Saskia Popescu
@saskiapopescu.bsky.social
Infectious disease epidemiologist & global heath security strategist | GHSN CEO |UMB Asst Prof working in pandemic prep, biosurveillance, One Health, AMR, BW & biosecurity. ELBI & CFR ☣️
Biopreparedness & biothreat guru - movie aficionado. Views=my own
Biopreparedness & biothreat guru - movie aficionado. Views=my own
Pinned
Saskia Popescu
@saskiapopescu.bsky.social
· Nov 28
Hello lovely folks! I’m an infectious disease epi & infection preventionist who focuses on global health security. From healthcare biopreparedness to the film industry COVID response, & now back to biosecurity policy and academia, I’m your person for outbreaks, movies trivia, & pandemic prep. ☣️👋🏻
“Science has always required creativity—people asking and pursuing questions in ways that have never been attempted before, in the hope that some of that work might produce something new.” Dr. @katherinejwu.com
The Trump Administration’s Most Paralyzing Blow to Science
Cuts to research may have spoiled the country’s appetite for bold exploration.
www.theatlantic.com
December 31, 2025 at 8:46 AM
“Science has always required creativity—people asking and pursuing questions in ways that have never been attempted before, in the hope that some of that work might produce something new.” Dr. @katherinejwu.com
Reposted by Saskia Popescu
Every year, the Preventive Priorities Survey asks experts to rank thirty conflict scenarios in terms of likelihood and potential impact.
This year’s results paint a picture of a more violent and dangerous world in 2026:
This year’s results paint a picture of a more violent and dangerous world in 2026:
Five Takeaways From CFR's 2026 Conflict Risk Assessment
Every year, the Preventive Priorities Survey asks experts to rank thirty conflict scenarios in terms of likelihood and potential impact. This year's results paint a picture of a more violent and dang...
www.cfr.org
December 22, 2025 at 10:02 PM
Every year, the Preventive Priorities Survey asks experts to rank thirty conflict scenarios in terms of likelihood and potential impact.
This year’s results paint a picture of a more violent and dangerous world in 2026:
This year’s results paint a picture of a more violent and dangerous world in 2026:
Reposted by Saskia Popescu
The U.S. will very likely lose its measles-elimination status next month, and Americans will have to confront how difficult this virus can be to control, @katherinejwu.com reports:
Measles’ Most Deceptive Trait
Most cases are mild, obscuring the disease’s worst outcomes.
bit.ly
December 18, 2025 at 2:30 PM
The U.S. will very likely lose its measles-elimination status next month, and Americans will have to confront how difficult this virus can be to control, @katherinejwu.com reports:
Reposted by Saskia Popescu
CDC awards $1.6 million for new hepatitis B vaccine study in Guinea-Bissau. Although the award recipients aren't named, the grant seems tailored to Danish researchers whose work is championed by anti-vaxxers but challenged by mainstream scientists.
www.cidrap.umn.edu/childhood-va...
www.cidrap.umn.edu/childhood-va...
CDC awards $1.6 million for hepatitis B vaccine study, likely to controversial Danish researchers
www.cidrap.umn.edu
December 18, 2025 at 3:15 PM
CDC awards $1.6 million for new hepatitis B vaccine study in Guinea-Bissau. Although the award recipients aren't named, the grant seems tailored to Danish researchers whose work is championed by anti-vaxxers but challenged by mainstream scientists.
www.cidrap.umn.edu/childhood-va...
www.cidrap.umn.edu/childhood-va...
Reposted by Saskia Popescu
So far, Australia has not found #avianflu in its bird populations. Listen as @npr.org follows Australian researchers monitoring and planning for #H5N1's arrival.
www.npr.org/2025/12/08/n...
www.npr.org/2025/12/08/n...
Bird flu hasn't reached Australia, but researchers are prepping for when it arrives
Bird flu, or H5N1, has touched most of the globe, but there is one spot it hasn't reached. Researchers down under are preparing for it, but gaps in bird flu surveillance elsewhere makes it difficult.
www.npr.org
December 12, 2025 at 4:36 PM
So far, Australia has not found #avianflu in its bird populations. Listen as @npr.org follows Australian researchers monitoring and planning for #H5N1's arrival.
www.npr.org/2025/12/08/n...
www.npr.org/2025/12/08/n...
Not surprising and still disappointing.
HHS changed the name of transgender health leader on her official portrait
Admiral Rachel Levine was the first transgender person to be confirmed by the Senate to serve in the federal government. Her official portrait at HHS headquarters has been altered.
www.npr.org
December 7, 2025 at 1:28 AM
Not surprising and still disappointing.
Reposted by Saskia Popescu
when someone tells me not to use em dashes because AI uses em dashes
November 30, 2025 at 7:48 PM
when someone tells me not to use em dashes because AI uses em dashes
Trump Administration Will No Longer Commemorate World AIDS Day www.nytimes.com/2025/11/26/h...
Trump Administration Will No Longer Commemorate World AIDS Day
www.nytimes.com
December 2, 2025 at 7:36 PM
Trump Administration Will No Longer Commemorate World AIDS Day www.nytimes.com/2025/11/26/h...
