John M. Drake
@jdrakephd.bsky.social
Professor of Ecology at the University of Georgia. Views are my own.
http://daphnia.ecology.uga.edu/drakelab/
http://daphnia.ecology.uga.edu/drakelab/
Biological modeling is organized inquiry, but how should we think about the process?
My new paper in #EcologyLetters argues that we should model like experimentalists: define treatments, measure responses, validate, perturb, repeat.
👉 doi.org/10.1111/ele....
Do you agree?
My new paper in #EcologyLetters argues that we should model like experimentalists: define treatments, measure responses, validate, perturb, repeat.
👉 doi.org/10.1111/ele....
Do you agree?
https://doi.org/10.1111/ele.70251
November 6, 2025 at 10:36 AM
Biological modeling is organized inquiry, but how should we think about the process?
My new paper in #EcologyLetters argues that we should model like experimentalists: define treatments, measure responses, validate, perturb, repeat.
👉 doi.org/10.1111/ele....
Do you agree?
My new paper in #EcologyLetters argues that we should model like experimentalists: define treatments, measure responses, validate, perturb, repeat.
👉 doi.org/10.1111/ele....
Do you agree?
Why are flu vaccination rates stuck?
We studied how “medical mindsets” (naturalist/technologist, minimalist/maximalist, doubter/believer) affect vaccine hesitancy.
These attitudes matter and could help tailor communication to boost uptake.
Read about it in #Vaccine 👉 doi.org/10.1016/j.va...
We studied how “medical mindsets” (naturalist/technologist, minimalist/maximalist, doubter/believer) affect vaccine hesitancy.
These attitudes matter and could help tailor communication to boost uptake.
Read about it in #Vaccine 👉 doi.org/10.1016/j.va...
Redirecting
doi.org
October 3, 2025 at 1:30 PM
Why are flu vaccination rates stuck?
We studied how “medical mindsets” (naturalist/technologist, minimalist/maximalist, doubter/believer) affect vaccine hesitancy.
These attitudes matter and could help tailor communication to boost uptake.
Read about it in #Vaccine 👉 doi.org/10.1016/j.va...
We studied how “medical mindsets” (naturalist/technologist, minimalist/maximalist, doubter/believer) affect vaccine hesitancy.
These attitudes matter and could help tailor communication to boost uptake.
Read about it in #Vaccine 👉 doi.org/10.1016/j.va...
What if we take a systems approach to thinking about transboundary animal diseases? Our framework, just out in #TrendsInParasitology, suggests common vulnerabilities and opportunities for intervention.
#TADs
authors.elsevier.com/a/1lshW5Eb1x...
#TADs
authors.elsevier.com/a/1lshW5Eb1x...
authors.elsevier.com
October 1, 2025 at 11:58 AM
What if we take a systems approach to thinking about transboundary animal diseases? Our framework, just out in #TrendsInParasitology, suggests common vulnerabilities and opportunities for intervention.
#TADs
authors.elsevier.com/a/1lshW5Eb1x...
#TADs
authors.elsevier.com/a/1lshW5Eb1x...
New essay out in #Science: why is the human fatality rate from the current #H5N1 outbreak so much lower than in past outbreaks?
I explore three possible explanations—and what they mean for pandemic risk.
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
I explore three possible explanations—and what they mean for pandemic risk.
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
Understanding avian influenza mortality
Three theories could explain why the North American H5N1 epidemic has not been more deadly
www.science.org
September 25, 2025 at 8:04 PM
New essay out in #Science: why is the human fatality rate from the current #H5N1 outbreak so much lower than in past outbreaks?
I explore three possible explanations—and what they mean for pandemic risk.
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
I explore three possible explanations—and what they mean for pandemic risk.
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
Newly expanded version of my guide to scientific writing -- known as the “15 steps” -- published in PLOS Computational Biology. Special thanks to Éric Marty for creating a fantastic visualization.
Check it out: journals.plos.org/ploscompbiol...
#ScientificWriting #PLOSComputationalBiology
Check it out: journals.plos.org/ploscompbiol...
#ScientificWriting #PLOSComputationalBiology
September 24, 2025 at 5:54 PM
Newly expanded version of my guide to scientific writing -- known as the “15 steps” -- published in PLOS Computational Biology. Special thanks to Éric Marty for creating a fantastic visualization.
Check it out: journals.plos.org/ploscompbiol...
