversation.com
October 10, 2025 at 10:02 AM
This is desperately sad. Professor John Woinarski breaks the news for @aunz.theconversation.com that Australia's next animal - the tiny Christmas Island Shrew - has officially been declared extinct.
theconversation.com/and-then-the...
theconversation.com/and-then-the...
Aww shucks, thanks so much @wdaa.bsky.social
I love the sense of “being amongst my people” that the WDAA community brings & am so honoured to have been recognised in this way by that community.
Thanks so much to the committee, my nominator & all my students/collaborators for their contributions 🦇
I love the sense of “being amongst my people” that the WDAA community brings & am so honoured to have been recognised in this way by that community.
Thanks so much to the committee, my nominator & all my students/collaborators for their contributions 🦇
Congratulations to Dr Alison Peel, winner of this year‘s prestigious WDA-A Barry L Munday Award for her extraordinary and extensive contributions to the field of wildlife health. @alibat.bsky.social #wdaa2025
October 3, 2025 at 4:21 AM
Aww shucks, thanks so much @wdaa.bsky.social
I love the sense of “being amongst my people” that the WDAA community brings & am so honoured to have been recognised in this way by that community.
Thanks so much to the committee, my nominator & all my students/collaborators for their contributions 🦇
I love the sense of “being amongst my people” that the WDAA community brings & am so honoured to have been recognised in this way by that community.
Thanks so much to the committee, my nominator & all my students/collaborators for their contributions 🦇
Reposted by Dr Alison Peel
An interesting ZOLA (Zoonotic Risk Mitigation in Live Animal Markets) PhD research project for a Bangladeshi candidate
[email protected] for more info
[email protected] for more info
September 8, 2025 at 8:51 AM
An interesting ZOLA (Zoonotic Risk Mitigation in Live Animal Markets) PhD research project for a Bangladeshi candidate
[email protected] for more info
[email protected] for more info
Reposted by Dr Alison Peel
"Israel's policies and actions in Gaza meet the legal definition of genocide in Article II of the United Nations Convention for the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide (1948)".
www.abc.net.au/news/2025-09...
www.abc.net.au/news/2025-09...
Leading scholars say Israel committing genocide in Gaza
The International Association of Genocide Scholars says signatories to the genocide convention, including Australia, should prevent arms sales to Israel and uphold international law.
www.abc.net.au
September 1, 2025 at 10:25 PM
"Israel's policies and actions in Gaza meet the legal definition of genocide in Article II of the United Nations Convention for the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide (1948)".
www.abc.net.au/news/2025-09...
www.abc.net.au/news/2025-09...
Reposted by Dr Alison Peel
An announcement of famine — as has now happened regarding Gaza — is a complicated decision. Here's what must be considered before such a declaration is made.
Famine is declared in Gaza: What does it take to make this pronouncement?
An announcement of famine — as has now happened regarding Gaza — is a complicated decision. Here's what must be considered before such a declaration is made.
n.pr
August 22, 2025 at 9:21 PM
An announcement of famine — as has now happened regarding Gaza — is a complicated decision. Here's what must be considered before such a declaration is made.
Reposted by Dr Alison Peel
"This famine is entirely man-made, it can be halted and reversed. The time for debate and hesitation has passed, starvation is present and is rapidly spreading."
At least 30% of children suffer from acute malnutrition.
THIRTY PERCENT
At least 30% of children suffer from acute malnutrition.
THIRTY PERCENT
August 22, 2025 at 10:31 AM
"This famine is entirely man-made, it can be halted and reversed. The time for debate and hesitation has passed, starvation is present and is rapidly spreading."
At least 30% of children suffer from acute malnutrition.
THIRTY PERCENT
At least 30% of children suffer from acute malnutrition.
THIRTY PERCENT
Reposted by Dr Alison Peel
Nature: Cancelling mRNA studies is the highest irresponsibility
go.nature.com/3HDx4wD
cc Jay Bhattacharya
go.nature.com/3HDx4wD
cc Jay Bhattacharya
August 15, 2025 at 8:21 PM
Nature: Cancelling mRNA studies is the highest irresponsibility
go.nature.com/3HDx4wD
cc Jay Bhattacharya
go.nature.com/3HDx4wD
cc Jay Bhattacharya
Reposted by Dr Alison Peel
I'm looking forward to being a part of this special episode of What The Duck, when the winner of Australia's Most Underrated Animal will be announced.
