Jonathan Wosen
@jonathanwosen.bsky.social
West Coast Biotech & Life Sciences Reporter for Stat News. Stanford Immunology PhD & UCSC SciCom alum. Tips? jonathan.wosen@statnews.com. Signal: jwosen.27
Reposted by Jonathan Wosen
This story has now been updated with comments from FDA Commissioner Marty Makary and others:
Scoop: Top FDA official Vinay Prasad overruled the agency’s reviewers when he refused to accept Moderna’s application for a new influenza vaccine, STAT has learned.
www.statnews.com/2026/02/11/m...
www.statnews.com/2026/02/11/m...
Prasad overruled FDA staff to reject Moderna's flu vaccine application
The rejection is the latest instance of Vinay Prasad overruling career FDA scientists to place vaccines under harsher scrutiny.
www.statnews.com
February 11, 2026 at 9:18 PM
This story has now been updated with comments from FDA Commissioner Marty Makary and others:
"There is not a word of ineligible [research] ... and I used to make these decisions,” said Susan Brennan, former director of NSF's prestigious Graduate Research Fellowship Program. Two students she mentors have had applications deemed ineligible, and they're not alone. My latest for @statnews.com 👇
And more reporting on a historic program that is increasingly unsettled, with late-breaking changes to criteria, fewer awards, applications returned without review, and more:
via @jonathanwosen.bsky.social for @statnews.com
www.statnews.com/2026/02/11/n...
via @jonathanwosen.bsky.social for @statnews.com
www.statnews.com/2026/02/11/n...
February 11, 2026 at 7:34 PM
"There is not a word of ineligible [research] ... and I used to make these decisions,” said Susan Brennan, former director of NSF's prestigious Graduate Research Fellowship Program. Two students she mentors have had applications deemed ineligible, and they're not alone. My latest for @statnews.com 👇
Students and faculty have been baffled (and frustrated) as NSF turns back applications for its prestigious Graduate Research Fellowship Research Fellowship Program (GRFP). Those affected seem to mainly be in the life sciences. My latest for @statnews.com
www.statnews.com/2026/02/11/n...
www.statnews.com/2026/02/11/n...
Students, faculty mystified as NSF turns back applications for prestigious fellowship program
Applicants to a prestigious National Science Foundation fellowship program say many submissions have been mysteriously “returned without review.”
www.statnews.com
February 11, 2026 at 6:47 PM
Students and faculty have been baffled (and frustrated) as NSF turns back applications for its prestigious Graduate Research Fellowship Research Fellowship Program (GRFP). Those affected seem to mainly be in the life sciences. My latest for @statnews.com
www.statnews.com/2026/02/11/n...
www.statnews.com/2026/02/11/n...
Reposted by Jonathan Wosen
Scoop: Top FDA official Vinay Prasad overruled the agency’s reviewers when he refused to accept Moderna’s application for a new influenza vaccine, STAT has learned.
www.statnews.com/2026/02/11/m...
www.statnews.com/2026/02/11/m...
Prasad overruled FDA staff to reject Moderna's flu vaccine application
The rejection is the latest instance of Vinay Prasad overruling career FDA scientists to place vaccines under harsher scrutiny.
www.statnews.com
February 11, 2026 at 3:34 PM
Scoop: Top FDA official Vinay Prasad overruled the agency’s reviewers when he refused to accept Moderna’s application for a new influenza vaccine, STAT has learned.
www.statnews.com/2026/02/11/m...
www.statnews.com/2026/02/11/m...
Reposted by Jonathan Wosen
The OHSU board of directors unanimously passed a resolution authorizing negotiations with the NIH that could end all experiments on monkeys and shift the federally funded Oregon National Primate Research Center into a sanctuary. www.statnews.com/pharmalot/20...
OHSU board votes to negotiate with NIH and possibly transform its primate center into an animal sanctuary
The vote came as NIH looks to transition at least one of seven national primate research centers into an animal sanctuary.
www.statnews.com
February 10, 2026 at 5:49 PM
The OHSU board of directors unanimously passed a resolution authorizing negotiations with the NIH that could end all experiments on monkeys and shift the federally funded Oregon National Primate Research Center into a sanctuary. www.statnews.com/pharmalot/20...
