John Chodera
@jchodera.bsky.social
Achira | http://achira.ai
Research laboratory | http://choderalab.org
Antiviral drug discovery for pandemics | http://asapdiscovery.org
OpenADMET | http://openadmet.org
Employer-mandated disclaimer: http://choderalab.org/disclaimer
Pronouns: he/him
Research laboratory | http://choderalab.org
Antiviral drug discovery for pandemics | http://asapdiscovery.org
OpenADMET | http://openadmet.org
Employer-mandated disclaimer: http://choderalab.org/disclaimer
Pronouns: he/him
Pinned
John Chodera
@jchodera.bsky.social
· Sep 24
Great news! 🎉
Following an independent expert review, we have formally nominated the broad-spectrum pan-coronavirus antiviral ASAP-0017445 as a pre-clinical drug candidate.
🔗Read the press release here: dndi.org/press-releas...
Following an independent expert review, we have formally nominated the broad-spectrum pan-coronavirus antiviral ASAP-0017445 as a pre-clinical drug candidate.
🔗Read the press release here: dndi.org/press-releas...
Incredibly proud to have played a small role in this journey alongside so many incredible scientists like Annette von Delft and Peter Sjö!
Reposted by John Chodera
Scientists are feeling the squeeze. A lot of orgs focus on asking elites for our privileges back.
We’re different: we build people power from the ground up—an easy on-ramp for scientists to learn + take collective action.
Join tonight’s Action Hour (Tues 11/25), 8pm ET:
bit.ly/3Xi0Hrx
We’re different: we build people power from the ground up—an easy on-ramp for scientists to learn + take collective action.
Join tonight’s Action Hour (Tues 11/25), 8pm ET:
bit.ly/3Xi0Hrx
Welcome! You are invited to join a meeting: Scientists in Solidarity Action Hour. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the meeting.
Scientists in Solidarity: Action Hour
Make meaning. Build power. Take action.
Feeling overwhelmed by the political attacks on science, education, and civil rights? You’re not alone—and you don’t ha...
us02web.zoom.us
November 25, 2025 at 12:58 PM
Scientists are feeling the squeeze. A lot of orgs focus on asking elites for our privileges back.
We’re different: we build people power from the ground up—an easy on-ramp for scientists to learn + take collective action.
Join tonight’s Action Hour (Tues 11/25), 8pm ET:
bit.ly/3Xi0Hrx
We’re different: we build people power from the ground up—an easy on-ramp for scientists to learn + take collective action.
Join tonight’s Action Hour (Tues 11/25), 8pm ET:
bit.ly/3Xi0Hrx
Reposted by John Chodera
“Just following orders”
“We’ve tried to not have to do it, but we've got direct orders,” the masked ICE agents told them www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/i...
November 25, 2025 at 12:52 PM
“Just following orders”
Reposted by John Chodera
Unfortunately, I can confirm that this is true.
I have known Carl for 2 decades and he is smart, dedicated, and quite apolitical, focused on science and getting stuff done on important problems.
Huge unnecessary loss of leadership and expertise.
I have known Carl for 2 decades and he is smart, dedicated, and quite apolitical, focused on science and getting stuff done on important problems.
Huge unnecessary loss of leadership and expertise.
Hearing news that Carl Dieffenbach, the Director of the Division of AIDS at #NIH (NIAID), has been removed from his position because he was "not aligned with HHS/OMB."
Russell Vought continues to remove great scientists as part of the Project 2025 mission to politicize and destroy NIH.
🧪 1/
Russell Vought continues to remove great scientists as part of the Project 2025 mission to politicize and destroy NIH.
🧪 1/
November 24, 2025 at 5:49 AM
Unfortunately, I can confirm that this is true.
I have known Carl for 2 decades and he is smart, dedicated, and quite apolitical, focused on science and getting stuff done on important problems.
Huge unnecessary loss of leadership and expertise.
I have known Carl for 2 decades and he is smart, dedicated, and quite apolitical, focused on science and getting stuff done on important problems.
