anil oza
@aniloza.bsky.social
science journalist @stat covering health equity, the nih, and interaction btwn science & society | also: npr, nature, sciam, science, science news (he/him) (signal: aniloza.16)
Pinned
anil oza
@aniloza.bsky.social
· Mar 21
I got to interview Bill Nye yesterday for @statnews.com's Breakthrough Summit!!
What started as a conversation about Ataxia, a genetic disorder that runs in Bill's family, quickly became about the state of American science under the latest administration
What started as a conversation about Ataxia, a genetic disorder that runs in Bill's family, quickly became about the state of American science under the latest administration
Reposted by anil oza
Inside the closed-door MAHA Summit, where industry executives, wellness influencers, and policymakers plotted their future in Trump's Washington
w/ @chelseacirruzzo.bsky.social
www.statnews.com/2025/11/12/m...
w/ @chelseacirruzzo.bsky.social
www.statnews.com/2025/11/12/m...
Creatine-filled swag bags and an embrace from Vance: MAHA marks its ascendance in Trump’s Washington
Creatine-filled swag bags and an embrace from Vance: MAHA marks its ascendance in Trump’s Washington.
www.statnews.com
November 12, 2025 at 10:33 PM
Inside the closed-door MAHA Summit, where industry executives, wellness influencers, and policymakers plotted their future in Trump's Washington
w/ @chelseacirruzzo.bsky.social
www.statnews.com/2025/11/12/m...
w/ @chelseacirruzzo.bsky.social
www.statnews.com/2025/11/12/m...
Reposted by anil oza
RFK Jr. has said he does not want to take vaccines away from Americans. But at a closed-door meeting of vaccine scientists in September, a top official at the FDA suggested doing just that. Here's how Vinay Prasad and Tracy Beth Høeg are reshaping vaccine regulation:
www.statnews.com/2025/11/12/f...
www.statnews.com/2025/11/12/f...
How two top FDA officials are quietly upending vaccine regulations
Vinay Prasad and Tracy Beth Høeg mix skepticism with new ways to define risk in pursuing sweeping changes to vaccine policy at the FDA.
www.statnews.com
November 12, 2025 at 1:42 PM
RFK Jr. has said he does not want to take vaccines away from Americans. But at a closed-door meeting of vaccine scientists in September, a top official at the FDA suggested doing just that. Here's how Vinay Prasad and Tracy Beth Høeg are reshaping vaccine regulation:
www.statnews.com/2025/11/12/f...
www.statnews.com/2025/11/12/f...
Many top NIH/HHS officials will be at a MAHA summit tomorrow ... but the event has largely been kept "hush-hush" 🤫@danielpayne.bsky.social & Allison DeAngelis report
www.statnews.com/2025/11/11/m...
www.statnews.com/2025/11/11/m...
At ‘hush-hush’ MAHA summit, RFK Jr. and deputies to mix with biotech leaders
A who's who of MAHA federal officials will be speaking at an event, stacked with industry executives and activists, organized largely in secrecy.
www.statnews.com
November 11, 2025 at 7:37 PM
Many top NIH/HHS officials will be at a MAHA summit tomorrow ... but the event has largely been kept "hush-hush" 🤫@danielpayne.bsky.social & Allison DeAngelis report
www.statnews.com/2025/11/11/m...
www.statnews.com/2025/11/11/m...
Reposted by anil oza
Oh, to be a fly on the wall. www.statnews.com/2025/11/11/m...
At ‘hush-hush’ MAHA summit, RFK Jr. and deputies to mix with biotech leaders
A who's who of MAHA federal officials will be speaking at an event, stacked with industry executives and activists, organized largely in secrecy.
www.statnews.com
November 11, 2025 at 7:21 PM
Oh, to be a fly on the wall. www.statnews.com/2025/11/11/m...
Reposted by anil oza
I have missed Sharon Begley’s byline. This account of Watson reminds me exactly why.
www.statnews.com/2025/11/07/j...
www.statnews.com/2025/11/07/j...
