Ken Field, PhD
@profken.bsky.social
Bat Immunology, Antiviral and Antifungal Immunity, Tolerance & Resistance.
#rstats teaching data analysis & #rprogramming
Fieldwork in Uganda; Labwork at Bucknell University. #PUI #loveislove
#rstats teaching data analysis & #rprogramming
Fieldwork in Uganda; Labwork at Bucknell University. #PUI #loveislove
Reposted by Ken Field, PhD
"Nice" NIH study sections screw their applicants because of the way NIH calculates percentile. drugmonkey.wordpress.com/2025/11/20/n...
“Nice” NIH study sections screw their applicants because of the way NIH calculates percentile.
I often write blog comments about NIH grant review matters that exist in an uncomfortable tension between what NIH wants us to do on study section and what I see as our professional obligation to t…
drugmonkey.wordpress.com
November 21, 2025 at 1:50 AM
"Nice" NIH study sections screw their applicants because of the way NIH calculates percentile. drugmonkey.wordpress.com/2025/11/20/n...
Reposted by Ken Field, PhD
'GanLum contains a molecule called ganaplacide that is “completely new and unlike any existing antimalarials” (...) Ganaplacide is thought to disrupt the parasite’s internal protein transport systems, which it needs to survive inside human red blood cells.'
www.ft.com/content/9070...
www.ft.com/content/9070...
New malaria drug promises to beat resistant strains
Novartis-led project should help curb spread of deadly disease in Africa and Asia
www.ft.com
November 16, 2025 at 11:24 AM
'GanLum contains a molecule called ganaplacide that is “completely new and unlike any existing antimalarials” (...) Ganaplacide is thought to disrupt the parasite’s internal protein transport systems, which it needs to survive inside human red blood cells.'
www.ft.com/content/9070...
www.ft.com/content/9070...
Reposted by Ken Field, PhD
NEW pub in @science.org 🥳
Is it sponges (panels A & B) or comb jellies (C & D) that root the animal tree of life?
For over 15 years, #phylogenomic studies have been divided.
We provide new evidence suggesting that...
🔗: www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
Is it sponges (panels A & B) or comb jellies (C & D) that root the animal tree of life?
For over 15 years, #phylogenomic studies have been divided.
We provide new evidence suggesting that...
🔗: www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
November 13, 2025 at 8:34 PM
NEW pub in @science.org 🥳
Is it sponges (panels A & B) or comb jellies (C & D) that root the animal tree of life?
For over 15 years, #phylogenomic studies have been divided.
We provide new evidence suggesting that...
🔗: www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
Is it sponges (panels A & B) or comb jellies (C & D) that root the animal tree of life?
For over 15 years, #phylogenomic studies have been divided.
We provide new evidence suggesting that...
🔗: www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
Reposted by Ken Field, PhD
🚨Dept. of Education proposes to exclude public health degrees from the “professional degree” category.
That means new public health experts could lose access to key higher ed resources, like loan limits & reimbursement.
A bold strategy to let infectious diseases win! 🦠
aspph.org/department-o...
That means new public health experts could lose access to key higher ed resources, like loan limits & reimbursement.
A bold strategy to let infectious diseases win! 🦠
aspph.org/department-o...
Department of Education Proposal Excludes Public Health Degrees from “Professional Degree” Definition
Discover the new results and implications of Dept of Ed consensus regarding professional degree programs and public health education.
aspph.org
November 13, 2025 at 3:57 PM
🚨Dept. of Education proposes to exclude public health degrees from the “professional degree” category.
That means new public health experts could lose access to key higher ed resources, like loan limits & reimbursement.
A bold strategy to let infectious diseases win! 🦠
aspph.org/department-o...
That means new public health experts could lose access to key higher ed resources, like loan limits & reimbursement.
A bold strategy to let infectious diseases win! 🦠
aspph.org/department-o...
Reposted by Ken Field, PhD
ok, ok, we might as well get started. rumor is that study sections will Not Discuss ~70% of applications rather than the usual ~half.
Given how long it has been (20 years?) since anything with a 30th percentile is within reasonable discussion room of funding, I am not sure this has much impact.
Given how long it has been (20 years?) since anything with a 30th percentile is within reasonable discussion room of funding, I am not sure this has much impact.
