Diane Chen, PhD
@drdianechen.bsky.social
Pediatric Psychologist | Professor of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Pediatrics, and Medical Social Sciences | Associate Editor, Clinical Practice in Pediatric Psychology | she/her | Views my own
Thanks @abctnow.bsky.social for the opportunity to discuss the state of the science and emerging research on gender-affirming medical care for trans youth!
November 23, 2025 at 3:45 PM
Thanks @abctnow.bsky.social for the opportunity to discuss the state of the science and emerging research on gender-affirming medical care for trans youth!
Reposted by Diane Chen, PhD
We wrote the Strain on scientific publishing to highlight the problems of time & trust. With a fantastic group of co-authors, we present The Drain of Scientific Publishing:
a 🧵 1/n
Drain: arxiv.org/abs/2511.04820
Strain: direct.mit.edu/qss/article/...
Oligopoly: direct.mit.edu/qss/article/...
a 🧵 1/n
Drain: arxiv.org/abs/2511.04820
Strain: direct.mit.edu/qss/article/...
Oligopoly: direct.mit.edu/qss/article/...
November 11, 2025 at 11:52 AM
We wrote the Strain on scientific publishing to highlight the problems of time & trust. With a fantastic group of co-authors, we present The Drain of Scientific Publishing:
a 🧵 1/n
Drain: arxiv.org/abs/2511.04820
Strain: direct.mit.edu/qss/article/...
Oligopoly: direct.mit.edu/qss/article/...
a 🧵 1/n
Drain: arxiv.org/abs/2511.04820
Strain: direct.mit.edu/qss/article/...
Oligopoly: direct.mit.edu/qss/article/...
Reposted by Diane Chen, PhD
Reposted by Diane Chen, PhD
Article in Nature from a former NIH employee and Bethesda Declaration signer...
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
‘A whole body of health-equity research is being disappeared’ — why I resigned from the NIH
As federal support vanishes for research addressing the root causes of health disparities in the United States, we are left with a dangerous void and an urgent need to rethink science funding.
www.nature.com
August 12, 2025 at 2:18 PM
Article in Nature from a former NIH employee and Bethesda Declaration signer...
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Proud to have contributed to this commentary in response to the HHS report on pediatric gender dysphoria
urldefense.com/v3/__https:/...
urldefense.com/v3/__https:/...
urldefense.com
August 12, 2025 at 4:30 AM
Proud to have contributed to this commentary in response to the HHS report on pediatric gender dysphoria
urldefense.com/v3/__https:/...
urldefense.com/v3/__https:/...
Reposted by Diane Chen, PhD
Here is the Democracy Now/ACLU brief for the Supreme Court.
Thanks to all of the plaintiffs for standing up, and the attorneys and their staffs for all of their hard work.
Let's win this thing (again)
protectdemocracy.org/wp-content/u...
Thanks to all of the plaintiffs for standing up, and the attorneys and their staffs for all of their hard work.
Let's win this thing (again)
protectdemocracy.org/wp-content/u...
protectdemocracy.org
August 2, 2025 at 11:48 PM
Here is the Democracy Now/ACLU brief for the Supreme Court.
Thanks to all of the plaintiffs for standing up, and the attorneys and their staffs for all of their hard work.
Let's win this thing (again)
protectdemocracy.org/wp-content/u...
Thanks to all of the plaintiffs for standing up, and the attorneys and their staffs for all of their hard work.
Let's win this thing (again)
protectdemocracy.org/wp-content/u...