James Watson, dead at 97, was a scientific legend and a pariah among his peers
James Watson, the co-discoverer of the structure of DNA who died Thursday at 97, was a scientific legend and a pariah among his peers.
www.statnews.com
November 7, 2025 at 10:23 PM
I have missed Sharon Begley’s byline. This account of Watson reminds me exactly why.
www.statnews.com/2025/11/07/j...
www.statnews.com/2025/11/07/j...
"He did care what his obituaries would say. He knew his racist and sexist assertions would feature in them. Not even that could make him reconsider his beliefs, which only seemed to harden with criticism. Now history can reach its verdict."
www.statnews.com/2025/11/07/j...
www.statnews.com/2025/11/07/j...
James Watson, dead at 97, was a scientific legend and a pariah among his peers
James Watson, the co-discoverer of the structure of DNA who died Thursday at 97, was a scientific legend and a pariah among his peers.
www.statnews.com
November 7, 2025 at 9:47 PM
"He did care what his obituaries would say. He knew his racist and sexist assertions would feature in them. Not even that could make him reconsider his beliefs, which only seemed to harden with criticism. Now history can reach its verdict."
www.statnews.com/2025/11/07/j...
www.statnews.com/2025/11/07/j...
Reposted by anil oza
Before her (too early) death, the amazing Sharon Begley wrote this piece on double helix co-discoverer James Watson and the racist and sexist pronouncements he seemed to revel in making in later life. Fascinating read about a troubling individual.
www.statnews.com/2025/11/07/j...
www.statnews.com/2025/11/07/j...
James Watson, dead at 97, was a scientific legend and a pariah among his peers
James Watson, the co-discoverer of the structure of DNA who died Thursday at 97, was a scientific legend and a pariah among his peers.
www.statnews.com
November 7, 2025 at 9:39 PM
Before her (too early) death, the amazing Sharon Begley wrote this piece on double helix co-discoverer James Watson and the racist and sexist pronouncements he seemed to revel in making in later life. Fascinating read about a troubling individual.
www.statnews.com/2025/11/07/j...
www.statnews.com/2025/11/07/j...
Reposted by anil oza
It is so fun to go on a smart podcast like Ologies and be allowed to talk about my deep fascination with all things poisonous. Because poisons are fascinating!
Historical Toxicology (OLD TIMEY POISONS) with Deborah Blum — alie ward
Metal poisons. Odorless ones. Toxic plants. Iocane powder, arsenic, old lace, poisons as self-defense, black mirrors, Aqua Tofanas, movie myths, and the start of testing for that which ails or kills y...
www.alieward.com
November 3, 2025 at 4:53 PM
It is so fun to go on a smart podcast like Ologies and be allowed to talk about my deep fascination with all things poisonous. Because poisons are fascinating!
Reposted by anil oza
Amid attacks on such work, NIH-led research links structural racism to increased heart disease. Story by @aniloza.bsky.social www.statnews.com/2025/10/31/s...
Amid attacks on such work, NIH-led research links structural racism to increased heart disease
NIH-led research on structural racism was published Friday, even as the Trump administration has cancelled and discredited such work.
www.statnews.com
November 3, 2025 at 2:53 PM
Amid attacks on such work, NIH-led research links structural racism to increased heart disease. Story by @aniloza.bsky.social www.statnews.com/2025/10/31/s...
Reposted by anil oza
To summarize:
- The FDA's top drug regulator is out.
- He and the FDA's top biologics official are in open warfare.
- A lawsuit accuses him of extortion, and he accuses a former associate of the same.
Via @lizzylawrence.bsky.social @adamfeuerstein.bsky.social
www.statnews.com/2025/11/02/f...
- The FDA's top drug regulator is out.
- He and the FDA's top biologics official are in open warfare.
- A lawsuit accuses him of extortion, and he accuses a former associate of the same.
Via @lizzylawrence.bsky.social @adamfeuerstein.bsky.social
www.statnews.com/2025/11/02/f...
FDA’s top drug regulator resigns amid investigation
George Tidmarsh, the FDA's top drug regulator, has been placed on leave after being accused of abusing his regulatory authority, STAT has learned.
www.statnews.com
November 3, 2025 at 12:40 AM
To summarize:
- The FDA's top drug regulator is out.
