Emily R. Trunnell, Ph.D.
@ertrunnell.bsky.social
neuroscientist 🧠 | Director @ https://www.scienceadvancement.org/ | Moving U.S. biomedical research toward humans & away from other animals | she/her/hers
Pinned
2025 was a breakthrough year for human-relevant science. 🧪
Behind the scenes, our SAO team spent thousands of hours moving this work forward.
We’re proud to share a few highlights from an impactful year ⬇️
Onward to an even more ambitious 2026! 🎉
—Emily, Kati, Donya & Gabby
Behind the scenes, our SAO team spent thousands of hours moving this work forward.
We’re proud to share a few highlights from an impactful year ⬇️
Onward to an even more ambitious 2026! 🎉
—Emily, Kati, Donya & Gabby
ICYMI 🧪 For @snexplores.bsky.social, Avery Hurt broke down how AI, organs-on-a-chip, and other human-based models are delivering better research at lower cost and in less time.
Feat. experts from @jhucaat.bsky.social, @harvardmed.bsky.social, & NIH.
www.snexplores.org/article/rese...
#NAMs
Feat. experts from @jhucaat.bsky.social, @harvardmed.bsky.social, & NIH.
www.snexplores.org/article/rese...
#NAMs
Research without lab animals? New tech is making it possible
For decades, scientists have worked to phase out the use of animals in research. AI, ‘lungs’ on a chip and more are bringing that goal closer.
www.snexplores.org
February 10, 2026 at 4:46 PM
ICYMI 🧪 For @snexplores.bsky.social, Avery Hurt broke down how AI, organs-on-a-chip, and other human-based models are delivering better research at lower cost and in less time.
Feat. experts from @jhucaat.bsky.social, @harvardmed.bsky.social, & NIH.
www.snexplores.org/article/rese...
#NAMs
Feat. experts from @jhucaat.bsky.social, @harvardmed.bsky.social, & NIH.
www.snexplores.org/article/rese...
#NAMs
In Jan, SAO submitted a response on NSF’s 2026–2030 Strategic Plan, which asked for input on ensuring “American excellence and national security through investments in transformative research and innovation.”
Read our full response: www.scienceadvancement.org/wp-content/u...
#NSF #SciPol 🧪
Read our full response: www.scienceadvancement.org/wp-content/u...
#NSF #SciPol 🧪
February 10, 2026 at 4:39 PM
In Jan, SAO submitted a response on NSF’s 2026–2030 Strategic Plan, which asked for input on ensuring “American excellence and national security through investments in transformative research and innovation.”
Read our full response: www.scienceadvancement.org/wp-content/u...
#NSF #SciPol 🧪
Read our full response: www.scienceadvancement.org/wp-content/u...
#NSF #SciPol 🧪
BREAKING 🚨 The motion to allow OHSU to negotiate with NIH toward transitioning the primate center to a sanctuary has just PASSED by unanimous vote from OHSU's board.
Thank you for taking action!
Thank you for taking action!
📢 ACTION NEEDED TODAY!
Please submit comments to ohsuboard@ohsu.edu with the subject line "For public comment." Ask OHSU’s Board to approve the resolution & permit negotiations with NIH for the proposed phase-out and sanctuary plan.
#AnimalRights #AnimalWelfare
Please submit comments to ohsuboard@ohsu.edu with the subject line "For public comment." Ask OHSU’s Board to approve the resolution & permit negotiations with NIH for the proposed phase-out and sanctuary plan.
#AnimalRights #AnimalWelfare
February 9, 2026 at 8:27 PM
BREAKING 🚨 The motion to allow OHSU to negotiate with NIH toward transitioning the primate center to a sanctuary has just PASSED by unanimous vote from OHSU's board.
Thank you for taking action!
Thank you for taking action!
It’s giving… NAM‑biguity 🧪
#NonAnimalMethods?
#NewApproachMethodologies?
In this timely new paper, Donna Macmillan, Phi Holcomb, and Kristie Sullivan (ICCS & IIVS) take on the great vocabulary swirl of animal‑free science and call for some much-needed clarity.
www.altex.org/index.php/al...
#NonAnimalMethods?
#NewApproachMethodologies?
