Curtis Pickering
@cpickering.bsky.social
Cancer biologist working on translational genomics of head and neck cancer. Posts and opinions are my own.
This is an important discussion about how NIH is being destroyed from the inside. Please contact your senator and representatives and let them know what is happening.
The Principled Investigator just posted a Deeper Dive article on the destruction of merit-based funding at NIH. We lay out the steps that are happening and could lead to the end of NIH as we know it. theprincipledinvestigator.substack.com/p/deeper-div...
Deeper Dive - Destruction of Merit-Based Funding
How the current administration is systematically destroying the U.S. scientific enterprise from the inside
theprincipledinvestigator.substack.com
November 19, 2025 at 2:09 PM
This is an important discussion about how NIH is being destroyed from the inside. Please contact your senator and representatives and let them know what is happening.
Reposted by Curtis Pickering
Here is the Principled Investigator post for this week. We also plan to have a couple extra posts this week on particularly important topics, so stay tuned. theprincipledinvestigator.substack.com/p/the-princi...
The Principled Investigator - November 14, 2025
Weekly digest
theprincipledinvestigator.substack.com
November 14, 2025 at 8:23 PM
Here is the Principled Investigator post for this week. We also plan to have a couple extra posts this week on particularly important topics, so stay tuned. theprincipledinvestigator.substack.com/p/the-princi...
@principledinvestig.bsky.social has a new post this week with lots of good information about the destruction going on at NIH, lost datasets, impacts to healthcare, and more. It's worth a read. theprincipledinvestigator.substack.com/p/the-princi...
The Principled Investigator - November 7, 2025
Weekly Digest
theprincipledinvestigator.substack.com
November 7, 2025 at 8:03 PM
@principledinvestig.bsky.social has a new post this week with lots of good information about the destruction going on at NIH, lost datasets, impacts to healthcare, and more. It's worth a read. theprincipledinvestigator.substack.com/p/the-princi...
If you are overwhelmed by all of the attacks on science in this country and have trouble following it all, below is a new resource to digest it all. They will have weekly posts with key information. Subscribe and share it. It is run by scientists from across the country.
Want to stay informed on the continued demolition of NIH and ongoing attacks on academia? Check out this new resource, a weekly digest of current events and action items for scientists. Subscribe to the substack and share broadly! theprincipledinvestigator.substack.com/p/the-princi...
The Principled Investigator - October 24, 2025
Weekly digest
theprincipledinvestigator.substack.com
October 24, 2025 at 2:23 PM
If you are overwhelmed by all of the attacks on science in this country and have trouble following it all, below is a new resource to digest it all. They will have weekly posts with key information. Subscribe and share it. It is run by scientists from across the country.
Reposted by Curtis Pickering
I have been thinking about "this is what NSF has meant to me" style posts and I want to talk a little about two sisters: one who had a chance to make a career in a country that had NSF/NIH and one who didn't.
May 7, 2025 at 1:31 PM
I have been thinking about "this is what NSF has meant to me" style posts and I want to talk a little about two sisters: one who had a chance to make a career in a country that had NSF/NIH and one who didn't.
Well, the AACR GENIE cBioPortal site is down to make sure it complies with the new regulations. Let’s hope it’s temporary.
April 7, 2025 at 10:19 PM
Well, the AACR GENIE cBioPortal site is down to make sure it complies with the new regulations. Let’s hope it’s temporary.
Reposted by Curtis Pickering
Those trying to understand the tariffs as economic policy are dangerously naive.
No, the tariffs are a tool to collapse our democracy. A means to compel loyalty from every business that will need to petition Trump for relief.
1/ A 🧵 to explain his plan and how we fight back.
No, the tariffs are a tool to collapse our democracy. A means to compel loyalty from every business that will need to petition Trump for relief.
1/ A 🧵 to explain his plan and how we fight back.
April 3, 2025 at 3:29 AM
Those trying to understand the tariffs as economic policy are dangerously naive.
No, the tariffs are a tool to collapse our democracy. A means to compel loyalty from every business that will need to petition Trump for relief.
1/ A 🧵 to explain his plan and how we fight back.
No, the tariffs are a tool to collapse our democracy. A means to compel loyalty from every business that will need to petition Trump for relief.
1/ A 🧵 to explain his plan and how we fight back.
Reposted by Curtis Pickering
Another “Continuing Crisis” post, this one covering some larger principles and explaining why I’m doing these in general:
The Continuing Crisis, Part VII: An Overview
www.science.org
March 5, 2025 at 6:08 PM
Another “Continuing Crisis” post, this one covering some larger principles and explaining why I’m doing these in general:
Reposted by Curtis Pickering
I am not going to call this a Bluetorial, because I do not want to sully that term (which, at least I, find joyful).
Let’s call it a Orwellial.
Let’s call it a Orwellial.
a cartoon of homer simpson holding a card
ALT: a cartoon of homer simpson holding a card
media.tenor.com
March 2, 2025 at 1:57 PM
I am not going to call this a Bluetorial, because I do not want to sully that term (which, at least I, find joyful).
Let’s call it a Orwellial.