- He and the FDA's top biologics official are in open warfare.
- A lawsuit accuses him of extortion, and he accuses a former associate of the same.
Via @lizzylawrence.bsky.social @adamfeuerstein.bsky.social
www.statnews.com/2025/11/02/f...
- The FDA's top drug regulator is out.
- He and the FDA's top biologics official are in open warfare.
- A lawsuit accuses him of extortion, and he accuses a former associate of the same.
Via @lizzylawrence.bsky.social @adamfeuerstein.bsky.social
www.statnews.com/2025/11/02/f...
Reposted by anil oza
BREAKING: FDA’s top drug regulator George Tidmarsh has been placed on leave after being accused of abusing his regulatory authority - but also after he questioned the commissioner's plan to speed approvals, and clashed with Vinay Prasad. More here:
www.statnews.com/2025/11/02/f...
www.statnews.com/2025/11/02/f...
FDA’s top drug regulator placed on leave amid investigation
George Tidmarsh, the FDA's top drug regulator, has been placed on leave after being accused of abusing his regulatory authority, STAT has learned.
www.statnews.com
November 2, 2025 at 10:11 PM
BREAKING: FDA’s top drug regulator George Tidmarsh has been placed on leave after being accused of abusing his regulatory authority - but also after he questioned the commissioner's plan to speed approvals, and clashed with Vinay Prasad. More here:
www.statnews.com/2025/11/02/f...
www.statnews.com/2025/11/02/f...
Reposted by anil oza
George Tidmarsh, the Food and Drug Administration’s top regulator of drugs, has been placed on administrative leave after being accused of using his regulatory authority to inflict financial harm on a former business associate, STAT has learned.
www.statnews.com/2025/11/02/f...
www.statnews.com/2025/11/02/f...
FDA’s top drug regulator placed on leave amid investigation
George Tidmarsh, the FDA's top drug regulator, has been placed on leave after being accused of abusing his regulatory authority, STAT has learned.
www.statnews.com
November 2, 2025 at 10:13 PM
George Tidmarsh, the Food and Drug Administration’s top regulator of drugs, has been placed on administrative leave after being accused of using his regulatory authority to inflict financial harm on a former business associate, STAT has learned.
www.statnews.com/2025/11/02/f...
www.statnews.com/2025/11/02/f...
Throughout this year, NIH Director Bhattacharya has said studying structural racism is "ideological" and unscientific
Today, a team including scientists at his agency have published a paper showing it has links to increased rates of cardiovascular disease
www.statnews.com/2025/10/31/s...
Today, a team including scientists at his agency have published a paper showing it has links to increased rates of cardiovascular disease
www.statnews.com/2025/10/31/s...
Amid attacks on such work, NIH-led research links structural racism to increased heart disease
NIH-led research on structural racism was published Friday, even as the Trump administration has cancelled and discredited such work.
www.statnews.com
October 31, 2025 at 7:04 PM
Throughout this year, NIH Director Bhattacharya has said studying structural racism is "ideological" and unscientific
Today, a team including scientists at his agency have published a paper showing it has links to increased rates of cardiovascular disease
www.statnews.com/2025/10/31/s...
Today, a team including scientists at his agency have published a paper showing it has links to increased rates of cardiovascular disease
www.statnews.com/2025/10/31/s...
Reposted by anil oza
Another great story today by @aniloza.bsky.social about the publication of a study on health impacts of structural racism led by scientists at the NIH. The same NIH whose director has in recent months discredited such research as “ideological” and “unscientific.”
www.statnews.com/2025/10/31/s...
www.statnews.com/2025/10/31/s...
Amid attacks on such work, NIH-led research links structural racism to increased heart disease
NIH-led research on structural racism was published Friday, even as the Trump administration has cancelled and discredited such work
www.statnews.com
October 31, 2025 at 4:46 PM
Another great story today by @aniloza.bsky.social about the publication of a study on health impacts of structural racism led by scientists at the NIH. The same NIH whose director has in recent months discredited such research as “ideological” and “unscientific.”
www.statnews.com/2025/10/31/s...
www.statnews.com/2025/10/31/s...