Huge unnecessary loss of leadership and expertise.
Reposted by John Chodera
Local police officers and sheriffs in Mobile, Alabama, are abducting a man from the waiting room of a car dealership mechanic shop on behalf of ICE/DHS. During the kidnapping, he is administered an unidentified sedative.
November 23, 2025 at 3:57 PM
Local police officers and sheriffs in Mobile, Alabama, are abducting a man from the waiting room of a car dealership mechanic shop on behalf of ICE/DHS. During the kidnapping, he is administered an unidentified sedative.
Reposted by John Chodera
In this tough and moving essay, Caroline Kennedy's 35-year-old daughter Tatiana Schlossberg reveals that she is terminally ill with leukemia. She has some choice words about how her cousin Bobby has made the limited time she has left worse. www.newyorker.com/culture/the-...
A Battle with My Blood
When I was diagnosed with leukemia, my first thought was that this couldn’t be happening to me, to my family.
www.newyorker.com
November 22, 2025 at 3:31 PM
In this tough and moving essay, Caroline Kennedy's 35-year-old daughter Tatiana Schlossberg reveals that she is terminally ill with leukemia. She has some choice words about how her cousin Bobby has made the limited time she has left worse. www.newyorker.com/culture/the-...
Reposted by John Chodera
They planned to force him to crash or shoot him for recording their crimes. They then accused him of assaulting them. www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/c...
ICE video shows officers planned to ‘smash’ into Charlotte man filming Border Patrol
Immigration agents had a 12-pack of Modelos in their car while making arrests, Miguel Angel Garcia Martinez told investigators.
www.charlotteobserver.com
November 22, 2025 at 9:59 PM
They planned to force him to crash or shoot him for recording their crimes. They then accused him of assaulting them. www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/c...
Reposted by John Chodera
RFK Jr. wants you to know that he’s personally responsible for the anti-vax misinformation on the CDC's website
RFK Jr. wants you to know he’s personally responsible for anti-vax misinformation on CDC website
He told the New York Times there’s no proof that vaccines don’t cause autism, which is a lie.
www.motherjones.com
November 22, 2025 at 4:54 PM
RFK Jr. wants you to know that he’s personally responsible for the anti-vax misinformation on the CDC's website
Reposted by John Chodera
NEW AP INVESTIGATION: With license plate readers and local law enforcement partnerships, Border Patrol is monitoring American drivers and detaining those exhibiting ‘suspicious’ travel patterns in the U.S. interior. w/
@garanceburke.bsky.social. apnews.com/article/immi...
@garanceburke.bsky.social. apnews.com/article/immi...
Border Patrol is monitoring US drivers and detaining those with 'suspicious' travel patterns
The U.S. Border Patrol is monitoring millions of American drivers nationwide in a secretive program to identify and detain people whose travel patterns it deems suspicious.
apnews.com
November 20, 2025 at 5:48 PM
NEW AP INVESTIGATION: With license plate readers and local law enforcement partnerships, Border Patrol is monitoring American drivers and detaining those exhibiting ‘suspicious’ travel patterns in the U.S. interior. w/
@garanceburke.bsky.social. apnews.com/article/immi...
@garanceburke.bsky.social. apnews.com/article/immi...
Reposted by John Chodera
The administration is building a legal pathway for ad hoc grant terminations:
"if the agency determines that the award no longer effectuates the program goals or agency priorities"
Converting multiyear grants to 'at whim' coin flips will undermine the stability & leadership of American science.
"if the agency determines that the award no longer effectuates the program goals or agency priorities"
Converting multiyear grants to 'at whim' coin flips will undermine the stability & leadership of American science.
Update on a significant development NIH grant terms.
On 10/1, a change to grant making regs went into effect that gives NIH more power to terminate grants for policy reasons.
But to use this power, new grant terms must include specific language. See @aniloza.bsky.social w/ the story from July.
1/
On 10/1, a change to grant making regs went into effect that gives NIH more power to terminate grants for policy reasons.