Not sure if you saw someone say that triage is going to 70% for next two cycles supposedly?
November 13, 2025 at 11:21 PM
ok, ok, we might as well get started. rumor is that study sections will Not Discuss ~70% of applications rather than the usual ~half.
Given how long it has been (20 years?) since anything with a 30th percentile is within reasonable discussion room of funding, I am not sure this has much impact.
Given how long it has been (20 years?) since anything with a 30th percentile is within reasonable discussion room of funding, I am not sure this has much impact.
Reposted by Ken Field, PhD
🚨🚨
🧵1/6 #FedFam, reporters - urgent help needed
🚨CDC Museum (a Smithsonian affiliate) is being shuttered🚨
Staff are being “un-RIFed” just to close the museum permanently — then RIFed again in Jan
This is bureaucratic cruelty & cultural vandalism
CDC Library is a national treasure
#SaveCDCLibrary
🧵1/6 #FedFam, reporters - urgent help needed
🚨CDC Museum (a Smithsonian affiliate) is being shuttered🚨
Staff are being “un-RIFed” just to close the museum permanently — then RIFed again in Jan
This is bureaucratic cruelty & cultural vandalism
CDC Library is a national treasure
#SaveCDCLibrary
The David J. Sencer CDC Museum: In Association with the Smithsonian
Free museum exhibiting public health topics and the history of CDC.
www.cdc.gov
November 13, 2025 at 7:09 PM
🚨🚨
🧵1/6 #FedFam, reporters - urgent help needed
🚨CDC Museum (a Smithsonian affiliate) is being shuttered🚨
Staff are being “un-RIFed” just to close the museum permanently — then RIFed again in Jan
This is bureaucratic cruelty & cultural vandalism
CDC Library is a national treasure
#SaveCDCLibrary
🧵1/6 #FedFam, reporters - urgent help needed
🚨CDC Museum (a Smithsonian affiliate) is being shuttered🚨
Staff are being “un-RIFed” just to close the museum permanently — then RIFed again in Jan
This is bureaucratic cruelty & cultural vandalism
CDC Library is a national treasure
#SaveCDCLibrary
Reposted by Ken Field, PhD
In normal budget times, only ~2,500-3,500 of these 24,380 proposals will be funded. The competition level is high and the input of peer review is fundamental to selection.
While the government was shut down, 379 NIH study section meetings (containing 24,380 grant applications) were postponed. NIH is committed to getting these reviewed, but please be patient and understanding with staff, as this is a complex and heavy lift.
November 13, 2025 at 4:11 PM
In normal budget times, only ~2,500-3,500 of these 24,380 proposals will be funded. The competition level is high and the input of peer review is fundamental to selection.
Reposted by Ken Field, PhD
Great news #NIHGrant reviewers! Even though the study section I am on is back to “submit”, it looks like all of my critiques uploaded before are still in the system!
November 13, 2025 at 4:31 PM
Great news #NIHGrant reviewers! Even though the study section I am on is back to “submit”, it looks like all of my critiques uploaded before are still in the system!
Reposted by Ken Field, PhD
Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto of Nevada
Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois
Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania
Sen. Maggie Hassan of New Hampshire
Sen. Tim Kaine of Virginia
Sen. Angus King of Maine
Sen. Jacky Rosen of Nevada
Sen. Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire
Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois
Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania
Sen. Maggie Hassan of New Hampshire
Sen. Tim Kaine of Virginia
Sen. Angus King of Maine
Sen. Jacky Rosen of Nevada
Sen. Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire
November 10, 2025 at 12:24 PM
Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto of Nevada
Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois
Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania
Sen. Maggie Hassan of New Hampshire
Sen. Tim Kaine of Virginia
Sen. Angus King of Maine
Sen. Jacky Rosen of Nevada
Sen. Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire
Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois
Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania
Sen. Maggie Hassan of New Hampshire
Sen. Tim Kaine of Virginia
Sen. Angus King of Maine
Sen. Jacky Rosen of Nevada
Sen. Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire
Reposted by Ken Field, PhD
Fetterman's office doesn't even let you leave voicemails anymore. What an absolute piece of shit senator.
