Erika Versalovic
@erikaversa.bsky.social
Neuroethics Research Fellow in the Brain Bioethics Lab @ MGH | 💬qualitative research 🧠neurostim 📚philosophy doctor
In search of what care looks like in systems that make it hard.
Views my own.
In search of what care looks like in systems that make it hard.
Views my own.
5min overview of Alondra Nelson's book 'Body and Soul: The Black Panther Party and the Fight Against Medical Discrimination':
www.publichealth.columbia.edu/news/black-p...
www.publichealth.columbia.edu/news/black-p...
The Black Panther Party Stands for Health
In her recent Super Bowl halftime show, Beyoncé, flanked by dancers in black leather and berets, paid tribute to the Black Panther Party, raising the ire of conservatives who associate the Panthers wi...
www.publichealth.columbia.edu
November 19, 2025 at 4:26 PM
5min overview of Alondra Nelson's book 'Body and Soul: The Black Panther Party and the Fight Against Medical Discrimination':
www.publichealth.columbia.edu/news/black-p...
www.publichealth.columbia.edu/news/black-p...
like let's be worried already w the ways our data are aggregated to be predictive & manipulative, not just when we add electrodes to the picture
and also 2025 has left me particularly weary of "new rights" talk when we can't protect the ones we already established
and also 2025 has left me particularly weary of "new rights" talk when we can't protect the ones we already established
fwiw i'm in this camp on the are-neurorights-unique Q: "We leave behind reams of revealing data wherever we go. Our computer cameras can capture our heart rates and make medical diagnoses. Adding neural data on top of this might not constitute such an immense shift."
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/14/m...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/14/m...
Big Tech Wants Direct Access to Our Brains
www.nytimes.com
November 19, 2025 at 4:08 PM
like let's be worried already w the ways our data are aggregated to be predictive & manipulative, not just when we add electrodes to the picture
and also 2025 has left me particularly weary of "new rights" talk when we can't protect the ones we already established
and also 2025 has left me particularly weary of "new rights" talk when we can't protect the ones we already established
fwiw i'm in this camp on the are-neurorights-unique Q: "We leave behind reams of revealing data wherever we go. Our computer cameras can capture our heart rates and make medical diagnoses. Adding neural data on top of this might not constitute such an immense shift."
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/14/m...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/14/m...
Big Tech Wants Direct Access to Our Brains
www.nytimes.com
November 19, 2025 at 4:01 PM
fwiw i'm in this camp on the are-neurorights-unique Q: "We leave behind reams of revealing data wherever we go. Our computer cameras can capture our heart rates and make medical diagnoses. Adding neural data on top of this might not constitute such an immense shift."
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/14/m...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/14/m...
okay but rt we do need to have a conversation of whether the kind of equality we want is one where we have equal access to targeted & often manipulative advertising
"Sperm testing is fine, but not egg tests. Meta classes erectile dysfunction as a health condition, yet allows adverts for treatments. Meanwhile, it has repeatedly blocked adverts and posts about a product which helps boost women’s libido."
www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home...
www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home...
‘We are being erased’: Meta accused of ‘silencing’ adverts on women’s health
Companies claim posts about pregnancy, menopause and infertility are being blocked on online platforms while adverts for men’s health issues thrive
www.independent.co.uk
November 10, 2025 at 5:25 PM
okay but rt we do need to have a conversation of whether the kind of equality we want is one where we have equal access to targeted & often manipulative advertising
"Sperm testing is fine, but not egg tests. Meta classes erectile dysfunction as a health condition, yet allows adverts for treatments. Meanwhile, it has repeatedly blocked adverts and posts about a product which helps boost women’s libido."
www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home...
www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home...
‘We are being erased’: Meta accused of ‘silencing’ adverts on women’s health
Companies claim posts about pregnancy, menopause and infertility are being blocked on online platforms while adverts for men’s health issues thrive
www.independent.co.uk
November 10, 2025 at 5:18 PM
"Sperm testing is fine, but not egg tests. Meta classes erectile dysfunction as a health condition, yet allows adverts for treatments. Meanwhile, it has repeatedly blocked adverts and posts about a product which helps boost women’s libido."
www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home...
www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home...
mmm apparently insurers "must share in the responsibility of identifying timely and geographically accessible providers"?aka if you call your insurance agent and demand a 'care manager,' they just might help you set up an appointment OR ELSE?