Reposted by Diane Chen, PhD
Here are some of the highlights of the appropriations bill that the Senate appropriations committee just approved:
$48.7 billion for NIH, an increase of $400 million
Rejects the proposal to cap
indirect cost rates at 15%
Includes a provision to prevent MYF that would reduce the number of grants
$48.7 billion for NIH, an increase of $400 million
Rejects the proposal to cap
indirect cost rates at 15%
Includes a provision to prevent MYF that would reduce the number of grants
www.appropriations.senate.gov
July 31, 2025 at 7:31 PM
Here are some of the highlights of the appropriations bill that the Senate appropriations committee just approved:
$48.7 billion for NIH, an increase of $400 million
Rejects the proposal to cap
indirect cost rates at 15%
Includes a provision to prevent MYF that would reduce the number of grants
$48.7 billion for NIH, an increase of $400 million
Rejects the proposal to cap
indirect cost rates at 15%
Includes a provision to prevent MYF that would reduce the number of grants
Reposted by Diane Chen, PhD
A good explainer for #NIH funded researchers on why the multiyear funding scheme is going to squeeze NIH scientists and NIH science. open.substack.com/pub/sciencea...
A Quiet Policy Shift That Could Devastate American Science
Why NIH’s sudden move to multi-year grant funding should alarm every principal investigator and university
open.substack.com
July 29, 2025 at 1:23 AM
A good explainer for #NIH funded researchers on why the multiyear funding scheme is going to squeeze NIH scientists and NIH science. open.substack.com/pub/sciencea...
Reposted by Diane Chen, PhD
Call these 14 senators.
Thank them for supporting #NIH.
Remind them that supporting NIH is meaningless if NIH cannot function.
This stay would:
1) Enable censorship of science.
2) Disrupt NIH’s ability to fund any research.
Thank them for supporting #NIH.
Remind them that supporting NIH is meaningless if NIH cannot function.
This stay would:
1) Enable censorship of science.
2) Disrupt NIH’s ability to fund any research.
Right now, the continuation of many restored NIH grants relies on the SCOTUS shadow docket. SCOTUS is not immune to pressure.
Also, if you are represented by one of the 14 R senators that called for the restoration of NIH grants, please write them a thank you. Good behavior should be rewarded.
Also, if you are represented by one of the 14 R senators that called for the restoration of NIH grants, please write them a thank you. Good behavior should be rewarded.
National Institutes of Health v. American Public Health Association
When political ideologies interfere with science, everyone loses.
open.substack.com
July 28, 2025 at 3:33 AM
Call these 14 senators.
Thank them for supporting #NIH.
Remind them that supporting NIH is meaningless if NIH cannot function.
This stay would:
1) Enable censorship of science.
2) Disrupt NIH’s ability to fund any research.
Thank them for supporting #NIH.
Remind them that supporting NIH is meaningless if NIH cannot function.
This stay would:
1) Enable censorship of science.
2) Disrupt NIH’s ability to fund any research.
Reposted by Diane Chen, PhD
If the Supreme Court allows #NIH to terminate ongoing grants because it changed its mind on priorities, it will be the end of NIH and the end of the US as a leader in biomedical science. Period.
thehill.com/policy/healt...
thehill.com/policy/healt...
thehill.com
July 25, 2025 at 3:04 AM
If the Supreme Court allows #NIH to terminate ongoing grants because it changed its mind on priorities, it will be the end of NIH and the end of the US as a leader in biomedical science. Period.
thehill.com/policy/healt...
thehill.com/policy/healt...
American Psychological Foundation released a call for applications for crisis funding to support early career researchers who had grants terminated. Looks like a great opportunity!
ampsychfdn.org/funding/dacf/
ampsychfdn.org/funding/dacf/
Direct Action Crisis Funding - American Psychological Foundation
The APF Direct Action Crisis Funding grants are for activities to address immediate needs following grant cancellations, including completing a wave of data collection, analyzing already collected dat...
ampsychfdn.org
July 24, 2025 at 9:51 PM
American Psychological Foundation released a call for applications for crisis funding to support early career researchers who had grants terminated. Looks like a great opportunity!
ampsychfdn.org/funding/dacf/
ampsychfdn.org/funding/dacf/
Reposted by Diane Chen, PhD
NEW: In an unprecedented move, the NIH will soon disinvite dozens of scientists about to take positions on advisory councils that make final decisions on grant funding.
NIH staff were told to select others aligned with the Trump administration and told to expect placements by political appointees.
