McKenzie Prillaman
@meprillaman.bsky.social
neuroscientist turned reporter/editor at @smithsonianmag.bsky.social
• words also in Nature, SciAm, Science News, etc • UCSC SciCom, NIH, UVA alum • she/her
website: meprillaman.com
signal: meprillaman.01
• words also in Nature, SciAm, Science News, etc • UCSC SciCom, NIH, UVA alum • she/her
website: meprillaman.com
signal: meprillaman.01
My first byline for @smithsonianmag.bsky.social features a "feisty" and "rambunctious" Asian elephant at Smithsonian's National Zoo who's expecting her first bundle of joy early next year! 🐘🍼
This ‘Feisty’ Asian Elephant at the National Zoo Is Pregnant. She May Birth the First Calf Born There in Nearly 25 Years
With fewer than 50,000 Asian elephants estimated to be remaining in the wild, the Smithsonian’s announcement gives hope to those working to preserve the endangered species
www.smithsonianmag.com
November 25, 2025 at 1:27 AM
My first byline for @smithsonianmag.bsky.social features a "feisty" and "rambunctious" Asian elephant at Smithsonian's National Zoo who's expecting her first bundle of joy early next year! 🐘🍼
I’m excited to announce that I'm the new assistant digital editor for science and innovation at @smithsonianmag.bsky.social! Reach out to me with tips or say hello at PrillamanM [at] si [dot] edu ✍️🧬🔭🧪🪐
November 10, 2025 at 11:13 PM
I’m excited to announce that I'm the new assistant digital editor for science and innovation at @smithsonianmag.bsky.social! Reach out to me with tips or say hello at PrillamanM [at] si [dot] edu ✍️🧬🔭🧪🪐
Reposted by McKenzie Prillaman
Workers of the Science News Media Guild will conduct a 24-hour #strike on Wednesday, 11/5. This comes after our members voted to reject the Society’s latest contract proposal. Our members previously voted by 92% to authorize a strike against the @society4science.bsky.social, if necessary.
November 3, 2025 at 2:51 PM
Workers of the Science News Media Guild will conduct a 24-hour #strike on Wednesday, 11/5. This comes after our members voted to reject the Society’s latest contract proposal. Our members previously voted by 92% to authorize a strike against the @society4science.bsky.social, if necessary.
I haven't been posting much, but I HAVE been busily writing about all things astronomy for @sciencenews.bsky.social — including this cool new planet candidate seen near our stellar neighbor! 🪐🌟
www.sciencenews.org/article/plan...
www.sciencenews.org/article/plan...
A giant planet may orbit our closest sunlike neighbor
Alpha Centauri A, four light-years from Earth, may host a gas giant. If confirmed, no Earthlike planets orbit in the star’s habitable zone.
www.sciencenews.org
August 7, 2025 at 8:25 PM
I haven't been posting much, but I HAVE been busily writing about all things astronomy for @sciencenews.bsky.social — including this cool new planet candidate seen near our stellar neighbor! 🪐🌟
www.sciencenews.org/article/plan...
www.sciencenews.org/article/plan...
Reposted by McKenzie Prillaman
After ruling the NIH grant cuts were illegal yesterday, Judge Young, a Reagan appointee on the bench since 1985, ended the hearing with a blistering 15-minute speech.
I've cleaned up my notes — here are his remarks in full. 🧵
I've cleaned up my notes — here are his remarks in full. 🧵
Judge rules against NIH grant cuts — and calls them discriminatory
The decision means that the US biomedical agency has to restore funding to hundreds of research projects, but the government will likely appeal.
www.nature.com
June 17, 2025 at 1:47 PM
After ruling the NIH grant cuts were illegal yesterday, Judge Young, a Reagan appointee on the bench since 1985, ended the hearing with a blistering 15-minute speech.
I've cleaned up my notes — here are his remarks in full. 🧵
I've cleaned up my notes — here are his remarks in full. 🧵
Reposted by McKenzie Prillaman
Quick vibe check at the NIH, per a staffer there:
"We have lost so many people: we have no comms, no HR, no acquisitions, no one to do travel or purchasing. So many people have left that there are chains of email bounces..."
"We have lost so many people: we have no comms, no HR, no acquisitions, no one to do travel or purchasing. So many people have left that there are chains of email bounces..."
June 12, 2025 at 4:44 PM
Quick vibe check at the NIH, per a staffer there:
"We have lost so many people: we have no comms, no HR, no acquisitions, no one to do travel or purchasing. So many people have left that there are chains of email bounces..."
"We have lost so many people: we have no comms, no HR, no acquisitions, no one to do travel or purchasing. So many people have left that there are chains of email bounces..."
