Junaid Merchant
@dingobuck.bsky.social
An epidemiology trench coat wearer who is definitely NOT a psych, cogneuro, and data scientist in disguise trying to get a job 🥸
🥼 ⚙️ 🧠 💻 🇵🇰 🎨 📈 👨🏽💻 🕺🏽 🎶
https://junaidmerchant.github.io/
🥼 ⚙️ 🧠 💻 🇵🇰 🎨 📈 👨🏽💻 🕺🏽 🎶
https://junaidmerchant.github.io/
Reposted by Junaid Merchant
"What I take from Aaron is that the best way to be truly productive on the margin, is to try to build for other people and connect them together."
September 22, 2025 at 12:09 PM
"What I take from Aaron is that the best way to be truly productive on the margin, is to try to build for other people and connect them together."
Reposted by Junaid Merchant
The New York Times piece today about US science is terrible and wrong—in many ways.
I could write a whole article about this, but as one example:
“To close observers, the original crisis began well before any of this…”
No. I’m a close observer of science, and this is incorrect.
I could write a whole article about this, but as one example:
“To close observers, the original crisis began well before any of this…”
No. I’m a close observer of science, and this is incorrect.
September 22, 2025 at 12:20 PM
The New York Times piece today about US science is terrible and wrong—in many ways.
I could write a whole article about this, but as one example:
“To close observers, the original crisis began well before any of this…”
No. I’m a close observer of science, and this is incorrect.
I could write a whole article about this, but as one example:
“To close observers, the original crisis began well before any of this…”
No. I’m a close observer of science, and this is incorrect.
Reposted by Junaid Merchant
📢 @markkho.bsky.social & I are recruiting a joint postdoc interested in computational models of social interaction & mental health
💻 Ideal candidates have experience w/ multi-player web-based experiments & computational modeling
📅 Apps are reviewed on a rolling basis
🔗 apply.interfolio.com/165809
💻 Ideal candidates have experience w/ multi-player web-based experiments & computational modeling
📅 Apps are reviewed on a rolling basis
🔗 apply.interfolio.com/165809
July 31, 2025 at 3:34 PM
📢 @markkho.bsky.social & I are recruiting a joint postdoc interested in computational models of social interaction & mental health
💻 Ideal candidates have experience w/ multi-player web-based experiments & computational modeling
📅 Apps are reviewed on a rolling basis
🔗 apply.interfolio.com/165809
💻 Ideal candidates have experience w/ multi-player web-based experiments & computational modeling
📅 Apps are reviewed on a rolling basis
🔗 apply.interfolio.com/165809
Reposted by Junaid Merchant
Current NIH worker seeking formers NIH workers and community allies. 👀👋🏻
Hey! We’re 27 uNIHted, a group of former NIH workers and community allies fighting for NIH’s mission and supporting the former and current NIH workforce. We’re new here! Wanna help out ? Fill out our volunteer interest form, link in our bio! Excited to make our blusky debut!
July 28, 2025 at 3:13 AM
Current NIH worker seeking formers NIH workers and community allies. 👀👋🏻
Reposted by Junaid Merchant
Our new paper is out in PNAS: "Evolving general cooperation with a Bayesian theory of mind"!
Humans are the ultimate cooperators. We coordinate on a scale and scope no other species (nor AI) can match. What makes this possible? 🧵
www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
Humans are the ultimate cooperators. We coordinate on a scale and scope no other species (nor AI) can match. What makes this possible? 🧵
www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
Evolving general cooperation with a Bayesian theory of mind | PNAS
Theories of the evolution of cooperation through reciprocity explain how unrelated
self-interested individuals can accomplish more together than th...
www.pnas.org
July 22, 2025 at 6:04 AM
Our new paper is out in PNAS: "Evolving general cooperation with a Bayesian theory of mind"!
Humans are the ultimate cooperators. We coordinate on a scale and scope no other species (nor AI) can match. What makes this possible? 🧵
www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
Humans are the ultimate cooperators. We coordinate on a scale and scope no other species (nor AI) can match. What makes this possible? 🧵
www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
Reposted by Junaid Merchant
Really excited to share our new preprint led by @ahmadsamara.bsky.social with Zaid Zada, @vanderlab.bsky.social, and Uri Hasson titled "Cortical language areas are coupled via a soft hierarchy of model-based linguistic features" doi.org/10.1101/2025...
