Brittany Trang
@brittanytrang.com
Health tech / AI reporter @ STAT News
AAAS MMF '21
PFAS PhD/water nerd
Buckeye/believer/sad indie rock concertgoer
Signal: btrang.01
AAAS MMF '21
PFAS PhD/water nerd
Buckeye/believer/sad indie rock concertgoer
Signal: btrang.01
Pinned
Brittany Trang
@brittanytrang.com
· Jan 14
🚨 Excited to officially announce I'm writing a new newsletter for @statnews.com!
AI Prognosis starts Feb 12. It's all about AI in healthcare, medicine & biotech.
(If you sign up before Jan 20, you'll get the first 4 issues free, even if you don't have STAT+!)
www.statnews.com/signup/ai-pr...
AI Prognosis starts Feb 12. It's all about AI in healthcare, medicine & biotech.
(If you sign up before Jan 20, you'll get the first 4 issues free, even if you don't have STAT+!)
www.statnews.com/signup/ai-pr...
Reposted by Brittany Trang
As we close out the year, wanted to share this running list of FDA leadership departures one last time. Some new names on there include digital health director Jessica Paulsen, and director of clinical policy in the chief medical office Shari Targum.
www.statnews.com/2025/04/03/f...
www.statnews.com/2025/04/03/f...
A running list of senior FDA officials who have left the agency
Here is a running list of senior FDA officials who have left the agency recently.
www.statnews.com
December 23, 2025 at 5:52 PM
As we close out the year, wanted to share this running list of FDA leadership departures one last time. Some new names on there include digital health director Jessica Paulsen, and director of clinical policy in the chief medical office Shari Targum.
www.statnews.com/2025/04/03/f...
www.statnews.com/2025/04/03/f...
Reposted by Brittany Trang
Science is like "glimpsing God's mind": On the last episode of this season of the First Opinion Podcast, I talked to former NIH Director Francis Collins and Fox News' Marc Siegel, author of the new book The Miracles Among Us, about faith, medicine, and science: www.statnews.com/2025/12/17/f...
Francis Collins and Marc Siegel say medicine is a gift from God
“To have Christians be the group that was most resistant” to the Covid vaccine “really seems wrong here,” said former NIH Director Francis Collins.
www.statnews.com
December 17, 2025 at 2:17 PM
Science is like "glimpsing God's mind": On the last episode of this season of the First Opinion Podcast, I talked to former NIH Director Francis Collins and Fox News' Marc Siegel, author of the new book The Miracles Among Us, about faith, medicine, and science: www.statnews.com/2025/12/17/f...
Earlier this year, I asked more than 90 health AI experts what's on their bingo card for the rest of 2025.
Who gets to say "I told you so" now?
Our look back at what did and didn't happen in 2025:
www.statnews.com/2025/12/17/2...
🖥️🩺
Who gets to say "I told you so" now?
Our look back at what did and didn't happen in 2025:
www.statnews.com/2025/12/17/2...
🖥️🩺
December 17, 2025 at 2:16 PM
Earlier this year, I asked more than 90 health AI experts what's on their bingo card for the rest of 2025.
Who gets to say "I told you so" now?
Our look back at what did and didn't happen in 2025:
www.statnews.com/2025/12/17/2...
🖥️🩺
Who gets to say "I told you so" now?
Our look back at what did and didn't happen in 2025:
www.statnews.com/2025/12/17/2...
🖥️🩺
What's the health care impact of the new Trump executive order targeting state AI laws?
According to health system chief AI officers, it may actually create more confusion than if state laws stayed intact.
More, plus a summary of the health AI laws that have been passed this year, @statnews.com
🖥️🩺
According to health system chief AI officers, it may actually create more confusion than if state laws stayed intact.
More, plus a summary of the health AI laws that have been passed this year, @statnews.com
🖥️🩺
Trump order blocking state AI laws could slow health AI adoption, leave patients vulnerable
Trump's order to block state AI laws could help the tech industry but hurt health systems looking to adopt AI safely, and leave patients vulnerable.
www.statnews.com
December 12, 2025 at 10:16 PM
What's the health care impact of the new Trump executive order targeting state AI laws?
According to health system chief AI officers, it may actually create more confusion than if state laws stayed intact.
More, plus a summary of the health AI laws that have been passed this year, @statnews.com
🖥️🩺
According to health system chief AI officers, it may actually create more confusion than if state laws stayed intact.
More, plus a summary of the health AI laws that have been passed this year, @statnews.com
🖥️🩺
“I’ll evade, if that’s alright.”