Hims and other telehealth platforms are pushing multi-cancer detection tests before evidence of benefit. Important and timely story via @katiepalmer.bsky.social for @statnews.com
www.statnews.com/2026/02/06/t...
www.statnews.com/2026/02/06/t...
Hims, other telehealth platforms push multi-cancer detection tests before evidence of benefit
Test makers and telehealth providers say they want to give people a chance to catch cancers early and seek treatment.
www.statnews.com
February 6, 2026 at 3:31 PM
Hims and other telehealth platforms are pushing multi-cancer detection tests before evidence of benefit. Important and timely story via @katiepalmer.bsky.social for @statnews.com
www.statnews.com/2026/02/06/t...
www.statnews.com/2026/02/06/t...
Vertex’s CRISPR treatment for sickle cell disease hits unexpected roadblock: Collecting enough cells to create the therapy. Important reporting by @jasonmast.bsky.social for @statnews.com www.statnews.com/2026/02/05/v...
Vertex’s CRISPR treatment for sickle cell disease hits unexpected roadblock
Vertex is running out of time to establish Casgevy as a transformative treatment for sickle cell.
www.statnews.com
February 5, 2026 at 11:49 PM
Vertex’s CRISPR treatment for sickle cell disease hits unexpected roadblock: Collecting enough cells to create the therapy. Important reporting by @jasonmast.bsky.social for @statnews.com www.statnews.com/2026/02/05/v...
If you (or a mentee) are a NSF GRFP applicant in the life sciences who had a submission Returned Without Review, I'd be interested in hearing your story. I'm a reporter at STAT News, and my email is jonathan.wosen@statnews.com. I'm also reachable via Signal (username jwosen.27) #journorequest
NSF GRFP applicants (and mentors): Was your application Returned Without Review and deemed ineligible despite fitting in the allowed topics?
1) Write NSF
2) Write your Congressperson
3) CC us at grfp@grant-witness.us so we can compile + follow up
Details and template at grant-witness.us/grfp-letter
1) Write NSF
2) Write your Congressperson
3) CC us at grfp@grant-witness.us so we can compile + follow up
Details and template at grant-witness.us/grfp-letter
February 5, 2026 at 7:47 PM
If you (or a mentee) are a NSF GRFP applicant in the life sciences who had a submission Returned Without Review, I'd be interested in hearing your story. I'm a reporter at STAT News, and my email is jonathan.wosen@statnews.com. I'm also reachable via Signal (username jwosen.27) #journorequest
Junior scientists, the worker bees of academia, face a quandary when starting their own labs: How far to stray from the hive. My latest for @statnews.com is a Q&A with @uoregon.bsky.social researcher Christopher Liu about insights from a new study
www.statnews.com/2026/02/04/a...
www.statnews.com/2026/02/04/a...
Junior scientists face a quandary when starting their own labs: How far to stray from the hive
A new study argues that overlap between advisers and advisees on research topics helps rather than hinders young life scientists.
www.statnews.com
February 4, 2026 at 5:58 PM
Junior scientists, the worker bees of academia, face a quandary when starting their own labs: How far to stray from the hive. My latest for @statnews.com is a Q&A with @uoregon.bsky.social researcher Christopher Liu about insights from a new study
www.statnews.com/2026/02/04/a...
www.statnews.com/2026/02/04/a...
Reposted by Jonathan Wosen
NEW: I obtained a recording of an internal FDA town hall held today, where leaders tried to quell staff and external concerns about the commissioner's voucher program, a controversial new pathway to fast-track certain drugs. Read my exclusive:
www.statnews.com/2026/02/03/f...
www.statnews.com/2026/02/03/f...
