Ian L Morgan
@ianlmorgan.bsky.social
Bethesda Declaration Signer.
Postdoctoral Fellow at the NIH.
NIH Fellows United/UAW 2750 Steward.
All opinions are my own.
Postdoctoral Fellow at the NIH.
NIH Fellows United/UAW 2750 Steward.
All opinions are my own.
Pinned
Ian L Morgan
@ianlmorgan.bsky.social
· Oct 10
NIH Leadership Is Failing Early Career Researchers
Halted training programs, funding chaos, and hiring freezes jeopardize advancement options for early career researchers.
www.the-scientist.com
My op-ed just came out discussing how NIH leadership is failing early career researchers and, importantly, how we can push back and take our future into our own hands.
PSA - if you cook Turkey for your Thanksgiving meal, despite its unfortunate name, spatchcocking a Turkey is one of the most thermodynamically favorable ways to cook it. 🧪 🧵
November 27, 2025 at 4:07 PM
PSA - if you cook Turkey for your Thanksgiving meal, despite its unfortunate name, spatchcocking a Turkey is one of the most thermodynamically favorable ways to cook it. 🧪 🧵
Hearing a @jeremymberg.bsky.social rant is almost always a good time. A close second is a @cdelawalla.bsky.social rant. Sounds like fun. I'll be there @standupforscience.bsky.social . Who else wants to join me?
Listen, there's a ~75% chance that if you phone bank with @standupforscience.bsky.social during the session that @jeremymberg.bsky.social is in, you'll get to hear him rant about something!
So, sign up for Saturday and Sunday!
So, sign up for Saturday and Sunday!
I will be phone banking for Aftyn this weekend.
I am trying to have something else to be thankful for next week.
The more the merrier
@aftynbehn.bsky.social
@standupforscience.bsky.social
@cdelawalla.bsky.social
I am trying to have something else to be thankful for next week.
The more the merrier
@aftynbehn.bsky.social
@standupforscience.bsky.social
@cdelawalla.bsky.social
November 27, 2025 at 3:07 PM
Hearing a @jeremymberg.bsky.social rant is almost always a good time. A close second is a @cdelawalla.bsky.social rant. Sounds like fun. I'll be there @standupforscience.bsky.social . Who else wants to join me?
A great opinion piece on the damage being done to early career researchers and why we need to do a better job supporting them from Sophia Greene, an undergraduate at Vassar College, and Dr. Claudia Fernandes, an assistant clinical professor at Yale.
A Broken Pipeline: Costing Us Our Next Generation of Scientists
Science has always relied on young innovators to drive progress. In 1998, Larry Page and Sergey Brin, still PhD students, founded Google. More recently, in 2020 and 2021, Kizzmekia Corbett, then a sen...
thefulcrum.us
November 17, 2025 at 2:59 PM
A great opinion piece on the damage being done to early career researchers and why we need to do a better job supporting them from Sophia Greene, an undergraduate at Vassar College, and Dr. Claudia Fernandes, an assistant clinical professor at Yale.
Reposted by Ian L Morgan
Thanks for the reminder, @dmgreene.bsky.social. Terps, I've got a challenge for you. From now until #GivingTuesday, I will match every signature with one dollar donated to the @univofmaryland.bsky.social. @mboudreaux.bsky.social claims he'll match me. @publichealthumd.bsky.social, what about you?
The majority of UMD faculty are nontenure researchers on federal funding. Hundreds of our public servants are threatened by MAGA science cuts. We're asking our bosses for simple things to keep people whole or provide dignified exits.
If you work at UMD or have worked with us, please sign and share
If you work at UMD or have worked with us, please sign and share
Protect PTK Researchers at UMD
Higher education is under attack from a federal administration that seeks to undermine our research infrastructure for political gain. Faculty at UMD conducting crucial research in fields like climate...
actionnetwork.org
November 16, 2025 at 11:53 PM
Thanks for the reminder, @dmgreene.bsky.social. Terps, I've got a challenge for you. From now until #GivingTuesday, I will match every signature with one dollar donated to the @univofmaryland.bsky.social. @mboudreaux.bsky.social claims he'll match me. @publichealthumd.bsky.social, what about you?
Reposted by Ian L Morgan
“If this administration thinks that summarily ousting NIH employees whose only offense is calling on the agency to respect science and academic freedom will go unnoticed, they can think again.”
www.murray.senate.gov/senator-murr...
www.murray.senate.gov/senator-murr...
