Brendan Harley
@profharley.bsky.social
#blacklivesmatter | #translivesmatter | 🍉
Harvard & MIT trained bioengineer
Professor @ U. Illinois & Cancer Center at Illinois
health | society | Imagination & discovery
Partner @kateclancy.bsky.social | runner | dad | nerd
Harvard & MIT trained bioengineer
Professor @ U. Illinois & Cancer Center at Illinois
health | society | Imagination & discovery
Partner @kateclancy.bsky.social | runner | dad | nerd
Pinned
Brendan Harley
@profharley.bsky.social
· Nov 13
George Floyd. Breonna Taylor. Ahmaud Arbery. Deeply ingrained, systemic racism is responsible for an incalculable loss & horrific suffering in our communities. I must do better. Listening, amplifying, celebrating, supporting, fighting. #BlackLivesMatter
Reposted by Brendan Harley
of course they're all major political donors and if they weren't so timid they'd be flexing their power a bit to overturn this
FDA's decision not to accept Moderna's flu vaccine filing has sent shock waves through pharma. "When there’s uncertainty about the path to approval & the reliability of the process, that really has pretty serious consequences,” one player told @jasonmast.bsky.social. www.statnews.com/2026/02/12/f...
FDA’s rejection of Moderna threatens to stifle broader vaccine industry
Experts say the FDA "moved the goalposts" on Moderna, creating "a destructive precedent that will undermine the future of vaccine development" in the U.S.
www.statnews.com
February 13, 2026 at 12:16 AM
of course they're all major political donors and if they weren't so timid they'd be flexing their power a bit to overturn this
Reposted by Brendan Harley
You can't... repeal... a scientific finding. At that point it's just called lying about it.
Breaking News: The Trump administration repealed the bedrock scientific finding that greenhouse gases threaten human life and well being, meaning that the EPA can no longer regulate them. nyti.ms/4rSszQu
February 12, 2026 at 8:38 PM
You can't... repeal... a scientific finding. At that point it's just called lying about it.
Reposted by Brendan Harley
In the 5 months since I wrote this, things have only gotten worse, with adults stripped of their healthcare at a moment's notice, universities firing teachers & banning the mere mention of trans people, & Democrats helping pass further bans and the first discrimination & segregation laws since 1996.
It's just a sports ban.
It's just a bathroom ban.
It's just a healthcare for kids ban.
It's just a military service ban.
It's just a federal jobs ban.
It's just a university housing ban.
It's just a passport & visa ban.
It's just one Constitutional right.
It's just your status as free citizens.
It's just a bathroom ban.
It's just a healthcare for kids ban.
It's just a military service ban.
It's just a federal jobs ban.
It's just a university housing ban.
It's just a passport & visa ban.
It's just one Constitutional right.
It's just your status as free citizens.
February 12, 2026 at 1:05 AM
In the 5 months since I wrote this, things have only gotten worse, with adults stripped of their healthcare at a moment's notice, universities firing teachers & banning the mere mention of trans people, & Democrats helping pass further bans and the first discrimination & segregation laws since 1996.
Reposted by Brendan Harley
Reposted by Brendan Harley
🤦🏽♀️🤦🏽♀️🤦🏽♀️🤦🏽♀️🤦🏽♀️🤦🏽♀️🤦🏽♀️
February 12, 2026 at 12:04 PM
🤦🏽♀️🤦🏽♀️🤦🏽♀️🤦🏽♀️🤦🏽♀️🤦🏽♀️🤦🏽♀️
Reposted by Brendan Harley
Terrible. The bill now goes to the Senate. Make those calls. 202-224-3121
www.nbcnews.com/politics/con...
www.nbcnews.com/politics/con...
House passes SAVE America Act, sending Trump-backed election bill to the Senate
The legislation would overhaul federal election laws in all 50 states by imposing new voter ID and proof-of-citizenship requirements. But it faces a daunting path in the Senate.
www.nbcnews.com
February 12, 2026 at 1:37 AM
Terrible. The bill now goes to the Senate. Make those calls. 202-224-3121
www.nbcnews.com/politics/con...
www.nbcnews.com/politics/con...
Reposted by Brendan Harley
Sounds like some people at the FAA saved a lot of lives today.
Calling for a ten-day closure was astute. It meant this incident was not going to be swept under the rug.
@apnews.com has six bylines on this story with several listed as contributors. Thanks, AP!
Calling for a ten-day closure was astute. It meant this incident was not going to be swept under the rug.
@apnews.com has six bylines on this story with several listed as contributors. Thanks, AP!
BREAKING: The Pentagon let Customs and Border Protection use an anti-drone laser before the FAA closed El Paso airspace, AP sources say.
