Mallory Harris, PhD
@malar0ne.bsky.social
thinking about infectious diseases, information, and behavior
Postdoc UMD College Park
https://mjharris95.github.io/
Postdoc UMD College Park
https://mjharris95.github.io/
Pinned
Mallory Harris, PhD
@malar0ne.bsky.social
· Jul 25
#SCIMaP estimates current & future economic losses in local communities across the US (counties & Congressional Districts). We explain our approach in a new preprint: www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1...
(w @joshuasweitz.bsky.social @asinclair.bsky.social @cl10.bsky.social)
(w @joshuasweitz.bsky.social @asinclair.bsky.social @cl10.bsky.social)
Reposted by Mallory Harris, PhD
I can't read this as anything other than a direct assault on the vaccine industry. Full stop. They are laying the groundwork to prevent all vaccine R&D. Not directly, but by requiring study designs for approval that are scientifically unnecessary and financially inviable.
Here's Prasad's full email, if you'd like to read it for yourself: www.washingtonpost.com/documents/30...
And I jotted down a few thoughts on my substack, including how the strategy of "asking more evidence" — which on the surface, sure, everyone wants more data — can lead to red tape.
And I jotted down a few thoughts on my substack, including how the strategy of "asking more evidence" — which on the surface, sure, everyone wants more data — can lead to red tape.
FDA's big change to how vaccines will get approved
We obtained an internal email laying out the planned shift in strategy.
dandiamond.substack.com
November 29, 2025 at 5:00 PM
I can't read this as anything other than a direct assault on the vaccine industry. Full stop. They are laying the groundwork to prevent all vaccine R&D. Not directly, but by requiring study designs for approval that are scientifically unnecessary and financially inviable.
Reposted by Mallory Harris, PhD
Recharging will be key to confront what's to come... the days and months ahead will be marked by a elevation of Covid grievances into policies that could transform the health and regulatory landscape.
Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence.
Show us the evidence.
🎁
wapo.st/49GmNLP
Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence.
Show us the evidence.
🎁
wapo.st/49GmNLP
FDA to impose strict new vaccine requirements, claiming child covid shot deaths
Vinay Prasad, the nation’s top vaccine regulator, said his team concluded that coronavirus shots were linked to children’s deaths, necessitating a new approach.
wapo.st
November 29, 2025 at 2:23 PM
Recharging will be key to confront what's to come... the days and months ahead will be marked by a elevation of Covid grievances into policies that could transform the health and regulatory landscape.
Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence.
Show us the evidence.
🎁
wapo.st/49GmNLP
Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence.
Show us the evidence.
🎁
wapo.st/49GmNLP
Reposted by Mallory Harris, PhD
Happy Thanksgiving! Today, I’m grateful to all the scientists, public health professionals, health care workers, and others who work so tirelessly and brilliantly to advance our scientific understanding and to save lives. Here is just one beautiful example of helping vulnerable kids flourish.
“Since SCID is caused by a faulty gene, scientists collect babies’ stem cells and, in the lab, introduce a healthy copy, using a harmless, disabled form of H.I.V. as the courier. (While the virus can’t replicate, it is still excellent at integrating its genetic cargo into cells’ D.N.A.)”
She Was Born Without an Immune System. Gene Therapy Saved Her Life.
www.nytimes.com
November 27, 2025 at 2:25 PM
Happy Thanksgiving! Today, I’m grateful to all the scientists, public health professionals, health care workers, and others who work so tirelessly and brilliantly to advance our scientific understanding and to save lives. Here is just one beautiful example of helping vulnerable kids flourish.
Reposted by Mallory Harris, PhD
What Rand Paul is doing is what Jim Jordan did to Stanford Internet Observatory. Under the pretext of “oversight“ he can make sweeping requests —w/the intent to harass & chill.
The universities can fight. But most are afraid of broader attacks so they quickly comply.
www.wired.com/story/senato...
The universities can fight. But most are afraid of broader attacks so they quickly comply.
www.wired.com/story/senato...