June 24, 2025 at 11:25 PM
Really excited to share our new preprint led by @ahmadsamara.bsky.social with Zaid Zada, @vanderlab.bsky.social, and Uri Hasson titled "Cortical language areas are coupled via a soft hierarchy of model-based linguistic features" doi.org/10.1101/2025...
Reposted by Junaid Merchant
Biden is reportedly planning to endorse Cuomo in the Democratic primary today.
June 25, 2025 at 12:05 PM
Biden is reportedly planning to endorse Cuomo in the Democratic primary today.
Reposted by Junaid Merchant
NIH is soliciting public comments on the very thorny challenges Generative AI poses to data sharing initiatives. I hope the Open Science community will weigh in. Comments are due by July 15th.
#NIH seeks public input on responsible development of AI. This fits in well with #JSM2025 theme on AI for the greater good. Tell us what's important when developing and sharing new AI tools while upholding #FAVES principles for research.
#rstats #AIsky #statssky #hpss
grants.nih.gov/grants/guide...
#rstats #AIsky #statssky #hpss
grants.nih.gov/grants/guide...
NOT-OD-25-118: Request for Information on Responsibly Developing and Sharing Generative Artificial Intelligence Tools Using NIH Controlled Access Data
NIH Funding Opportunities and Notices in the NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts: Request for Information on Responsibly Developing and Sharing Generative Artificial Intelligence Tools Using NIH Contro...
grants.nih.gov
June 3, 2025 at 4:30 PM
NIH is soliciting public comments on the very thorny challenges Generative AI poses to data sharing initiatives. I hope the Open Science community will weigh in. Comments are due by July 15th.
Reposted by Junaid Merchant
Merchant et al. perform a meta-analytic investigation of neurocognitive systems involved in real-time social interaction doi.org/10.52294/001...
@fmri-today.bsky.social @mallarchak.bsky.social @ohbmofficial.bsky.social
@fmri-today.bsky.social @mallarchak.bsky.social @ohbmofficial.bsky.social
June 2, 2025 at 2:27 PM
Merchant et al. perform a meta-analytic investigation of neurocognitive systems involved in real-time social interaction doi.org/10.52294/001...
@fmri-today.bsky.social @mallarchak.bsky.social @ohbmofficial.bsky.social
@fmri-today.bsky.social @mallarchak.bsky.social @ohbmofficial.bsky.social
Gift article link: www.nytimes.com/2025/05/16/s...
May 22, 2025 at 4:42 PM
Gift article link: www.nytimes.com/2025/05/16/s...
Reposted by Junaid Merchant
We don’t always know what questions will change the world.
But public science has a way of answering them anyway.
Federal science funding isn’t just lines in a budget. It’s a vote for progress, for possibility.
www.nytimes.com/2025/05/16/s...
But public science has a way of answering them anyway.
Federal science funding isn’t just lines in a budget. It’s a vote for progress, for possibility.
www.nytimes.com/2025/05/16/s...
9 Federally Funded Scientific Breakthroughs That Changed Everything
www.nytimes.com
May 22, 2025 at 1:49 PM
We don’t always know what questions will change the world.
But public science has a way of answering them anyway.
Federal science funding isn’t just lines in a budget. It’s a vote for progress, for possibility.
www.nytimes.com/2025/05/16/s...
But public science has a way of answering them anyway.
Federal science funding isn’t just lines in a budget. It’s a vote for progress, for possibility.
www.nytimes.com/2025/05/16/s...
Reposted by Junaid Merchant
I’ve an essay out today on the importance of moving beyond perpetual debates about what free speech means to instead confront—in an age of billionaire control over media and universities—what free speech discourse does.
www.thenation.com/article/soci...
www.thenation.com/article/soci...
How the Rich and Powerful Destroyed Free Speech
And how we get it back.
www.thenation.com
May 16, 2025 at 12:55 PM
I’ve an essay out today on the importance of moving beyond perpetual debates about what free speech means to instead confront—in an age of billionaire control over media and universities—what free speech discourse does.
www.thenation.com/article/soci...
www.thenation.com/article/soci...
Reposted by Junaid Merchant
Ice has arrest Mayor Baraka, a candidate for NJ governor.
We have moved into the phase where they are testing whether they can arrest political opponents.
If you wondered when you should speak up, it's now. Definitely now. www.insidernj.com/baraka-arres...