In this timely new paper, Donna Macmillan, Phi Holcomb, and Kristie Sullivan (ICCS & IIVS) take on the great vocabulary swirl of animal‑free science and call for some much-needed clarity.
www.altex.org/index.php/al...
February 9, 2026 at 4:43 PM
It’s giving… NAM‑biguity 🧪
#NonAnimalMethods?
#NewApproachMethodologies?
In this timely new paper, Donna Macmillan, Phi Holcomb, and Kristie Sullivan (ICCS & IIVS) take on the great vocabulary swirl of animal‑free science and call for some much-needed clarity.
www.altex.org/index.php/al...
#NonAnimalMethods?
#NewApproachMethodologies?
In this timely new paper, Donna Macmillan, Phi Holcomb, and Kristie Sullivan (ICCS & IIVS) take on the great vocabulary swirl of animal‑free science and call for some much-needed clarity.
www.altex.org/index.php/al...
U.S. researchers: Don't forget to check NIH's Highlighted Topics page when considering your next grant application! grants.nih.gov/funding/find...
Recent topics of interest to #NAMs researchers are listed in the graphic.
#NIH #NIHfunding 🧪
Recent topics of interest to #NAMs researchers are listed in the graphic.
#NIH #NIHfunding 🧪
February 9, 2026 at 2:34 PM
U.S. researchers: Don't forget to check NIH's Highlighted Topics page when considering your next grant application! grants.nih.gov/funding/find...
Recent topics of interest to #NAMs researchers are listed in the graphic.
#NIH #NIHfunding 🧪
Recent topics of interest to #NAMs researchers are listed in the graphic.
#NIH #NIHfunding 🧪
There is currently no cure for #HSV, and patients can develop resistance to the drug used to manage symptoms.
But thanks to NCATS' 3D Tissue Bioprinting Program, scientists now have the best model yet for testing new treatments.
ncats.nih.gov/news-events/...
#3Dprinting #bioprinting #virosky 🧪
But thanks to NCATS' 3D Tissue Bioprinting Program, scientists now have the best model yet for testing new treatments.
ncats.nih.gov/news-events/...
#3Dprinting #bioprinting #virosky 🧪
February 8, 2026 at 12:52 AM
There is currently no cure for #HSV, and patients can develop resistance to the drug used to manage symptoms.
But thanks to NCATS' 3D Tissue Bioprinting Program, scientists now have the best model yet for testing new treatments.
ncats.nih.gov/news-events/...
#3Dprinting #bioprinting #virosky 🧪
But thanks to NCATS' 3D Tissue Bioprinting Program, scientists now have the best model yet for testing new treatments.
ncats.nih.gov/news-events/...
#3Dprinting #bioprinting #virosky 🧪
Reposted by Emily R. Trunnell, Ph.D.
HonorHealth and the University of Arizona developed a 3-D human tumor chip that better reflects cancer biology and therapeutic evaluation than animal tests. medicalxpress.com/news/2026-01...
3D chip platform enables animal-free testing in cancer research
Cancer research laboratory tests can now be done using micro-physiological systems mimicking human physiology, allowing greater predictive accuracy for human patient responses, thanks to an internatio...
medicalxpress.com
February 6, 2026 at 12:59 PM
HonorHealth and the University of Arizona developed a 3-D human tumor chip that better reflects cancer biology and therapeutic evaluation than animal tests. medicalxpress.com/news/2026-01...
Reposted by Emily R. Trunnell, Ph.D.
🚨 OHSU's Board of Directors is deciding whether to shut down its primate lab—urge them to vote YES and transition the facility into a sanctuary for thousands of monkeys.
Send your letter by noon PT on Friday, 2/6 to make it count: actionnetwork.org/letters/shut...
Send your letter by noon PT on Friday, 2/6 to make it count: actionnetwork.org/letters/shut...
TAKE ACTION: Shut Down the OHSU Primate Lab
The OHSU Board of Directors is deciding whether to shut down its primate lab—urge them to vote YES and transition the facility into a sanctuary for thousands of monkeys. Send your letter by noon on Fe...
actionnetwork.org
February 5, 2026 at 7:16 PM
🚨 OHSU's Board of Directors is deciding whether to shut down its primate lab—urge them to vote YES and transition the facility into a sanctuary for thousands of monkeys.