Reposted by McKenzie Prillaman
I have not stopped thinking about vaccines since November. The idea that my kid (and so many others) might end up with protection against fewer diseases is heartbreaking www.sciencenews.org/article/mom-...
How one mom is navigating vaccines' uncertain future
With CDC upheaval, new limits on who can get some vaccines and an ongoing measles outbreak, parents like me face unfamiliar hurdles to protecting our kids.
www.sciencenews.org
June 11, 2025 at 10:44 PM
I have not stopped thinking about vaccines since November. The idea that my kid (and so many others) might end up with protection against fewer diseases is heartbreaking www.sciencenews.org/article/mom-...
Reposted by McKenzie Prillaman
I had an interesting conversation with former #FDA commissioner Robert Califf. He said recent cuts could erode our food safety system - and it’s hard to predict where it may start to crumble.
“There are a gazillion places where things could go wrong.”
www.sciencenews.org/article/milk...
“There are a gazillion places where things could go wrong.”
www.sciencenews.org/article/milk...
FDA cuts imperil food safety, but not how you might think
Layoffs at the FDA, USDA and CDC could erode the U.S. food safety system. Experts aren’t so worried about milk or chicken today; they’re concerned about the future.
www.sciencenews.org
June 9, 2025 at 6:35 PM
I had an interesting conversation with former #FDA commissioner Robert Califf. He said recent cuts could erode our food safety system - and it’s hard to predict where it may start to crumble.
“There are a gazillion places where things could go wrong.”
www.sciencenews.org/article/milk...
“There are a gazillion places where things could go wrong.”
www.sciencenews.org/article/milk...
Pivoting to become an astronomy reporter at @sciencenews.bsky.social for the next 5 months ☄️🌌🔭🚀
Send me your outta-this-world tips and ideas at mprillaman [at] sciencenews [dot] org or meprillaman.01 on Signal
Send me your outta-this-world tips and ideas at mprillaman [at] sciencenews [dot] org or meprillaman.01 on Signal
May 27, 2025 at 6:15 PM
Pivoting to become an astronomy reporter at @sciencenews.bsky.social for the next 5 months ☄️🌌🔭🚀
Send me your outta-this-world tips and ideas at mprillaman [at] sciencenews [dot] org or meprillaman.01 on Signal
Send me your outta-this-world tips and ideas at mprillaman [at] sciencenews [dot] org or meprillaman.01 on Signal
Reposted by McKenzie Prillaman
🧪I'm looking for studies that explain WHY fruit ripen (and why they suck to eat/are toxic before they are ripe). This is proving surprisingly hard. Are any plant folks out there able to lend a hand?
May 27, 2025 at 3:49 PM
🧪I'm looking for studies that explain WHY fruit ripen (and why they suck to eat/are toxic before they are ripe). This is proving surprisingly hard. Are any plant folks out there able to lend a hand?
Reposted by McKenzie Prillaman
Here are some numbers: The @society4science.bsky.social CEO @mayaajmera.bsky.social received a $77K raise in 2022, and then a $63K raise in 2023. That first number is more than some employees’ entire salaries!
Our employees deserve a transparent and equitable pay structure.
Our employees deserve a transparent and equitable pay structure.
This week we're talking pay. For years our employees have received annual raises that lag behind the rising cost-of-living. Meanwhile, our CEO @mayaajmera.bsky.social has been getting raises as large as some employees’ entire salaries! We deserve fair pay, @society4science.bsky.social.
#worthmore ✊
#worthmore ✊
May 21, 2025 at 4:48 PM
Here are some numbers: The @society4science.bsky.social CEO @mayaajmera.bsky.social received a $77K raise in 2022, and then a $63K raise in 2023. That first number is more than some employees’ entire salaries!
Our employees deserve a transparent and equitable pay structure.
Our employees deserve a transparent and equitable pay structure.
A wild story by a fantastic reporter -- give it a read!
🧪Here's a story that made me go "cool!" and then made me sad. Capuchin monkeys are abducting vulnerable howler infants -- and it might be because they're bored. My latest for @scinews.bsky.social
Juvenile capuchins are kidnapping infants of another monkey species
Over 15 months on Jicarón Island, researchers saw five capuchin juveniles abduct 11 endangered howler monkey infants — all for no clear purpose.
www.sciencenews.org
May 21, 2025 at 2:37 PM
A wild story by a fantastic reporter -- give it a read!
