Erica Rodriguez, PhD
@ericarodriguez.bsky.social
Neuroscientist at Columbia studying the influence of our social environment on our emotions | NIGMS MOSAIC K99/R00 Scholar | ISFS Fellow | PhD in Affective Pain at Duke | Latina
I have certainly lost a lot of hope in this process, but it is nice to see some people are still advocating for us. Thanks @jeremymberg.bsky.social
I just sent this email to Director Bhattacharya and am sending him a hard copy by registered mail.
1/14
1/14
August 23, 2025 at 5:13 PM
I have certainly lost a lot of hope in this process, but it is nice to see some people are still advocating for us. Thanks @jeremymberg.bsky.social
Reposted by Erica Rodriguez, PhD
I am one of these faces.
I certainly do feel like my life has been turned upside down multiple times this year, but I will always love my #NIHMOSAIC family and I am so glad we have people like @jeremymberg.bsky.social fighting for us ❤️
I certainly do feel like my life has been turned upside down multiple times this year, but I will always love my #NIHMOSAIC family and I am so glad we have people like @jeremymberg.bsky.social fighting for us ❤️
August 23, 2025 at 5:06 PM
I am one of these faces.
I certainly do feel like my life has been turned upside down multiple times this year, but I will always love my #NIHMOSAIC family and I am so glad we have people like @jeremymberg.bsky.social fighting for us ❤️
I certainly do feel like my life has been turned upside down multiple times this year, but I will always love my #NIHMOSAIC family and I am so glad we have people like @jeremymberg.bsky.social fighting for us ❤️
Reposted by Erica Rodriguez, PhD
The NIH can’t award ANY grants to outside researchers under new WH restriction, reports @wsj.com.
The pause came in the form of a footnote from OMB Director Vought, in a document that doles out federal funds to the NIH.
Prelude to rescissions, especially after his comments over the weekend?
The pause came in the form of a footnote from OMB Director Vought, in a document that doles out federal funds to the NIH.
Prelude to rescissions, especially after his comments over the weekend?
Trump Administration Puts New Chokehold on Billions in Health-Research Funding
The National Institutes of Health can’t award grants to outside researchers under a new White House restriction.
www.wsj.com
July 30, 2025 at 12:44 AM
The NIH can’t award ANY grants to outside researchers under new WH restriction, reports @wsj.com.
The pause came in the form of a footnote from OMB Director Vought, in a document that doles out federal funds to the NIH.
Prelude to rescissions, especially after his comments over the weekend?
The pause came in the form of a footnote from OMB Director Vought, in a document that doles out federal funds to the NIH.
Prelude to rescissions, especially after his comments over the weekend?
Reposted by Erica Rodriguez, PhD
On Thursday, the Trump administration asked the Supreme Court to grant them a stay on the Massachusetts vs Kennedy/ APHA vs NIH ruling. This decision will occur on the shadow docket, with no formal hearing.
July 27, 2025 at 12:02 AM
On Thursday, the Trump administration asked the Supreme Court to grant them a stay on the Massachusetts vs Kennedy/ APHA vs NIH ruling. This decision will occur on the shadow docket, with no formal hearing.
👇👇👇👇
Jay Bhattacharya seemed genuinely surprised to learn that diversity applicants compete in the same payline with applicants to standard opportunities. So terminating these grants (when they outperformed their peers) is blatant discrimination.
Yet, we would not commit to correcting this
Yet, we would not commit to correcting this
July 22, 2025 at 5:33 PM
👇👇👇👇
Reposted by Erica Rodriguez, PhD
Public comment on this new "no animal only studies" is open here:
www.fda.gov/news-events/...
It closes next Monday.
www.fda.gov/news-events/...
It closes next Monday.
July 8, 2025 at 7:32 PM
Public comment on this new "no animal only studies" is open here:
www.fda.gov/news-events/...
It closes next Monday.
www.fda.gov/news-events/...
It closes next Monday.
Reposted by Erica Rodriguez, PhD
The end of biomedical sciences has finally arrived: NIH announces end to funding for animal-only studies www.drugdiscoverytrends.com/nih-announce...
NIH announces end to funding for animal-only studies - Drug Discovery and Development
Drug Discovery and Development covers strategies and technologies related to pharmaceutical research and development and drug formulation.
www.drugdiscoverytrends.com
July 8, 2025 at 2:10 AM
The end of biomedical sciences has finally arrived: NIH announces end to funding for animal-only studies www.drugdiscoverytrends.com/nih-announce...
Reposted by Erica Rodriguez, PhD
The full ruling explaining why NIH grant cuts are illegal came out today.
It's just as blistering as the judge's oral remarks. And it uncovers fresh details in DOGE's role orchestrating the cuts — and on the cuts at Columbia.
Here are my top highlights from the 103-page ruling. 🧵
It's just as blistering as the judge's oral remarks. And it uncovers fresh details in DOGE's role orchestrating the cuts — and on the cuts at Columbia.
Here are my top highlights from the 103-page ruling. 🧵
After ruling the NIH grant cuts were illegal yesterday, Judge Young, a Reagan appointee on the bench since 1985, ended the hearing with a blistering 15-minute speech.
I've cleaned up my notes — here are his remarks in full. 🧵
I've cleaned up my notes — here are his remarks in full. 🧵
Judge rules against NIH grant cuts — and calls them discriminatory
The decision means that the US biomedical agency has to restore funding to hundreds of research projects, but the government will likely appeal.
www.nature.com
July 2, 2025 at 11:55 PM
The full ruling explaining why NIH grant cuts are illegal came out today.
It's just as blistering as the judge's oral remarks. And it uncovers fresh details in DOGE's role orchestrating the cuts — and on the cuts at Columbia.
Here are my top highlights from the 103-page ruling. 🧵
It's just as blistering as the judge's oral remarks. And it uncovers fresh details in DOGE's role orchestrating the cuts — and on the cuts at Columbia.
Here are my top highlights from the 103-page ruling. 🧵
Reposted by Erica Rodriguez, PhD
Sometimes you don’t realize the full burden you’ve been carrying –of being implicitly treated as a second-class citizen whose life isn’t worth preserving, of people working to fix health inequalities in this country being persecuted, of the crushing *silence* around it – until someone calls it out.
MORE YOUNG: "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."
June 16, 2025 at 7:29 PM
Sometimes you don’t realize the full burden you’ve been carrying –of being implicitly treated as a second-class citizen whose life isn’t worth preserving, of people working to fix health inequalities in this country being persecuted, of the crushing *silence* around it – until someone calls it out.
Reposted by Erica Rodriguez, PhD
An NIH staffer reacts to today's ruling:
"I'm looking forward to the day that we are so slammed with work trying to reinstate everything that we had to terminate illegally — I'll work 24/7 to make that happen if I can."
"I'm looking forward to the day that we are so slammed with work trying to reinstate everything that we had to terminate illegally — I'll work 24/7 to make that happen if I can."
🚨 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 10:24 PM
An NIH staffer reacts to today's ruling:
"I'm looking forward to the day that we are so slammed with work trying to reinstate everything that we had to terminate illegally — I'll work 24/7 to make that happen if I can."
"I'm looking forward to the day that we are so slammed with work trying to reinstate everything that we had to terminate illegally — I'll work 24/7 to make that happen if I can."
Reposted by Erica Rodriguez, PhD
BREAKING: A federal judge reversed National Institutes of Health's terminations of hundreds of critical research grants that were canceled because of their alleged connection to disfavored topics, including diversity, equity, inclusion, and gender identity.
This is a major win for public health.
This is a major win for public health.
June 16, 2025 at 9:46 PM
BREAKING: A federal judge reversed National Institutes of Health's terminations of hundreds of critical research grants that were canceled because of their alleged connection to disfavored topics, including diversity, equity, inclusion, and gender identity.
This is a major win for public health.
This is a major win for public health.
On terminated DEI-related grants, including mine. We are taking a step in the right direction here.
After ruling, with anger in his voice, Judge Young:
"This represents racial discrimination. And discrimination against America's LGBTQ community. That's what this is. I would be blind not to call it out. My duty is to call it out. And I do so."
"This represents racial discrimination. And discrimination against America's LGBTQ community. That's what this is. I would be blind not to call it out. My duty is to call it out. And I do so."
June 16, 2025 at 7:01 PM
On terminated DEI-related grants, including mine. We are taking a step in the right direction here.
Reposted by Erica Rodriguez, PhD
Judge Young says he expects that the government will quickly comply with his order in this case.
To clarify: he's vacating the grant terminations at issue. And wants the money to start flowing ASAP.
Of note: the universe of grants "at issue" in this case is in dispute and will be litigated further
To clarify: he's vacating the grant terminations at issue. And wants the money to start flowing ASAP.
Of note: the universe of grants "at issue" in this case is in dispute and will be litigated further
June 16, 2025 at 6:19 PM
Judge Young says he expects that the government will quickly comply with his order in this case.
To clarify: he's vacating the grant terminations at issue. And wants the money to start flowing ASAP.
Of note: the universe of grants "at issue" in this case is in dispute and will be litigated further
To clarify: he's vacating the grant terminations at issue. And wants the money to start flowing ASAP.