You pay a monthly premium to access a network of health providers. But call the numbers in your provider directory, and you’re bound to find ones who can’t — or won’t — see you.
These errors are at the heart of a ghost network. Here's what you can do to navigate one ⤵️
These errors are at the heart of a ghost network. Here's what you can do to navigate one ⤵️
June 2, 2025 at 9:40 PM
mmm apparently insurers "must share in the responsibility of identifying timely and geographically accessible providers"?aka if you call your insurance agent and demand a 'care manager,' they just might help you set up an appointment OR ELSE?
For anyone wondering what my postdoc focuses on, Unexplainable did a great primer on post-trial care gaps for neurotech trials!
Thank you @hooliwho.bsky.social @vox.com for helping me explain my work to my mom.
www.vox.com/unexplainabl...
Thank you @hooliwho.bsky.social @vox.com for helping me explain my work to my mom.
www.vox.com/unexplainabl...
Sorry, we left an implant in your brain
What happens if you get a life-changing device implanted…and the company that maintains it goes bankrupt?
www.vox.com
May 28, 2025 at 8:14 PM
For anyone wondering what my postdoc focuses on, Unexplainable did a great primer on post-trial care gaps for neurotech trials!
Thank you @hooliwho.bsky.social @vox.com for helping me explain my work to my mom.
www.vox.com/unexplainabl...
Thank you @hooliwho.bsky.social @vox.com for helping me explain my work to my mom.
www.vox.com/unexplainabl...
Reposted by Erika Versalovic
A new Datahound data stroll
Examination of gaps in NIH funding including as a function of PI gender.
I have been working on this for a while and want to share it even in the midst of all the other insanity today.
Examination of gaps in NIH funding including as a function of PI gender.
I have been working on this for a while and want to share it even in the midst of all the other insanity today.
a white dog wearing a black collar is running on the ground
ALT: a white dog wearing a black collar is running on the ground
media.tenor.com
April 21, 2025 at 7:45 PM
A new Datahound data stroll
Examination of gaps in NIH funding including as a function of PI gender.
I have been working on this for a while and want to share it even in the midst of all the other insanity today.
Examination of gaps in NIH funding including as a function of PI gender.
I have been working on this for a while and want to share it even in the midst of all the other insanity today.
Reposted by Erika Versalovic
🧪 Our Terminated NSF Grant Tracker is live 🧪
🔴 114 NSF grants listed so far
🔴 Cancelled grants focused on
→ Training scientists
→ Misinformation
→ AI
→ Climate change
Credit to @noamross.net for all the work to build this & to all PIs who submitted their info.
Link: airtable.com/appGKlSVeXni...
🔴 114 NSF grants listed so far
🔴 Cancelled grants focused on
→ Training scientists
→ Misinformation
→ AI
→ Climate change
Credit to @noamross.net for all the work to build this & to all PIs who submitted their info.
Link: airtable.com/appGKlSVeXni...
April 21, 2025 at 7:59 PM
🧪 Our Terminated NSF Grant Tracker is live 🧪
🔴 114 NSF grants listed so far
🔴 Cancelled grants focused on
→ Training scientists
→ Misinformation
→ AI
→ Climate change
Credit to @noamross.net for all the work to build this & to all PIs who submitted their info.
Link: airtable.com/appGKlSVeXni...
🔴 114 NSF grants listed so far
🔴 Cancelled grants focused on
→ Training scientists
→ Misinformation
→ AI
→ Climate change
Credit to @noamross.net for all the work to build this & to all PIs who submitted their info.
Link: airtable.com/appGKlSVeXni...
Reposted by Erika Versalovic
The latest NIH grant chaos:
NIH apparently sent stop-work orders to all *97* MARC and U-RISE programs in the country.
These programs support underrepresented undergrads interested in health research careers.
MARC dates to 1977. Over 48 years, the programs have supported thousands of students.
