Dan Garisto
@dangaristo.bsky.social
science journalist | good physics, bad physics, and sometimes ugly physics
Signal: dgaristo.72
Email: digaristo@gmail.com
Signal: dgaristo.72
Email: digaristo@gmail.com
A lot will become clearer in the next few weeks when lists of Schedule Policy/Career positions become public, but I think it's worth sharing this blog post by Scott Kupor. It shows just how central this policy is to the Trump administration's view of the federal workforce.
“I am a Stalwart, and I want my reward.”
Little did Charles Guiteau know when he uttered those words in 1881 in defense of his assassination of President James Garfield that he would become the catalyst for the creation of the modern civil s...
usopm.substack.com
February 11, 2026 at 10:45 PM
A lot will become clearer in the next few weeks when lists of Schedule Policy/Career positions become public, but I think it's worth sharing this blog post by Scott Kupor. It shows just how central this policy is to the Trump administration's view of the federal workforce.
The revised Schedule F policy, finalized last week, will kick in next month. It could reclassify career government scientists—potentially those involved in grantmaking at agencies like NIH and NSF—into at-will employees, and would strip them of whistleblower protections.
Trump team’s new rule could make firing government scientists easier
Although the government says the move will depoliticize US science, some researchers say it will do the opposite.
www.nature.com
February 11, 2026 at 10:45 PM
The revised Schedule F policy, finalized last week, will kick in next month. It could reclassify career government scientists—potentially those involved in grantmaking at agencies like NIH and NSF—into at-will employees, and would strip them of whistleblower protections.
Anyways, I don't think the current problems science faces can really be laid at the feet of even the most ardent critics of the science status quo. Retraction Watch, science sleuths, etc. are not responsible for the MAHA movement's distrust of science.
February 11, 2026 at 9:57 PM
Anyways, I don't think the current problems science faces can really be laid at the feet of even the most ardent critics of the science status quo. Retraction Watch, science sleuths, etc. are not responsible for the MAHA movement's distrust of science.
I think the advice about framing is great, but the most important choice is just whether or not to cover. And given that things often aren't so clear-cut (multiple actors, not obviously a violation, etc.), the potential for a complex story to be parsed as 'guilty' or 'not guilty' is really high.
February 11, 2026 at 9:57 PM
I think the advice about framing is great, but the most important choice is just whether or not to cover. And given that things often aren't so clear-cut (multiple actors, not obviously a violation, etc.), the potential for a complex story to be parsed as 'guilty' or 'not guilty' is really high.
The main thing people take away from a misconduct story is a binary: did the person do it or not?
I have read close to a dozen stories about Francesca Gino and I could not tell you precisely what Data Colada uncovered or what Harvard eventually found. What I remember is that she did it.
I have read close to a dozen stories about Francesca Gino and I could not tell you precisely what Data Colada uncovered or what Harvard eventually found. What I remember is that she did it.
February 11, 2026 at 9:57 PM
The main thing people take away from a misconduct story is a binary: did the person do it or not?
I have read close to a dozen stories about Francesca Gino and I could not tell you precisely what Data Colada uncovered or what Harvard eventually found. What I remember is that she did it.
I have read close to a dozen stories about Francesca Gino and I could not tell you precisely what Data Colada uncovered or what Harvard eventually found. What I remember is that she did it.
If only there were more options than doomerism and 'AI hype is true'.
February 11, 2026 at 4:58 PM
If only there were more options than doomerism and 'AI hype is true'.
Reposted by Dan Garisto
BREAKING: @lizzylawrence.bsky.social reports that CBER director Vinay Prasad overruled career #FDA staff and unilaterally decided to refusal to accept #Moderna 's #flu vaccine submission. www.statnews.com/2026/02/11/m...
February 11, 2026 at 3:38 PM
BREAKING: @lizzylawrence.bsky.social reports that CBER director Vinay Prasad overruled career #FDA staff and unilaterally decided to refusal to accept #Moderna 's #flu vaccine submission. www.statnews.com/2026/02/11/m...
In other words, just topping up a flat budget doesn't fully fix the damage caused when people thought things were going to be much worse.
