Catherine Freije
@catherinefreije.bsky.social
Damon Runyon postdoctoral fellow in the Rice laboratory @ Rockefeller University | systems virologist | PhD Sabeti lab @ Harvard Virology | she/her/hers
Thanks @rockefelleruniv.bsky.social for the chance to chat about what I am up to in and outside the lab.
This #PostdocAppreciationWeek, we celebrate postdocs at Rockefeller and beyond! In these short Q&As, we invite you to meet a few of them, hear about their work, and get a glimpse of the interests and experiences that inspire them outside the lab.
Postdocs from around the world share their experience at Rockefeller - News
Each year, more than 300 postdoctoral scholars carry out research in Rockefeller's 70-plus laboratories, fueling discovery and shaping the future of science. They come from around the world, bringing fresh perspectives and curiosity to the campus commun...
www.rockefeller.edu
September 19, 2025 at 7:08 PM
Thanks @rockefelleruniv.bsky.social for the chance to chat about what I am up to in and outside the lab.
Reposted by Catherine Freije
Here's the upshot on hepatitis B vaccination at birth:
- it's extremely safe
- the earlier it's given, the better it protects against transmission from mother-to-child
- screening fails to capture many cases and is not done at all in many cases
- perinatal HBV infection is catastrophic
- it's extremely safe
- the earlier it's given, the better it protects against transmission from mother-to-child
- screening fails to capture many cases and is not done at all in many cases
- perinatal HBV infection is catastrophic
September 18, 2025 at 6:40 PM
Here's the upshot on hepatitis B vaccination at birth:
- it's extremely safe
- the earlier it's given, the better it protects against transmission from mother-to-child
- screening fails to capture many cases and is not done at all in many cases
- perinatal HBV infection is catastrophic
- it's extremely safe
- the earlier it's given, the better it protects against transmission from mother-to-child
- screening fails to capture many cases and is not done at all in many cases
- perinatal HBV infection is catastrophic
Reposted by Catherine Freije
I know Democrats are overwhelmed (or rudderless, if you are less charitable) by the sheer volume of Trump authoritarian moves, but I’d like to see them unified behind specific goals like “RFK Jr is a threat to public health and needs to go.”
August 28, 2025 at 2:23 AM
I know Democrats are overwhelmed (or rudderless, if you are less charitable) by the sheer volume of Trump authoritarian moves, but I’d like to see them unified behind specific goals like “RFK Jr is a threat to public health and needs to go.”
Reposted by Catherine Freije
I just sent this email to Director Bhattacharya and am sending him a hard copy by registered mail.
1/14
1/14
August 23, 2025 at 3:53 PM
I just sent this email to Director Bhattacharya and am sending him a hard copy by registered mail.
1/14
1/14
Reposted by Catherine Freije
Today is World #Hepatitis Day.
Did you know❓ Hepatitis is the second leading infectious cause of death globally, with hepatitis B and C claiming 3 500 lives every day.
Learn how to protect yourself and your loved ones 👉 bit.ly/hepatitis2025
Did you know❓ Hepatitis is the second leading infectious cause of death globally, with hepatitis B and C claiming 3 500 lives every day.
Learn how to protect yourself and your loved ones 👉 bit.ly/hepatitis2025
July 28, 2025 at 7:23 AM
Today is World #Hepatitis Day.
Did you know❓ Hepatitis is the second leading infectious cause of death globally, with hepatitis B and C claiming 3 500 lives every day.
Learn how to protect yourself and your loved ones 👉 bit.ly/hepatitis2025
Did you know❓ Hepatitis is the second leading infectious cause of death globally, with hepatitis B and C claiming 3 500 lives every day.