But to use this power, new grant terms must include specific language. See @aniloza.bsky.social w/ the story from July.
1/
HHS devises legal playbook for future grant terminations, internal memo shows
Exclusive: HHS devises a legal playbook for future research grant terminations, an internal memo shows.
www.statnews.com
November 20, 2025 at 4:06 PM
The administration is building a legal pathway for ad hoc grant terminations:
"if the agency determines that the award no longer effectuates the program goals or agency priorities"
Converting multiyear grants to 'at whim' coin flips will undermine the stability & leadership of American science.
"if the agency determines that the award no longer effectuates the program goals or agency priorities"
Converting multiyear grants to 'at whim' coin flips will undermine the stability & leadership of American science.
Reposted by John Chodera
🚨Using any kind of chemical weapons at this range is aggravated assault against peaceful protesters. They have no weapons, they pose no threat. ICE is the enemy. 1/2
November 19, 2025 at 12:56 PM
🚨Using any kind of chemical weapons at this range is aggravated assault against peaceful protesters. They have no weapons, they pose no threat. ICE is the enemy. 1/2
Reposted by John Chodera
How awful. This is outright health disinformation, lying to the American people. Not only is there massive evidence showing no link between vaccines & autism, there’s not even a plausible mechanism based on what we’ve learned about the genetics of autism, some environmental exposures in pregnancy
HEADS UP: CDC website now officially asserts that vaccines may cause autism.“Studies supporting a link have been ignored by health authorities.” Also says the “vaccines do not cause autism” header remains b/c of an agreement with Cassidy.
November 20, 2025 at 3:18 AM
How awful. This is outright health disinformation, lying to the American people. Not only is there massive evidence showing no link between vaccines & autism, there’s not even a plausible mechanism based on what we’ve learned about the genetics of autism, some environmental exposures in pregnancy
Reposted by John Chodera
“The JAG at Southern Command specifically expressed concern that strikes against people on boats in the Caribbean Sea and the eastern Pacific Ocean…could amount to extrajudicial killings, the six sources said, and therefore legally expose service members involved in the operations.”
November 20, 2025 at 3:33 AM
“The JAG at Southern Command specifically expressed concern that strikes against people on boats in the Caribbean Sea and the eastern Pacific Ocean…could amount to extrajudicial killings, the six sources said, and therefore legally expose service members involved in the operations.”
Reposted by John Chodera
Reposted by John Chodera
When former Harvard President Lawrence H. Summers was pursuing a romantic relationship with a woman he described as a mentee, he turned to a longtime associate for guidance: Jeffrey E. Epstein.
Dhruv T. Patel and Cam N. Srivastava report.
Dhruv T. Patel and Cam N. Srivastava report.
As Summers Sought Clandestine Relationship With Woman He Called a Mentee, Epstein Was His ‘Wing Man’ | News | The Harvard Crimson
When former Harvard President Lawrence H. Summers was pursuing a romantic relationship with a woman he described as a mentee, he turned to a longtime associate for guidance: convicted sex offender…
www.thecrimson.com
November 17, 2025 at 1:45 AM
When former Harvard President Lawrence H. Summers was pursuing a romantic relationship with a woman he described as a mentee, he turned to a longtime associate for guidance: Jeffrey E. Epstein.
Dhruv T. Patel and Cam N. Srivastava report.
Dhruv T. Patel and Cam N. Srivastava report.
Reposted by John Chodera
Richardson should never been in a position he was unqualified for.
At one point he told FEMA staff “I and I alone speak for FEMA.” In the last few weeks, DHS refused to let him talk to media.
Another agency rendered rudderless because the administration does not want to see it function.
At one point he told FEMA staff “I and I alone speak for FEMA.” In the last few weeks, DHS refused to let him talk to media.
Another agency rendered rudderless because the administration does not want to see it function.
FEMA head resigns.
David Richardson had been difficult to reach during Texas floods
www.washingtonpost.com/climate-envi...