12-1pm, Today, on ABC RN.
Go team #MarsupialMole!
www.abc.net.au/news/science... #NationalScienceWeek
12-1pm, Today, on ABC RN.
Go team #MarsupialMole!
www.abc.net.au/news/science... #NationalScienceWeek
Gunning for the ghost bat? Vote now for your fave underrated animal
Move over, roos and emus — this National Science Week, we're looking for the most underrated Australian animal. Meet the contestants, and vote for who you think should win.
www.abc.net.au
August 14, 2025 at 10:24 PM
I'm looking forward to being a part of this special episode of What The Duck, when the winner of Australia's Most Underrated Animal will be announced.
12-1pm, Today, on ABC RN.
Go team #MarsupialMole!
www.abc.net.au/news/science... #NationalScienceWeek
12-1pm, Today, on ABC RN.
Go team #MarsupialMole!
www.abc.net.au/news/science... #NationalScienceWeek
Reposted by Dr Alison Peel
For all of the educators trying to deal with AI, I did a deep dive in early June and these are the four articles I decided to assign to my students.
1. This is the longest of the bunch, but so wonderfully comprehensive.
www.technologyreview.com/2025/05/20/1...
1. This is the longest of the bunch, but so wonderfully comprehensive.
www.technologyreview.com/2025/05/20/1...
We did the math on AI’s energy footprint. Here’s the story you haven’t heard.
The emissions from individual AI text, image, and video queries seem small—until you add up what the industry isn’t tracking and consider where it’s heading next.
www.technologyreview.com
August 14, 2025 at 10:17 AM
For all of the educators trying to deal with AI, I did a deep dive in early June and these are the four articles I decided to assign to my students.
1. This is the longest of the bunch, but so wonderfully comprehensive.
www.technologyreview.com/2025/05/20/1...
1. This is the longest of the bunch, but so wonderfully comprehensive.
www.technologyreview.com/2025/05/20/1...
Reposted by Dr Alison Peel
Grateful to @marionkoopmans.bsky.social for writing this thoughtful piece in Nature Rev Micro. We can’t push back against anti-science movements without taking the threat seriously, proactively address our limitations, and engage with the public clearly & candidly.
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Anti-science and the science community
Nature Reviews Microbiology - As anti-science sentiment intensifies — aggravated by the pandemic, driven in some parts of the world by political actors and amplified by social media —...
www.nature.com
August 13, 2025 at 8:20 PM
Grateful to @marionkoopmans.bsky.social for writing this thoughtful piece in Nature Rev Micro. We can’t push back against anti-science movements without taking the threat seriously, proactively address our limitations, and engage with the public clearly & candidly.
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Reposted by Dr Alison Peel
I usually tell people that *so far*, habitat loss, not climate change, has been the major driver of bird population declines... but now we're starting to get analyses directly connecting bird declines to extreme weather events fueled by climate change. 🪶 theconversation.com/70-years-of-...
70 years of data show extreme heat is already wiping out tropical bird populations
A study using more than 90,000 scientific observations shows Earth is getting too hot for many tropical birds.
theconversation.com
August 12, 2025 at 5:04 PM
I usually tell people that *so far*, habitat loss, not climate change, has been the major driver of bird population declines... but now we're starting to get analyses directly connecting bird declines to extreme weather events fueled by climate change. 🪶 theconversation.com/70-years-of-...
Reposted by Dr Alison Peel
Forecasting the effects of #epidemics is complicated by a population’s pathogen exposure history. @pfvale.bsky.social @chadisaadroy.bsky.social & Mike Boots argue for the use of experimental #DiseaseEcology to better understand the consequences of variations in #infection history 🧪
plos.io/4mdDVvW
plos.io/4mdDVvW
The ghost of infections past: Accounting for heterogeneity in individual infection history improves accuracy in epidemic forecasting
Variable pathogen exposure history contributes to individual immune differences, complicating epidemic forecasting. This Essay argues that experimental disease ecology can offer powerful tools and app...
plos.io
August 12, 2025 at 9:04 AM
Forecasting the effects of #epidemics is complicated by a population’s pathogen exposure history. @pfvale.bsky.social @chadisaadroy.bsky.social & Mike Boots argue for the use of experimental #DiseaseEcology to better understand the consequences of variations in #infection history 🧪
plos.io/4mdDVvW
plos.io/4mdDVvW