Jessica Chong
@jxchong.bsky.social
Associate Professor. UW Center for Rare Disease Research, @MyGene2, Deputy Editor of @HGGAdvances. #raredisease genetics. CovidWA data
Reposted by Jessica Chong
No vaccine requirements for thee;
No vaccine access for me.
No vaccine access for me.
Our paternalistic Medical Establishment rejects your medical freedom and bodily autonomy.
Full article: www.usnews.com/news/health-...
Full article: www.usnews.com/news/health-...
May 6, 2025 at 6:27 PM
No vaccine requirements for thee;
No vaccine access for me.
No vaccine access for me.
Reposted by Jessica Chong
At a community meeting in SE Seattle tonight, where opposition to closing schools was strongest, Seattle school board member Liza Rankin tripled down and said SPS still needs to close a lot of schools. She just absolutely refuses to listen to the public or the facts on this.
April 25, 2025 at 4:31 AM
At a community meeting in SE Seattle tonight, where opposition to closing schools was strongest, Seattle school board member Liza Rankin tripled down and said SPS still needs to close a lot of schools. She just absolutely refuses to listen to the public or the facts on this.
Reposted by Jessica Chong
NEW: The doctor behind breakthrough Parkinson’s research was among the scientists purged from the National Institutes of Health, the US’s leading medical research agency. www.wired.com/story/doctor...
Doctor Behind Award-Winning Parkinson’s Research Among Scientists Purged From NIH
Leading scientists at the National Institutes of Health, the US’s leading medical research agency, were swept up Tuesday in the Trump administration's latest firing blitz.
www.wired.com
April 2, 2025 at 12:13 AM
NEW: The doctor behind breakthrough Parkinson’s research was among the scientists purged from the National Institutes of Health, the US’s leading medical research agency. www.wired.com/story/doctor...
Reposted by Jessica Chong
Reposted by Jessica Chong
If you are feeling a little bit of schadenfreude about the demise of 23andMe (and let's be honest -- who isn't?) you should keep this bruising thought in mind: I bet whatever comes next is way, way worse.
April 2, 2025 at 7:41 PM
If you are feeling a little bit of schadenfreude about the demise of 23andMe (and let's be honest -- who isn't?) you should keep this bruising thought in mind: I bet whatever comes next is way, way worse.
Reposted by Jessica Chong
Even conservative economists admit we are a low tax haven, geez.
www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news...
www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news...
April 2, 2025 at 8:04 PM
Even conservative economists admit we are a low tax haven, geez.
www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news...
www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news...
Reposted by Jessica Chong
"The agency was set to give full approval to Novavax’s shot, but senior leaders ... are now sitting on the decision and have said the Novavax application needed more data and was unlikely to be approved soon." Potentially big red flag, including possible political interference in agency decisions.
April 2, 2025 at 8:42 PM
"The agency was set to give full approval to Novavax’s shot, but senior leaders ... are now sitting on the decision and have said the Novavax application needed more data and was unlikely to be approved soon." Potentially big red flag, including possible political interference in agency decisions.
Reposted by Jessica Chong
I have learned that the directors of ALL: PREP, IMSD, and IRACDA programs across the country have received similar cancelation notices. This follows previous cancellations of MARC and URISE programs. This further dismantles the mechanisms that enable scientific training opportunities for SO MANY.
You want to know the best way to show thanks for chairing a study section? Early the next morning sent them a termination notice for their PREP training grant.
Just completed day 2 of chairing a NIH study section. Brain is tired after intently listening and leading discussions of ~40 apps. So fulfilling to hear the passion people have for others' science, and heartwarming to see so many people who care about the training and environment of others 🫶 (299!)
April 2, 2025 at 8:49 PM
I have learned that the directors of ALL: PREP, IMSD, and IRACDA programs across the country have received similar cancelation notices. This follows previous cancellations of MARC and URISE programs. This further dismantles the mechanisms that enable scientific training opportunities for SO MANY.
Reposted by Jessica Chong
SCOOP: You've heard about the NIH terminating grants. I've learned of another, less visible way it's disrupting science: It’s removing some applications from peer review. Not rejecting them, but putting them on hold without saying why or if they'll ever be reviewed. www.chronicle.com/article/the-...
The Quiet Way the NIH Is Stalling Some Research Before It Starts
A number of grant proposals have disappeared from scientists’ review pipelines, with little explanation. Applicants are bewildered and frustrated.
www.chronicle.com
April 2, 2025 at 7:35 PM
SCOOP: You've heard about the NIH terminating grants. I've learned of another, less visible way it's disrupting science: It’s removing some applications from peer review. Not rejecting them, but putting them on hold without saying why or if they'll ever be reviewed. www.chronicle.com/article/the-...
