Neil Vora, MD

Contributor: Factory farming of fish is brewing pathogens Aquaculture is critical for feeding a hungry planet, but it does not need to be as reckless as it is today.

Could our seafood system be breeding drug-resistant bacteria? In the @latimes.com, I explore how antimicrobial misuse in aquaculture is increasing the risk of superbugs.

www.latimes.com/opinion/stor...

The Arrogant Ape by Christine Webb: 9780593543139 | PenguinRandomHouse.com: Books A New York Times’s Notable Book of 2025 An impassioned celebration of humility before the living world that leads us to a new understanding of other species—and ourselves Darwin considered...

Well done, @christinewebb.bsky.social, on this masterpiece. The anecdote about the monkey in the sterile lab that just wanted a back scratch broke my heart, among many others. (And thanks to my colleague Karen Alroy for the nudge on this one!)

www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/717436...

The Arrogant Ape by Christine Webb: 9780593543139 | PenguinRandomHouse.com: Books A New York Times’s Notable Book of 2025 An impassioned celebration of humility before the living world that leads us to a new understanding of other species—and ourselves Darwin considered...

Wow! I just finished The Arrogant Ape and am just floored by this book. What an incredible synthesis of science, philosophy, Indigenous knowledge, and lived experience to challenge the orthodoxy that humans are an exceptional species above all others.

Please do share your book recs for me! Thank you!

These are undeniably serious issues, but despite (or maybe because of) spending so much time with these books, I’m heading into 2026 feeling more hopeful than ever. Many of these authors reminded me just how much possibility, resilience, and creativity still exist in the world.

As you can tell, I spent a lot of time this year thinking about the converging catastrophic threats we face from biodiversity loss, climate change, democratic backsliding, and the rise of disinformation.

10. "The Technological Republic" by Alex Karp and Nicholas W. Zamiska. I strongly disagree with many of the authors' arguments, but I think it's an important read to gain insight into how some tech entrepreneurs see the world. (Also worth reading Michael Eby's critique of the book in The Nation).

9. “You Can’t Be Serious” by Kal Penn. This was such a fun and refreshing memoir. His journey of defying expectations is a reminder to chase your own path. Another one to do as an audiobook.

8. “Everything Is Tuberculosis” by @johngreensbluesky.bsky.social. As a practicing TB doctor, I’ve seen the devastation of this disease firsthand. This book’s wide-angle view of TB’s sweeping impact was incredibly informative.

7. “Science Under Siege: How to Fight the Five Most Powerful Forces that Threaten Our World” by @michaelemann.bsky.social and @peterhotezmdphd.bsky.social. A timely read on how science is threatened by five intertwined forces. It underscores what’s at stake when facts are attacked.

6. “Fascism: A Warning” by Madeleine Albright. A sobering, essential reminder that democracy requires effort, and how quickly it can erode if we’re not vigilant.

5. “How to Stand Up to a Dictator: The Fight for Our Future” by @mariaressa.bsky.social. Ressa’s courage in the face of democratic decline is nothing short of inspiring. A powerful reminder of what individual bravery can achieve.

4. “The Book of Hope: A Survival Guide for Trying Times” by Jane Goodall and Douglas Abrams. Hearing Jane Goodall’s wisdom and optimism (particularly poignant after her recent passing) was balm for my soul. Also best done as an audiobook.

3. “Not the End of the World” by @hannahritchie.bsky.social. A compelling demonstration of how data can tell a surprising, counterintuitive, and ultimately optimistic story.

2. “What If We Get It Right? Visions of Climate Futures” by @ayanaeliza.bsky.social. An inspiring and hopeful take on the future, even on a warming planet. I especially recommend this one as an audiobook.

1. “Forest Euphoria” by Patricia Kaishian. A masterpiece. If you loved Braiding Sweetgrass, this is a must read for you. A beautiful exploration of nature, our connection to it, and so much more.

I made an effort this year to read more books. Below are the ten that stood out most of the 36 I read (or listened to).

Grateful to the team (Latiffah Hassan, Robyn Alders, Sarah Cleveland, Dirk Pfeiffer, Christian Walzer, Raina Plowright) for all the knowledge they continually share with me.

www.thelancet.com/action/showP...

Building a healthier future means valuing and funding the expertise of veterinarians who protect the health of animals, ecosystems, and ultimately all of us.

Without strong and well‑resourced veterinary services, we will continue to miss opportunities to prevent the emergence and spread of zoonotic diseases. We will also jeopardize global food security and livelihoods.

Honored to share a new Comment just published in Lancet Planetary Health led by Latiffah Hassan. Our message is simple: the world must invest far more in the global veterinary workforce. I say this as a physician who has seen how human health is inseparable from the health of other animals.

Indeed, lots for me to be thankful for.

These remarkable individuals inspire me every day with their unwavering commitment to building a future where all beings—human and beyond—can thrive.

I had the incredible fortune of attending the gala, but it is more accurately a reflection of the incredible colleagues and mentors I have from decades of training and work.

A heartfelt thank you to my dear friend Timothy Westbrook for transforming that sari into another work of art, to Saadia Van Winkle for making this honor possible, and to my partner Jill for everything she is.

A little late in sharing these, but I’m still feeling grateful. Last month, I had the privilege of attending the TIME100 Next gala. It was even more meaningful because my parents were with me in spirit: I wore an outfit crafted from a sari my dad bought for my mom years ago.

The challenges we face around the world in this moment are real and daunting. But we must "reject the delusion that it's too late to act". The future depends on it.

#ScienceMatters #ScienceUnderSiege #ScienceCommunication #PublicHealth #OneHealth #FutureOfScience #Leadership #CriticalThinking

One of my favorite moments is the brilliant comparison to Lord of the Rings by Tolkien—my favorite childhood author. Mann and Hotez invoke LOTR as a reminder that standing up for science requires courage, especially when the odds feel overwhelming.

The final chapter is the clincher. It’s a call to action for:

✅ Scientists to take a stand. And communicate research in ways the public can understand.
✅ Non-scientists to speak up. Defend science. Silence is not an option.

The authors unpack the five major forces driving today’s anti-science movement: Plutocrats, Petrostates, Pros, Propagandists, and Press. They reveal how these forces work together to undermine progress for their own interests, and why this threatens the stability of the planet and civilization.