Huge congrats, Spyros! Pasteur is very lucky to have you.

Yes, exciting times ahead! :)

Thanks @tah-sci.com!

how is the syn vs nonsyn MOV context score/likelihood calculated in these cases?

Grateful to @ryanhisner.bsky.social for his thoughtful comments on the work. Huge thanks also to the incredible ONS-CIS team—especially Sarah Walker—for making this study possible, and to Katrina Lythgoe for her leadership throughout.

We analysed 576 persistent infections and found:
– More common in men & those >60yrs
– Most variation driven by nonsynonymous mutations, esp. in spike NTD & RBD
– Longer infection → higher viral clock rates
– Onward transmission is rare
– Only ~2% showed viral rates on par with highly divergent VOCs

But I also think that leaving when I did was the right move. And to fellow academics affected by this — you’re not alone. And to colleagues in the US: please speak up, advocate for inclusion, and keep those bridges open however you can. Science doesn’t thrive in isolation. And neither do we.

I’ve been very fortunate in my academic journey and the support I’ve found elsewhere. But it’s disheartening to think how many doors remain closed for reasons far beyond our control. I still carry a deep appreciation for my time in the US — mentors, friends, opportunities.

Well, it didn’t, did it? And now, years later, we’re watching history repeat itself — not just in policy, but in the way it quietly redirects the paths of young researchers who simply want to engage, collaborate, and contribute to global science. A lot has changed in my life since then.

Apologies, the link above was incorrect — this one should work: stanford.zoom.us/meeting/regi...

Sorry, my fault—sent the wrong link! This one should work: stanford.zoom.us/meeting/regi...