Rachel Logan
@rmslogan.bsky.social
Cal State Biologist - Grad Student
Biodiversity and Omics
"All models are wrong, some are useful."
Biodiversity and Omics
"All models are wrong, some are useful."
It is sobering that we have to say this: "In science, there is almost always uncertainty. The responsible thing to do is communicate studies in a way that represents the fullness of their findings; and in public health to ensure that decisions are made in line with the consensus of experts."
Weaponizing uncertainty in science and in public health puts people in harm’s way
Those who cite scientific studies to support policies should take care to tell the whole story, especially when it’s complex.
www.nature.com
October 6, 2025 at 10:15 PM
It is sobering that we have to say this: "In science, there is almost always uncertainty. The responsible thing to do is communicate studies in a way that represents the fullness of their findings; and in public health to ensure that decisions are made in line with the consensus of experts."
Good idea, but the voting public will still make up shit... because I also read "Scientist finds evidence of 'alien DNA' in humans" today. 😬
Add a ‘speculation box’ to research papers
Letter to the Editor
www.nature.com
October 6, 2025 at 6:28 PM
Good idea, but the voting public will still make up shit... because I also read "Scientist finds evidence of 'alien DNA' in humans" today. 😬
Nearly 30 years old, Carl Sagan's The Demon-Haunted World is still amazing. And the audiobook read by Cary Elwes helps me fall asleep at night, helps me feel less alone and hopeless. 10/10. 😊
September 30, 2025 at 10:15 AM
Nearly 30 years old, Carl Sagan's The Demon-Haunted World is still amazing. And the audiobook read by Cary Elwes helps me fall asleep at night, helps me feel less alone and hopeless. 10/10. 😊
Always a good reminder that life is interconnected and complicated, reductionistic explanations should be used with caution, and there is wisdom in trusting experts. Thank you, Donald Nicholson, for your work. RIP.
For a clearer pdf version: www.iubmb-nicholson.org/chart.html
For a clearer pdf version: www.iubmb-nicholson.org/chart.html
September 28, 2025 at 10:36 PM
Always a good reminder that life is interconnected and complicated, reductionistic explanations should be used with caution, and there is wisdom in trusting experts. Thank you, Donald Nicholson, for your work. RIP.
For a clearer pdf version: www.iubmb-nicholson.org/chart.html
For a clearer pdf version: www.iubmb-nicholson.org/chart.html
I've been thinking for a while that humans have expanded beyond the scale of the individual and need to start thinking about emergence when dealing with social issues. Today, I'm reading this paper...
Cultural inheritance is driving a transition in human evolution
Abstract. Previous research on a transition in human evolution has been befuddled by the complexity of adaptive culture and made little effort toward empir
academic.oup.com
September 15, 2025 at 10:28 PM
I've been thinking for a while that humans have expanded beyond the scale of the individual and need to start thinking about emergence when dealing with social issues. Today, I'm reading this paper...
Reposted by Rachel Logan
Always look at the data yourself. But also know the limits of your ability to interpret it. 🧪
Experts are experts because they spend their lives learning everything about one tiny thing. They can put that thing into context. They know the literature about it. They can debate its nuances. 1/3
Experts are experts because they spend their lives learning everything about one tiny thing. They can put that thing into context. They know the literature about it. They can debate its nuances. 1/3
RFK Jr: We need to stop trusting the experts... Trusting the experts is not a feature of science or democracy, it's a feature of religion and totalitarianism.
August 31, 2025 at 3:56 PM
Always look at the data yourself. But also know the limits of your ability to interpret it. 🧪
Experts are experts because they spend their lives learning everything about one tiny thing. They can put that thing into context. They know the literature about it. They can debate its nuances. 1/3
Experts are experts because they spend their lives learning everything about one tiny thing. They can put that thing into context. They know the literature about it. They can debate its nuances. 1/3
I have mixed feelings on this, not because I disagree that #SciComm needs more storytelling, but because I worry about what we lose when we resort to only matching a flawed epistemology. Long-term direction is sacrificed to short-term wins. I know we're in a crisis, but the future matters too. 🤷♀️🫤
The recent interview of Holden Thorp, @science.org EOC, on #SciComm by Patrick Boyle in AAMCNews is an absolute banger!
Now more than ever, it’s critical for scientists, organizations, and companies to deliver scientific messages that stick.
www.aamc.org/news/restore...
