Spencer J Fox
@foxandtheflu.bsky.social
Assistant prof at NAU in disease modeling, and data science. Posts are my own opinions
Reposted by Spencer J Fox
IDDconf 2026 - July 7-9 in Ambleside, UK.
A new summer date & a new ticketing system!
Plus, 2 exciting workshops this year!
See IDDconf.org for more info
Tickets will go on sale on 2nd Feb. To be notified when, sign up at: tinyurl.com/IDDconf2026
A new summer date & a new ticketing system!
Plus, 2 exciting workshops this year!
See IDDconf.org for more info
Tickets will go on sale on 2nd Feb. To be notified when, sign up at: tinyurl.com/IDDconf2026
IDDconf 2026
A Conference on Infectious Disease Dynamics. IDDconf is the second instalment of a new meeting series focussing on innovative research in infectious disease dynamics.
IDDconf.org
January 26, 2026 at 9:44 PM
IDDconf 2026 - July 7-9 in Ambleside, UK.
A new summer date & a new ticketing system!
Plus, 2 exciting workshops this year!
See IDDconf.org for more info
Tickets will go on sale on 2nd Feb. To be notified when, sign up at: tinyurl.com/IDDconf2026
A new summer date & a new ticketing system!
Plus, 2 exciting workshops this year!
See IDDconf.org for more info
Tickets will go on sale on 2nd Feb. To be notified when, sign up at: tinyurl.com/IDDconf2026
Reposted by Spencer J Fox
Final week to apply for SFI’s 2026 immersive, summer programs in complexity science:
Apply by Feb 4, 2026
CSSS and GWCSS : www.santafe.edu/engage/learn...
Journalism Fellowship: santafe.edu/journalism-f...
Apply by Feb 4, 2026
CSSS and GWCSS : www.santafe.edu/engage/learn...
Journalism Fellowship: santafe.edu/journalism-f...
January 27, 2026 at 9:16 PM
Final week to apply for SFI’s 2026 immersive, summer programs in complexity science:
Apply by Feb 4, 2026
CSSS and GWCSS : www.santafe.edu/engage/learn...
Journalism Fellowship: santafe.edu/journalism-f...
Apply by Feb 4, 2026
CSSS and GWCSS : www.santafe.edu/engage/learn...
Journalism Fellowship: santafe.edu/journalism-f...
Reposted by Spencer J Fox
In a new preprint, we combine modeling with school-level vaccine data to contextualize the risk of 'breakthrough infections' and impacts on the ongoing US measles outbreak. #idsky #episky
www.medrxiv.org/content/10.6...
www.medrxiv.org/content/10.6...
Interpreting Breakthrough Infections Given Assortative Mixing of Partially Vaccinated Populations
Declining vaccine coverage across the United States has increased the risk of outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases. Even when vaccines have low primary failure rates, conventional epidemic theory...
www.medrxiv.org
January 27, 2026 at 2:34 PM
In a new preprint, we combine modeling with school-level vaccine data to contextualize the risk of 'breakthrough infections' and impacts on the ongoing US measles outbreak. #idsky #episky
www.medrxiv.org/content/10.6...
www.medrxiv.org/content/10.6...
Reposted by Spencer J Fox
🧪 💉 Bill Foege is an absolute #PublicHealth legend
And furious to the end about the destruction of US public health
“Kennedy’s words can be as lethal as the smallpox virus,” he wrote… “I had no idea I would be this angry at the age of 89.”
Ht @boghuma.bsky.social
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/24/u...
And furious to the end about the destruction of US public health
“Kennedy’s words can be as lethal as the smallpox virus,” he wrote… “I had no idea I would be this angry at the age of 89.”
Ht @boghuma.bsky.social
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/24/u...
William H. Foege, Key Figure in the Eradication of Smallpox, Dies at 89
www.nytimes.com
January 25, 2026 at 8:12 AM
🧪 💉 Bill Foege is an absolute #PublicHealth legend
And furious to the end about the destruction of US public health
“Kennedy’s words can be as lethal as the smallpox virus,” he wrote… “I had no idea I would be this angry at the age of 89.”
