Prof. Aviles
@nataliebaviles.bsky.social
Scholar of federal cancer research policy. Author of An Ungovernable Foe: Science and Policy Innovation in the U.S. National Cancer Institute. Recovering Chicana goth, shitposting enthusiast. Speaking in my personal capacity on matters of public concern.
Reposted by Prof. Aviles
straight out of those Civil War histories where some ill informed white Union soldier got a view of slavery up close and became hyper abolitionist in an instant
Yesterday morning kids were sent running from their bus stop in panic because ICE showed up. This guy at today’s ICE Out of Lindenwold protest is a must watch 😭. @maddow.bsky.social
February 14, 2026 at 9:28 PM
straight out of those Civil War histories where some ill informed white Union soldier got a view of slavery up close and became hyper abolitionist in an instant
Reposted by Prof. Aviles
Cool how our fucked up for-profit healthcare system is something that indirectly subsidizes literally the entire world’s medical care
In terms of what cures are being lost:
- Epstein-Barr virus is perhaps the major trigger for multiple sclerosis
- herpes simplex virus causes cold sores, genital herpes, infections in babies, deadly meningitis
- shingles virus causes an intensely painful disease
- Epstein-Barr virus is perhaps the major trigger for multiple sclerosis
- herpes simplex virus causes cold sores, genital herpes, infections in babies, deadly meningitis
- shingles virus causes an intensely painful disease
February 13, 2026 at 1:01 PM
Cool how our fucked up for-profit healthcare system is something that indirectly subsidizes literally the entire world’s medical care
Reposted by Prof. Aviles
Scoop: The NIH infectious-diseases institute (NIAID) will soon scrub “pandemic preparedness” and “biodefense” from its web pages, according to e-mails I obtained.
The directive is the start of a broader shake-up at NIAID, which has long been attacked by Republicans.
The directive is the start of a broader shake-up at NIAID, which has long been attacked by Republicans.
Exclusive: Key US infectious-diseases centre to drop pandemic preparation
Staff members have been instructed to scrub this topic and ‘biodefense’ from the agency’s website.
www.nature.com
February 13, 2026 at 6:56 PM
Scoop: The NIH infectious-diseases institute (NIAID) will soon scrub “pandemic preparedness” and “biodefense” from its web pages, according to e-mails I obtained.
The directive is the start of a broader shake-up at NIAID, which has long been attacked by Republicans.
The directive is the start of a broader shake-up at NIAID, which has long been attacked by Republicans.
Reposted by Prof. Aviles
I'm still SHOCKED by the obscene rise in billionaire election spending since Citizens United in the NYT piece, despite already knowing that election corruption w/ $ was profound. (Recall that BCRA fought dangerous campaign $ in *2002*)
The article data didn't have a graph, so I made one to show it.
The article data didn't have a graph, so I made one to show it.
February 12, 2026 at 2:26 PM
I'm still SHOCKED by the obscene rise in billionaire election spending since Citizens United in the NYT piece, despite already knowing that election corruption w/ $ was profound. (Recall that BCRA fought dangerous campaign $ in *2002*)
The article data didn't have a graph, so I made one to show it.
The article data didn't have a graph, so I made one to show it.
Presidential appointees chosen for loyalty to the administration rather than scientific expertise are overruling the judgment of experts to undermine the US’s ability to innovate and distribute valuable medicines. What happened at FDA is one piece of this bigger problem affecting NIH, CDC, etc.
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 4:32 PM
Presidential appointees chosen for loyalty to the administration rather than scientific expertise are overruling the judgment of experts to undermine the US’s ability to innovate and distribute valuable medicines. What happened at FDA is one piece of this bigger problem affecting NIH, CDC, etc.
Reposted by Prof. Aviles
C'ville folks! Local luminary and lender of e-bikes Josh Carp created this very cool site, which combines videos of public meetings with searchable, linkable transcripts. meetings.cvilledata.org/meetings
Localities
meetings.cvilledata.org
February 11, 2026 at 2:47 AM
C'ville folks! Local luminary and lender of e-bikes Josh Carp created this very cool site, which combines videos of public meetings with searchable, linkable transcripts. meetings.cvilledata.org/meetings
Reposted by Prof. Aviles
Rep. Delia Ramirez to DHS officials: "I have as much respect for you as I do for the last white men who put on masks to terrorize communities of color. I have no respect for the inheritors of the Klanhood and the slave patrol. Those activities were criminal and so are yours."
