Isabel Distefano, MPH 🧬

What in the passive voice is that headline

was hoping it was just a dramatic headline but "exceeded the standard in 54 out of 59 inspections" for COSTCO chicken is insane 🫠

A photograph from the 1988 ACT UP demonstration outside the FDA. Many people are participating in a die-in on the front steps, holding mock tombstones with messages like "RIP - killed by the FDA" and "Dead from lack of drugs." A line of police officers (some with classic 80s mustaches) wearing riot helmets stands between them and the building; one cop wearing white gloves is walking through the demonstrators. Affixed to the 2nd story windows of the building is a series of posters and a large blank banner reading Silence = Death.

This week in 1988: 1,000+ ACT UP demonstrators shut down the FDA headquarters, demanding (and eventually winning) action on developing HIV/AIDS treatments. ACT UP's militant and creative actions always included powerful visual artwork, and paved the way for movements in the decades to come.

this is breaking my heart - used to live in avondale. keep up the good work

THAT little to sell your credibility and morals????

This is so excellent

Poster for no kinds protest with a measles virion shouting “we’re so back!!!”. Measles was eliminated from the US in 2000.

10/10 virion cartoon imo what do y’all think?? #nokings #phsky #episky #publichealth 🛟

This is the post that is making me log off for the day. Horrific, especially with what’s happening rn with vaccinations 😞

Estimated deaths caused by Funding Discontinuation in the U.S. (until now)

90.377
Adult Deaths

188.584
Child Deaths

Deaths Per Hour
103

1/2

Congratulations!! It’s hard out here rn!

saw some stats this year showing up to 40% of clade I mortality burden are children / adolescents 🙁

shoutout to my two role models - @meganranney.bsky.social and Kylo Ren - for their deep moral values, ethics, and drive (Dean Ranney) and lasting emotional support by sitting on my lap through every thesis editing session (Kylo)

And big shoutout to my Jersey Girls for making the drive and SHOWING UP for me 💪

izzy in her cap and gown and "clase de 25" stole with her parents

izzy in her cap and gown and "clase de 25" stole with her partner

In the middle of so much chaos and uncertainty there is always space for joy, light, and celebration. I graduated w/ my MPH from YSPH! Still emotionally (and physically, immediately caught a cold lol) recovering from Monday, but big shoutout to my biggest cheerleaders for being there with me 🥹🎓💃🧬🛟

Wrapping up the MPH with one last presentation on my thesis research at Connecticut Infectious Disease Society's Annual Meeting! I'll be working through lunch and talking about our genomic epidemiological deep dive on a chronic mpox patient 🧬

Africa’s Outbreak Response Is the Global Standard Now From outbreak containment to clinical innovation, African nations are setting new global standards for success

Uganda stopped a Sudan Ebola virus outbreak in under 3 months.
No chaos. Just fast action, local leadership, and a rapidly implemented vaccine trial.
Maybe the problem isn’t capacity in Africa after all—maybe it’s the story we keep telling about it.
open.substack.com/pub/bktitanj...

Thanks for the shoutout @yaleemd.bsky.social!! It's been such a privilege to integrate within the department and work with you all for the last two years 🌟

Finally, Isabel Distefano presenting on what we can learn from sequential temporal sequences of a chronic mpox case

a looong medium-haired black cat showing his belly with tucked front feet

i feel compelled to contribute to this holiday.

uhhhhhhhh

Behind every great woman in science, there’s another great woman in science To mark International Women’s Day on 8 March, six award-winning female scientists highlight women who have inspired them by pushing innovative research and creating opportunities for others.

Great read. The thing I miss the most about a traditional career path is losing the opportunity to mentor women in STEM. I'm always happy to read about mentors, mentees, and the successes that come out of strong women working together towards common goals. 🧪👩‍🔬🍎🥽🧬⚛️

www.nature.com/articles/d41...

i do not understand the rationale behind compliance when we are already squarely in the crosshairs.

5 things I did this week:
1 - admitted someone bc insulin prices went up and it was insulin or rent/food
2 - admitted someone bc a drug was covered in dec but insurance changed in jan and prior authorization still hasn’t gone thru so chronic condition that was well controlled now isn’t

don't forget about the deafening silence on affirmative action 🙋‍♀️

Scientific institutions have a long history of anticipatory obedience Societies should learn from this and speak up to support inclusion

Besides being cruel, anticipatory obedience doesn’t work www.chemistryworld.com/opinion/scie...

Download CDC Guidelines Removed By The Trump Admin The Trump administration is scrubbing the CDC’s website of documents on reproductive rights issues, sexual health, intimate partner violence, and more.

Maybe reach out to @jessicavalenti.bsky.social? jessica.substack.com/p/cdc-birth-...

The entire website for the NIH Office of Research on Women's Health (ORWH) is very nearly stripped bare. This is so, so devastating. orwh.od.nih.gov/research/fun...

I knew the FDA DAP draft guidance was going to be pulled. It was only released at the end of June.

a child is laying on the ground in the rain Alt: GIF of Mei from Totoro laying face down on the mud in the pouring rain. Mood.

science and public health rn. i'm so -