Ht @boghuma.bsky.social
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/24/u...
And furious to the end about the destruction of US public health
“Kennedy’s words can be as lethal as the smallpox virus,” he wrote… “I had no idea I would be this angry at the age of 89.”
Ht @boghuma.bsky.social
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/24/u...
Reposted by Spencer J Fox
Our latest study in @jama.com on trends in county-level vaccine exemptions, demonstrating geographic pockets of high vaccine exemptions and high susceptibility to vaccine-preventable diseases. Great collab with @nbcnews.com colleagues and our Stanford team. jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
Trends in County-Level Childhood Vaccination Exemptions in the US
This study examines US county-level trends in nonmedical and medical exemptions to childhood vaccination requirements.
jamanetwork.com
January 22, 2026 at 7:08 PM
Our latest study in @jama.com on trends in county-level vaccine exemptions, demonstrating geographic pockets of high vaccine exemptions and high susceptibility to vaccine-preventable diseases. Great collab with @nbcnews.com colleagues and our Stanford team. jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
Reposted by Spencer J Fox
*New paper in Nature Health*
Why did the 2022 mpox outbreak in Paris decline so abruptly?
rdcu.be/eZ24H
Why did the 2022 mpox outbreak in Paris decline so abruptly?
rdcu.be/eZ24H
Role of behaviour change in controlling the 2022 Paris mpox outbreak
Nature Health - Behaviour changes, rather than vaccination or postinfection immunity, best explained the sudden decline of mpox cases among men who have sex with men during an outbreak in the Paris...
rdcu.be
January 21, 2026 at 3:13 PM
*New paper in Nature Health*
Why did the 2022 mpox outbreak in Paris decline so abruptly?
rdcu.be/eZ24H
Why did the 2022 mpox outbreak in Paris decline so abruptly?
rdcu.be/eZ24H
Reposted by Spencer J Fox
Dont miss the ESPIDAM summer program in June 2026 in Stockholm, covering many key concepts for ID modelling:
stochastic models, AI for ID control, nowcasting and forecasting, phylodynamics, data analysis, network models, within-host models, health economics www.statistics.su.se/english/divi...
stochastic models, AI for ID control, nowcasting and forecasting, phylodynamics, data analysis, network models, within-host models, health economics www.statistics.su.se/english/divi...
ESPIDAM, the European Summer Program in Infectious Disease Analysis and Modelling - Stockholms universitet
www.statistics.su.se
January 19, 2026 at 10:05 AM
Dont miss the ESPIDAM summer program in June 2026 in Stockholm, covering many key concepts for ID modelling:
stochastic models, AI for ID control, nowcasting and forecasting, phylodynamics, data analysis, network models, within-host models, health economics www.statistics.su.se/english/divi...
stochastic models, AI for ID control, nowcasting and forecasting, phylodynamics, data analysis, network models, within-host models, health economics www.statistics.su.se/english/divi...
Here's something I hadn't heard about the planned then cancelled then re-planned unethical Hep B trials: Bill Ackman is funding half the cost, who knew! www.rollingstone.com/politics/pol...
HHS Gave a $1.6 Million Grant to a Controversial Vaccine Study. These Emails Show How That Happened
Two Danish researchers faced accusations of “questionable research practices” as RFK Jr.’s top appointees made their study a “funding priority.”
www.rollingstone.com
January 16, 2026 at 11:13 PM
Here's something I hadn't heard about the planned then cancelled then re-planned unethical Hep B trials: Bill Ackman is funding half the cost, who knew! www.rollingstone.com/politics/pol...
Nice to see the new NIAID vision laid out in a paywalled journal article. Since NIH funds contributed to it I am looking forward to reading the open access version soon... www.nature.com/articles/s41...
The new vision from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) - Nature Medicine
Preparing for tomorrow’s threats by enhancing our ability to help patients today.
www.nature.com
January 16, 2026 at 5:26 PM
Nice to see the new NIAID vision laid out in a paywalled journal article. Since NIH funds contributed to it I am looking forward to reading the open access version soon... www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Reposted by Spencer J Fox
A few updates on the deeply unethical study to probe "non-specific" effects of the birth dose HepB vaccine in Guinea-Bissau by Danish investigators.