FAA closes airspace around El Paso, Texas, for 10 days, grounding all flights
The Federal Aviation Administration is closing the airspace around El Paso International Airport in Texas for 10 days, grounding all flights to and from the airport.
bit.ly
February 12, 2026 at 12:53 AM
Sounds like some people at the FAA saved a lot of lives today.
Calling for a ten-day closure was astute. It meant this incident was not going to be swept under the rug.
@apnews.com has six bylines on this story with several listed as contributors. Thanks, AP!
Calling for a ten-day closure was astute. It meant this incident was not going to be swept under the rug.
@apnews.com has six bylines on this story with several listed as contributors. Thanks, AP!
Reposted by Brendan Harley
Too often when discussing trans rights, we’re forced to be on the defensive, as Republicans wage attacks.
Today, we take the opportunity to look forward by introducing my Trans Bill of Rights, a comprehensive vision to provide protections for all trans and nonbinary people.
Today, we take the opportunity to look forward by introducing my Trans Bill of Rights, a comprehensive vision to provide protections for all trans and nonbinary people.
February 11, 2026 at 9:36 PM
Too often when discussing trans rights, we’re forced to be on the defensive, as Republicans wage attacks.
Today, we take the opportunity to look forward by introducing my Trans Bill of Rights, a comprehensive vision to provide protections for all trans and nonbinary people.
Today, we take the opportunity to look forward by introducing my Trans Bill of Rights, a comprehensive vision to provide protections for all trans and nonbinary people.
Reposted by Brendan Harley
More about the NSF GRFP nonsense www.statnews.com/2026/02/11/n...
Students, faculty mystified as NSF turns back applications for prestigious fellowship program
Applicants to a prestigious National Science Foundation fellowship program say many submissions have been mysteriously “returned without review.”
www.statnews.com
February 11, 2026 at 10:41 PM
More about the NSF GRFP nonsense www.statnews.com/2026/02/11/n...
Reposted by Brendan Harley
Five years after the rollout of Covid-19 vaccines started, it seems the mystery of why the Astra-Zeneca and J&J vaccines led to a rare but deadly side effect of unusual blood clots and bleeding has finally been solved.
It's a fascinating case of molecular mimicry that may help make vaccine safer.🧪
It's a fascinating case of molecular mimicry that may help make vaccine safer.🧪
Rare, dangerous side effects of some COVID-19 vaccines explained
“Groundbreaking” study uncovers why adenovirus-based shots caused life-threatening blood clots and bleeding in some people
www.science.org
February 11, 2026 at 10:10 PM
Five years after the rollout of Covid-19 vaccines started, it seems the mystery of why the Astra-Zeneca and J&J vaccines led to a rare but deadly side effect of unusual blood clots and bleeding has finally been solved.
It's a fascinating case of molecular mimicry that may help make vaccine safer.🧪
It's a fascinating case of molecular mimicry that may help make vaccine safer.🧪
Reposted by Brendan Harley
NEW: FDA defends -- and backs off from -- its refusal to review Moderna's application for an mRNA flu vaccine. The company had spent ~$750M on studies, one with 41,000 people.
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/11/h...
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/11/h...
U.S. Health Officials Defend Rejection of Moderna’s Flu Vaccine
www.nytimes.com
February 11, 2026 at 8:57 PM
NEW: FDA defends -- and backs off from -- its refusal to review Moderna's application for an mRNA flu vaccine. The company had spent ~$750M on studies, one with 41,000 people.
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/11/h...
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/11/h...
Reposted by Brendan Harley
If you saw today's headline that Gallup will stop measuring presidential approval, they did the same thing in 2018. They do it whenever Trump is president.
February 11, 2026 at 7:27 PM
If you saw today's headline that Gallup will stop measuring presidential approval, they did the same thing in 2018. They do it whenever Trump is president.
Reposted by Brendan Harley
Bondi is now just straight up ignoring questions from Democratic members
February 11, 2026 at 7:46 PM
Bondi is now just straight up ignoring questions from Democratic members
Reposted by Brendan Harley
Making America Great, one laser-scorched party balloon at a time.
February 11, 2026 at 7:39 PM
Making America Great, one laser-scorched party balloon at a time.
Reposted by Brendan Harley
That the NYT still writes this stuff when everyone knows that Musk is full of horseshit (including the reporters at the NYT!) is honestly shocking at this point. They think you're stupid. They know he never does anything he promises but they write it anyway. Utter trash.
Elon Musk told employees at xAI, his artificial intelligence company, on Tuesday that the company needed a factory on the moon to build A.I. satellites and a massive catapult to launch them into space.
Elon Musk Wants to Build an A.I. Satellite Factory on the Moon
In a meeting with employees at his company xAI, Mr. Musk revealed a vision for a facility that includes a giant catapult to launch his satellites into space.
nyti.ms
February 11, 2026 at 2:54 PM
That the NYT still writes this stuff when everyone knows that Musk is full of horseshit (including the reporters at the NYT!) is honestly shocking at this point. They think you're stupid. They know he never does anything he promises but they write it anyway. Utter trash.