Send your letter by noon PT on Friday, 2/6 to make it count: actionnetwork.org/letters/shut...
Send your letter by noon PT on Friday, 2/6 to make it count: actionnetwork.org/letters/shut...
📢 ACTION NEEDED TODAY!
Please submit comments to ohsuboard@ohsu.edu with the subject line "For public comment." Ask OHSU’s Board to approve the resolution & permit negotiations with NIH for the proposed phase-out and sanctuary plan.
#AnimalRights #AnimalWelfare
Please submit comments to ohsuboard@ohsu.edu with the subject line "For public comment." Ask OHSU’s Board to approve the resolution & permit negotiations with NIH for the proposed phase-out and sanctuary plan.
#AnimalRights #AnimalWelfare
February 5, 2026 at 5:52 PM
📢 ACTION NEEDED TODAY!
Please submit comments to ohsuboard@ohsu.edu with the subject line "For public comment." Ask OHSU’s Board to approve the resolution & permit negotiations with NIH for the proposed phase-out and sanctuary plan.
#AnimalRights #AnimalWelfare
Please submit comments to ohsuboard@ohsu.edu with the subject line "For public comment." Ask OHSU’s Board to approve the resolution & permit negotiations with NIH for the proposed phase-out and sanctuary plan.
#AnimalRights #AnimalWelfare
THIS is how it's done! 👏
This is NIH putting its money where its mouth is:
➡️ April '25: Sets agency-wide priority to support NAMs & reduce animal use
➡️ Sept '25: Allows grant funds to be used for animal retirement & rehoming
➡️ 2026: Takes decisive action to see where the transition can be made
This is NIH putting its money where its mouth is:
➡️ April '25: Sets agency-wide priority to support NAMs & reduce animal use
➡️ Sept '25: Allows grant funds to be used for animal retirement & rehoming
➡️ 2026: Takes decisive action to see where the transition can be made
The National Institutes of Health have approached OHSU to discuss transitioning its primate research center into a sanctuary.
Feds seek talks to transition primate research center in Oregon into sanctuary
The president of OHSU and chair of the board say they want to enter into talks with the NIH about turning the Oregon National Primate Research Center into a sanctuary.
www.opb.org
February 5, 2026 at 2:50 AM
THIS is how it's done! 👏
This is NIH putting its money where its mouth is:
➡️ April '25: Sets agency-wide priority to support NAMs & reduce animal use
➡️ Sept '25: Allows grant funds to be used for animal retirement & rehoming
➡️ 2026: Takes decisive action to see where the transition can be made
This is NIH putting its money where its mouth is:
➡️ April '25: Sets agency-wide priority to support NAMs & reduce animal use
➡️ Sept '25: Allows grant funds to be used for animal retirement & rehoming
➡️ 2026: Takes decisive action to see where the transition can be made
Fewer than 10% of cancer drugs succeed, partly because animal models don’t reflect human biology.
Human‑relevant tools—organoids, chips, AI—are already improving modeling & treatment.
Some highlights from the field:
www.linkedin.com/pulse/world-...
#WorldCancerDay #UnitedByUnique #SciPol
Human‑relevant tools—organoids, chips, AI—are already improving modeling & treatment.
Some highlights from the field:
www.linkedin.com/pulse/world-...
#WorldCancerDay #UnitedByUnique #SciPol
World Cancer Day: Advancing Human-Relevant Science to Improve Cancer Outcomes
As we raise awareness and encourage prevention on this World Cancer Day, it’s critical to talk about the need to move away from failed animal experimentation and toward innovative, human-relevant rese...
www.linkedin.com
February 4, 2026 at 6:04 PM
Fewer than 10% of cancer drugs succeed, partly because animal models don’t reflect human biology.
Human‑relevant tools—organoids, chips, AI—are already improving modeling & treatment.
Some highlights from the field:
www.linkedin.com/pulse/world-...
#WorldCancerDay #UnitedByUnique #SciPol
Human‑relevant tools—organoids, chips, AI—are already improving modeling & treatment.
Some highlights from the field:
www.linkedin.com/pulse/world-...