Learn how to protect yourself and your loved ones 👉 bit.ly/hepatitis2025
Reposted by Catherine Freije
If you love #viruses, #ribosomes, and genomic #darkmatter, this thread is for you!! 💫
We're excited to share our new publication developing Massively Parallel Ribosome Profiling (MPRP), which uncovered ~4,000 hidden proteins in ~700 viral genomes. www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
We're excited to share our new publication developing Massively Parallel Ribosome Profiling (MPRP), which uncovered ~4,000 hidden proteins in ~700 viral genomes. www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
June 12, 2025 at 9:19 PM
If you love #viruses, #ribosomes, and genomic #darkmatter, this thread is for you!! 💫
We're excited to share our new publication developing Massively Parallel Ribosome Profiling (MPRP), which uncovered ~4,000 hidden proteins in ~700 viral genomes. www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
We're excited to share our new publication developing Massively Parallel Ribosome Profiling (MPRP), which uncovered ~4,000 hidden proteins in ~700 viral genomes. www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
As someone who had their 1st K99 application not considered for funding due to DEI cancellations and the 2nd withdrawn due to changes in policies (that happened post submission), these announcements are because some NIH folks are trying to make up for the losses. grants.nih.gov/grants/guide...
NOT-OD-25-121: Temporary Extension of Eligibility for the NIH Pathway to Independence Award (K99/R00)
NIH Funding Opportunities and Notices in the NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts: Temporary Extension of Eligibility for the NIH Pathway to Independence Award (K99/R00) NOT-OD-25-121. OD
grants.nih.gov
June 16, 2025 at 3:23 PM
As someone who had their 1st K99 application not considered for funding due to DEI cancellations and the 2nd withdrawn due to changes in policies (that happened post submission), these announcements are because some NIH folks are trying to make up for the losses. grants.nih.gov/grants/guide...
Reposted by Catherine Freije
Children infected with hepatitis B virus have 90% risk of developing chronic hepatitis.
30% of liver cancers are caused by chronic hepatitis B.
We have an incredibly effective vaccine. THAT’S why we vaccinate babies.
Weird: science DOES focus on improving health!
Grifters like Casey Means don’t.
30% of liver cancers are caused by chronic hepatitis B.
We have an incredibly effective vaccine. THAT’S why we vaccinate babies.
Weird: science DOES focus on improving health!
Grifters like Casey Means don’t.
May 9, 2025 at 3:08 PM
Children infected with hepatitis B virus have 90% risk of developing chronic hepatitis.
30% of liver cancers are caused by chronic hepatitis B.
We have an incredibly effective vaccine. THAT’S why we vaccinate babies.
Weird: science DOES focus on improving health!
Grifters like Casey Means don’t.
30% of liver cancers are caused by chronic hepatitis B.
We have an incredibly effective vaccine. THAT’S why we vaccinate babies.
Weird: science DOES focus on improving health!
Grifters like Casey Means don’t.
Reposted by Catherine Freije
This article does a great job describing the lives of young American scientists:
“You roll up your sleeves, try to make or discover something useful and then let the scientific community try to punch holes in your work to make sure that it’s sound”
“You roll up your sleeves, try to make or discover something useful and then let the scientific community try to punch holes in your work to make sure that it’s sound”
www.nytimes.com/2025/04/03/o...
Really important piece to share widely. Too many Americans don’t know how severe a threat this Administration poses to our scientific infrastructure, global leadership, and health security
Really important piece to share widely. Too many Americans don’t know how severe a threat this Administration poses to our scientific infrastructure, global leadership, and health security
Opinion | The Uncertain Fate of the Young American Scientist (Gift Article)
Young researchers are choosing between staying in science and staying in the United States.
www.nytimes.com
April 4, 2025 at 6:00 PM
This article does a great job describing the lives of young American scientists:
“You roll up your sleeves, try to make or discover something useful and then let the scientific community try to punch holes in your work to make sure that it’s sound”
“You roll up your sleeves, try to make or discover something useful and then let the scientific community try to punch holes in your work to make sure that it’s sound”
Reposted by Catherine Freije
www.dailyprincetonian.com/article/2025...
“In principle, we have to be willing to speak up, and we have to be willing to say no to funding if it's going to constrain our ability to pursue the truth.” Thank you for standing up President Eisgruber.
“In principle, we have to be willing to speak up, and we have to be willing to say no to funding if it's going to constrain our ability to pursue the truth.” Thank you for standing up President Eisgruber.
