Katie Wilkinson
@drkwilkinson.bsky.social
Neurophysiologist | http://wilkinsonneuro.com | Past Chair of the American Physiological Society's Science Policy Committee | she/hers
Pinned
Katie Wilkinson
@drkwilkinson.bsky.social
· Mar 20
a man says call your senators with his hands folded
ALT: a man says call your senators with his hands folded
media.tenor.com
Heading back from #FASEBOnTheHill and want to share what I learned and why I think all scientists need to be setting up meetings w their reps to talk about the impacts on science of the current chaos. #AcademicSky #NeuroSky @faseborg.bsky.social @apsphysiology.bsky.social 🧪
Reposted by Katie Wilkinson
Sir Ian McKellen performing a monologue from Shakespeare’s Sir Thomas More on the Stephen Colbert show. Never have I heard this monologue performed with such a keen sense of prescience. Nor have I ever been in this exact historical moment.TY Sir Ian, for reaching us once again.
#Pinks #ProudBlue
#Pinks #ProudBlue
February 5, 2026 at 11:50 AM
Sir Ian McKellen performing a monologue from Shakespeare’s Sir Thomas More on the Stephen Colbert show. Never have I heard this monologue performed with such a keen sense of prescience. Nor have I ever been in this exact historical moment.TY Sir Ian, for reaching us once again.
#Pinks #ProudBlue
#Pinks #ProudBlue
In honor of the athletics budget town hall tomorrow about a new student fee to primarily fund athletics: 10 SJSU assistant football coaches appear to make more money than full Profs like me (some over double as much) and the head coach makes over twice as much as our president. #priorities
February 5, 2026 at 4:16 AM
In honor of the athletics budget town hall tomorrow about a new student fee to primarily fund athletics: 10 SJSU assistant football coaches appear to make more money than full Profs like me (some over double as much) and the head coach makes over twice as much as our president. #priorities
Reposted by Katie Wilkinson
Going to try and watch this until I’m blinded by rage
Hearing today with the Senate HELP committee and NIH Director Bhattacharya.
www.help.senate.gov/hearings/mod...
www.help.senate.gov/hearings/mod...
Modernizing the National Institutes of Health: Faster Discoveries, More Cures | The U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor & Pensions
Full Committee Hearing on February 3, 2026 at 5:00 AM
www.help.senate.gov
February 3, 2026 at 3:11 PM
Going to try and watch this until I’m blinded by rage
Reposted by Katie Wilkinson
i know portland doesn’t count as real america on the east coast but i saw very little national news coverage of this over the weekend—and the coverage i did see wasn’t prominent. i think a bunch of little kids and nurses and families getting gassed is newsworthy
ICE tear gassed a bunch of children on Saturday. This was a massive escalation of force. They were shooting tear gas at the back of the crowd, it took these unmasked people maybe 3-5 minutes in the cloud of tear gas to escape in without trampling. www.theverge.com/policy/87278...
ICE is afraid of children protesting
“Next time, I’ll be back with a gas mask.”
www.theverge.com
February 3, 2026 at 2:26 PM
i know portland doesn’t count as real america on the east coast but i saw very little national news coverage of this over the weekend—and the coverage i did see wasn’t prominent. i think a bunch of little kids and nurses and families getting gassed is newsworthy
Reposted by Katie Wilkinson
Tear gas is banned in international warfare, yet classified as a “riot control agent” that law enforcement can use for crowd control.
“It just doesn’t work well, and it hits the weakest people the most, and causes the most complications in them,” an anesthesiology professor at Duke University said.
“It just doesn’t work well, and it hits the weakest people the most, and causes the most complications in them,” an anesthesiology professor at Duke University said.
Tear Gas Is Way More Dangerous Than Police Let On
In the middle of a respiratory pandemic, law enforcement agencies have used tear gas in especially dangerous ways. The chemical agent also seeps into homes, contaminates food, furniture, skin and surf...
www.propublica.org
February 3, 2026 at 2:40 AM
Tear gas is banned in international warfare, yet classified as a “riot control agent” that law enforcement can use for crowd control.
“It just doesn’t work well, and it hits the weakest people the most, and causes the most complications in them,” an anesthesiology professor at Duke University said.
“It just doesn’t work well, and it hits the weakest people the most, and causes the most complications in them,” an anesthesiology professor at Duke University said.
Reposted by Katie Wilkinson
Lead (Pb) in archived hair in Salt Lake City.
"Lead (Pb) in archived hair documents a decline in lead exposure to humans since the establishment of the US Environmental Protection Agency "
www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
"Lead (Pb) in archived hair documents a decline in lead exposure to humans since the establishment of the US Environmental Protection Agency "
www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
February 2, 2026 at 11:22 PM
Lead (Pb) in archived hair in Salt Lake City.
