Abdullahi Tsanni
@sciwriabdul.bsky.social
science, people & events, global health, and tech features from Africa | tough-minded reporting, boots on the ground
| https://muckrack.com/abdullahi-tsanni
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Abdullahi Tsanni
@sciwriabdul.bsky.social
· Nov 12
new 🐝 here: i’m a science writer specializing in narrative features. i currently report on the ground in Senegal & West Africa focusing on biomedicine, global health, AI, and the scientific enterprise. my stories have been published in Science, Nature, MIT Technology Review, among others…
Reposted by Abdullahi Tsanni
This year, The Open Notebook is celebrating our 15th year. Here's what TON has meant to @sciwriabdul.bsky.social. #TON15
Learn more about how we're marking this momentous milestone! www.theopennotebook.com/15thannivers...
Learn more about how we're marking this momentous milestone! www.theopennotebook.com/15thannivers...
August 27, 2025 at 10:27 PM
This year, The Open Notebook is celebrating our 15th year. Here's what TON has meant to @sciwriabdul.bsky.social. #TON15
Learn more about how we're marking this momentous milestone! www.theopennotebook.com/15thannivers...
Learn more about how we're marking this momentous milestone! www.theopennotebook.com/15thannivers...
Reposted by Abdullahi Tsanni
If you're an early-career journalist, consider applying for @theopennotebook.bsky.social's paid, mentored fellowship and follow in the footsteps of @katherinejwu.com, @janehu.bsky.social, @sciwriabdul.bsky.social, @1juliarosen.bsky.social, @celiaford.bsky.social and many more! Deadline: 10/31.
Applications are OPEN for our early-career fellowship program supported by the @bwfund.bsky.social!
Work with a mentor to plan, report, and write articles for The Open Notebook and become part of the TON team. 🧵
Work with a mentor to plan, report, and write articles for The Open Notebook and become part of the TON team. 🧵
Early-Career Fellowship Program - The Open Notebook
Every year, The Open Notebook offers a paid, part-time fellowship program for early-career science journalists. This ten-month program offers fellows the opportunity to explore their career interests ...
www.theopennotebook.com
September 15, 2025 at 6:53 PM
If you're an early-career journalist, consider applying for @theopennotebook.bsky.social's paid, mentored fellowship and follow in the footsteps of @katherinejwu.com, @janehu.bsky.social, @sciwriabdul.bsky.social, @1juliarosen.bsky.social, @celiaford.bsky.social and many more! Deadline: 10/31.
Reposted by Abdullahi Tsanni
“There’s a niche group that knows [the journal] well, but many more of us are clueless."
Story by @sciwriabdul.bsky.social
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Story by @sciwriabdul.bsky.social
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Leadership change at African journal sparks calls for bold reform
The Journal of Public Health in Africa faces a pivotal moment, and researchers say it must evolve to better serve the scientific community.
www.nature.com
July 4, 2025 at 2:40 AM
“There’s a niche group that knows [the journal] well, but many more of us are clueless."
Story by @sciwriabdul.bsky.social
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Story by @sciwriabdul.bsky.social
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Reposted by Abdullahi Tsanni
We're incredibly proud to highlight the work presented by Jonathan Mukiibi of the Makerere AI Lab at #DLI2024 ! ✨
Learn more in @nature.com Africa article: "To fight Ebola misinformation, AI mines old-tech radio data"👉
www.nature.com/articles/d44...
By @sciwriabdul.bsky.social
Learn more in @nature.com Africa article: "To fight Ebola misinformation, AI mines old-tech radio data"👉
www.nature.com/articles/d44...
By @sciwriabdul.bsky.social
To fight Ebola misinformation, AI mines old-tech radio data
Insights from machine learning models in Uganda can be used to tailor policies for handling present and future disease outbreaks.
www.nature.com
July 2, 2025 at 9:40 AM
We're incredibly proud to highlight the work presented by Jonathan Mukiibi of the Makerere AI Lab at #DLI2024 ! ✨
Learn more in @nature.com Africa article: "To fight Ebola misinformation, AI mines old-tech radio data"👉
www.nature.com/articles/d44...
By @sciwriabdul.bsky.social
Learn more in @nature.com Africa article: "To fight Ebola misinformation, AI mines old-tech radio data"👉
www.nature.com/articles/d44...
By @sciwriabdul.bsky.social
Reposted by Abdullahi Tsanni
In this profile of virologist Amadou Sall, on the ground reporting by @sciwriabdul.bsky.social Tsanni reveals how Sall's diplomacy and persuasion have made his vision of 'homegrown' vaccine manufacturing a reality in #Senegal.