November 10, 2025 at 12:00 AM
Fetterman's office doesn't even let you leave voicemails anymore. What an absolute piece of shit senator.
Reposted by Ken Field, PhD
Have you ever wanted to make your own climate warming stripes plot? It's super easy with #rstats! (code here gist.github.com/andrewheiss/... )
November 7, 2025 at 10:14 PM
Have you ever wanted to make your own climate warming stripes plot? It's super easy with #rstats! (code here gist.github.com/andrewheiss/... )
d) your soul
8 high level positions at NIH posted including 6 institute director positions (NIMH, NIGMS, NICHD, NIDCR, NHGRI, NLM).
Only open for 2 weeks (applications due November 21).
Application materials include a) CV b) vision statement c) a photocopy of doctoral degree.
hr.nih.gov/careers/open...
Only open for 2 weeks (applications due November 21).
Application materials include a) CV b) vision statement c) a photocopy of doctoral degree.
hr.nih.gov/careers/open...
hr.nih.gov
November 8, 2025 at 1:04 AM
d) your soul
Reposted by Ken Field, PhD
Was it not already enough that we also wanted it in R?
genzplyr is an alternative syntax for dplyr that replaces boring old function names with GenZ slang. Your data wrangling is about to hit different.
#rstats #genz #iamtoooldforthis
https://hadley.github.io/genzplyr/
genzplyr is an alternative syntax for dplyr that replaces boring old function names with GenZ slang. Your data wrangling is about to hit different.
#rstats #genz #iamtoooldforthis
https://hadley.github.io/genzplyr/
November 7, 2025 at 2:03 AM
Was it not already enough that we also wanted it in R?
genzplyr is an alternative syntax for dplyr that replaces boring old function names with GenZ slang. Your data wrangling is about to hit different.
#rstats #genz #iamtoooldforthis
https://hadley.github.io/genzplyr/
genzplyr is an alternative syntax for dplyr that replaces boring old function names with GenZ slang. Your data wrangling is about to hit different.
#rstats #genz #iamtoooldforthis
https://hadley.github.io/genzplyr/
Reposted by Ken Field, PhD
I hadnt seen this particular take on this story till now. A minimalist apology. Not impressed.
nationalnews.co.uk/news/shamed-...
nationalnews.co.uk/news/shamed-...
Shamed Scientist Apologises For The First Time About The Academic Scandal That Destroyed His Career And Shocked The World
An ecologist who shot to fame after discovering that spiders have human-like personalities has made an emotional apology after being
nationalnews.co.uk
November 6, 2025 at 8:31 PM
I hadnt seen this particular take on this story till now. A minimalist apology. Not impressed.
nationalnews.co.uk/news/shamed-...
nationalnews.co.uk/news/shamed-...
Reposted by Ken Field, PhD
A New Thread on NIH Forward Funding
I recently posted an analysis of forward funding of NIH grants from 2015-25.
This analysis was flawed and should be ignored. I apologize for the misleading information
I present an analysis of my error and a revised analysis which I am confident is right.
1/25
I recently posted an analysis of forward funding of NIH grants from 2015-25.
This analysis was flawed and should be ignored. I apologize for the misleading information
I present an analysis of my error and a revised analysis which I am confident is right.
1/25
a cartoon moose in a tuxedo is standing next to a squirrel and saying this time for sure .
ALT: a cartoon moose in a tuxedo is standing next to a squirrel and saying this time for sure .
media.tenor.com
November 5, 2025 at 3:57 PM
A New Thread on NIH Forward Funding
I recently posted an analysis of forward funding of NIH grants from 2015-25.
This analysis was flawed and should be ignored. I apologize for the misleading information
I present an analysis of my error and a revised analysis which I am confident is right.
1/25
I recently posted an analysis of forward funding of NIH grants from 2015-25.
This analysis was flawed and should be ignored. I apologize for the misleading information
I present an analysis of my error and a revised analysis which I am confident is right.
1/25
Reposted by Ken Field, PhD
Multi-Year funding analysis, a 🧵
I have been trying to find a robust way of quantifying and understanding multi-year (forward funding).
First, some background:
Most NIH grants are for multiple years (2 to 5, typically).
However, the are usually funded on an annual basis.
1/18
I have been trying to find a robust way of quantifying and understanding multi-year (forward funding).
