Aside from science, I enjoy traveling, especially to places around the world that have incredible biodiversity and unique ecosystems. In November and December 2023, I was able to spend time in Uganda and Tanzania, which had been on my bucket list for quite some time. I’m very fortunate that my partner Josh is an award-winning photographer and that he’s taught me some of the tricks of the trade. I’ve recently started to add wildlife photos I’ve taken on my very own to my other Instagram account: @aroadlesstraveled87. I hope you enjoy some of these gorgeous animals that we share this planet with!

Monosodium glutamate (MSG) is the sodium salt of glutamic acid. Remember, salts are any ionic compound formed after an acid:base neutralization reaction. Glutamic acid is one of the most common amino acids. MSG and glutamic acid are found naturally
I get hundreds of messages from people sending nonsense from Gary Brecka. To be clear: calling yourself a biologist does not mean you’re a biologist. He has a bachelors degree in biology (one of which from a chiropractic school 👀) but has zer
Anecdotes are used to spread false narratives and misinformation. Andrew Huberman uses this tactic, coupled with an appeal to authority, to legitimize opinions and unsubstantiated statements. It is not trivial, and it is not harmless. His tactic is
“Bird flu” is a colloquial name for influenza A H5N1. This strain of influenza virus is incredibly contagious to birds, wild and domestic, and can reach mortality rates nearing 100% in poultry. While humans are primarily impacted by flu
It is my Doctoral Defensiversary! On this day, 10 years ago, I defended my doctoral dissertation research: “Identification of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase production by human dendritic cells as a potential immune evasion strategy for Borrelia b
In the US alone, the dietary supplement industry is currently valued at $159 BILLION dollars and projected to grow 9.1% year over year. The problem? This unregulated industry exploits consumer’s desire for control over their health. Dietary s
🧬 Cancers share hallmarks: they occur when our cells no longer listen to cues to behave properly & grow out of control, as a result of mutations in key gene families: DNA repair genes, oncogenes, & tumor suppressor genes. These mutations typ
I noticed a lot of folks on social media were disregarding the NYMag piece because it focused on Huberman’s personal life, not the bad science and harmful misinformation he propagates. So I wrote a thing. “So, Should You Trust Andrew Hu
Human papillomaviruses (HPVs) are a large family of viruses that infect various tissues in our body. Several types are considered oncogenic: meaning they can lead to cancer. This process is complex and requires HPV to first successfully infect someo
Misinformation about vaccines and cancer are rampant. It’s spreads because of lack of knowledge about immunology and the effectiveness of fear-based messaging. As a scientist in infectious disease and cancer immunology, let me assure you that:
As a biomedical scientist, it never fails to annoy that the term ‘organic’ has been co-opted to spread misinformation. The term organic in chemistry has a VERY different meaning than it’s use for consumer products. But since the EW
Food sensitivity tests have zero science behind them. They measure IgG antibodies, which indicate tolerance to molecules we consume. IgG levels aren’t related to real allergies or intolerances (digestive issues due to insufficient enzymes nee
Misinformation about immunology and the immune system is rampant. The immune system is one of the most complex organ systems in the body and it impacts and is affected by nearly everything. As a result, it becomes an easy target for wellness influen
It is exhausting when prominent “science personalities” spread harmful misinformation that erodes literacy and public health. Fluoride has been demonized since it was implemented as a tool to prevent tooth decay. But guess what? It’
Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the US. But this statistic is misunderstood because cancer is a catch-all for hundreds of unique diseases. It’s also a leading cause of death because we aren’t dying from acute causes of mor
Vaccines do NOT cause autism. It doesn’t matter how many people repeat the lie, it still doesn’t make it true. The myth was based on entirely fraudulent claims by Andrew Wakefield over 25 years ago. He’s been fully discredited &amp
9 years. It’s been 9 years since you took your life, Brian. It feels like forever. And yet, it also feels like yesterday. In an ever-growing digital world where people text more than they email, email more than they write, this - this - was t