Reposted by Saskia Popescu
For years Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has been pushing the notion that germ theory is overrated. Now other HHS officials are picking up that argument. Katherine J. Wu reports:
To Survive the Next Pandemic, Walk More, the NIH Says
The agency is picking up Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s argument that a healthy immune system can keep even pandemic germs at bay.
bit.ly
November 20, 2025 at 2:00 PM
For years Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has been pushing the notion that germ theory is overrated. Now other HHS officials are picking up that argument. Katherine J. Wu reports:
Reposted by Saskia Popescu
“The U.S. Coast Guard will no longer classify the swastika — an emblem of fascism and white supremacy inextricably linked to the murder of millions of Jews and the deaths of more than 400,000 U.S. troops who died fighting in World War II — as a hate symbol”
www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
U.S. Coast Guard will no longer classify swastikas, nooses as hate symbols
The military service, which falls under the Department of Homeland Security, has drafted a new policy that classifies such items “potentially divisive.”
www.washingtonpost.com
November 20, 2025 at 7:50 PM
“The U.S. Coast Guard will no longer classify the swastika — an emblem of fascism and white supremacy inextricably linked to the murder of millions of Jews and the deaths of more than 400,000 U.S. troops who died fighting in World War II — as a hate symbol”
www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
Reposted by Saskia Popescu
The number of whooping cough cases in Texas is the highest it’s been in 11 years www.texastribune.org/2025/11/11/t...
Whooping cough cases in Texas reach an 11-year high
The state has recorded more than 3,500 cases of whooping cough so far this year, 10 times the number in 2023.
www.texastribune.org
November 11, 2025 at 5:06 PM
The number of whooping cough cases in Texas is the highest it’s been in 11 years www.texastribune.org/2025/11/11/t...
The Epidemiologists Are Running for Office - Instead of trying to depoliticize their field, a swell of scientists want to become politicians. Via @katherinejwu.com
The Epidemiologists Are Running for Office
Instead of trying to depoliticize their field, a swell of scientists want to become politicians.
www.theatlantic.com
November 8, 2025 at 10:03 PM
The Epidemiologists Are Running for Office - Instead of trying to depoliticize their field, a swell of scientists want to become politicians. Via @katherinejwu.com
FWIW, if you’re talking about AI hype bandwagons and your example is how the entertainment industry reacted to AI being used bc “people worried they wouldn’t get credit”, you legit don’t get the argument, core issues, strike, or agreements. Pick a better example or do your hw.
a man with a beard wearing a suit and tie
ALT: a man with a beard wearing a suit and tie
media.tenor.com
October 23, 2025 at 11:29 PM
FWIW, if you’re talking about AI hype bandwagons and your example is how the entertainment industry reacted to AI being used bc “people worried they wouldn’t get credit”, you legit don’t get the argument, core issues, strike, or agreements. Pick a better example or do your hw.
Hi All-
Just a heads up that we’re working on a tech issue related to the abstract submission page. Apologies and will be resolved shortly!
Just a heads up that we’re working on a tech issue related to the abstract submission page. Apologies and will be resolved shortly!
#GHS2026 Call for Abstracts 🌍
Theme 4: Pathogen Detection, Data Sharing & Information Hazards
🧬 Data Sharing & Equity
🔬 Biosurveillance & Capacity Building
💬 Info Hazards & Misinformation
If this fits your work, submit by 17 Nov 2025!
👉 www.ghsconf.com/call-for-abs...
#GlobalHealth #PublicHealth
Theme 4: Pathogen Detection, Data Sharing & Information Hazards
🧬 Data Sharing & Equity
🔬 Biosurveillance & Capacity Building
💬 Info Hazards & Misinformation
If this fits your work, submit by 17 Nov 2025!
👉 www.ghsconf.com/call-for-abs...
#GlobalHealth #PublicHealth
October 21, 2025 at 5:33 PM
Hi All-
Just a heads up that we’re working on a tech issue related to the abstract submission page. Apologies and will be resolved shortly!
Just a heads up that we’re working on a tech issue related to the abstract submission page. Apologies and will be resolved shortly!
Somewhat controversial take - I enjoyed TRON Ares. Mostly bc I went for the NIN soundtrack, awesome visual effects, & some decent action…and maybe points on AI ethics. It’s not Legacy, but it was fun to watch. You don’t go to a TRON movie (w/Leto) for the feels, but the fun experience.
a person is riding a red motorcycle with africanrabbit written on the bottom right
ALT: a person is riding a red motorcycle with africanrabbit written on the bottom right
media.tenor.com
October 16, 2025 at 12:24 AM
Somewhat controversial take - I enjoyed TRON Ares. Mostly bc I went for the NIN soundtrack, awesome visual effects, & some decent action…and maybe points on AI ethics. It’s not Legacy, but it was fun to watch. You don’t go to a TRON movie (w/Leto) for the feels, but the fun experience.
