Simon Grimm

Hi there, I'm Simon Grimm. I am currently working on building a reliable early warning system to detect novel pandemics at the Nucleic Acid Observatory (NAO), working with Will Bradshaw, Jeff Kaufman, and others. I'm affiliated with MIT's Sculpting Evolution and SecureBio.

If you want to learn more about the NAO, biosecurity, or other things I'm interested in, please reach out: simonleandergrimm@gmail.com. You can also find me on Twitter, Github, Linkedin, and Goodreads.

White Papers

Investigating the Sensitivity of Pooled Swab Sampling for Pathogen Early Detection

Will Bradshaw and I take existing swab sample sequencing data, adjust it to better represent samples from non-hospital settings, and use the results to model the likely sensitivity of a swab-sampling and metagenomics-based early detection system.

Simon Grimm, Will Bradshaw

Comparing Sampling Strategies for Early Detection of Stealth Biothreats

Will Bradshaw and I outline how to think about the benefits and drawbacks of different sampling strategies for the early detection of asymptomatically spreading pathogens. Frameworks like the ones discussed in the report are used by the NAO to assess various sampling strategies, like wastewater or swab sampling.

Will Bradshaw, Simon Grimm

Preprints/Articles

Inferring the Sensitivity of Wastewater Metagenomic Sequencing for Pathogen Early Detection

In this preprint, we create a modelling framework that combines epidemiological data and metagenomic sequencing data to infer the sensitvitiy and cost of wastewater metagenomic sequencing for pathogen early detection.

Simon Grimm, Jeff Kaufman, et al.

Indoor Air Sampling for Detection of Viral Nucleic Acids

In this review we examine the sources and composition of viral bioaerosols, evaluate the benefits and drawbacks of air sampling technologies, and lay out strategies for effective implementation of air sampling programs.

Lennart Justen, Simon Grimm, Kevin Esvelt, Will Bradshaw

Blog Posts

Thoughts and Links I

Germany’s slow move toward supply-side reform

On why talent sorting in Germany is flawed