David Richardson had been difficult to reach during Texas floods
www.washingtonpost.com/climate-envi...
FEMA head resigns. Richardson had been hard to reach during Texas floods.
David Richardson resigned Monday after a brief tenure leading the Federal Emergency Management Agency
www.washingtonpost.com
November 17, 2025 at 6:32 PM
Richardson should never been in a position he was unqualified for.
At one point he told FEMA staff “I and I alone speak for FEMA.” In the last few weeks, DHS refused to let him talk to media.
Another agency rendered rudderless because the administration does not want to see it function.
At one point he told FEMA staff “I and I alone speak for FEMA.” In the last few weeks, DHS refused to let him talk to media.
Another agency rendered rudderless because the administration does not want to see it function.
Reposted by John Chodera
The second Trump administration’s deep federal spending cuts, including at the NIH, have halted at least 383 clinical trials, affecting more than 74,000 patients, according to a new analysis.
www.fiercebiotech.com/research/nih...
www.fiercebiotech.com/research/nih...
NIH grant cuts have disrupted hundreds of clinical trials, study finds
The second Trump administration has been defined by widespread cuts to federal spending, including at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). | The second Trump administration has been defined by wid...
www.fiercebiotech.com
November 17, 2025 at 5:47 PM
The second Trump administration’s deep federal spending cuts, including at the NIH, have halted at least 383 clinical trials, affecting more than 74,000 patients, according to a new analysis.
www.fiercebiotech.com/research/nih...
www.fiercebiotech.com/research/nih...
Reposted by John Chodera
“Short bursts indicate an ICE sighting. Long whistles indicate agents making arrests. If you hear the whistle and you’re undocumented, said [Whitney Hu, a community activist and organizer with South Brooklyn Mutual Aid], ‘you hide. And if you’re somebody who’s not, you go to the street.’”
As ICE Street Raids Ramp Up, New Yorkers Stock Up On Whistles
Taking a cue from Chicago, community groups have distributed thousands of whistles in recent weeks — a grassroots system people in other cities have adopted to help neighbors sound the alarm.
www.thecity.nyc
November 17, 2025 at 1:44 PM
“Short bursts indicate an ICE sighting. Long whistles indicate agents making arrests. If you hear the whistle and you’re undocumented, said [Whitney Hu, a community activist and organizer with South Brooklyn Mutual Aid], ‘you hide. And if you’re somebody who’s not, you go to the street.’”
Reposted by John Chodera
one of the crueler cases of #AdministrativeBurden I’ve heard in a long time...
and also a good example of how much easier it is to cause harm once these essential services have been “paused."
this is abominable.
www.newsweek.com/snap-benefit...
and also a good example of how much easier it is to cause harm once these essential services have been “paused."
this is abominable.
www.newsweek.com/snap-benefit...
SNAP benefits update: Trump admin says ‘everyone’ will have to reapply
Agriculture secretary Brooke Rollins told Newsmax on Thursday the plan is to “have everyone reapply for their benefits."
www.newsweek.com
November 16, 2025 at 10:55 PM
one of the crueler cases of #AdministrativeBurden I’ve heard in a long time...
and also a good example of how much easier it is to cause harm once these essential services have been “paused."
this is abominable.
www.newsweek.com/snap-benefit...
and also a good example of how much easier it is to cause harm once these essential services have been “paused."
this is abominable.
www.newsweek.com/snap-benefit...
What
Kristi Noem waived bidding requirements to give $220 million to a firm tied to her top aide, chief spokesperson, and herself—all for a vanity ad shot at Mount Rushmore.
Korruption at its finest.
Korruption at its finest.