HHS Deputy Secretary Jim O'Neill, RFK Jr's #2, dodged a question about Trump's "one rule" AI executive order at an event Wednesday.
He also opined on CHAI, HHS' AI efforts, and how the "Genesis Mission" confuses him.
More from @mariojoze.bsky.social:
🖥️🩺
HHS Deputy Secretary Jim O'Neill, RFK Jr's #2, dodged a question about Trump's "one rule" AI executive order at an event Wednesday.
He also opined on CHAI, HHS' AI efforts, and how the "Genesis Mission" confuses him.
More from @mariojoze.bsky.social:
🖥️🩺
Top HHS official evades discussing Trump plan to block state AI laws
Deputy health secretary Jim O’Neill demurred when asked about a proposal to prevent states from enforcing local AI laws.
www.statnews.com
December 10, 2025 at 5:37 PM
“I’ll evade, if that’s alright.”
HHS Deputy Secretary Jim O'Neill, RFK Jr's #2, dodged a question about Trump's "one rule" AI executive order at an event Wednesday.
He also opined on CHAI, HHS' AI efforts, and how the "Genesis Mission" confuses him.
More from @mariojoze.bsky.social:
🖥️🩺
HHS Deputy Secretary Jim O'Neill, RFK Jr's #2, dodged a question about Trump's "one rule" AI executive order at an event Wednesday.
He also opined on CHAI, HHS' AI efforts, and how the "Genesis Mission" confuses him.
More from @mariojoze.bsky.social:
🖥️🩺
Reposted by Brittany Trang
Overworked radiologists already struggle to adjudicate abnormalities flagged by the current generation of AI models. That stands to get worse as AI’s capabilities grow. @katiepalmer.bsky.social looks at how radiologists are thinking about that:
www.statnews.com/2025/12/08/c... via @statnews.com
www.statnews.com/2025/12/08/c... via @statnews.com
Is AI ready to interpret chest X-rays without human supervision?
In radiology, an early adopter of health AI, a debate is brewing: Should generative AI models interpret medical images on their own?
www.statnews.com
December 8, 2025 at 2:45 PM
Overworked radiologists already struggle to adjudicate abnormalities flagged by the current generation of AI models. That stands to get worse as AI’s capabilities grow. @katiepalmer.bsky.social looks at how radiologists are thinking about that:
www.statnews.com/2025/12/08/c... via @statnews.com
www.statnews.com/2025/12/08/c... via @statnews.com
Reposted by Brittany Trang
KSJ fellowships are an opportunity for science journalists to step away from chasing deadlines and connect with their curiosity.
Applications are open now! Apply by Jan 9
https://ksj.mit.edu/news/2025/11/14/apply-for-2026-2027/
Applications are open now! Apply by Jan 9
https://ksj.mit.edu/news/2025/11/14/apply-for-2026-2027/
November 15, 2025 at 10:15 PM
KSJ fellowships are an opportunity for science journalists to step away from chasing deadlines and connect with their curiosity.
Applications are open now! Apply by Jan 9
https://ksj.mit.edu/news/2025/11/14/apply-for-2026-2027/
Applications are open now! Apply by Jan 9
https://ksj.mit.edu/news/2025/11/14/apply-for-2026-2027/
Reposted by Brittany Trang
There are five great stories up for this series so far, all recounting the experiences of real people whose work and lives have been impacted by the Trump administration's interference. As one scientist told Anil: "I think everyone has their own horror story." Take a look.
Stay tuned for further installments of American Science, Shattered (and catch up on any of the stories you have missed so far!)
www.statnews.com/american-sci...
www.statnews.com/american-sci...
American Science, Shattered
An eight-decade partnership between universities and the federal government made U.S. science preeminent. It took Trump less than a year to shred that
www.statnews.com
December 8, 2025 at 3:31 PM
There are five great stories up for this series so far, all recounting the experiences of real people whose work and lives have been impacted by the Trump administration's interference. As one scientist told Anil: "I think everyone has their own horror story." Take a look.
Reposted by Brittany Trang
"Trump has ‘shaken the hell’ out of the 80-year research pact between the government and universities. What now?"
The first in a remarkable series looking at what the Trump Administration has done to American science and health over 11 months
www.statnews.com/2025/12/04/a...
The first in a remarkable series looking at what the Trump Administration has done to American science and health over 11 months
www.statnews.com/2025/12/04/a...
Trump has ‘shaken the hell’ out of the 80-year research pact between the government and universities. What now?
Trump has "shaken the hell" out of the 80-year research pact between the government and universities. What now?
www.statnews.com
December 4, 2025 at 1:40 PM
"Trump has ‘shaken the hell’ out of the 80-year research pact between the government and universities. What now?"
