Hub Digest | Feb. 25, 2026

Reducing human suffering through the lens of infectious disease, love in action, and more

We are two months in already—I hope your year is coming along well with a balance of excitement and restorative calm. Activity in the Hub is lively with reflections, art, articles for thought, and interesting events. Take a look at February’s highlights below!

Hub User Spotlight

Our February spotlight is Carlos Franco-Paredes, an infectious disease physician and public health practitioner. Dedicated to researching and addressing infectious diseases that impact vulnerable populations, he has been a medical expert in several lawsuits and inspected correctional facilities across the United States in collaboration with civil rights and immigration attorneys and advocacy groups.

What are your interests? I’m interested in reducing human suffering through the lens of infectious diseases. Infectious diseases offer a window of opportunity to identify, understand, and reduce social inequities.

What are you working on that most excites you? Currently, I am providing volunteer medical evaluation and addressing human rights for individuals seeking asylum in immigration detention.

What do you welcome Hub users to connect with you about? I welcome connections with anyone on any topic related to structurally vulnerable groups.

ICYMI: February Coffee & Conversations

Thanks to Mona El-Sherbini for leading us in a timely discussion on how we can protect our authentic voices in an era of rapidly increasing AI use in research. We were introduced to the concept of cognitive sovereignty, shared stories of how AI has helped or hindered our work, and the need for guidelines and transparency about the AI use in academic writing and peer review. 

Join us for the next one on March 20th—be sure to register!

In Discussions 

…and many more in the Discussions page!

In Groups 

  • Children’s Health and Well-being: Witnessing love in action can be moving—enough to lift the mood of an entire pediatrician office’s waiting room.
  • Microbes and Social Equity: The Microbes and Social Equity virtual website series is back for another year of monthly seminars where microbes, justice, health, and access to resources intersect.
  • Mentoring Research Network (MRN): Check out recordings from recent webinars about AI, microplastics implications for human fertility, and the importance of neglected and underutilized crops for the Global South.
  • Artists in Residence: Fellow Hub users show off their artistic side.

…check out all the Groups (or create your own)!

Hub Features & User Tips

  • Hub on the go! The Nova Integration Hub app for iOS and Android users.
  • Tip for engagement: Tap into the great minds here on the Hub! Post your requests for information, research help, articles, etc., in a relevant group or discussion topic, or directly to your profile as a status update.
  • Invite friends to join the Hub! Click on your profile photo, navigate down to “Email Invites,” and click “Send Invites.” Customize a message or just send the link – it’s easy! 
  • Just getting started on the Hub? Check out the Hub User Guide to watch a video or get step-by-step instructions.

Thank you again for being part of our community. We’d love to hear from you! Let us know how you like using the Hub, share your ideas and suggestions, or just say hello! Message Airynn Strout or Tolu Adewole on the Hub or email us at airynn@novainstituteforhealth.org or tolu@novainstituteforhealth.org. 

Responses

You’re invited: Help co-create the future of Nova’s digital communities

After three years of sparking connection and dialogue around transformative ideas in health and flourishing, the Nova Integration Hub will be closing on November 12, 2026. We’re currently in the lab developing new online community building initiatives—and you’re invited to help shape what comes next.

From the beginning, the Hub was created as a communal space that would help break down silos and foster dialogue across disciplines. It has been an experiment in connecting the dots, and with over 42 member-created groups and 654 active discussions, it has been a meaningful gathering place—a space where so many of you have generously shared ideas, wisdom, and inspiration in service of a more integrated and compassionate approach to health and well‑being. That spirit will carry forward into our next chapter.

As we look ahead, our goal is simple: Continue to pilot innovative forums for broad audiences to engage with researchers, creatives, educators, clinicians, policymakers, advocates, community organizers, journalists—anyone who wants to make a change in the world. We want to provide welcoming opportunities for conversation that will foster belonging rather than othering. We want to make unexpected connections that will lead us to the next bold leaps forward in health. Above all, we aim to spark joy and optimism about what’s possible for the planet we share.

So, where shall we go next? Your feedback about the Hub is extraordinarily meaningful to us, so please RSVP to attend one of our upcoming virtual town halls on Wednesday, November 4 at 3 p.m. U.S. Eastern Time and Thursday, November 12 at 3 p.m. U.S. Eastern Time. You may also submit comments in writing via our community listening form.

On behalf of the entire Nova team, we’re grateful for your participation, your curiosity, and your eagerness to share your perspectives on the Hub. Please visit Nova’s website at novainstituteforhealth.org and subscribe to our newsletter for the latest updates.

Questions?

Please email us at info@novainstituteforhealth.org for account support.

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