Firm Tied to Kristi Noem Secretly Got Money From $220 Million DHS Ad Contracts
The company is run by the husband of Noem’s chief DHS spokesperson and has personal and business ties to Noem and her aides. DHS invoked the “emergency” at the border to skirt competitive bidding rule...
www.propublica.org
November 16, 2025 at 3:29 PM
What
Reposted by John Chodera
Being reminded Larry Summers is currently on the board of Open AI
November 16, 2025 at 12:36 AM
Being reminded Larry Summers is currently on the board of Open AI
Reposted by John Chodera
If women are underrepresented in STEM, it's at least partly because men like this offer mentoring, then embarrass themselves by assuming their mentees must be into them, then decide the best solution is to cut ties, which sends the signal to other faculty that the mentee must not be good enough.
The emails have Summers reporting to Epstein about his attempts to date a Harvard economics student & to hit on her during a seminar she was giving.
November 16, 2025 at 12:13 AM
If women are underrepresented in STEM, it's at least partly because men like this offer mentoring, then embarrass themselves by assuming their mentees must be into them, then decide the best solution is to cut ties, which sends the signal to other faculty that the mentee must not be good enough.
Reposted by John Chodera
Why? 🤑
In just the last 5 years, 4 publishers made $US 41 billion in revenue and $14.7B in profit - money that largely comes from taxpayer-funded research budgets.
For context: the entire 2024 NSF budget was $9B USD.
@elsevierconnect.bsky.social made $3.9B that year at a 38% profit margin. 2/n
In just the last 5 years, 4 publishers made $US 41 billion in revenue and $14.7B in profit - money that largely comes from taxpayer-funded research budgets.
For context: the entire 2024 NSF budget was $9B USD.
@elsevierconnect.bsky.social made $3.9B that year at a 38% profit margin. 2/n
November 13, 2025 at 8:17 PM
Why? 🤑
In just the last 5 years, 4 publishers made $US 41 billion in revenue and $14.7B in profit - money that largely comes from taxpayer-funded research budgets.
For context: the entire 2024 NSF budget was $9B USD.
@elsevierconnect.bsky.social made $3.9B that year at a 38% profit margin. 2/n
In just the last 5 years, 4 publishers made $US 41 billion in revenue and $14.7B in profit - money that largely comes from taxpayer-funded research budgets.
For context: the entire 2024 NSF budget was $9B USD.
@elsevierconnect.bsky.social made $3.9B that year at a 38% profit margin. 2/n
Reposted by John Chodera
This memo is almost an admission of legal *vulnerability* for those carrying out bombings.
“It signals fear that what they’re doing is illegal and that they could possibly be subject to criminal action under US law and international law,” Rep Adam Smith tells me. 4/
newrepublic.com/article/2032...
“It signals fear that what they’re doing is illegal and that they could possibly be subject to criminal action under US law and international law,” Rep Adam Smith tells me. 4/
newrepublic.com/article/2032...
November 15, 2025 at 12:29 PM
This memo is almost an admission of legal *vulnerability* for those carrying out bombings.
“It signals fear that what they’re doing is illegal and that they could possibly be subject to criminal action under US law and international law,” Rep Adam Smith tells me. 4/
newrepublic.com/article/2032...
“It signals fear that what they’re doing is illegal and that they could possibly be subject to criminal action under US law and international law,” Rep Adam Smith tells me. 4/
newrepublic.com/article/2032...
Reposted by John Chodera
What the closure of Teen Vogue means for journalism
www.cjr.org/feature/the-...
www.cjr.org/feature/the-...
What the closure of Teen Vogue means for journalism.
Condé Nast folded a beloved magazine that treated youth and feminism as political topics, not trends.
www.cjr.org
November 15, 2025 at 8:20 PM
What the closure of Teen Vogue means for journalism
www.cjr.org/feature/the-...
www.cjr.org/feature/the-...
Reposted by John Chodera
Alice Wong, a writer and activist who was born with muscular dystrophy and who fought relentlessly for equal rights and access for people with disabilities, died on Friday. She was 51. nyti.ms/4r9WqEr
November 15, 2025 at 9:33 PM
Alice Wong, a writer and activist who was born with muscular dystrophy and who fought relentlessly for equal rights and access for people with disabilities, died on Friday. She was 51. nyti.ms/4r9WqEr