FDA Commissioner Marty Makary tries to soothe staff concerns over voucher program
At an employee town hall, FDA leaders tried to quell staff concerns about a controversial new program to fast-track certain drugs.
www.statnews.com
February 3, 2026 at 10:27 PM
NEW: I obtained a recording of an internal FDA town hall held today, where leaders tried to quell staff and external concerns about the commissioner's voucher program, a controversial new pathway to fast-track certain drugs. Read my exclusive:
www.statnews.com/2026/02/03/f...
www.statnews.com/2026/02/03/f...
Fearing an ICE crackdown, immigrants nationally are avoiding treatment, sometimes with dire consequences www.statnews.com/2026/02/03/i... via @danielpayne.bsky.social for @statnews.com
Fearing ICE crackdown, immigrants nationally are avoiding treatment, sometimes with dire consequences
Doctors nationally are describing harrowing consequences for patients who put off medical care because of fears of ICE.
www.statnews.com
February 3, 2026 at 8:34 PM
Fearing an ICE crackdown, immigrants nationally are avoiding treatment, sometimes with dire consequences www.statnews.com/2026/02/03/i... via @danielpayne.bsky.social for @statnews.com
A federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit filed by researchers alleging that major academic publishers (including Elsevier and Springer Nature) created a set of anticompetitive business practices that exploit the scientific workforce. My latest for @statnews.com
www.statnews.com/2026/02/02/a...
www.statnews.com/2026/02/02/a...
Federal judge dismisses lawsuit against academic publishers over unpaid peer review
A federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit against academic publishers over unpaid peer review.
www.statnews.com
February 2, 2026 at 9:22 PM
A federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit filed by researchers alleging that major academic publishers (including Elsevier and Springer Nature) created a set of anticompetitive business practices that exploit the scientific workforce. My latest for @statnews.com
www.statnews.com/2026/02/02/a...
www.statnews.com/2026/02/02/a...
Reposted by Jonathan Wosen
PacBio’s very expensive foray into short read sequencing is now officially over. 🙄
www.pacb.com/press_releas...
www.pacb.com/press_releas...
PacBio Completes Sale of Short-Read Sequencing Assets - PacBio
MENLO PARK, Calif., Feb. 02, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — PacBio (NASDAQ: PACB), a leading developer of high-quality, highly accurate sequencing solutions, today announced the completion of the sale of sel...
www.pacb.com
February 2, 2026 at 5:18 PM
PacBio’s very expensive foray into short read sequencing is now officially over. 🙄
www.pacb.com/press_releas...
www.pacb.com/press_releas...
Reposted by Jonathan Wosen
With continued uncertainty over federal government support for biomedical research, PhD students are struggling to find labs willing to take on new students, @jonathanwosen.bsky.social reports.
New students are the future of US science. www.statnews.com/2026/01/30/f...
New students are the future of US science. www.statnews.com/2026/01/30/f...
Tenuous biomedical funding has put first-year Ph.D. students in a bind
First-year biomedical graduate students across the country said labs have been hesitant to take them in due to a tenuous funding environment
www.statnews.com
January 30, 2026 at 2:09 PM
With continued uncertainty over federal government support for biomedical research, PhD students are struggling to find labs willing to take on new students, @jonathanwosen.bsky.social reports.
New students are the future of US science. www.statnews.com/2026/01/30/f...
New students are the future of US science. www.statnews.com/2026/01/30/f...
Tenuous funding for biomedical research has some first-year Ph.D. students struggling to find labs -- and questioning their future career plans. My latest for @statnews.com
www.statnews.com/2026/01/30/f...
www.statnews.com/2026/01/30/f...
Tenuous biomedical funding has put first-year Ph.D. students in a bind
First-year biomedical graduate students across the country said labs have been hesitant to take them in due to a tenuous funding environment
www.statnews.com
January 30, 2026 at 3:08 PM
Tenuous funding for biomedical research has some first-year Ph.D. students struggling to find labs -- and questioning their future career plans. My latest for @statnews.com
www.statnews.com/2026/01/30/f...
www.statnews.com/2026/01/30/f...
Reposted by Jonathan Wosen
STAT gathered nine of the biggest voices in the health influencer space worth keeping an eye on, for better or for worse.
