Chris Wallace
@chr1sw.bsky.social
Using statistics and genomics to understand cause and potential treatments for chronic immune mediated diseases.
R, emacs, rake.
Cambridge, UK.
https://chr1swallace.github.io
R, emacs, rake.
Cambridge, UK.
https://chr1swallace.github.io
Reposted by Chris Wallace
🧬 International Women & Girls in Science Day 🧪
At VPD-HLRI, we’re proud to support women at every stage of their careers.
Meet Jennifer Martin — PhD student, new mum, and haematology data scientist — inspiring the next generation of female scientists.
#WomenAndGirlsInScience #WomenInSTEM
At VPD-HLRI, we’re proud to support women at every stage of their careers.
Meet Jennifer Martin — PhD student, new mum, and haematology data scientist — inspiring the next generation of female scientists.
#WomenAndGirlsInScience #WomenInSTEM
February 11, 2026 at 1:20 PM
🧬 International Women & Girls in Science Day 🧪
At VPD-HLRI, we’re proud to support women at every stage of their careers.
Meet Jennifer Martin — PhD student, new mum, and haematology data scientist — inspiring the next generation of female scientists.
#WomenAndGirlsInScience #WomenInSTEM
At VPD-HLRI, we’re proud to support women at every stage of their careers.
Meet Jennifer Martin — PhD student, new mum, and haematology data scientist — inspiring the next generation of female scientists.
#WomenAndGirlsInScience #WomenInSTEM
I hate commenting/suggesting edits on a paper written in overleaf. I love writing in latex, but Google docs is just so much more intuitive for collaboration. Does anyone know a latex platform that is genuinely good for collaborative writing?
February 11, 2026 at 1:05 PM
I hate commenting/suggesting edits on a paper written in overleaf. I love writing in latex, but Google docs is just so much more intuitive for collaboration. Does anyone know a latex platform that is genuinely good for collaborative writing?
Reposted by Chris Wallace
If you care about official statistics this is an opportunity to join the Regulation Committee of the UK Statistics Authority. It meets 5 times a year. Members receive a £3k fee
uksa.statisticsauthority.gov.uk/news/vacancy...
uksa.statisticsauthority.gov.uk/news/vacancy...
Vacancy: Regulation Committee independent members
The closing date for applications is 6 March 2026 at 23:55pm
We are looking to appoint two independent members to the Regulation Committee of the UK Statistics Authority.
The UK Statistics Authority ...
uksa.statisticsauthority.gov.uk
February 10, 2026 at 7:23 AM
If you care about official statistics this is an opportunity to join the Regulation Committee of the UK Statistics Authority. It meets 5 times a year. Members receive a £3k fee
uksa.statisticsauthority.gov.uk/news/vacancy...
uksa.statisticsauthority.gov.uk/news/vacancy...
Reposted by Chris Wallace
Also: shifting scientific funding towards "government priority areas" is a surefire way to kill creativity and innovation.
Generating scientific knowledge is not like ordering a takeaway. You can't just tick the 'science' that you want and expect anything useful.
Generating scientific knowledge is not like ordering a takeaway. You can't just tick the 'science' that you want and expect anything useful.
February 9, 2026 at 10:06 PM
Also: shifting scientific funding towards "government priority areas" is a surefire way to kill creativity and innovation.
Generating scientific knowledge is not like ordering a takeaway. You can't just tick the 'science' that you want and expect anything useful.
Generating scientific knowledge is not like ordering a takeaway. You can't just tick the 'science' that you want and expect anything useful.
Reposted by Chris Wallace
I made a map of 3.4 million Bluesky users - see if you can find yourself!
bluesky-map.theo.io
I've seen some similar projects, but IMO this seems to better capture some of the fine-grained detail
bluesky-map.theo.io
I've seen some similar projects, but IMO this seems to better capture some of the fine-grained detail
Bluesky Map
Interactive map of 3.4 million Bluesky users, visualised by their follower pattern.
bluesky-map.theo.io
February 8, 2026 at 10:59 PM
I made a map of 3.4 million Bluesky users - see if you can find yourself!