NIH staff were told to select others aligned with the Trump administration and told to expect placements by political appointees.
Exclusive: NIH to dismiss dozens of grant reviewers to align with Trump priorities
The move would undo years of work, leaving advisory councils understaffed, and without the full expertise needed for reviews.
www.nature.com
July 14, 2025 at 11:25 PM
NEW: In an unprecedented move, the NIH will soon disinvite dozens of scientists about to take positions on advisory councils that make final decisions on grant funding.
NIH staff were told to select others aligned with the Trump administration and told to expect placements by political appointees.
NIH staff were told to select others aligned with the Trump administration and told to expect placements by political appointees.
Reposted by Diane Chen, PhD
So grateful to Katie Edwards for coming forward, for refusing to back down, and for helping lead the charge so many might have their grants reinstated. www.sciencefriday.com/segments/res...
After Her Grants Got Cut, This Researcher Is Suing The NIH
Katie Edwards has lost millions of dollars in grant money, bringing her research to a standstill. She’s taking the fight to court.
www.sciencefriday.com
July 9, 2025 at 4:34 AM
So grateful to Katie Edwards for coming forward, for refusing to back down, and for helping lead the charge so many might have their grants reinstated. www.sciencefriday.com/segments/res...
Reposted by Diane Chen, PhD
Just in: NIH staff have been instructed to REINSTATE these ~900 grants to comply with the court order, per sources. This comes after staff were also directed to cease any further terminations.
You can see the lists grants to be reinstated in my post below.
You can see the lists grants to be reinstated in my post below.
The judge intends to limit his order to universities in the plaintiff states (CA, MD, WA, AZ, CO, DE, HI, MA, MN, NV, NJ, NM, NY, OR, RI, WI), members of the plaintiff orgs (APHA, UAW), and the researchers named directly, he said today.
His written opinion will come in the coming days.
His written opinion will come in the coming days.
🚨 BREAKING: Nearly 4 months the NIH cut its first grants, a judge has ruled that the directives and process that led to cuts are arbitrary and capricious.
"The explanations are bereft of reasoning — virtually in their entirety... unsupported by [facts]."
Each of them are VOID and ILLEGAL, he says.
"The explanations are bereft of reasoning — virtually in their entirety... unsupported by [facts]."
Each of them are VOID and ILLEGAL, he says.
June 25, 2025 at 8:46 PM
Just in: NIH staff have been instructed to REINSTATE these ~900 grants to comply with the court order, per sources. This comes after staff were also directed to cease any further terminations.
You can see the lists grants to be reinstated in my post below.
You can see the lists grants to be reinstated in my post below.
Reposted by Diane Chen, PhD
Illinois has enshrined protections to meet this very moment.
In a time of increasing overreach and hateful rhetoric, it's more important than ever to reaffirm our commitment to the rights and dignity of the LGBTQ+ community.
You have a home here always.
In a time of increasing overreach and hateful rhetoric, it's more important than ever to reaffirm our commitment to the rights and dignity of the LGBTQ+ community.
You have a home here always.
BREAKING: The Supreme Court upholds a Tennessee ban on gender-affirming care for transgender minors in a huge setback for transgender rights.
Supreme Court OKs Tennessee ban on gender-affirming care for minors, big loss for transgender rights
The Supreme Court has upheld Tennessee’s ban on gender-affirming care for transgender minors, a stunning setback to transgender rights.
bit.ly
June 18, 2025 at 3:29 PM
Illinois has enshrined protections to meet this very moment.
In a time of increasing overreach and hateful rhetoric, it's more important than ever to reaffirm our commitment to the rights and dignity of the LGBTQ+ community.
You have a home here always.
In a time of increasing overreach and hateful rhetoric, it's more important than ever to reaffirm our commitment to the rights and dignity of the LGBTQ+ community.
You have a home here always.
Reposted by Diane Chen, PhD
🚨 BREAKING: Nearly 4 months the NIH cut its first grants, a judge has ruled that the directives and process that led to cuts are arbitrary and capricious.