The first in a remarkable series looking at what the Trump Administration has done to American science and health over 11 months
www.statnews.com/2025/12/04/a...
The first in a remarkable series looking at what the Trump Administration has done to American science and health over 11 months
www.statnews.com/2025/12/04/a...
Reposted by Brittany Trang
I know there's a lot of news but if you can tear yourself away from the CDC vaccine committee today — you should really read this series on how the Trump administration has upended science in just 10 months, from my incredibly talented colleagues:
www.statnews.com/american-sci...
www.statnews.com/american-sci...
American Science, Shattered
An eight-decade partnership between universities and the federal government made U.S. science preeminent. It took Trump less than a year to shred that
www.statnews.com
December 4, 2025 at 2:48 PM
I know there's a lot of news but if you can tear yourself away from the CDC vaccine committee today — you should really read this series on how the Trump administration has upended science in just 10 months, from my incredibly talented colleagues:
www.statnews.com/american-sci...
www.statnews.com/american-sci...
After Richard Padzur, a longtime FDA employee seen as stabilizing to the agency, abruptly filed to retire less than a month after filling the top drug regulator post, a controversial aide has been named CDER director.
"Høeg will be the fifth person to lead the center this year."
"Høeg will be the fifth person to lead the center this year."
Tracy Beth Høeg, Makary aide who investigated Covid vaccines, to lead FDA drug center
Tracy Beth Høeg, a top lieutenant to Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Marty Makary, will be the next leader of the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research.
www.statnews.com
December 4, 2025 at 12:17 AM
After Richard Padzur, a longtime FDA employee seen as stabilizing to the agency, abruptly filed to retire less than a month after filling the top drug regulator post, a controversial aide has been named CDER director.
"Høeg will be the fifth person to lead the center this year."
"Høeg will be the fifth person to lead the center this year."
12 former FDA heads: “If the goal is to rebuild confidence, the answer is not to toss aside the basic rules of science, stifle argument and oversight, or supplant expert scientific inquiry...It is to insist on open deliberation, solid evidence, and procedures the public can see and trust.”
🩺💉
🩺💉
A dozen former FDA commissioners decry Prasad memo on vaccine regulation
Changes to the ways in which the FDA plans to regulate vaccines represent a threat to effective vaccines and public health, 12 former commissioners say.
www.statnews.com
December 3, 2025 at 10:12 PM
12 former FDA heads: “If the goal is to rebuild confidence, the answer is not to toss aside the basic rules of science, stifle argument and oversight, or supplant expert scientific inquiry...It is to insist on open deliberation, solid evidence, and procedures the public can see and trust.”
🩺💉
🩺💉
We finally have randomized, controlled clinical trial results from ambient AI scribes. But what do these RCTs actually tell us?
Look at the below chart. Time savings are often low, but doctors give the technology rave reviews, esp in anecdotes that people tend to believe more than data 👀 🧵
🖥️🩺
Look at the below chart. Time savings are often low, but doctors give the technology rave reviews, esp in anecdotes that people tend to believe more than data 👀 🧵
🖥️🩺
December 3, 2025 at 4:56 PM
We finally have randomized, controlled clinical trial results from ambient AI scribes. But what do these RCTs actually tell us?
Look at the below chart. Time savings are often low, but doctors give the technology rave reviews, esp in anecdotes that people tend to believe more than data 👀 🧵
🖥️🩺
Look at the below chart. Time savings are often low, but doctors give the technology rave reviews, esp in anecdotes that people tend to believe more than data 👀 🧵
🖥️🩺
Reposted by Brittany Trang
People are increasingly leaning on chatbots for emotional support, pushing mental health apps to build their own therapy bots. What are their plans and how are they approaching this challenge amidst regulatory and technological limits?
www.statnews.com/2025/12/01/a...
www.statnews.com/2025/12/01/a...
Why first-generation mental health apps cannot ignore next-gen AI chatbots
Digital health firms like Talkspace, Lyra, SonderMind, and Headspace consider integrating AI chatbot features.
www.statnews.com
December 1, 2025 at 3:12 PM
People are increasingly leaning on chatbots for emotional support, pushing mental health apps to build their own therapy bots. What are their plans and how are they approaching this challenge amidst regulatory and technological limits?
www.statnews.com/2025/12/01/a...
www.statnews.com/2025/12/01/a...
In July, I asked health #AI experts what was on their bingo cards for the rest of 2025. Now it's time to see who was right.
Refresh yourself on the predictions: www.statnews.com/2025/07/02/w...
Vote by December 10: www.statnews.com/ai-prognosis...