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Africa’s chief diplomat for vaccine manufacturing
Virologist Amadou Sall is the driving force behind a world-class manufacturing hub in Senegal.
www.nature.com
June 23, 2025 at 1:29 AM
In this profile of virologist Amadou Sall, on the ground reporting by @sciwriabdul.bsky.social Tsanni reveals how Sall's diplomacy and persuasion have made his vision of 'homegrown' vaccine manufacturing a reality in #Senegal.
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Meet the global-health diplomat who is behind a US$220 million world-class facility to make vaccine manufacturing a reality in Africa.
My latest for @nature.com
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
My latest for @nature.com
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Africa’s chief diplomat for vaccine manufacturing
Virologist Amadou Sall is the driving force behind a world-class manufacturing hub in Senegal.
www.nature.com
June 20, 2025 at 6:51 PM
Meet the global-health diplomat who is behind a US$220 million world-class facility to make vaccine manufacturing a reality in Africa.
My latest for @nature.com
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
My latest for @nature.com
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Reposted by Abdullahi Tsanni
Thrilled to see @cohenjon.bsky.social and @sciwriabdul.bsky.social win an award for their stories about tracking infectious diseases in Nigeria. healthjournalism.org/blog/2025/04...
AHCJ announces winners of 2024 health journalism contest
The Association of Health Care Journalists is thrilled to announce the winners of the 2024 Awards for Excellence in Health Care Journalism.
healthjournalism.org
April 30, 2025 at 8:32 PM
Thrilled to see @cohenjon.bsky.social and @sciwriabdul.bsky.social win an award for their stories about tracking infectious diseases in Nigeria. healthjournalism.org/blog/2025/04...
Reposted by Abdullahi Tsanni
Congratulations to @sciwriabdul.bsky.social, '23, and Jon Cohen for winning a first place Award for Excellence in Health Care Journalism for their coverage in @science.org on tracking infectious diseases in Nigeria
April 29, 2025 at 1:27 PM
Congratulations to @sciwriabdul.bsky.social, '23, and Jon Cohen for winning a first place Award for Excellence in Health Care Journalism for their coverage in @science.org on tracking infectious diseases in Nigeria
i spoke with one of the world’s top hunters of hominid fossils about his work to ensure that discoveries made in African countries are studied by Africans in Africa. 🦴
« If we have the natural laboratories there, why can’t we also have the physical laboratories in Africa » an absolute legend !
« If we have the natural laboratories there, why can’t we also have the physical laboratories in Africa » an absolute legend !
Yohannes Haile-Selassie wants to shift the trajectory of palaeoanthropology in fossil-rich Ethiopia away from its long colonial heritage
https://go.nature.com/4iEQTkE
https://go.nature.com/4iEQTkE
Why Africans should be telling the story of human origins
Yohannes Haile-Selassie wants to shift the trajectory of palaeoanthropology in fossil-rich Ethiopia away from its long colonial heritage.
go.nature.com
March 28, 2025 at 6:50 PM
i spoke with one of the world’s top hunters of hominid fossils about his work to ensure that discoveries made in African countries are studied by Africans in Africa. 🦴
« If we have the natural laboratories there, why can’t we also have the physical laboratories in Africa » an absolute legend !
« If we have the natural laboratories there, why can’t we also have the physical laboratories in Africa » an absolute legend !
Reposted by Abdullahi Tsanni
"We were a country that pointed to the North Star, whether it was smallpox eradication or polio elimination or HIV."
@cohenjon.bsky.social's farewell interview with former PEPFAR head John Nkengasong: www.science.org/content/arti...
@cohenjon.bsky.social's farewell interview with former PEPFAR head John Nkengasong: www.science.org/content/arti...
Outgoing head of heralded U.S. global HIV/AIDS program urges Trump to reverse cuts
John Nkengasong, who had helmed PEPFAR since 2022, says “history will remember we showed humanity”
www.science.org
March 20, 2025 at 11:39 AM
"We were a country that pointed to the North Star, whether it was smallpox eradication or polio elimination or HIV."
@cohenjon.bsky.social's farewell interview with former PEPFAR head John Nkengasong: www.science.org/content/arti...
@cohenjon.bsky.social's farewell interview with former PEPFAR head John Nkengasong: www.science.org/content/arti...
Reposted by Abdullahi Tsanni
March 7, 2025 at 5:40 PM
Reposted by Abdullahi Tsanni
Provocative piece by the terrific @sciwriabdul.bsky.social www.science.org/content/arti...