"The explanations are bereft of reasoning — virtually in their entirety... unsupported by [facts]."
Each of them are VOID and ILLEGAL, he says.
"The explanations are bereft of reasoning — virtually in their entirety... unsupported by [facts]."
Each of them are VOID and ILLEGAL, he says.
June 16, 2025 at 6:16 PM
🚨 BREAKING: Nearly 4 months the NIH cut its first grants, a judge has ruled that the directives and process that led to cuts are arbitrary and capricious.
"The explanations are bereft of reasoning — virtually in their entirety... unsupported by [facts]."
Each of them are VOID and ILLEGAL, he says.
"The explanations are bereft of reasoning — virtually in their entirety... unsupported by [facts]."
Each of them are VOID and ILLEGAL, he says.
“It is palpably clear that these directives and the set of terminated grants here also are designed to frustrate, to stop, research that may bear on the health—we’re talking about health here, the health of Americans, of our LGBTQ community. That’s appalling.”
newrepublic.com/post/196887/...
newrepublic.com/post/196887/...
Reagan Appointee: Trump NIH Cuts Represent “Racial Discrimination”
“Have we fallen so low? Have we no shame?” asked Judge William Young, in a ruling that reinstated funding to the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities, among other programs.
newrepublic.com
June 16, 2025 at 9:24 PM
“It is palpably clear that these directives and the set of terminated grants here also are designed to frustrate, to stop, research that may bear on the health—we’re talking about health here, the health of Americans, of our LGBTQ community. That’s appalling.”
newrepublic.com/post/196887/...
newrepublic.com/post/196887/...
Reposted by Diane Chen, PhD
⚖️ HUGE day today in the NIH terminations cases
There's a trial (of sorts) at 10a ET in Boston today for arguments that NIH unlawfully terminated 100s of grants.
It's a 3 hour hearing and I'll post periodic updates.
Of note: this is the 1st lawsuit filed against the Trump Admin to go to trial.
There's a trial (of sorts) at 10a ET in Boston today for arguments that NIH unlawfully terminated 100s of grants.
It's a 3 hour hearing and I'll post periodic updates.
Of note: this is the 1st lawsuit filed against the Trump Admin to go to trial.
June 16, 2025 at 2:00 PM
⚖️ HUGE day today in the NIH terminations cases
There's a trial (of sorts) at 10a ET in Boston today for arguments that NIH unlawfully terminated 100s of grants.
It's a 3 hour hearing and I'll post periodic updates.
Of note: this is the 1st lawsuit filed against the Trump Admin to go to trial.
There's a trial (of sorts) at 10a ET in Boston today for arguments that NIH unlawfully terminated 100s of grants.
It's a 3 hour hearing and I'll post periodic updates.
Of note: this is the 1st lawsuit filed against the Trump Admin to go to trial.
Reposted by Diane Chen, PhD
When the National Institutes of Health cut billions of dollars of research funding earlier this year, it jeopardized our wellbeing and scientific progress.
We'll be in court Monday arguing that scientific research should be guided by evidence, not politics.
We'll be in court Monday arguing that scientific research should be guided by evidence, not politics.
Trump’s cuts to more than 1700 NIH grants get court hearing
District judge could declare terminations unlawful—or toss suit based on technicalities
www.science.org
June 13, 2025 at 11:45 PM
When the National Institutes of Health cut billions of dollars of research funding earlier this year, it jeopardized our wellbeing and scientific progress.
We'll be in court Monday arguing that scientific research should be guided by evidence, not politics.
We'll be in court Monday arguing that scientific research should be guided by evidence, not politics.
Reposted by Diane Chen, PhD
🚨 NIH director Jayanta Bhattacharya is testifying before the US Senate Appropriations Committee today.
The hearing is bound to be spicy, after more than 300 agency staff wrote him a letter decrying his leadership and actions as director. 🔥
I'll be live-posting the hearing, so follow along here.