🖥️🩺
Refresh yourself on the predictions: www.statnews.com/2025/07/02/w...
Vote by December 10: www.statnews.com/ai-prognosis...
🖥️🩺
November 26, 2025 at 3:39 PM
In July, I asked health #AI experts what was on their bingo cards for the rest of 2025. Now it's time to see who was right.
Refresh yourself on the predictions: www.statnews.com/2025/07/02/w...
Vote by December 10: www.statnews.com/ai-prognosis...
🖥️🩺
Refresh yourself on the predictions: www.statnews.com/2025/07/02/w...
Vote by December 10: www.statnews.com/ai-prognosis...
🖥️🩺
Reposted by Brittany Trang
"Essentially Cassidy asked for a promise. And all he got was an asterisk." Former CDC senior leader Dan Jernigan on how, after promising not to do so, Kennedy's HHS has rewritten #CDC 's webpage on whether there's a link between #vaccines & autism. www.statnews.com/2025/11/20/c...
Under RFK Jr., CDC reverses course on stance that vaccines don’t cause autism
A CDC website now promotes the debunked idea of a link between vaccines and autism.
www.statnews.com
November 20, 2025 at 6:53 PM
"Essentially Cassidy asked for a promise. And all he got was an asterisk." Former CDC senior leader Dan Jernigan on how, after promising not to do so, Kennedy's HHS has rewritten #CDC 's webpage on whether there's a link between #vaccines & autism. www.statnews.com/2025/11/20/c...
Reposted by Brittany Trang
NEW: FDA review staff was excluded from voting on whether to approve first priority voucher drug. Top leaders like Vinay Prasad, George Tidmarsh, and Tracy Høeg led the vote instead. Read for the full list, and expert reaction from @hollylynchez.bsky.social: www.statnews.com/2025/11/21/t...
FDA review staff was excluded from voting on whether to approve first priority voucher drug
Top officials like Vinay Prasad and George Tidmarsh voted on the drug, a major break from the FDA's typical practice.
www.statnews.com
November 21, 2025 at 4:33 PM
NEW: FDA review staff was excluded from voting on whether to approve first priority voucher drug. Top leaders like Vinay Prasad, George Tidmarsh, and Tracy Høeg led the vote instead. Read for the full list, and expert reaction from @hollylynchez.bsky.social: www.statnews.com/2025/11/21/t...
Do you want to discuss BOTH the Olivia Nuzzi revelations and STAT's latest RFK Jr profile in the group chat?
You and up to 9 of your friends can now get a year of STAT for almost 45% off! (Doing the group sub saves you $100/year anyway!)
Think of it like a family plan, but for health/science news:
You and up to 9 of your friends can now get a year of STAT for almost 45% off! (Doing the group sub saves you $100/year anyway!)
Think of it like a family plan, but for health/science news:
Save even more on a group subscription to STAT+
For a limited time, save 40% off of a STAT+ subscription when you sign up with your colleagues and be up and running in minutes.
marketing.statnews.com
November 18, 2025 at 2:27 PM
Do you want to discuss BOTH the Olivia Nuzzi revelations and STAT's latest RFK Jr profile in the group chat?
You and up to 9 of your friends can now get a year of STAT for almost 45% off! (Doing the group sub saves you $100/year anyway!)
Think of it like a family plan, but for health/science news:
You and up to 9 of your friends can now get a year of STAT for almost 45% off! (Doing the group sub saves you $100/year anyway!)
Think of it like a family plan, but for health/science news:
Four years ago, we were @aaasmassmedia.bsky.social fellows, starry-eyed at our first full-time #sciencejournalism gigs.
Now, we're working dream/beyond-dream jobs at the New York Times, @cenmag.bsky.social and @statnews.com. 2021 us could not have imagined 2025 us.
#scicomm #stem #altchemjobs
Now, we're working dream/beyond-dream jobs at the New York Times, @cenmag.bsky.social and @statnews.com. 2021 us could not have imagined 2025 us.
#scicomm #stem #altchemjobs
November 12, 2025 at 1:59 PM
Four years ago, we were @aaasmassmedia.bsky.social fellows, starry-eyed at our first full-time #sciencejournalism gigs.
Now, we're working dream/beyond-dream jobs at the New York Times, @cenmag.bsky.social and @statnews.com. 2021 us could not have imagined 2025 us.
#scicomm #stem #altchemjobs
Now, we're working dream/beyond-dream jobs at the New York Times, @cenmag.bsky.social and @statnews.com. 2021 us could not have imagined 2025 us.
#scicomm #stem #altchemjobs
Reposted by Brittany Trang
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...
A Sharon Begley byline, almost 5 years after her death.
Upon hearing the news James Watson had died, a STAT reporter said in our Slack, "I wish I could read what Sharon would have written."
Incredible news: Sharon in fact did pre-write a Watson obit. And it is masterful and excoriating.
🧪🧬🧫
Upon hearing the news James Watson had died, a STAT reporter said in our Slack, "I wish I could read what Sharon would have written."
Incredible news: Sharon in fact did pre-write a Watson obit. And it is masterful and excoriating.
🧪🧬🧫
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 8, 2025 at 1:39 PM
A Sharon Begley byline, almost 5 years after her death.
Upon hearing the news James Watson had died, a STAT reporter said in our Slack, "I wish I could read what Sharon would have written."
Incredible news: Sharon in fact did pre-write a Watson obit. And it is masterful and excoriating.
🧪🧬🧫
Upon hearing the news James Watson had died, a STAT reporter said in our Slack, "I wish I could read what Sharon would have written."
Incredible news: Sharon in fact did pre-write a Watson obit. And it is masterful and excoriating.
🧪🧬🧫
Thrilled to meet my longtime #scicomm hero @ehmee.bsky.social at #SciWri25 today
and also shocked at how many people who would love her work have not heard of The Brain Scoop!
you simply MUST watch her series documenting taxidermying a wolf!! (TW: gross) youtube.com/playlist?lis...
🧪
and also shocked at how many people who would love her work have not heard of The Brain Scoop!
you simply MUST watch her series documenting taxidermying a wolf!! (TW: gross) youtube.com/playlist?lis...
🧪
November 8, 2025 at 3:34 AM
Thrilled to meet my longtime #scicomm hero @ehmee.bsky.social at #SciWri25 today
and also shocked at how many people who would love her work have not heard of The Brain Scoop!
you simply MUST watch her series documenting taxidermying a wolf!! (TW: gross) youtube.com/playlist?lis...
🧪
and also shocked at how many people who would love her work have not heard of The Brain Scoop!
you simply MUST watch her series documenting taxidermying a wolf!! (TW: gross) youtube.com/playlist?lis...
🧪
Reposted by Brittany Trang
Here is how the search for top drug regulator is going: FDA deputy commissioner Sara Brenner sent an email to CDER staff today soliciting applications to lead the center. More here:
www.statnews.com/2025/11/07/f...
www.statnews.com/2025/11/07/f...
FDA broadens search for new top drug regulator after early setbacks
George Tidmarsh left the agency amid accusations of misusing his authority and after clashing with another top official.
www.statnews.com
November 7, 2025 at 8:51 PM
Here is how the search for top drug regulator is going: FDA deputy commissioner Sara Brenner sent an email to CDER staff today soliciting applications to lead the center. More here:
www.statnews.com/2025/11/07/f...
www.statnews.com/2025/11/07/f...
Reposted by Brittany Trang
Early success can be a curse, as this Sharon Begley obit shows. The man who co-discovered the DNA double helix structure at 25 bought into his own genius to the extent that he clung to racist beliefs despite the cost to his career. Best thing you'll read today:
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
Early success can be a curse, as this Sharon Begley obit shows. The man who co-discovered the DNA double helix structure at 25 bought into his own genius to the extent that he clung to racist beliefs despite the cost to his career. Best thing you'll read today:
www.statnews.com/2025/11/07/j...
www.statnews.com/2025/11/07/j...
Call it a Jeni's ice cream standard, I've got a nighttime double scoop 🍨 for you:
Here are the six companies Medicare picked to run its AI prior authorization pilot
And House Democrats are introducing a bill tomorrow to try to stop the program, called WISeR.
Only @statnews.com:
Here are the six companies Medicare picked to run its AI prior authorization pilot
And House Democrats are introducing a bill tomorrow to try to stop the program, called WISeR.
Only @statnews.com:
Medicare picks tech vendors to run AI prior authorization pilot in six states
Medicare has selected the technology vendors who'll run its prior authorization pilot in New Jersey, Ohio, Oklahoma, Texas, Arizona, and Washington
www.statnews.com
November 7, 2025 at 1:33 AM
Call it a Jeni's ice cream standard, I've got a nighttime double scoop 🍨 for you:
Here are the six companies Medicare picked to run its AI prior authorization pilot
And House Democrats are introducing a bill tomorrow to try to stop the program, called WISeR.
Only @statnews.com:
Here are the six companies Medicare picked to run its AI prior authorization pilot
And House Democrats are introducing a bill tomorrow to try to stop the program, called WISeR.
Only @statnews.com: