In May—when many in the U.S. were still asking, “What’s monkeypox?”—Joseph Osmundson offered a warning. The molecular biologist co-authored an op-ed predicting that the U.S. wasn’t prepared to contain the virus—and indeed, diagnoses soon swelled. Since then, the author of the essay collection Virology has been instrumental in guiding New York City’s vaccine distribution, helping implement a program that brings shots to places where people meet for sex and pushing for more inclusive eligibility criteria.
More Must-Reads From TIME
- The 100 Most Influential People of 2024
- How Far Trump Would Go
- Why Maternity Care Is Underpaid
- Scenes From Pro-Palestinian Encampments Across U.S. Universities
- Saving Seconds Is Better Than Hours
- Why Your Breakfast Should Start with a Vegetable
- Welcome to the Golden Age of Ryan Gosling
- Want Weekly Recs on What to Watch, Read, and More? Sign Up for Worth Your Time