Rachael Sirianni, PhD
@docsirianni.bsky.social
Biomedical Engineer, Professor & Vice Chair of Research for Neurosurgery, UMass Chan Medical School. Treating pediatric brain tumors and neurodegenerative disease via all things nanomedicine and the subarachnoid space. *opinions are my own
Pinned
Trump Is Shutting Down the War On Cancer
www.nytimes.com
I am not a political pawn. I am a living, breathing human being who has dedicated her life to a scientific problem that I believe matters for human health. The article below tells our story; I hope you will read it and share it www.nytimes.com/2025/09/14/m...
This week's news digest for extramural investigators theprincipledinvestigator.substack.com/p/the-princi...
The Principled Investigator - November 21, 2025
Weekly digest
theprincipledinvestigator.substack.com
November 22, 2025 at 6:18 PM
This week's news digest for extramural investigators theprincipledinvestigator.substack.com/p/the-princi...
Great discussion RE changes to student loan eligibility www.facebook.com/share/v/1BeY...
Redirecting...
www.facebook.com
November 22, 2025 at 3:14 AM
Great discussion RE changes to student loan eligibility www.facebook.com/share/v/1BeY...
Reposted by Rachael Sirianni, PhD
Update on a significant development NIH grant terms.
On 10/1, a change to grant making regs went into effect that gives NIH more power to terminate grants for policy reasons.
But to use this power, new grant terms must include specific language. See @aniloza.bsky.social w/ the story from July.
1/
On 10/1, a change to grant making regs went into effect that gives NIH more power to terminate grants for policy reasons.
But to use this power, new grant terms must include specific language. See @aniloza.bsky.social w/ the story from July.
1/
HHS devises legal playbook for future grant terminations, internal memo shows
Exclusive: HHS devises a legal playbook for future research grant terminations, an internal memo shows.
www.statnews.com
November 19, 2025 at 1:35 PM
Update on a significant development NIH grant terms.
On 10/1, a change to grant making regs went into effect that gives NIH more power to terminate grants for policy reasons.
But to use this power, new grant terms must include specific language. See @aniloza.bsky.social w/ the story from July.
1/
On 10/1, a change to grant making regs went into effect that gives NIH more power to terminate grants for policy reasons.
But to use this power, new grant terms must include specific language. See @aniloza.bsky.social w/ the story from July.
1/
"Don’t make my life and the lives of so many other cancer patients, along with the research programs we depend on, collateral damage." www.seattletimes.com/opinion/stop...
Stop holding cancer patients hostage in campus controversies | Op-Ed
The Trump administration's withholding of federal funding for universities it disagrees is hurting vital, lifesaving research.
www.seattletimes.com
November 18, 2025 at 3:12 PM
"Don’t make my life and the lives of so many other cancer patients, along with the research programs we depend on, collateral damage." www.seattletimes.com/opinion/stop...
Reposted by Rachael Sirianni, PhD
This is a travesty, eliminating #PublicHealth loans for PT, OT, MPH, DrPH and many other degrees. They are trying to kill us.
the Department of Education’s Reimagining and Improving Student Education (RISE) Committee reached preliminary consensus on a proposed definition of “professional degree programs” under Big Bill
ASPPH is deeply concerned that the proposal excludes public health programs
aspph.org/department-o...
ASPPH is deeply concerned that the proposal excludes public health programs
aspph.org/department-o...
Department of Education Proposal Excludes Public Health Degrees from “Professional Degree” Definition
Discover the new results and implications of Dept of Ed consensus regarding professional degree programs and public health education.
aspph.org
November 14, 2025 at 1:45 PM
This is a travesty, eliminating #PublicHealth loans for PT, OT, MPH, DrPH and many other degrees. They are trying to kill us.
Make some noise, people. Share this. Comment on it. Tell others today, right now. Family, friends, colleagues, social media, news outlets, the legislature, make the noise. This is our task: to ensure the American public understands how far down authoritarian rule we’ve actually gotten
“An HHS official [] described Dr. Norton as a radical leftist and said she was put on leave because she was criticizing the administration when she was supposed to be working” So, the fed govt openly eliminates ppl for their personal beliefs, got it www.nytimes.com/2025/11/13/u...
N.I.H. Worker Who Criticized Trump Health Policies Says She Is on Administrative Leave
www.nytimes.com
November 14, 2025 at 1:46 PM
Make some noise, people. Share this. Comment on it. Tell others today, right now. Family, friends, colleagues, social media, news outlets, the legislature, make the noise. This is our task: to ensure the American public understands how far down authoritarian rule we’ve actually gotten
“An HHS official [] described Dr. Norton as a radical leftist and said she was put on leave because she was criticizing the administration when she was supposed to be working” So, the fed govt openly eliminates ppl for their personal beliefs, got it www.nytimes.com/2025/11/13/u...
N.I.H. Worker Who Criticized Trump Health Policies Says She Is on Administrative Leave
www.nytimes.com
November 14, 2025 at 1:43 PM
“An HHS official [] described Dr. Norton as a radical leftist and said she was put on leave because she was criticizing the administration when she was supposed to be working” So, the fed govt openly eliminates ppl for their personal beliefs, got it www.nytimes.com/2025/11/13/u...