#WorldCancerDay #UnitedByUnique #SciPol
In Jan, SAO responded to NIAID’s CTOT RFI, urging the program to continuing focusing only on allotransplantation (no xeno), & to support DCD donation, advanced organ‑preservation tech, & risk‑adjusted acceptance frameworks.
We emphasized the urgent need to expand the pool of *human* organs.
We emphasized the urgent need to expand the pool of *human* organs.
February 3, 2026 at 9:35 PM
In Jan, SAO responded to NIAID’s CTOT RFI, urging the program to continuing focusing only on allotransplantation (no xeno), & to support DCD donation, advanced organ‑preservation tech, & risk‑adjusted acceptance frameworks.
We emphasized the urgent need to expand the pool of *human* organs.
We emphasized the urgent need to expand the pool of *human* organs.
Check out this new piece by SAO’s Donya Mand, MD! ⚕️
Dr. Mand highlights how med students can advocate for non‑animal training, why live‑animal use isn’t a standard, & why programs should clearly disclose it so trainees can make informed, ethical choices.
📖 In Global Surgical Education, 🔗 below
Dr. Mand highlights how med students can advocate for non‑animal training, why live‑animal use isn’t a standard, & why programs should clearly disclose it so trainees can make informed, ethical choices.
📖 In Global Surgical Education, 🔗 below
February 3, 2026 at 4:23 AM
Check out this new piece by SAO’s Donya Mand, MD! ⚕️
Dr. Mand highlights how med students can advocate for non‑animal training, why live‑animal use isn’t a standard, & why programs should clearly disclose it so trainees can make informed, ethical choices.
📖 In Global Surgical Education, 🔗 below
Dr. Mand highlights how med students can advocate for non‑animal training, why live‑animal use isn’t a standard, & why programs should clearly disclose it so trainees can make informed, ethical choices.
📖 In Global Surgical Education, 🔗 below
Colleagues & I worked with @usgao.bsky.social for a year to clarify a major discrepancy in NIH's reported spending on animal experimentation.
Now GAO has re-released its report to more accurately reflect what we do & don't know about NIH’s use of public funds: www.gao.gov/assets/gao-2...
🧵👇
Now GAO has re-released its report to more accurately reflect what we do & don't know about NIH’s use of public funds: www.gao.gov/assets/gao-2...
🧵👇
February 2, 2026 at 2:10 PM
Colleagues & I worked with @usgao.bsky.social for a year to clarify a major discrepancy in NIH's reported spending on animal experimentation.
Now GAO has re-released its report to more accurately reflect what we do & don't know about NIH’s use of public funds: www.gao.gov/assets/gao-2...
🧵👇
Now GAO has re-released its report to more accurately reflect what we do & don't know about NIH’s use of public funds: www.gao.gov/assets/gao-2...
🧵👇
Just in time for #AmericanHeartMonth 🫀
In primary human vascular smooth muscle cells, @metecivelek.bsky.social's lab used state-of-the-art tools, including lentiMPRA & #CRISPRi, to pinpoint functional risk variants for coronary artery disease.
www.nature.com/articles/s44...
#CardioSky 🧪
In primary human vascular smooth muscle cells, @metecivelek.bsky.social's lab used state-of-the-art tools, including lentiMPRA & #CRISPRi, to pinpoint functional risk variants for coronary artery disease.
www.nature.com/articles/s44...
#CardioSky 🧪
Coronary artery disease-associated variants regulate vascular smooth muscle cell gene expression - Nature Cardiovascular Research
Barbera et al. identify and map genetic variants that alter the characteristics of vascular smooth muscle cells and contribute to the risk of coronary artery disease.
www.nature.com
February 2, 2026 at 4:44 AM
Just in time for #AmericanHeartMonth 🫀
In primary human vascular smooth muscle cells, @metecivelek.bsky.social's lab used state-of-the-art tools, including lentiMPRA & #CRISPRi, to pinpoint functional risk variants for coronary artery disease.
www.nature.com/articles/s44...
#CardioSky 🧪
In primary human vascular smooth muscle cells, @metecivelek.bsky.social's lab used state-of-the-art tools, including lentiMPRA & #CRISPRi, to pinpoint functional risk variants for coronary artery disease.
www.nature.com/articles/s44...