Of note: the universe of grants "at issue" in this case is in dispute and will be litigated further
Reposted by Erica Rodriguez, 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 Erica Rodriguez, PhD
Some of us MOSAIC scholars (myself included) still haven't even received our official grant termination... These games they're playing with us, & now, "you have the opportunity to write another grant instead of finishing the research work/writing the paper that will get you hired". Thin gruel indeed
May 29, 2025 at 10:39 AM
Some of us MOSAIC scholars (myself included) still haven't even received our official grant termination... These games they're playing with us, & now, "you have the opportunity to write another grant instead of finishing the research work/writing the paper that will get you hired". Thin gruel indeed
Especially since most of us probably don't meet the eligibility requirements for these K's anymore. 🫠 And also the fact that we may not even get awarded on these second applications..........
Glad to see this, but I have another idea...Hear me out here...
Why doesn't NIH just reinstate the effing awards since they are ongoing and already made it successfully through a competitive process?
Seems like this would actually be "efficient" (and also fair and just)...
Why doesn't NIH just reinstate the effing awards since they are ongoing and already made it successfully through a competitive process?
Seems like this would actually be "efficient" (and also fair and just)...
Could be huge. Especially for those terminated in the anti-DEI purge.
"...NIH will allow individuals whose mentored career development awards prematurely ended on or after January 1, 2025, to be eligible to apply for a new mentored career development award"
grants.nih.gov/grants/guide...
"...NIH will allow individuals whose mentored career development awards prematurely ended on or after January 1, 2025, to be eligible to apply for a new mentored career development award"
grants.nih.gov/grants/guide...
May 29, 2025 at 12:25 PM
Especially since most of us probably don't meet the eligibility requirements for these K's anymore. 🫠 And also the fact that we may not even get awarded on these second applications..........
Reposted by Erica Rodriguez, PhD
note that 7 out of 10 listed here are training mechanisms
⛔️ Big NIH update:
We just learned of 726 more NIH grants that were terminated sometime over the past 2 months.
A huge number of diversity supps, diversity F31s, and diversity training grants. See below ⤵️
View them here: grant-watch.us/nih-data.html
h/t to @noamross.net for processing them.
We just learned of 726 more NIH grants that were terminated sometime over the past 2 months.
A huge number of diversity supps, diversity F31s, and diversity training grants. See below ⤵️
View them here: grant-watch.us/nih-data.html
h/t to @noamross.net for processing them.
May 22, 2025 at 4:34 PM
note that 7 out of 10 listed here are training mechanisms
Reposted by Erica Rodriguez, PhD
Judge comments: “Are you meaning to tell me the NIH policy is now homogeneity, inequity, and exclusion?” 👀
Everything seems awful sometimes, but I've met the absolute best folks in the midst of all this chaos.
Case in point: a brilliant new colleague (who asked to remain anonymous) sketched one of Judge Young's more incredulous statements about NIH's anti-DEI policy today:
Case in point: a brilliant new colleague (who asked to remain anonymous) sketched one of Judge Young's more incredulous statements about NIH's anti-DEI policy today:
May 22, 2025 at 5:20 PM
Judge comments: “Are you meaning to tell me the NIH policy is now homogeneity, inequity, and exclusion?” 👀
Reposted by Erica Rodriguez, PhD
My thought when, in the wake of mass grant cancellations, administrators said it's important that we continue applying for grants (including from the very agencies canceling them).
There’s a real rearranging of the deck chairs on the Titanic vibe going on in academia right now.
a man in a tuxedo is playing a violin in front of a crowd
Alt: a man in a tuxedo is playing a violin in front of a crowd of people trying to evacuate the ship
media.tenor.com
May 17, 2025 at 10:32 PM
My thought when, in the wake of mass grant cancellations, administrators said it's important that we continue applying for grants (including from the very agencies canceling them).
Reposted by Erica Rodriguez, PhD
What’s at stake when scientific research funds are cut? Our own @ericarodriguez.bsky.social talks about the grant canceled for her work on social behaviors (with autism and schizophrenia ties) and the impact on her career.
@gothamist.com
tinyurl.com/yc34c64b
@gothamist.com
tinyurl.com/yc34c64b
May 15, 2025 at 3:07 PM
What’s at stake when scientific research funds are cut? Our own @ericarodriguez.bsky.social talks about the grant canceled for her work on social behaviors (with autism and schizophrenia ties) and the impact on her career.
@gothamist.com
tinyurl.com/yc34c64b
@gothamist.com
tinyurl.com/yc34c64b
Reposted by Erica Rodriguez, PhD
"Women are PIs on 58% of the canceled grants, although they are PIs on only 34% of all active NSF grants.