(1/9) 🧪
Now more than ever, it’s critical for scientists, organizations, and companies to deliver scientific messages that stick.
www.aamc.org/news/restore...
(1/9) 🧪
To restore trust in science, scientists should focus on storytelling
Holden Thorp, PhD, top editor at Science, discusses the essential role of front-line doctors, the power of well-told stories, and the value of admitting error.
www.aamc.org
August 28, 2025 at 8:13 PM
I have mixed feelings on this, not because I disagree that #SciComm needs more storytelling, but because I worry about what we lose when we resort to only matching a flawed epistemology. Long-term direction is sacrificed to short-term wins. I know we're in a crisis, but the future matters too. 🤷♀️🫤
It's hard to keep going sometimes, this post and subsequent article helped. ❤️
In a world where misinformation spreads fast, science needs consistency more than virality.
One clear post at a time can build trust, cut through the noise, and make your work matter.
That’s the Slight Edge of science communication.
Start small. Keep showing up.
🧪 #SciComm
One clear post at a time can build trust, cut through the noise, and make your work matter.
That’s the Slight Edge of science communication.
Start small. Keep showing up.
🧪 #SciComm
August 27, 2025 at 4:29 PM
It's hard to keep going sometimes, this post and subsequent article helped. ❤️
It's critical that people understand what science is and does, and that change and updating are part of the process, but an article like this w/o a proper explanation of those ideas isn't helpful during this anti-science crisis. Given the current state of affairs, it may even be unethical, imo.
Science Thought Nerves Couldn’t Heal. It Thought Mars Had Canals. It Thought Plastic Was Eco-Friendly. Then It Thought Again
In honor of SciAm’s 180th birthday, we’re spotlighting the biggest “wait, what?” moments in science history.
www.scientificamerican.com
August 26, 2025 at 1:33 PM
It's critical that people understand what science is and does, and that change and updating are part of the process, but an article like this w/o a proper explanation of those ideas isn't helpful during this anti-science crisis. Given the current state of affairs, it may even be unethical, imo.
Reposted by Rachel Logan
Scientists who study climate don't automatically attribute all changes to human activity. Rather, we carefully investigate every possible natural factor that could explain the planet's warming.
Could these be the real culprits?
The evidence is in--and the answer is NO.
This thread explains! 🧵
Could these be the real culprits?
The evidence is in--and the answer is NO.
This thread explains! 🧵
May 1, 2025 at 10:32 PM
Scientists who study climate don't automatically attribute all changes to human activity. Rather, we carefully investigate every possible natural factor that could explain the planet's warming.
Could these be the real culprits?
The evidence is in--and the answer is NO.
This thread explains! 🧵
Could these be the real culprits?
The evidence is in--and the answer is NO.
This thread explains! 🧵
Reposted by Rachel Logan
As one can imagine, I have some thoughts. Here’s a thread no one asked for:
1. SCIENCE IN THE US IS POLITICAL. No matter how much you want to ignore that fact, it is supported by taxpayer dollars and is therefore, political by nature.
2. BUT it has had bipartisan support for decades, which…
1. SCIENCE IN THE US IS POLITICAL. No matter how much you want to ignore that fact, it is supported by taxpayer dollars and is therefore, political by nature.
2. BUT it has had bipartisan support for decades, which…
For some scientists fighting partisan attacks, the goal is to defend their work from political interference. But in retaliating, @katherinejwu.com reports, they also run the risk of advancing the narrative that they want to fight.
Scientists Are Caught in a Political Trap
Fighting back against the Trump administration means they start to look more like activists.
bit.ly
August 23, 2025 at 4:15 PM
As one can imagine, I have some thoughts. Here’s a thread no one asked for:
1. SCIENCE IN THE US IS POLITICAL. No matter how much you want to ignore that fact, it is supported by taxpayer dollars and is therefore, political by nature.
2. BUT it has had bipartisan support for decades, which…
1. SCIENCE IN THE US IS POLITICAL. No matter how much you want to ignore that fact, it is supported by taxpayer dollars and is therefore, political by nature.
2. BUT it has had bipartisan support for decades, which…
Reposted by Rachel Logan
An important read.
The US is the leader in mRNA tech, & has an advantage in manufacturing & regulatory expertise. But in an era when biological threats can be designed, losing this edge would leave us vulnerable & dependent on others for this powerful tool.
🧪🎁🔗 www.nytimes.com/2025/08/18/o...
The US is the leader in mRNA tech, & has an advantage in manufacturing & regulatory expertise. But in an era when biological threats can be designed, losing this edge would leave us vulnerable & dependent on others for this powerful tool.
🧪🎁🔗 www.nytimes.com/2025/08/18/o...
Opinion | America Is Abandoning One of the Greatest Medical Breakthroughs
www.nytimes.com
August 23, 2025 at 3:16 PM
An important read.
The US is the leader in mRNA tech, & has an advantage in manufacturing & regulatory expertise. But in an era when biological threats can be designed, losing this edge would leave us vulnerable & dependent on others for this powerful tool.
🧪🎁🔗 www.nytimes.com/2025/08/18/o...
The US is the leader in mRNA tech, & has an advantage in manufacturing & regulatory expertise. But in an era when biological threats can be designed, losing this edge would leave us vulnerable & dependent on others for this powerful tool.
🧪🎁🔗 www.nytimes.com/2025/08/18/o...
Can't wait for this! 🤩
1/ Today's revision update.
To recap: I'm working on a polemical history of vax-resistance, A Pox on Fools, out next spring from Random House & Head of Zeus.
It's been a fast ride: I started in earnest ~1/28 completed a 0th draft 8/15, & will send in the official 1st draft b4 Labor Day...
To recap: I'm working on a polemical history of vax-resistance, A Pox on Fools, out next spring from Random House & Head of Zeus.
It's been a fast ride: I started in earnest ~1/28 completed a 0th draft 8/15, & will send in the official 1st draft b4 Labor Day...
A Pox on Fools | Random House Publishing Group One Book – Random House Publishing Group
www.randomhousebooks.com
August 23, 2025 at 2:08 AM
Can't wait for this! 🤩
I ❤️ Nature Podcast. This episode was great! (They all are, really.) And their July 4 episode on vaccine hesitancy was good, too. 🤩
How can we make scientific literature free of errors? Our new series figures it out 🔊
go.nature.com/3IGedRI
go.nature.com/3IGedRI
AI, bounties and culture change, how scientists are taking on errors
Hear the biggest stories from the world of science | 21/07/25
go.nature.com
August 20, 2025 at 11:59 PM
I ❤️ Nature Podcast. This episode was great! (They all are, really.) And their July 4 episode on vaccine hesitancy was good, too. 🤩
Reposted by Rachel Logan
Joining an increasing number of people publicly demanding RFK’s removal as HHS Sec: Dr. Bill Foege, a literal (6’6”) & figurative giant of public health. He served as a CDC director under Carter & Reagan, & is credited with designing the ring vaccination strategy that enabled smallpox eradication.
August 18, 2025 at 10:59 PM
Joining an increasing number of people publicly demanding RFK’s removal as HHS Sec: Dr. Bill Foege, a literal (6’6”) & figurative giant of public health. He served as a CDC director under Carter & Reagan, & is credited with designing the ring vaccination strategy that enabled smallpox eradication.
Remember when we used to teach internet literacy by saying you can trust any website with a .gov? 😅😐😞
August 19, 2025 at 4:36 PM
Remember when we used to teach internet literacy by saying you can trust any website with a .gov? 😅😐😞
Reposted by Rachel Logan
NEW: Earlier this month, HHS announced it was discontinuing mRNA vaccine research.To justify the move, it linked to a document purporting to chronicle COVID vaccine harms.
The document was authored by prominent anti-vaxxers—some with ties to a supplements company that sells a spike protein “detox.”
The document was authored by prominent anti-vaxxers—some with ties to a supplements company that sells a spike protein “detox.”
‘Experts’ Cited By RFK Jr. to Justify mRNA Vaccine Funding Cut Have Ties to Anti-vax Supplement Company
Four authors of the non-peer reviewed, anti-vax bibliography cited by Kennedy’s HHS are involved with The Wellness Company.
www.importantcontext.news
August 17, 2025 at 7:02 PM
NEW: Earlier this month, HHS announced it was discontinuing mRNA vaccine research.To justify the move, it linked to a document purporting to chronicle COVID vaccine harms.
The document was authored by prominent anti-vaxxers—some with ties to a supplements company that sells a spike protein “detox.”
The document was authored by prominent anti-vaxxers—some with ties to a supplements company that sells a spike protein “detox.”