Senators Want Extremism Researchers to Surrender Documents Linked to Right-Wing Grudges
The Senate homeland security committee's chair has asked researchers to turn over troves of documents related to the January 6 attack, vaccines, and more, according to a letter reviewed by WIRED.
www.wired.com
November 22, 2025 at 5:13 PM
What Rand Paul is doing is what Jim Jordan did to Stanford Internet Observatory. Under the pretext of “oversight“ he can make sweeping requests —w/the intent to harass & chill.
The universities can fight. But most are afraid of broader attacks so they quickly comply.
www.wired.com/story/senato...
The universities can fight. But most are afraid of broader attacks so they quickly comply.
www.wired.com/story/senato...
Reposted by Mallory Harris, PhD
Just an absolutely gutting essay by Tatiana Schlossberg, a writer, mother of two young children, and cousin of RFK Jr who is dying of leukemia.
www.newyorker.com/culture/the-...
www.newyorker.com/culture/the-...
November 22, 2025 at 4:09 PM
Just an absolutely gutting essay by Tatiana Schlossberg, a writer, mother of two young children, and cousin of RFK Jr who is dying of leukemia.
www.newyorker.com/culture/the-...
www.newyorker.com/culture/the-...
Happy Wicked For Good Day to all who celebrate!!
November 21, 2025 at 3:31 PM
Happy Wicked For Good Day to all who celebrate!!
Oh, what a celebration we'll have today!
November 21, 2025 at 3:31 PM
Oh, what a celebration we'll have today!
Spending three months at the CIP was one of the most formative experiences I've had professionally. Such a wonderful community doing absolutely critical work.
Our team at the @cip.uw.edu is currently seeking applications for up to two postdoctoral scholar positions. Applications received prior to January 15, 2026 will be given priority. Learn more about the positions, salary range, qualifications and application process: apply.interfolio.com/177901
November 21, 2025 at 3:25 PM
Spending three months at the CIP was one of the most formative experiences I've had professionally. Such a wonderful community doing absolutely critical work.
Reposted by Mallory Harris, PhD
the head of the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices is oddly silent today.
November 20, 2025 at 1:40 PM
the head of the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices is oddly silent today.
People who claimed to have biomedical credentials (some of whom actually did!) were disproportionately influential in the anti-vaccine community through thr pandemic, but our institutions refused to do anything about it and now we're here.
pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC...
pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC...
November 20, 2025 at 1:40 PM
People who claimed to have biomedical credentials (some of whom actually did!) were disproportionately influential in the anti-vaccine community through thr pandemic, but our institutions refused to do anything about it and now we're here.
pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC...
pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC...
Reposted by Mallory Harris, PhD
Thanks to all who came out to discuss impacts of federal cuts to science, our work via scienceimpacts.org, and how to constructively speak out with grassroots initiatives:
@standupforscience.bsky.social, @sciencehomecoming.bsky.social
@snapcoalition.bsky.social
Impact Project
+ more
a 🧵
@standupforscience.bsky.social, @sciencehomecoming.bsky.social
@snapcoalition.bsky.social
Impact Project
+ more
a 🧵
For those in/around College Park, MD come on over to Ledo Pizza, 4509 Knox Rd, next Tuesday 11/18, 6pm+ for Science on Tap, where I will share a talk and dialogue on:
"Science Matters: Confronting the Impacts of Federal Cuts to Research on Communities Nationwide"
science.umd.edu/events/scien...
"Science Matters: Confronting the Impacts of Federal Cuts to Research on Communities Nationwide"
science.umd.edu/events/scien...
November 19, 2025 at 4:58 PM
Thanks to all who came out to discuss impacts of federal cuts to science, our work via scienceimpacts.org, and how to constructively speak out with grassroots initiatives:
@standupforscience.bsky.social, @sciencehomecoming.bsky.social
@snapcoalition.bsky.social
Impact Project
+ more
a 🧵
@standupforscience.bsky.social, @sciencehomecoming.bsky.social
@snapcoalition.bsky.social
Impact Project
+ more
a 🧵
Reposted by Mallory Harris, PhD
I’ve been tracking and writing about Brownstone since December 2021 and it’s really validating to see these pieces.
Solid write-up from KFF on its influence. One thing left out: The group helped steer the GOP House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic long before Trump took office.
Solid write-up from KFF on its influence. One thing left out: The group helped steer the GOP House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic long before Trump took office.
A Small Texas Think Tank Cultivated Covid Dissidents. Now They’re Running US Health Policy. - KFF Health News
Fueled by covid backlash, a libertarian author created the Brownstone Institute in 2021. In recent months, people with ties to the group have catapulted to the highest levels of U.S. government, exerc...
kffhealthnews.org
November 19, 2025 at 4:12 PM
I’ve been tracking and writing about Brownstone since December 2021 and it’s really validating to see these pieces.
Solid write-up from KFF on its influence. One thing left out: The group helped steer the GOP House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic long before Trump took office.
Solid write-up from KFF on its influence. One thing left out: The group helped steer the GOP House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic long before Trump took office.
Reposted by Mallory Harris, PhD
Director Bhattacharya shared the supposed rationale for placing Jenna Norton on administrative leave late Friday with "Just the News":
1. Potentially violating anti-deficiency act.
2. Comms centralized w/Director
3. Not scientist, so no academic freedom
images+alt text below, link next in brief 🧵
1. Potentially violating anti-deficiency act.
2. Comms centralized w/Director
3. Not scientist, so no academic freedom
images+alt text below, link next in brief 🧵
![NIH Director Jay Bhattacharya told Just the News Friday night this is actually the second investigation of Norton.
"HHS started an an [sic] investigation of her activities during the pandemic for potentially violating the anti-deficiency act," he wrote in a direct message, referring to the federal law prohibiting employees from "obligating or expending federal funds in advance or in excess of an appropriation, and from accepting voluntary services."
"She also potentially violated NIH policy regarding comms, which are now centralized out of the Office of the Director," Bhattacharya said.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:pdvoxeret2wq6tzu7gxy7eeh/bafkreidii2hatblfktixksjubaixyymqqfhp4mkl73q3624mvldmvbe4za@jpeg)
November 15, 2025 at 2:00 PM
Director Bhattacharya shared the supposed rationale for placing Jenna Norton on administrative leave late Friday with "Just the News":
1. Potentially violating anti-deficiency act.
2. Comms centralized w/Director
3. Not scientist, so no academic freedom
images+alt text below, link next in brief 🧵
1. Potentially violating anti-deficiency act.
2. Comms centralized w/Director
3. Not scientist, so no academic freedom
images+alt text below, link next in brief 🧵
Reposted by Mallory Harris, PhD
Yesterday, the NIH abruptly placed @jenna-m-norton.bsky.social, who has been a vocal critic of the administration’s changes to the NIH, on leave
“It is intended as a threat,” she told me yesterday
www.statnews.com/2025/11/14/n...
“It is intended as a threat,” she told me yesterday
www.statnews.com/2025/11/14/n...
NIH abruptly places outspoken critic of Trump administration on leave
Jenna Norton, a vocal critic of Trump administration actions at the NIH, was abruptly placed on administrative leave this week.
www.statnews.com
November 14, 2025 at 3:24 PM
Yesterday, the NIH abruptly placed @jenna-m-norton.bsky.social, who has been a vocal critic of the administration’s changes to the NIH, on leave
“It is intended as a threat,” she told me yesterday
www.statnews.com/2025/11/14/n...
“It is intended as a threat,” she told me yesterday
www.statnews.com/2025/11/14/n...
Reposted by Mallory Harris, PhD
Can confirm. I am okay and more motivated than ever to speak up.
Nothing scares this administration more. Their power lies in our silence.
Nothing scares this administration more. Their power lies in our silence.
NIH program officer @jenna-m-norton.bsky.social has been placed on admin leave, sources say.
Norton has been outspoken about the Trump administration's dismantling of science, and she signed the Bethesda Declaration.
Bhattacharya has said that "science is dead without free speech".
Norton has been outspoken about the Trump administration's dismantling of science, and she signed the Bethesda Declaration.