‘We have to become self-reliant’: African scientists respond to dramatic U.S. aid cuts
The “brutal” loss of billions of dollars shows Africa should no longer depend on foreign donors, researchers say
www.science.org
March 6, 2025 at 12:41 AM
Provocative piece by the terrific @sciwriabdul.bsky.social www.science.org/content/arti...
Reposted by Abdullahi Tsanni
Super story by @sciwriabdul.bsky.social—as usual!
‘We have to become self-reliant’: African scientists respond to dramatic U.S. aid cuts | Science | AAAS www.science.org/content/arti...
‘We have to become self-reliant’: African scientists respond to dramatic U.S. aid cuts | Science | AAAS www.science.org/content/arti...
‘We have to become self-reliant’: African scientists respond to dramatic U.S. aid cuts
The “brutal” loss of billions of dollars shows Africa should no longer depend on foreign donors, researchers say
www.science.org
March 6, 2025 at 7:21 AM
Super story by @sciwriabdul.bsky.social—as usual!
‘We have to become self-reliant’: African scientists respond to dramatic U.S. aid cuts | Science | AAAS www.science.org/content/arti...
‘We have to become self-reliant’: African scientists respond to dramatic U.S. aid cuts | Science | AAAS www.science.org/content/arti...
Reposted by Abdullahi Tsanni
Fresh take on cuts to US aid, as seen by African docs & researchers. Cuts are chaotic & costly, but aid has been a mixed bag.
“When you don’t have self-determination, you’re always following & dancing to someone else’s tune.”
By the amazing @sciwriabdul.bsky.social www.science.org/content/arti...
“When you don’t have self-determination, you’re always following & dancing to someone else’s tune.”
By the amazing @sciwriabdul.bsky.social www.science.org/content/arti...
‘We have to become self-reliant’: African scientists respond to dramatic U.S. aid cuts
The “brutal” loss of billions of dollars shows Africa should no longer depend on foreign donors, researchers say
www.science.org
March 5, 2025 at 3:04 PM
Fresh take on cuts to US aid, as seen by African docs & researchers. Cuts are chaotic & costly, but aid has been a mixed bag.
“When you don’t have self-determination, you’re always following & dancing to someone else’s tune.”
By the amazing @sciwriabdul.bsky.social www.science.org/content/arti...
“When you don’t have self-determination, you’re always following & dancing to someone else’s tune.”
By the amazing @sciwriabdul.bsky.social www.science.org/content/arti...
Reposted by Abdullahi Tsanni
“This whole attitude of begging, crying, and throwing hands up needs to stop.” Strong words about Africa's dependency on foreign health aid—and how it could be broken—in a new story by @sciwriabdul.bsky.social: www.science.org/content/arti...
‘We have to become self-reliant’: African scientists respond to dramatic U.S. aid cuts
The “brutal” loss of billions of dollars shows Africa should no longer depend on foreign donors, researchers say
www.science.org
March 5, 2025 at 11:48 AM
“This whole attitude of begging, crying, and throwing hands up needs to stop.” Strong words about Africa's dependency on foreign health aid—and how it could be broken—in a new story by @sciwriabdul.bsky.social: www.science.org/content/arti...
africa is heavily dependent on foreign health aid. but the brutal loss of billions due to the freeze on U.S. aid has spurred calls for African self-reliance. i tried to piece together how the dependency arose, whether it can be broken, and the solutions:
www.science.org/content/arti...
www.science.org/content/arti...
March 5, 2025 at 11:07 AM
africa is heavily dependent on foreign health aid. but the brutal loss of billions due to the freeze on U.S. aid has spurred calls for African self-reliance. i tried to piece together how the dependency arose, whether it can be broken, and the solutions:
www.science.org/content/arti...
www.science.org/content/arti...
Reposted by Abdullahi Tsanni
Important article by @sciwriabdul.bsky.social.
“Many donor countries also expect political favors in return for their largesse, says @ckyobutungi.bsky.social, executive director of the Nairobi-based African Population and Health Research Center.”
www.science.org/content/arti...
“Many donor countries also expect political favors in return for their largesse, says @ckyobutungi.bsky.social, executive director of the Nairobi-based African Population and Health Research Center.”
www.science.org/content/arti...
‘We have to become self-reliant’: African scientists respond to dramatic U.S. aid cuts
The “brutal” loss of billions of dollars shows Africa should no longer depend on foreign donors, researchers say
www.science.org
March 4, 2025 at 10:52 PM
Important article by @sciwriabdul.bsky.social.
“Many donor countries also expect political favors in return for their largesse, says @ckyobutungi.bsky.social, executive director of the Nairobi-based African Population and Health Research Center.”
www.science.org/content/arti...