Reposted by Rachael Sirianni, PhD
teams that could have made revisions to build fundable applications will never get the chance to be mentored and grow because this administration hates knowledge
this is how we never end cancer
this is how we never end HIV
this is how we never end any fucking thing except ourselves
🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
this is how we never end cancer
this is how we never end HIV
this is how we never end any fucking thing except ourselves
🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
Just got an email from my SRO for the study section that was missed in October. Good news is that they are trying to reschedule ASAP (Dec/Jan). The bad news is that CSR is mandating that only the the top third (not half) of applications will get discussed for the next 2 rounds.
November 14, 2025 at 2:34 AM
teams that could have made revisions to build fundable applications will never get the chance to be mentored and grow because this administration hates knowledge
this is how we never end cancer
this is how we never end HIV
this is how we never end any fucking thing except ourselves
🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
this is how we never end cancer
this is how we never end HIV
this is how we never end any fucking thing except ourselves
🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
Holy crap. They're triaging 2 out of 3 applications that are submitted. 2 out of every 3 applications will not even have a chance for discussion.
Just got an email from my SRO for the study section that was missed in October. Good news is that they are trying to reschedule ASAP (Dec/Jan). The bad news is that CSR is mandating that only the the top third (not half) of applications will get discussed for the next 2 rounds.
November 13, 2025 at 11:49 PM
Holy crap. They're triaging 2 out of 3 applications that are submitted. 2 out of every 3 applications will not even have a chance for discussion.
Make this go far
Jenna stood up for science, for truth, for justice, and humanity.
She represents everything this administration lacks.
She represents everything this administration lacks.
November 13, 2025 at 11:44 PM
Make this go far
Reposted by Rachael Sirianni, PhD
I can further confirm that @jenna-m-norton.bsky.social is experiencing retaliation by “Free speech” Jay and the Trump administration.
@standupforscience.bsky.social stands with her and will continue to support public servants who speak out against the harms of this administration.
@standupforscience.bsky.social stands with her and will continue to support public servants who speak out against the harms of this administration.
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 13, 2025 at 11:22 PM
I can further confirm that @jenna-m-norton.bsky.social is experiencing retaliation by “Free speech” Jay and the Trump administration.
@standupforscience.bsky.social stands with her and will continue to support public servants who speak out against the harms of this administration.
@standupforscience.bsky.social stands with her and will continue to support public servants who speak out against the harms of this administration.
This is an important explainer about one of the many ways that this administration is destroying NIH. Meritocracy? We are watching it go away. And what’s being done at NIH is just one example of the ongoing, lawless destruction of American democracy
A bad thing is unfolding at NIH this week: It looks like the Trump administration is trying to replace key civil servant scientific leaders, the Institute Directors, with political hires. These directors control the NIH budget, tens of billions.
A bit of a video explainer here: 1/ 🧪
A bit of a video explainer here: 1/ 🧪
November 13, 2025 at 11:14 PM
This is an important explainer about one of the many ways that this administration is destroying NIH. Meritocracy? We are watching it go away. And what’s being done at NIH is just one example of the ongoing, lawless destruction of American democracy
Who is Jenna Norton? Jenna is a friend + program officer who chose to speak, in her personal capacity, about the destruction going on at NIH. She was just placed on administrative leave; no reason was provided. Free speech? Not in this country anymore www.instagram.com/reel/DRA3e8-...
undefined on Instagram: "jmnortonI guess I hit a nerve because they just put me on “non disciplinary” admin leave. But let me be clear: this is retaliation …"
jmnortonI guess I hit a nerve because they just put me on “non disciplinary” admin leave. But let me be clear: this is retaliation for asserting my right to free speech guaranteed nder Pickering vs Board of Education.
www.instagram.com
November 13, 2025 at 11:10 PM
Who is Jenna Norton? Jenna is a friend + program officer who chose to speak, in her personal capacity, about the destruction going on at NIH. She was just placed on administrative leave; no reason was provided. Free speech? Not in this country anymore www.instagram.com/reel/DRA3e8-...
Unreal, the impact this is having on scientists. I spent over 700 hrs writing 4 grants submitted Apr-Sept that *might* have been funded next Apr; 2 abt to be 3 apps missed review bc of shutdown. In normal times takes 9-24 mo to get a grant funded. No hope for labs like mine. Literally no hope.
While the government was shut down, 379 NIH study section meetings (containing 24,380 grant applications) were postponed. NIH is committed to getting these reviewed, but please be patient and understanding with staff, as this is a complex and heavy lift.
November 13, 2025 at 1:58 PM
Unreal, the impact this is having on scientists. I spent over 700 hrs writing 4 grants submitted Apr-Sept that *might* have been funded next Apr; 2 abt to be 3 apps missed review bc of shutdown. In normal times takes 9-24 mo to get a grant funded. No hope for labs like mine. Literally no hope.