Reposted by McKenzie Prillaman
A carnivorous caterpillar dubbed the “bone collector” decorates itself with the body parts of its prey. ✍️ @meprillaman.bsky.social @sciencenews.bsky.social
This caterpillar wears the body parts of insect prey
Dubbed the “bone collector,” this caterpillar found on a Hawaiian island disguises itself while stalking spider webs for trapped insects to eat.
www.sciencenews.org
May 2, 2025 at 3:04 PM
A carnivorous caterpillar dubbed the “bone collector” decorates itself with the body parts of its prey. ✍️ @meprillaman.bsky.social @sciencenews.bsky.social
Reposted by McKenzie Prillaman
Looking for former FDA employees for a story I’m working on about food safety. If that’s you, I’d love to talk. You can send me a DM here, find me on signal, or email me at [email protected]. 🙏
April 24, 2025 at 1:49 PM
Looking for former FDA employees for a story I’m working on about food safety. If that’s you, I’d love to talk. You can send me a DM here, find me on signal, or email me at [email protected]. 🙏
The bone collector might be one of the creepiest caterpillars you'll ever meet. It wears the body parts of prey as camouflage while it stalks spider webs for trapped bugs to eat. www.sciencenews.org/article/cate...
This caterpillar wears the body parts of insect prey
Dubbed the “bone collector,” this caterpillar found on a Hawaiian island disguises itself while stalking spider webs for trapped insects to eat.
www.sciencenews.org
April 24, 2025 at 8:14 PM
The bone collector might be one of the creepiest caterpillars you'll ever meet. It wears the body parts of prey as camouflage while it stalks spider webs for trapped bugs to eat. www.sciencenews.org/article/cate...
Clinical trials across the U.S. have suddenly stopped due to actions by the Trump administration. I talked to several researchers involved in such studies, a patient advocate & @apha.org about the impacts
#NIH #HHS #Trump #ClinicalResearch #ClinicalTrials #COVID #HIV #SexualHealth #MaternalHealth 🧪
#NIH #HHS #Trump #ClinicalResearch #ClinicalTrials #COVID #HIV #SexualHealth #MaternalHealth 🧪
Clinical trials face uncertain futures amid Trump cuts
The Trump administration has reportedly disrupted over 100 clinical trials. Science News spoke to researchers about the impacts on four of them.
www.sciencenews.org
April 17, 2025 at 4:28 PM
Clinical trials across the U.S. have suddenly stopped due to actions by the Trump administration. I talked to several researchers involved in such studies, a patient advocate & @apha.org about the impacts
#NIH #HHS #Trump #ClinicalResearch #ClinicalTrials #COVID #HIV #SexualHealth #MaternalHealth 🧪
#NIH #HHS #Trump #ClinicalResearch #ClinicalTrials #COVID #HIV #SexualHealth #MaternalHealth 🧪
Reposted by McKenzie Prillaman
I’m excited to share this story on GLP-1 drugs that I’ve been working on for months. It’s about the unconventional (and potentially dangerous) places people have been sourcing their meds. Why would people take that risk? A longish 🧵
www.sciencenews.org/article/weig...
www.sciencenews.org/article/weig...
A shadowy market for weight-loss drugs has emerged online
People are buying semaglutide and tirzepatide, the key ingredients in Ozempic and Zepbound, from unconventional sources. Doctors have safety concerns.
www.sciencenews.org
April 11, 2025 at 5:30 PM
I’m excited to share this story on GLP-1 drugs that I’ve been working on for months. It’s about the unconventional (and potentially dangerous) places people have been sourcing their meds. Why would people take that risk? A longish 🧵
www.sciencenews.org/article/weig...
www.sciencenews.org/article/weig...
Reposted by McKenzie Prillaman
NEW: Entire scientific fields have been wiped out by the nearly 800 grants cancelled at NIH, finds a @nature.com analysis of the unprecedented cuts.
About half of all 2024 NIH projects related to LGBT+ health or vaccine hesitancy — gone.
See the other topics and US states hardest hit here:
About half of all 2024 NIH projects related to LGBT+ health or vaccine hesitancy — gone.
See the other topics and US states hardest hit here:
How Trump 2.0 is slashing NIH-backed research — in charts
Nature analyses which fields of science and US states are being hit hardest by grant terminations.
www.nature.com
April 10, 2025 at 8:36 PM
NEW: Entire scientific fields have been wiped out by the nearly 800 grants cancelled at NIH, finds a @nature.com analysis of the unprecedented cuts.
About half of all 2024 NIH projects related to LGBT+ health or vaccine hesitancy — gone.
See the other topics and US states hardest hit here:
About half of all 2024 NIH projects related to LGBT+ health or vaccine hesitancy — gone.