If we start calling it a pre-protein microdose supplement can we get the funding back? 😉
August 16, 2025 at 3:22 PM
If we start calling it a pre-protein microdose supplement can we get the funding back? 😉
"New man on the Minnesota Vikings"... Two of them actually!! Congrats Louie and Blaize! It's going to be a fun season on the path to making football the party it deserves to be! 💪🤩🎉
August 14, 2025 at 4:58 PM
"New man on the Minnesota Vikings"... Two of them actually!! Congrats Louie and Blaize! It's going to be a fun season on the path to making football the party it deserves to be! 💪🤩🎉
The GEP Pathways Program taught me basic genomics, how to use databases like genome browsers, blast, and flybase, and how to do rigorous comparisons and annotations. It's a fantastic program and worth the attention and support. Check it out! 🤩
In 2005, a small team of researchers asked:
What if undergrads didn’t just learn genomics, but contributed to real discoveries?
That question launched the Genomics Education Partnership (GEP).
#GenomicsEducation #UndergradResearch #GEPCUREs
What if undergrads didn’t just learn genomics, but contributed to real discoveries?
That question launched the Genomics Education Partnership (GEP).
#GenomicsEducation #UndergradResearch #GEPCUREs
August 14, 2025 at 4:33 AM
The GEP Pathways Program taught me basic genomics, how to use databases like genome browsers, blast, and flybase, and how to do rigorous comparisons and annotations. It's a fantastic program and worth the attention and support. Check it out! 🤩
Wait... Are you admitting that what you're saying about vaccines is disinformation? Or are you really just unaware that playing football causes injuries? Wow. ☣️ (<-- my new emoji for RFK Jr.)
Every time I think RFK Jr can’t possibly say or do something worse
“Nobody blamed the New York Times for spreading that disinformation that football can cause injuries”
“Nobody blamed the New York Times for spreading that disinformation that football can cause injuries”
August 13, 2025 at 3:19 PM
Wait... Are you admitting that what you're saying about vaccines is disinformation? Or are you really just unaware that playing football causes injuries? Wow. ☣️ (<-- my new emoji for RFK Jr.)
I'm trying to stay hopeful and productive, but then the US Secretary of Health and Human Services says, "Trusting the experts is not a feature of either a science or democracy." ☣️
www.scrippsnews.com/health/rfk-j...
www.scrippsnews.com/health/rfk-j...
RFK Jr. in interview with Scripps News: ‘Trusting the experts is not science’
HHS Secretary RFK Jr. sat down with Scripps News for a wide-ranging interview, discussing mRNA vaccine funding policy changes and a recent shooting at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
www.scrippsnews.com
August 12, 2025 at 5:21 AM
I'm trying to stay hopeful and productive, but then the US Secretary of Health and Human Services says, "Trusting the experts is not a feature of either a science or democracy." ☣️
www.scrippsnews.com/health/rfk-j...
www.scrippsnews.com/health/rfk-j...
It's all embarrassing af, NIH, White House, all of it.
I will never get over how creepy it is how the NIH X account is a full time propaganda machine now
August 12, 2025 at 4:56 AM
It's all embarrassing af, NIH, White House, all of it.
Reposted by Rachel Logan
If you have ever wondered what difference does disinformation really make, please read this:
www.kff.org/health-infor...
The kicker is not this chart, but the finding that fully 40% of Republicans think more people died from the Covid vaccine than the disease, up from 25% in 2023.
www.kff.org/health-infor...
The kicker is not this chart, but the finding that fully 40% of Republicans think more people died from the Covid vaccine than the disease, up from 25% in 2023.
KFF Tracking Poll on Health Information and Trust: January 2025 | KFF
As Senate hearings begin for President Trump’s health nominees, including Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the latest KFF Tracking Poll on Health Information and Trust shows a decline in public trust for govern...
www.kff.org
August 11, 2025 at 9:52 PM
If you have ever wondered what difference does disinformation really make, please read this:
www.kff.org/health-infor...
The kicker is not this chart, but the finding that fully 40% of Republicans think more people died from the Covid vaccine than the disease, up from 25% in 2023.
www.kff.org/health-infor...
The kicker is not this chart, but the finding that fully 40% of Republicans think more people died from the Covid vaccine than the disease, up from 25% in 2023.
Katalin doesn't pull punches here. I ❤️ her.
I developed mRNA vaccines. RFK Jr is endangering US public health
Katalin Karikó says the health secretary’s decision to pull research funding for the technology is akin to ‘dropping a bomb on the US’
www.thetimes.com
August 8, 2025 at 10:31 PM
Katalin doesn't pull punches here. I ❤️ her.