Reposted by Rachael Sirianni, PhD
Donald Trump just said he'll ask the Supreme Court to freeze SNAP payments AGAIN.
His message to the 42 million Americans who rely on SNAP? Eat dirt.
His message to the 42 million Americans who rely on SNAP? Eat dirt.
November 10, 2025 at 6:42 PM
Donald Trump just said he'll ask the Supreme Court to freeze SNAP payments AGAIN.
His message to the 42 million Americans who rely on SNAP? Eat dirt.
His message to the 42 million Americans who rely on SNAP? Eat dirt.
Have to read it to believe it. "The opening sentence asserts that 'the district court's order threatens significant and irreparable harm to the government which outweighs any claimed injury to plaintiffs' " abcnews.go.com/US/snap-appe...
In SNAP appeal, Trump administration says it faces more harm than people who can't buy food: ANALYSIS
The Trump administration is appealing a federal judge's requirement that it make full November SNAP payments.
abcnews.go.com
November 10, 2025 at 6:49 PM
Have to read it to believe it. "The opening sentence asserts that 'the district court's order threatens significant and irreparable harm to the government which outweighs any claimed injury to plaintiffs' " abcnews.go.com/US/snap-appe...
Reposted by Rachael Sirianni, PhD
Sigh. NIH normally sends several hundred scientists to the SFN annual meeting to learn, exchange info, come up with new ideas, and advance science. (The exchange of ideas is the very core of the scientific enterprise.)
This year, no one from NIH will attend due to the gov't implosion.
This year, no one from NIH will attend due to the gov't implosion.
Enjoy a broad range of lectures and network with experts in the field at #SfN25! 🧠
Gain valuable insights and tools to enhance your research and career.
Browse through to lectures and build your itinerary in the 2025 Neuroscience Meeting Planner
🔗 vist.ly/4de72
#neurosky #neuroskyence
Gain valuable insights and tools to enhance your research and career.
Browse through to lectures and build your itinerary in the 2025 Neuroscience Meeting Planner
🔗 vist.ly/4de72
#neurosky #neuroskyence
November 7, 2025 at 10:53 PM
Sigh. NIH normally sends several hundred scientists to the SFN annual meeting to learn, exchange info, come up with new ideas, and advance science. (The exchange of ideas is the very core of the scientific enterprise.)
This year, no one from NIH will attend due to the gov't implosion.
This year, no one from NIH will attend due to the gov't implosion.
I can’t believe that these two headlines actually co-exist, that we now live in a country where the federal government MAKES PEOPLE GO HUNGRY to score partisan leverage
November 7, 2025 at 11:20 PM
I can’t believe that these two headlines actually co-exist, that we now live in a country where the federal government MAKES PEOPLE GO HUNGRY to score partisan leverage
With a title from w-h dot gov that says “Democrats are to blame for airport chaos”, I guess we just don’t even pretend to care about the Hatch act??
November 7, 2025 at 11:16 PM
With a title from w-h dot gov that says “Democrats are to blame for airport chaos”, I guess we just don’t even pretend to care about the Hatch act??
This is a great substack to check out. It's a weekly digest summarizing faculty-relevant news RE continued attacks on higher education and federal funding agencies + the general chaos
Here is The Principled Investigator post for this week. theprincipledinvestigator.substack.com/p/the-princi...
The Principled Investigator - November 7, 2025
Weekly Digest
theprincipledinvestigator.substack.com
November 7, 2025 at 8:17 PM
This is a great substack to check out. It's a weekly digest summarizing faculty-relevant news RE continued attacks on higher education and federal funding agencies + the general chaos
Reposted by Rachael Sirianni, PhD
These substantial donations reveal a simple truth: billionaires and corporations have the financial means to support higher taxes.
October 24, 2025 at 6:58 PM
These substantial donations reveal a simple truth: billionaires and corporations have the financial means to support higher taxes.
What IS workforce development (WFD)? An example explains: from declaring premed to becoming a doctor can be anywhere from 8 to 20 yrs. WFD is not just abt medicine but abt all workforce: how do we ensure that there will be sufficiently trained ppl to support science + medicine in yrs to come?
Just won an award 4 innovation in workforce development from NCATS RE engaging engineers with medicine. But grants that support these internship programs remain stuck in purgatory, 1 was to be reviewed 10/21! Nothing bc of shutdown. Attacks on our govt hurt everyone. Poster link tinyurl.com/36yh33t7
2025 Fall CTSA Program Annual Meeting | CTSA CCOS
<p>The Fall 2025 CTSA Program Annual Meeting theme is <span style="background-color:rgba(0,0,0,0);">CTSAs Leading the Way: Resilience, Innovation and Impact. T</span>opics to be addressed include New/...
tinyurl.com
October 24, 2025 at 8:58 PM
What IS workforce development (WFD)? An example explains: from declaring premed to becoming a doctor can be anywhere from 8 to 20 yrs. WFD is not just abt medicine but abt all workforce: how do we ensure that there will be sufficiently trained ppl to support science + medicine in yrs to come?
What is it like inside your head?
October 24, 2025 at 8:47 PM
What is it like inside your head?