In Bloomberg interview, Eisgruber signals that Princeton will not make concessions
University President Christopher Eisgruber ’83 signaled that Princeton would not make concessions to the federal government after news broke that the Trump administration had suspended dozens of the U...
www.dailyprincetonian.com
April 2, 2025 at 1:02 PM
www.dailyprincetonian.com/article/2025...
“In principle, we have to be willing to speak up, and we have to be willing to say no to funding if it's going to constrain our ability to pursue the truth.” Thank you for standing up President Eisgruber.
“In principle, we have to be willing to speak up, and we have to be willing to say no to funding if it's going to constrain our ability to pursue the truth.” Thank you for standing up President Eisgruber.
Reposted by Catherine Freije
0 new NIH Fellowship awards since mid-February 🤕🤕. These are awards that support doctoral students. I wrote about how we need to think more critically about how to support the future of science. Even more clear now!
open.substack.com/pub/notbeing...
open.substack.com/pub/notbeing...
March 29, 2025 at 1:16 PM
0 new NIH Fellowship awards since mid-February 🤕🤕. These are awards that support doctoral students. I wrote about how we need to think more critically about how to support the future of science. Even more clear now!
open.substack.com/pub/notbeing...
open.substack.com/pub/notbeing...
Reposted by Catherine Freije
In my view, you need to somehow connect with folks who don't get it (because of information bubbles, etc.).
These conversations may be uncomfortable, particularly at first, but most folks did not vote for, and do not support, the demolition of biomedical research.
These conversations may be uncomfortable, particularly at first, but most folks did not vote for, and do not support, the demolition of biomedical research.
Other than voting, protesting, and calling our reps, is there anything we can do for these folks?
March 28, 2025 at 11:03 AM
In my view, you need to somehow connect with folks who don't get it (because of information bubbles, etc.).
These conversations may be uncomfortable, particularly at first, but most folks did not vote for, and do not support, the demolition of biomedical research.
These conversations may be uncomfortable, particularly at first, but most folks did not vote for, and do not support, the demolition of biomedical research.
Reposted by Catherine Freije
Exclusive: Science has learned that grant termination letters went out last night to principal investigators of 29 awards made by NIAID, including nine grants that were part of a program hoping to deliver antiviral drugs to prevent future pandemics. scim.ag/4iVm7mY
Saying ‘pandemic is over,’ NIH institute starts cutting COVID-19 research
Grant terminations halt research on improving vaccinations and preventing future pandemics
scim.ag
March 25, 2025 at 9:50 PM
Exclusive: Science has learned that grant termination letters went out last night to principal investigators of 29 awards made by NIAID, including nine grants that were part of a program hoping to deliver antiviral drugs to prevent future pandemics. scim.ag/4iVm7mY
Reposted by Catherine Freije
Included in this are the AViDD program. This was TO PREPARE for agents of pandemic potential. The DOGE bags cut it because Covid is over (it isn't) and they did not bother to understand this program.
www.niaid.nih.gov/news-events/...
2/n
www.niaid.nih.gov/news-events/...
2/n
NIAID Announces Antiviral Drug Development Awards
The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), part of the National Institutes of Health, has awarded approximately $577 million to establish nine Antiviral Drug Discovery (AViDD) ...
www.niaid.nih.gov
March 25, 2025 at 8:35 PM
Included in this are the AViDD program. This was TO PREPARE for agents of pandemic potential. The DOGE bags cut it because Covid is over (it isn't) and they did not bother to understand this program.
www.niaid.nih.gov/news-events/...
2/n
www.niaid.nih.gov/news-events/...
2/n
Reposted by Catherine Freije
if you've had an NIH grant terminated, I want to hear about it. Signal: katherinejwu.12
March 7, 2025 at 2:17 PM
if you've had an NIH grant terminated, I want to hear about it. Signal: katherinejwu.12
Reposted by Catherine Freije
born too late to get a two Western blot Nature paper, born too early to be a science TikTokker, born just in time to start a postdoc during a global pandemic and look for faculty positions during a historic hiring freeze
March 10, 2025 at 4:32 PM
born too late to get a two Western blot Nature paper, born too early to be a science TikTokker, born just in time to start a postdoc during a global pandemic and look for faculty positions during a historic hiring freeze
Reposted by Catherine Freije
For prospective grad students, I would remind them that a doctorate typically takes about six years.
