One biologist, one million deaths

The article discusses the multiple forms of expertise articulated by a specific kind digital influencer - online science communicators during COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil. Our case study focuses on performance Atila Iamarino, PhD Microbiology that achieved an unprecedented public recognition after predicting, YouTube live transmission, more than million people could die country due to coronavirus. Assuming relational and networked dimension expertise, how combined interchanged academic, affective, sociotechnical abilities his performances social media other (media) institutions health crisis marked lack coordination political instrumentalization Brazilian federal government. is based systematic observation Atila’s accounts Twitter, additional material published from March August 2020. In conclusions, managed visibility, alliances, scientific background radical uncertainty period, we highlight was built conditions possibility emerged Brazil pandemic, which reveals contemporary tensions between science, politics, media, epistemic institutions.