Shweta Bansal
@bansallab.bsky.social
Professor in infectious disease ecology and mathematical epidemiology at Georgetown University (Washington DC). #socialbehavior, #netsci, #networks, #spatialepi, #bigdata, #mathbio, #inequities, #openscience, she/her. http://bansallab.com
This ππ½ππ½ππ½
There is no 280 character answer to this, and much of the reason that the world broke over the last six years is that a bunch of my colleagues feel comfortable trying to come up with one. It is massive work chewed through one bite at a time.
Whatβs the most concerning thing we should be worried about and what signs should we look for in determining if another pandemic is imminent? Should we be looking at Canadaβs detection apparatus or another countries? Where are the reputable sources we can trust that arenβt trumpian propaganda?
December 8, 2025 at 4:22 AM
This ππ½ππ½ππ½
Reposted by Shweta Bansal
Today I presented our new work at #Epidemics10 on understanding the drivers of influenza seasonality, with a particular focus on the role of indoor crowding and the built environment. It was so exciting to discuss it with so many experts in human flu! π· @bansallab.bsky.social
December 3, 2025 at 2:18 AM
Today I presented our new work at #Epidemics10 on understanding the drivers of influenza seasonality, with a particular focus on the role of indoor crowding and the built environment. It was so exciting to discuss it with so many experts in human flu! π· @bansallab.bsky.social
ππ½
The field is only successful thanks to great work like yours!
The field is only successful thanks to great work like yours!
December 1, 2025 at 7:30 PM
ππ½
The field is only successful thanks to great work like yours!
The field is only successful thanks to great work like yours!
The CDC updated its vaccine page to claim "vaccines do not cause autism" is "not evidence-based" and studies were "ignored." This is an outrage. Decades of research have found no link. This isn't science, it's RFK Jr. using the CDC as propaganda. Children will die because of this.
November 20, 2025 at 12:55 PM
The CDC updated its vaccine page to claim "vaccines do not cause autism" is "not evidence-based" and studies were "ignored." This is an outrage. Decades of research have found no link. This isn't science, it's RFK Jr. using the CDC as propaganda. Children will die because of this.
Thank you, @lizneeley.bsky.social! Very grateful for your work in these maddening times.
November 3, 2025 at 1:56 PM
Thank you, @lizneeley.bsky.social! Very grateful for your work in these maddening times.
Reposted by Shweta Bansal
Lauer is super concerned about the demoralizing impact of low success rates...now that it is white folks being affected drugmonkey.wordpress.com/2025/09/30/l...
Lauer is super concerned about the demoralizing impact of low success ratesβ¦now that it is white folks being affected
Mike Lauer, prior head of the Office of Extramural Research at the NIH, has been quoted in a recent Nature news bit by Max Kozlov on the Fiscal Year 2025 grant funding picture. Kozlov writes, in paβ¦
drugmonkey.wordpress.com
October 1, 2025 at 12:52 AM
Lauer is super concerned about the demoralizing impact of low success rates...now that it is white folks being affected drugmonkey.wordpress.com/2025/09/30/l...
Reposted by Shweta Bansal
There is time to urge a change to the current #GRFP solicitation ( #NSF 25-547 ): reverse the eligibility restrictions and ensure applicants (including 2nd year PhD students) have a fair chance in the competition.
Feel free to sign and share this open petition:
laurenkuehne.github.io/grfpChanges/
Feel free to sign and share this open petition:
laurenkuehne.github.io/grfpChanges/
Petition to NSF to Restore Eligibility for the 2026 Graduate Research Fellowship Program Competition
laurenkuehne.github.io
September 29, 2025 at 6:16 PM
There is time to urge a change to the current #GRFP solicitation ( #NSF 25-547 ): reverse the eligibility restrictions and ensure applicants (including 2nd year PhD students) have a fair chance in the competition.
Feel free to sign and share this open petition:
laurenkuehne.github.io/grfpChanges/
Feel free to sign and share this open petition:
laurenkuehne.github.io/grfpChanges/
Reposted by Shweta Bansal
NSF GRFP is out 2.5 months late w/key changes
1. 2nd year graduate students not eligible.