February 10, 2026 at 5:11 PM
Rep. Delia Ramirez to DHS officials: "I have as much respect for you as I do for the last white men who put on masks to terrorize communities of color. I have no respect for the inheritors of the Klanhood and the slave patrol. Those activities were criminal and so are yours."
Reposted by Prof. Aviles
New, from me: Trump finalized his Schedule F policy, allowing him to remove job protections from career civil servants.
The new rule is dishonest and unmoored from reality in its effort to formalize the politicization of the federal government 🧵
donmoynihan.substack.com/p/trumps-sch...
The new rule is dishonest and unmoored from reality in its effort to formalize the politicization of the federal government 🧵
donmoynihan.substack.com/p/trumps-sch...
Trump's Schedule F Rule Finalized
A bizarro rule formally justifies politicizing public services
donmoynihan.substack.com
February 6, 2026 at 4:16 AM
New, from me: Trump finalized his Schedule F policy, allowing him to remove job protections from career civil servants.
The new rule is dishonest and unmoored from reality in its effort to formalize the politicization of the federal government 🧵
donmoynihan.substack.com/p/trumps-sch...
The new rule is dishonest and unmoored from reality in its effort to formalize the politicization of the federal government 🧵
donmoynihan.substack.com/p/trumps-sch...
Reposted by Prof. Aviles
Final schedule F rule "will allow agencies to quickly remove employees from critical positions who engage in misconduct, perform poorly, or *obstruct the democratic process by intentionally
subverting Presidential directives.*"
(emphasis mine)
public-inspection.federalregister.gov/2026-02375.pdf
subverting Presidential directives.*"
(emphasis mine)
public-inspection.federalregister.gov/2026-02375.pdf
February 5, 2026 at 4:36 PM
Final schedule F rule "will allow agencies to quickly remove employees from critical positions who engage in misconduct, perform poorly, or *obstruct the democratic process by intentionally
subverting Presidential directives.*"
(emphasis mine)
public-inspection.federalregister.gov/2026-02375.pdf
subverting Presidential directives.*"
(emphasis mine)
public-inspection.federalregister.gov/2026-02375.pdf
Reposted by Prof. Aviles
The Washington Post gutted the health team which I helped to lead despite our stories being among the most widely read, impactful and adept at reaching new audiences.
February 5, 2026 at 4:17 PM
The Washington Post gutted the health team which I helped to lead despite our stories being among the most widely read, impactful and adept at reaching new audiences.
If Trump ever read the Bible he’d be so pissed right now
wow -- with Trump standing behind him, a man (not sure who he is) offers this prayer: "We pray that he would be mindful of the poor and that he would be invested in the alleviation of suffering happening in the families preparing to bury their loved ones in Minneapolis."
February 5, 2026 at 4:15 PM
If Trump ever read the Bible he’d be so pissed right now
Surprise! The White House’s attempt to undermine the administrative capacity of the entire federal government is reallllly unpopular.
An excruciating read for its pedantry, but important to see how Federalist Society originalism is being used to argue for dramatically unpopular policy decisions.
An excruciating read for its pedantry, but important to see how Federalist Society originalism is being used to argue for dramatically unpopular policy decisions.
OPM releases the text of the final rule for Schedule Policy/Career.
public-inspection.federalregister.gov/2026-02375.pdf
public-inspection.federalregister.gov/2026-02375.pdf
February 5, 2026 at 4:11 PM
Surprise! The White House’s attempt to undermine the administrative capacity of the entire federal government is reallllly unpopular.
An excruciating read for its pedantry, but important to see how Federalist Society originalism is being used to argue for dramatically unpopular policy decisions.
An excruciating read for its pedantry, but important to see how Federalist Society originalism is being used to argue for dramatically unpopular policy decisions.
Reposted by Prof. Aviles
As far as I know, this is DHS's first effort to explain their position that I-205 forms allow entry into the home. They rely on the dicta in the 1960 Abel case (before Payton) and re-imagine the plurality opinion in Lucas as if it were the majority (and then overrely on it).
February 5, 2026 at 7:56 AM
As far as I know, this is DHS's first effort to explain their position that I-205 forms allow entry into the home. They rely on the dicta in the 1960 Abel case (before Payton) and re-imagine the plurality opinion in Lucas as if it were the majority (and then overrely on it).