NIH apparently sent stop-work orders to all *97* MARC and U-RISE programs in the country.
These programs support underrepresented undergrads interested in health research careers.
MARC dates to 1977. Over 48 years, the programs have supported thousands of students.
New this evening (3/28): Major update in NIH grant termination numbers.
❌ 695 NIH grants now terminated (up from 429)
❌ 232 on HIV/AIDS
❌ 44 on cancer
❌ 28 on Alzheimer's
❌ 123 on Covid*
*And this doesn't count cancelled non-NIH Covid grants.
HUGE THANKS to @noamross.net for pushing the updates!
❌ 695 NIH grants now terminated (up from 429)
❌ 232 on HIV/AIDS
❌ 44 on cancer
❌ 28 on Alzheimer's
❌ 123 on Covid*
*And this doesn't count cancelled non-NIH Covid grants.
HUGE THANKS to @noamross.net for pushing the updates!
Airtable | Everyone's app platform
Airtable is a low-code platform for building collaborative apps. Customize your workflow, collaborate, and achieve ambitious outcomes. Get started for free.
airtable.com
March 31, 2025 at 2:32 PM
The latest NIH grant chaos:
NIH apparently sent stop-work orders to all *97* MARC and U-RISE programs in the country.
These programs support underrepresented undergrads interested in health research careers.
MARC dates to 1977. Over 48 years, the programs have supported thousands of students.
NIH apparently sent stop-work orders to all *97* MARC and U-RISE programs in the country.
These programs support underrepresented undergrads interested in health research careers.
MARC dates to 1977. Over 48 years, the programs have supported thousands of students.
Reposted by Erika Versalovic
Finally got the notice. Very sad day for the MOSAIC program that supported some of the most amazing scientists I know, as well as some of the awesome people on my lab.
April 2, 2025 at 6:10 PM
Finally got the notice. Very sad day for the MOSAIC program that supported some of the most amazing scientists I know, as well as some of the awesome people on my lab.
Reposted by Erika Versalovic
NEW: Researchers have sued the NIH and HHS, alleging that they have engaged in a "reckless and illegal purge to stamp out NIH-funded research that addresses topics and populations that they disfavor" by terminating hundreds of grants, violating the APA, Fifth Amendment and the Separation of Powers.
storage.courtlistener.com
April 2, 2025 at 6:59 PM
NEW: Researchers have sued the NIH and HHS, alleging that they have engaged in a "reckless and illegal purge to stamp out NIH-funded research that addresses topics and populations that they disfavor" by terminating hundreds of grants, violating the APA, Fifth Amendment and the Separation of Powers.
Reposted by Erika Versalovic
I'm looking for examples of NLP/ML papers that include interview studies with small sample sizes. Any ideas?
I know of these two papers:
↳
I know of these two papers:
↳
Reviewer Critiques (Qualitative Methods) and How to Respond to Them
Reviewer Critiques (Qualitative Methods) and How to Respond to Them Author: Jessica Vitak (+ anyone who adds to the document) About This Document (and a disclaimer) Reviewing is a highly subjective pr...
docs.google.com
March 30, 2025 at 2:43 PM
I'm looking for examples of NLP/ML papers that include interview studies with small sample sizes. Any ideas?
I know of these two papers:
↳
I know of these two papers:
↳
Reposted by Erika Versalovic
There's some obvious tension between the pieces from @epopppp.bsky.social and me. But there's actually a lot of agreement. My argument is for the wealthiest schools to use endowments to backstop cuts as part of a strategy for fighting back that includes litigation and mobilizing powerful alumni. 1/n
I don’t really understand whether the high-endowment academic institutions can absorb these Trump Admin hits or not.
Here’s @charlieeaton.bsky.social:
www.nytimes.com/2025/03/25/o...
But this was the opposite from @epopppp.bsky.social:
donmoynihan.substack.com/p/no-univers...
Here’s @charlieeaton.bsky.social:
www.nytimes.com/2025/03/25/o...
But this was the opposite from @epopppp.bsky.social:
donmoynihan.substack.com/p/no-univers...