We have moved into the phase where they are testing whether they can arrest political opponents.
If you wondered when you should speak up, it's now. Definitely now. www.insidernj.com/baraka-arres...
Baraka Arrested for 'Trespassing' at Controversial Immigrant Detention Facility - Insider NJ
Authorities with Homeland Securities Investigations at the ICE detention facility Delaney Hall this afternoon arrested Newark Mayor Ras Baraka
www.insidernj.com
May 9, 2025 at 8:48 PM
Ice has arrest Mayor Baraka, a candidate for NJ governor.
We have moved into the phase where they are testing whether they can arrest political opponents.
If you wondered when you should speak up, it's now. Definitely now. www.insidernj.com/baraka-arres...
We have moved into the phase where they are testing whether they can arrest political opponents.
If you wondered when you should speak up, it's now. Definitely now. www.insidernj.com/baraka-arres...
Reposted by Junaid Merchant
Once again, the country owes a debt of gratitude to those brave folks within NIH who are helping us understand the machinations behind the scenes at NIH.
/fin
/fin
a little girl is sitting on a bed and saying `` thank you you da best '' .
ALT: a little girl is sitting on a bed and saying `` thank you you da best '' .
media.tenor.com
May 8, 2025 at 12:11 PM
Once again, the country owes a debt of gratitude to those brave folks within NIH who are helping us understand the machinations behind the scenes at NIH.
/fin
/fin
Reposted by Junaid Merchant
Alert! Developmentalists & all who care about young children - the next few weeks are a critical period for federal budget development - this is an ideal time to get your voice out there on behalf of children.
I have a template you can use to write a local op-ed. It's easy - I just sent mine in.
I have a template you can use to write a local op-ed. It's easy - I just sent mine in.
May 7, 2025 at 2:01 PM
Alert! Developmentalists & all who care about young children - the next few weeks are a critical period for federal budget development - this is an ideal time to get your voice out there on behalf of children.
I have a template you can use to write a local op-ed. It's easy - I just sent mine in.
I have a template you can use to write a local op-ed. It's easy - I just sent mine in.
Reposted by Junaid Merchant
Judge Young:
A couple requests going forward:
- Please provide a list of grants actually affected (I HAVE THIS!!!)
- To HHS lawyer, "I understand gov't is against DEI. But this is about healthcare for all Americans. "Respectfully, I just don't know what [DEI] means" here. I need a definition.
A couple requests going forward:
- Please provide a list of grants actually affected (I HAVE THIS!!!)
- To HHS lawyer, "I understand gov't is against DEI. But this is about healthcare for all Americans. "Respectfully, I just don't know what [DEI] means" here. I need a definition.
May 8, 2025 at 4:24 PM
Judge Young:
A couple requests going forward:
- Please provide a list of grants actually affected (I HAVE THIS!!!)
- To HHS lawyer, "I understand gov't is against DEI. But this is about healthcare for all Americans. "Respectfully, I just don't know what [DEI] means" here. I need a definition.
A couple requests going forward:
- Please provide a list of grants actually affected (I HAVE THIS!!!)
- To HHS lawyer, "I understand gov't is against DEI. But this is about healthcare for all Americans. "Respectfully, I just don't know what [DEI] means" here. I need a definition.
Reposted by Junaid Merchant
We took a broad look at social trust in America today. With a survey of almost 37,000 people we were able to look at levels of trust across the states and even in metro areas. Check out our new report here www.pewresearch.org/SocialTrust
Americans’ Trust in One Another
Americans trust each other less than they did a few decades ago. We explore why this is, and why some are more trusting than others.
www.pewresearch.org
May 8, 2025 at 2:44 PM
We took a broad look at social trust in America today. With a survey of almost 37,000 people we were able to look at levels of trust across the states and even in metro areas. Check out our new report here www.pewresearch.org/SocialTrust
Reposted by Junaid Merchant
3/ A sweeping Israeli Channel 13 investigation has exposed the Biden administration’s complicity in Israel’s 19-month war on Gaza. Nine top Biden officials acknowledged avoiding real pressure on Israel—even as the death toll surpassed 30,000.
April 28, 2025 at 5:19 PM
3/ A sweeping Israeli Channel 13 investigation has exposed the Biden administration’s complicity in Israel’s 19-month war on Gaza. Nine top Biden officials acknowledged avoiding real pressure on Israel—even as the death toll surpassed 30,000.
