David R. Martinez
@davidmartinez.bsky.social
Assistant Professor of Immunobiology and Microbial Pathogenesis at Yale School of Medicine. Hanna H. Gray Faculty Fellow of the HHMI. Scientist. Husband/Dad. Viral pathogenesis. Vaccines. Immunobiology. Above all, be kind.
Pinned
Challenges for developing broad-based mucosal vaccines for respiratory viruses - Nature Biotechnology
Nature Biotechnology - Challenges for developing broad-based mucosal vaccines for respiratory viruses
www.nature.com
Our article is now out in Nature Biotechnology.
Here we outline challenges for developing broad-based mucosal vaccines for respiratory viruses. Check it out!
Congrats to Junghwa and Jordan from my lab and to other co-authors!
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Here we outline challenges for developing broad-based mucosal vaccines for respiratory viruses. Check it out!
Congrats to Junghwa and Jordan from my lab and to other co-authors!
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Reposted by David R. Martinez
Wow. Harvard nuking its PhD programs
- Science PhD admissions reduced by more than 75%
- Arts & Humanities reduced by about 60%
- Social Sciences by 50–70%
- History by 60%
- Biology by 75%
- The German department will lose all PhD seats
- Sociology from six PhD students to zero
- Science PhD admissions reduced by more than 75%
- Arts & Humanities reduced by about 60%
- Social Sciences by 50–70%
- History by 60%
- Biology by 75%
- The German department will lose all PhD seats
- Sociology from six PhD students to zero
Harvard FAS Cuts Ph.D. Seats By More Than Half Across Next Two Admissions Cycles | News | The Harvard Crimson
The Faculty of Arts and Sciences slashed the number of Ph.D. student admissions slots for the Science division by more than 75 percent and for the Arts & Humanities division by about 60 percent for th...
www.thecrimson.com
October 21, 2025 at 5:11 PM
Wow. Harvard nuking its PhD programs
- Science PhD admissions reduced by more than 75%
- Arts & Humanities reduced by about 60%
- Social Sciences by 50–70%
- History by 60%
- Biology by 75%
- The German department will lose all PhD seats
- Sociology from six PhD students to zero
- Science PhD admissions reduced by more than 75%
- Arts & Humanities reduced by about 60%
- Social Sciences by 50–70%
- History by 60%
- Biology by 75%
- The German department will lose all PhD seats
- Sociology from six PhD students to zero
Reposted by David R. Martinez
The first locally acquired case of chikungunya in the US since 2019 has been reported on Long Island
October 16, 2025 at 1:42 PM
The first locally acquired case of chikungunya in the US since 2019 has been reported on Long Island
Reposted by David R. Martinez
ICYMI: Our Sept Fellows Spotlight features Dr. David Martinez @davidmartinez.bsky.social (@yaleschoolofmed.bsky.social) and his work on #InfectiousDisease, #DengueVirus & #COVIDVaccines. Learn more + apply to be a #KSFellow! 🔗 keypoint.keystonesymposia.org/home/septemb...
#KeystoneSymposia
#KeystoneSymposia
September Fellow's Spotlight on Dr. David Martinez
Our September Fellows Spotlight goes to Keystone Symposia Fellow Dr. David Martinez of Yale Medical School who played a critical role in research and development of the COVID-19 vaccines and antibody ...
keypoint.keystonesymposia.org
October 9, 2025 at 4:44 PM
ICYMI: Our Sept Fellows Spotlight features Dr. David Martinez @davidmartinez.bsky.social (@yaleschoolofmed.bsky.social) and his work on #InfectiousDisease, #DengueVirus & #COVIDVaccines. Learn more + apply to be a #KSFellow! 🔗 keypoint.keystonesymposia.org/home/septemb...
#KeystoneSymposia
#KeystoneSymposia
Reposted by David R. Martinez
Dear #microbiology and #immunology community- I took a break from social media after I deleted my Twitter account, but am back here. Please help me rebuild my community by following me and amplifying this message- I will follow you back. Thank you and I look forward to our many interactions!
October 5, 2025 at 4:10 PM
Dear #microbiology and #immunology community- I took a break from social media after I deleted my Twitter account, but am back here. Please help me rebuild my community by following me and amplifying this message- I will follow you back. Thank you and I look forward to our many interactions!