bluesky-map.theo.io
I've seen some similar projects, but IMO this seems to better capture some of the fine-grained detail
bluesky-map.theo.io
I've seen some similar projects, but IMO this seems to better capture some of the fine-grained detail
Reposted by Chris Wallace
Delighted to present Latent Interaction Variational Inference (LIVI), a framework for trans-eQTL mapping at single-cell resolution that I developed during my PhD together with colleagues from @steglelab.bsky.social 1/n
Mapping trans-eQTLs at single-cell resolution using Latent Interaction Variational Inference. https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.02.04.703363v1
February 8, 2026 at 4:54 PM
Delighted to present Latent Interaction Variational Inference (LIVI), a framework for trans-eQTL mapping at single-cell resolution that I developed during my PhD together with colleagues from @steglelab.bsky.social 1/n
Reposted by Chris Wallace
you're doomscrolling I'm plumposting we are not the same
February 6, 2026 at 10:27 PM
you're doomscrolling I'm plumposting we are not the same
Reposted by Chris Wallace
Preprint with the results of genome-wide eQTL analyses across 43,301 blood samples from the eQTLGen Consortium is now online! A major collaborative effort- many thanks to everyone involved, especially @robertwarmerdam.bsky.social, @ludefranke.bsky.social, and all eQTLGen collaborators!👇
🧬 New preprint alert! After years of collaborative work across 52 datasets we are presenting eQTLGen phase 2: a genome-wide eQTL meta-analysis covering 43,301 blood samples: www.medrxiv.org/content/10.6... (1/8)
February 6, 2026 at 12:13 PM
Preprint with the results of genome-wide eQTL analyses across 43,301 blood samples from the eQTLGen Consortium is now online! A major collaborative effort- many thanks to everyone involved, especially @robertwarmerdam.bsky.social, @ludefranke.bsky.social, and all eQTLGen collaborators!👇
Reposted by Chris Wallace
When people talk about the idea that some universities must go under, there’s a certain tendency to behave as if these smaller local campuses are negligible- regrettable casualties perhaps but not ‘real’ universities. This report does a great job of illustrating why that’s wrong.
Everything in this report reflects on what we value, for communities, for peripheral places, for young people, for education, for the future - and it looks like we’ve got it all wrong.
‘If I think about what this means, I want to cry’: what happens when a city loses its university?
When Essex University’s Southend campus opened, it was a message of hope for a ‘left behind’ UK seaside town. Its closure will be felt far beyond its 800 students, some of whom will not get their degr...
www.theguardian.com
February 4, 2026 at 9:07 AM
When people talk about the idea that some universities must go under, there’s a certain tendency to behave as if these smaller local campuses are negligible- regrettable casualties perhaps but not ‘real’ universities. This report does a great job of illustrating why that’s wrong.
Reposted by Chris Wallace
What do folks use to keep track of their tasks bc I really need a system beyond "my nonexistent memory"
February 3, 2026 at 4:31 PM
What do folks use to keep track of their tasks bc I really need a system beyond "my nonexistent memory"
Reposted by Chris Wallace
Quick science policy thread 1
Changes in the governance of UK science since the mid 1980s make it extremely hard to be strategic (that was the point), in terms of both process (dropped) and capability (hollowed out).
Changes in the governance of UK science since the mid 1980s make it extremely hard to be strategic (that was the point), in terms of both process (dropped) and capability (hollowed out).
February 1, 2026 at 5:21 PM
Quick science policy thread 1
Changes in the governance of UK science since the mid 1980s make it extremely hard to be strategic (that was the point), in terms of both process (dropped) and capability (hollowed out).
Changes in the governance of UK science since the mid 1980s make it extremely hard to be strategic (that was the point), in terms of both process (dropped) and capability (hollowed out).
Reposted by Chris Wallace
Some initial reactions to the 'published on a Sunday afternoon' letter from the CEO of UKRI. 🧵
www.ukri.org/news/open-le...
www.ukri.org/news/open-le...
February 1, 2026 at 6:38 PM
Some initial reactions to the 'published on a Sunday afternoon' letter from the CEO of UKRI. 🧵
www.ukri.org/news/open-le...
www.ukri.org/news/open-le...