#ScientificWriting #PLOSComputationalBiology
Check it out: journals.plos.org/ploscompbiol...
#ScientificWriting #PLOSComputationalBiology
How do human-wildlife interfaces and seasonality interact during disease emergence? Our team has created a model, inspired by the #spillover of #Ebola, to better understand the interplay.
Read more about our research: royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/...
Read more about our research: royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/...
September 17, 2025 at 10:57 AM
How do human-wildlife interfaces and seasonality interact during disease emergence? Our team has created a model, inspired by the #spillover of #Ebola, to better understand the interplay.
Read more about our research: royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/...
Read more about our research: royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/...
Science philanthropy is alive and well. Schmidt Sciences has just announced eight new awards through its Schmidt Polymaths program.
www.forbes.com/sites/johndr...
www.forbes.com/sites/johndr...
Saad Bhamla Is A Polymath
Philanthropy backs bold science as federal funds shrink. Schmidt Polymaths support Saad Bhamla’s work on biomechanics of everyday organisms from ripple bugs to flamingos.
www.forbes.com
September 16, 2025 at 2:34 PM
Science philanthropy is alive and well. Schmidt Sciences has just announced eight new awards through its Schmidt Polymaths program.
www.forbes.com/sites/johndr...
www.forbes.com/sites/johndr...
Reposted by John M. Drake
Ever read a paper & think, "wow 🤩 that was well written"?
Learn how to write your own *wow* paper with @midas-network.bsky.social trainees on Thurs 9/25 @ noon ET.
We'll hear from @jdrakephd.bsky.social on strategies for crafting & communicating a good story.
🔗 georgetown.zoom.us/meeting/regi...
Learn how to write your own *wow* paper with @midas-network.bsky.social trainees on Thurs 9/25 @ noon ET.
We'll hear from @jdrakephd.bsky.social on strategies for crafting & communicating a good story.
🔗 georgetown.zoom.us/meeting/regi...
September 11, 2025 at 6:03 PM
Ever read a paper & think, "wow 🤩 that was well written"?
Learn how to write your own *wow* paper with @midas-network.bsky.social trainees on Thurs 9/25 @ noon ET.
We'll hear from @jdrakephd.bsky.social on strategies for crafting & communicating a good story.
🔗 georgetown.zoom.us/meeting/regi...
Learn how to write your own *wow* paper with @midas-network.bsky.social trainees on Thurs 9/25 @ noon ET.
We'll hear from @jdrakephd.bsky.social on strategies for crafting & communicating a good story.
🔗 georgetown.zoom.us/meeting/regi...
Interesting work by Kris Parag and Sandor Beregi using model predictive control for timing NPIs.
👉 Read my Forbes piece: www.forbes.com/sites/johndr...
👉 Read my Forbes piece: www.forbes.com/sites/johndr...
An Algorithm For Controlling Epidemics
Researchers adapt model predictive control from engineering to epidemic response, balancing health and economic costs under noisy, delayed data.
www.forbes.com
September 9, 2025 at 6:45 PM
Interesting work by Kris Parag and Sandor Beregi using model predictive control for timing NPIs.
👉 Read my Forbes piece: www.forbes.com/sites/johndr...
👉 Read my Forbes piece: www.forbes.com/sites/johndr...
Universities everywhere are now grappling with policies on the use of AI in research and writing, raising fascinating broader questions about how AI might (or should) figure in scholarly work.
What are your thoughts—beyond the usual tropes (“AI isn’t an author,” “the human is responsible,” etc.)?
What are your thoughts—beyond the usual tropes (“AI isn’t an author,” “the human is responsible,” etc.)?
September 8, 2025 at 2:10 PM
Universities everywhere are now grappling with policies on the use of AI in research and writing, raising fascinating broader questions about how AI might (or should) figure in scholarly work.
What are your thoughts—beyond the usual tropes (“AI isn’t an author,” “the human is responsible,” etc.)?
What are your thoughts—beyond the usual tropes (“AI isn’t an author,” “the human is responsible,” etc.)?
Full details of #H5N1 infection in a San Francisco child last year—with no known source—were just published in the MMWR.
Case report → www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes...
My take at forbes.com → www.forbes.com/sites/johndr...
Case report → www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes...
My take at forbes.com → www.forbes.com/sites/johndr...
California Child Infected With H5N1 Bird Flu, Source Unknown
CDC reports a San Francisco child infected with H5N1 bird flu in December 2024; source unknown. Case highlights risk to general population.
www.forbes.com
September 5, 2025 at 10:06 AM
Full details of #H5N1 infection in a San Francisco child last year—with no known source—were just published in the MMWR.
Case report → www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes...
My take at forbes.com → www.forbes.com/sites/johndr...
Case report → www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes...
My take at forbes.com → www.forbes.com/sites/johndr...
Trying something new: a Substack. It’s called Drake’s Dispatches. Occasional essays, columns, and notes on science, health, environment, and other stuff. First post is up: jdrakephd.substack.com
Drake's Dispatches | John Drake | Substack
I'm John, a professor writes about science, health, environment, and the policies that shape them. Click to read Drake's Dispatches, by John Drake, a Substack publication.
jdrakephd.substack.com
September 1, 2025 at 7:54 AM
Trying something new: a Substack. It’s called Drake’s Dispatches. Occasional essays, columns, and notes on science, health, environment, and other stuff. First post is up: jdrakephd.substack.com
What stands out to me is not only the scale of the mobilization, but the silence it has met. When the top 0.1% of scientists, engineers, and physicians are compelled to act collectively, you would expect their message to command attention.
www.forbes.com/sites/johndr...
www.forbes.com/sites/johndr...
Two Thousand Of America’s Top Scientists Warn Congress: Don’t Gut Research Funding
Open letter from 2,100+ National Academy members warns Congress of dire consequences from FY26 science budget cuts; organizers seek response.
www.forbes.com
August 30, 2025 at 6:15 PM
What stands out to me is not only the scale of the mobilization, but the silence it has met. When the top 0.1% of scientists, engineers, and physicians are compelled to act collectively, you would expect their message to command attention.
www.forbes.com/sites/johndr...
www.forbes.com/sites/johndr...
We finally have a proper breakdown of the 70 human cases of H5N1 in the USA thanks to Melissa Rolfes and other CDC scientists. Great paper: www.nature.com/articles/s41...
My thoughts here:
www.forbes.com/sites/johndr...
My thoughts here:
www.forbes.com/sites/johndr...
Bird Flu In The US: Seventy Human Cases, Mostly Mild, But With Warning Signs
Seventy U.S. H5N1 cases reveal unusual patterns: fewer deaths than abroad but much higher risk than seasonal flu
www.forbes.com
August 27, 2025 at 11:44 AM
We finally have a proper breakdown of the 70 human cases of H5N1 in the USA thanks to Melissa Rolfes and other CDC scientists. Great paper: www.nature.com/articles/s41...
My thoughts here:
www.forbes.com/sites/johndr...
My thoughts here:
www.forbes.com/sites/johndr...
An ambitious new report, commissioned by #TheLancet, seeks to reframe #OneHealth to be an even more encompassing framework. I spoke with co-chairs Andrea Winkler and John Amuasi about their process.
The report: www.thelancet.com/journals/lan...
My interview: www.forbes.com/sites/johndr...
The report: www.thelancet.com/journals/lan...
My interview: www.forbes.com/sites/johndr...
The Lancet One Health Commission: harnessing our interconnectedness for equitable, sustainable, and healthy socioecological systems
Industrialisation, urbanisation, and globalisation have substantially improved human
life expectancy over the past century. In tandem, an expanding array of interlinked
threats to humans, other animal...
www.thelancet.com
August 25, 2025 at 10:19 AM
An ambitious new report, commissioned by #TheLancet, seeks to reframe #OneHealth to be an even more encompassing framework. I spoke with co-chairs Andrea Winkler and John Amuasi about their process.
The report: www.thelancet.com/journals/lan...
My interview: www.forbes.com/sites/johndr...
The report: www.thelancet.com/journals/lan...
My interview: www.forbes.com/sites/johndr...
A rare Salmonella strain has reemerged in the US, traced to pet bearded dragons. 27 cases, mostly infants. Same strain as 10 yrs ago.
My take in Forbes on what this means for public health—and for the reptile trade.
www.forbes.com/sites/johndr...
My take in Forbes on what this means for public health—and for the reptile trade.
www.forbes.com/sites/johndr...
