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Aimee Pugh Bernard

@funsizeimmuninja

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immunologist. science communicator. educator 📚 black belt 🥋 kick boxer 🥊 science nerd 🤓 TEDx speaker 🔴 …… opinions my own. not medical advice 🚫

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Ever wonder about the possible scenarios of the choices we make regarding the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine?

We mapped out every real outcome for both paths - the child who gets the MMR vaccine and the child who doesn’t.

This ‘choose your own path’ isn’t meant to scare you. It’s meant to show you the full picture so you can make an informed decision. And as always, please talk to your child’s pediatrician. They want you to feel confident and comfortable vaccinating your child. #immunology #vaccines #measlesvaccine #meded #mmrvaccine by @funsizeimmuninja

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My TEDxCU talk is LIVE on YouTube!
Confessions of a scientist: Science education needs communication training | Aimee Bernard | TEDxCU - PLEASE WATCH 🔴
LINK: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zpqRMWWnDZI

We train scientists to advance knowledge and make exciting discoveries but not how to talk about their work to the public. In this TEDx talk, I share personal stories from my ‘science swear jar’ to reveal hard won lessons and explore what happens when communication is missing from graduate and medical education.

This is a conversation about the limits we’ve built around science and what emerges when those limits are challenged. Aimee Bernard is a PhD immunologist with expertise in medical education and science communication. Through her work training graduate students and medical trainees, she has seen firsthand how often scientists are expected to communicate clearly without ever being taught how. She leads and contributes to science communication initiatives that help researchers translate complex ideas into clear language for public, clinical, and policy audiences.

Drawing on years of teaching, mentoring, and real world experience, her work focuses on making science more human, accessible, and impactful. In this TEDx talk, she brings an insider perspective on why communication training is an essential part of scientific education.

This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community - TEDxCU Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx #tedx #tedxcu #scicomm #confession #meded by @funsizeimmuninja

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5 months ago

The immune system has a lot of moving pieces that work together to keep you healthy. Understanding how the immune system works, helps you make smarter choices for yourself, your family, and your community. By understanding the science behind your health, you can better support your immune system through proven strategies like staying up to date on vaccinations, maintaining a balanced lifestyle, and trusting credible sources.

Swipe to explore how it works and impacts your health every day.

More info is available at the link in our bio!

#ImmunologyExplained #ImmuneSystem #immunology #immunehealth #ScienceEducation #HealthAwareness #PublicHealth #ScienceCommunication #UnbiasedScience by @funsizeimmuninja

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a year ago

We asked our community of experts why they get their flu vaccines. Here's what they said!

The influenza virus often changes from year to year making it difficult for the immune system to still recognize it. This is one of the many reasons the flu vaccine is recommended annually. While many people recover from the flu without complications, influenza can cause serious illness, hospitalization, and death, particularly in vulnerable populations. Getting vaccinated helps protect yourself and those at higher risk. To learn more about how the immune system fights influenza and how vaccines work, visit the link in bio.

#ImmunologyExplained #FightFlu by @funsizeimmuninja

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17 hours ago

Health education should reflect the people it serves, including showing what diseases can look like on darker skin tones.

As measles and other vaccine-preventable diseases reemerge, this matters even more. Many people have never seen these illnesses outside of a textbook or awareness campaign, and those images have not always represented the full range of skin tones.

A measles rash may look different on darker skin, and hepatitis B–related jaundice may be easier to recognize in the whites of the eyes than in the skin. If the images we share don’t reflect everyone, we risk leaving people less equipped to recognize symptoms and seek care.

Inclusive health education should not be an afterthought.

Sources & further reading:
• CDC Public Health Image Library: https://phil.cdc.gov/
• American Academy of Dermatology: https://www.aad.org/public/darker-skin/diseases
• NHS — Hepatitis B symptoms: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/hepatitis-b/

Thank you for being a fierce advocate for inclusive health education materials @funsizeimmuninja

#Equity #Health #PublicHealth #Science #Education by @funsizeimmuninja

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18 hours ago

Hay MUCHÍSIMO que analizar en esta publicación.

Podría haber intentado incluir todas las afirmaciones en un solo carrusel gigante, pero eso iría en contra del propósito. Si vamos a verificar la información, quiero revisar las fuentes y el contexto detrás de cada afirmación.

Así que vamos a analizar una afirmación a la vez.

Esta es la parte 1.

¿Cuántas partes habrá?

Lo sé tanto como ustedes.