2. "alignment with Administration priorities"
3. Unlike prior years, they DO NOT specify the expected number of awards... that is a BIG problem.
a brief 𧡠w/receipts
www.nsf.gov/funding/oppo...
1. 2nd year graduate students not eligible.
2. "alignment with Administration priorities"
3. Unlike prior years, they DO NOT specify the expected number of awards... that is a BIG problem.
a brief 𧡠w/receipts
www.nsf.gov/funding/oppo...
NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP)
www.nsf.gov
September 27, 2025 at 12:04 AM
NSF GRFP is out 2.5 months late w/key changes
1. 2nd year graduate students not eligible.
2. "alignment with Administration priorities"
3. Unlike prior years, they DO NOT specify the expected number of awards... that is a BIG problem.
a brief 𧡠w/receipts
www.nsf.gov/funding/oppo...
1. 2nd year graduate students not eligible.
2. "alignment with Administration priorities"
3. Unlike prior years, they DO NOT specify the expected number of awards... that is a BIG problem.
a brief 𧡠w/receipts
www.nsf.gov/funding/oppo...
Reposted by Shweta Bansal
Tracy Beth Hoeg at FDA is highly likely to use the VAERS data to make spurious inferences on COVID vaccines. She comes with strong biases against childhood vaccination and no experience in infectious disease epidemiology. Beware what Hoeg, Makary and RFK are sellingβ¦
A brief bluetorial about VAERS (Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System)
Self-reported data about adverse effects occurring contemporaneously with vaccinations are useful but have many limitations
Self-reported data about adverse effects occurring contemporaneously with vaccinations are useful but have many limitations
a cartoon says hey everybody an old man 's talking while bart simpson looks on
ALT: a cartoon says hey everybody an old man 's talking while bart simpson looks on
media.tenor.com
September 12, 2025 at 8:50 PM
Tracy Beth Hoeg at FDA is highly likely to use the VAERS data to make spurious inferences on COVID vaccines. She comes with strong biases against childhood vaccination and no experience in infectious disease epidemiology. Beware what Hoeg, Makary and RFK are sellingβ¦
Yes! You made it happen!
August 7, 2025 at 12:07 PM
Yes! You made it happen!
Far too kind. β€οΈ π.
July 31, 2025 at 10:27 PM
Far too kind. β€οΈ π.
Reposted by Shweta Bansal
Dr. Gonsalves has written a piece that is equal parts brilliant and tragic. Read it and use it as motivation to keep fighting the destruction of US science infrastructure. @gregggonsalves.bsky.social
America Is Sliding Into the Abyss
Our science and health infrastructure lies in tatters. Once-dead viruses are roaring back to life. Many people will die. In other words, weβve reached the point of no return.
www.thenation.com
July 11, 2025 at 7:45 PM
Dr. Gonsalves has written a piece that is equal parts brilliant and tragic. Read it and use it as motivation to keep fighting the destruction of US science infrastructure. @gregggonsalves.bsky.social
Reposted by Shweta Bansal
The great @jimalwine.bsky.social and I on the absolute necessity of restoring the NIH's funding. www.statnews.com/2025/06/26/n...
Private sector, philanthropy canβt replace Trump administration science cuts
Weak plans that propose alternatives to NIH funding are giving false hope to researchers.
www.statnews.com
June 26, 2025 at 9:07 AM
The great @jimalwine.bsky.social and I on the absolute necessity of restoring the NIH's funding. www.statnews.com/2025/06/26/n...
ππ½ Congrats, Giulia and the whole team!
June 19, 2025 at 6:29 PM
ππ½ Congrats, Giulia and the whole team!
