Kristen Kwan
@blockintheback.bsky.social
Professor, U of Utah. Biology, family, sports, food. Knitter, musician, aspiring weaver. SLC, via LA, the Bay Area, and Boston. Views are my own.
Pinned
Kristen Kwan
@blockintheback.bsky.social
· Nov 11
Since I'm finally moving here, here's a bit about me: my lab studies the cellular and molecular basis of vertebrate eye morphogenesis using zebrafish as a model system, combining multidimensional imaging, computational approaches, and molecular genetics. Excited to see you all!
Felt this on campus at the University of Utah
Felt #earthquake: 4.7 #quake Summit County, 55 mi east of Salt Lake City, Salt Lake County, Utah, United States, 7 minutes ago - 48 reports so far.
Did you feel it? Send a report!
Did you feel it? Send a report!
Felt earthquake: 4.7 quake Summit County, 55 mi east of Salt Lake City, Salt Lake County, Utah, United States, 7 minutes ago
Detail infos, updates and user reports for this event
www.volcanodiscovery.com
January 22, 2026 at 2:57 PM
Felt this on campus at the University of Utah
Just felt a little earthquake in Salt Lake City?
January 22, 2026 at 2:53 PM
Just felt a little earthquake in Salt Lake City?
Reposted by Kristen Kwan
🧪IMPORTANT! This graphic explains how science all over the US is funded. Congress approved a 2% increase in the #NIH budget for FY 26.
Buried in the bill-
Shift of ~40% of grants to MYF. This will still result in a 35% DECREASE in the NUMBER of grants funded per yr.
Russel Vought is behind this.
Buried in the bill-
Shift of ~40% of grants to MYF. This will still result in a 35% DECREASE in the NUMBER of grants funded per yr.
Russel Vought is behind this.
January 22, 2026 at 1:25 AM
🧪IMPORTANT! This graphic explains how science all over the US is funded. Congress approved a 2% increase in the #NIH budget for FY 26.
Buried in the bill-
Shift of ~40% of grants to MYF. This will still result in a 35% DECREASE in the NUMBER of grants funded per yr.
Russel Vought is behind this.
Buried in the bill-
Shift of ~40% of grants to MYF. This will still result in a 35% DECREASE in the NUMBER of grants funded per yr.
Russel Vought is behind this.
Reposted by Kristen Kwan
Good news from NIH!
Michael Chiang has apparently been reappointed as Director of the National Eye Institute
www.nei.nih.gov/about/our-mi...
Michael Chiang has apparently been reappointed as Director of the National Eye Institute
www.nei.nih.gov/about/our-mi...
Michael F. Chiang, M.D. | National Eye Institute
Michael F. Chiang is director of the National Eye Institute, at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Maryland.
www.nei.nih.gov
January 21, 2026 at 8:40 PM
Good news from NIH!
Michael Chiang has apparently been reappointed as Director of the National Eye Institute
www.nei.nih.gov/about/our-mi...
Michael Chiang has apparently been reappointed as Director of the National Eye Institute
www.nei.nih.gov/about/our-mi...
Reposted by Kristen Kwan
Great overview of the damage to science over the past year.
This shows NIH awarded 24% fewer new research awards in FY2025 vs 2024.
The multiyear funding language in the new LHHS bill means we should expect the same amount of new science this year.
www.nature.com/immersive/d4...
This shows NIH awarded 24% fewer new research awards in FY2025 vs 2024.
The multiyear funding language in the new LHHS bill means we should expect the same amount of new science this year.
www.nature.com/immersive/d4...
US science after a year of Trump: what has been lost and what remains
A series of graphics reveals how the Trump administration has sought historic cuts to science and the research workforce.
www.nature.com
January 21, 2026 at 4:16 PM
Great overview of the damage to science over the past year.
This shows NIH awarded 24% fewer new research awards in FY2025 vs 2024.
The multiyear funding language in the new LHHS bill means we should expect the same amount of new science this year.
www.nature.com/immersive/d4...
This shows NIH awarded 24% fewer new research awards in FY2025 vs 2024.
The multiyear funding language in the new LHHS bill means we should expect the same amount of new science this year.
www.nature.com/immersive/d4...