First, some background:
Most NIH grants are for multiple years (2 to 5, typically).
However, the are usually funded on an annual basis.
1/18
November 3, 2025 at 5:20 PM
Multi-Year funding analysis, a 🧵
I have been trying to find a robust way of quantifying and understanding multi-year (forward funding).
First, some background:
Most NIH grants are for multiple years (2 to 5, typically).
However, the are usually funded on an annual basis.
1/18
I have been trying to find a robust way of quantifying and understanding multi-year (forward funding).
First, some background:
Most NIH grants are for multiple years (2 to 5, typically).
However, the are usually funded on an annual basis.
1/18
Reposted by Ken Field, PhD
Me: The least-helpful workshops are often the ones given by people who just Know Too Much 🥹
Data Friend: Have you see that blog post about this?
Me: No, show me!
Data Friend: anniemueller.com/posts/how-i-...
Me: BRB SENDING THIS TO EVERYONE I KNOW 😂
#rstats #python #databs
Data Friend: Have you see that blog post about this?
Me: No, show me!
Data Friend: anniemueller.com/posts/how-i-...
Me: BRB SENDING THIS TO EVERYONE I KNOW 😂
#rstats #python #databs
How I, a non-developer, read the tutorial you, a developer, wrote for me, a beginner - annie's blog
“Hello! I am a developer. Here is my relevant experience: I code in Hoobijag and sometimes jabbernocks and of course ABCDE++++ (but never ABCDE+/^+ are you kidding? ha!) and I like working with ...
anniemueller.com
October 31, 2025 at 9:31 PM
Me: The least-helpful workshops are often the ones given by people who just Know Too Much 🥹
Data Friend: Have you see that blog post about this?
Me: No, show me!
Data Friend: anniemueller.com/posts/how-i-...
Me: BRB SENDING THIS TO EVERYONE I KNOW 😂
#rstats #python #databs
Data Friend: Have you see that blog post about this?
Me: No, show me!
Data Friend: anniemueller.com/posts/how-i-...
Me: BRB SENDING THIS TO EVERYONE I KNOW 😂
#rstats #python #databs
Reposted by Ken Field, PhD
I said this in 2020. I was right then and I am right today. The furin cleavage site is the grassy knoll of COVID-19 conspiracy freaks.
A new bat coronavirus discovered in Brazil confirms what we already knew: nature handles furin cleavage sites just fine.
Lab leakers, don’t worry, you've got the track record to pivot seamlessly to a career in creative fiction writing.
Quick update on the news:
open.substack.com/pub/protagon...
Lab leakers, don’t worry, you've got the track record to pivot seamlessly to a career in creative fiction writing.
Quick update on the news:
open.substack.com/pub/protagon...
The Brazilian clue
Or: another L for lab leak believers
open.substack.com
October 31, 2025 at 9:44 PM
I said this in 2020. I was right then and I am right today. The furin cleavage site is the grassy knoll of COVID-19 conspiracy freaks.
Reposted by Ken Field, PhD
We need to have a conversation about random seeds. Don't use 42.
blog.genesmindsmachines.com/p/if-your-ra...
blog.genesmindsmachines.com/p/if-your-ra...
If your random seed is 42 I will come to your office and set your computer on fire🔥
Figuratively. More likely you'll get a stern talking to.
blog.genesmindsmachines.com
October 22, 2025 at 12:49 PM
We need to have a conversation about random seeds. Don't use 42.
blog.genesmindsmachines.com/p/if-your-ra...
blog.genesmindsmachines.com/p/if-your-ra...
Reposted by Ken Field, PhD
NIH Study Sections are on hold...again. drugmonkey.wordpress.com/2025/10/13/n...
NIH Study Sections are on hold…again.
The primary input to deciding on the merit of proposals submitted to the NIH for potential funding, as most of my remaining blog audience well knows, is the outcome of the initial peer-review proce…
drugmonkey.wordpress.com
October 13, 2025 at 9:20 PM
NIH Study Sections are on hold...again. drugmonkey.wordpress.com/2025/10/13/n...
