Joshua Weitz
@joshuasweitz.bsky.social
Professor of Biology & Institute for Health Computing, U of Maryland; explores how viruses impact human and environmental health; 'Asymptomatic' (JHU Press, 10/2024) & 'Quantitative Biosciences' (Princeton U Press, 3/2024) & 'Science Matters' substack.
From an OpEd Team of Rivals comes resounding agreement:
"Universities must unequivocally reject the proposed compact and the invasive federal oversight it entails. In doing so, they will preserve the innovation, research excellence and fearless pursuit of truth ...
www.usnews.com/opinion/arti...
"Universities must unequivocally reject the proposed compact and the invasive federal oversight it entails. In doing so, they will preserve the innovation, research excellence and fearless pursuit of truth ...
www.usnews.com/opinion/arti...
November 21, 2025 at 3:15 PM
From an OpEd Team of Rivals comes resounding agreement:
"Universities must unequivocally reject the proposed compact and the invasive federal oversight it entails. In doing so, they will preserve the innovation, research excellence and fearless pursuit of truth ...
www.usnews.com/opinion/arti...
"Universities must unequivocally reject the proposed compact and the invasive federal oversight it entails. In doing so, they will preserve the innovation, research excellence and fearless pursuit of truth ...
www.usnews.com/opinion/arti...
This is what we get for the deal Sen. Cassidy made back in February when voting yes in which he claimed:
"CDC will not remove statements on their website pointing out that vaccines do not cause autism."
The statement now remains in a sea of anti-science.
www.cdc.gov/vaccine-safe...
"CDC will not remove statements on their website pointing out that vaccines do not cause autism."
The statement now remains in a sea of anti-science.
www.cdc.gov/vaccine-safe...
November 20, 2025 at 2:40 AM
This is what we get for the deal Sen. Cassidy made back in February when voting yes in which he claimed:
"CDC will not remove statements on their website pointing out that vaccines do not cause autism."
The statement now remains in a sea of anti-science.
www.cdc.gov/vaccine-safe...
"CDC will not remove statements on their website pointing out that vaccines do not cause autism."
The statement now remains in a sea of anti-science.
www.cdc.gov/vaccine-safe...
In essence this means we need some of the spirit embodied in the motto: All for one, and one for all.
The ‘all’ here contains far more than scientists.
Science matters to communities nationwide.
Now is precisely the time to speak up.
/🧵
The ‘all’ here contains far more than scientists.
Science matters to communities nationwide.
Now is precisely the time to speak up.
/🧵
November 19, 2025 at 4:58 PM
In essence this means we need some of the spirit embodied in the motto: All for one, and one for all.
The ‘all’ here contains far more than scientists.
Science matters to communities nationwide.
Now is precisely the time to speak up.
/🧵
The ‘all’ here contains far more than scientists.
Science matters to communities nationwide.
Now is precisely the time to speak up.
/🧵
A science-forward budget would be strategic and popular.
People support science. Survey after survey shows they do, despite polarization. Push-back matters, right now.
#CHIP50 survey data below.
People support science. Survey after survey shows they do, despite polarization. Push-back matters, right now.
#CHIP50 survey data below.
November 19, 2025 at 4:58 PM
A science-forward budget would be strategic and popular.
People support science. Survey after survey shows they do, despite polarization. Push-back matters, right now.
#CHIP50 survey data below.
People support science. Survey after survey shows they do, despite polarization. Push-back matters, right now.
#CHIP50 survey data below.
While they're at it, Congress should ensure that the budget is not the first step in an endless series of pocket rescissions and impoundment related disputes.
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
November 19, 2025 at 4:58 PM
While they're at it, Congress should ensure that the budget is not the first step in an endless series of pocket rescissions and impoundment related disputes.
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Instead, the House and Senate have proposed alternative budget views. If we want science to continue to do more than survive... but thrive, then Congress should pass a budget that enhances America's science portfolio (i.e., closest to the Senate version as in NSF example below).
November 19, 2025 at 4:58 PM
Instead, the House and Senate have proposed alternative budget views. If we want science to continue to do more than survive... but thrive, then Congress should pass a budget that enhances America's science portfolio (i.e., closest to the Senate version as in NSF example below).
Third, there is hope.
The White House has shared a vision of science that would set the us back 25+ years or more, but that budget vision is not yet a reality.
The White House has shared a vision of science that would set the us back 25+ years or more, but that budget vision is not yet a reality.
November 19, 2025 at 4:58 PM
Third, there is hope.
The White House has shared a vision of science that would set the us back 25+ years or more, but that budget vision is not yet a reality.
The White House has shared a vision of science that would set the us back 25+ years or more, but that budget vision is not yet a reality.
What did I feel was most essential to communicate?
First, that attacks on science have been intentional, sustained, and disruptive - and they are not done yet.
First, that attacks on science have been intentional, sustained, and disruptive - and they are not done yet.
November 19, 2025 at 4:58 PM
What did I feel was most essential to communicate?
First, that attacks on science have been intentional, sustained, and disruptive - and they are not done yet.