Let’s call it a Orwellial.
Reposted by Curtis Pickering
Did you know - the medicine that President Trump takes each day to lower his risk of having a heart attack is a direct result of NIH funding? Let me explain -
February 27, 2025 at 3:25 PM
Did you know - the medicine that President Trump takes each day to lower his risk of having a heart attack is a direct result of NIH funding? Let me explain -
Reposted by Curtis Pickering
I think people both within science and outside science don’t fully appreciate the miracle that were the Covid-19 vaccines. How much courage it took to get the sequence out, how much work had already gone into figuring out the best viral antigen and how best to present it. 1/
February 23, 2025 at 7:23 AM
I think people both within science and outside science don’t fully appreciate the miracle that were the Covid-19 vaccines. How much courage it took to get the sequence out, how much work had already gone into figuring out the best viral antigen and how best to present it. 1/
Reposted by Curtis Pickering
Once upon a time, some villagers came across a large, ornate wooden box in the local woods. On the side of the box was a message:
“Whatever money you put in this box will, in future, grow to become 2.5 times larger.”
1/
“Whatever money you put in this box will, in future, grow to become 2.5 times larger.”
1/
February 23, 2025 at 10:11 AM
Once upon a time, some villagers came across a large, ornate wooden box in the local woods. On the side of the box was a message:
“Whatever money you put in this box will, in future, grow to become 2.5 times larger.”
1/
“Whatever money you put in this box will, in future, grow to become 2.5 times larger.”
1/
Reposted by Curtis Pickering
A really important email from my friend Senator @chrismurphyct.bsky.social . As he says "this is a 5 alarm fire."
America is under attack right now.
America is under attack right now.
February 23, 2025 at 1:10 PM
A really important email from my friend Senator @chrismurphyct.bsky.social . As he says "this is a 5 alarm fire."
America is under attack right now.
America is under attack right now.
Reposted by Curtis Pickering
Science (and science policy, and conservation) friends, I need your help!
We are collecting *specific, clear* examples of harms caused by the Trump administration's attacks on science, to be included in an open letter.
Can be links to news stories/social media posts. 🧪🦑🌎 #SciComm #SciPol
We are collecting *specific, clear* examples of harms caused by the Trump administration's attacks on science, to be included in an open letter.
Can be links to news stories/social media posts. 🧪🦑🌎 #SciComm #SciPol
February 21, 2025 at 1:59 PM
Reposted by Curtis Pickering
Over on LinkedIn, the head of the Executive Secretariat of the NIH -- a central part of NIH leadership 🧪🩺-- resigned with a lettter worth reading
www.linkedin.com/posts/nathan...
www.linkedin.com/posts/nathan...
February 20, 2025 at 6:43 PM
Over on LinkedIn, the head of the Executive Secretariat of the NIH -- a central part of NIH leadership 🧪🩺-- resigned with a lettter worth reading
www.linkedin.com/posts/nathan...
www.linkedin.com/posts/nathan...
Reposted by Curtis Pickering
Short update on NIH
The situation is very confusing, a not just to me. Folks who were told the were to be terminated did not receive any communication for a day and a half, people who were “on the list” have not received anything as of yet. Some folks who had been terminated have be reinstated
1/2
The situation is very confusing, a not just to me. Folks who were told the were to be terminated did not receive any communication for a day and a half, people who were “on the list” have not received anything as of yet. Some folks who had been terminated have be reinstated
1/2
a man standing in front of a crowd with the words everybody panic
Alt: a man standing in front of a crowd with the words everybody panic
media.tenor.com
February 16, 2025 at 3:53 PM
Short update on NIH
The situation is very confusing, a not just to me. Folks who were told the were to be terminated did not receive any communication for a day and a half, people who were “on the list” have not received anything as of yet. Some folks who had been terminated have be reinstated
1/2
The situation is very confusing, a not just to me. Folks who were told the were to be terminated did not receive any communication for a day and a half, people who were “on the list” have not received anything as of yet. Some folks who had been terminated have be reinstated
1/2
Reposted by Curtis Pickering
Captures it perfectly.
February 16, 2025 at 1:19 PM
Captures it perfectly.
Reposted by Curtis Pickering
Bluetorial: The rationale for the “NIH” indirect cost “plan” is based on misunderstood (unintentional or intentional) accounting and math
The value of real government transparency
The value of real government transparency
a cartoon of homer simpson holding a card
ALT: a cartoon of homer simpson holding a card
media.tenor.com
February 13, 2025 at 3:48 AM
Bluetorial: The rationale for the “NIH” indirect cost “plan” is based on misunderstood (unintentional or intentional) accounting and math
The value of real government transparency
The value of real government transparency
Reposted by Curtis Pickering
BREAKING
On Monday, Popular Information broke the news that the NIH had frozen virtually all grant funding in violation of 2 federal court orders
On Wednesday, NIH leadership distributed a memo, acknowledging that its funding freeze was illegal and directing staff to resume issuing grants.