Reposted by Jessica Chong
🚨🚨🚨 Four NIH institute directors have been removed from their posts and some offered reassignments to the Indian Health Service, effective today.
These institutes include NIAID (Jeanne Marrazzo), NIMHD (Eliseo Pérez-Stable), NICHD (Diana Bianchi), and NINR (Shannon Zenk).
These institutes include NIAID (Jeanne Marrazzo), NIMHD (Eliseo Pérez-Stable), NICHD (Diana Bianchi), and NINR (Shannon Zenk).
‘One of the darkest days’: NIH purges agency leadership amid mass layoffs
In shock move, four institute directors at the US biomedical agency are removed from their posts.
www.nature.com
April 1, 2025 at 5:39 PM
🚨🚨🚨 Four NIH institute directors have been removed from their posts and some offered reassignments to the Indian Health Service, effective today.
These institutes include NIAID (Jeanne Marrazzo), NIMHD (Eliseo Pérez-Stable), NICHD (Diana Bianchi), and NINR (Shannon Zenk).
These institutes include NIAID (Jeanne Marrazzo), NIMHD (Eliseo Pérez-Stable), NICHD (Diana Bianchi), and NINR (Shannon Zenk).
Reposted by Jessica Chong
Anyone in research still credulous enough to think some of the changes to NIH are good, actually, is in the first half of this.
April 1, 2025 at 6:35 PM
Anyone in research still credulous enough to think some of the changes to NIH are good, actually, is in the first half of this.
Reposted by Jessica Chong
So many students in my lab and my department have been supported by the NIH MARC and U-RISE training grants!
These grants help students who are interested in research, but who cannot afford to volunteer their time to get extensive research experience. @sfsu.bsky.social @sfstatebio.bsky.social 😢😡
These grants help students who are interested in research, but who cannot afford to volunteer their time to get extensive research experience. @sfsu.bsky.social @sfstatebio.bsky.social 😢😡
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!
April 1, 2025 at 6:45 PM
So many students in my lab and my department have been supported by the NIH MARC and U-RISE training grants!
These grants help students who are interested in research, but who cannot afford to volunteer their time to get extensive research experience. @sfsu.bsky.social @sfstatebio.bsky.social 😢😡
These grants help students who are interested in research, but who cannot afford to volunteer their time to get extensive research experience. @sfsu.bsky.social @sfstatebio.bsky.social 😢😡
Reposted by Jessica Chong
Needless to say the answer here is "I refuse to answer questions, I want a lawyer, please leave."
From a source: “Just had a co-presenter for a buildings research conference bow out. She’s a dual citizen and the FBI came knocking to ask her about her involvement in coauthoring chunks of the Paris Agreement.
Climate science is being literally (and I mean literally) criminalized.”
Climate science is being literally (and I mean literally) criminalized.”
March 18, 2025 at 7:57 PM
Needless to say the answer here is "I refuse to answer questions, I want a lawyer, please leave."
Reposted by Jessica Chong
Scientist loses their grant funding because they briefly mentioned the word "hesitancy" in their grant.
March 18, 2025 at 7:44 PM
Scientist loses their grant funding because they briefly mentioned the word "hesitancy" in their grant.
Reposted by Jessica Chong
If you're a Jewish professor, staff member, or student at a US university who would like to join the growing community of voices standing against the targeting of Mahmoud Khalil & resisting efforts to politicize Jewish identity, you can sign the statement here: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
Not In Our Name
Please complete this form to add your name to the statement "Not In Our Name."
Although we sincerely appreciate the solidarity of all university stakeholders, we are asking that only those who identi...
docs.google.com
March 18, 2025 at 5:48 PM
If you're a Jewish professor, staff member, or student at a US university who would like to join the growing community of voices standing against the targeting of Mahmoud Khalil & resisting efforts to politicize Jewish identity, you can sign the statement here: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
Reposted by Jessica Chong
This gets to the heart of RIFs and impoundment. RIFs are supposed to eliminate unnecessary roles or functions. But who decides? For small cuts, defer to the executive. But when you are gutting the statutory purpose of agencies and its ability to spend money, surely Congressional intent matters.
NIH is likely cutting up to 25% of its workforce this week. NIH staff have substantial expertise, typically PhDs. And they really *believe* in the work. NIH's will not be able to meet its mission w/these cuts. The scientific threat is not just direct funding cuts www.statnews.com/2025/03/14/n...
At NIH, ‘everyone is on edge’ as they brace for deep cuts and more centralized control
As the NIH braces for cuts of up to 5,000 of its 20,000 positions, “people are scrambling and freaking out,” a researcher said.
www.statnews.com
March 17, 2025 at 4:14 PM
This gets to the heart of RIFs and impoundment. RIFs are supposed to eliminate unnecessary roles or functions. But who decides? For small cuts, defer to the executive. But when you are gutting the statutory purpose of agencies and its ability to spend money, surely Congressional intent matters.
