Bill Goldman
@wgoldman1.bsky.social
Professor Emeritus and Former Chair (2008-2018) of Microbiology & Immunology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
The White House Office of Management and Budget has proposed a radical restriction of federal funds. Please go to the link below for a form to contact your members of Congress -- they need to urge the White House to withdraw this rule that would affect review and funding of research grants.
Action Alerts
ASM provides opportunities for members to advocate for evidence-based scientific policy. Check this page often for our current legislative action items and policy resources.
asm.org
It's not just about Harvard. "This is the science model the U.S. has developed over 80 years: The government sets the agenda and funds the work; university scientists design the studies and find the answers. The president’s willingness to upend that model has revealed its fragility."
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.
nytimes.com
On Capitol Hill with Mike Imperiale & @ssclabquips.bsky.social to help @asm.org educate members of Congress and their staff about biosafety, biosecurity, and sustained federal science funding. #ASMAdvocacy
The Presidential Budget Request has been released, and it details some serious cuts to scientific funding and research. Please use the link below to automatically send a letter to your Representative and Senators -- you can customize the pre-written message with your personal story.
Action Alerts
ASM is a nonprofit professional society that publishes scientific journals and advances microbiology through advocacy, global health and diversity in STEM programs.
asm.org
There have been over 7000 cases of whooping cough in the U.S. this year, more than double this time last year. And last year, the number of cases was nearly 17X higher than in 2021.
“Not Just Measles”: Whooping Cough Cases Are Soaring as Vaccine Rates Decline
While much of the country is focused on the spiraling measles outbreak, experts warn that whooping cough and other preventable diseases could get much worse with falling vaccination rates and Trump’s ...
propublica.org
Late Monday emails to NIAID Director Jeanne Mazzaro and other NIH leaders "offer reassignment to a number of locations, including Alaska; Billings, Montana; the Navajo Nation; and Oklahoma, and ask leaders to respond with a preference by Wednesday at 5 p.m. Eastern."
Massive layoffs, purge of leadership underway at U.S. health agencies
The move comes after Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s announcement of a sweeping reduction of the Department of Health and Human Services.
wapo.st
The chainsaw approach to virology funding: Rescinding COVID-19-related NIH grants also terminates drug discovery research targeting many other viral diseases including Ebola, Marburg, yellow fever, dengue, Zika, measles, chikungunya, and Rift Valley fever.
Saying ‘pandemic is over,’ NIH starts cutting COVID-19 research
Grant terminations halt research on improving vaccinations and preventing future pandemics
science.org
The Feb. 7 announcement of major restrictions on grant funding appeared to come from the NIH Office of the Director (grants.nih.gov/grants/guide...) -- but the document did not originate at the NIH and had not been vetted by NIH officials. Read how the NIH was suddenly forced to post this notice:
The NIH Memo That Undercut Universities Came Directly From Trump Officials
NIH officials said they were given no advance warning and less than an hour to post the memo publicly.
theatlantic.com
Make America Healthy Again? Yet another assault on science and public health — thoughtless, cruel, and completely predictable
‘Wrecking ball’: RFK Jr. moves to fire thousands of health agency employees
Supervisors deliver bad news across NIH, CDC
science.org
Fortunately, a just-in-time temporary restraining order:
Federal judge blocks Trump from slashing NIH funding in 22 states that sued
Universities filed an additional lawsuit Monday that seeks to halt the cuts nationally.
wapo.st
Please take a minute to send this letter (which you can personalize) about the new NIH directive to immediately cap indirect costs at 15% . . . the letter will be auto-addressed and sent to your members of Congress.
Action Alerts
ASM is a nonprofit professional society that publishes scientific journals and advances microbiology through advocacy, global health and diversity in STEM programs.
asm.org
