Vaughn Smider, MD, PhD
@vvsmider.bsky.social
Biomedical researcher, antibody investigator (especially cow antibodies 🐮, which are the best), drug discoverer, entrepreneur 🇺🇸 🇺🇦
Founder and President at Applied Biomedical Science Institute:
https://absinstitute.org
Founder and President at Applied Biomedical Science Institute:
https://absinstitute.org
Pinned
DOGE ends America’s golden age of biomedical research
Biomedical research impacts all of us. I became curious about how drugs work after my mom was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis when I was a small boy. She received “gold shots” as treatment, which ...
www.vindy.com
I’m a biomedical researcher who lost his wife to cancer. Finding cures is personal to me. What’s happening at the NIH is devastating. Here’s my editorial in my hometown newspaper.
www.vindy.com/opinion/edit...
www.vindy.com/opinion/edit...
Reposted by Vaughn Smider, MD, PhD
Scientists: have you been the target of an online harassment campaign, doxxing, or weaponized FOIA requests? I'd like to talk to you about steps you had to take to protect your digital security for an upcoming Nature story. (You can be anonymous if necessary.)
RTs appreciated.
RTs appreciated.
November 26, 2025 at 12:18 AM
Scientists: have you been the target of an online harassment campaign, doxxing, or weaponized FOIA requests? I'd like to talk to you about steps you had to take to protect your digital security for an upcoming Nature story. (You can be anonymous if necessary.)
RTs appreciated.
RTs appreciated.
Reposted by Vaughn Smider, MD, PhD
New @pnas.org
"This work represents the most extensive study to
date regarding the effect of tattoo ink on the immune response and raises serious health concerns associated with the tattooing" including reduced response to Covid vaccination
www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
"This work represents the most extensive study to
date regarding the effect of tattoo ink on the immune response and raises serious health concerns associated with the tattooing" including reduced response to Covid vaccination
www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
Tattoo ink induces inflammation in the draining lymph node and alters the immune response to vaccination | PNAS
Despite safety concerns regarding the toxicity of tattoo ink, no studies have reported
the consequences of tattooing on the immune response. In thi...
www.pnas.org
November 25, 2025 at 7:35 PM
New @pnas.org
"This work represents the most extensive study to
date regarding the effect of tattoo ink on the immune response and raises serious health concerns associated with the tattooing" including reduced response to Covid vaccination
www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
"This work represents the most extensive study to
date regarding the effect of tattoo ink on the immune response and raises serious health concerns associated with the tattooing" including reduced response to Covid vaccination
www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
Reposted by Vaughn Smider, MD, PhD
Just had a student present this in my evolutionary biology class. Bowheads are the longest-lived mammal with lifespans of 2+ centuries. They inhabit the same environment as the longest-lived fish, the Greenland shark (4 centuries or more). I'd be curious to know if there are genetic parallels here.
Bowhead whales live twice as long as humans, and have a unique DNA repair mechanism to avoid cancer. Novel research w U Rochester in collaboration with the Inuit in Alaska.
🧪#cancer
apple.news/Ag-kaIoQ2QSG...
🧪#cancer
apple.news/Ag-kaIoQ2QSG...
A bowhead whale's DNA offers clues to fight cancer — NPR
Scientists searching for new ways to combat cancer think they may have uncovered a promising new lead in the DNA of the bowhead whale.
apple.news
November 25, 2025 at 5:42 PM
Just had a student present this in my evolutionary biology class. Bowheads are the longest-lived mammal with lifespans of 2+ centuries. They inhabit the same environment as the longest-lived fish, the Greenland shark (4 centuries or more). I'd be curious to know if there are genetic parallels here.
Reposted by Vaughn Smider, MD, PhD
So, let me share the NIGMS processes from my time.
1/8
1/8
I will share how things worked when I was at NIGMS back in the day.
I am confident in varies across institutes (as almost everything does).
I am confident in varies across institutes (as almost everything does).
November 25, 2025 at 3:58 PM
So, let me share the NIGMS processes from my time.
1/8
1/8
Reposted by Vaughn Smider, MD, PhD
Bowhead whales live twice as long as humans, and have a unique DNA repair mechanism to avoid cancer. Novel research w U Rochester in collaboration with the Inuit in Alaska.
🧪#cancer
apple.news/Ag-kaIoQ2QSG...
🧪#cancer
apple.news/Ag-kaIoQ2QSG...
A bowhead whale's DNA offers clues to fight cancer — NPR
Scientists searching for new ways to combat cancer think they may have uncovered a promising new lead in the DNA of the bowhead whale.
apple.news
November 25, 2025 at 5:52 AM
Bowhead whales live twice as long as humans, and have a unique DNA repair mechanism to avoid cancer. Novel research w U Rochester in collaboration with the Inuit in Alaska.
🧪#cancer
apple.news/Ag-kaIoQ2QSG...
🧪#cancer
apple.news/Ag-kaIoQ2QSG...
Bowhead whales live twice as long as humans, and have a unique DNA repair mechanism to avoid cancer. Novel research w U Rochester in collaboration with the Inuit in Alaska.
🧪#cancer
apple.news/Ag-kaIoQ2QSG...
🧪#cancer
apple.news/Ag-kaIoQ2QSG...
A bowhead whale's DNA offers clues to fight cancer — NPR
Scientists searching for new ways to combat cancer think they may have uncovered a promising new lead in the DNA of the bowhead whale.
apple.news
November 25, 2025 at 5:52 AM
Bowhead whales live twice as long as humans, and have a unique DNA repair mechanism to avoid cancer. Novel research w U Rochester in collaboration with the Inuit in Alaska.
🧪#cancer
apple.news/Ag-kaIoQ2QSG...
🧪#cancer
apple.news/Ag-kaIoQ2QSG...
Reposted by Vaughn Smider, MD, PhD
Every machine in a Hospital that diagnoses your body without cutting you open is based on a principle of Physics, discovered by a Physicist who had no interest in Medicine.
If you think the world doesn’t need Basic Science, or that somehow Science has failed you, think again.
#sciencematters
If you think the world doesn’t need Basic Science, or that somehow Science has failed you, think again.
#sciencematters
November 25, 2025 at 1:40 AM
Every machine in a Hospital that diagnoses your body without cutting you open is based on a principle of Physics, discovered by a Physicist who had no interest in Medicine.
If you think the world doesn’t need Basic Science, or that somehow Science has failed you, think again.
#sciencematters
If you think the world doesn’t need Basic Science, or that somehow Science has failed you, think again.
#sciencematters
Reposted by Vaughn Smider, MD, PhD
This is concerning.
NIH is changing their policy so that staff have to prepare justification for every application that is funded BUT NO DOCUMENTATION FOR APPLICATIONS THAT ARE SKIPPED (BASED ON PERCENTILES).
1/2
NIH is changing their policy so that staff have to prepare justification for every application that is funded BUT NO DOCUMENTATION FOR APPLICATIONS THAT ARE SKIPPED (BASED ON PERCENTILES).
1/2
November 24, 2025 at 12:29 AM
This is concerning.
NIH is changing their policy so that staff have to prepare justification for every application that is funded BUT NO DOCUMENTATION FOR APPLICATIONS THAT ARE SKIPPED (BASED ON PERCENTILES).
1/2
NIH is changing their policy so that staff have to prepare justification for every application that is funded BUT NO DOCUMENTATION FOR APPLICATIONS THAT ARE SKIPPED (BASED ON PERCENTILES).
1/2
Reposted by Vaughn Smider, MD, PhD
This statement really isn't very clear but here's the part people need to see: "we support the statement that vaccines do not cause autism."
NEW: The National Academies release statement saying the revised language on @CDCgov web page on links between vaccines and autism, which cited some of the academies work, did not provide the full context. 1/2
www.nationalacademies.org/news/stateme...
www.nationalacademies.org/news/stateme...
National Academies - Statement on CDC’s Updated Vaccine Guidance
National Academies respond to CDC’s updated vaccine guidance, offering scientific context and clarity on vaccine safety.
www.nationalacademies.org
November 24, 2025 at 12:54 AM
This statement really isn't very clear but here's the part people need to see: "we support the statement that vaccines do not cause autism."
Reposted by Vaughn Smider, MD, PhD
Not that anyone asked, but the country with the World's lowest life expectancy (Chad) has a higher life expectancy than the country with the highest life expectancy 120 yrs ago (Sweden).
Think Science and especially Medicine has somehow failed you? Think again.
#ScienceMatters
Think Science and especially Medicine has somehow failed you? Think again.
#ScienceMatters
November 23, 2025 at 8:36 PM
Not that anyone asked, but the country with the World's lowest life expectancy (Chad) has a higher life expectancy than the country with the highest life expectancy 120 yrs ago (Sweden).
Think Science and especially Medicine has somehow failed you? Think again.
#ScienceMatters
Think Science and especially Medicine has somehow failed you? Think again.
#ScienceMatters
Reposted by Vaughn Smider, MD, PhD
November 23, 2025 at 6:34 PM
Reposted by Vaughn Smider, MD, PhD
Caroline Kennedy’s daughter, Tatiana, on her battle with terminal AML.
“Bobby is a known skeptic of vaccines, and I was especially concerned that I wouldn’t be able to get mine again, leaving me to spend the rest of my life immunocompromised”
#cancer 🧪
www.newyorker.com/culture/the-...
“Bobby is a known skeptic of vaccines, and I was especially concerned that I wouldn’t be able to get mine again, leaving me to spend the rest of my life immunocompromised”
#cancer 🧪
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 23, 2025 at 9:17 PM
Caroline Kennedy’s daughter, Tatiana, on her battle with terminal AML.
“Bobby is a known skeptic of vaccines, and I was especially concerned that I wouldn’t be able to get mine again, leaving me to spend the rest of my life immunocompromised”
#cancer 🧪
www.newyorker.com/culture/the-...
“Bobby is a known skeptic of vaccines, and I was especially concerned that I wouldn’t be able to get mine again, leaving me to spend the rest of my life immunocompromised”
#cancer 🧪
www.newyorker.com/culture/the-...
Caroline Kennedy’s daughter, Tatiana, on her battle with terminal AML.
“Bobby is a known skeptic of vaccines, and I was especially concerned that I wouldn’t be able to get mine again, leaving me to spend the rest of my life immunocompromised”
#cancer 🧪
www.newyorker.com/culture/the-...
“Bobby is a known skeptic of vaccines, and I was especially concerned that I wouldn’t be able to get mine again, leaving me to spend the rest of my life immunocompromised”
#cancer 🧪
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 23, 2025 at 9:17 PM
Caroline Kennedy’s daughter, Tatiana, on her battle with terminal AML.
“Bobby is a known skeptic of vaccines, and I was especially concerned that I wouldn’t be able to get mine again, leaving me to spend the rest of my life immunocompromised”
#cancer 🧪
www.newyorker.com/culture/the-...
“Bobby is a known skeptic of vaccines, and I was especially concerned that I wouldn’t be able to get mine again, leaving me to spend the rest of my life immunocompromised”
#cancer 🧪
www.newyorker.com/culture/the-...
Reposted by Vaughn Smider, MD, PhD
About that exclusive, "closed-to-press" MAHA summit last week with RFK and JD Vance: I got in.
Here's what I saw. 🧵 🧪
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Here's what I saw. 🧵 🧪
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
November 21, 2025 at 5:01 PM
About that exclusive, "closed-to-press" MAHA summit last week with RFK and JD Vance: I got in.
Here's what I saw. 🧵 🧪
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Here's what I saw. 🧵 🧪
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Reposted by Vaughn Smider, MD, PhD
I have posted about this before, but...
Researchers at Pitt School of Public Health (with NIH funding) developed Project Tycho where they digitized reportable disease data from across the country going back to ~1900.
graphics.wsj.com/infectious-d...
