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Abdullahi Tsanni

@sciwriabdul.bsky.social

190 followers 110 following 8 posts

science, people & events, global health, and tech features from Africa | tough-minded reporting, boots on the ground | https://muckrack.com/abdullahi-tsanni

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Abdullahi Tsanni @sciwriabdul.bsky.social · Nov 12

new 🐝 here: i’m a science writer specializing in narrative features. i currently report on the ground in Senegal & West Africa focusing on biomedicine, global health, AI, and the scientific enterprise. my stories have been published in Science, Nature, MIT Technology Review, among others…

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Abdullahi Tsanni @sciwriabdul.bsky.social · 6d

www.nature.com/articles/d44...

Agencies race to stop DRC Ebola outbreak

The virus is genetically distinct from the strain that caused previous outbreaks, suggesting a new spillover event

www.nature.com

Reposted by Abdullahi Tsanni

The Open Notebook @theopennotebook.bsky.social · Aug 27

This year, The Open Notebook is celebrating our 15th year. Here's what TON has meant to @sciwriabdul.bsky.social. #TON15

Learn more about how we're marking this momentous milestone! www.theopennotebook.com/15thannivers...

An image with a smiling man in glasses and a quote that says: "The Open Notebook is the home of science journalism. It's not surprising that all science writers are devoted to the priceless resources it offer. TON's legacy will be defined by how it has shaped the careers of journalists across the world, including me. Abdullahi Tsanni, freelance journalist (Senegal)

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Reposted by Abdullahi Tsanni

Siri Carpenter @siricarpenter.bsky.social · 23d

If you're an early-career journalist, consider applying for @theopennotebook.bsky.social's paid, mentored fellowship and follow in the footsteps of @katherinejwu.com, @janehu.bsky.social, @sciwriabdul.bsky.social, @1juliarosen.bsky.social, @celiaford.bsky.social and many more! Deadline: 10/31.

The Open Notebook @theopennotebook.bsky.social · 23d

Applications are OPEN for our early-career fellowship program supported by the @bwfund.bsky.social!

Work with a mentor to plan, report, and write articles for The Open Notebook and become part of the TON team. 🧵

Early-Career Fellowship Program - The Open Notebook

Every year, The Open Notebook offers a paid, part-time fellowship program for early-career science journalists. This ten-month program offers fellows the opportunity to explore their career interests ...

www.theopennotebook.com

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Reposted by Abdullahi Tsanni

Bec Crew @beccrew.bsky.social · Jul 4

“There’s a niche group that knows [the journal] well, but many more of us are clueless."

Story by @sciwriabdul.bsky.social

www.nature.com/articles/d41...

Leadership change at African journal sparks calls for bold reform

The Journal of Public Health in Africa faces a pivotal moment, and researchers say it must evolve to better serve the scientific community.

www.nature.com

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Reposted by Abdullahi Tsanni

Deep Learning Indaba @deeplearningindaba.bsky.social · Jul 2

We're incredibly proud to highlight the work presented by Jonathan Mukiibi of the Makerere AI Lab at #DLI2024 ! ✨
Learn more in @nature.com Africa article: "To fight Ebola misinformation, AI mines old-tech radio data"👉
www.nature.com/articles/d44...
By @sciwriabdul.bsky.social

To fight Ebola misinformation, AI mines old-tech radio data

Insights from machine learning models in Uganda can be used to tailor policies for handling present and future disease outbreaks.

www.nature.com

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Reposted by Abdullahi Tsanni

Kendall Powell @kendallsciwrite.bsky.social · Jun 23

In this profile of virologist Amadou Sall, on the ground reporting by @sciwriabdul.bsky.social Tsanni reveals how Sall's diplomacy and persuasion have made his vision of 'homegrown' vaccine manufacturing a reality in #Senegal.

www.nature.com/articles/d41...