See the other topics and US states hardest hit here:
Reposted by McKenzie Prillaman
Our deputy managing editor Cassie and her baby with an important message 💛 @cassiemartin.bsky.social #faircontractnow @wbng.org @sciencenews.bsky.social @snexplores.bsky.social
April 10, 2025 at 4:31 PM
Our deputy managing editor Cassie and her baby with an important message 💛 @cassiemartin.bsky.social #faircontractnow @wbng.org @sciencenews.bsky.social @snexplores.bsky.social
Reposted by McKenzie Prillaman
Science News’ editorial assistant Aina with an awesome sign 😍❤️🌈 @wbng.org @sciencenews.bsky.social @snexplores.bsky.social #unionstrong
April 10, 2025 at 5:12 PM
Science News’ editorial assistant Aina with an awesome sign 😍❤️🌈 @wbng.org @sciencenews.bsky.social @snexplores.bsky.social #unionstrong
Reposted by McKenzie Prillaman
Miso, the umami-rich paste made from cooked soybeans, holds promise as a food for astronauts: It’s highly nutritious, firm (and thus not prone to leakage) and rich in flavor.
And space might add some spice.
—via @meprillaman.bsky.social @sciencenews.bsky.social
And space might add some spice.
—via @meprillaman.bsky.social @sciencenews.bsky.social
Fermenting miso in orbit reveals how space can affect a food’s taste
A miso test on the International Space Station shows fermenting food is not only possible in space, it adds nuttier notes to the Japanese condiment.
www.sciencenews.org
April 8, 2025 at 3:00 PM
Miso, the umami-rich paste made from cooked soybeans, holds promise as a food for astronauts: It’s highly nutritious, firm (and thus not prone to leakage) and rich in flavor.
And space might add some spice.
—via @meprillaman.bsky.social @sciencenews.bsky.social
And space might add some spice.
—via @meprillaman.bsky.social @sciencenews.bsky.social
🚨 Know of a #ClinicalTrial that's been delayed or canceled due to actions by the #Trump administration? I'm highlighting impacts on trials & what the public could lose for @sciencenews.bsky.social 🚨
Please reach out: mprillaman [at] sciencenews [dot] org or meprillaman.01 on signal. #JournoRequest
Please reach out: mprillaman [at] sciencenews [dot] org or meprillaman.01 on signal. #JournoRequest
March 27, 2025 at 1:44 PM
🚨 Know of a #ClinicalTrial that's been delayed or canceled due to actions by the #Trump administration? I'm highlighting impacts on trials & what the public could lose for @sciencenews.bsky.social 🚨
Please reach out: mprillaman [at] sciencenews [dot] org or meprillaman.01 on signal. #JournoRequest
Please reach out: mprillaman [at] sciencenews [dot] org or meprillaman.01 on signal. #JournoRequest
Reposted by McKenzie Prillaman
Wondering what's up with 23andMe's bankruptcy? I talked with @alondra.bsky.social and @anyaprince.bsky.social about the implications for genetic privacy.
www.sciencenews.org/article/23an...
www.sciencenews.org/article/23an...
23andMe has filed for bankruptcy. Should you delete your data from the site?
As 23andMe prepares to be sold, Science News spoke with two experts about what’s at stake and whether consumers should delete their genetic data.
www.sciencenews.org
March 26, 2025 at 6:49 PM
Wondering what's up with 23andMe's bankruptcy? I talked with @alondra.bsky.social and @anyaprince.bsky.social about the implications for genetic privacy.
www.sciencenews.org/article/23an...
www.sciencenews.org/article/23an...
@jonrauch.bsky.social Sorry to hear your friend's chemo trial was canceled. I'm writing about trials delayed/canceled due to the Trump admin's actions for @sciencenews.bsky.social. Would your friend be willing to chat? I'm at mprillaman[at]sciencenews[dot]org and meprillaman.01 on signal. Thanks!
March 24, 2025 at 6:27 PM
@jonrauch.bsky.social Sorry to hear your friend's chemo trial was canceled. I'm writing about trials delayed/canceled due to the Trump admin's actions for @sciencenews.bsky.social. Would your friend be willing to chat? I'm at mprillaman[at]sciencenews[dot]org and meprillaman.01 on signal. Thanks!
Reposted by McKenzie Prillaman
🧪 Hey, scientists of bluesky. I’m curious how American immigration news over the last few weeks is impacting decisions about traveling in and out of the US, and what you think the longer term impacts might be. You can contact me though my website at www.fredakreier.com
Freda Kreier -- Science Writer and Journalist
Freda Kreier is a freelance science writer and journalist. She writes about science, nature, and more.
www.fredakreier.com
March 21, 2025 at 7:53 PM
🧪 Hey, scientists of bluesky. I’m curious how American immigration news over the last few weeks is impacting decisions about traveling in and out of the US, and what you think the longer term impacts might be. You can contact me though my website at www.fredakreier.com