Funding Freeze: Political Pressure Undermines Scientific Progress

Resources

Books

• "Capitalism and Freedom in the 21st Century" (Podcast) - This podcast is mentioned as a platform where Jay Bhattacharya discussed his early impressions of poverty in India and his shift towards economics.
• "Stoicism" by William Irvine - Mentioned as a book that Alan Garber recommended to Dan Lieberman.

Videos & Documentaries

• "The Harvard Plan" (Season 2) - This is the podcast series itself, a deep dive into the assault on universities, produced with the Boston Globe.

Research & Studies

• "Antibiotic resistance" - This was the subject of Jay Bhattacharya's dissertation.
• "Pew study" (November 2024) - Reported that only 26% of the American public had a great deal of confidence in scientists.
• "Bethesda Declaration" - A manifesto put out by NIH staffers in 2025, contending that the Trump administration and NIH harmed academic freedom.

Tools & Software

• "Built" (joinbuilt.com/wnyc) - A service that allows users to earn points by paying rent, redeemable for hotels, airlines, Lyft rides, and dining.
• "Progressive's Name Your Price Tool" - A tool offered by Progressive Insurance to show coverage options that fit customer needs.
• "Seed DS01" (seed.com/public) - A 24-strain probiotic and prebiotic engineered to survive digestion and support healthy regularity.

Articles & Papers

• Opinion piece in the Wall Street Journal (co-written by Jay Bhattacharya) - Argued that there wasn't enough evidence for the virus's lethality to justify stay-at-home orders.
• "The Great Barrington Declaration" - A manifesto calling for "focused protection" during the pandemic, issued by Jay Bhattacharya and two other scholars.
• Opinion piece in The New York Times (co-authored by Alan Garber) - Warned against taking measures that would shut down the economy and mentioned herd immunity as a pathway back to normal life.
• "Compact" (proposed by the Trump administration) - A proposal for universities that sign on to its vision for higher education, including merit-based admissions and hiring.

People Mentioned

• Donald Trump (Former President of the United States) - His administration's actions regarding federal research funding and pressure campaigns on universities are a central theme.
• Dr. Alan Garber (President of Harvard University) - A former mentor and colleague of Jay Bhattacharya, whose career path and actions during the Harvard leadership crisis are discussed.
• Dr. Jay Bhattacharya (Stanford University Professor, Director of the National Institutes of Health) - A central figure in the episode, whose academic career, views on the pandemic, and subsequent appointment to lead the NIH are explored.
• Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (Secretary of Health and Human Services) - Jay Bhattacharya's boss in the hypothetical Trump administration, known for his views on vaccines.
• Dr. Ashish Jha (Dean of the School of Public Health at Brown University) - A former colleague of Alan Garber and advisor to the Biden administration on COVID policy, who offers commentary on the events.
• Dr. Claudine Gay (Former President of Harvard University) - Her departure from Harvard and the context of the congressional hearing are discussed.
• Elise Stefanik (Republican Representative) - Questioned Claudine Gay before Congress.
• Dan Lieberman (Professor of Evolutionary Biology) - A longtime running buddy of Alan Garber, who discusses Garber's analytical approach.
• Rick Rubin (Music Producer) - Jay Bhattacharya appeared on his podcast to discuss his early life experiences and career path.
• Amitav Chandra (Health Economist) - A former intern mentored by Jay Bhattacharya at the RAND Corporation.
• Francis Collins (Former Director of the NIH) - Referred to Jay Bhattacharya and his allies as "fringe epidemiologists" in an email to Anthony Fauci.
• Anthony Fauci (Former Chief Medical Advisor to the President) - Mentioned in an email from Francis Collins.
• Laura Ingram (Host) - Jay Bhattacharya spoke with her about his experiences.
• Andrew Huberman (Host) - Jay Bhattacharya discussed the lockdowns on his podcast.
• Bill Cassidy (Republican Senator) - A doctor and committee chairman who questioned Jay Bhattacharya during his confirmation hearing.
• Elon Musk (CEO of X, formerly Twitter) - Mentioned in relation to the Department of Government Efficiency and his purchase of Twitter.
• Tusi Gabbert (Director of National Intelligence) - Shared top billing with Jay Bhattacharya at the National Conservatism Conference.
• Russell Vought (OMB Director) - Shared top billing with Jay Bhattacharya at the National Conservatism Conference.
• Sarah Coburn (NIH Staffer) - A 21-year NIH veteran who signed the Bethesda Declaration and spoke about her concerns.
• Nancy Barnes (Editor, The Boston Globe) - Thanked for her contribution.
• Ryan Huddle (Episode Art) - Thanked for his contribution.
• Jasmine Aguilera - Thanked for her contribution.
• Valentina Powers - Thanked for her contribution.

Organizations & Institutions

• WNYC Studios - The producer of the podcast.
• Harvard Medical School - Where Camilla Naxarova works.
• The Boston Globe - Collaboration partner for "The Harvard Plan" series.
• National Institutes of Health (NIH) - A primary source of federal research funding, and the agency Jay Bhattacharya is nominated to lead.
• Stanford University - Where Jay Bhattacharya is a professor.
• Veterans Administration hospital in Palo Alto - Where Dina Bravada encountered Alan Garber.
• RAND Corporation - Where Jay Bhattacharya worked after medical school.
• The Trump Administration - Its policies on research funding and universities are a major focus.
• The Biden Administration - Its actions regarding COVID-19 messaging and social media are discussed.
• X (formerly Twitter) - Jay Bhattacharya discusses his experience being blacklisted on the platform.
• The Supreme Court - The lawsuit over free speech and social media companies went to the Supreme Court.
• The Gateway Pundit - A hub for conspiracy theories, mentioned as a co-plaintiff in a lawsuit with Jay Bhattacharya.
• The Department of Government Efficiency - Staffed by Elon Musk's trusted people, it was slashing staff and programs in the government.
• The Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions - Where Jay Bhattacharya's confirmation hearing took place.
• The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) - The head of this agency was forced out.
• The National Cancer Institute - Where Sarah Coburn works.
• The National Conservatism Conference - Where Jay Bhattacharya gave a talk.

Courses & Educational Resources

• Intro to Economics course at Stanford - This course significantly influenced Jay Bhattacharya's career path.

Websites & Online Resources

• joinbuilt.com/wnyc - Website for Built.
• progressive.com - Website for Progressive Insurance.
• seed.com/public - Website for Seed.
• start here (ABC News podcast) - Recommended for listeners who like "On the Media".
• betterhelp.com/public - Website for BetterHelp.
• swanauctiongalleries.com - Website for Swan Auction Galleries.

Other Resources

• Cell culture room - Shown as part of Camilla Naxarova's lab at Harvard Medical School.
• Grant evaluations - The process of evaluating grants for "bad words" is discussed.
• Visa lottery - How Jay Bhattacharya's father was able to immigrate to the United States.
• Rickshaw - Used by Jay Bhattacharya's family to get to the station during a trip to India.
• Cassette recording from 1994 - Of Alan Garber speaking at a women's health research seminar.
• PSTD - Post-traumatic stress disorder, mentioned in relation to veterans.
• Agent Orange exposure - Mentioned in relation to veterans.
• COVID-19 - The pandemic and its impact on research, policy, and public discourse are the central topics.
• Vaccines - Their development, efficacy, and public perception are discussed throughout.
• Ivermectin - Mentioned as a controversial treatment for coronavirus.
• Hydroxychloroquine - Mentioned as a controversial preventative for coronavirus.
• Tylenol - Mentioned by President Trump in relation to autism.
• Quantum science - Highlighted as a strategic area for the nation, particularly in competition with China.
• Biosciences - The US falling behind China in this field is a concern.
• X (formerly Twitter) - Jay Bhattacharya describes being placed on a blacklist on the platform.
• First Amendment - Its role in free speech and its perceived fragility are discussed.
• Food dyes - Mentioned as an issue Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is focused on.
• mRNA vaccine development - Its cancellation is discussed.