Some of that uncertainty is still present due to concerns about grant terminations and other impoundment. see: $600 million in CDC grants, just the other day.
Some of that uncertainty is still present due to concerns about grant terminations and other impoundment. see: $600 million in CDC grants, just the other day.
February 11, 2026 at 1:50 PM
In other words, just topping up a flat budget doesn't fully fix the damage caused when people thought things were going to be much worse.
Some of that uncertainty is still present due to concerns about grant terminations and other impoundment. see: $600 million in CDC grants, just the other day.
Some of that uncertainty is still present due to concerns about grant terminations and other impoundment. see: $600 million in CDC grants, just the other day.
Not to detract from the rest of Mark's point, but a recurring theme from reporting last year I encountered was the damage done by uncertainty.
Without long term assurances, PhD offers were rescinded, new grants were scaled back at NSF & NIH. At Harvard people left before the grants came back.
Without long term assurances, PhD offers were rescinded, new grants were scaled back at NSF & NIH. At Harvard people left before the grants came back.
Quote is about the destruction wrought in science this year.
And it all happened with effectively a flat budget, without budget cuts, because science agencies have been presidentialized since Jan 2025– shifting control from the scientific community to the president.
And it all happened with effectively a flat budget, without budget cuts, because science agencies have been presidentialized since Jan 2025– shifting control from the scientific community to the president.
One Boston Children’s Hospital researcher said, “This is like asking, how do you think dropping an atomic bomb on New York City will affect the future of Broadway musicals? This is a generational loss of innovation, technology, and economic power.” www.bostonglobe.com/2026/02/09/m...
February 11, 2026 at 1:50 PM
Not to detract from the rest of Mark's point, but a recurring theme from reporting last year I encountered was the damage done by uncertainty.
Without long term assurances, PhD offers were rescinded, new grants were scaled back at NSF & NIH. At Harvard people left before the grants came back.
Without long term assurances, PhD offers were rescinded, new grants were scaled back at NSF & NIH. At Harvard people left before the grants came back.
I've taken the liberty to update your byline, Jon
February 9, 2026 at 9:58 PM
I've taken the liberty to update your byline, Jon
Reposted by Dan Garisto
This is 18-mo-old Amalia waving to me when she was detained.
She was hospitalized with a respiratory infection while at ICE’s Dilley facility for immigrant families.
She’s one of dozens of detainees who I spoke to via video and phone calls, letters and an in-person visit. 🧵1/
She was hospitalized with a respiratory infection while at ICE’s Dilley facility for immigrant families.
She’s one of dozens of detainees who I spoke to via video and phone calls, letters and an in-person visit. 🧵1/
February 9, 2026 at 11:21 AM
This is 18-mo-old Amalia waving to me when she was detained.
She was hospitalized with a respiratory infection while at ICE’s Dilley facility for immigrant families.
She’s one of dozens of detainees who I spoke to via video and phone calls, letters and an in-person visit. 🧵1/
She was hospitalized with a respiratory infection while at ICE’s Dilley facility for immigrant families.
She’s one of dozens of detainees who I spoke to via video and phone calls, letters and an in-person visit. 🧵1/
Hard to explain, but this is a very "Trump admin in 2017" move. Almost a little quaint to see this happen now.
C.I.A. World Factbook Ends Publication After 6 Decades
www.nytimes.com
February 6, 2026 at 7:22 PM
Hard to explain, but this is a very "Trump admin in 2017" move. Almost a little quaint to see this happen now.
See here:
Epstein was not particularly brilliant, but he did have a collection of science-ish interests and a whole lot of money (though he promised more than he donated and exaggerated even more than he promised). Those two facts did lead some scientists to lavish him with praise, even privately. e.g.
![To: Jeffrey Epsteinheevacatton@gmaii corn]
Cc: Corina Tamltaimmingigenlm.