Reposted by Chris Wallace
Some numbers:UKRI gets £38.6 billions from the 2025 Spending Review
3 buckets:
- 14.5 b curiosity-dr research
- 8.3 b govern. priorities
- 7.4 b companies’growth
Out of 14.5 b in bucket 1, only 3.3 b go into applicant-led grants.
www.ukri.org/news/open-le...
3 buckets:
- 14.5 b curiosity-dr research
- 8.3 b govern. priorities
- 7.4 b companies’growth
Out of 14.5 b in bucket 1, only 3.3 b go into applicant-led grants.
www.ukri.org/news/open-le...
Open letter from Ian Chapman to research and innovation community
UKRI Chief Executive outlines changes to UKRI investment approach, addressing concerns about research funding and the financial position of STFC.
www.ukri.org
February 1, 2026 at 6:49 PM
Some numbers:UKRI gets £38.6 billions from the 2025 Spending Review
3 buckets:
- 14.5 b curiosity-dr research
- 8.3 b govern. priorities
- 7.4 b companies’growth
Out of 14.5 b in bucket 1, only 3.3 b go into applicant-led grants.
www.ukri.org/news/open-le...
3 buckets:
- 14.5 b curiosity-dr research
- 8.3 b govern. priorities
- 7.4 b companies’growth
Out of 14.5 b in bucket 1, only 3.3 b go into applicant-led grants.
www.ukri.org/news/open-le...
Reposted by Chris Wallace
In terms of Northern Hemisphere day length changes, February is the best month. Day length is increasing rapidly now, and the month brings us from the middle of winter to the first signs of spring.
February 1, 2026 at 11:05 AM
In terms of Northern Hemisphere day length changes, February is the best month. Day length is increasing rapidly now, and the month brings us from the middle of winter to the first signs of spring.
I love these giant fish. When the news is getting me down, I don't do kitten pics, the living wonders of our world are enough to calm my mind.
It's hard to grasp how large this grouper is until you see it in comparison to the ship's toilet on the left.
This appears to be an Atlantic goliath grouper or 'itajara' (Epinephelus itajara). They can reach 800 lbs (350 kg) & 8 feet long (2.5 m)
Let's talk about these gentle giants.
This appears to be an Atlantic goliath grouper or 'itajara' (Epinephelus itajara). They can reach 800 lbs (350 kg) & 8 feet long (2.5 m)
Let's talk about these gentle giants.
January 30, 2026 at 4:41 PM
I love these giant fish. When the news is getting me down, I don't do kitten pics, the living wonders of our world are enough to calm my mind.
Reposted by Chris Wallace
Or not. This has been removed for review by the University. (Who asked me to write it in the first place). You can find it here while they sort themselves out: docs.google.com/document/d/1...
Funding piece
Modern astronomy is full of marvels. In recent years we have rejoiced in the success of the James Webb Space Telescope, and been puzzled by the surprisingly vibrant early Universe it is showing us. We...
docs.google.com
January 30, 2026 at 3:46 PM
Or not. This has been removed for review by the University. (Who asked me to write it in the first place). You can find it here while they sort themselves out: docs.google.com/document/d/1...
Reposted by Chris Wallace
MRC instructs grant review boards to slash funding rates.
Boards asked to recommend just three applications for funding, as BBSRC also suspends calls.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
Boards asked to recommend just three applications for funding, as BBSRC also suspends calls.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
MRC instructs grant review boards to slash funding rates - Research Professional News
Boards asked to recommend just three applications for funding, as BBSRC also suspends calls
www.researchprofessionalnews.com
January 30, 2026 at 7:53 AM
MRC instructs grant review boards to slash funding rates.
Boards asked to recommend just three applications for funding, as BBSRC also suspends calls.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
Boards asked to recommend just three applications for funding, as BBSRC also suspends calls.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
Reposted by Chris Wallace
@clydefrancks.bsky.social found what is potentially (likey?!) the first fully hallucinated GWAS paper, of “left handedness”… the Manhattan plot has the wrong number of chromosomes, and genes labels with one wrong chromosome placed in a second wrong chromosome… wild…
Genome-Wide Association Studies (GWAS) of LeftHandedness Across Global Populations
Left-handedness, a prominent phenotype affecting approximately 10% of the global population, has long been hypothesized to possess a polygenic basis influenced by complex gene-environment interactions...