Senator Murray Slams Outrageous Political Retaliation at NIH, Demands Answers from Trump Administration - Senator Patty Murray
Vice Chair Murray in June to NIH Director Bhattacharya: “You just received a letter signed by hundreds of your own staff who believe this administration’s actions risk breaking NIH and the lifesaving ...
www.murray.senate.gov
November 15, 2025 at 12:04 AM
“If this administration thinks that summarily ousting NIH employees whose only offense is calling on the agency to respect science and academic freedom will go unnoticed, they can think again.”
www.murray.senate.gov/senator-murr...
www.murray.senate.gov/senator-murr...
Reposted by Ian L Morgan
NEW: Jenna Norton, an NIH employee who is openly critical of Trump & RFK Jr, has been put on "non-disciplinary" administrative leave. She says the administration is trying to "scare and silence me." An HHS official, asked to comment, called her a radical leftist.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/13/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/13/u...
N.I.H. Worker Who Criticized Trump Health Policies Says She Is on Administrative Leave
www.nytimes.com
November 14, 2025 at 2:56 AM
NEW: Jenna Norton, an NIH employee who is openly critical of Trump & RFK Jr, has been put on "non-disciplinary" administrative leave. She says the administration is trying to "scare and silence me." An HHS official, asked to comment, called her a radical leftist.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/13/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/13/u...
Thanks for continuing to speak out @jenna-m-norton.bsky.social. We will not be silenced.
Trump’s HHS put me on “non-disciplinary” admin leave today. This was retaliation for speaking up. Moves like this are designed to silence us. Let’s not let.
www.tiktok.com/t/ZP8Dteoop/
www.tiktok.com/t/ZP8Dteoop/
I guess I am hitting a nerve, because they just put me on admin leave.
TikTok video by Jenna
www.tiktok.com
November 14, 2025 at 12:45 AM
Thanks for continuing to speak out @jenna-m-norton.bsky.social. We will not be silenced.
Yesterday, hundreds of scientists, physicians, health workers, patients, leaders, and advocates spoke together with one voice, RFK Jr. is not fit to lead HHS and has got to go. Thanks to @apha.org @standupforscience.bsky.social, and others for organizing.
November 6, 2025 at 1:39 PM
Yesterday, hundreds of scientists, physicians, health workers, patients, leaders, and advocates spoke together with one voice, RFK Jr. is not fit to lead HHS and has got to go. Thanks to @apha.org @standupforscience.bsky.social, and others for organizing.
Reposted by Ian L Morgan
🧵1/7. More blows to science. Dr. Rachel Riley, a 33 year-old DOGE staffer and former McKinsey consultant, replaced a Rear Admiral as the head of the Office of Naval Research. The ONR, with a budget over $2B, oversees Navy and Marine Corps research programs in science and technology.
DOGE holdover who pushed for deep cuts at HHS is headed to the Navy
Rachel Riley, a former McKinsey partner, helped execute sweeping layoffs at the health department this spring. Behind the scenes, her methods sparked turmoil.
www.politico.com
October 30, 2025 at 11:02 PM
🧵1/7. More blows to science. Dr. Rachel Riley, a 33 year-old DOGE staffer and former McKinsey consultant, replaced a Rear Admiral as the head of the Office of Naval Research. The ONR, with a budget over $2B, oversees Navy and Marine Corps research programs in science and technology.
Reposted by Ian L Morgan
@savehealthresearch.bsky.social writes, "99% of recent treatments are #NIH supported. Erica wants everyone to have the same opportunity she had to benefit from this new medicine. What treatments are we about to discover that could be lost, and who may have been given years more of life?"
October 30, 2025 at 10:37 PM
@savehealthresearch.bsky.social writes, "99% of recent treatments are #NIH supported. Erica wants everyone to have the same opportunity she had to benefit from this new medicine. What treatments are we about to discover that could be lost, and who may have been given years more of life?"
One of the more in-depth pieces I've seen on how the abrupt switch to multi year funding is harming biomedical research. Luckily, the proposed FY26 Senate appropriations bill has protections against this. Just another reason why we can't have a CR that's a blank check.
How New Trump Multiyear Policy Makes NIH Grants Even Harder To Get
The new Trump administration multiyear funding policy for NIH grants has dropped National Cancer Institute grant funding rates from one in 10 applicants to one in 25.
www.forbes.com
October 29, 2025 at 11:14 AM
One of the more in-depth pieces I've seen on how the abrupt switch to multi year funding is harming biomedical research. Luckily, the proposed FY26 Senate appropriations bill has protections against this. Just another reason why we can't have a CR that's a blank check.