#CardioSky 🧪
The National Commission on Research Ethics—a partnership between @gwlaw.bsky.social & Phoenix Zones Initiative—is developing a new #BelmontReport to advance the principles of respect, beneficence, and justice to animals used in experimentation.
Tune in Feb 18 at noon EST for an update.
🔗 below
Tune in Feb 18 at noon EST for an update.
🔗 below
February 1, 2026 at 8:44 PM
The National Commission on Research Ethics—a partnership between @gwlaw.bsky.social & Phoenix Zones Initiative—is developing a new #BelmontReport to advance the principles of respect, beneficence, and justice to animals used in experimentation.
Tune in Feb 18 at noon EST for an update.
🔗 below
Tune in Feb 18 at noon EST for an update.
🔗 below
Impressive new in vitro model for studying intestinal physiology from @uwbioe.bsky.social
The epithelial cells change their growth, shape, & behavior depending on the matrix, for which stiffness can be tuned up for down.
@ioppublishing.bsky.social
iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1...
The epithelial cells change their growth, shape, & behavior depending on the matrix, for which stiffness can be tuned up for down.
@ioppublishing.bsky.social
iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1...
January 30, 2026 at 4:28 PM
Impressive new in vitro model for studying intestinal physiology from @uwbioe.bsky.social
The epithelial cells change their growth, shape, & behavior depending on the matrix, for which stiffness can be tuned up for down.
@ioppublishing.bsky.social
iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1...
The epithelial cells change their growth, shape, & behavior depending on the matrix, for which stiffness can be tuned up for down.
@ioppublishing.bsky.social
iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1...
We've got a new paper over at @thecolaab.bsky.social !
New publication! 📄 By now you’ve heard about the plans in the US and UK to reduce and replace animal experimentation.
Check out our short perspective on the ways they do or don’t address #AnimalMethodsBias 👉
www.frontiersin.org/journals/tox...
🧪 #SciPol
Check out our short perspective on the ways they do or don’t address #AnimalMethodsBias 👉
www.frontiersin.org/journals/tox...
🧪 #SciPol
Frontiers | Addressing animal methods bias through government-led initiatives
Peer review aims to ensure that high-quality research is funded, conducted, and disseminated. However, peer review bias limits this process by violating impa...
www.frontiersin.org
January 30, 2026 at 4:18 AM
We've got a new paper over at @thecolaab.bsky.social !
In @ajpathology.bsky.social, Takano et al. find that nitric oxide may drive retinal cell death in Leber hereditary optic neuropathy patient–derived #organoids. It also disrupts their metabolic profiles.
ajp.amjpathol.org/article/S000...
🧪 🧬 #ophthosky #LHON
ajp.amjpathol.org/article/S000...
🧪 🧬 #ophthosky #LHON
Nitric Oxide May Adversely Affect the Metabolism and Viability of Retinal Organoids Derived from Patients with Leber Hereditary Optic Neuropathy
Leber hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON) is a bilateral optic neuropathy associated
with mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) mutations characterized by parapapillary telangiectasia
during the acute phase. Howev...
ajp.amjpathol.org
January 29, 2026 at 4:56 AM
In @ajpathology.bsky.social, Takano et al. find that nitric oxide may drive retinal cell death in Leber hereditary optic neuropathy patient–derived #organoids. It also disrupts their metabolic profiles.
ajp.amjpathol.org/article/S000...
🧪 🧬 #ophthosky #LHON
ajp.amjpathol.org/article/S000...
🧪 🧬 #ophthosky #LHON
TY, @americanbar.org TIPS Animal Law Committee for the invitation to speak in last week's subcommittee meeting.
We risk losing brilliant young minds when we equate science with harming animals. Thankfully, new initiatives are showing students that compassion strengthens, not weakens, good research.
We risk losing brilliant young minds when we equate science with harming animals. Thankfully, new initiatives are showing students that compassion strengthens, not weakens, good research.
January 27, 2026 at 4:28 PM
TY, @americanbar.org TIPS Animal Law Committee for the invitation to speak in last week's subcommittee meeting.