Reposted by Junaid Merchant
“However bad everyone on the outside thinks it is, it is a million times worse. They’re dismantling and destroying everything.”
Read, share, respond. Call your representatives.
The health and well-being of Americans & America's innovation economy are at stake.
www.science.org/content/arti...
Read, share, respond. Call your representatives.
The health and well-being of Americans & America's innovation economy are at stake.
www.science.org/content/arti...
NIH insiders: Trump is ‘dismantling and destroying everything’
After just 100 days, agency scientists say U.S. health institutes are demoralized and have lost essential staff and funding
www.science.org
May 1, 2025 at 1:03 AM
“However bad everyone on the outside thinks it is, it is a million times worse. They’re dismantling and destroying everything.”
Read, share, respond. Call your representatives.
The health and well-being of Americans & America's innovation economy are at stake.
www.science.org/content/arti...
Read, share, respond. Call your representatives.
The health and well-being of Americans & America's innovation economy are at stake.
www.science.org/content/arti...
Reposted by Junaid Merchant
"I would not have dared to dream that metastatic melanoma would become a treatable disease in my lifetime. Yet here we are today, with 43% of people diagnosed with metastatic melanoma living 10 years or more, due to treatments that we broadly refer to as cancer immunotherapy." Barry P. Sleckman, UAB
The Senate Committee on Appropriations is holding a hearing on Biomedical Research: Keeping America’s Edge in Innovation on April 30 at 10:30am ET, chaired by Senator Susan Collins 🧪
www.appropriations.senate.gov/hearings/bio...
www.appropriations.senate.gov/hearings/bio...
Biomedical Research: Keeping America’s Edge in Innovation | United States Senate Committee on Appropriations
United States Senate Committee on Appropriations
www.appropriations.senate.gov
April 30, 2025 at 3:14 PM
"I would not have dared to dream that metastatic melanoma would become a treatable disease in my lifetime. Yet here we are today, with 43% of people diagnosed with metastatic melanoma living 10 years or more, due to treatments that we broadly refer to as cancer immunotherapy." Barry P. Sleckman, UAB
Reposted by Junaid Merchant
October 31, 2023 at 10:45 PM
Reposted by Junaid Merchant
Should statistics respect
science more? Our third speaker Gang Chen (@gangchen6.bsky.social) argues that strict adherence to statistical conventions may obscure rather than clarify, and suggest ways in which rethink about how we model our data and report our results:
science more? Our third speaker Gang Chen (@gangchen6.bsky.social) argues that strict adherence to statistical conventions may obscure rather than clarify, and suggest ways in which rethink about how we model our data and report our results:
April 25, 2025 at 4:11 PM
Should statistics respect
science more? Our third speaker Gang Chen (@gangchen6.bsky.social) argues that strict adherence to statistical conventions may obscure rather than clarify, and suggest ways in which rethink about how we model our data and report our results:
science more? Our third speaker Gang Chen (@gangchen6.bsky.social) argues that strict adherence to statistical conventions may obscure rather than clarify, and suggest ways in which rethink about how we model our data and report our results:
Reposted by Junaid Merchant
Pre-registration of Multiverse Analyses walkthrough
@johnflournoy.science
johnflournoy.science/multiverse-p...
@johnflournoy.science
johnflournoy.science/multiverse-p...
Prereg the Multiverse - Pre-registration of Multiverse Analyses
johnflournoy.science
April 25, 2025 at 4:36 PM
Pre-registration of Multiverse Analyses walkthrough
@johnflournoy.science
johnflournoy.science/multiverse-p...
@johnflournoy.science
johnflournoy.science/multiverse-p...
Reposted by Junaid Merchant
Reposted by Junaid Merchant
Cosme Lab Specification curve analysis (SCA) tutorial
dcosme.github.io/2019/06/28/s...
dcosme.github.io/2019/06/28/s...
Specification curve analysis (SCA) tutorial | DANIELLE COSME
This tutorial was presented at the University of Oregon Developmental Seminar, May 3, 2019.
The repository can be found at: https://github.com/dcosme/specification-curves/
div.grey { background-colo...
dcosme.github.io
April 25, 2025 at 4:34 PM
Cosme Lab Specification curve analysis (SCA) tutorial
dcosme.github.io/2019/06/28/s...
dcosme.github.io/2019/06/28/s...