Bhattacharya has said that "science is dead without free speech".
November 14, 2025 at 2:37 AM
Can confirm. I am okay and more motivated than ever to speak up.
Nothing scares this administration more. Their power lies in our silence.
Nothing scares this administration more. Their power lies in our silence.
Reposted by Mallory Harris, PhD
“They are focused most intensely on Covid-19 shots, but are also looking at vaccines more broadly. Prasad wants to make it more difficult for vaccine makers to tell doctors they can offer their shots together, something providers have done for decades to more efficiently protect people from disease”
How two top FDA officials are quietly upending vaccine regulations
Vinay Prasad and Tracy Beth Høeg mix skepticism with new ways to define risk in pursuing sweeping changes to vaccine policy at the FDA.
www.statnews.com
November 12, 2025 at 1:24 PM
“They are focused most intensely on Covid-19 shots, but are also looking at vaccines more broadly. Prasad wants to make it more difficult for vaccine makers to tell doctors they can offer their shots together, something providers have done for decades to more efficiently protect people from disease”
Reposted by Mallory Harris, PhD
One of my science heroes, Joan Brugge, talks about how science funding cuts are slowing their work on breast cancer prevention--share this widely
www.facebook.com/60minutes/vi...
www.facebook.com/60minutes/vi...
439K views · 15K reactions | Harvard researcher Joan Brugge says her work has the potential to prevent breast cancer, but she was notified last spring that her federal funding was terminated. “It was ...
Harvard researcher Joan Brugge says her work has the potential to prevent breast cancer, but she was notified last spring that her federal funding was terminated. “It was just like a gut punch. My...
www.facebook.com
November 10, 2025 at 11:12 AM
One of my science heroes, Joan Brugge, talks about how science funding cuts are slowing their work on breast cancer prevention--share this widely
www.facebook.com/60minutes/vi...
www.facebook.com/60minutes/vi...
I spoke to CNN about how demoralizing it was to watch Stanford leadership stay silent while contrarians on campus launched unscientific attacks to stifle Stanford researchers. Now, those attacks have gone nationwide and much of MAHA leadership have ties to Stanford.
www.cnn.com/2025/11/08/p...
www.cnn.com/2025/11/08/p...
The Trump-MAHA-Stanford nexus of US health policy | CNN Politics
In early 2022, Stanford medical student Santiago Sanchez set out to organize a campus debate with Jay Bhattacharya — a professor at the university whose outspoken denunciations of pandemic lockdowns m...
www.cnn.com
November 10, 2025 at 5:52 PM
I spoke to CNN about how demoralizing it was to watch Stanford leadership stay silent while contrarians on campus launched unscientific attacks to stifle Stanford researchers. Now, those attacks have gone nationwide and much of MAHA leadership have ties to Stanford.
www.cnn.com/2025/11/08/p...
www.cnn.com/2025/11/08/p...
Reposted by Mallory Harris, PhD
If you are listening to MAHA when thinking about public health "reform" then really listen to what they want:
"I’ve come to this anti-vax conference with a message that we need to be more boldly anti-vax,” said Mark Gorton, the president of the MAHA Institute.
🎁
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/10/u...
"I’ve come to this anti-vax conference with a message that we need to be more boldly anti-vax,” said Mark Gorton, the president of the MAHA Institute.
🎁
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/10/u...
Emboldened, Kennedy Allies Embrace a Label They Once Rejected: ‘Anti-Vax’
www.nytimes.com
November 10, 2025 at 2:20 PM
If you are listening to MAHA when thinking about public health "reform" then really listen to what they want:
"I’ve come to this anti-vax conference with a message that we need to be more boldly anti-vax,” said Mark Gorton, the president of the MAHA Institute.
🎁
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/10/u...
"I’ve come to this anti-vax conference with a message that we need to be more boldly anti-vax,” said Mark Gorton, the president of the MAHA Institute.
🎁
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/10/u...
Reposted by Mallory Harris, PhD
A New Thread on NIH Forward Funding
I recently posted an analysis of forward funding of NIH grants from 2015-25.
This analysis was flawed and should be ignored. I apologize for the misleading information
I present an analysis of my error and a revised analysis which I am confident is right.
1/25
I recently posted an analysis of forward funding of NIH grants from 2015-25.
This analysis was flawed and should be ignored. I apologize for the misleading information
I present an analysis of my error and a revised analysis which I am confident is right.
1/25
a cartoon moose in a tuxedo is standing next to a squirrel and saying this time for sure .
ALT: a cartoon moose in a tuxedo is standing next to a squirrel and saying this time for sure .
media.tenor.com
November 5, 2025 at 3:57 PM
A New Thread on NIH Forward Funding
I recently posted an analysis of forward funding of NIH grants from 2015-25.
This analysis was flawed and should be ignored. I apologize for the misleading information
I present an analysis of my error and a revised analysis which I am confident is right.
1/25
I recently posted an analysis of forward funding of NIH grants from 2015-25.
This analysis was flawed and should be ignored. I apologize for the misleading information
I present an analysis of my error and a revised analysis which I am confident is right.
1/25
Reposted by Mallory Harris, PhD
Join APHA & our partners Nov. 5 @ 2:30-4 p.m. ET on the National Mall to Rally for the Public’s Health. Be inspired & energized by powerful stories & bold ideas as we highlight urgent public health priorities. More info: www.APHA.org/Rally #SpeakForHealth @bradyunited.org @publiccitizen.bsky.social
October 21, 2025 at 8:51 PM
Join APHA & our partners Nov. 5 @ 2:30-4 p.m. ET on the National Mall to Rally for the Public’s Health. Be inspired & energized by powerful stories & bold ideas as we highlight urgent public health priorities. More info: www.APHA.org/Rally #SpeakForHealth @bradyunited.org @publiccitizen.bsky.social
Over the weekend, the Director of the NIH accepted an award from a RFK Jr.-allied anti-public health dark money group founded by an accused serial sexual harasser.
Throughout the speech, he repeatedly joked that his current job is “terrible.”
www.importantcontext.news/p/nih-direct...
Throughout the speech, he repeatedly joked that his current job is “terrible.”
www.importantcontext.news/p/nih-direct...
NIH Director Accepts Award From Anti-Vax Dark Money Group Founded By Accused Sexual Harasser
Jay Bhattacharya reunited with his old ally Jeffrey Tucker weeks after the political operative was revealed to have faced a sexual harassment scandal.
www.importantcontext.news
November 5, 2025 at 12:21 PM
Over the weekend, the Director of the NIH accepted an award from a RFK Jr.-allied anti-public health dark money group founded by an accused serial sexual harasser.
Throughout the speech, he repeatedly joked that his current job is “terrible.”
www.importantcontext.news/p/nih-direct...
Throughout the speech, he repeatedly joked that his current job is “terrible.”
www.importantcontext.news/p/nih-direct...
Reposted by Mallory Harris, PhD
Breaking: Democrats flip two Public Service Commission seats in Georgia, the first victories in 25 years.
November 5, 2025 at 1:10 AM
Breaking: Democrats flip two Public Service Commission seats in Georgia, the first victories in 25 years.
Grudge Standard Science
George Tidmarsh, the Food and Drug Administration’s top regulator of drugs, has been placed on administrative leave after being accused of using his regulatory authority to inflict financial harm on a former business associate, STAT has learned.
www.statnews.com/2025/11/02/f...
www.statnews.com/2025/11/02/f...
FDA’s top drug regulator placed on leave amid investigation
George Tidmarsh, the FDA's top drug regulator, has been placed on leave after being accused of abusing his regulatory authority, STAT has learned.
www.statnews.com
November 2, 2025 at 11:07 PM
Grudge Standard Science
There's something that could be written about how the NIH Director's disdain for the collaborative models of editing on Wikipedia and content moderation on Reddit fit with his approach to grant review
October 30, 2025 at 2:39 PM
There's something that could be written about how the NIH Director's disdain for the collaborative models of editing on Wikipedia and content moderation on Reddit fit with his approach to grant review