Bearded Dragons Linked To Multi-state Outbreak Of Rare Salmonella Serovar In Children
A rare Salmonella outbreak tied to pet bearded dragons sickened children in 14 states, raising questions about reptile trade and public health.
www.forbes.com
August 22, 2025 at 11:26 AM
A rare Salmonella strain has reemerged in the US, traced to pet bearded dragons. 27 cases, mostly infants. Same strain as 10 yrs ago.
My take in Forbes on what this means for public health—and for the reptile trade.
www.forbes.com/sites/johndr...
My take in Forbes on what this means for public health—and for the reptile trade.
www.forbes.com/sites/johndr...
Given the tremendous diversity of microorganisms in the world, why do only a small fraction cause disease?
My essay in #PLOSBiology argues that the answer is lack of opportunity and that humans encounter only one new bacterial pathogen for every 1.4b years lived.
journals.plos.org/plosbiology/...
My essay in #PLOSBiology argues that the answer is lack of opportunity and that humans encounter only one new bacterial pathogen for every 1.4b years lived.
journals.plos.org/plosbiology/...
Why are there so few pathogens? Ecology and evolution in pathogen emergence
Why are there so few pathogens, and what determines their emergence? This Perspective argues that ecological and evolutionary forces (host availability, geographic exposure and microbial innovation) w...
journals.plos.org
August 21, 2025 at 6:24 PM
Given the tremendous diversity of microorganisms in the world, why do only a small fraction cause disease?
My essay in #PLOSBiology argues that the answer is lack of opportunity and that humans encounter only one new bacterial pathogen for every 1.4b years lived.
journals.plos.org/plosbiology/...
My essay in #PLOSBiology argues that the answer is lack of opportunity and that humans encounter only one new bacterial pathogen for every 1.4b years lived.
journals.plos.org/plosbiology/...
I spoke with Kari Jordan and Erin Becker of The Carpentries about why they declined a $1.5M NSF grant intended to expand data science training. Their decision highlights the growing intersection of #science, #DEI, and federal policy.
Read the full story on Forbes: www.forbes.com/sites/johndr...
Read the full story on Forbes: www.forbes.com/sites/johndr...
Nonprofit Refuses $1.5M Science Grant Due To New Federal DEI Rules
A coding nonprofit turned down a $1.5M NSF grant after new DEI restrictions, highlighting the clash between federal policy and scientific community values.
www.forbes.com
August 8, 2025 at 2:41 PM
I spoke with Kari Jordan and Erin Becker of The Carpentries about why they declined a $1.5M NSF grant intended to expand data science training. Their decision highlights the growing intersection of #science, #DEI, and federal policy.
Read the full story on Forbes: www.forbes.com/sites/johndr...
Read the full story on Forbes: www.forbes.com/sites/johndr...
New in #EcologyLetters: How does extinction time scale with habitat size? An experiment with #Daphnia found strong support for power law—not exponential—scaling. A rare test of a big theoretical question.
Link: onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10....
#Ecology #Extinction #Scaling #Microcosms
Link: onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10....
#Ecology #Extinction #Scaling #Microcosms
Scaling of Extinction Time With Habitat Size in Experimental Populations
Theory predicts that extinction time scales with carrying capacity as either an exponential or power law. Extinction time in 35 laboratory populations was more consistent with a power law than expone....
onlinelibrary.wiley.com
July 25, 2025 at 8:40 AM
New in #EcologyLetters: How does extinction time scale with habitat size? An experiment with #Daphnia found strong support for power law—not exponential—scaling. A rare test of a big theoretical question.
Link: onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10....
#Ecology #Extinction #Scaling #Microcosms
Link: onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10....
#Ecology #Extinction #Scaling #Microcosms
Reposted by John M. Drake
Congrats to @jdrakephd.bsky.social on the important achievement of winning our* infectious disease pub quiz. Honorable mentions to Corin Yeats, Luca Ferretti, @christophraser.bsky.social and @aliciagill.bsky.social
* the Pandemic Sciences Institute; Data, Epidemiology and Analytics section
* the Pandemic Sciences Institute; Data, Epidemiology and Analytics section
June 25, 2025 at 9:35 PM
Congrats to @jdrakephd.bsky.social on the important achievement of winning our* infectious disease pub quiz. Honorable mentions to Corin Yeats, Luca Ferretti, @christophraser.bsky.social and @aliciagill.bsky.social
* the Pandemic Sciences Institute; Data, Epidemiology and Analytics section
* the Pandemic Sciences Institute; Data, Epidemiology and Analytics section
Global #influenza surveillance has long focused on farms, markets, and clinical settings. But new evidence suggests that sampling wild bird droppings could play a critical role in detecting emerging flu threats earlier and in places that are otherwise hard to monitor.
www.forbes.com/sites/johndr...
www.forbes.com/sites/johndr...