From: Martin Nowak
Sent Sat 2/13/201012:56:57 PM
Subject Re:
i love it!
a biological approach to economy.
the motto is what you said some time ago:
"the financial system is alive"
i think money runs like energy through the veins
of this superorganism.
the program for commercial evolution (PCE)
or
the program for the evolution of commerce (PEC)
you are a genius!](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:jsmr7lyw5rvrpfogr2kc6c4y/bafkreibexdzqrxn5dsmhkzmrlupea5mr6ciinj2ddmmqy3i3wxvs7hrpfe@jpeg)
February 6, 2026 at 7:13 PM
See here:
Epstein was not particularly brilliant, but he did have a collection of science-ish interests and a whole lot of money (though he promised more than he donated and exaggerated even more than he promised). Those two facts did lead some scientists to lavish him with praise, even privately. e.g.
February 6, 2026 at 6:48 PM
Epstein was not particularly brilliant, but he did have a collection of science-ish interests and a whole lot of money (though he promised more than he donated and exaggerated even more than he promised). Those two facts did lead some scientists to lavish him with praise, even privately. e.g.
For more on that I would suggest: www.nytimes.com/2019/07/31/b...
Dan Vergano's recent piece: www.scientificamerican.com/article/why-...
And this old NYMag piece: nymag.com/nymetro/news...
Dan Vergano's recent piece: www.scientificamerican.com/article/why-...
And this old NYMag piece: nymag.com/nymetro/news...
Jeffrey Epstein Hoped to Seed Human Race With His DNA (Published 2019)
www.nytimes.com
February 6, 2026 at 6:48 PM
For more on that I would suggest: www.nytimes.com/2019/07/31/b...
Dan Vergano's recent piece: www.scientificamerican.com/article/why-...
And this old NYMag piece: nymag.com/nymetro/news...
Dan Vergano's recent piece: www.scientificamerican.com/article/why-...
And this old NYMag piece: nymag.com/nymetro/news...
Reposted by Dan Garisto
Wrote about getting laid off and why media workers deserve a little grace.
www.readergrev.com/p/washington...
www.readergrev.com/p/washington...
I lost my job at The Washington Post
An improbably timed defense of the media
www.readergrev.com
February 6, 2026 at 6:16 PM
Wrote about getting laid off and why media workers deserve a little grace.
www.readergrev.com/p/washington...
www.readergrev.com/p/washington...
Finally, a shoutout to the student journalists at various papers who did excellent work combing through the files and holding leading academics at their institutions accountable. We've linked to a number of their reports in our story.
February 6, 2026 at 6:17 PM
Finally, a shoutout to the student journalists at various papers who did excellent work combing through the files and holding leading academics at their institutions accountable. We've linked to a number of their reports in our story.
I also want to specifically address the issue of the wire transactions, which have led to some rumors. I spent a lot of time trying to get to the bottom of it and it seems that Tarnita's intention was for these wire transactions to be scholarships.
February 6, 2026 at 6:17 PM
I also want to specifically address the issue of the wire transactions, which have led to some rumors. I spent a lot of time trying to get to the bottom of it and it seems that Tarnita's intention was for these wire transactions to be scholarships.
Two notes:
1. There are many degrees of association. Merely being included in the files is not, in and of itself, damning.
2. Getting ahead of concerns about omission: Many scientists appear in the files; we tried to choose a reasonable and relevant sample to tell this story.
1. There are many degrees of association. Merely being included in the files is not, in and of itself, damning.
2. Getting ahead of concerns about omission: Many scientists appear in the files; we tried to choose a reasonable and relevant sample to tell this story.
February 6, 2026 at 6:17 PM
Two notes:
1. There are many degrees of association. Merely being included in the files is not, in and of itself, damning.
2. Getting ahead of concerns about omission: Many scientists appear in the files; we tried to choose a reasonable and relevant sample to tell this story.
1. There are many degrees of association. Merely being included in the files is not, in and of itself, damning.
2. Getting ahead of concerns about omission: Many scientists appear in the files; we tried to choose a reasonable and relevant sample to tell this story.
The fact that Epstein had ties to the scientific community is not news, but the enormous cache of documents released by the DOJ last week was still startling. It showed just how deeply Epstein was involved—how many were in his orbit, and how deeply involved he was with some research.
My reporting:
My reporting:
Epstein files reveal deeper ties to scientists than previously known
Latest batch of documents show researchers consulting the financier and sex offender on publications, visas and more.
www.nature.com
February 6, 2026 at 6:17 PM
The fact that Epstein had ties to the scientific community is not news, but the enormous cache of documents released by the DOJ last week was still startling. It showed just how deeply Epstein was involved—how many were in his orbit, and how deeply involved he was with some research.