Reposted by Saskia Popescu
After mass firings—and un-firings—current and former CDC officials said they are feeling demoralized. Half a dozen current and former workers spoke with Tom Bartlett about the botched downsizing.
https://theatln.tc/yqulrLlU
https://theatln.tc/yqulrLlU
October 14, 2025 at 9:15 PM
After mass firings—and un-firings—current and former CDC officials said they are feeling demoralized. Half a dozen current and former workers spoke with Tom Bartlett about the botched downsizing.
https://theatln.tc/yqulrLlU
https://theatln.tc/yqulrLlU
Maldives becomes the first country to achieve ‘triple elimination’ of mother-to-child transmission of HIV, syphilis and hepatitis B
hq_who_departmentofcommunications.cmail19.com/t/d-e-gwgjl-...
hq_who_departmentofcommunications.cmail19.com/t/d-e-gwgjl-...
October 13, 2025 at 3:09 PM
Maldives becomes the first country to achieve ‘triple elimination’ of mother-to-child transmission of HIV, syphilis and hepatitis B
hq_who_departmentofcommunications.cmail19.com/t/d-e-gwgjl-...
hq_who_departmentofcommunications.cmail19.com/t/d-e-gwgjl-...
‘The damage is beyond repair’: The CDC is facing another round of deep staff cuts
‘The damage is beyond repair’: The CDC faces another round of deep staff cuts | CNN
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suffered another round of deep staff cuts late Friday, with disease detectives, outbreak forecasters, policy and data offices among those impacted, ac...
www.cnn.com
October 12, 2025 at 8:04 PM
‘The damage is beyond repair’: The CDC is facing another round of deep staff cuts
Reposted by Saskia Popescu
I don’t know who needs to hear this but the CDC is being eviscerated right now. America is not going to have any kind of outbreak response capacity after tonight. Americans’ health data is no longer secure. Say goodbye to federal public health in any capacity. It’s a disaster. We won’t recover.
October 11, 2025 at 3:05 AM
I don’t know who needs to hear this but the CDC is being eviscerated right now. America is not going to have any kind of outbreak response capacity after tonight. Americans’ health data is no longer secure. Say goodbye to federal public health in any capacity. It’s a disaster. We won’t recover.
Reposted by Saskia Popescu
More on the CDC tonight: @jeremyfaust.bsky.social , who is impeccably sourced there (physician, Harvard faculty) has details on the divisions hit by the apparently illegal RIFS. insidemedicine.substack.com/p/breaking-n...
BREAKING NEWS: CDC employees terminated in apparent Friday night massacre.
The Trump administration is using the shutdown to further weaken the our national public health infrastructure.
insidemedicine.substack.com
October 11, 2025 at 2:58 AM
More on the CDC tonight: @jeremyfaust.bsky.social , who is impeccably sourced there (physician, Harvard faculty) has details on the divisions hit by the apparently illegal RIFS. insidemedicine.substack.com/p/breaking-n...
Hearing about the gutting of CDC and ASPR. This is truly the utter destruction of US public health…and just so utterly short-sighted.
Honestly, screw this.
Honestly, screw this.
October 11, 2025 at 3:15 AM
Hearing about the gutting of CDC and ASPR. This is truly the utter destruction of US public health…and just so utterly short-sighted.
Honestly, screw this.
Honestly, screw this.
Grateful to have gotten my flu shot earlier this year (prior to Australia’s flu season), and just got my covid booster in time for the US respiratory virus season to pick up. The perks of bouncing between the Northern and Southern Hemispheres 😂
a woman is standing in a living room with the words `` let 's do it '' written on her face .
ALT: a woman is standing in a living room with the words `` let 's do it '' written on her face .
media.tenor.com
October 10, 2025 at 10:43 PM
Grateful to have gotten my flu shot earlier this year (prior to Australia’s flu season), and just got my covid booster in time for the US respiratory virus season to pick up. The perks of bouncing between the Northern and Southern Hemispheres 😂
Reposted by Saskia Popescu
HHS confirms to @chelseacirruzzo.bsky.social that it will be impacted by the RIFS promised earlier today by Russel Vought
If you or your colleagues have been impacted, please reach out
www.statnews.com/2025/10/10/h...
If you or your colleagues have been impacted, please reach out
www.statnews.com/2025/10/10/h...
HHS employees to be fired as White House enacts mass terminations it blames on shutdown
Federal health employees are being fired as the White House makes good on a promise to terminate federal employees en masse because of the shutdown.
www.statnews.com
October 10, 2025 at 5:54 PM
HHS confirms to @chelseacirruzzo.bsky.social that it will be impacted by the RIFS promised earlier today by Russel Vought
If you or your colleagues have been impacted, please reach out
www.statnews.com/2025/10/10/h...
If you or your colleagues have been impacted, please reach out
www.statnews.com/2025/10/10/h...
Senate-passed BIOSECURE Act would add arrow to Trump’s drug-pricing quiver www.statnews.com/2025/10/10/s... via @statnews.com
Senate-passed BIOSECURE Act would add arrow to Trump’s drug-pricing quiver
The Senate has passed legislation that would restrict U.S. pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies from doing business with certain Chinese companies.
www.statnews.com
October 10, 2025 at 6:35 PM
Senate-passed BIOSECURE Act would add arrow to Trump’s drug-pricing quiver www.statnews.com/2025/10/10/s... via @statnews.com