1️⃣ The study was canceled as per AfricaCDC - HHS disputes this.
2️⃣ Full protocol was leaked and it's bad.
Quick 🧵
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...
1️⃣ The study was canceled as per AfricaCDC - HHS disputes this.
2️⃣ Full protocol was leaked and it's bad.
Quick 🧵
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...
Controversial US study on hepatitis B vaccines in Africa is cancelled
$1.6m project drew outrage over ethical questions about withholding vaccines proven to prevent disease
www.theguardian.com
January 15, 2026 at 8:16 PM
A few updates on the deeply unethical study to probe "non-specific" effects of the birth dose HepB vaccine in Guinea-Bissau by Danish investigators.
1️⃣ The study was canceled as per AfricaCDC - HHS disputes this.
2️⃣ Full protocol was leaked and it's bad.
Quick 🧵
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...
1️⃣ The study was canceled as per AfricaCDC - HHS disputes this.
2️⃣ Full protocol was leaked and it's bad.
Quick 🧵
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...
This is some great forensics. Good reminder that it is extremely difficult to know how many people are infected at any given moment in the absence of serology data.
In fact the WVAL is exactly what @michael-hoerger.bsky.social is plotting in his plots.
(What @jpweiland.bsky.social is plotting seems to change from time to time, but he says he derives his numbers from wastewater, using a secret recipe)
14/
(What @jpweiland.bsky.social is plotting seems to change from time to time, but he says he derives his numbers from wastewater, using a secret recipe)
14/
January 14, 2026 at 11:34 PM
This is some great forensics. Good reminder that it is extremely difficult to know how many people are infected at any given moment in the absence of serology data.
Reposted by Spencer J Fox
Advance your research and expand your network at SFI's 2026 CSSS program with lectures, application-focused seminars, and team projects. Participants gain experience in transdisciplinary collaboration and explore real-world questions through complexity science.
Apply by Feb 4, 2026
santafe.edu/csss
Apply by Feb 4, 2026
santafe.edu/csss
January 14, 2026 at 8:21 PM
Advance your research and expand your network at SFI's 2026 CSSS program with lectures, application-focused seminars, and team projects. Participants gain experience in transdisciplinary collaboration and explore real-world questions through complexity science.
Apply by Feb 4, 2026
santafe.edu/csss
Apply by Feb 4, 2026
santafe.edu/csss
First day of my forecasting class at NAU. This is the first course I fully prepped (mostly) from scratch and I tried to have fun with it.
✅ Students are making flu forecasts.
✅ There’s a class leaderboard and competition.
✅ Plaque to commemorate annual winners.
✅ Students are making flu forecasts.
✅ There’s a class leaderboard and competition.
✅ Plaque to commemorate annual winners.
January 13, 2026 at 5:23 PM
First day of my forecasting class at NAU. This is the first course I fully prepped (mostly) from scratch and I tried to have fun with it.
✅ Students are making flu forecasts.
✅ There’s a class leaderboard and competition.
✅ Plaque to commemorate annual winners.
✅ Students are making flu forecasts.
✅ There’s a class leaderboard and competition.
✅ Plaque to commemorate annual winners.
Reposted by Spencer J Fox
Check out our new print that combines dense sequencing and phylodynamics to uncover a bunch of 😎 things about an understudied virus.
- Doesn't evolve for 10 months a year ✅
- Uses some mossies for maintenance, others for spread ✅
- Established in Northeast for ~300 years ✅
- Doesn't evolve for 10 months a year ✅
- Uses some mossies for maintenance, others for spread ✅
- Established in Northeast for ~300 years ✅
January 12, 2026 at 5:49 PM
Check out our new print that combines dense sequencing and phylodynamics to uncover a bunch of 😎 things about an understudied virus.
- Doesn't evolve for 10 months a year ✅
- Uses some mossies for maintenance, others for spread ✅
- Established in Northeast for ~300 years ✅
- Doesn't evolve for 10 months a year ✅
- Uses some mossies for maintenance, others for spread ✅
- Established in Northeast for ~300 years ✅
We are still accepting applications for the postdoctoral scholar position here at NAU in my lab (with remote optional). Please reach out if you have any questions or would like more information: careers.nau.edu/jobs/postdoc...