Opinion | Universities Can Afford to Fight Trump
Every university president will face a choice similar to Columbia University’s in the coming months.
www.nytimes.com
March 26, 2025 at 4:48 PM
There's some obvious tension between the pieces from @epopppp.bsky.social and me. But there's actually a lot of agreement. My argument is for the wealthiest schools to use endowments to backstop cuts as part of a strategy for fighting back that includes litigation and mobilizing powerful alumni. 1/n
Reposted by Erika Versalovic
1. Huge! Texas A&M's drag ban is blocked. A&M argued that Trump's recent EO on trans people mandated a drag ban, and also argued that drag is obscene.
A Bush-appointed judge replied that Trump's EOs "cannot override the first amendment," and that drag is art.
Subscribe to support my journalism.
A Bush-appointed judge replied that Trump's EOs "cannot override the first amendment," and that drag is art.
Subscribe to support my journalism.
Judge Blocks Texas A&M Drag Ban: Trump Executive Orders "Cannot Override" First Amendment
The Texas A&M Board banned an LGBTQ+ group from holding a drag event on campus. A federal judge has ruled they must be allowed to proceed with the event.
www.erininthemorning.com
March 24, 2025 at 6:12 PM
1. Huge! Texas A&M's drag ban is blocked. A&M argued that Trump's recent EO on trans people mandated a drag ban, and also argued that drag is obscene.
A Bush-appointed judge replied that Trump's EOs "cannot override the first amendment," and that drag is art.
Subscribe to support my journalism.
A Bush-appointed judge replied that Trump's EOs "cannot override the first amendment," and that drag is art.
Subscribe to support my journalism.
Terminated grant tracker shows 369 so far. Can filter by type (vaccine-related, race and DEI, gender/LGBTQ, HIV-related, Columbia, cancer, training...).
Using the same dataset, we also launched an Airtable database to enable deeper analysis
With the Airtable, you can:
✅ Sort grants by type, location, and subject matter
✅ Review grants details aggregated from several sources
✅ Search grants for specific flagged words the admin is trying to purge
2/
With the Airtable, you can:
✅ Sort grants by type, location, and subject matter
✅ Review grants details aggregated from several sources
✅ Search grants for specific flagged words the admin is trying to purge
2/
Airtable | Everyone's app platform
Airtable is a low-code platform for building collaborative apps. Customize your workflow, collaborate, and achieve ambitious outcomes. Get started for free.
airtable.com
March 24, 2025 at 6:29 PM
Terminated grant tracker shows 369 so far. Can filter by type (vaccine-related, race and DEI, gender/LGBTQ, HIV-related, Columbia, cancer, training...).
CDC data compiled from death certificates shows that the rate of maternal deaths in Texas rose 33% between 2019 and 2023 even as the national rate fell by 7.5%.
The stakes & fears of building a family in the place I love rise and rise and rise.
The stakes & fears of building a family in the place I love rise and rise and rise.
Dozens more pregnant and postpartum women have died in Texas hospitals since the state banned abortion, our analysis shows.
As the maternal mortality rate dropped nationally, it rose in Texas by 33%.
As the maternal mortality rate dropped nationally, it rose in Texas by 33%.
Texas Banned Abortion. Then Sepsis Rates Soared.
ProPublica’s first-of-its-kind analysis is the most detailed look yet into a rise in life-threatening complications for women experiencing pregnancy loss under Texas’ abortion ban.
propub.li
March 24, 2025 at 6:22 PM
CDC data compiled from death certificates shows that the rate of maternal deaths in Texas rose 33% between 2019 and 2023 even as the national rate fell by 7.5%.
The stakes & fears of building a family in the place I love rise and rise and rise.
The stakes & fears of building a family in the place I love rise and rise and rise.
23andMe has filed bankruptcy & may be for sale.
I just followed these instructions to delete my data and profile.
If your account is tied to a long lost email like mine, follow the QR code to be able to get back in & delete.
I just followed these instructions to delete my data and profile.
If your account is tied to a long lost email like mine, follow the QR code to be able to get back in & delete.
March 24, 2025 at 6:05 PM
23andMe has filed bankruptcy & may be for sale.
I just followed these instructions to delete my data and profile.