1/6
Researchers at Pitt School of Public Health (with NIH funding) developed Project Tycho where they digitized reportable disease data from across the country going back to ~1900.
graphics.wsj.com/infectious-d...
1/6
Battling Infectious Diseases in the 20th Century: The Impact of Vaccines
The number of infected people, measured over 70-some years and across all 50 states and the District of Columbia, generally declined after vaccines were introduced.
graphics.wsj.com
November 22, 2025 at 2:22 PM
I have posted about this before, but...
Researchers at Pitt School of Public Health (with NIH funding) developed Project Tycho where they digitized reportable disease data from across the country going back to ~1900.
graphics.wsj.com/infectious-d...
1/6
Researchers at Pitt School of Public Health (with NIH funding) developed Project Tycho where they digitized reportable disease data from across the country going back to ~1900.
graphics.wsj.com/infectious-d...
1/6
Reposted by Vaughn Smider, MD, PhD
No more paylines at the NIH
grants.nih.gov/news-events/...
grants.nih.gov/news-events/...
Implementing a Unified NIH Funding Strategy to Guide Consistent and Clearer Award Decisions | Grants & Funding
grants.nih.gov
November 21, 2025 at 7:45 PM
No more paylines at the NIH
grants.nih.gov/news-events/...
grants.nih.gov/news-events/...
Reposted by Vaughn Smider, MD, PhD
This is the insurance industry's playbook: deny or delay until it's too late. Eric Tennant's insurer denied the cancer treatment his doctors recommended, only approving it months later when he was too sick to receive it. He died in September.
Via @kffhealthnews.org
Via @kffhealthnews.org
After Series of Denials, His Insurer Approved Doctor-Recommended Cancer Care. It Was Too Late. - KFF Health News
Eric Tennant’s doctors recommended histotripsy, which would target, and potentially destroy, a cancerous tumor in his liver. But by the time his insurer approved the treatment, Tennant was no longer c...
kffhealthnews.org
November 21, 2025 at 9:23 PM
This is the insurance industry's playbook: deny or delay until it's too late. Eric Tennant's insurer denied the cancer treatment his doctors recommended, only approving it months later when he was too sick to receive it. He died in September.
Via @kffhealthnews.org
Via @kffhealthnews.org
Reposted by Vaughn Smider, MD, PhD
Many research careers start with a PhD. Our new award will support healthcare professionals to take that step.
We’re funding a new round of doctoral programmes to train the next generation of clinically-active research leaders.
Applications are open now. Find out more: wellcome.org/research-fun...
We’re funding a new round of doctoral programmes to train the next generation of clinically-active research leaders.
Applications are open now. Find out more: wellcome.org/research-fun...
Doctoral Programmes for Healthcare Professionals | Grant funding | Wellcome
Get guidance on applying to host and administer a Wellcome doctoral programme for healthcare professionals at your institution. Find out about eligibility and how to apply.
wellcome.org
November 19, 2025 at 5:43 PM
Many research careers start with a PhD. Our new award will support healthcare professionals to take that step.
We’re funding a new round of doctoral programmes to train the next generation of clinically-active research leaders.
Applications are open now. Find out more: wellcome.org/research-fun...
We’re funding a new round of doctoral programmes to train the next generation of clinically-active research leaders.
Applications are open now. Find out more: wellcome.org/research-fun...
Reposted by Vaughn Smider, MD, PhD
Scientists can't afford to stay silent now. In response to the chaos brought on by RF Quack. Some are running for office to take matters in their own hands.
🧪 www.theatlantic.com/science/2025...
🧪 www.theatlantic.com/science/2025...
The Epidemiologists Are Running for Office
Instead of trying to depoliticize their field, a swell of scientists want to become politicians.
www.theatlantic.com
November 18, 2025 at 7:19 PM
Scientists can't afford to stay silent now. In response to the chaos brought on by RF Quack. Some are running for office to take matters in their own hands.
🧪 www.theatlantic.com/science/2025...
🧪 www.theatlantic.com/science/2025...
