by Melissa Tribelhorn
Dear Members,
I wanted to share a few reflections from my recent trip to Portland — and update you on some important policy developments — that underscore why our commitment to science-backed communication is more critical than ever.
Lessons from Touring the Oregon National Primate Research Center (ONPRC)
At the end of September, I had the privilege of visiting OHSU and the ONPRC. Walking through their labs, talking with scientists, veterinarians, and program directors, I was reminded in a visceral way of how rigorous, mission-driven science operates at the frontier of human health.
At ONPRC, the work is organized across divisions in immunology, neuroscience, reproductive biology, genetics, metabolic health, and more. They offer core resources in imaging, molecular virology, bioinformatics, and tissue-sharing — all designed to generate reproducible, high-integrity data. I also spoke with colleagues defending the role of primate research in medicine more broadly. As the ONPRC has publicly reaffirmed, research in representative animal models remains essential for many breakthroughs in vaccines, gene therapies, and translational biology — while always being bound by the highest standards of oversight and ethics.
What struck me most: when you’re on the ground and in the labs, you see the tentative steps between hypothesis and impact — the thousands of decisions, the controls, the replication, the rigorous care given to the animals — and how fragile trust is in that process. It’s not abstract. It’s real.
It reminded me: at NWABR, saying “science-backed” is not a badge. It is a daily discipline — in language, in transparency, in humility about what we do and don’t know, and how we perform the work.
Updates in Washington State
You’ve likely followed the recent debate in Washington regarding ACIP (the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices) and state-level vaccine policy. A promising sign: Governor Bob Ferguson publicly criticized recent ACIP recommendations for undermining vaccine access, especially for families who rely on the Vaccines for Children (VFC) program. (Washington State Department of Health)
To quote Governor Ferguson, “These recommendations make it harder for families to get a vaccine that the science says is safe and effective. … This sets an alarming precedent about how this committee will be making recommendations.”
The core of his concern — and our shared concern — is that new federal advisory policies are not based in evidence-backed research and provide inaccurate information to the public, including parents of children in areas where we are seeing upticks in outbreaks of preventable diseases.
Moreover, the governor has indicated Washington may disconnect from ACIP-derived mandates in order to restore more science-led, state-controlled vaccine policies. (WSIU) In other words: states are stepping in where federal guidance has grown politicized.
This is a moment of transition. The federal advisory framework is strained; states are forming their own alliances (for example, the newly formed West Coast Health Alliance) to offer unified, evidence-based vaccine guidance across Washington, Oregon, and California.
That means NWABR’s mission — to foster credible, transparent, and scientifically grounded public communication — has never been more essential.
What This Means for NWABR & the Research Community
- Science is nonnegotiable (and defensible).
We cannot afford to drift into ambiguity, spin, or vague assurances. Every communication — whether a newsletter, social post, policy brief, media comment, or conversation with friends over BBQ — should connect back to what the science makes possible: real cures, better treatments, and healthier communities, all grounded in trusted data and transparent evidence. - Narratives matter.
The public doesn’t see lab notebooks — they see your website, your op-eds, your graphics. And often they see the graphics from PCRM, PETA, and White Coat Waste BEFORE they see our work. We MUST start conveying the compassion that drives this work — as I saw firsthand at ONPRC — so we can share that story more powerfully. Every step from bench to bedside is guided by care: for the research subjects, for the patients who will benefit, and for the communities we serve. Our communications should reflect that empathy and dedication, helping the public see the humanity behind the science. - We must protect access and equity.
As the Ferguson example shows, policy changes can erode access — particularly for those already underserved. We must advocate not only for evidence-based recommendations, but for equitable implementation (e.g. insurance coverage, vaccine delivery logistics, funding for safety monitoring). - State-level voices are rising.
With more states questioning federal advisory structures, the role of trusted regional, institutional, and community voices becomes more influential than ever. Our partnerships at the state and local levels are imperative.
What You’ll See from NWABR in Coming Months
- We’re bringing back the “Trusting the Science” series: unpacking how biomedical safety and efficacy are assessed, how advisory committees like ACIP work (and when they don’t), and how to read signal versus noise in public discourse. Upcoming “Trusting the Science” will be designed specifically to link experts in state and local public health with the research community. Stay tuned for schedule and venue updates.
- Engagement with policymakers and media: ensuring that “science-backed” isn’t just a slogan but a basis for decision-making. I will be in Washington, D.C. this month, alongside the PEER coalition, to advocate with the WA & OR Congressional delegations about the importance and irreplaceability of animal research.
- Member-only briefings: NWABR and our partner orgs will host sessions where we walk through emerging policies (e.g. state-level vaccine guidance), and where you can raise questions, challenge assumptions, and cross-check our framing. Please email me if you’re interested in receiving a briefing at your institution. Also check out USARO’s upcoming webinar series.
- Revamped IACUC and Biosafety networks here in the Northwest: if you are interested in being part of more formal IACUC or IBC connections, please email me at melissa@nwabr.org.
I came away from Portland more energized, but also more aware of how delicate the bridge is between discovery and trust. The path from “bench to bedside” is long, and it’s only as robust as our social contract with the public allows it to be.
Thank you for being part of this mission. I’m deeply grateful for all of you — for your trust, your critical questions, and your commitment to accuracy over convenience.
Please feel free to reply with any thoughts, questions, or ideas.
Note: NWABR does not endorse any political candidate or elected official. The information in this newsletter is shared solely for educational and informational purposes and should not be interpreted as endorsement.
Some further reading:
- CDC endorses vaccine panel changes to Covid, MMRV shot recommendations politico.com
- The Doctors Building a Public-Health Universe Outside the Government wsj.com
- West Coast states issue unified vaccine recommendations Gov. Ferguson Press Release
In Community,
Melissa
Melissa Tribelhorn, MPA (she/her)
CEO/Executive Director