We risk losing brilliant young minds when we equate science with harming animals. Thankfully, new initiatives are showing students that compassion strengthens, not weakens, good research.
We risk losing brilliant young minds when we equate science with harming animals. Thankfully, new initiatives are showing students that compassion strengthens, not weakens, good research.
Jan is #CervicalHealthAwarenessMonth, & Fri was #MaternalHealthAwarenessDay! ♀️
Women’s health research is already underserved. Animal models that don’t reflect human biology slow progress even more.
Read the SAO article linked below to learn for why we need a human-based research approach.
🧪
Women’s health research is already underserved. Animal models that don’t reflect human biology slow progress even more.
Read the SAO article linked below to learn for why we need a human-based research approach.
🧪
January 27, 2026 at 2:25 AM
Jan is #CervicalHealthAwarenessMonth, & Fri was #MaternalHealthAwarenessDay! ♀️
Women’s health research is already underserved. Animal models that don’t reflect human biology slow progress even more.
Read the SAO article linked below to learn for why we need a human-based research approach.
🧪
Women’s health research is already underserved. Animal models that don’t reflect human biology slow progress even more.
Read the SAO article linked below to learn for why we need a human-based research approach.
🧪
In @smithsonianmag.bsky.social, Sarah Kuta provides historical context for the Dec enactment of the 2026 National Defense Authorization Act, which prohibits the use of live animals in any live-fire trauma training conducted by the U.S. Department of Defense.
www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/u...
www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/u...
U.S. Military Ends Practice of Shooting Live Animals to Train Medics to Treat Battlefield Wounds
The 2026 National Defense Authorization Act bans the use of live animals in live-fire training exercises and prohibits "painful" research on domestic cats and dogs
www.smithsonianmag.com
January 27, 2026 at 12:53 AM
In @smithsonianmag.bsky.social, Sarah Kuta provides historical context for the Dec enactment of the 2026 National Defense Authorization Act, which prohibits the use of live animals in any live-fire trauma training conducted by the U.S. Department of Defense.
www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/u...
www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/u...
Congrats to Novoron Bio on its $2.5M NIA SBIR grant! 🎉
Together with Brainstorm Cell & Defined Bio, Novoron will develop & commercialize its human brain #organoid platform to identify new drugs that can slow or stop the progression of #AlzheimersDisease.
novoron.com/news-events/...
Together with Brainstorm Cell & Defined Bio, Novoron will develop & commercialize its human brain #organoid platform to identify new drugs that can slow or stop the progression of #AlzheimersDisease.
novoron.com/news-events/...
Novoron Bioscience Awarded $2.5 Million NIH/NIA SBIR Grant to Accelerate Alzheimer's Drug Discovery with Human Brain Organoids
We are excited to announce that we have received a $2.5 million Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant from the National Institute on Aging at the National Institutes of Health. The award wil...
novoron.com
January 26, 2026 at 3:22 PM
Congrats to Novoron Bio on its $2.5M NIA SBIR grant! 🎉
Together with Brainstorm Cell & Defined Bio, Novoron will develop & commercialize its human brain #organoid platform to identify new drugs that can slow or stop the progression of #AlzheimersDisease.
novoron.com/news-events/...
Together with Brainstorm Cell & Defined Bio, Novoron will develop & commercialize its human brain #organoid platform to identify new drugs that can slow or stop the progression of #AlzheimersDisease.
novoron.com/news-events/...
Dr. Bryson's account teems with the anger & regret that those of us who left animal labs behind know well.
His clarity, despite those feelings, shows the hard work he's done to understand the systems in place that perpetuate these harms on both animals & students.
A must-read
🧪
His clarity, despite those feelings, shows the hard work he's done to understand the systems in place that perpetuate these harms on both animals & students.
A must-read
🧪
January 26, 2026 at 2:19 PM
Dr. Bryson's account teems with the anger & regret that those of us who left animal labs behind know well.
His clarity, despite those feelings, shows the hard work he's done to understand the systems in place that perpetuate these harms on both animals & students.
A must-read
🧪
His clarity, despite those feelings, shows the hard work he's done to understand the systems in place that perpetuate these harms on both animals & students.
A must-read
🧪
