Reimagining Research Funding: Navigating the 15% Indirect Cost Cut in NIH Funding with Dr. Giovanni Filardo

Public health research is facing a major funding shift—but what does the 15% indirect cost cut mean for researchers, and how can we adapt?

In this episode, with Dr. Giovanni Filardo, a leading epidemiologist, health services researcher, and NIH/AHRQ-funded Principal Investigator, we will explore grant funding strategies, NIH and AHRQ grant survival tactics, and the power of collaboration in securing research funding.

Four Key Takeaways:

1. The Funding Shift: What does this 15% indirect cut mean for researchers, especially those early in their careers?

2. Survival Strategies: What strategies should researchers adopt to navigate this new funding landscape?

3. Collaborative Approaches: How important is collaboration now more than ever in sustaining funding and scaling impact?

4. The Bigger Picture: How do we reimagine funding models in public health research to ensure sustainability and innovation.

Whether you’re a public health professional, researcher, academic, grant writer, or funding strategist, this episode provides essential insights on navigating budget cuts, securing competitive grants, and sustaining impactful research.

Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share to stay ahead in the world of public health research, epidemiology, and healthcare funding!

#PublicHealth #ResearchFunding #NIHGrants #AHRQFunding #GrantWriting #AcademicResearch #Epidemiology #HealthcareResearch #FundingStrategy #Grants #ResearchInnovation #ScienceFunding #HealthPolicy #PublicHealthPodcast #FundingOpportunities

In this episode of "A USAID Insider’s Perspective on the Future of Global Health" on the What Is Public Health Podcast, we will dive deep into the shocking dismantling of U.S. Agency of International Development (USAID)—a move that is reshaping the future of public health.

Joined by Dr. Gretchen De Silva, former Senior Policy Advisor at USAID, we unpack how this pivotal shift will impact public health, international development, and the very future of aid. From the agency’s massive contributions to health crises, to the political decisions behind its dismantling, listen in for a candid conversation that challenges how we think about the intersection of policy, global impact, and future solutions.

To learn more about USAID:

⁠https://www.usaidstopwork.com/

Connect with Dr. Gretchen De Silva on LinkedIn

linkedin.com/in/gretchendesilva

Dr. Gretchen De Silva's Biography:

Gretchen De Silva was most recently a Senior Policy Advisor in the USAID Bureau for Global Health. In this role she managed formula@on and implementaion of development policies. She also coordinated all mulilateral engagements for the Bureau, such as with WHO, UNICEF, Gavi and others. In addition to her regular role, she was also serving as USAID’s Deputy Mpox Response Manager for the ongoing mpox clade 1 outbreak in central Africa. During her 6 years at USAID, Dr. De Silva managed a variety of USAID global health programming including activities in the areas of HIV, COVID-19, TB, global health security and more. Her time also included two years working for the USAID Mission in Mozambique to support laboratory health systems and leading on all the Mission’s COVID-19 vaccine programming. During her time as a AAAS Science & Technology Policy fellow she worked as a policy analyst in the Office of Foreign Assistance at the Department of State where she researched mid to long-term trends in foreign assistance and served on the Coronavirus Global Response Unit.

Before making her transition from academia to government thanks to AAAS, Dr. De Silva taught courses in biology and public health at the University of Maryland School of Public Health, George Washington School of Medicine, and Montgomery College. Her research included everything from an analysis of an HIV defaulter tracing program to investigating the molecular mechanisms of vaccinia virus cell entry. Dr. De Silva has a PhD from Johns Hopkins University in molecular biology and an MPH in infectious disease epidemiology from Columbia University.

Heart disease is still the #1 killer—but let’s be real, making heart-healthy choices isn’t as easy as doctors make it sound.

• Why is fast food cheaper than a salad?
• Who has time for the gym when life is already packed?
• And what’s actually new in heart health research?

In this episode, we break down the latest science on inflammation, the polypill, and cutting-edge treatments, plus real-life barriers to healthy habits. More importantly—we’re talking big-picture fixes: how public health can make heart-healthy living the default, not the struggle.

Ready for real solutions? Tune in now!

Public health is evolving faster than ever in 2025! In this episode, we break down the Top 10 Public Health Trendsshaping our world—from AI in healthcare to climate change’s impact, mental health innovations, and the future of pandemic preparedness. Join us as we explore real-world case studies, expert insights, and actionable solutions to stay ahead in the ever-changing landscape of public health. Whether you're a health professional, policymaker, or just passionate about well-being, this episode is packed with must-know insights.