Reposted by David R. Martinez
UChicago Microbiology is searching for tenured or tenure-track faculty working in host-pathogens interactions, viral and bacterial pathogenesis, and emerging infectious diseases. Come join our vibrant Department! microbiology.uchicago.edu
Apply here apply.interfolio.com/174404
Apply here apply.interfolio.com/174404
Department of Microbiology | The University of Chicago
microbiology.uchicago.edu
October 6, 2025 at 5:32 PM
UChicago Microbiology is searching for tenured or tenure-track faculty working in host-pathogens interactions, viral and bacterial pathogenesis, and emerging infectious diseases. Come join our vibrant Department! microbiology.uchicago.edu
Apply here apply.interfolio.com/174404
Apply here apply.interfolio.com/174404
Reposted by David R. Martinez
Happy to announce the publication using advanced models to understand how T cells mediate efficient immunoediting in early sarcomas.
This was a collaboration between Julie Cheung and Brian Hunt
in the lab
Thanks to Cancer Cell for publishing our work.
www.cell.com/cancer-cell/...
This was a collaboration between Julie Cheung and Brian Hunt
in the lab
Thanks to Cancer Cell for publishing our work.
www.cell.com/cancer-cell/...
Distinct T cell functions enable efficient immunoediting and prevent tumor emergence of developing sarcomas
Cheung et al. describe efficient T cell control of nascent neoantigen+ and nearby
neoantigen-negative sarcoma cells, underlying a ∼50% reduction in tumor penetrance.
This otherwise imperceptible immun...
www.cell.com
October 2, 2025 at 4:50 PM
Happy to announce the publication using advanced models to understand how T cells mediate efficient immunoediting in early sarcomas.
This was a collaboration between Julie Cheung and Brian Hunt
in the lab
Thanks to Cancer Cell for publishing our work.
www.cell.com/cancer-cell/...
This was a collaboration between Julie Cheung and Brian Hunt
in the lab
Thanks to Cancer Cell for publishing our work.
www.cell.com/cancer-cell/...
Reposted by David R. Martinez
NEW: In an unprecedented move, the NIH will soon disinvite dozens of scientists about to take positions on advisory councils that make final decisions on grant funding.
NIH staff were told to select others aligned with the Trump administration and told to expect placements by political appointees.
NIH staff were told to select others aligned with the Trump administration and told to expect placements by political appointees.
Exclusive: NIH to dismiss dozens of grant reviewers to align with Trump priorities
The move would undo years of work, leaving advisory councils understaffed, and without the full expertise needed for reviews.
www.nature.com
July 14, 2025 at 11:25 PM
NEW: In an unprecedented move, the NIH will soon disinvite dozens of scientists about to take positions on advisory councils that make final decisions on grant funding.
NIH staff were told to select others aligned with the Trump administration and told to expect placements by political appointees.
NIH staff were told to select others aligned with the Trump administration and told to expect placements by political appointees.
Reposted by David R. Martinez
"No vaccine was tested more extensively than the RNA vaccines, and no vaccine was given to more people than the mRNA vaccines, & they were found to be incredibly safe...and effective. They saved 20 million lives, & they stopped a pandemic that was shutting down the world."
-Drew Weissman
-Drew Weissman
Winner of mRNA Nobel Prize says ACIP member’s claim that Covid vaccines persist is “absolutely impossible”
In Q&A, Drew Weissman says vast literature shows Covid shots are safe, refutes claims from Retsef Levi
www.statnews.com/2025/09/20/d...
In Q&A, Drew Weissman says vast literature shows Covid shots are safe, refutes claims from Retsef Levi
www.statnews.com/2025/09/20/d...
Winner of mRNA Nobel Prize says ACIP member’s claim that Covid vaccines persist is “absolutely impossible”
In a Q&A with STAT, Nobel winner Drew Weissman addressed concerns raised about Covid shots at a recent meeting of federal vaccine advisers.
www.statnews.com
September 20, 2025 at 3:23 PM
"No vaccine was tested more extensively than the RNA vaccines, and no vaccine was given to more people than the mRNA vaccines, & they were found to be incredibly safe...and effective. They saved 20 million lives, & they stopped a pandemic that was shutting down the world."
-Drew Weissman
-Drew Weissman
Reposted by David R. Martinez
The problem with believing vaccines are dangerous is that by the time you realize you’re wrong, it’s too late and someone you love dies of a preventable disease.
