Makenzie Patarino
@mpatarino.bsky.social
Neuro PhD candidate at UW 🧠 studying trauma, TBI, and alcohol use in the Schindler Iterative Translation Lab👩🏻🔬 Passionate about science policy, communication, and advocacy✏️
Reposted by Makenzie Patarino
Given the absolutely insane levels of disinformation and growing attacks on science and scientists, all scientists must be taught
- how to communicate effectively
- how to engage the public
- how to engage politicians and policy makers
- how to engage with the media
- how to counter misinformation
- how to communicate effectively
- how to engage the public
- how to engage politicians and policy makers
- how to engage with the media
- how to counter misinformation
October 14, 2025 at 1:17 AM
Given the absolutely insane levels of disinformation and growing attacks on science and scientists, all scientists must be taught
- how to communicate effectively
- how to engage the public
- how to engage politicians and policy makers
- how to engage with the media
- how to counter misinformation
- how to communicate effectively
- how to engage the public
- how to engage politicians and policy makers
- how to engage with the media
- how to counter misinformation
Reposted by Makenzie Patarino
This is terrible. A brief statement from us:
Congress must stop it. We call for a provision in any CR/budget bill that explicitly declares these Vought shutdown firings to be illegal, null, and void.
Congress must stop it. We call for a provision in any CR/budget bill that explicitly declares these Vought shutdown firings to be illegal, null, and void.
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 1:30 PM
This is terrible. A brief statement from us:
Congress must stop it. We call for a provision in any CR/budget bill that explicitly declares these Vought shutdown firings to be illegal, null, and void.
Congress must stop it. We call for a provision in any CR/budget bill that explicitly declares these Vought shutdown firings to be illegal, null, and void.
Reposted by Makenzie Patarino
"We're doing the studies to make the proof."
This is not how Gold Standard Science works. Or any science. You do the study to TEST THE HYPOTHESIS, not to prove yourself right.
This is not how Gold Standard Science works. Or any science. You do the study to TEST THE HYPOTHESIS, not to prove yourself right.
RFK Jr on Tylenol and autism: "It is not proof. We're doing the studies to make the proof."
October 9, 2025 at 6:41 PM
"We're doing the studies to make the proof."
This is not how Gold Standard Science works. Or any science. You do the study to TEST THE HYPOTHESIS, not to prove yourself right.
This is not how Gold Standard Science works. Or any science. You do the study to TEST THE HYPOTHESIS, not to prove yourself right.
Reposted by Makenzie Patarino
"So, Democrats have three words for this: no fucking way. It's literally life or death. We will not let Republicans blow up our health care system."
This is, hands down, the best comms work Chuck Schumer has done in YEARS. Surprisingly good.
This is, hands down, the best comms work Chuck Schumer has done in YEARS. Surprisingly good.
October 8, 2025 at 2:27 AM
"So, Democrats have three words for this: no fucking way. It's literally life or death. We will not let Republicans blow up our health care system."
This is, hands down, the best comms work Chuck Schumer has done in YEARS. Surprisingly good.
This is, hands down, the best comms work Chuck Schumer has done in YEARS. Surprisingly good.
Reposted by Makenzie Patarino
“Secretary Kennedy is entitled to his views. But he is not entitled to put people’s health at risk.”
Six former surgeons general condemn RFK Jr.
Six former surgeons general condemn RFK Jr.
Opinion | Six surgeons general: RFK Jr. is a threat to the health of Americans
It was our duty in office to warn of dangers when we found them. We’re doing that again today.
www.washingtonpost.com
October 7, 2025 at 11:27 AM
“Secretary Kennedy is entitled to his views. But he is not entitled to put people’s health at risk.”
Six former surgeons general condemn RFK Jr.
Six former surgeons general condemn RFK Jr.
Reposted by Makenzie Patarino
👏🏽👏🏽
Through lawsuits, grant tracking, whistle-blowing and more, resistance to the US war on science is growing
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Through lawsuits, grant tracking, whistle-blowing and more, resistance to the US war on science is growing
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Scientists take on Trump: these researchers are fighting back
Through lawsuits, grant tracking, whistle-blowing and more, resistance to the US war on science is growing.
www.nature.com
September 11, 2025 at 3:07 PM
👏🏽👏🏽
Through lawsuits, grant tracking, whistle-blowing and more, resistance to the US war on science is growing
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Through lawsuits, grant tracking, whistle-blowing and more, resistance to the US war on science is growing
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Reposted by Makenzie Patarino
Brilliant piece on how to engage in conversation with strangers about vaccines and public health
@statnews.com @unbiasedscipod.bsky.social
www.statnews.com/2025/09/06/c...
@statnews.com @unbiasedscipod.bsky.social
www.statnews.com/2025/09/06/c...