Reposted by Prof. Aviles
NEW: Abigail Spanberger this afternoon ordered that all state agencies leave ICE's 287(g) program.
This means that the state police (and some other agencies) will no longer be empowered to detain and arrest people for ICE.
Big, big move by the governor within weeks of coming into office.
This means that the state police (and some other agencies) will no longer be empowered to detain and arrest people for ICE.
Big, big move by the governor within weeks of coming into office.
Virginia’s New Governor Ends ICE Program. Local Contracts Remain, For Now. - Bolts
Abigail Spanberger left the 287(g) program, which empowered state law enforcement to detain immigrants. Will Democrats also bar local police and sheriffs from the program?
boltsmag.org
February 4, 2026 at 10:36 PM
NEW: Abigail Spanberger this afternoon ordered that all state agencies leave ICE's 287(g) program.
This means that the state police (and some other agencies) will no longer be empowered to detain and arrest people for ICE.
Big, big move by the governor within weeks of coming into office.
This means that the state police (and some other agencies) will no longer be empowered to detain and arrest people for ICE.
Big, big move by the governor within weeks of coming into office.
I’m about to receive my first royalty check from my academic book! I can’t wait to find out how much I made. Elevens, perhaps twelves of dollars!
February 4, 2026 at 3:02 PM
I’m about to receive my first royalty check from my academic book! I can’t wait to find out how much I made. Elevens, perhaps twelves of dollars!
Reposted by Prof. Aviles
I'd say it's less outrageous than simply absurd but it's those too. I mean, you go into NIH and you close down the ability to review or issue grants, send out stop work orders and then fire half the people. That's probably going to have an impact on research and patient care.
BHATTACHARYA: I do not believe patients' care was disrupted. If there were disruptions, it's the responsibility of the researchers, not the NHS
HASSAN: That is an unacceptable and outrageous response. You can make an edict - 'Don't disrupt care!' - but that can be a very complicated thing
HASSAN: That is an unacceptable and outrageous response. You can make an edict - 'Don't disrupt care!' - but that can be a very complicated thing
February 3, 2026 at 4:15 PM
I'd say it's less outrageous than simply absurd but it's those too. I mean, you go into NIH and you close down the ability to review or issue grants, send out stop work orders and then fire half the people. That's probably going to have an impact on research and patient care.
Reposted by Prof. Aviles
So the question here is mis-specified. There is no "alternative" research funding in any way that would make American biomedical research whole for researchers to seek out. 1/ www.statnews.com/2026/02/03/p... via @statnews.com
We asked whether principal investigators have plans in place for how research can continue without them
Researchers must be mindful of unexpected events that may leave them incapacitated or unable to lead their research projects or labs.
www.statnews.com
February 4, 2026 at 10:35 AM
So the question here is mis-specified. There is no "alternative" research funding in any way that would make American biomedical research whole for researchers to seek out. 1/ www.statnews.com/2026/02/03/p... via @statnews.com
Reposted by Prof. Aviles
Please stop saying the bill allows "no more multi-year funding" - or at least be clear the 'more' is in reference to disastrous FY25 levels.
The bill allows 39% MYF, same as in FY25, which contributed substantially to a 24% drop in new research.
The bill has some wins. MYF is not one of them.
The bill allows 39% MYF, same as in FY25, which contributed substantially to a 24% drop in new research.
The bill has some wins. MYF is not one of them.
Both chambers of Congress have now passed the FY26 minibus with NIH provisions. The President will sign.
(1) $48.7 billion for NIH
(2) Full IDC recovery
(3) No more multi-year funding
(4) No NIH reorganization, maintaining the current IC structure.
(1) $48.7 billion for NIH
(2) Full IDC recovery
(3) No more multi-year funding
(4) No NIH reorganization, maintaining the current IC structure.
February 3, 2026 at 9:38 PM
Please stop saying the bill allows "no more multi-year funding" - or at least be clear the 'more' is in reference to disastrous FY25 levels.
The bill allows 39% MYF, same as in FY25, which contributed substantially to a 24% drop in new research.
The bill has some wins. MYF is not one of them.
The bill allows 39% MYF, same as in FY25, which contributed substantially to a 24% drop in new research.