On Monday, Popular Information broke the news that the NIH had frozen virtually all grant funding in violation of 2 federal court orders
On Wednesday, NIH leadership distributed a memo, acknowledging that its funding freeze was illegal and directing staff to resume issuing grants.
BREAKING: NIH admits funding freeze is illegal, will resume issuing grants
An internal memo issued February 12 was obtained by Popular Information.
popular.info
February 12, 2025 at 7:36 PM
BREAKING
On Monday, Popular Information broke the news that the NIH had frozen virtually all grant funding in violation of 2 federal court orders
On Wednesday, NIH leadership distributed a memo, acknowledging that its funding freeze was illegal and directing staff to resume issuing grants.
On Monday, Popular Information broke the news that the NIH had frozen virtually all grant funding in violation of 2 federal court orders
On Wednesday, NIH leadership distributed a memo, acknowledging that its funding freeze was illegal and directing staff to resume issuing grants.
Reposted by Curtis Pickering
Federal judge expands block on NIH indirect cost rate cut to institutions nationwide after additional lawsuits www.cnn.com/2025/02/11/p...
February 11, 2025 at 2:11 PM
Federal judge expands block on NIH indirect cost rate cut to institutions nationwide after additional lawsuits www.cnn.com/2025/02/11/p...
Reposted by Curtis Pickering
NEW:
Federal judge in Massachusetts enters Emergency Temporary Restraining Order blocking Trump Administration from cutting health research grant money, including 15% cap on overhead costs.
www.documentcloud.org/documents/25...
Federal judge in Massachusetts enters Emergency Temporary Restraining Order blocking Trump Administration from cutting health research grant money, including 15% cap on overhead costs.
www.documentcloud.org/documents/25...
NIHTRO021025
www.documentcloud.org
February 10, 2025 at 10:38 PM
NEW:
Federal judge in Massachusetts enters Emergency Temporary Restraining Order blocking Trump Administration from cutting health research grant money, including 15% cap on overhead costs.
www.documentcloud.org/documents/25...
Federal judge in Massachusetts enters Emergency Temporary Restraining Order blocking Trump Administration from cutting health research grant money, including 15% cap on overhead costs.
www.documentcloud.org/documents/25...
Reposted by Curtis Pickering
Petition to Reverse the NIH Indirect Cost Cap initiated by Tom Maniatis. Please amplify
Sign the Petition: chng.it/kK2HMP5pGk
"Share with Leadership & Faculty. Reach out to professional societies, biotech and pharma leaders, and philanthropic organizations to raise awareness and mobilize support."
Sign the Petition: chng.it/kK2HMP5pGk
"Share with Leadership & Faculty. Reach out to professional societies, biotech and pharma leaders, and philanthropic organizations to raise awareness and mobilize support."
Sign the Petition
Petition to Reverse the NIH Indirect Cost Cap (NOT-OD-25-068)
chng.it
February 10, 2025 at 5:49 PM
Petition to Reverse the NIH Indirect Cost Cap initiated by Tom Maniatis. Please amplify
Sign the Petition: chng.it/kK2HMP5pGk
"Share with Leadership & Faculty. Reach out to professional societies, biotech and pharma leaders, and philanthropic organizations to raise awareness and mobilize support."
Sign the Petition: chng.it/kK2HMP5pGk
"Share with Leadership & Faculty. Reach out to professional societies, biotech and pharma leaders, and philanthropic organizations to raise awareness and mobilize support."
Reposted by Curtis Pickering
BREAKING: 22 states sue NIH over Trump administration's new 15% cap on overhead for federal research grants. Suit filed federal court in Boston contends lifesaving research 'will grind to a halt' under the policy. Doc: storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
storage.courtlistener.com
February 10, 2025 at 4:52 PM
BREAKING: 22 states sue NIH over Trump administration's new 15% cap on overhead for federal research grants. Suit filed federal court in Boston contends lifesaving research 'will grind to a halt' under the policy. Doc: storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
The indirect cost cut at NIH is difficult to describe to non-scientists. Isn’t it appropriate to say that it is infrastructure (IACUCs, IRBs, etc), like roads and bridges? It builds and maintains research infrastructure so that small foundations can support research. Any downside to this framing?
February 9, 2025 at 5:19 PM
The indirect cost cut at NIH is difficult to describe to non-scientists. Isn’t it appropriate to say that it is infrastructure (IACUCs, IRBs, etc), like roads and bridges? It builds and maintains research infrastructure so that small foundations can support research. Any downside to this framing?
Reposted by Curtis Pickering
People sitting in these study sections - ask why these applications are being taken out? If provided no answer by the SRO, ask bluntly if these applicants are being taken out on the basis of their race. If no answer, refuse to move forward with the review until an answer is provided...
Between the NIH grants and the DOT funding being directed towards favored communities, etc. “omg we’re being told to do this totally racist thing, so awful so bad, please make a lot of noise while we implement it” is fast becoming my least favorite genre of post.
February 7, 2025 at 7:17 PM
People sitting in these study sections - ask why these applications are being taken out? If provided no answer by the SRO, ask bluntly if these applicants are being taken out on the basis of their race. If no answer, refuse to move forward with the review until an answer is provided...