Postdoctoral Scholar - Flagstaff, Arizona, United States
Special Information
This position is an on-site position which requires the incumbent to complete their work primarily at an NAU site, campus, or facility with or without accommodation. Opportunities...
careers.nau.edu
January 6, 2026 at 6:25 PM
We are still accepting applications for the postdoctoral scholar position here at NAU in my lab (with remote optional). Please reach out if you have any questions or would like more information: careers.nau.edu/jobs/postdoc...
Reposted by Spencer J Fox
Two more fully funded PhDs in real-time infectious disease modelling & forecasting — developing methods for operational use by @ukhsa.bsky.social and others in outbreak response. UK home students, starting April or September 2026.
www.lshtm.ac.uk/study/fees-a...
www.lshtm.ac.uk/study/fees-a...
PhD Studentships in Health Analytics and Modelling | LSHTM
The London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), Imperial College London and the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) are pleased to invite applications for two PhD studentships in real-time
www.lshtm.ac.uk
December 17, 2025 at 10:27 AM
Two more fully funded PhDs in real-time infectious disease modelling & forecasting — developing methods for operational use by @ukhsa.bsky.social and others in outbreak response. UK home students, starting April or September 2026.
www.lshtm.ac.uk/study/fees-a...
www.lshtm.ac.uk/study/fees-a...
Reposted by Spencer J Fox
Symposium & workshop on inequalities in infectious disease dynamics at LSHTM in April 2026. We aim to will bring together leading researchers and practitioners to share ideas, discuss recent advances, and reflect on future directions. Details & application: iddconf.org/lshtm-sympos... Closing 21 Jan
Social Inequalities in Infectious Disease Dynamics: a Symposium and Workshop
iddconf.org
December 16, 2025 at 8:58 PM
Symposium & workshop on inequalities in infectious disease dynamics at LSHTM in April 2026. We aim to will bring together leading researchers and practitioners to share ideas, discuss recent advances, and reflect on future directions. Details & application: iddconf.org/lshtm-sympos... Closing 21 Jan
I'm glad someone did the work to lay this concept out so nicely! Predicting the size of an influenza season is not as easy as seeing a new variant and extrapolating trends. This may be a bad flu season, but it's way too soon to tell! christinapagel.substack.com/p/is-it-real...
Is it really a super flu year?
We're in the middle of a serious flu wave, but we just can't tell yet how bad it's going to be. Week-on-week comparisons are being used in a misleading way!
christinapagel.substack.com
December 11, 2025 at 11:14 PM
I'm glad someone did the work to lay this concept out so nicely! Predicting the size of an influenza season is not as easy as seeing a new variant and extrapolating trends. This may be a bad flu season, but it's way too soon to tell! christinapagel.substack.com/p/is-it-real...
Reposted by Spencer J Fox
Become a colleague in my department!
Applications close in four days, December 15.
Applications close in four days, December 15.
My department at UT Austin is looking to hire an Assistant Professor in Evolutionary Biology, broadly defined. Feel free to reach out to me with any questions you may have.
apply.interfolio.com/177547
apply.interfolio.com/177547
Apply - Interfolio
{{$ctrl.$state.data.pageTitle}} - Apply - Interfolio
apply.interfolio.com
December 11, 2025 at 7:15 PM
Become a colleague in my department!
Applications close in four days, December 15.
Applications close in four days, December 15.
Reposted by Spencer J Fox
UF Biology is searching for an Asst Prof in Evolution, Ecology of Infectious Disease - spread the word! @ufresearch.bsky.social @ufgeog.bsky.social @sse-evolution.bsky.social
explore.jobs.ufl.edu/en-us/job/53...
explore.jobs.ufl.edu/en-us/job/53...