Florida is about to find this out the hard way.
Florida is about to find this out the hard way.
September 4, 2025 at 8:15 PM
The problem with believing vaccines are dangerous is that by the time you realize you’re wrong, it’s too late and someone you love dies of a preventable disease.
Florida is about to find this out the hard way.
Florida is about to find this out the hard way.
Reposted by David R. Martinez
RFK Jr. rolled out that old chestnut again about how healthy Americans were in the 60’s, so here’s a fact check.
In 1965:
-42% of American adults smoked; it’s 11% now.
-The infant morality rate was 24.7/1000; it’s 5.6/1000 now.
-Overall life expectancy was 70 years; it's about 77 years now.
In 1965:
-42% of American adults smoked; it’s 11% now.
-The infant morality rate was 24.7/1000; it’s 5.6/1000 now.
-Overall life expectancy was 70 years; it's about 77 years now.
September 4, 2025 at 6:46 PM
RFK Jr. rolled out that old chestnut again about how healthy Americans were in the 60’s, so here’s a fact check.
In 1965:
-42% of American adults smoked; it’s 11% now.
-The infant morality rate was 24.7/1000; it’s 5.6/1000 now.
-Overall life expectancy was 70 years; it's about 77 years now.
In 1965:
-42% of American adults smoked; it’s 11% now.
-The infant morality rate was 24.7/1000; it’s 5.6/1000 now.
-Overall life expectancy was 70 years; it's about 77 years now.
Reposted by David R. Martinez
A bizarre dogma has emerged among the anti-mRNA crowd that the only data we have on vaccines is from the original trial papers, rather than the HUGE volume of studies that came out subsequently...
... then an avalanche showing effectiveness vs hospitalisation, vs critical care, vs death, for subgroups, different variants, different vaccines, over time. These are UK only - knock yourself out.
That first study was just designed to check it worked safely vs cases.
www.gov.uk/guidance/mon...
That first study was just designed to check it worked safely vs cases.
www.gov.uk/guidance/mon...
Monitoring reports of the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccination
Data on the real-world efficacy of the COVID-19 vaccines.
www.gov.uk
September 2, 2025 at 8:35 PM
A bizarre dogma has emerged among the anti-mRNA crowd that the only data we have on vaccines is from the original trial papers, rather than the HUGE volume of studies that came out subsequently...
Reposted by David R. Martinez
🚨New Paper in Cell 🧵🔎
Happy to share our work led by the @camilahcoelho.bsky.social, on mAbs against mpox.
We were very excited (and lucky!) to contribute to this collab. effort.
🦠“Human monoclonal antibodies targeting A35 protect from death caused by mpox”🦠
doi.org/10.1016/j.cell.2025.08.004
Happy to share our work led by the @camilahcoelho.bsky.social, on mAbs against mpox.
We were very excited (and lucky!) to contribute to this collab. effort.
🦠“Human monoclonal antibodies targeting A35 protect from death caused by mpox”🦠
doi.org/10.1016/j.cell.2025.08.004
August 26, 2025 at 3:55 PM
🚨New Paper in Cell 🧵🔎
Happy to share our work led by the @camilahcoelho.bsky.social, on mAbs against mpox.
We were very excited (and lucky!) to contribute to this collab. effort.
🦠“Human monoclonal antibodies targeting A35 protect from death caused by mpox”🦠
doi.org/10.1016/j.cell.2025.08.004
Happy to share our work led by the @camilahcoelho.bsky.social, on mAbs against mpox.
We were very excited (and lucky!) to contribute to this collab. effort.
🦠“Human monoclonal antibodies targeting A35 protect from death caused by mpox”🦠
doi.org/10.1016/j.cell.2025.08.004
Reposted by David R. Martinez
🚨 New Publication!!!