The hearing is bound to be spicy, after more than 300 agency staff wrote him a letter decrying his leadership and actions as director. 🔥
I'll be live-posting the hearing, so follow along here.
June 10, 2025 at 1:49 PM
🚨 NIH director Jayanta Bhattacharya is testifying before the US Senate Appropriations Committee today.
The hearing is bound to be spicy, after more than 300 agency staff wrote him a letter decrying his leadership and actions as director. 🔥
I'll be live-posting the hearing, so follow along here.
The hearing is bound to be spicy, after more than 300 agency staff wrote him a letter decrying his leadership and actions as director. 🔥
I'll be live-posting the hearing, so follow along here.
A broad group of National Institutes of Health (NIH) public servants have taken action with the "Bethesda Declaration" that targets the NIH and HHS Leadership. Join these courageous and committed professionals by adding your name now. actionnetwork.org/forms/add-na...
ADD YOUR NAME: Sign the Open Letter in Support of NIH Staff
Join the courageous and committed National Institutes of Health (NIH) public servants by adding your name now.
actionnetwork.org
June 10, 2025 at 5:05 PM
A broad group of National Institutes of Health (NIH) public servants have taken action with the "Bethesda Declaration" that targets the NIH and HHS Leadership. Join these courageous and committed professionals by adding your name now. actionnetwork.org/forms/add-na...
Reposted by Diane Chen, PhD
“In an unusual act of public protest, more than 340 scientists and staff at the National Institutes of Health today released a statement charging NIH officials and their superiors with politicizing science.”
www.science.org/content/arti...
#StandUpForScience
#BethesdaDeclaration
www.science.org/content/arti...
#StandUpForScience
#BethesdaDeclaration
NIH staff and biomedical community sound alarm about agency politicization, funding slowdown
In test of NIH director’s support of dissent, NIH staff sign Bethesda Declaration urging reversal of grant cuts and freezes
www.science.org
June 9, 2025 at 4:27 PM
“In an unusual act of public protest, more than 340 scientists and staff at the National Institutes of Health today released a statement charging NIH officials and their superiors with politicizing science.”
www.science.org/content/arti...
#StandUpForScience
#BethesdaDeclaration
www.science.org/content/arti...
#StandUpForScience
#BethesdaDeclaration
Reposted by Diane Chen, PhD
🚨BREAKING: 300+ NIH employees call out the harm of censorship & politicized science in scathing email to Bhattacharya, demanding an end to political interference, a lift on funding freezes, & rehiring of fired staff whose work saves lives.
This is historic - insiders are blowing the whistle.
🧵(1/5)
This is historic - insiders are blowing the whistle.
🧵(1/5)
June 9, 2025 at 12:03 PM
🚨BREAKING: 300+ NIH employees call out the harm of censorship & politicized science in scathing email to Bhattacharya, demanding an end to political interference, a lift on funding freezes, & rehiring of fired staff whose work saves lives.
This is historic - insiders are blowing the whistle.
🧵(1/5)
This is historic - insiders are blowing the whistle.
🧵(1/5)
Reposted by Diane Chen, PhD
Funding freeze at Northwestern from Emma Mairson at
grant-watch.us. Data from USAspending. Normally, ~$70 M per month. Now, bupkis.
Northwestern is keeping research moving and must be spending ~$40 M per month. Clearly not sustainable for too long.
grant-watch.us. Data from USAspending. Normally, ~$70 M per month. Now, bupkis.
Northwestern is keeping research moving and must be spending ~$40 M per month. Clearly not sustainable for too long.
June 7, 2025 at 7:48 PM
Funding freeze at Northwestern from Emma Mairson at
grant-watch.us. Data from USAspending. Normally, ~$70 M per month. Now, bupkis.
Northwestern is keeping research moving and must be spending ~$40 M per month. Clearly not sustainable for too long.
grant-watch.us. Data from USAspending. Normally, ~$70 M per month. Now, bupkis.
Northwestern is keeping research moving and must be spending ~$40 M per month. Clearly not sustainable for too long.