University of Florida - Details - Assistant Professor in Ecology and Evolution of Infectious Disease
explore.jobs.ufl.edu
December 10, 2025 at 5:04 PM
UF Biology is searching for an Asst Prof in Evolution, Ecology of Infectious Disease - spread the word! @ufresearch.bsky.social @ufgeog.bsky.social @sse-evolution.bsky.social
explore.jobs.ufl.edu/en-us/job/53...
explore.jobs.ufl.edu/en-us/job/53...
Most of the Fox lab got to experience ~7000ft of elevation change going from #Epidemics10 in San Diego to Flagstaff, AZ for a writing retreat. Here we are on our celebratory visit to the Grand Canyon afterwards!
December 10, 2025 at 4:21 PM
Most of the Fox lab got to experience ~7000ft of elevation change going from #Epidemics10 in San Diego to Flagstaff, AZ for a writing retreat. Here we are on our celebratory visit to the Grand Canyon afterwards!
Considering going to the International Symposium on Forecasting (isf.forecasters.org/overview/abo...) in Montreal this summer - has anyone been before or have recommendations of whether it's useful/informative for disease forecasters?
About the ISF - International Symposium on Forecasting
The International Symposium on Forecasting, presented by the International Institute of Forecasters (IIF), is the premier international event for professional
isf.forecasters.org
December 10, 2025 at 4:17 PM
Considering going to the International Symposium on Forecasting (isf.forecasters.org/overview/abo...) in Montreal this summer - has anyone been before or have recommendations of whether it's useful/informative for disease forecasters?
Reposted by Spencer J Fox
The MIDAS Trainee Executive Committee is recruiting new members for 2026! 🤓
This is a great opportunity for grad students & postdocs in infectious disease modeling to gain experience organizing events & connect with peers.
Applications are due by 9am ET on 1/1/2026, link in flyer & alt text.
This is a great opportunity for grad students & postdocs in infectious disease modeling to gain experience organizing events & connect with peers.
Applications are due by 9am ET on 1/1/2026, link in flyer & alt text.
December 8, 2025 at 7:50 PM
The MIDAS Trainee Executive Committee is recruiting new members for 2026! 🤓
This is a great opportunity for grad students & postdocs in infectious disease modeling to gain experience organizing events & connect with peers.
Applications are due by 9am ET on 1/1/2026, link in flyer & alt text.
This is a great opportunity for grad students & postdocs in infectious disease modeling to gain experience organizing events & connect with peers.
Applications are due by 9am ET on 1/1/2026, link in flyer & alt text.
Reposted by Spencer J Fox
Precisely so, I look forward to convening a Wed AM panel on "Confronting Covid's Wake."
We will explore the link between COVID responses, anti-science, and misinformation… and how & why to support evidence-based inquiry to confront disease threats.
virtual.oxfordabstracts.com/event/public...
We will explore the link between COVID responses, anti-science, and misinformation… and how & why to support evidence-based inquiry to confront disease threats.
virtual.oxfordabstracts.com/event/public...
OA Virtual conferences
virtual.oxfordabstracts.com
December 3, 2025 at 12:50 AM
Precisely so, I look forward to convening a Wed AM panel on "Confronting Covid's Wake."
We will explore the link between COVID responses, anti-science, and misinformation… and how & why to support evidence-based inquiry to confront disease threats.
virtual.oxfordabstracts.com/event/public...
We will explore the link between COVID responses, anti-science, and misinformation… and how & why to support evidence-based inquiry to confront disease threats.
virtual.oxfordabstracts.com/event/public...
Reposted by Spencer J Fox
Federal government and Utah leaders are having a meeting this week to discuss co-management of national parks in Utah, setting a dangerous precedent for national parks across the nation.
Read more: www.thetravel.com/us-governmen...
Read more: www.thetravel.com/us-governmen...
U.S. Government Eyes Utah National Parks For “Dangerous” Plan That Could Spread To Parks Across The Country
The alleged meeting fears the public and environmentalists it might involve the Mighty Five.
www.thetravel.com
December 1, 2025 at 10:43 PM
Federal government and Utah leaders are having a meeting this week to discuss co-management of national parks in Utah, setting a dangerous precedent for national parks across the nation.
Read more: www.thetravel.com/us-governmen...
Read more: www.thetravel.com/us-governmen...