Africa’s chief diplomat for vaccine manufacturing

Virologist Amadou Sall is the driving force behind a world-class manufacturing hub in Senegal.

www.nature.com

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Abdullahi Tsanni @sciwriabdul.bsky.social · Jun 20

Meet the global-health diplomat who is behind a US$220 million world-class facility to make vaccine manufacturing a reality in Africa.

My latest for @nature.com

www.nature.com/articles/d41...

Africa’s chief diplomat for vaccine manufacturing

Virologist Amadou Sall is the driving force behind a world-class manufacturing hub in Senegal.

www.nature.com

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Reposted by Abdullahi Tsanni

Martin Enserink @martinenserink.bsky.social · Apr 30

Thrilled to see @cohenjon.bsky.social and @sciwriabdul.bsky.social win an award for their stories about tracking infectious diseases in Nigeria. healthjournalism.org/blog/2025/04...

AHCJ announces winners of 2024 health journalism contest

The Association of Health Care Journalists is thrilled to announce the winners of the 2024 Awards for Excellence in Health Care Journalism.

healthjournalism.org

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Reposted by Abdullahi Tsanni

MIT Graduate Program in Science Writing @mitsciwrite.bsky.social · Apr 29

Congratulations to @sciwriabdul.bsky.social, '23, and Jon Cohen for winning a first place Award for Excellence in Health Care Journalism for their coverage in @science.org on tracking infectious diseases in Nigeria

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Abdullahi Tsanni @sciwriabdul.bsky.social · Mar 28

i spoke with one of the world’s top hunters of hominid fossils about his work to ensure that discoveries made in African countries are studied by Africans in Africa. 🦴

« If we have the natural laboratories there, why can’t we also have the physical laboratories in Africa » an absolute legend !

Nature @nature.com · Mar 24

Yohannes Haile-Selassie wants to shift the trajectory of palaeoanthropology in fossil-rich Ethiopia away from its long colonial heritage

https://go.nature.com/4iEQTkE

Why Africans should be telling the story of human origins

Yohannes Haile-Selassie wants to shift the trajectory of palaeoanthropology in fossil-rich Ethiopia away from its long colonial heritage.

go.nature.com

Reposted by Abdullahi Tsanni

Martin Enserink @martinenserink.bsky.social · Mar 20

"We were a country that pointed to the North Star, whether it was smallpox eradication or polio elimination or HIV."

@cohenjon.bsky.social's farewell interview with former PEPFAR head John Nkengasong: www.science.org/content/arti...

Outgoing head of heralded U.S. global HIV/AIDS program urges Trump to reverse cuts

John Nkengasong, who had helmed PEPFAR since 2022, says “history will remember we showed humanity”

www.science.org

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Brendan Maher @bmaher.bsky.social · Mar 7

People brought their families arguing that science is for everyone.

#StandUpForScience

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Abdullahi Tsanni @sciwriabdul.bsky.social · Mar 6

💛

Abdullahi Tsanni @sciwriabdul.bsky.social · Mar 6

thank you, Linda 😊🙏🏿

Reposted by Abdullahi Tsanni

Karen Weintraub @karenweintraub.bsky.social · Mar 6

Provocative piece by the terrific @sciwriabdul.bsky.social www.science.org/content/arti...

‘We have to become self-reliant’: African scientists respond to dramatic U.S. aid cuts

The “brutal” loss of billions of dollars shows Africa should no longer depend on foreign donors, researchers say

www.science.org

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Reposted by Abdullahi Tsanni

Linda Nordling @lindanordling.bsky.social · Mar 6

Super story by @sciwriabdul.bsky.social—as usual!

‘We have to become self-reliant’: African scientists respond to dramatic U.S. aid cuts | Science | AAAS www.science.org/content/arti...