I’m thrilled to share our latest study, “Clonotype-Enriched Somatic Hypermutations Drive Affinity Maturation of a Public Human Antibody Targeting an Occluded Sarbecovirus Epitope”.
www.cell.com/cell-reports... [1/4]
I’m thrilled to share our latest study, “Clonotype-Enriched Somatic Hypermutations Drive Affinity Maturation of a Public Human Antibody Targeting an Occluded Sarbecovirus Epitope”.
www.cell.com/cell-reports... [1/4]
Clonotype-enriched somatic hypermutations drive affinity maturation of a public human antibody targeting an occluded sarbecovirus epitope
Rao et al. demonstrate that convergent somatic hypermutations in the light chain,
enriched within a sarbecovirus-specific public antibody clonotype, drive affinity
maturation. This antibody targets a ...
www.cell.com
August 12, 2025 at 6:52 PM
🚨 New Publication!!!
I’m thrilled to share our latest study, “Clonotype-Enriched Somatic Hypermutations Drive Affinity Maturation of a Public Human Antibody Targeting an Occluded Sarbecovirus Epitope”.
www.cell.com/cell-reports... [1/4]
I’m thrilled to share our latest study, “Clonotype-Enriched Somatic Hypermutations Drive Affinity Maturation of a Public Human Antibody Targeting an Occluded Sarbecovirus Epitope”.
www.cell.com/cell-reports... [1/4]
Reposted by David R. Martinez
Nature: Cancelling mRNA studies is the highest irresponsibility
go.nature.com/3HDx4wD
cc Jay Bhattacharya
go.nature.com/3HDx4wD
cc Jay Bhattacharya
August 15, 2025 at 8:21 PM
Nature: Cancelling mRNA studies is the highest irresponsibility
go.nature.com/3HDx4wD
cc Jay Bhattacharya
go.nature.com/3HDx4wD
cc Jay Bhattacharya
America Is Abandoning One of the Greatest Medical Breakthroughs www.nytimes.com/2025/08/18/o...
Opinion | America Is Abandoning One of the Greatest Medical Breakthroughs
www.nytimes.com
August 19, 2025 at 1:04 AM
America Is Abandoning One of the Greatest Medical Breakthroughs www.nytimes.com/2025/08/18/o...
Reposted by David R. Martinez
To have this paper appear the same day that RFK Jr is canceling all mRNA vaccine funding is further indication that irony is not dead, even though we might all be soon.
August 6, 2025 at 12:35 AM
To have this paper appear the same day that RFK Jr is canceling all mRNA vaccine funding is further indication that irony is not dead, even though we might all be soon.
Reposted by David R. Martinez
A 33-year-old ex-Marine police officer was shot at the CDC by someone who believed he was hurt by the Covid vaccine. The policeman was a father of two with another baby on the way --->
www.nytimes.com/2025/08/09/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/08/09/u...
Gunman in Deadly C.D.C. Shooting Fixated on Covid Vaccine, Officials Say
www.nytimes.com
August 9, 2025 at 8:08 PM
A 33-year-old ex-Marine police officer was shot at the CDC by someone who believed he was hurt by the Covid vaccine. The policeman was a father of two with another baby on the way --->
www.nytimes.com/2025/08/09/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/08/09/u...
Reposted by David R. Martinez
So proud of Celeste Robles @celeste-robles.bsky.social for being selected as a 2025 Gilliam Fellow! Thrilled to be joining the Gilliam community @hhmi.org
www.hhmi.org/programs/gil...
www.hhmi.org/programs/gil...
August 8, 2025 at 5:56 PM
So proud of Celeste Robles @celeste-robles.bsky.social for being selected as a 2025 Gilliam Fellow! Thrilled to be joining the Gilliam community @hhmi.org
www.hhmi.org/programs/gil...
www.hhmi.org/programs/gil...
Beaming with pride that Jordan Polster, a student in my lab at Yale, was selected for the #Gilliam #Fellowship from @hhmi.org
I look forward to mentoring Jordan and participating in the various mentorship workshops.
Jordan - congrats! And I can’t wait to see your research advance!
I look forward to mentoring Jordan and participating in the various mentorship workshops.
Jordan - congrats! And I can’t wait to see your research advance!
August 7, 2025 at 3:02 PM
Beaming with pride that Jordan Polster, a student in my lab at Yale, was selected for the #Gilliam #Fellowship from @hhmi.org
I look forward to mentoring Jordan and participating in the various mentorship workshops.
Jordan - congrats! And I can’t wait to see your research advance!
I look forward to mentoring Jordan and participating in the various mentorship workshops.
Jordan - congrats! And I can’t wait to see your research advance!