First, that attacks on science have been intentional, sustained, and disruptive - and they are not done yet.
New post unpacking administration attitudes towards science, ongoing work by experts to restart grant review, and indications that NIH leadership is consolidating control away from experts.
"Expertise vs. Control in the Shadow of a Shutdown:
NIH Reopening Edition"
substack.com/home/post/p-...
"Expertise vs. Control in the Shadow of a Shutdown:
NIH Reopening Edition"
substack.com/home/post/p-...
November 18, 2025 at 1:50 PM
New post unpacking administration attitudes towards science, ongoing work by experts to restart grant review, and indications that NIH leadership is consolidating control away from experts.
"Expertise vs. Control in the Shadow of a Shutdown:
NIH Reopening Edition"
substack.com/home/post/p-...
"Expertise vs. Control in the Shadow of a Shutdown:
NIH Reopening Edition"
substack.com/home/post/p-...
New post...
"Expertise vs. Control in the Shadow of a Shutdown:
NIH Reopening Edition"
in which I try and assess the tension between Team Distributed Expertise and Team Consolidated Control and what it means for the near- and long-term.
joshuasweitz.substack.com/p/expertise-...
"Expertise vs. Control in the Shadow of a Shutdown:
NIH Reopening Edition"
in which I try and assess the tension between Team Distributed Expertise and Team Consolidated Control and what it means for the near- and long-term.
joshuasweitz.substack.com/p/expertise-...
November 18, 2025 at 3:26 AM
New post...
"Expertise vs. Control in the Shadow of a Shutdown:
NIH Reopening Edition"
in which I try and assess the tension between Team Distributed Expertise and Team Consolidated Control and what it means for the near- and long-term.
joshuasweitz.substack.com/p/expertise-...
"Expertise vs. Control in the Shadow of a Shutdown:
NIH Reopening Edition"
in which I try and assess the tension between Team Distributed Expertise and Team Consolidated Control and what it means for the near- and long-term.
joshuasweitz.substack.com/p/expertise-...
Director Bhattacharya shared the supposed rationale for placing Jenna Norton on administrative leave late Friday with "Just the News":
1. Potentially violating anti-deficiency act.
2. Comms centralized w/Director
3. Not scientist, so no academic freedom
images+alt text below, link next in brief 🧵
1. Potentially violating anti-deficiency act.
2. Comms centralized w/Director
3. Not scientist, so no academic freedom
images+alt text below, link next in brief 🧵
![NIH Director Jay Bhattacharya told Just the News Friday night this is actually the second investigation of Norton.
"HHS started an an [sic] investigation of her activities during the pandemic for potentially violating the anti-deficiency act," he wrote in a direct message, referring to the federal law prohibiting employees from "obligating or expending federal funds in advance or in excess of an appropriation, and from accepting voluntary services."
"She also potentially violated NIH policy regarding comms, which are now centralized out of the Office of the Director," Bhattacharya said.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:pdvoxeret2wq6tzu7gxy7eeh/bafkreidii2hatblfktixksjubaixyymqqfhp4mkl73q3624mvldmvbe4za@jpeg)
November 15, 2025 at 2:00 PM
Director Bhattacharya shared the supposed rationale for placing Jenna Norton on administrative leave late Friday with "Just the News":
1. Potentially violating anti-deficiency act.
2. Comms centralized w/Director
3. Not scientist, so no academic freedom
images+alt text below, link next in brief 🧵
1. Potentially violating anti-deficiency act.
2. Comms centralized w/Director
3. Not scientist, so no academic freedom
images+alt text below, link next in brief 🧵
This is particularly relevant given the current (unusual) call for NIH Institute Directors, including multiple new Director positions that opened today.
hr.nih.gov/careers/open...
hr.nih.gov/careers/open...
November 13, 2025 at 12:36 AM
This is particularly relevant given the current (unusual) call for NIH Institute Directors, including multiple new Director positions that opened today.
hr.nih.gov/careers/open...
hr.nih.gov/careers/open...
When that happens, then strong claims require strong evidence, not just a willingness to say "I disagree".
November 13, 2025 at 12:36 AM
When that happens, then strong claims require strong evidence, not just a willingness to say "I disagree".
For those in/around College Park, MD come on over to Ledo Pizza, 4509 Knox Rd, next Tuesday 11/18, 6pm+ for Science on Tap, where I will share a talk and dialogue on:
"Science Matters: Confronting the Impacts of Federal Cuts to Research on Communities Nationwide"
science.umd.edu/events/scien...
"Science Matters: Confronting the Impacts of Federal Cuts to Research on Communities Nationwide"
science.umd.edu/events/scien...
November 11, 2025 at 3:51 PM
For those in/around College Park, MD come on over to Ledo Pizza, 4509 Knox Rd, next Tuesday 11/18, 6pm+ for Science on Tap, where I will share a talk and dialogue on:
"Science Matters: Confronting the Impacts of Federal Cuts to Research on Communities Nationwide"
science.umd.edu/events/scien...
"Science Matters: Confronting the Impacts of Federal Cuts to Research on Communities Nationwide"
science.umd.edu/events/scien...