I inserted myself into a conversation at a bar about Covid and vaccines. Here’s what happened
What happened when a public health scientist overheard four men sharing misinformation about Covid — and decided to talk to them about it.
www.statnews.com
September 7, 2025 at 2:42 PM
Brilliant piece on how to engage in conversation with strangers about vaccines and public health
@statnews.com @unbiasedscipod.bsky.social
www.statnews.com/2025/09/06/c...
@statnews.com @unbiasedscipod.bsky.social
www.statnews.com/2025/09/06/c...
Reposted by Makenzie Patarino
9 CDC Directors going back to 1977 speak out. What RFK Jr has done to our nation’s public health system "should alarm every American."
It "is unlike anything we have ever seen at the agency, and unlike anything our country has ever experienced." www.nytimes.com/2025/09/01/o...
It "is unlike anything we have ever seen at the agency, and unlike anything our country has ever experienced." www.nytimes.com/2025/09/01/o...
Opinion | We Ran the C.D.C.: Kennedy Is Endangering Every American’s Health
www.nytimes.com
September 1, 2025 at 11:23 AM
9 CDC Directors going back to 1977 speak out. What RFK Jr has done to our nation’s public health system "should alarm every American."
It "is unlike anything we have ever seen at the agency, and unlike anything our country has ever experienced." www.nytimes.com/2025/09/01/o...
It "is unlike anything we have ever seen at the agency, and unlike anything our country has ever experienced." www.nytimes.com/2025/09/01/o...
Reposted by Makenzie Patarino
Mass shooters since 2018 who were transgender — 4.
Mass shooters since 2018 who were not transgender — 4,193.
Hope that helps.
Mass shooters since 2018 who were not transgender — 4,193.
Hope that helps.
August 29, 2025 at 5:33 PM
Mass shooters since 2018 who were transgender — 4.
Mass shooters since 2018 who were not transgender — 4,193.
Hope that helps.
Mass shooters since 2018 who were not transgender — 4,193.
Hope that helps.
Reposted by Makenzie Patarino
Dr. Demetre Daskalakis, who resigned from the CDC, revealed that RFK Jr. has NEVER been briefed by CDC experts on measles, flu, or Covid:
“No one from my center has ever briefed him on any of those topics…He’s getting his information from somewhere”
“No one from my center has ever briefed him on any of those topics…He’s getting his information from somewhere”
August 29, 2025 at 3:16 AM
Dr. Demetre Daskalakis, who resigned from the CDC, revealed that RFK Jr. has NEVER been briefed by CDC experts on measles, flu, or Covid:
“No one from my center has ever briefed him on any of those topics…He’s getting his information from somewhere”
“No one from my center has ever briefed him on any of those topics…He’s getting his information from somewhere”
Reposted by Makenzie Patarino
RFK Jr "the nation’s leading public health official does not have any real interest in — or possibly any real understanding of — public health"
@jeneeninterlandi.bsky.social @nytopinion.nytimes.com
www.nytimes.com/2025/08/28/o...
@jeneeninterlandi.bsky.social @nytopinion.nytimes.com
www.nytimes.com/2025/08/28/o...
Opinion | The Public Health Disaster Everyone Saw Coming
www.nytimes.com
August 29, 2025 at 12:47 AM
RFK Jr "the nation’s leading public health official does not have any real interest in — or possibly any real understanding of — public health"
@jeneeninterlandi.bsky.social @nytopinion.nytimes.com
www.nytimes.com/2025/08/28/o...
@jeneeninterlandi.bsky.social @nytopinion.nytimes.com
www.nytimes.com/2025/08/28/o...
Reposted by Makenzie Patarino
"This could be the difference whether your child gets cancer. Are you willing for them to die because the therapy for them is delayed?"
Powerful video with voices from top US scientists on the very real and devastating impacts of the funding cuts.
Powerful video with voices from top US scientists on the very real and devastating impacts of the funding cuts.
August 24, 2025 at 7:25 PM
"This could be the difference whether your child gets cancer. Are you willing for them to die because the therapy for them is delayed?"
Powerful video with voices from top US scientists on the very real and devastating impacts of the funding cuts.
Powerful video with voices from top US scientists on the very real and devastating impacts of the funding cuts.
Reposted by Makenzie Patarino
If you want to know what heroes look like (at least in drawing form)...
Welcome FEMA to the letter resistance!! The Katrina Declaration was released today out of concern that we are going back to a time when our response was its own man-made disaster. Say Never Again and sign in support!!!
@rebelfema.altgov.info
act.standupforscience.net/forms/sign-o...
@rebelfema.altgov.info
act.standupforscience.net/forms/sign-o...
August 25, 2025 at 12:50 PM
If you want to know what heroes look like (at least in drawing form)...