‘We have to become self-reliant’: African scientists respond to dramatic U.S. aid cuts

The “brutal” loss of billions of dollars shows Africa should no longer depend on foreign donors, researchers say

www.science.org

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Reposted by Abdullahi Tsanni

Amy Maxmen, PhD @amymaxmen.bsky.social · Mar 5

Fresh take on cuts to US aid, as seen by African docs & researchers. Cuts are chaotic & costly, but aid has been a mixed bag.

“When you don’t have self-determination, you’re always following & dancing to someone else’s tune.”

By the amazing @sciwriabdul.bsky.social www.science.org/content/arti...

‘We have to become self-reliant’: African scientists respond to dramatic U.S. aid cuts

The “brutal” loss of billions of dollars shows Africa should no longer depend on foreign donors, researchers say

www.science.org

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Reposted by Abdullahi Tsanni

Martin Enserink @martinenserink.bsky.social · Mar 5

“This whole attitude of begging, crying, and throwing hands up needs to stop.” Strong words about Africa's dependency on foreign health aid—and how it could be broken—in a new story by @sciwriabdul.bsky.social: www.science.org/content/arti...

‘We have to become self-reliant’: African scientists respond to dramatic U.S. aid cuts

The “brutal” loss of billions of dollars shows Africa should no longer depend on foreign donors, researchers say

www.science.org

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Abdullahi Tsanni @sciwriabdul.bsky.social · Mar 5

africa is heavily dependent on foreign health aid. but the brutal loss of billions due to the freeze on U.S. aid has spurred calls for African self-reliance. i tried to piece together how the dependency arose, whether it can be broken, and the solutions:

www.science.org/content/arti...

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Reposted by Abdullahi Tsanni

Dr Fifa A Rahman @fifarahman.bsky.social · Mar 4

Important article by @sciwriabdul.bsky.social.

“Many donor countries also expect political favors in return for their largesse, says @ckyobutungi.bsky.social, executive director of the Nairobi-based African Population and Health Research Center.”

www.science.org/content/arti...

‘We have to become self-reliant’: African scientists respond to dramatic U.S. aid cuts

The “brutal” loss of billions of dollars shows Africa should no longer depend on foreign donors, researchers say

www.science.org

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Reposted by Abdullahi Tsanni

Liz Neeley @lizneeley.bsky.social · Feb 22

The most achingly beautiful explanation of what science is, from @edyong209.bsky.social: “the idea that much of the world is hidden from us, that we don’t perceive it and don’t understand it, and that it is worth understanding and it is necessary to understand.”

www.nytimes.com/2025/02/22/m...

‘The Interview’: Ed Yong Wants to Show You the Hidden Reality of the World

The Pulitzer Prize-winning science writer talks about burnout from covering the pandemic and how bird-watching gave him a new sense of hope.

www.nytimes.com

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Reposted by Abdullahi Tsanni

Eric Boodman @ericboodman.bsky.social · Feb 19

I'm looking to speak with people whose research on disparities in transplantation has been disrupted by the federal funding issues or the executive orders. Signal: eboodman.88. [email protected] Please boost! #journorequest

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Helen Branswell 🇨🇦 @helenbranswell.bsky.social · Feb 1

I spoke to #WHO 's Mike Ryan, in Uganda helping with the #Ebola response. Six contacts are ill, but not yet clear if they have Ebola. Vaccination could start Sunday. WHO is covering off key programs hit by the Trump admin's aid freeze, including border screening. www.statnews.com/2025/02/01/u...

WHO says 6 contacts of Ugandan Ebola patient are ill, vaccination efforts could begin Sunday

Test results on the sick people are pending, and a top WHO official said the outbreak response is proceeding rapidly.

www.statnews.com

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Reposted by Abdullahi Tsanni

Liz Neeley @lizneeley.bsky.social · Jan 29

My sense is that most of us in science now have at least some institutional guidance on how to cope with latest round of proclamations. I hope you're able to refocus today despite the uncertainty, good luck.

AND we need to brace against future rounds of disruption. Here's what my group is using:

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