A lot can change in six years.
A scientific career is like the stock market: easy to get distracted by daily ups and downs. The long haul is where the value is.
A lot can change in six years.
A scientific career is like the stock market: easy to get distracted by daily ups and downs. The long haul is where the value is.
March 1, 2025 at 5:42 PM
For prospective grad students, I would remind them that a doctorate typically takes about six years.
A lot can change in six years.
A scientific career is like the stock market: easy to get distracted by daily ups and downs. The long haul is where the value is.
A lot can change in six years.
A scientific career is like the stock market: easy to get distracted by daily ups and downs. The long haul is where the value is.
Reposted by Catherine Freije
This is terrifying.
Breaking: FDA's March meeting to select flu shot strains for 2025-2026 season has been canceled per email sent to committee members, a VRBPAC member told me. drug companies need about 6 months leeway to make shots in time for fall vax campaigns. #healthpolicy
February 26, 2025 at 11:47 PM
This is terrifying.
Reposted by Catherine Freije
Today is a devastating reminder that infectious diseases don’t care what your ‘beliefs’ are. Everyone is likely to be affected directly or indirectly. Serious challenges require serious people at the helm. Protect your loved ones. Educate. Advocate. The cost of not doing so will be too much to bear.
February 26, 2025 at 11:26 PM
Today is a devastating reminder that infectious diseases don’t care what your ‘beliefs’ are. Everyone is likely to be affected directly or indirectly. Serious challenges require serious people at the helm. Protect your loved ones. Educate. Advocate. The cost of not doing so will be too much to bear.
Reposted by Catherine Freije
Defend the NIH. timmermanreport.com/2025/02/defe...
Defend the NIH - TimmermanReport.com
Too many people don’t believe anymore in the American Dream. But if you can’t dream big, you can’t accomplish big things. Today, the National Institutes of Health — biomedical science itself — is unde...
timmermanreport.com
February 13, 2025 at 5:04 PM
Defend the NIH. timmermanreport.com/2025/02/defe...
Reposted by Catherine Freije
Everything feels weird and uncertain, and I can only imagine how trainees feel right now… so are some things mentors can do to support mentees during these challenging times: 🧵
February 10, 2025 at 2:49 PM
Everything feels weird and uncertain, and I can only imagine how trainees feel right now… so are some things mentors can do to support mentees during these challenging times: 🧵
Reposted by Catherine Freije
I have learned from several sources that NIH staff tried to find out how to transfer F31-diversity applications to other program announcements for funding but were not able to do this. I don't know whether this was technical (regulations) or ideological.
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February 7, 2025 at 4:01 PM
I have learned from several sources that NIH staff tried to find out how to transfer F31-diversity applications to other program announcements for funding but were not able to do this. I don't know whether this was technical (regulations) or ideological.
1/n
1/n
Reposted by Catherine Freije
A long post about what’s happening to the science funding agencies in the US and why. As mentioned, this one just kept getting longer even as I kept stripping curse words from it.
www.science.org/content/blog...
www.science.org/content/blog...
What's Happening Inside the NIH and NSF
www.science.org
February 4, 2025 at 4:40 PM
A long post about what’s happening to the science funding agencies in the US and why. As mentioned, this one just kept getting longer even as I kept stripping curse words from it.
www.science.org/content/blog...
www.science.org/content/blog...
Sadness and frustration continue to pile up this week and 100% this is a crisis - many of these words are those we use in every day writing/language and should not be flagged because of EOs. 😓
🚨BREAKING. From a program officer at the National Science Foundation, a list of keywords that can cause a grant to be pulled. I will be sharing screenshots of these keywords along with a decision tree. Please share widely. This is a crisis for academic freedom & science.
February 4, 2025 at 2:46 PM
Sadness and frustration continue to pile up this week and 100% this is a crisis - many of these words are those we use in every day writing/language and should not be flagged because of EOs. 😓