If your account is tied to a long lost email like mine, follow the QR code to be able to get back in & delete.
I just followed these instructions to delete my data and profile.
If your account is tied to a long lost email like mine, follow the QR code to be able to get back in & delete.
Reposted by Erika Versalovic
A friend drove two hours today for her breast cancer chemotherapy only to learn it was canceled due to NIH cuts. Clinical trial ended midstream. No treatment, no restart, no plan, no information. Her bro-in-law's chemo was also canceled.
March 21, 2025 at 2:43 PM
Reposted by Erika Versalovic
So I did the math. Columbia needs a 2.7%-ish annual return on 15 billion dollars to replace the 400 million the government is threatening to pull. Not a heavy investment lift.
Columbia has a $15 billion endowment. All the ivies and many other universities are sitting on billions. What is the point of the endowment if not to help the university retain its independence? www.wsj.com/us-news/educ...
‘No Way’ to Please Everyone: Columbia’s President Confronts Trump’s Ultimatum
With Trump intent on making an example of Columbia, Armstrong is at the center of a fight over the future of higher education.
www.wsj.com
March 21, 2025 at 2:45 PM
So I did the math. Columbia needs a 2.7%-ish annual return on 15 billion dollars to replace the 400 million the government is threatening to pull. Not a heavy investment lift.
Webinar on “What to Do When Your Federal Grant Has Been Stopped or Terminated with Wilmer Hale” at 1pm CT today. Curious if they’ll have any helpful strategies…
us06web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
us06web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
Welcome! You are invited to join a webinar: What To Do When Your Federal Grant Has Been Stopped or Terminated with Wilmer Hale. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining t...
Join this webinar with WilmerHale government contracts and financial assistance lawyers on “What To Do If Your Federal Grant Has Been Stopped or Terminated,” for vital insights on navigating uncertain...
us06web.zoom.us
March 21, 2025 at 3:36 PM
Webinar on “What to Do When Your Federal Grant Has Been Stopped or Terminated with Wilmer Hale” at 1pm CT today. Curious if they’ll have any helpful strategies…
us06web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
us06web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
"Texas has spent less money on public health – including communicable disease control and chronic disease prevention – than most states over the years. In 2020, the state spent about $20 per person, ranking it 13th lowest. In 2023, the latest data available, Texas’ ranking dropped to 4th lowest."
Texas spends less per person on public health now than it did before the pandemic. Fewer Texans are getting vaccinated. Officials have less power to respond to health crises.
What does that mean for the next pandemic?
What does that mean for the next pandemic?
After COVID, Texas is less prepared for the next pandemic
Five years after Texas’ first COVID death, the state spends less on public health, vaccination rates have dropped and a distrust of authority has taken hold.
www.texastribune.org
March 18, 2025 at 3:07 PM
"Texas has spent less money on public health – including communicable disease control and chronic disease prevention – than most states over the years. In 2020, the state spent about $20 per person, ranking it 13th lowest. In 2023, the latest data available, Texas’ ranking dropped to 4th lowest."
"Although it happened to me personally, it was not until I had earned my Ph.D and began researching the insidious forms of gang abatement and the legality of anti-gang policing that I realized how low the bar was for being labeled a gang member, and how high the stakes could be."
March 18, 2025 at 3:03 PM
"Although it happened to me personally, it was not until I had earned my Ph.D and began researching the insidious forms of gang abatement and the legality of anti-gang policing that I realized how low the bar was for being labeled a gang member, and how high the stakes could be."
Reposted by Erika Versalovic
And it's a bit disingenuous for the elite sector to point at broad access institutions and big non-elite publics to say "look! we (as a sector) do good stuff!"
But everyone is going to go down with this ship. We need big-tent frames to explain the value of higher ed.
But everyone is going to go down with this ship. We need big-tent frames to explain the value of higher ed.
March 16, 2025 at 2:05 PM
And it's a bit disingenuous for the elite sector to point at broad access institutions and big non-elite publics to say "look! we (as a sector) do good stuff!"
But everyone is going to go down with this ship. We need big-tent frames to explain the value of higher ed.
But everyone is going to go down with this ship. We need big-tent frames to explain the value of higher ed.