Reposted by Ian L Morgan
Maternal deaths have more than halved in the last forty years
October 29, 2025 at 10:45 AM
Maternal deaths have more than halved in the last forty years
I just learned about this amazing program that matches high schoolers interested in STEM with mentors, including many past and present NIH trainees. These types of programs are even more important in this day and age. If you're able to help support it, they have a gofundme.
Donate to Support PATHS: Mentorship Program for STEM High Schoolers, organized by PATHS Mentorship
The Program for Advancing The Health Sciences (PATHS) is a Vi… PATHS Mentorship needs your support for Support PATHS: Mentorship Program for STEM High Schoolers
gofund.me
October 25, 2025 at 5:01 PM
I just learned about this amazing program that matches high schoolers interested in STEM with mentors, including many past and present NIH trainees. These types of programs are even more important in this day and age. If you're able to help support it, they have a gofundme.
Reposted by Ian L Morgan
Thinking of my many, many neighbors not getting their pay today
Roughly 1.4 million federal workers are going without pay due to the government shutdown. About half of them are furloughed, while the other half has been deemed essential and is working without pay. n.pr/4ngKyx3
It's supposed to be payday for many federal workers. Instead, they're getting nothing
Roughly 1.4 million federal workers are going without pay due to the government shutdown. About half of them are furloughed, while the other half has been deemed essential and is working without pay.
n.pr
October 24, 2025 at 11:17 AM
Thinking of my many, many neighbors not getting their pay today
A nicely laid out piece on what is being lost by attacks on DEI. Definitely worth a read. Thanks to the authors for taking the time to write it.
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@joann-trejo.bsky.social, @marymunson4.bsky.social and I have a commentary in @natcellbio.nature.com on recent attacks on DEI in biomedical research: "If scientific research, especially biomedical research, is meant to serve everyone, then it requires that everyone has an opportunity to participate"
Scaling back DEI programmes and the loss of scientific talent
Nature Cell Biology - Programmes that support diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) in science are under attack in the USA. Data indicate that diversity in the scientific workforce increases...
www.nature.com
October 24, 2025 at 12:09 PM
A nicely laid out piece on what is being lost by attacks on DEI. Definitely worth a read. Thanks to the authors for taking the time to write it.
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If you care about running (like me), you should care about climate change. 🧪
October 23, 2025 at 8:23 PM
If you care about running (like me), you should care about climate change. 🧪
By keeping the House out of session and refusing to come to the negotiating table, this administration is continuing to undercut US scientific leadership.
In Fourth Week, Federal Shutdown Increasingly Hinders Higher Ed
Georgia Tech says it’s cutting expenses to “preserve cash,” the University of Hawaiʻi system is paying federally funded workers $20 million every two weeks and a N.J. community college says a solar en...
www.insidehighered.com
October 23, 2025 at 6:57 PM
By keeping the House out of session and refusing to come to the negotiating table, this administration is continuing to undercut US scientific leadership.
A cool side-effect of COVID vaccines (and likely other mRNA vaccines) is that they can help fight cancer by boosting the immune system. Neat!
🧪🧪 A surprise bonus from COVID-19 vaccines: bolstering cancer treatment -- Patients who got shots of mRNA before starting a type of cancer immunotherapy lived much longer
www.science.org/content/arti...
www.science.org/content/arti...
A surprise bonus from COVID-19 vaccines: bolstering cancer treatment
Patients who got shots of mRNA before starting a type of cancer immunotherapy lived much longer
www.science.org
October 22, 2025 at 11:47 AM
A cool side-effect of COVID vaccines (and likely other mRNA vaccines) is that they can help fight cancer by boosting the immune system. Neat!
Reposted by Ian L Morgan
🧵People like to characterize MAHA as "stupid," but the people running it aren't stupid - they're talented, successful pitchmen; folks working for "food brands, investment banks, supplement sellers and other companies."
🔹️"Powerful anti-vaccine advocates and people selling
apnews.com/article/maha...
🔹️"Powerful anti-vaccine advocates and people selling
apnews.com/article/maha...
Who benefits from the MAHA anti-science push?
Powerful anti-vaccine advocates and people selling potentially harmful goods such as raw milk are profiting from the push to write anti-science policies into law across the U.S.
apnews.com
October 22, 2025 at 6:28 AM
🧵People like to characterize MAHA as "stupid," but the people running it aren't stupid - they're talented, successful pitchmen; folks working for "food brands, investment banks, supplement sellers and other companies."
🔹️"Powerful anti-vaccine advocates and people selling
apnews.com/article/maha...
🔹️"Powerful anti-vaccine advocates and people selling
apnews.com/article/maha...
Reposted by Ian L Morgan
I never tire of reading about @danieljdrucker.bsky.social. He has always been very kind to me, and I'm endlessly inspired by his dedication to diabetes research. 🧪https://temertymedicine.utoronto.ca/news/setback-lizard-and-decades-work-impact-daniel-druckers-research-extends-far-beyond-ozempic
A setback, a lizard and decades of work: The impact of Daniel Drucker’s research extends far beyond Ozempic
In addition to diabetes and weight loss, GLP-1 drugs are now targeting cardiovascular, kidney and metabolic liver disease, sleep apnea and more
temertymedicine.utoronto.ca
October 22, 2025 at 2:12 AM
I never tire of reading about @danieljdrucker.bsky.social. He has always been very kind to me, and I'm endlessly inspired by his dedication to diabetes research. 🧪https://temertymedicine.utoronto.ca/news/setback-lizard-and-decades-work-impact-daniel-druckers-research-extends-far-beyond-ozempic
I was disappointed to see a bill in #Maryland to allow the sale of raw milk for human consumption. Raw milk is dangerous and has been shown to have no positive health benefits.
An AP investigation found that more than 420 anti-science bills attacking longstanding public health protections – vaccines, milk safety and fluoride – have been introduced in statehouses this year, part of a campaign to enshrine a conspiracy theory-driven agenda into law. https://to.pbs.org/43dxCkD
Anti-science bills hit statehouses, attacking longstanding public health protections
More than 420 anti-science bills attacking longstanding public health protections – vaccines, milk safety and fluoride – have been introduced in statehouses across the U.S. this year.
to.pbs.org
October 22, 2025 at 1:18 AM
I was disappointed to see a bill in #Maryland to allow the sale of raw milk for human consumption. Raw milk is dangerous and has been shown to have no positive health benefits.
This is how I think peer review should work. Peer review is about evaluating the rigor of the experiments and analysis. So long as the conclusion is supported by the data and appropriately considers the literature, it shouldn't matter whether it agrees with your interpretation. 🧪
A few wks ago I submitted a peer review w/ a point I’d like to share.
I said I disagreed with the interpretation—the conclusions and framing—of the paper. I think the authors are wrong, in fact.
But the experiments and analyses are strong. So the paper deserves to be published, and… 1/
🧪🤖🧠
I said I disagreed with the interpretation—the conclusions and framing—of the paper. I think the authors are wrong, in fact.
But the experiments and analyses are strong. So the paper deserves to be published, and… 1/
🧪🤖🧠
October 21, 2025 at 2:25 PM
This is how I think peer review should work. Peer review is about evaluating the rigor of the experiments and analysis. So long as the conclusion is supported by the data and appropriately considers the literature, it shouldn't matter whether it agrees with your interpretation. 🧪
Reposted by Ian L Morgan
Big shout outs to University of Arizona, Brown University, Dartmouth College, M.I.T., the University of Pennsylvania, the University of Southern California and the University of Virginia. I salute them all for standing up for academic freedom.
All but 2 Universities Decline a Trump Offer of Preferential Funding
www.nytimes.com
October 21, 2025 at 11:16 AM
Big shout outs to University of Arizona, Brown University, Dartmouth College, M.I.T., the University of Pennsylvania, the University of Southern California and the University of Virginia. I salute them all for standing up for academic freedom.
A thoughtful take on novel alternative methods (NAMs) and animal models.
"Instead of asking whether ‘to NAM or not to NAM?’ when considering the use of anything as a research model, the question should be: ‘Does the model I am using faithfully represent the biological system I am studying?’"
"Instead of asking whether ‘to NAM or not to NAM?’ when considering the use of anything as a research model, the question should be: ‘Does the model I am using faithfully represent the biological system I am studying?’"
Why simply ending animal testing isn’t the answer in biomedical research
Animal models provide insights that alternative approaches can’t. A heated debate about which method is better is distracting researchers from doing good science.
www.nature.com
October 21, 2025 at 10:58 AM
A thoughtful take on novel alternative methods (NAMs) and animal models.
"Instead of asking whether ‘to NAM or not to NAM?’ when considering the use of anything as a research model, the question should be: ‘Does the model I am using faithfully represent the biological system I am studying?’"
"Instead of asking whether ‘to NAM or not to NAM?’ when considering the use of anything as a research model, the question should be: ‘Does the model I am using faithfully represent the biological system I am studying?’"
What makes you laugh and then think? Parafilm is actually insanely useful in the lab.
For the second year in a row, Parafilm has been recognized with the Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2025! 🏅
October 21, 2025 at 10:33 AM
What makes you laugh and then think? Parafilm is actually insanely useful in the lab.