Reposted by Shweta Bansal
New paper! Synchronized breathing data and network models show that age and sex shape infection risk in bottlenose dolphinsβcritical insight for protecting marine wildlife from future outbreaks. Collab w/ @bansallab.bsky.social
rdcu.be/epHE8
rdcu.be/epHE8
Breathing synchrony shapes respiratory disease risk in bottlenose dolphins
Communications Biology - Social network modeling of wild dolphins reveals how age- and sex-structured contact patterns shape infection risk, offering insight into disease vulnerability and...
rdcu.be
June 6, 2025 at 8:36 AM
New paper! Synchronized breathing data and network models show that age and sex shape infection risk in bottlenose dolphinsβcritical insight for protecting marine wildlife from future outbreaks. Collab w/ @bansallab.bsky.social
rdcu.be/epHE8
rdcu.be/epHE8
Reposted by Shweta Bansal
π₯ When smoke from climate-linked wildfires drives people indoors, respiratory infections rise. But if 10% of people wear masks, this effect could be offset.
New research in PLOS Climate by Arregui-GarcΓa and colleagues π
journals.plos.org/climate/arti...
New research in PLOS Climate by Arregui-GarcΓa and colleagues π
journals.plos.org/climate/arti...
Disruption of outdoor activities caused by wildfire smoke shapes circulation of respiratory pathogens
Author summary The effects of climate change on human health are becoming more evident, but we often overlook one crucial factor: how extreme weather events influence our behaviors and, in turn, the s...
journals.plos.org
June 19, 2025 at 9:06 AM
π₯ When smoke from climate-linked wildfires drives people indoors, respiratory infections rise. But if 10% of people wear masks, this effect could be offset.
New research in PLOS Climate by Arregui-GarcΓa and colleagues π
journals.plos.org/climate/arti...
New research in PLOS Climate by Arregui-GarcΓa and colleagues π
journals.plos.org/climate/arti...
Joining colleagues in backing NIH staff who wrote the Bethesda Declaration. Time to defend the research infrastructure that has made US biomedicine a global leader from harmful political interference.
I wanted to show support for these brave public servants and to allow others, including the scientific community, to join me. In partnership with @standupforscience.bsky.socialβ¬, we have a way for you to do that... www.standupforscience.net/bethesda-dec...
Bethesda Declaration β STAND UP FOR SCIENCE
Support NIH Staff Now!
www.standupforscience.net
June 9, 2025 at 8:20 PM
Joining colleagues in backing NIH staff who wrote the Bethesda Declaration. Time to defend the research infrastructure that has made US biomedicine a global leader from harmful political interference.
Reposted by Shweta Bansal
important historical perspective on the value of federal funding of basic research at universities: "These are the building blocks of America's extraordinary strength, created over the last 100 years, and they are now being dismantled in 100 days" π§ͺ
www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Qk4...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Qk4...
Fareedβs Take: Trump is gutting what made American science great
YouTube video by CNN
www.youtube.com
May 13, 2025 at 5:12 PM
important historical perspective on the value of federal funding of basic research at universities: "These are the building blocks of America's extraordinary strength, created over the last 100 years, and they are now being dismantled in 100 days" π§ͺ
www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Qk4...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Qk4...
Reposted by Shweta Bansal
NIH moved up the expiration date for some funding opportunities, effectively *canceling* the next application date without removing it from the standard table. I can't even imagine how many people are still prepping these grants.
π List of impacted opportunities:
grants.nih.gov/grants/guide...
π List of impacted opportunities:
grants.nih.gov/grants/guide...
May 20, 2025 at 1:48 PM
NIH moved up the expiration date for some funding opportunities, effectively *canceling* the next application date without removing it from the standard table. I can't even imagine how many people are still prepping these grants.
π List of impacted opportunities:
grants.nih.gov/grants/guide...
π List of impacted opportunities:
grants.nih.gov/grants/guide...
Reposted by Shweta Bansal
Applying to STEM grad programs? π
Apply now for #CLGSMI! π€©
β‘οΈ cientificolatino.com/gsmi
The GSMI program supports applicants through 1-on-1 mentorship, fee waivers, professional development, and community building!
Applications accepted on a ROLLING basis until 5/31!
Apply now for #CLGSMI! π€©
β‘οΈ cientificolatino.com/gsmi
The GSMI program supports applicants through 1-on-1 mentorship, fee waivers, professional development, and community building!
Applications accepted on a ROLLING basis until 5/31!