“Many donor countries also expect political favors in return for their largesse, says @ckyobutungi.bsky.social, executive director of the Nairobi-based African Population and Health Research Center.”
www.science.org/content/arti...
Reposted by Abdullahi Tsanni
The most achingly beautiful explanation of what science is, from @edyong209.bsky.social: “the idea that much of the world is hidden from us, that we don’t perceive it and don’t understand it, and that it is worth understanding and it is necessary to understand.”
www.nytimes.com/2025/02/22/m...
www.nytimes.com/2025/02/22/m...
‘The Interview’: Ed Yong Wants to Show You the Hidden Reality of the World
The Pulitzer Prize-winning science writer talks about burnout from covering the pandemic and how bird-watching gave him a new sense of hope.
www.nytimes.com
February 22, 2025 at 3:46 PM
The most achingly beautiful explanation of what science is, from @edyong209.bsky.social: “the idea that much of the world is hidden from us, that we don’t perceive it and don’t understand it, and that it is worth understanding and it is necessary to understand.”
www.nytimes.com/2025/02/22/m...
www.nytimes.com/2025/02/22/m...
Reposted by Abdullahi Tsanni
I'm looking to speak with people whose research on disparities in transplantation has been disrupted by the federal funding issues or the executive orders. Signal: eboodman.88. eric.boodman@globe.com Please boost! #journorequest
February 19, 2025 at 8:00 PM
I'm looking to speak with people whose research on disparities in transplantation has been disrupted by the federal funding issues or the executive orders. Signal: eboodman.88. eric.boodman@globe.com Please boost! #journorequest
Reposted by Abdullahi Tsanni
I spoke to #WHO 's Mike Ryan, in Uganda helping with the #Ebola response. Six contacts are ill, but not yet clear if they have Ebola. Vaccination could start Sunday. WHO is covering off key programs hit by the Trump admin's aid freeze, including border screening. www.statnews.com/2025/02/01/u...
WHO says 6 contacts of Ugandan Ebola patient are ill, vaccination efforts could begin Sunday
Test results on the sick people are pending, and a top WHO official said the outbreak response is proceeding rapidly.
www.statnews.com
February 1, 2025 at 8:01 PM
I spoke to #WHO 's Mike Ryan, in Uganda helping with the #Ebola response. Six contacts are ill, but not yet clear if they have Ebola. Vaccination could start Sunday. WHO is covering off key programs hit by the Trump admin's aid freeze, including border screening. www.statnews.com/2025/02/01/u...
Reposted by Abdullahi Tsanni
My sense is that most of us in science now have at least some institutional guidance on how to cope with latest round of proclamations. I hope you're able to refocus today despite the uncertainty, good luck.
AND we need to brace against future rounds of disruption. Here's what my group is using:
AND we need to brace against future rounds of disruption. Here's what my group is using:
January 29, 2025 at 3:59 PM
My sense is that most of us in science now have at least some institutional guidance on how to cope with latest round of proclamations. I hope you're able to refocus today despite the uncertainty, good luck.
AND we need to brace against future rounds of disruption. Here's what my group is using:
AND we need to brace against future rounds of disruption. Here's what my group is using:
Reposted by Abdullahi Tsanni
My prediction on the mysterious disease in SW Congo that's killed 143 people:
The world will forget about it as soon as it's not mysterious. This part of Congo is severely neglected. And really, that's the disease.
The world will forget about it as soon as it's not mysterious. This part of Congo is severely neglected. And really, that's the disease.
December 6, 2024 at 1:45 PM
My prediction on the mysterious disease in SW Congo that's killed 143 people:
The world will forget about it as soon as it's not mysterious. This part of Congo is severely neglected. And really, that's the disease.
The world will forget about it as soon as it's not mysterious. This part of Congo is severely neglected. And really, that's the disease.
Reposted by Abdullahi Tsanni
New from me: I profiled Clear, the airport biometric company that is looking to become the “universal identity platform” of the physical world...and which has (according to its CTO) “1 of the largest private repositories of identities on the planet."
www.technologyreview.com/2024/11/20/1...
www.technologyreview.com/2024/11/20/1...
Inside Clear’s ambitions to manage your identity beyond the airport
The company that has helped millions of people cut security lines wants to give you a frictionless future—in exchange for your face.
www.technologyreview.com
November 20, 2024 at 5:15 PM
New from me: I profiled Clear, the airport biometric company that is looking to become the “universal identity platform” of the physical world...and which has (according to its CTO) “1 of the largest private repositories of identities on the planet."
www.technologyreview.com/2024/11/20/1...
www.technologyreview.com/2024/11/20/1...