Berkeley Crowdfunding Donation

We’re pleased to share that, on behalf of our members, Hope 4 ME & Fibro NI has donated US $1,000 to the University of California, Berkeley’s crowdfunding campaign “Trial By Error – Fall 2025” led by Dr David Tuller.

This contribution supports Dr. Tuller’s ongoing work challenging flawed #ME research and advocating for better recognition and specialist services for people with ME/CFS and related conditions.

Dr David Tuller – Champion for Evidence-Based ME/CFS Research

Affiliation: University of California, Berkeley – Center for Global Public Health

Project: Trial By Error

Website: crowdfund.berkeley.edu/project/47768

Blog: Trial By Error – Virology Blog

Who He Is: Dr David Tuller, DrPH, is a public-health researcher and investigative journalist based at UC Berkeley. Formerly with The New York Times and Salon, he now focuses on exposing poor science and promoting rigorous, ethical research in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) and Long COVID.

Key Achievements

PACE Trial Investigation (2015):
His exposé “The Troubling Case of the PACE Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Study” revealed major methodological flaws in the influential UK PACE trial, which had promoted CBT and GET as effective treatments.
→ Read summary
Ongoing “Trial By Error” Series:
Since 2015, Tuller’s blog has provided detailed, referenced critiques of flawed ME/CFS and Long COVID studies, ensuring academic accountability and transparency.
→ Trial By Error on Virology.ws
Advocacy for Patients & Research Integrity:
Works with international scientists, patient advocates, and charities to press for biomedical understanding, highlight harms from GET, and challenge biased “biopsychosocial” models.
→ Health Rising profile

Focus Areas

Scientific Integrity – exposing weak or unethical research practices.
Post-Exertional Malaise (PEM) – ensuring this hallmark symptom is recognised in trials and clinical guidelines.
Research Policy & Guidelines – monitoring NICE, Cochrane, and international studies.
Long COVID – warning against repeating ME/CFS research mistakes.

Why It Matters

Tuller’s work has helped reshape international understanding of ME/CFS, contributing to:

Revision of UK NICE guidelines (2021) removing GET.
Greater recognition of biomedical mechanisms.
Informed patient advocacy for appropriate specialist services — vital for Northern Ireland and beyond.

Hope 4 ME & Fibro NI’s Connection

We were honoured to welcome Dr Tuller at our 2017 Stormont Conference and again in 2018 Newry with Professor Brian Hughes.