Post traducido y original de:

@evidencebasedfamily
@brain_and_beyond_
@funsizeimmuninja taken in Earth by @funsizeimmuninja

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2 days ago

Welcome to Part 2 of this debunk series!

Today we are covering the next slide of claims one by one!

Have questions? Comment below!

#misinformation #vaccines #placebo #antivax #nuance by @funsizeimmuninja

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We keep thinking about pregnant people and babies who are still too young for routine measles vaccination. ❤️

As measles cases climb across the United States, our concern increases for the people who may be most vulnerable to infection and who may have fewer options for direct protection.

Measles is highly contagious and can cause serious complications. During pregnancy, infection can increase the risk of pregnancy loss, premature birth, and low birth weight. Infants are also at greater risk of severe illness, especially before they’re old enough for routine MMR vaccination.

Babies aren’t necessarily *completely* unprotected before their first dose. Some may have maternal antibodies, and infants ages 6–11 months may be eligible for an early MMR dose in certain circumstances, such as outbreaks or international travel. However, maternal antibodies vary, and an early dose doesn’t replace the routine two-dose series.

Pregnant people generally shouldn’t receive the MMR vaccine because it’s a live vaccine. That’s why knowing your immunity before pregnancy, when possible, is a really great way to protect yourself and baby. If you’re pregnant and unsure of your immunity, talk with your healthcare provider. If you suspect measles exposure, call ahead before visiting a healthcare facility.

For everyone else, check your vaccination records, follow local public health guidance, and take potential exposures seriously!

Community immunity is a wonderful way to protect people who are too young to be vaccinated, people who can’t receive certain vaccines, and those who remain vulnerable despite vaccination.

Sources: CDC, Measles Cases and Outbreaks; Pregnancy and Vaccines; Clinical Questions About Measles

THANK YOU @nationalphc for the wonderful graphic on the last slide here showing measles rashes on varying skin complexions. This was wonderfully done.

#measles #pregnancy #pregnant #baby #child by @funsizeimmuninja

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3 days ago

Find your birth month to receive your public health assignment!

Best of luck to you! 🤣

#publichealth #vaccines #vaers #measles #scicomm by @funsizeimmuninja

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3 days ago

Teaching ‘science communication’ to 4th year medical students in the ‘Research and Academic Leadership’ elective course! A 3-hour class session devoted to presenting their medical research projects to the general public. Today a panel of sci comm experts, along with their student colleagues, evaluated their presentations and gave them constructive feedback. From data to dialogue! Translating research for the public. A great day and incredibly important skill. #scicomm #meded #medicalschool #stem researchproject by @funsizeimmuninja

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4 days ago

You want people to make informed choices? Then give them the information.

Not a graph from an anti-vax group.
Not a claim without all the context.
Not a theoretical risk.

Show the actual data. Explain what it measures. Include the context. Let people understand what the evidence actually says.

Because if you have to cherry pick data, maybe the problem isn’t that people aren’t informed enough.

Maybe they’re just not being given the full story.

Informed consent requires accurate information. You can’t create informed people with misleading data and made-up facts.

Reference for slide 3: https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/70/wr/mm7031e2.htm

Reference for slide 10: https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/70/wr/mm7037e1.htm

#informedconsent #covid #misinformation #antivax #vaccines by @funsizeimmuninja

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4 days ago

After years of brewing, the Raising Environmental Awareness for Community Health (REACH) team published our program in Connected Science Learning, on behalf of the National Science Teaching Association (NSTA)!

We have been celebrating our article, “Raising Environmental Awareness for Community Health: The Implementation and Evaluation of an Environmental Science Outreach Program for Elementary Students,” with coffee after years of brewing the curriculum, implementation and impact of the program!

REACH was founded by Ariyani Challapalli, MD, Class of 2026, during her time in medical school (!!) and run by medical students from CU Anschutz under the guidance of me, Aimee Bernard. This program brings hands-on science activities related to environmental awareness to local elementary schools and libraries.

The aim of the program is to empower the next generation to take care of the environment!

This paper shares what we’ve learned about making STEM outreach work for the communities - and next generation of scientists - that we serve around the campus.

Huge thanks to our medical school volunteers, partner schools, and librarians. Cheers to many more cups of curiosity!

You can read our paper here: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/24758779.2025.2588485
You can watch our ‘Solar Oven Pizza Box’ video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MQywKKl7aRk

#environmentaleducation #scienceoutreach #STEMOutreach #SciComm #CUAnschutz by @funsizeimmuninja

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