Similarly, Blacks are PIs on 17% of the terminated grants, although they make only 4% of the total pool. Hispanic PIs and those with disabilities were twice as likely to lose a grant."
Similarly, Blacks are PIs on 17% of the terminated grants, although they make only 4% of the total pool. Hispanic PIs and those with disabilities were twice as likely to lose a grant."
Another scoop from Jeff Mervis (@policyhound.bsky.social): NSF's ~1400 grant terminations have disproportionately affected PIs from groups underrepresented in science: women, racial & ethnic minorities, & those with disabilities. 1/3
www.science.org/content/arti...
www.science.org/content/arti...
Trump officials take steps toward a radically different NSF
Efforts to shrink staff, budget, and focus have alarmed members of Congress
www.science.org
May 13, 2025 at 10:09 PM
"Women are PIs on 58% of the canceled grants, although they are PIs on only 34% of all active NSF grants.
Similarly, Blacks are PIs on 17% of the terminated grants, although they make only 4% of the total pool. Hispanic PIs and those with disabilities were twice as likely to lose a grant."
Similarly, Blacks are PIs on 17% of the terminated grants, although they make only 4% of the total pool. Hispanic PIs and those with disabilities were twice as likely to lose a grant."
Reposted by Erica Rodriguez, PhD
"Scientists might also be realizing that there’s little safety in silence."
#SpeakOut
www.science.org/content/arti...
#SpeakOut
www.science.org/content/arti...
Trump’s ‘fear factor’: Scientists go silent as funding cuts escalate
Many worry about retribution. But for others, speaking out is worth the risk
www.science.org
May 13, 2025 at 12:33 AM
"Scientists might also be realizing that there’s little safety in silence."
#SpeakOut
www.science.org/content/arti...
#SpeakOut
www.science.org/content/arti...
Reposted by Erica Rodriguez, PhD
Judge Young:
A couple requests going forward:
- Please provide a list of grants actually affected (I HAVE THIS!!!)
- To HHS lawyer, "I understand gov't is against DEI. But this is about healthcare for all Americans. "Respectfully, I just don't know what [DEI] means" here. I need a definition.
A couple requests going forward:
- Please provide a list of grants actually affected (I HAVE THIS!!!)
- To HHS lawyer, "I understand gov't is against DEI. But this is about healthcare for all Americans. "Respectfully, I just don't know what [DEI] means" here. I need a definition.
May 8, 2025 at 4:24 PM
Judge Young:
A couple requests going forward:
- Please provide a list of grants actually affected (I HAVE THIS!!!)
- To HHS lawyer, "I understand gov't is against DEI. But this is about healthcare for all Americans. "Respectfully, I just don't know what [DEI] means" here. I need a definition.
A couple requests going forward:
- Please provide a list of grants actually affected (I HAVE THIS!!!)
- To HHS lawyer, "I understand gov't is against DEI. But this is about healthcare for all Americans. "Respectfully, I just don't know what [DEI] means" here. I need a definition.
Reposted by Erica Rodriguez, PhD
A US judge to govt lawyers defending the NIH's grant terminations:
"I understand the administration is against DEI. Respectfully, I just don't know what you mean. This isn't a teasing question. There has to be some working definition.
This is research to advance healthcare for all our citizens."
"I understand the administration is against DEI. Respectfully, I just don't know what you mean. This isn't a teasing question. There has to be some working definition.
This is research to advance healthcare for all our citizens."
May 8, 2025 at 4:27 PM
A US judge to govt lawyers defending the NIH's grant terminations:
"I understand the administration is against DEI. Respectfully, I just don't know what you mean. This isn't a teasing question. There has to be some working definition.
This is research to advance healthcare for all our citizens."
"I understand the administration is against DEI. Respectfully, I just don't know what you mean. This isn't a teasing question. There has to be some working definition.
This is research to advance healthcare for all our citizens."
Reposted by Erica Rodriguez, PhD
All, if you've had your federally-funded research disrupted due to the admin's chaos, consider this funding opportunity from Robert Wood Johnson:
Rapid Response Research
Rapid Response Research awards are exclusively available to applicants who have already received federal funding... 🧪🧵
Rapid Response Research
Rapid Response Research awards are exclusively available to applicants who have already received federal funding... 🧪🧵
Rapid Response Research Awards | Evidence for Action
www.evidenceforaction.org
May 3, 2025 at 4:37 PM
All, if you've had your federally-funded research disrupted due to the admin's chaos, consider this funding opportunity from Robert Wood Johnson:
Rapid Response Research
Rapid Response Research awards are exclusively available to applicants who have already received federal funding... 🧪🧵
Rapid Response Research
Rapid Response Research awards are exclusively available to applicants who have already received federal funding... 🧪🧵