Reposted by Kristen Kwan
One year into Trump's second presidency, how are science and medical research faring? Our @nature.com team breaks it down for you. (1/n)
From @virginiagewin.bsky.social, learn about
Layoffs ✅
Funding cuts ✅
Attacks on science ✅
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
🧪
From @virginiagewin.bsky.social, learn about
Layoffs ✅
Funding cuts ✅
Attacks on science ✅
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
🧪
‘Shattered’: US scientists speak out about how Trump policies disrupted their careers
Researchers lay bare the human toll of lay-offs, funding cuts and attacks on science one year after the president’s return to the White House.
www.nature.com
January 20, 2026 at 3:41 PM
One year into Trump's second presidency, how are science and medical research faring? Our @nature.com team breaks it down for you. (1/n)
From @virginiagewin.bsky.social, learn about
Layoffs ✅
Funding cuts ✅
Attacks on science ✅
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
🧪
From @virginiagewin.bsky.social, learn about
Layoffs ✅
Funding cuts ✅
Attacks on science ✅
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
🧪
Reposted by Kristen Kwan
The NIH's MYF policy in 2025 resulted in 4000 fewer grants and fellowships that touched every area of biology and medicine; continuing it in 2026 would be disastrous for science, technology and health in the United States 🧪
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
January 20, 2026 at 11:39 PM
The NIH's MYF policy in 2025 resulted in 4000 fewer grants and fellowships that touched every area of biology and medicine; continuing it in 2026 would be disastrous for science, technology and health in the United States 🧪
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
Survivorship Bias Sugar Cookies for the Human Genetics Department Holiday Baking Extravaganza
December 18, 2025 at 9:24 PM
Survivorship Bias Sugar Cookies for the Human Genetics Department Holiday Baking Extravaganza
« Not in word list » 😕
November 24, 2025 at 9:08 PM
« Not in word list » 😕
Reposted by Kristen Kwan
An honor and dream come true to perform alongside Yo-Yo Ma, presented by Celebrity Series at Boston Symphony Hall. 💜
🎼Ave Maria (Bach/Gounod)
🎼Ave Maria (Bach/Gounod)
November 22, 2025 at 6:29 PM
An honor and dream come true to perform alongside Yo-Yo Ma, presented by Celebrity Series at Boston Symphony Hall. 💜
🎼Ave Maria (Bach/Gounod)
🎼Ave Maria (Bach/Gounod)
This week, the world lost a beacon of joy, compassion, and generosity. We will miss you, Virginia. 💔
www.vcstar.com/obituaries/p...
www.vcstar.com/obituaries/p...
Virginia Eleanor Klemz Weber Obituary - Ventura County Star
Virginia Eleanor Klemz Weber, 75, of Ventura, California, passed away peacefully at her home on October 27, 2025, four days shy of her 76th...
www.vcstar.com
November 1, 2025 at 8:23 PM
This week, the world lost a beacon of joy, compassion, and generosity. We will miss you, Virginia. 💔
www.vcstar.com/obituaries/p...
www.vcstar.com/obituaries/p...
Article on research cuts beginning to affect the University of Utah (gift link):
“At this point, [University President] Randall noted, the U hasn’t felt the full effects of the Trump administration’s research cuts. ‘What will happen next year,’ he said, ‘we will see.’”
www.sltrib.com/news/educati...
“At this point, [University President] Randall noted, the U hasn’t felt the full effects of the Trump administration’s research cuts. ‘What will happen next year,’ he said, ‘we will see.’”
www.sltrib.com/news/educati...
How the University of Utah is scrambling to cover the millions lost from Trump’s research cuts
University of Utah President Taylor Randall has worked to provide "bridge funding" to keep the U.'s research going despite federal cuts. But there have still been some layoffs.
www.sltrib.com
September 25, 2025 at 1:28 PM
Article on research cuts beginning to affect the University of Utah (gift link):
“At this point, [University President] Randall noted, the U hasn’t felt the full effects of the Trump administration’s research cuts. ‘What will happen next year,’ he said, ‘we will see.’”
www.sltrib.com/news/educati...
“At this point, [University President] Randall noted, the U hasn’t felt the full effects of the Trump administration’s research cuts. ‘What will happen next year,’ he said, ‘we will see.’”
www.sltrib.com/news/educati...
Reposted by Kristen Kwan
A deep dive into the destruction of US cancer research by @jonathanmahler.bsky.social “It’s an absolutely unmitigated disaster,” a former top official at NIH told him. “It will take decades to recover from this, if we ever do.” Gift link: nyti.ms/48iH3Cr
nyti.ms
September 14, 2025 at 2:44 PM
A deep dive into the destruction of US cancer research by @jonathanmahler.bsky.social “It’s an absolutely unmitigated disaster,” a former top official at NIH told him. “It will take decades to recover from this, if we ever do.” Gift link: nyti.ms/48iH3Cr
Le Pas Espagnol Op. 56, No. 6 by Fauré
Super-fun performing with my son (17) despite the near-disaster of our music being blown off of the piano in the drafty recital hall - we were saved by my daughter (13)!