April 29, 2025 at 4:13 PM
Applying to STEM grad programs? π
Apply now for #CLGSMI! π€©
β‘οΈ cientificolatino.com/gsmi
The GSMI program supports applicants through 1-on-1 mentorship, fee waivers, professional development, and community building!
Applications accepted on a ROLLING basis until 5/31!
Apply now for #CLGSMI! π€©
β‘οΈ cientificolatino.com/gsmi
The GSMI program supports applicants through 1-on-1 mentorship, fee waivers, professional development, and community building!
Applications accepted on a ROLLING basis until 5/31!
Reposted by Shweta Bansal
So what should NSF grantees, worried by terminated grants, do? That's something I've been thinking a lot about, given my own NSF grants.
First, I'd encourage to read this AAUP guide focused squarely on NSF grant termination policies: www.aaup.org/sites/defaul...
First, I'd encourage to read this AAUP guide focused squarely on NSF grant termination policies: www.aaup.org/sites/defaul...
April 18, 2025 at 2:48 AM
So what should NSF grantees, worried by terminated grants, do? That's something I've been thinking a lot about, given my own NSF grants.
First, I'd encourage to read this AAUP guide focused squarely on NSF grant termination policies: www.aaup.org/sites/defaul...
First, I'd encourage to read this AAUP guide focused squarely on NSF grant termination policies: www.aaup.org/sites/defaul...
Reposted by Shweta Bansal
Drug-resistant gonorrhea, a form of the widespread sexually transmitted infection, is considered an urgent health threat worldwide. The US has just lost its ability to detect it.
www.nytimes.com/2025/04/04/h...
www.nytimes.com/2025/04/04/h...
A Federal Lab That Tracked Rising S.T.I.s Has Been Shuttered (Gift Article)
The United States can no longer keep tabs on drug-resistant gonorrhea, among other infections, scientists said.
www.nytimes.com
April 4, 2025 at 10:43 PM
Drug-resistant gonorrhea, a form of the widespread sexually transmitted infection, is considered an urgent health threat worldwide. The US has just lost its ability to detect it.
www.nytimes.com/2025/04/04/h...
www.nytimes.com/2025/04/04/h...
Reposted by Shweta Bansal
UPDATE: Here's where we're at w/ NIH grant terminations:
β 429 NIH grants terminated*
β 137 related to HIV/AIDS prevention
β 27 on cancer
β 16 on Alzheimer's
The full Airtable, thanks to wizardry of @noamross.netπ
*This is just what we know. There are certainly more we don't know about yet.
β 429 NIH grants terminated*
β 137 related to HIV/AIDS prevention
β 27 on cancer
β 16 on Alzheimer's
The full Airtable, thanks to wizardry of @noamross.netπ
*This is just what we know. There are certainly more we don't know about yet.
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March 28, 2025 at 3:20 PM
UPDATE: Here's where we're at w/ NIH grant terminations:
β 429 NIH grants terminated*
β 137 related to HIV/AIDS prevention
β 27 on cancer
β 16 on Alzheimer's
The full Airtable, thanks to wizardry of @noamross.netπ
*This is just what we know. There are certainly more we don't know about yet.
β 429 NIH grants terminated*
β 137 related to HIV/AIDS prevention
β 27 on cancer
β 16 on Alzheimer's
The full Airtable, thanks to wizardry of @noamross.netπ
*This is just what we know. There are certainly more we don't know about yet.
Reposted by Shweta Bansal
If the public already knows, then surely there is no harm in posting the results. But they want to suppress them because RFK Jr., who is an anti-vaxxer and who has never conducted scientific research, thinks vaccines are bad. www.propublica.org/article/meas...
The CDC Buried a Measles Forecast That Stressed the Need for Vaccinations
The move β along with the CDCβs explanation β is a sign that the nationβs top public health agency may be falling in line under HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a longtime critic of vaccines.
www.propublica.org
March 29, 2025 at 12:15 AM
If the public already knows, then surely there is no harm in posting the results. But they want to suppress them because RFK Jr., who is an anti-vaxxer and who has never conducted scientific research, thinks vaccines are bad. www.propublica.org/article/meas...