Reposted by Brendan Harley
This is the pervasive view of Trumpism. They never apologize for anything bc to them that's a sign of weakness and accountability.
Given repeated opportunities, AG Bondi repeatedly refuses to apologize for exposing the identities, sensitive information, and photographs of Epstein victims, attacking lawmakers for asking the question.
February 11, 2026 at 4:38 PM
This is the pervasive view of Trumpism. They never apologize for anything bc to them that's a sign of weakness and accountability.
Reposted by Brendan Harley
Reposted by Brendan Harley
The flu and pneumonia kill over 45,000 people a year. Moderna developed a new mRNA flu vaccine for people 50 and older--who are most at risk. Prasad, unilaterally, against the recommendation of experts within the agency, denied Moderna's appplication. www.statnews.com/2026/02/11/m...
Prasad overruled FDA staff to reject Moderna's flu vaccine application
The rejection is the latest instance of Vinay Prasad overruling career FDA scientists to place vaccines under harsher scrutiny.
www.statnews.com
February 11, 2026 at 4:09 PM
The flu and pneumonia kill over 45,000 people a year. Moderna developed a new mRNA flu vaccine for people 50 and older--who are most at risk. Prasad, unilaterally, against the recommendation of experts within the agency, denied Moderna's appplication. www.statnews.com/2026/02/11/m...
Reposted by Brendan Harley
There is no world in which such agreement is legal. Pretty much anyone in the IRS who was involved with it when they first did it either resigned, or was fired for refusing to cooperate.
IRS and DHS in April agreed to share info to help detail suspected undocumented immigrants.
That data sharing began in Aug.
In Nov, a judge said the whole process was illegal.
Now in recent weeks, IRS discovered that it violated its own internal process (that a judge already said was illegal).
That data sharing began in Aug.
In Nov, a judge said the whole process was illegal.
Now in recent weeks, IRS discovered that it violated its own internal process (that a judge already said was illegal).
February 11, 2026 at 4:03 PM
There is no world in which such agreement is legal. Pretty much anyone in the IRS who was involved with it when they first did it either resigned, or was fired for refusing to cooperate.
Reposted by Brendan Harley
You deserve access to abortion care if you are pregnant and do not want to be. Full stop.
Your reasons are your reasons and they are good enough.
Abortion is healthcare and everyone deserves healthcare access.
Your reasons are your reasons and they are good enough.
Abortion is healthcare and everyone deserves healthcare access.
You don’t need a traumatic or tragic story to deserve abortion care.
February 11, 2026 at 2:04 PM
You deserve access to abortion care if you are pregnant and do not want to be. Full stop.
Your reasons are your reasons and they are good enough.
Abortion is healthcare and everyone deserves healthcare access.
Your reasons are your reasons and they are good enough.
Abortion is healthcare and everyone deserves healthcare access.
Reposted by Brendan Harley
Update via @statnews.com on the FDA refusal to review Moderna flu vaccine
"The head of the vaccine office, wrote a detailed memo explaining why the FDA should embark on the review... The memo refusing to review Moderna’s application was signed by Prasad."
www.statnews.com/2026/02/11/m...
"The head of the vaccine office, wrote a detailed memo explaining why the FDA should embark on the review... The memo refusing to review Moderna’s application was signed by Prasad."
www.statnews.com/2026/02/11/m...
February 11, 2026 at 3:44 PM
Update via @statnews.com on the FDA refusal to review Moderna flu vaccine
"The head of the vaccine office, wrote a detailed memo explaining why the FDA should embark on the review... The memo refusing to review Moderna’s application was signed by Prasad."
www.statnews.com/2026/02/11/m...
"The head of the vaccine office, wrote a detailed memo explaining why the FDA should embark on the review... The memo refusing to review Moderna’s application was signed by Prasad."
www.statnews.com/2026/02/11/m...
Deeply unserious leadership
Scoop: Top FDA official Vinay Prasad overruled the agency’s reviewers when he refused to accept Moderna’s application for a new influenza vaccine, STAT has learned.
www.statnews.com/2026/02/11/m...
www.statnews.com/2026/02/11/m...
Prasad overruled FDA staff to reject Moderna's flu vaccine application
The rejection is the latest instance of Vinay Prasad overruling career FDA scientists to place vaccines under harsher scrutiny.
www.statnews.com
February 11, 2026 at 3:45 PM
Deeply unserious leadership
My 8-year-old recently discovered she turned on the TV without asking 'by mistake'
www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...
www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...
February 11, 2026 at 3:43 PM
My 8-year-old recently discovered she turned on the TV without asking 'by mistake'
www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...
www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...
Reposted by Brendan Harley