List members include:
@kkjetelina.bsky.social
@drjessicaknurick.bsky.social
@jessicamalaty.bsky.social
@hubermanlab.com
Read the story: www.statnews.com/2026/01/27/w...
List members include:
@kkjetelina.bsky.social
@drjessicaknurick.bsky.social
@jessicamalaty.bsky.social
@hubermanlab.com
Read the story: www.statnews.com/2026/01/27/w...
9 influencers shaping health information online, for better or worse
The qualified medical experts, the pseudoscientific entertainers, and the MAHA mobilizers leading online health content today.
www.statnews.com
January 27, 2026 at 5:36 PM
STAT gathered nine of the biggest voices in the health influencer space worth keeping an eye on, for better or for worse.
List members include:
@kkjetelina.bsky.social
@drjessicaknurick.bsky.social
@jessicamalaty.bsky.social
@hubermanlab.com
Read the story: www.statnews.com/2026/01/27/w...
List members include:
@kkjetelina.bsky.social
@drjessicaknurick.bsky.social
@jessicamalaty.bsky.social
@hubermanlab.com
Read the story: www.statnews.com/2026/01/27/w...
"Beneath ski goggles, tears streamed." Alex Pretti remembered by health care workers at a Minneapolis vigil as a ‘stand-up guy’ www.statnews.com/2026/01/26/a... via @mmolteni.bsky.social for @statnews.com
Alex Pretti remembered by health care workers at a Minneapolis vigil as a ‘stand-up guy’
Health care workers brought flowers and wreaths, lit candles, and draped stethoscopes over a wooden cross as a makeshift memorial to nurse Alex Pretti.
www.statnews.com
January 26, 2026 at 5:29 PM
"Beneath ski goggles, tears streamed." Alex Pretti remembered by health care workers at a Minneapolis vigil as a ‘stand-up guy’ www.statnews.com/2026/01/26/a... via @mmolteni.bsky.social for @statnews.com
Unfilled vacancies have depleted NIH advisory councils, key players in grant approvals www.statnews.com/2026/01/22/n... via @mmolteni.bsky.social for @statnews.com
Unfilled vacancies have depleted NIH advisory councils, key players in grant approvals
Only one new member was added to NIH advisory councils, which make final recommendations on grant awards, during President Trump's first year
www.statnews.com
January 22, 2026 at 10:25 PM
Unfilled vacancies have depleted NIH advisory councils, key players in grant approvals www.statnews.com/2026/01/22/n... via @mmolteni.bsky.social for @statnews.com
In a Q&A with @angusrohan.bsky.social, Anthony Letai says NCI is more stable than perceived and is heading for a big year www.statnews.com/2026/01/22/n... via @statnews.com
Anthony Letai says NCI is more stable than perceived and is heading for a big year
Anthony Letai says the National Cancer Institute is more stable than perceived and is heading for a big year.
www.statnews.com
January 22, 2026 at 4:50 PM
In a Q&A with @angusrohan.bsky.social, Anthony Letai says NCI is more stable than perceived and is heading for a big year www.statnews.com/2026/01/22/n... via @statnews.com
Reposted by Jonathan Wosen
Would the #CDC's principal deputy director view it as a public health loss for the US if the country loses its #measles elimination status? "Not really," Dr. Ralph Abraham said at a press conference today. www.statnews.com/2026/01/20/c...
Senior CDC official: Loss of measles elimination status in U.S. would be ‘cost of doing business’
The principal deputy director of the CDC said he would not view the loss of the United States' measles elimination status as a significant event.
www.statnews.com
January 20, 2026 at 10:29 PM
Would the #CDC's principal deputy director view it as a public health loss for the US if the country loses its #measles elimination status? "Not really," Dr. Ralph Abraham said at a press conference today. www.statnews.com/2026/01/20/c...
House and Senate appropriators endorse NIH budget increase, reject Trump’s proposed cuts, @aniloza.bsky.social and I write for @statnews.com
www.statnews.com/2026/01/20/n...
www.statnews.com/2026/01/20/n...