Reposted by Ken Field, PhD
EXTREMELY COOL BAT STUFF: A study out in Science today found that the greater noctule bat, Europe's largest, hunts and catches *migrating birds* while in flight. In at least one case, a bat climbed to more than 1200 feet, then chased a robin downward FAST until it caught it near the ground.
Greater noctule bats prey on and consume passerines in flight
Despite billions of passerines seasonally migrating during the night at high altitudes, only three bat species have been found to consistently tap into this rich prey resource. However, it remains unk...
www.science.org
October 9, 2025 at 8:02 PM
EXTREMELY COOL BAT STUFF: A study out in Science today found that the greater noctule bat, Europe's largest, hunts and catches *migrating birds* while in flight. In at least one case, a bat climbed to more than 1200 feet, then chased a robin downward FAST until it caught it near the ground.
Reposted by Ken Field, PhD
Thoughtful and well-informed op-ed from @ianlmorgan.bsky.social
Definitely worth a read!
www.the-scientist.com/nih-leadersh...
1/2
Definitely worth a read!
www.the-scientist.com/nih-leadersh...
1/2
NIH Leadership Is Failing Early Career Researchers
Halted training programs, funding chaos, and hiring freezes jeopardize advancement options for early career researchers.
www.the-scientist.com
October 10, 2025 at 12:01 PM
Thoughtful and well-informed op-ed from @ianlmorgan.bsky.social
Definitely worth a read!
www.the-scientist.com/nih-leadersh...
1/2
Definitely worth a read!
www.the-scientist.com/nih-leadersh...
1/2
Reposted by Ken Field, PhD
The {gtsummary} #RStats 📦 “summarizes data sets, regression models, and more, using sensible defaults with highly customizable capabilities. . . . [It] creates beautifully formatted, ready-to-share summary and result tables in a single line of R code!”
www.danieldsjoberg.com/gtsummary/
www.danieldsjoberg.com/gtsummary/
Presentation-Ready Data Summary and Analytic Result Tables
Creates presentation-ready tables summarizing data sets, regression models, and more. The code to create the tables is concise and highly customizable. Data frames can be summarized with any function,...
www.danieldsjoberg.com
October 9, 2025 at 12:08 AM
The {gtsummary} #RStats 📦 “summarizes data sets, regression models, and more, using sensible defaults with highly customizable capabilities. . . . [It] creates beautifully formatted, ready-to-share summary and result tables in a single line of R code!”
www.danieldsjoberg.com/gtsummary/
www.danieldsjoberg.com/gtsummary/
Reposted by Ken Field, PhD
Wondering if you can outsource your data viz work to ChatGPT? 📊
I tested out a few different generative AI tools, giving them prompts to visualise two different data sets. If you're interested in the results, you can read them here: nrennie.rbind.io/blog/gen-ai-...
#RStats #Python #DataViz #GenAI
I tested out a few different generative AI tools, giving them prompts to visualise two different data sets. If you're interested in the results, you can read them here: nrennie.rbind.io/blog/gen-ai-...
#RStats #Python #DataViz #GenAI
Generative AI for Data Visualisation – Nicola Rennie
Can generative AI create good data visualisations? This blog post compares the performance of ChatGPT, Claude, Copilot, and Gemini when presented with a generic request to visualise a dataset.
nrennie.rbind.io
October 9, 2025 at 9:57 AM
Wondering if you can outsource your data viz work to ChatGPT? 📊
I tested out a few different generative AI tools, giving them prompts to visualise two different data sets. If you're interested in the results, you can read them here: nrennie.rbind.io/blog/gen-ai-...
#RStats #Python #DataViz #GenAI
I tested out a few different generative AI tools, giving them prompts to visualise two different data sets. If you're interested in the results, you can read them here: nrennie.rbind.io/blog/gen-ai-...
#RStats #Python #DataViz #GenAI
Reposted by Ken Field, PhD
Tell me something you do when you code that other people would tell you that you shouldn't do.
Tell me the rules you break!
I'll go first: I work in untitled files in the wrong project directories all the time. Like, all the time. Yes, I do tend to lose things 😂 #databs #rstats #python
Tell me the rules you break!
I'll go first: I work in untitled files in the wrong project directories all the time. Like, all the time. Yes, I do tend to lose things 😂 #databs #rstats #python
September 24, 2025 at 5:52 AM