Listen now and be part of the future of health!

The world has changed. Have we?

Five years ago, when this podcast started, a global pandemic forced us to ask hard questions about public health. It was in the headlines. It was in our homes. It changed the way we lived, worked, and cared for one another. A pandemic reshaped our lives, and public health became front-page news. Then… silence.

But public health never stops. And now, neither do we.

Now, it’s 2025—and we’re in a whole new era.

I’m Dr. Kee Chan, a public health professor, researcher, and advocate, and I’m here to make sense of it all.

AI is transforming medicine.

Climate disasters are disrupting communities.

A mental health crisis is hitting young people harder than ever.

New policies are shaping access to care—and your health could be at risk.

This isn’t just another health podcast.

Each episode, I bring you real talk, expert insights, and practical ways to protect yourself, your family, and your community. This is What is Public Health?—the show that breaks down the science, the policies, and the population health challenges that impact YOU every day.

This podcast is different because we don’t just talk about problems—we talk about solutions.

Join me, Dr. Kee Chan, as we decode the science, unpack the policies, and empower you to be part of the solution. Because public health isn’t just a profession—it’s a collective force that shapes our lives. And together, we rise.

Subscribe now and never miss an episode.

Let’s get to work.

Subscribe and share now!

New episodes drop on Tuesday - making it your morning routine!

To connect with me, visit my website at https://keechanphd.com

- Why did people buy up all the toilet papers at the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic? then the hand sanitizers, and then face masks?

- How does chaos impact our sound decision-making?

- Can we learn to make better decisions with money when we panic?

To understand how our behavior influence what we do with our wallet, in this episode, you’ll learn why we buy what we buy, when we buy it and how we buy it. Remember at the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic, where all the toilet paper were one of the first commodity to be all bought up by the Masses? How does panic impact our decision-making and what we do with our wallet? You’ll learn easy to apply theory and concept based on behavioral economics and how these concepts can be applied to your personal and professional life. You can learn to pivot your business so it will survive and thrive during these uncertain times. If you’re ready to be a smarter and savvy consumer in midst of any chaos, then stay tune and listen on.

Our podcast guest speaker is Pei-Ying Chua who has a background in data science, economics, and neuroscience. Her experiences range across behavioral insights, data analytics for policy-making, and economic analysis. In particular, she is well-versed in communicating and working with stakeholders from multiple different domains. In her spare time, she enjoys writing about obscure concepts in more relatable ways. She holds combined BSc in Vision Science and Neuroscience from the University of Melbourne, an MPhil in Neuroscience from Cambridge, and an MA in Management from Harvard. She writes a newsletter for Linkedin and is the author of the book called “One-Minute Theorems” .

Connect with her on LinkedIn and subscribe to her LinkedIn Newsletter at Pei Ying Chua

- Does climate change really exist?

- What are the truths and misconceptions about climate change?

- Are you the only one worrying about climate change?

In this episode, you’ll learn the different causes of climate change and how climate extreme, such as too hot or too cold, can impact your health and what you can do about it? We also dive into the policy-making process in addressing climate change and how you can be part of this new change in creating a better environmental friendly place for yourself and your family and loved ones. Listen on.

Dr. Edward Maibach is a George Mason University Distinguished University Professor and director of Mason’s Center for Climate Change Communication. His work focuses on developing and applying social science insight to help society make informed decisions that will stabilize earth’s life-sustaining climate and prevent further harm from climate change. He earned his doctoral degree in communication science at Stanford University, his Masters in Public Health degree at San Diego State University, and his BA in psychology at University of California, San Diego.

Dr. Maibach will cover:

- What causes climate change?
- What are the major health impacts of climate extremes?
- What are the potential impacts of climate change on the pandemic? (i.e. any thoughts on coronavirus pandemic)
- What are the major challenges for scientists studying climate change and health linkages?
- How does the US develop policy responses to climate change?
- What can be done to protect populations from climate impacts?

Learn more about Dr. Edward Maibach at https://communication.gmu.edu/people/emaibach

Be a change agent for climate change by joining the Global Climate and Health Alliance at http://climateandhealthalliance.org

Learn more about climate change communication strategies at https://www.climatechangecommunication.org/portfolio-view/edward-maibach-4/

Learn about the Paris Agreement at https://cop23.unfccc.int/process-and-meetings/the-paris-agreement/the-paris-agreement

Learn more about the Yale University Program on Climate Communication at https://climatecommunication.yale.edu/about/