Reposted by anil oza
EXCLUSIVE: A slow-boiling feud between Vinay Prasad and his staff at the FDA is threatening the future of the center that regulates the nation’s vaccines, biological products, and blood supply. Read more here:
www.statnews.com/2025/10/31/v...
www.statnews.com/2025/10/31/v...
Under Vinay Prasad, employees at a key FDA center fear speaking out, look for the exits
Exclusive: Vinay Prasad has rattled FDA staff by expanding his power and pushing out senior leaders.
www.statnews.com
October 31, 2025 at 12:17 PM
EXCLUSIVE: A slow-boiling feud between Vinay Prasad and his staff at the FDA is threatening the future of the center that regulates the nation’s vaccines, biological products, and blood supply. Read more here:
www.statnews.com/2025/10/31/v...
www.statnews.com/2025/10/31/v...
Reposted by anil oza
A short story about our heroes inside NIH:
Between a Trump-imposed freeze on grant-making in Jan/Feb and new political hurdles in spring & early summer, NIH was in trouble.
By the end of June, NIH was 8,300 grants and $3.1 billion behind its FY24 pace. Morale was in the toilet. Things were bleak.
Between a Trump-imposed freeze on grant-making in Jan/Feb and new political hurdles in spring & early summer, NIH was in trouble.
By the end of June, NIH was 8,300 grants and $3.1 billion behind its FY24 pace. Morale was in the toilet. Things were bleak.
October 23, 2025 at 6:18 PM
A short story about our heroes inside NIH:
Between a Trump-imposed freeze on grant-making in Jan/Feb and new political hurdles in spring & early summer, NIH was in trouble.
By the end of June, NIH was 8,300 grants and $3.1 billion behind its FY24 pace. Morale was in the toilet. Things were bleak.
Between a Trump-imposed freeze on grant-making in Jan/Feb and new political hurdles in spring & early summer, NIH was in trouble.
By the end of June, NIH was 8,300 grants and $3.1 billion behind its FY24 pace. Morale was in the toilet. Things were bleak.
The NIH has insisted there are no banned words
But, an analysis by @jeremymberg.bsky.social found over 700 hundred grants changed their titles from '24 to '25
Some see it as a small price to pay to keep their grant, but others are worried about what comes next
www.statnews.com/2025/10/29/n...
But, an analysis by @jeremymberg.bsky.social found over 700 hundred grants changed their titles from '24 to '25
Some see it as a small price to pay to keep their grant, but others are worried about what comes next
www.statnews.com/2025/10/29/n...
Scientists had to change more than 700 grant titles to receive NIH funding. Health disparities researchers fear what’s next
The titles of more than 700 multi-year NIH grants have been changed this year, according to an analysis by Jeremy Berg, a former agency official
www.statnews.com
October 29, 2025 at 2:00 PM
The NIH has insisted there are no banned words
But, an analysis by @jeremymberg.bsky.social found over 700 hundred grants changed their titles from '24 to '25
Some see it as a small price to pay to keep their grant, but others are worried about what comes next
www.statnews.com/2025/10/29/n...
But, an analysis by @jeremymberg.bsky.social found over 700 hundred grants changed their titles from '24 to '25
Some see it as a small price to pay to keep their grant, but others are worried about what comes next
www.statnews.com/2025/10/29/n...
Reposted by anil oza
Absolutely chilling story by @aniloza.bsky.social on censorship in grant titles at NIH and how researchers are complying and sometimes fighting back. "They are trying to make people afraid to use the word equity," said one program officer. "It's highly effective." www.statnews.com/2025/10/29/n...
Scientists had to change more than 700 grant titles to receive NIH funding. Health disparities researchers fear what’s next
The titles of more than 700 multi-year NIH grants have been changed this year, according to an analysis by Jeremy Berg, a former agency official
www.statnews.com
October 29, 2025 at 1:35 PM
Absolutely chilling story by @aniloza.bsky.social on censorship in grant titles at NIH and how researchers are complying and sometimes fighting back. "They are trying to make people afraid to use the word equity," said one program officer. "It's highly effective." www.statnews.com/2025/10/29/n...