My reporting:
My reporting:
Inspired me to go looking... the NYT account of ISABELLE's technical troubles is quite detailed. With hindsight knowledge of the SSC's fate it's easy to criticize the decision to scrap ISABELLE, but it's not clear to me that the sacrifice was unreasonable at the time.
TROUBLES CONTINUE FOR L.I. ACCELERATOR (Published 1981)
www.nytimes.com
February 6, 2026 at 4:22 PM
Inspired me to go looking... the NYT account of ISABELLE's technical troubles is quite detailed. With hindsight knowledge of the SSC's fate it's easy to criticize the decision to scrap ISABELLE, but it's not clear to me that the sacrifice was unreasonable at the time.
Reminds me of Adrian's elegy to the Advanced Photon Source.
A farewell to the particle accelerator that was my father’s baby
As the rebuild of the Advanced Photon Source commences, a look at the craft of building giant scientific machines
www.science.org
February 6, 2026 at 3:42 PM
Reminds me of Adrian's elegy to the Advanced Photon Source.
Great blend of personal narrative and compelling nuclear physics. Colliders like RHIC (and the EIC) are often overlooked by people focusing on the highest energies of particle physics—which I've been guilty of. A fitting final toast(ed bagel) for RHIC.
RHIC investigated the extreme conditions that followed the Big Bang and detailed the inner workings of protons. Here's my very personal story for @sciencenews.bsky.social about RHIC, and the collider that will follow it, the Electron-Ion Collider.
www.sciencenews.org/article/part...
www.sciencenews.org/article/part...
The only U.S. particle collider shuts down – so a new one may rise
The famed collider at Brookhaven National Laboratory has ended operations, but if all goes to plan, a new collider will rise from its ashes.
www.sciencenews.org
February 6, 2026 at 3:42 PM
Great blend of personal narrative and compelling nuclear physics. Colliders like RHIC (and the EIC) are often overlooked by people focusing on the highest energies of particle physics—which I've been guilty of. A fitting final toast(ed bagel) for RHIC.
Reposted by Dan Garisto
NEW: A year ago, the NIH said it would cap research-overhead costs, a change that would cost colleges billions. A ragtag group rallied behind a compromise plan—and it seems to have traction.
Here's how higher ed staved off a research-funding bloodbath (for now): www.chronicle.com/article/how-...
Here's how higher ed staved off a research-funding bloodbath (for now): www.chronicle.com/article/how-...
How Higher Ed Staved Off a Research-Funding Bloodbath — For Now
Faced with potentially losing billions, colleges rallied behind a compromise plan. It now has a thumbs-up from Congress.
www.chronicle.com
February 6, 2026 at 12:05 AM
NEW: A year ago, the NIH said it would cap research-overhead costs, a change that would cost colleges billions. A ragtag group rallied behind a compromise plan—and it seems to have traction.
Here's how higher ed staved off a research-funding bloodbath (for now): www.chronicle.com/article/how-...
Here's how higher ed staved off a research-funding bloodbath (for now): www.chronicle.com/article/how-...
The solicitation was archived last January, amid the initial Trump admin blitz. Heard rumblings this was coming back in Dec. but no clarity on when or what it would look like.
n.b. Of the currently active ~160ish awards, I count 7 that mention either AI/ML in title or abstract.
n.b. Of the currently active ~160ish awards, I count 7 that mention either AI/ML in title or abstract.
Holy shit: it's an RFP for the NSF Postdoctoral Research Fellowship in Biology (PRFB). Hello old friend www.nsf.gov/funding/oppo...
Postdoctoral Research Fellowships in Biology (PRFB)
www.nsf.gov
February 6, 2026 at 12:33 AM
The solicitation was archived last January, amid the initial Trump admin blitz. Heard rumblings this was coming back in Dec. but no clarity on when or what it would look like.
n.b. Of the currently active ~160ish awards, I count 7 that mention either AI/ML in title or abstract.
n.b. Of the currently active ~160ish awards, I count 7 that mention either AI/ML in title or abstract.