Reposted by Makenzie Patarino
The practical upshot is that justice delayed is justice denied; or to be more precise, a lab which had to fire all of its researchers and halt work on groundbreaking research isn't going to be able to ever restore itself to the same position it would have been without a multi-year pause in funding.
TL;DR: 5 justices say Trump doesn't have to immediately restore the funding, but 5 *also* signal that the underlying directives are unlawful.
That sends a fairly strong (if mixed) message that Trump will lose these cases *eventually,* but only once they're brought in the Court of Federal Claims.
That sends a fairly strong (if mixed) message that Trump will lose these cases *eventually,* but only once they're brought in the Court of Federal Claims.
Splitting 5-4 (with Chief Justice Roberts joining the three Democratic appointees in dissent), #SCOTUS grants *partial* stay to Trump administration in NIH funding case; holds that challenges to grant terminations (but *not* the underlying guidance) need to be filed in the Court of Federal Claims:
August 21, 2025 at 8:58 PM
The practical upshot is that justice delayed is justice denied; or to be more precise, a lab which had to fire all of its researchers and halt work on groundbreaking research isn't going to be able to ever restore itself to the same position it would have been without a multi-year pause in funding.
Reposted by Makenzie Patarino
1. "'Trusting the experts is not a feature of either a science or democracy," Kennedy said."
It's literally a vital feature of both science and of representative democracy.
I've written a fair bit about trust in expertise as a vital mechanism in the collective epistemology of science.
It's literally a vital feature of both science and of representative democracy.
I've written a fair bit about trust in expertise as a vital mechanism in the collective epistemology of science.
RFK Jr. in interview with Scripps News: ‘Trusting the experts is not science’
HHS Secretary RFK Jr. sat down with Scripps News for a wide-ranging interview, discussing mRNA vaccine funding policy changes and a recent shooting at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
www.scrippsnews.com
August 12, 2025 at 4:48 AM
1. "'Trusting the experts is not a feature of either a science or democracy," Kennedy said."
It's literally a vital feature of both science and of representative democracy.
I've written a fair bit about trust in expertise as a vital mechanism in the collective epistemology of science.
It's literally a vital feature of both science and of representative democracy.
I've written a fair bit about trust in expertise as a vital mechanism in the collective epistemology of science.
Reposted by Makenzie Patarino
I listened to Bhattacharya on Steve Bannon's "War Room" podcast.
If you want to know how it went, see the following email that I just sent.
1/13
If you want to know how it went, see the following email that I just sent.
1/13
August 11, 2025 at 8:10 PM
I listened to Bhattacharya on Steve Bannon's "War Room" podcast.
If you want to know how it went, see the following email that I just sent.
1/13
If you want to know how it went, see the following email that I just sent.
1/13
Reposted by Makenzie Patarino
🚨🚨🚨‼️‼️‼️🚨🚨🚨
Bottom line: multiyear funding (MYF) will:
Push people out of science. #BrainDrain
Slow scientific advances
Potentially make it easier to cut the #NIH budget.
Time to get loud about this!
Bottom line: multiyear funding (MYF) will:
Push people out of science. #BrainDrain
Slow scientific advances
Potentially make it easier to cut the #NIH budget.
Time to get loud about this!
New, from an anonymous NIH insider: Trump is being pushed to spend more NIH money. The White House is ordering NIH to do multi-year budgets for awards. This budget trick means fewer awards, fewer labs funded, and lower paylines for researchers. 🧵
donmoynihan.substack.com/p/alert-the-...
donmoynihan.substack.com/p/alert-the-...
Alert: The Trump administration is quietly slashing new NIH grant awards, and it's not via the budget
NIH’s sudden move to multiyear grant funding is forcing shocking cuts in the number of grants funded. This is an effective budget cut. It's bad, folks.
donmoynihan.substack.com
July 28, 2025 at 9:10 PM
🚨🚨🚨‼️‼️‼️🚨🚨🚨
Bottom line: multiyear funding (MYF) will:
Push people out of science. #BrainDrain
Slow scientific advances
Potentially make it easier to cut the #NIH budget.
Time to get loud about this!
Bottom line: multiyear funding (MYF) will:
Push people out of science. #BrainDrain
Slow scientific advances
Potentially make it easier to cut the #NIH budget.
Time to get loud about this!
This is encouraging to see!! Let’s continue the dialogue with republican congress members about why science funding is so critical!
14 GOP senators are urging the Trump admin to release stalled NIH funds, warning that delays could shut down life-saving research, cost jobs, and erode public trust in science.
On the line? Real people, real cures, real consequences.
zurl.co/TlewL
On the line? Real people, real cures, real consequences.
zurl.co/TlewL
14 Republican senators urge White House to release delayed NIH funds
Sen. Katie Britt (R-Ala.) is leading the letter making the ask of OMB director Russ Vought.
zurl.co
July 29, 2025 at 12:07 AM
This is encouraging to see!! Let’s continue the dialogue with republican congress members about why science funding is so critical!