House and Senate appropriators endorse NIH budget increase, reject Trump’s proposed cuts
Congressional appropriations committees offered a near-total rebuke of President Trump’s proposed downsizing and reshaping of the NIH
www.statnews.com
January 20, 2026 at 7:47 PM
House and Senate appropriators endorse NIH budget increase, reject Trump’s proposed cuts, @aniloza.bsky.social and I write for @statnews.com
www.statnews.com/2026/01/20/n...
www.statnews.com/2026/01/20/n...
A proposed limit on multiyear funding of NIH grants has become an important sticking point in Senate budget talks, @aniloza.bsky.social and John Wilkerson report for @statnews.com www.statnews.com/2026/01/16/n...
Limit on multiyear funding of NIH grants is a sticking point in Senate budget talks
A clause limiting the use of multiyear NIH grant funding has become a sticking point as the Senate appropriations panel finalizes the HHS spending bill
www.statnews.com
January 16, 2026 at 11:28 PM
A proposed limit on multiyear funding of NIH grants has become an important sticking point in Senate budget talks, @aniloza.bsky.social and John Wilkerson report for @statnews.com www.statnews.com/2026/01/16/n...
Graduate student enrollment in biomedical degree programs rose last fall despite funding turmoil, new data show, though at a slower rate than previous years. Important to note this includes master's AND doctoral students. My latest for @statnews.com
www.statnews.com/2026/01/15/b...
www.statnews.com/2026/01/15/b...
Enrollment in biomedical degree programs rose last fall despite funding turmoil, new data show
Graduate student enrollment in U.S. biomedical programs rose 1.5% in the fall of 2025 compared to fall 2024.
www.statnews.com
January 15, 2026 at 4:09 PM
Graduate student enrollment in biomedical degree programs rose last fall despite funding turmoil, new data show, though at a slower rate than previous years. Important to note this includes master's AND doctoral students. My latest for @statnews.com
www.statnews.com/2026/01/15/b...
www.statnews.com/2026/01/15/b...
Reposted by Jonathan Wosen
Nicole Kleinstreuer has been named deputy director at NIH (shes been acting in that capacity for some months)
@saratalpos.bsky.social talked w/ her abt alternatives to animal models in Oct for @statnews.com
www.statnews.com/2025/10/03/a...
@saratalpos.bsky.social talked w/ her abt alternatives to animal models in Oct for @statnews.com
www.statnews.com/2025/10/03/a...
She’s leading NIH’s push to reduce the use of animals in biomedical research
Nicole Kleinstreuer, who is leading an NIH effort to reduce the use of animals in research, began thinking about the issue as a toxicologist at the EPA
www.statnews.com
January 14, 2026 at 2:31 PM
Nicole Kleinstreuer has been named deputy director at NIH (shes been acting in that capacity for some months)
@saratalpos.bsky.social talked w/ her abt alternatives to animal models in Oct for @statnews.com
www.statnews.com/2025/10/03/a...
@saratalpos.bsky.social talked w/ her abt alternatives to animal models in Oct for @statnews.com
www.statnews.com/2025/10/03/a...
Richard Pazdur, a veteran drug regulator who left the FDA last month, warned politics & ‘chaos’ are damaging the agency. Story by @elaineywchen.bsky.social based on @matthewherper.bsky.social's interview with Pazdur during a @statnews.com #JPM26 event last night www.statnews.com/2026/01/13/r...
Pazdur warns that politics, ‘chaos’ are damaging FDA
At a STAT event, veteran drug regulator Richard Pazdur, who left the FDA last month after 26 years, said that politics and 'chaos' were damaging the agency.
www.statnews.com
January 13, 2026 at 5:35 PM
Richard Pazdur, a veteran drug regulator who left the FDA last month, warned politics & ‘chaos’ are damaging the agency. Story by @elaineywchen.bsky.social based on @matthewherper.bsky.social's interview with Pazdur during a @statnews.com #JPM26 event last night www.statnews.com/2026/01/13/r...