Welcome to the May 2026 Apothek Dispatch, where we decode the signal on health, environment, and technology.
This will be an abridged version of the monthly dispatch since I’ve been offline and off-grid for the past few weeks. I’ll open with my recent guest lecture for bioengineering students at George Mason University, where I explored the concept of unintended consequences in health technology deployment. The post linked below captures those reflections. In the technology section, I’ll share a webinar on the same theme examining the public health dangers of companion AI.
From the health sector, May has been an intense month with outbreaks of hantavirus and Ebola. Both raise questions about the current state of biosecurity in the US, particularly in light of the dissolution of USAID last year. For decades, the agency led global efforts on disease surveillance, outbreak response, and health system capacity strengthening. Its absence has left significant gaps in the early-warning systems and local health infrastructure required to contain outbreaks before they spread.
From the environment sector, we’ll explore the impact of the predicted El Niño cycle, the health impact of low-biodiversity tree plantations, and a surprisingly simple fix for urban heat islands.
We’ll close with current opportunities: jobs, consultancies, fellowships, and grants for those working at critical frontiers.
It’s all below. If this sounds useful, hit subscribe and share it with your network.
Hantavirus Response Shows How Trump Cuts Have Compromised U.S. Preparedness (NYT)
The hantavirus is a wake-up call. Will the Trump administration answer it? (STAT via Craig Spencer)
‘We’re not ready’: US lags on pandemic preparedness after Covid, experts say (Guardian)
W.H.O. Declares Ebola Outbreak a Global Health Emergency (NYT)
I Survived Ebola. This Is What Scares Me Most About This Outbreak (NYT via Craig Spencer)
Ebola spread in DR Congo ‘deeply alarming’, MSF warns (BBC)
State of the climate: Strong El Niño puts 2026 on track for second-warmest year (Carbon Brief)
Decade-long warming accelerates antibiotic resistance in grassland soils (Nature)
Japan is gripped by mass allergies. A 1950s project is to blame (BBC)
The solution to urban heat is much, much simpler than you think (Grist)
In this panel discussion hosted by the Brookings Institution, experts discuss the emerging public health risks of AI companion bots and propose several ways we can develop a public health regulatory framework to protect users.
“Everything that happens once can never happen again. But everything that happens twice will surely happen a third time.”
-Paulo Coelho (The Alchemist)
For RIF’d public servants from the foreign affairs community, the DACOR Bacon house is offering free “privileges of the house” that includes access to events at member pricing, the ability to reserve guest rooms, and “stop by/in” rights to the house during business hours.
Looking for a co-working space in DC? Former Gov and Eaton House are providing a weekly co-working space for the former government and military community on Tuesdays from 9a-5p. This is also a chance to connect with colleagues from Career Pivot for resume review or a mini-coaching session. Sign up here. [EXTENDED THROUGH JULY 2026]
AI Ethics Fellowship (Oxford University): Deadline June 13.
American India Foundation AI Impact Fellowship: For US citizens and permanent residents or citizens of India. Program dates: September 1, 2026 – June 30, 2027.
VA Tech School of Public International Affairs: Scholarships offered for displaced federal employees.
Georgetown University School of Health: Resources (including tuition discounts) for displaced federal workers and contractors.
Program Director (MSH): Outbreak response project, No deadline specified.
Health Program Director (National Governors Association): No deadline specified.
Executive Officer, National Academy of Medicine: No deadline specified.
Interim President (Interaction Institute for Social Change): No deadline specified.
Senior Manager (Instiglio): (Kenya based) No deadline specified.
Director, Tobacco Control, Africa Region (Vital Strategies) No deadline specified.
Technical Advisor, Health Financing, Data.FI (Palladium): No deadline specified.
Environment & Health Data Scientist, Lead Poisoning Prevention Program (Vital Strategies): No deadline specified.
Program Officer, Lead Poisoning Prevention Program (Vital Strategies): No deadline specified.
Health & Nutrition Technical Advisor (World Relief): No deadline specified.
Associate Director, MHPSS - AEMEA (Americares): No deadline specified.
Multiple mid-career contractor roles with the State Dept-GHSD Bureau: No deadline specified.
Manager, Public Policy Support, Safer Chemicals Project (Pew): No deadline specified.
Senior Associate, Private Sector, Safer Chemicals Project (Pew): No deadline specified.
Senior Advisor, Clean Energy (NY City): No deadline specified.
Senior Associate, Communications and Digital Media, Global Health Advocacy (UN Foundation): No deadline specified.
Regional Infectious Disease Surveillance Advisor (PATH): (open to candidates in the US, UK, Switzerland, Senegal, Kenya) No deadline specified.
Intern, Policy, U.S. Climate Alliance (UN Foundation)
Program Officer International Health (Johns Hopkins U)
Program Officer - NAM Leadership Consortium (National Academy of Medicine)
Program Associate, Tobacco Control (Vital Strategies)
Coordinator, Humanitarian Team (Interaction)
Intern - Digital Health, AI & MedTech (PATH) (New Delhi based)
Intern, Federal and External Affairs, U.S. Climate Alliance (UN Foundation): No deadline specified.
Research Associate, International Economics (CFR): No deadline specified.
Johns Hopkins U: Developer II (International Health) [req some comp sci skills] No deadline specified.
Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine: Program Analyst (Clinical Affairs) PMP certification preferred. No deadline specified.
Second Annual Research Conference on Global Lead Exposure (Center for Global Development): June 3-4, London, UK and livestreamed
International Conference on Urban Health, October 13-17, 2026 in Mexico City.
Global Digital Health Forum conference December 2-4, 2026 in Bangkok, Thailand. Submit abstracts by June 30, 2026.
Planetary Health MOOC (free)
Next Steps for Nature Webinar Featuring Prof Doug Tallamy Click link for recording link! The presentation is titled “How Can I Help? Saving nature with your yard.” See also this Gardenista article on lowering your carbon footprint in your outdoor space.
Help us strengthen the signal. Share any opportunities you've found this month in the comments below.Thank you for joining Apothek Dispatch. I'm excited to share this journey with you! This newsletter is free to everyone, thanks to the generous support of fellow Apothek Dispatch members. To support the effort, subscribe or upgrade below:
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