Reposted by David R. Martinez
Congratulations 2025 Gilliam Fellows and Advisors! 🎉
The Gilliam Fellows Program launches promising PhD students into impactful scientific research careers while fostering inclusive training environments.
Through this program, HHMI supports both graduate students and their faculty thesis advisors.
The Gilliam Fellows Program launches promising PhD students into impactful scientific research careers while fostering inclusive training environments.
Through this program, HHMI supports both graduate students and their faculty thesis advisors.
August 7, 2025 at 1:05 PM
Congratulations 2025 Gilliam Fellows and Advisors! 🎉
The Gilliam Fellows Program launches promising PhD students into impactful scientific research careers while fostering inclusive training environments.
Through this program, HHMI supports both graduate students and their faculty thesis advisors.
The Gilliam Fellows Program launches promising PhD students into impactful scientific research careers while fostering inclusive training environments.
Through this program, HHMI supports both graduate students and their faculty thesis advisors.
Reposted by David R. Martinez
BIG NEWS:
“Senate appropriators on Thursday approved an FY26 Labor-HHS bill that included a slight bump in funding for the NIH, with a strong 26–3 bipartisan vote.”
Thank you to members of the Senate Appropriations Committee on both sides of the aisle!
www.axios.com/pro/health-c...
“Senate appropriators on Thursday approved an FY26 Labor-HHS bill that included a slight bump in funding for the NIH, with a strong 26–3 bipartisan vote.”
Thank you to members of the Senate Appropriations Committee on both sides of the aisle!
www.axios.com/pro/health-c...
Senate appropriators approve Labor-HHS bill with NIH bump
The vote and lawmaker comments show that most senators aren't going along with the White House's proposed 40% budget cut to NIH.
www.axios.com
July 31, 2025 at 6:48 PM
BIG NEWS:
“Senate appropriators on Thursday approved an FY26 Labor-HHS bill that included a slight bump in funding for the NIH, with a strong 26–3 bipartisan vote.”
Thank you to members of the Senate Appropriations Committee on both sides of the aisle!
www.axios.com/pro/health-c...
“Senate appropriators on Thursday approved an FY26 Labor-HHS bill that included a slight bump in funding for the NIH, with a strong 26–3 bipartisan vote.”
Thank you to members of the Senate Appropriations Committee on both sides of the aisle!
www.axios.com/pro/health-c...
Reposted by David R. Martinez
The NIH budget will INCREASE by $400 million — not slashed by 40%, as Trump proposed — according to a proposal by Senate appropriators, says Sen Murray.
"Some have asked if there will even be an NIH by [2029]. The commmittee's resounding message is yes—Congress has your back", she says.
"Some have asked if there will even be an NIH by [2029]. The commmittee's resounding message is yes—Congress has your back", she says.
July 31, 2025 at 1:53 PM
The NIH budget will INCREASE by $400 million — not slashed by 40%, as Trump proposed — according to a proposal by Senate appropriators, says Sen Murray.
"Some have asked if there will even be an NIH by [2029]. The commmittee's resounding message is yes—Congress has your back", she says.
"Some have asked if there will even be an NIH by [2029]. The commmittee's resounding message is yes—Congress has your back", she says.
Reposted by David R. Martinez
In preparation of today's mark-up of the NIH appropriations bill in the Senate and other activities, I sent this note to Senator Susan Collins' office.
1/2
1/2
July 31, 2025 at 12:58 PM
In preparation of today's mark-up of the NIH appropriations bill in the Senate and other activities, I sent this note to Senator Susan Collins' office.
1/2
1/2
Reposted by David R. Martinez
Extra kudos and thanks to all the staff at NIH and NSF and other federal funding agencies for working extra hard in very small windows of opportunity to get grants reviewed and funds released before the attention-addled federal policies change again (on an hourly basis).
July 30, 2025 at 8:41 PM
Extra kudos and thanks to all the staff at NIH and NSF and other federal funding agencies for working extra hard in very small windows of opportunity to get grants reviewed and funds released before the attention-addled federal policies change again (on an hourly basis).
Reposted by David R. Martinez
Breaking News: Brown University was said to have reached a deal with the Trump administration to restore federal funding. nyti.ms/459nQzY
July 30, 2025 at 8:54 PM
Breaking News: Brown University was said to have reached a deal with the Trump administration to restore federal funding. nyti.ms/459nQzY