ieeexplore.ieee.org
January 27, 2026 at 6:03 PM
@clydefrancks.bsky.social found what is potentially (likey?!) the first fully hallucinated GWAS paper, of “left handedness”… the Manhattan plot has the wrong number of chromosomes, and genes labels with one wrong chromosome placed in a second wrong chromosome… wild…
Reposted by Chris Wallace
𝙔𝙤𝙪’𝙧𝙚 𝙖𝙗𝙨𝙤𝙡𝙪𝙩𝙚𝙡𝙮 𝙧𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩—wax was a bad call. I should’ve flagged heat resistance as a 𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘥 𝘳𝘦𝘲𝘶𝘪𝘳𝘦𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 instead of assuming you’d stay within 𝘴𝘢𝘧𝘦 𝘢𝘭𝘵𝘪𝘵𝘶𝘥𝘦 𝘭𝘪𝘮𝘪𝘵𝘴. That one’s on me.
January 25, 2026 at 9:43 PM
𝙔𝙤𝙪’𝙧𝙚 𝙖𝙗𝙨𝙤𝙡𝙪𝙩𝙚𝙡𝙮 𝙧𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩—wax was a bad call. I should’ve flagged heat resistance as a 𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘥 𝘳𝘦𝘲𝘶𝘪𝘳𝘦𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 instead of assuming you’d stay within 𝘴𝘢𝘧𝘦 𝘢𝘭𝘵𝘪𝘵𝘶𝘥𝘦 𝘭𝘪𝘮𝘪𝘵𝘴. That one’s on me.
Reposted by Chris Wallace
Look at this disgusting rubbish, while the over-50s like me get literally everything on a plate. Every single person involved I've ever spoken to knows we have to start reconstructing the university financial system from scratch. Nothing is ever done.
January 24, 2026 at 2:12 PM
Look at this disgusting rubbish, while the over-50s like me get literally everything on a plate. Every single person involved I've ever spoken to knows we have to start reconstructing the university financial system from scratch. Nothing is ever done.
Today's example of "please remove me from the list" has now reached "please keep me on the list". Use of reply-all continues despite requests to the contrary.
At least AI agents would surely know not to reply-all, maybe there could be a use for them here??
At least AI agents would surely know not to reply-all, maybe there could be a use for them here??
January 19, 2026 at 2:18 PM
Today's example of "please remove me from the list" has now reached "please keep me on the list". Use of reply-all continues despite requests to the contrary.
At least AI agents would surely know not to reply-all, maybe there could be a use for them here??
At least AI agents would surely know not to reply-all, maybe there could be a use for them here??
Reposted by Chris Wallace
For years to come the answer to “I think you’re being a bit self-centered” will be “well at least I didn’t threaten to invade Greenland because I was cross about the Nobel Peace Prize”
January 19, 2026 at 8:45 AM
For years to come the answer to “I think you’re being a bit self-centered” will be “well at least I didn’t threaten to invade Greenland because I was cross about the Nobel Peace Prize”
Reposted by Chris Wallace
Tracking the details of an experiment in successively cited Methods sections
January 17, 2026 at 9:05 AM
Tracking the details of an experiment in successively cited Methods sections
Reposted by Chris Wallace
In a phase 2 trial, low-dose interleukin-2 boosted regulatory T cells and reduced arterial inflammation in acute coronary syndrome patients compared to placebo.
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41591-025-04090-y
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41591-025-04090-y
January 17, 2026 at 5:40 PM
In a phase 2 trial, low-dose interleukin-2 boosted regulatory T cells and reduced arterial inflammation in acute coronary syndrome patients compared to placebo.
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41591-025-04090-y
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41591-025-04090-y
Reposted by Chris Wallace
Following coverage over the weekend of Sir Paul Nurse's comments that suggested that the only reason that a Fellow should be expelled from @royalsociety.org is scientific misconduct, I have written to him to explain the risks such an attitude poses of increasing sexual harassment in STEM.
January 12, 2026 at 8:59 AM
Following coverage over the weekend of Sir Paul Nurse's comments that suggested that the only reason that a Fellow should be expelled from @royalsociety.org is scientific misconduct, I have written to him to explain the risks such an attitude poses of increasing sexual harassment in STEM.