Reposted by Makenzie Patarino
"The money the government sends to Harvard is, in effect, not a subsidy to advance the university’s mission. It’s a payment for the role Harvard plays in advancing the research mission of the United States."
The NYT put together a comprehensive inforgraphic on lost federal funding for research at Harvard
I leanrned a lot about what my colleagues are doing!
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
I leanrned a lot about what my colleagues are doing!
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
Here Is All the Science at Risk in Trump’s Clash With Harvard (Gift Article)
More than 900 research grants worth $2.6 billion are in jeopardy. So is the 80-year-old model of American science.
www.nytimes.com
June 26, 2025 at 5:45 PM
"The money the government sends to Harvard is, in effect, not a subsidy to advance the university’s mission. It’s a payment for the role Harvard plays in advancing the research mission of the United States."
This was such a great read! “We will always have more in common with each other than we do with billionaires sitting behind desks with uncalloused hands and unburdened minds.” Let’s stand up for science together!!
The fight for science is the fight for working people.
@matwmccool.bsky.social 's story is a reminder: this isn’t about left vs right — it’s about billionaires vs all of us.
Science belongs to the people.
zurl.co/ncZtb
#StandUpForScience
@matwmccool.bsky.social 's story is a reminder: this isn’t about left vs right — it’s about billionaires vs all of us.
Science belongs to the people.
zurl.co/ncZtb
#StandUpForScience
OPINION: Powerful people are coming for our future
Like many, my family endured hard-working conditions daily to make a living, and I hardly heard a complaint. I spent years working hard labor jobs, and never in my wildest
zurl.co
June 18, 2025 at 4:56 PM
This was such a great read! “We will always have more in common with each other than we do with billionaires sitting behind desks with uncalloused hands and unburdened minds.” Let’s stand up for science together!!
Reposted by Makenzie Patarino
Neuroscience research and training has taken a $323 million hit in the form of grants rescinded by the U.S. NIH, according to an analysis by @thetransmitter.bsky.social.
By @claudia-lopez.bsky.social
#neuroskyence
www.thetransmitter.org/funding/nih-...
By @claudia-lopez.bsky.social
#neuroskyence
www.thetransmitter.org/funding/nih-...
NIH cuts quash $323 million for neuroscience research and training
“I am frightened for the state of the future of our field if this isn't reversed rapidly,” says Joshua Gordon, professor of psychiatry at Columbia University and former director of the National…
www.thetransmitter.org
June 16, 2025 at 9:12 PM
Neuroscience research and training has taken a $323 million hit in the form of grants rescinded by the U.S. NIH, according to an analysis by @thetransmitter.bsky.social.
By @claudia-lopez.bsky.social
#neuroskyence
www.thetransmitter.org/funding/nih-...
By @claudia-lopez.bsky.social
#neuroskyence
www.thetransmitter.org/funding/nih-...
Reposted by Makenzie Patarino
Great @npr.org reporting on positive impact that research and community programs together have had on reducing drug deaths in young adults. Make no mistake, #NIDA funded research has made huge changes in addiction. Congress needs to hear this and support #NIH.
Drug deaths plummet among young Americans as fentanyl carnage eases
U.S. drug deaths dropped by roughly 40% last year among people under the age of 35. It's a welcome pivot for families and communities devastated by fentanyl.
www.npr.org
June 10, 2025 at 4:27 PM
Reposted by Makenzie Patarino
🚨BREAKING: 300+ NIH employees call out the harm of censorship & politicized science in scathing email to Bhattacharya, demanding an end to political interference, a lift on funding freezes, & rehiring of fired staff whose work saves lives.
This is historic - insiders are blowing the whistle.
🧵(1/5)
This is historic - insiders are blowing the whistle.
🧵(1/5)
June 9, 2025 at 12:03 PM
🚨BREAKING: 300+ NIH employees call out the harm of censorship & politicized science in scathing email to Bhattacharya, demanding an end to political interference, a lift on funding freezes, & rehiring of fired staff whose work saves lives.
This is historic - insiders are blowing the whistle.
🧵(1/5)
This is historic - insiders are blowing the whistle.
🧵(1/5)
Reposted by Makenzie Patarino
must be incredibly frustrating and disheartening to have federal funding that was promised to you for important work suddenly and arbitrarily ripped away
“In light of the President's statement about cancellation of my government contracts, @SpaceX will begin decommissioning its Dragon spacecraft immediately”
June 5, 2025 at 8:15 PM
must be incredibly frustrating and disheartening to have federal funding that was promised to you for important work suddenly and arbitrarily ripped away