Here is a good resource, especially with Thanksgiving approaching:
www.feedingamerica.org/find-your-lo...
www.feedingamerica.org/find-your-lo...
November 3, 2025 at 8:34 PM
Here is a good resource, especially with Thanksgiving approaching:
www.feedingamerica.org/find-your-lo...
www.feedingamerica.org/find-your-lo...
Delighted to host Mercedes Pascual at U of Maryland for the BEES seminar Nov 3, 12pm on "Hyperdiversity, frequency-dependent selection and tipping points in a host-pathogen system" (i.e., the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum).
Mercedes directs the 🧉^2 lab at NYU.
wp.nyu.edu/mercedespasc...
Mercedes directs the 🧉^2 lab at NYU.
wp.nyu.edu/mercedespasc...
October 29, 2025 at 1:28 PM
Delighted to host Mercedes Pascual at U of Maryland for the BEES seminar Nov 3, 12pm on "Hyperdiversity, frequency-dependent selection and tipping points in a host-pathogen system" (i.e., the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum).
Mercedes directs the 🧉^2 lab at NYU.
wp.nyu.edu/mercedespasc...
Mercedes directs the 🧉^2 lab at NYU.
wp.nyu.edu/mercedespasc...
The White House's FY26 proposed budget includes severe reductions in support of NIH, NSF, NASA, CDC, EPA, NOAA and beyond.
These budgets represent cuts that would set back support to levels not seen in 25+ years.
These budgets represent cuts that would set back support to levels not seen in 25+ years.
October 24, 2025 at 7:12 PM
The White House's FY26 proposed budget includes severe reductions in support of NIH, NSF, NASA, CDC, EPA, NOAA and beyond.
These budgets represent cuts that would set back support to levels not seen in 25+ years.
These budgets represent cuts that would set back support to levels not seen in 25+ years.
How and why we share personalized information are grounded in parallel studies led by @asinclair.bsky.social (co-founder of #SCIMaP and future faculty at Rice):
"Communicating the Economic Impact of NIH Funding Cuts Changes Attitudes and Motivates Action "
www.sinclairlab-rice.com/publications...
"Communicating the Economic Impact of NIH Funding Cuts Changes Attitudes and Motivates Action "
www.sinclairlab-rice.com/publications...
October 24, 2025 at 7:12 PM
How and why we share personalized information are grounded in parallel studies led by @asinclair.bsky.social (co-founder of #SCIMaP and future faculty at Rice):
"Communicating the Economic Impact of NIH Funding Cuts Changes Attitudes and Motivates Action "
www.sinclairlab-rice.com/publications...
"Communicating the Economic Impact of NIH Funding Cuts Changes Attitudes and Motivates Action "
www.sinclairlab-rice.com/publications...
The #SCIMaP project has included these terminations as part of our analysis flow, again linking the site of grant terminations to local economic impacts. The scope of grant terminations remain a surprise to many, both to those who oppose and to those who support them.
October 24, 2025 at 7:12 PM
The #SCIMaP project has included these terminations as part of our analysis flow, again linking the site of grant terminations to local economic impacts. The scope of grant terminations remain a surprise to many, both to those who oppose and to those who support them.
Amidst a government shutdown in which the White House has proposed slashing federal support of science by billions of dollars, our #SCIMaP team continues to assess the impact of research cuts on communities nationwide.
Learn more about our efforts: scienceimpacts.org
With more to come...
a 🧵
Learn more about our efforts: scienceimpacts.org
With more to come...
a 🧵
October 24, 2025 at 7:12 PM
Amidst a government shutdown in which the White House has proposed slashing federal support of science by billions of dollars, our #SCIMaP team continues to assess the impact of research cuts on communities nationwide.
Learn more about our efforts: scienceimpacts.org
With more to come...
a 🧵
Learn more about our efforts: scienceimpacts.org
With more to come...
a 🧵
Precisely why it is time to speak up.
There's plenty of room for more to explain where this is going and why it is essential we change course.
www.statnews.com/2025/10/24/p...
There's plenty of room for more to explain where this is going and why it is essential we change course.
www.statnews.com/2025/10/24/p...
October 24, 2025 at 4:55 PM
Precisely why it is time to speak up.
There's plenty of room for more to explain where this is going and why it is essential we change course.
www.statnews.com/2025/10/24/p...
There's plenty of room for more to explain where this is going and why it is essential we change course.
www.statnews.com/2025/10/24/p...
"The newly appointed ACIP members appear to have limited or no experience as practitioners or policy makers for vaccine delivery; several are on record spreading vaccination falsehoods and are recognized antivaccination activists."
& that was the point...
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
& that was the point...
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
October 24, 2025 at 11:19 AM
"The newly appointed ACIP members appear to have limited or no experience as practitioners or policy makers for vaccine delivery; several are on record spreading vaccination falsehoods and are recognized antivaccination activists."
& that was the point...
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
& that was the point...
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
NIH main entrance
October 18, 2025 at 3:05 PM
NIH main entrance
Defend medical research
October 18, 2025 at 2:37 PM
Defend medical research