The bill has some wins. MYF is not one of them.
lol what intramural program??
NIH doesn’t do studies? 👀
This is a powerful line of questioning from Senator Hassan and an outrageous answer from Director Bhattacharya.
"If there were disruptions then it is the responsibility of the researchers that were managing the patients, not the NIH" because "I ordered that ... there would be continuity of care."
"If there were disruptions then it is the responsibility of the researchers that were managing the patients, not the NIH" because "I ordered that ... there would be continuity of care."
February 3, 2026 at 8:07 PM
lol what intramural program??
As one of the members of this parent coalition that pushed to have language about ICE put into the memorandum of understanding for cops in Charlottesville schools, I am disappointed that the School Board not only removed it at the last minute, but in the most cowardly way possible
this is truly great to see, but i do find it interesting that the cville school board recently *removed* language forbidding cooperation with ICE from their contract with the cops, on the grounds that it might draw unwanted federal attention.
Listening to Charlottesville City Council members read the resolution on ICE & Border Patrol. It's not perfect, but it's damn good. I'll see if I can find the text somewhere. Passes unanimously. boxcast.tv/channel/aleu...
February 3, 2026 at 7:33 PM
As one of the members of this parent coalition that pushed to have language about ICE put into the memorandum of understanding for cops in Charlottesville schools, I am disappointed that the School Board not only removed it at the last minute, but in the most cowardly way possible
Reposted by Prof. Aviles
The risks of standing up are real, but not as high as people seem to think (based on data).
The risks of NOT standing up are real, and higher than most people seem to think, both for themselves and for the whole enterprise.
Now more than ever, it matters!
@standupforscience.bsky.social
The risks of NOT standing up are real, and higher than most people seem to think, both for themselves and for the whole enterprise.
Now more than ever, it matters!
@standupforscience.bsky.social
People were pumped to #StandUpForScience at the beginning of the year. I think for many that momentum has waned.
The Fear is credible, I feel it too, but something tells me that we need to break out of the mindset of "*I* will be spared as long as I keep my head down".
The Fear is credible, I feel it too, but something tells me that we need to break out of the mindset of "*I* will be spared as long as I keep my head down".
February 3, 2026 at 2:28 PM
The risks of standing up are real, but not as high as people seem to think (based on data).
The risks of NOT standing up are real, and higher than most people seem to think, both for themselves and for the whole enterprise.
Now more than ever, it matters!
@standupforscience.bsky.social
The risks of NOT standing up are real, and higher than most people seem to think, both for themselves and for the whole enterprise.
Now more than ever, it matters!
@standupforscience.bsky.social
@billresh.bsky.social’s book on the Bush II Admin also points out that second term presidents tend to go harder on leveraging the administrative state to enact their policy goals—in this case, accelerating the democratic backsliding that was well previewed in Trump I
New from me: It is not just that the US is experiencing democratic backsliding. Authoritarianism has emerged more quickly than in other benchmark countries.
This graph from John Burn-Murdoch sums it up. 🧵
donmoynihan.substack.com/p/autocracy-...
This graph from John Burn-Murdoch sums it up. 🧵
donmoynihan.substack.com/p/autocracy-...
January 31, 2026 at 3:51 PM
@billresh.bsky.social’s book on the Bush II Admin also points out that second term presidents tend to go harder on leveraging the administrative state to enact their policy goals—in this case, accelerating the democratic backsliding that was well previewed in Trump I
Reposted by Prof. Aviles
New from me: It is not just that the US is experiencing democratic backsliding. Authoritarianism has emerged more quickly than in other benchmark countries.
This graph from John Burn-Murdoch sums it up. 🧵
donmoynihan.substack.com/p/autocracy-...
This graph from John Burn-Murdoch sums it up. 🧵
donmoynihan.substack.com/p/autocracy-...
January 31, 2026 at 3:12 PM
New from me: It is not just that the US is experiencing democratic backsliding. Authoritarianism has emerged more quickly than in other benchmark countries.
This graph from John Burn-Murdoch sums it up. 🧵
donmoynihan.substack.com/p/autocracy-...
This graph from John Burn-Murdoch sums it up. 🧵
donmoynihan.substack.com/p/autocracy-...
Reposted by Prof. Aviles
I guess we're just arresting journalists now.
January 30, 2026 at 1:37 PM
I guess we're just arresting journalists now.