Reposted by Vaughn Smider, MD, PhD
When my wife died this year, I found out that a 3 mile ambulance ride in America will cost you $5,886.
Healthcare in America: My father-in-law recently died at a hospital and they mailed him a $123,000 bill
November 16, 2025 at 6:45 PM
When my wife died this year, I found out that a 3 mile ambulance ride in America will cost you $5,886.
Reposted by Vaughn Smider, MD, PhD
"Remarkably, the bacterium that makes methylenomycin A and pre-methylenomycin C lactone -- Streptomyces coelicolor -- is a model antibiotic-producing species that's been studied extensively since the 1950s. Finding a new antibiotic in such a familiar organism was a real surprise." 🧪
British and Australian chemists have discovered a powerful new antibiotic called pre-methylenomycin C lactone, hiding in a well-known soil bacterium. This molecule kills drug-resistant bacteria without triggering resistance. buff.ly/YlXaONo
#ShareGoodNewsToo
#ShareGoodNewsToo
Scientists find hidden antibiotic 100x stronger against deadly superbugs
A team of scientists discovered a hidden antibiotic 100 times stronger than existing drugs against deadly superbugs like MRSA. The molecule had been overlooked for decades in a familiar bacterium. It…
buff.ly
November 16, 2025 at 6:38 PM
"Remarkably, the bacterium that makes methylenomycin A and pre-methylenomycin C lactone -- Streptomyces coelicolor -- is a model antibiotic-producing species that's been studied extensively since the 1950s. Finding a new antibiotic in such a familiar organism was a real surprise." 🧪
Reposted by Vaughn Smider, MD, PhD
“In January 1993, Mario was enjoying the greatest season of his brilliant career, and was on pace to establish a new NHL scoring record. Then he was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s. On the morning of March 2, 1993, Mario finished his last radiation treatment…and scored a goal and an assist…”
November 16, 2025 at 2:55 AM
“In January 1993, Mario was enjoying the greatest season of his brilliant career, and was on pace to establish a new NHL scoring record. Then he was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s. On the morning of March 2, 1993, Mario finished his last radiation treatment…and scored a goal and an assist…”
Reposted by Vaughn Smider, MD, PhD
🧪A clinical trial for Alzheimer's has shown that removal of amyloid plaques in early stage of the disease slows cognitive decline; in particular, a 30% improvement. However, it doesn't stop dementia, it slows it down.
This comes at a time when budget cuts have affected research on this disease.
This comes at a time when budget cuts have affected research on this disease.
Promising clinical trials in Alzheimer's prevention
Washington University Medicine in St. Louis is conducting important research into treating early-onset Alzheimer's before symptoms arise.
www.cbsnews.com
November 16, 2025 at 5:39 PM
🧪A clinical trial for Alzheimer's has shown that removal of amyloid plaques in early stage of the disease slows cognitive decline; in particular, a 30% improvement. However, it doesn't stop dementia, it slows it down.
This comes at a time when budget cuts have affected research on this disease.
This comes at a time when budget cuts have affected research on this disease.
Reposted by Vaughn Smider, MD, PhD
Leading neuroscientists say that ongoing disruptions in federal funding are causing many young scientists in the field to reconsider their career choice — with potentially dire consequences for research into Alzheimer's, autism and other brain disorders.
www.npr.org/sections/sho...
www.npr.org/sections/sho...
As funding falters, young brain scientists rethink careers in research
Research on brain disorders may slow as young neuroscientists struggle to find jobs and research grants.
www.npr.org
November 16, 2025 at 4:23 AM
Leading neuroscientists say that ongoing disruptions in federal funding are causing many young scientists in the field to reconsider their career choice — with potentially dire consequences for research into Alzheimer's, autism and other brain disorders.
www.npr.org/sections/sho...
www.npr.org/sections/sho...
Reposted by Vaughn Smider, MD, PhD
EXCELLENT graphic on the drain of scientific publishing! zenodo.org/records/1759...
November 15, 2025 at 4:04 AM
EXCELLENT graphic on the drain of scientific publishing! zenodo.org/records/1759...