Reposted by anil oza
Let's talk about how science journalism and writing can keep us sane and in the ✨ light ✨right now. I'm excited to have this conversation with @ferrisjabr.bsky.social whose writing I have long admired. We need these conversations rnow more than ever. Please join us. Register👇
October 29, 2025 at 1:01 PM
Let's talk about how science journalism and writing can keep us sane and in the ✨ light ✨right now. I'm excited to have this conversation with @ferrisjabr.bsky.social whose writing I have long admired. We need these conversations rnow more than ever. Please join us. Register👇
Reposted by anil oza
Great story: Miriam Merad’s 20-year quest to understand one cell is starting to rewrite the rules of cancer immunotherapy.
www.statnews.com/2025/10/28/m...
www.statnews.com/2025/10/28/m...
Miriam Merad’s 20-year quest to understand one cell is starting to rewrite the rules of cancer immunotherapy
Miriam Merad’s 20-year quest to understand one cell is starting to rewrite the rules of cancer immunotherapy.
www.statnews.com
October 28, 2025 at 12:38 PM
Great story: Miriam Merad’s 20-year quest to understand one cell is starting to rewrite the rules of cancer immunotherapy.
www.statnews.com/2025/10/28/m...
www.statnews.com/2025/10/28/m...
Reposted by anil oza
“We need to remember that SNAP is the safety net,” Lindsay Allen told @sarah-todd.bsky.social at @statnews.com. “Below the safety net is concrete.”
www.statnews.com/2025/10/27/s...
www.statnews.com/2025/10/27/s...
When SNAP benefits run out, 'people can die,' say health experts
“People can die” from even short gaps in nutrition and food access, experts say ahead of SNAP benefits not going out in November.
www.statnews.com
October 27, 2025 at 5:28 PM
“We need to remember that SNAP is the safety net,” Lindsay Allen told @sarah-todd.bsky.social at @statnews.com. “Below the safety net is concrete.”
www.statnews.com/2025/10/27/s...
www.statnews.com/2025/10/27/s...
Reposted by anil oza
The destruction of #ACIP and its critical role in advising on the use of vaccines in the United States continues. www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
Threat to US vaccines as CDC staff supporting key advisory panel laid off
Critics say scientists ‘held hostage’ by RFK Jr as changes mean vaccine development and guidance in peril
www.theguardian.com
October 27, 2025 at 3:40 PM
The destruction of #ACIP and its critical role in advising on the use of vaccines in the United States continues. www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
Reposted by anil oza
The New England Journal of Medicine and the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy will be publishing regular public health alerts to replace the CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, which has been paused due to the federal government shutdown.
October 22, 2025 at 1:44 AM
The New England Journal of Medicine and the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy will be publishing regular public health alerts to replace the CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, which has been paused due to the federal government shutdown.
Reposted by anil oza
As trust in the federal government's stewardship of US public health infrastructure plummets, NEJM and CIDRAP are launching a rival publication to the CDC's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
Story by @aniloza.bsky.social
www.statnews.com/2025/10/21/c...
Story by @aniloza.bsky.social
www.statnews.com/2025/10/21/c...
NEJM and public health group are launching rival to CDC’s MMWR publication
Two institutions are coming together to create an alternative to the CDC’s vaunted Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report
www.statnews.com
October 21, 2025 at 8:22 PM
As trust in the federal government's stewardship of US public health infrastructure plummets, NEJM and CIDRAP are launching a rival publication to the CDC's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
Story by @aniloza.bsky.social
www.statnews.com/2025/10/21/c...
Story by @aniloza.bsky.social
www.statnews.com/2025/10/21/c...
CIDRAP & NEJM are partnering to create a journal that will rival the CDC's MMWR
www.statnews.com/2025/10/21/c...
www.statnews.com/2025/10/21/c...
NEJM and public health group are launching rival to CDC’s MMWR publication
Two institutions are coming together to create an alternative to the CDC’s vaunted Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report
www.statnews.com
October 21, 2025 at 8:22 PM
CIDRAP & NEJM are partnering to create a journal that will rival the CDC's MMWR
www.statnews.com/2025/10/21/c...
www.statnews.com/2025/10/21/c...