Liz Marnik

Thank you for sharing this Kevin! It’s still a bit surreal to me that it’s out in the world.

Opinion | I’m an Immunologist. I Grew Up Unvaccinated.

So proud to see this guest essay in the NYTimes from @sciencewhizliz.bsky.social on growing up unvaccinated and what it taught her about science and trust. Liz was a postdoc with us ('16-'20) and is an exceptional science communicator. Also, her old desk is empty - open postdoc position (pls share).

BREAKING: We sued the AAP today. Here's why. Dear No, Earlier today, Children's Health Defense filed a major lawsuit against the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act. Here's what you need to know: • AAP has been profiting from the vaccine cabal since the passage of the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986 • AAP has forcefully and intentionally spread the lie that vaccines have been fully tested and proven safe — through its journal Pediatrics and its Red Book policy statements • AAP has concealed material facts about the lack of testing and inadequacies in vaccine safety monitoring and financial incentives tied to vaccine schedule compliance

‹ 16 BREAKING: We sue... ^ V decades of fraudulent health risk denials We're suing the AAP to shut down a decades-long scheme to defraud pediatricians and American families about the safety of the childhood vaccination schedule. Our co-plaintiffs include: • The families of three children who were killed by childhood vaccines • A child whose valid medical exemption was rejected by administrators who followed AAP guidance • Two physicians who lost their licenses to practice because they offered medical advice that contradicted AAP guidance For decades, the AAP has spread disinformation — including the unfounded claim that vaccines are "safe and effective." Those fraudulent claims resulted in the injuries and deaths of countless children. They also ruined the livelihoods of honest pediatricians. This is what challenging disinformation at the source looks like. This is what exposing the perverse incentives behind medical judgment looks like

Soooo I just got an email about how RFK Jr’s crackpot antivax organization Children’s Health Defense is suing the American Academy of Pediatrics under RICO cc @kenwhite.bsky.social

Those mobster pediatricians, you know.

Image of northern lights. With trees and stars.

Despite how it looks
The dark is not so complete
It carries color

Tonight some dark and freezing winter reminders of hope appeared in the sky near my home. Maybe you need this reminder. I know I did.

1/ The U.S. federal government recently announced big changes to the childhood #vaccine schedule. It is reducing the number of vaccines “routinely” recommended for all kids & moving several vaccines into an “optional/shared decision” category instead.

#childhoodvaccines

A Scientist’s View on Hope

In A Scientist’s View on Hope, MDI Bio Lab's Liz Marnik shares a personal reflection on finding hope during demanding moments. While the views are her own, the insights resonate with many of us.

#AcademicSky 🧪 🐟🎸 🍎 👩‍🔬 🌎 🖥️ 🧬 #researchmatters

📸 Carl Hunley Jr on Unsplash

I went to mine! They were super helpful and I’ve been using YouTube videos too.

A Scientist's View on Hope Let's end 2025 with intention and understanding that we can help make change. And yes, there is some science to back up hope.

If we give up, things really won’t change.

So, we must decide we can make a difference and see paths forward. Thus, we must choose hope to keep doing the work.

For more on the science of hope and where I find it see me newsletter below.

open.substack.com/pub/fromthes...

Hope isn’t wishful thinking.

Hope is believing you can act and that there is a path forward even if challenging.

It's not assuming things will magically work out. It's choosing to persevere and act even when you're not sure they will.

If we lose hope, we often give up.

1/n

I’ve also decided to make room to re-learn how to knit (it’s been about 25 years 😂). So stay tuned for that. I’ve been convinced to start with a hat and the directions are written in a foreign language (e.g. BOR marker and in pattern).

Knitting advice welcome.

4/end

My intention for 2026 is to make room. Make room for good things, for hard things, for new friends, for old friends, for more rest, for continued good work, for new possibilities, for change. That’s all I have energy to set for 2026 right now.

3/n

We don’t know what 2026 will hold, but likely it’s fair share of hard too. It’s ok to take it one day at a time.

I believe we all can make a difference in our areas through small daily actions. But it’s also ok to take breaks.

2/n

It’s hard not to feel like you *have**to publicly recap all the good and bad from the year. I’m too tired to do either. 😂

But we made it. 2025 probably held a lot of both good and bad (it did for me).

1/n

This is an inspiring article by @sciencewhizliz.bsky.social about people finding hope in 2025. Here's my contribution: fromthescienceclass.substack.com/p/a-scientis...

💕💕

In your conversations lead with curiosity, empathy, stories and kindness. Not facts.

And preferably these conversations are happening after everyone’s had a cookie from someone they trust. 🍪🎄8/end

Christmas reminds me that facts alone don’t change mind. Especially when beliefes are tied to identity and tradition. That’s why I talk about science the way I do. It’s not to win, but to build trust and keep people at the table. 7/n

Joy and wonder make people interested and curious. Shaming makes them defensive. Kindness helps keep them listening. Remember you may not change Aunt Mabel’s mind over Christmas dinner but kindness and curiosity can keep the window open . 6/n

Stories spread faster than facts. Case in point? Santa and Rudolph. 🎅🦌 5/n

Trust matters. If you don’t trust the person giving you those decorated sugar cookies you’re not going to eat them, even if they’re beautiful. 4/n

Changing a tradition, even a tiny tiny bit, can feel like a rejection, not a kind suggestion. Especially when the tradition is deeply tied to identity and belonging. 3/n

People care deeply about traditions. Even if grandma can’t tell you how and why it started. 2/n

Things you can learn about science and humans from Christmas observations.
🎄🧵.1/n

National Academy of Medicine Launches the Building Trust in Health Science Through Community Partnership and Lived Experience Action Collaborative; Over 30 Members Will Co-Develop Community-Driven Approaches - NAM NAM launches a new Collaborative to build trust in health science. Community leaders, researchers and practitioners will co‑develop community‑driven approaches.

Big news! Liz Marnik has been selected as 1 of 32 inaugural members of the National Academy of Medicine Building Trust in Health Science Through Community Partnership and Lived Experience Action Collaborative. We’re proud to see her leadership recognized on a national stage! 🧪 🍎

Thanks for sharing! I need to be better about posting here.

Persistent Attenuation of Lymphocyte Subsets After Mass SARS-CoV-2 Infection As of September 15, 2024, the COVID-19 pandemic had resulted in more than 776 million confirmed cases and seven million deaths worldwide [1]. While most patients recovered from the acute phase of COVI...

I'm seeing a lot of discussion of this study, and so far everything I have seen goes well beyond what the data of this study allow us to conclude. Let's look at this together.

A thread 🧵

More preparation for tomorrow’s likely disastrous ACIP if today was any indication.

Happy to have collaborated on this with the wonderful group of humans below. Some Hep B content and questions is summarized below.

You haven’t written about measles in a while - can you give an update? Measles cases in the U.S. and Canada continue to rise, but not as dramatically as they did. Vaccination is still the best way to protect your family and those around you who cannot be vaccinated.

1/ #Measles cases in the U.S. & Canada continue to rise, but not as dramatically as they did. Vaccination is still the best way to protect your family & those around you who cannot be vaccinated.

Full post from @sandylaping.bsky.social @cindyleifer.bsky.social & @sciencewhizliz.bsky.social 👇

“Ultimately, science isn’t just the pursuit of new knowledge, it is a daily practice of hope happening in labs, clinics, and quiet offices. We are all connected through this hope, even when the progress toward it seems invisible”

open.substack.com/pub/fromthes...