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Katie Loth

@klothphd.bsky.social

Associate Professor and Vice Chair for Faculty Affairs at the UMN's Department of Family Medicine and Community Health. Behavioral epidemiologist, clinical dietitian, public health advocate. Mom to three boys. Lover of swimming, running, and hiking.

67 Posts170 Follower171 Folgt
Rachel Widome@rwidome.bsky.social · last yr.

I hope UMN joins the Big 10 Mutual Defense Compact and that the coalition decides that if one university in the Compact is under threat, then ALL athletic programs across the Big 10 are paused.

anil oza@aniloza.bsky.social · last yr.

People who are trying to figure out where the NIH goes in the future are turning to a small, 2 month old journal bc of its connection to the new director, Jay Bhattacharya As one expert put it: "Is this what Jay thinks? If that’s the case, then we worry" 🧪 www.statnews.com/2025/04/03/a...

Why a small journal’s ‘blueprint for NIH’ may offer clues to the agency's future

A paper proposing NIH reforms is circulating in academic circles and within the agency as scientists search for hints of its direction

statnews.com

Colette Delawalla, PhD@cdelawalla.bsky.social · last yr.

The institution of Science in America is a public good that equalizes. It brings safety, advancement, protection, answers, cures, and economic benefit. The NIH, alone, turns out $2.46 for every $1 invested. HANDS OFF OUR SCIENCE! April 5th, 2025 #scienceforall #handsoffourscience

Stand Up for Science!@standupforscience.net · last yr.

We are excited to announce our official partnership with @indivisible.org for the National Day of Action on April 5th! Stand Up for Science says: HANDS OFF OUR SCIENCE! #standupforscience #handsoffourscience Find and register for an event near you: handsoff2025.com?utm_source=s...

Rachel Widome@rwidome.bsky.social · last yr.

From the rescinded NIH Final Scientific Integrity Policy: “The Final NIH Scientific Integrity Policy also includes NIH practices that will address important emerging topics in biomedical research, such as protecting against political interference.”

Liz Borkowski@lizborkowski.bsky.social · last yr.

NIH has rescinded its scientific integrity policy. Hard to see this as anything other than clearing the way for shoddy research on things like vaccines. Regardless of the rationale, it's bad news for public health. grants.nih.gov/grants/guide...

Tina Smith@smith.senate.gov · last yr.

International students are huge assets to the University of Minnesota. They move thousands of miles away from their families and support systems to learn from the best and the brightest. I can’t imagine how terrified they are after learning ICE has detained one of their classmates. (1/2)

Email from the University of Minnesota that reads: Dear students, faculty and staff, We are writing to inform you about a deeply concerning situation involving one of our international graduate students at the University of Minnesota. We learned that, on March 27 at an off-campus residence, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials detained a graduate student enrolled on our Twin Cities campus. We are actively working to gather more details about this incident. In cases like this, the University takes steps to ensure students are connected to internal resources and support, such as Student Legal Service and International Student and Scholar Services. The University had no prior knowledge of this incident and did not share any information with federal authorities before it occurred. It is important to note that our campus departments of public safety, including UMPD, do not enforce federal immigration laws, and our officers do not inquire about an individual's immigration status. Their focus remains on public safety, fostering trust and maintaining strong relationships across the University community. As we work to gather more information, please know the University has information, resources and FAQs about federal immigration policies available on the Rapid Response website. We understand how distressing this news may be for members of our University community. If you or someone you know needs mental health support during this time, please visit mentalhealth.umn.edu, which connects you to resources across all five campuses. Rebecca Cunningham President
Elizabeth Jacobs, PhD@elizabethjacobs.bsky.social · last yr.

The CDC has officially been compromised. Not by the hardworking and brilliant scientists there, but by the infection that is known as RFK Jr. In suppressing an expert report on the current measles outbreak showing the importance of MMR vaccination, we can no longer trust their communications.

Rachel Widome@rwidome.bsky.social · last yr.

I recently attended a really good talk by someone who does firearm injury epidemiology. She said one of the lasting legacies of the severe US funding restrictions and exile of this work from research spaces for nearly two decades was losing a potential generation of scientists in the field. 1/n

Colette Delawalla, PhD@cdelawalla.bsky.social · last yr.

FREEDOM OF SCIENTIFIC INQUIRY IS FOUNDATIONAL TO A HEALTHY DEMOCRACY! #standupforscience #scienceforall

Claire Kamp Dush@clairekampdush.bsky.social · last yr.

My federal grants with @wendymanning.bsky.social and Ann Meier were terminated last week. The language from the termination is below. It has been sad as we are being forced to say goodbye to members of our team. We are figuring out next steps. We remain deeply committed to studying all families.

This award no longer effectuates agency priorities. Research programs based primarily on artificial and non-scientific categories, including amorphous equity objectives, are antithetical to the scientific inquiry, do nothing to expand our knowledge of living systems, provide low returns on investment, and ultimately do not enhance health, lengthen life, or reduce illness. Worse, so-called diversity, equity, and inclusion (“DEI”) studies are often used to support unlawful discrimination on the basis of race and other protected characteristics, which harms the health of Americans. Therefore, it is the policy of NIH not to prioritize such research programs.
Katie Loth@klothphd.bsky.social · last yr.

This is a colleague of mine. A brilliant researcher, a fierce advocate for mothers and children, and a wonderful human. Termination of previously funded current research studies is censorship. If hearing this troubles you - call your representatives. They work for you.

Dr Slaughter-Acey@drslaughter99.bsky.social · last yr.

🧵Yesterday, I received notice that my #NIH grant, on the social environment, lifecourse, epigenetics & #birthoutcomes in Black families, was terminated. This grant represented a critical effort to address the ⬆️ rates of maternal & infant mortality in the US, particularly among Black mothers & babies

Josh Barocas, MD ⭕️@jabarocas.bsky.social · last yr.

I hope that folks in media know the scope of the bloodbath that is happening across the #NIH. They are literally cutting millions of $ focused on #HIV, improving human health across populations, & PREVENTING DISEASES. I can't go 1 hour without another colleague telling me their work was ended (1/3)

Cindy Veldhuis, PhD@cbv.bsky.social · last yr.

I have heard of so many LGBTQ+ grants terminated today. I am so sorry to everyone affected. This is devastating to our communities and to us as researchers. I have nothing more eloquent, comforting, or helpful to say. This is all just immeasurably horrible.

Theresa O@theresalouiseo.bsky.social · last yr.

*Appalling*. Censorship of science by journals published by the federal government, masqueraded as “stylistic” edits. (Public Health Reports.) Avoid govt published journals: guides.lib.uw.edu/govpubs-quic...

Library Guides: Federally Published Peer Reviewed Journals: Home

This guide contains a list of federally-produced journals that qualify as peer-reviewed.

guides.lib.uw.edu

Center for Critical Public Health@criticalpublichealth.org · last yr.

We were asked to change language and delete data from a paper that already been through peer review successfully - "in order to comply with the Executive Order." This is from the official journal of the US Surgeon General and the US Public Health Service. criticalpublichealth.org/blog/2025/03...

Katie Loth@klothphd.bsky.social · last yr.

This is a perfect explanation of one of the ways that censorship hurts all of us. Termination of grants that have been awarded after rigorous peer review is censorship. We need to fight back against this.

Lauren Forrest@laurenforrest.bsky.social · last yr.

1/x My NIH grant that would collect data to help *prevent suicidal thoughts and behaviors* among LGBTQ+ people was terminated today, along with many other LGBTQ+ focused grants. These terminations make no sense scientifically. Here's why: