Stories by Nidhi Subbaraman

Nidhi Subbaraman is a senior reporter at Nature who covers US science agencies and health research, and the impact of science and policy on communities.

Politics

Francis Collins, Head of NIH Who Led Human Genome Project, to Step Down

After 12 years at the helm of the top biomedical research agency, the geneticist will return to running his lab by year’s end

October 6, 2021 — Nidhi Subbaraman and Nature magazine

Policy

Biden’s New Science Adviser Talks COVID, Spying, and More

A conversation with Eric Lander during his first day as the director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy

June 7, 2021 — Nidhi Subbaraman and Nature magazine

Policy

Limit on Lab-Grown Human Embryos Dropped by Stem Cell Body

The International Society for Stem Cell Research relaxed the famous 14-day rule on culturing human embryos in its latest research guidelines

May 27, 2021 — Nidhi Subbaraman and Nature magazine

Policy

First Openly Transgender Top U.S. Official Is Set to Tackle Inequity

Biden health official Rachel Levine has a strong track record of fighting for social justice in health care, researchers say

March 30, 2021 — Amy Maxmen, Nidhi Subbaraman and Nature magazine

Policy

Major Physics Society Will Not Meet in Cities with Racist Policing Records

The American Physical Society’s new criteria for conference venues seem to be unique among scientific societies

March 2, 2021 — Nidhi Subbaraman and Nature magazine

Policy

‘Inspired Choice’: Biden Appoints Sociologist Alondra Nelson to Top Science Post

Scientists praise US president’s selection of the bioethics and social inequality specialist to help lead the Office of Science and Technology Policy

January 26, 2021 — Nidhi Subbaraman and Nature magazine

Policy

Meet Biden’s Science Team

As the U.S. president announces his advisers and agency heads, Nature’s guide tracks the appointees who matter most to science

January 21, 2021 — Nidhi Subbaraman, Jeff Tollefson, Giuliana Viglione and Nature magazine

Policy

Biden Names Top Geneticist Eric Lander as Science Adviser

U.S. president-elect also elevates the position to the cabinet for the first time

January 16, 2021 — Nidhi Subbaraman, Alexandra Witze and Nature magazine

Policy

What a Joe Biden Presidency Would Mean For Science

The coronavirus pandemic, climate change and space exploration are among the issues that Biden will influence if he wins the upcoming U.S. election

October 2, 2020 — Amy Maxmen, Nidhi Subbaraman, Jeff Tollefson, Giuliana Viglione, Alexandra Witze and Nature magazine

Public Health

Who Will Get a COVID-19 Vaccine First? Access Plans Are Taking Shape

Advisory groups around the world have released guidance to prioritize healthcare workers and those in front-line jobs

September 18, 2020 — Nidhi Subbaraman and Nature magazine

Policy

Grieving and Frustrated: Black Scientists Call Out Racism in the Wake of Police Killings

An academic strike is planned for this week, alongside marches and demonstrations worldwide

June 9, 2020 — Nidhi Subbaraman and Nature magazine

Public Health

Addressing the Coronavirus’s Outsized Toll on People of Color

U.S. scientists say that better data, testing and hospital preparedness are key to tackling the significant racial disparities

May 19, 2020 — Nidhi Subbaraman and Nature magazine

Public Health

Why Daily Death Tolls Are So Important in Understanding the Coronavirus Pandemic

COVID-19’s lethality provides a grim opportunity to track its spread

April 10, 2020 — Nidhi Subbaraman and Nature magazine

Policy

NASA Soars and Others Plummet in Trump’s Budget Proposal

U.S. research sees deep cuts in the president’s request for 2021. But Congress has resisted similar reductions in the past

February 11, 2020 — Alexandra Witze, Nidhi Subbaraman, Giuliana Viglione, Jeff Tollefson and Nature magazine

Mind & Brain

Large Study of Stem Cells for Autism Draws Criticism

Experts say a $15-million trial to explore stem cells from cord blood for treating autism is premature

July 15, 2014 — Nidhi Subbaraman and Spectrum

Biology

Camel Genome Holds Desert Survival Secrets

Various genomic tricks help Bactrian camels to live in harsh conditions, and give them an ability to regulate insulin signalling pathways and withstand massive blood glucose and salt levels...

November 13, 2012 — Nidhi Subbaraman and Nature magazine

Biology

Lab-Made Droplets Move Themselves Continuously without External Force

The gel droplets mimic the molecular motors inside living cells

November 7, 2012 — Nidhi Subbaraman and Nature magazine

The Sciences

Wind Tunnel Tests Reveal Pterosaurs Could Soar for Hours

The ancient reptiles coasted on thermals and landed slowly

November 24, 2010 — Nidhi Subbaraman