Super-fun performing with my son (17) despite the near-disaster of our music being blown off of the piano in the drafty recital hall - we were saved by my daughter (13)!
August 23, 2025 at 2:07 AM
Le Pas Espagnol Op. 56, No. 6 by Fauré
Super-fun performing with my son (17) despite the near-disaster of our music being blown off of the piano in the drafty recital hall - we were saved by my daughter (13)!
Super-fun performing with my son (17) despite the near-disaster of our music being blown off of the piano in the drafty recital hall - we were saved by my daughter (13)!
Snapshots from end-of-summer travels: Pennsylvania
(1/2)
(1/2)
August 8, 2025 at 5:31 AM
Snapshots from end-of-summer travels: Pennsylvania
(1/2)
(1/2)
Reposted by Kristen Kwan
We need a new microscope objective. A $1.6k tariff for something that you can hold in your hand and that is only manufactured in Germany
August 1, 2025 at 8:50 PM
We need a new microscope objective. A $1.6k tariff for something that you can hold in your hand and that is only manufactured in Germany
Reposted by Kristen Kwan
www.statnews.com/2025/07/29/t...
“[OMB’s rule on NIH spending] constitutes the entirety of new and, possibly, ongoing research grant dollars that go from the NIH out to universities, academic medical centers, and other research institutions.”
e.g., noncompeting awards are in jeopardy
“[OMB’s rule on NIH spending] constitutes the entirety of new and, possibly, ongoing research grant dollars that go from the NIH out to universities, academic medical centers, and other research institutions.”
e.g., noncompeting awards are in jeopardy
July 30, 2025 at 1:41 AM
www.statnews.com/2025/07/29/t...
“[OMB’s rule on NIH spending] constitutes the entirety of new and, possibly, ongoing research grant dollars that go from the NIH out to universities, academic medical centers, and other research institutions.”
e.g., noncompeting awards are in jeopardy
“[OMB’s rule on NIH spending] constitutes the entirety of new and, possibly, ongoing research grant dollars that go from the NIH out to universities, academic medical centers, and other research institutions.”
e.g., noncompeting awards are in jeopardy
Reposted by Kristen Kwan
Op-Ed from Dana Carroll and my father Jerry Kaplan highlighting some amazing history of publicly funded science at the U. of Utah and how this is in grave jeopardy. First NIH grant ever was to U of U!
Proposed cuts to the National Institutes of Health and the National Science Foundation “would cause immense and largely irreversible damage to the successful American scientific enterprise,” write Jerry Kaplan and Dana Carroll in an op-ed.
Voices: Federal funding cuts to genetic research will be devastating for years to come
Proposed cuts to the National Institutes of Health and the National Science Foundation “would cause immense and largely irreversible damage to the successful American scientific enterprise,” write Jerry Kaplan and Dana Carroll in an op-ed.
www.sltrib.com
July 9, 2025 at 12:17 PM
Op-Ed from Dana Carroll and my father Jerry Kaplan highlighting some amazing history of publicly funded science at the U. of Utah and how this is in grave jeopardy. First NIH grant ever was to U of U!
Reposted by Kristen Kwan
The University of Utah could be in danger of losing $100+ million annually
School leaders worry Trump administration’s court-contested grant policies could severely impact local research, jobs
www.deseret.com/utah/2025/07...
School leaders worry Trump administration’s court-contested grant policies could severely impact local research, jobs
www.deseret.com/utah/2025/07...
An existential research crisis at the University of Utah?
School leaders sound the alarms of the possibly heavy costs that would be exacted by proposed grant policies proposed by the Trump administration.
www.deseret.com
July 21, 2025 at 3:47 AM
The University of Utah could be in danger of losing $100+ million annually
School leaders worry Trump administration’s court-contested grant policies could severely impact local research, jobs
www.deseret.com/utah/2025/07...
School leaders worry Trump administration’s court-contested grant policies could severely impact local research, jobs
www.deseret.com/utah/2025/07...
Reposted by Kristen Kwan
New story about CBO analysis of the effects of NIH cuts and FDA changes on drug development.
1/n
[Gift link]
www.nytimes.com/2025/07/18/h...
1/n
[Gift link]
www.nytimes.com/2025/07/18/h...
Health Cuts Would Result in Fewer Drugs for Americans, Budget Office Reports
www.nytimes.com
July 18, 2025 at 3:44 PM
New story about CBO analysis of the effects of NIH cuts and FDA changes on drug development.
1/n
[Gift link]
www.nytimes.com/2025/07/18/h...
1/n
[Gift link]
www.nytimes.com/2025/07/18/h...