Tracking Bird Flu Through Poop In Places No One’s Looking
New research uses bird droppings to track avian flu in remote regions, revealing hidden hotspots and potential for early outbreak detection.
www.forbes.com
June 28, 2025 at 9:18 PM
Global #influenza surveillance has long focused on farms, markets, and clinical settings. But new evidence suggests that sampling wild bird droppings could play a critical role in detecting emerging flu threats earlier and in places that are otherwise hard to monitor.
www.forbes.com/sites/johndr...
www.forbes.com/sites/johndr...
Hundreds of early-career scientists are writing letters to their hometown papers to connect Americans with science. The McClintock Letters Project is about trust, story, and the future of science in America.
🧬📬 Read more: www.forbes.com/sites/johndr...
#ScienceCommunication #McClintockLetters
🧬📬 Read more: www.forbes.com/sites/johndr...
#ScienceCommunication #McClintockLetters
Scientists-In-Training Speak Out To Protect Public Research
The McClintock Letters Project is a student-led nationwide campaign advocating for public investment in scientific research.
www.forbes.com
June 19, 2025 at 11:26 AM
Hundreds of early-career scientists are writing letters to their hometown papers to connect Americans with science. The McClintock Letters Project is about trust, story, and the future of science in America.
🧬📬 Read more: www.forbes.com/sites/johndr...
#ScienceCommunication #McClintockLetters
🧬📬 Read more: www.forbes.com/sites/johndr...
#ScienceCommunication #McClintockLetters
Please to be presenting today at the 74th Annual International Conference on Diseases in Nature Communicable to Humans on our latest work using #MachineLearning to understand the ecology of emerging #Arboviruses
June 17, 2025 at 9:42 AM
Please to be presenting today at the 74th Annual International Conference on Diseases in Nature Communicable to Humans on our latest work using #MachineLearning to understand the ecology of emerging #Arboviruses
A federal judge ruled Trump-era NIH grant cuts “void and illegal,” citing discrimination. I wrote for Forbes about the implications for science funding and institutional trust.
🔗 www.forbes.com/sites/johndr...
#NIH #SciencePolicy #Forbes
🔗 www.forbes.com/sites/johndr...
#NIH #SciencePolicy #Forbes
Judge Rules NIH Grant Cuts Illegal
A federal judge has ruled that the Trump administration’s termination of NIH research grants constituted racial discrimination and anti-LGBTQ+ bias.
www.forbes.com
June 17, 2025 at 9:25 AM
A federal judge ruled Trump-era NIH grant cuts “void and illegal,” citing discrimination. I wrote for Forbes about the implications for science funding and institutional trust.
🔗 www.forbes.com/sites/johndr...
#NIH #SciencePolicy #Forbes
🔗 www.forbes.com/sites/johndr...
#NIH #SciencePolicy #Forbes
Nearly 4,000 federal science grants terminated.
A group of volunteers built Grant Watch to track it—now their data is showing up in court.
I talked to Noam Ross about how it started and what it means.
www.forbes.com/sites/johndr...
#ScienceIsEssential #GrantWatch #NIH #NSF #ACLU #DataJournalism
A group of volunteers built Grant Watch to track it—now their data is showing up in court.
I talked to Noam Ross about how it started and what it means.
www.forbes.com/sites/johndr...
#ScienceIsEssential #GrantWatch #NIH #NSF #ACLU #DataJournalism
Volunteer Track The $10 Billion Blow To American Science
Grassroots efforts support court case against the NIH
www.forbes.com
June 13, 2025 at 11:29 AM
Nearly 4,000 federal science grants terminated.
A group of volunteers built Grant Watch to track it—now their data is showing up in court.
I talked to Noam Ross about how it started and what it means.
www.forbes.com/sites/johndr...
#ScienceIsEssential #GrantWatch #NIH #NSF #ACLU #DataJournalism
A group of volunteers built Grant Watch to track it—now their data is showing up in court.
I talked to Noam Ross about how it started and what it means.
www.forbes.com/sites/johndr...
#ScienceIsEssential #GrantWatch #NIH #NSF #ACLU #DataJournalism