Reposted by Jessica Chong
Saint Patrick’s Day is a good time to talk about which sort of immigrants are celebrated and which sorts are being deported. Who gets to fly a foreign flag without complaint and who doesn’t.
The military banned cultural awareness celebrations – except for St. Patrick’s Day
Women’s History Month and Black History Month are among those events no longer celebrated in the armed forces.
https://www.texasstandard.org/stories/military-ban-cultural-awareness-celebrations-except-st-patricks-day/#:~:text=Texas%20Standard-,The%20military%20banned%20cultural%20awareness%20celebrations%20–%20except%20for%20St.%20Patrick's,celebrated%20in%20the%20armed%20forces.&text=Defense%20Secretary%20Pete%20Hegseth%2C%20seen,awareness%20months%20in%20the%20military
March 17, 2025 at 6:24 PM
Saint Patrick’s Day is a good time to talk about which sort of immigrants are celebrated and which sorts are being deported. Who gets to fly a foreign flag without complaint and who doesn’t.
Reposted by Jessica Chong
Always good when the authoritarian leader decrees who is and is not Jewish.
Donald Trump: "Schumer is a Palestinian as far as I am concerned. He has become a Palestinian. He used to be Jewish. He is not Jewish anymore. He is a Palestinian."
March 12, 2025 at 5:17 PM
Always good when the authoritarian leader decrees who is and is not Jewish.
Reposted by Jessica Chong
I received one of the 232 NIH grant "terminations" sent to scientists at Columbia last night. My research focuses on improving maternal and child health in the US. Also affected: ongoing clinical trials, research training programs, and research centers that aim to improve the health of Americans.
Hundreds of research grants at Columbia canceled following Trump edict, administrator says
The National Institutes of Health is terminating 232 grants for scientific research at Columbia University Irving Medical Center, according to an email an administrator sent to faculty.
gothamist.com
March 11, 2025 at 9:05 PM
I received one of the 232 NIH grant "terminations" sent to scientists at Columbia last night. My research focuses on improving maternal and child health in the US. Also affected: ongoing clinical trials, research training programs, and research centers that aim to improve the health of Americans.
Reposted by Jessica Chong
Add R25s to that list.
Our NIH funding got straight up cancelled today for the two R25s that my team runs at Columbia for post-bacs and high-school students.
I fear for our young scholars, who love learning about the brain and now are losing opportunities to be tomorrow's neuroscientists. 🧪
Our NIH funding got straight up cancelled today for the two R25s that my team runs at Columbia for post-bacs and high-school students.
I fear for our young scholars, who love learning about the brain and now are losing opportunities to be tomorrow's neuroscientists. 🧪
I have confirmation from several sources now that all T32s, many F30s and F31s, and most or all Center awards (P30, P50) have been terminated at Columbia.
This is quite damaging to research and to individuals.
This is pure terrorism and cannot be legal. But litigation will take time...
This is quite damaging to research and to individuals.
This is pure terrorism and cannot be legal. But litigation will take time...
March 11, 2025 at 7:40 PM
Add R25s to that list.
Our NIH funding got straight up cancelled today for the two R25s that my team runs at Columbia for post-bacs and high-school students.
I fear for our young scholars, who love learning about the brain and now are losing opportunities to be tomorrow's neuroscientists. 🧪
Our NIH funding got straight up cancelled today for the two R25s that my team runs at Columbia for post-bacs and high-school students.
I fear for our young scholars, who love learning about the brain and now are losing opportunities to be tomorrow's neuroscientists. 🧪
Reposted by Jessica Chong
Republicans snuck a provision into the rule for the CR that would preemptively surrender congressional authority to block tariffs.
When House Republicans vote for this rule today, they will also be voting to support Trump's tariffs and all the resulting damage to the US economy
When House Republicans vote for this rule today, they will also be voting to support Trump's tariffs and all the resulting damage to the US economy
March 11, 2025 at 3:28 PM
Republicans snuck a provision into the rule for the CR that would preemptively surrender congressional authority to block tariffs.
When House Republicans vote for this rule today, they will also be voting to support Trump's tariffs and all the resulting damage to the US economy
When House Republicans vote for this rule today, they will also be voting to support Trump's tariffs and all the resulting damage to the US economy
Reposted by Jessica Chong
@propublica.org reporter Brett Murphy with an explosive scoop. This is insanity.
March 11, 2025 at 3:49 PM
@propublica.org reporter Brett Murphy with an explosive scoop. This is insanity.
Reposted by Jessica Chong
Bsky vs Twitter engagement difference now 50-fold...
March 11, 2025 at 4:18 PM
Bsky vs Twitter engagement difference now 50-fold...