"Lead (Pb) in archived hair documents a decline in lead exposure to humans since the establishment of the US Environmental Protection Agency "
www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
"Lead (Pb) in archived hair documents a decline in lead exposure to humans since the establishment of the US Environmental Protection Agency "
www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
Reposted by Katie Wilkinson
The California State University system spent $16.9 million last year giving ChatGPT to all students, faculty, and staff. We are asking the CSU chancellor not to renew the contract with OpenAI when it expires.
Anyone can sign the petition — link below!
Anyone can sign the petition — link below!
The CSU/OpenAI contract is set to expire June 30, 2026.
Sign this petition: https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/cancel-chatgpt-edu-invest-in-humans/ for the CSU NOT to renew the contract and to use the savings to protect jobs at CSU campuses facing layoffs.
Sign this petition: https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/cancel-chatgpt-edu-invest-in-humans/ for the CSU NOT to renew the contract and to use the savings to protect jobs at CSU campuses facing layoffs.
January 31, 2026 at 7:13 PM
The California State University system spent $16.9 million last year giving ChatGPT to all students, faculty, and staff. We are asking the CSU chancellor not to renew the contract with OpenAI when it expires.
Anyone can sign the petition — link below!
Anyone can sign the petition — link below!
Reposted by Katie Wilkinson
Meanwhile, at a school and university near you, AI tools that have yet to be tested on the types of students and subjects you teach are being rolled out to/in them without robust discussion and analysis. It's a major, shameful failing of the management of education systems.
“We found that using AI assistance led to a statistically significant decrease in mastery.”
Props to Anthropic for studying the effects of their creation and reporting results that are not probably what they wished for
www.anthropic.com/research/AI-...
Props to Anthropic for studying the effects of their creation and reporting results that are not probably what they wished for
www.anthropic.com/research/AI-...
How AI assistance impacts the formation of coding skills
Anthropic is an AI safety and research company that's working to build reliable, interpretable, and steerable AI systems.
www.anthropic.com
January 31, 2026 at 12:06 PM
Meanwhile, at a school and university near you, AI tools that have yet to be tested on the types of students and subjects you teach are being rolled out to/in them without robust discussion and analysis. It's a major, shameful failing of the management of education systems.
Reposted by Katie Wilkinson
Opinion | ICE Took Their Classmate. They Started Writing Letters.
www.nytimes.com
January 31, 2026 at 2:20 PM
Reposted by Katie Wilkinson
Another view of "Love Thy Neighbor" from first hand account of detention in Minnesota:
www.usatoday.com/story/opinio...
www.usatoday.com/story/opinio...
January 28, 2026 at 3:28 AM
Another view of "Love Thy Neighbor" from first hand account of detention in Minnesota:
www.usatoday.com/story/opinio...
www.usatoday.com/story/opinio...
Reposted by Katie Wilkinson
Time to call California state legislators. ICE really likes using private prisons because they can avoid accountability by pushing it off to a third party. Taxing them makes them a lot less attractive.
www.mercurynews.com/2026/01/27/b...
www.mercurynews.com/2026/01/27/b...
Bay Area assemblyman introduces bill that would tax 50% of profits from private ICE detention centers in California
The bill, AB1633, is aimed at limiting the profits of the detention centers, which take in hundreds of millions of dollars annually throughout the state.
www.mercurynews.com
January 27, 2026 at 7:03 PM
Time to call California state legislators. ICE really likes using private prisons because they can avoid accountability by pushing it off to a third party. Taxing them makes them a lot less attractive.
www.mercurynews.com/2026/01/27/b...
www.mercurynews.com/2026/01/27/b...
Reposted by Katie Wilkinson
The US government lost more than 10,000 STEM PhDs last year, according to an analysis by Science of newly released OPM data, with 11 departures for every hire. And many OPM calls "voluntary" separations were probably pushed. www.science.org/content/arti...
U.S. government has lost more than 10,000 STEM Ph.D.s since Trump took office
A Science analysis reveals how many were fired, retired, or quit across 14 agencies
www.science.org
January 27, 2026 at 1:28 AM
The US government lost more than 10,000 STEM PhDs last year, according to an analysis by Science of newly released OPM data, with 11 departures for every hire. And many OPM calls "voluntary" separations were probably pushed. www.science.org/content/arti...
Thank you @liccardo.house.gov for signing on to the effort to impeach Kristi Noem and hold ICE accountable for their unconstitutional and criminal actions.
January 26, 2026 at 5:11 AM
Thank you @liccardo.house.gov for signing on to the effort to impeach Kristi Noem and hold ICE accountable for their unconstitutional and criminal actions.
Reposted by Katie Wilkinson
My sister-in-law's dad died last week, in hospice in the VA hospital in Minneapolis. I just learned Alex Pretti was part of his care team. They shot Alex less than 1/2 mile from my niece's house while doing the same observation work that my niece is doing. These are real people. Step up folks!
January 25, 2026 at 6:41 PM
My sister-in-law's dad died last week, in hospice in the VA hospital in Minneapolis. I just learned Alex Pretti was part of his care team. They shot Alex less than 1/2 mile from my niece's house while doing the same observation work that my niece is doing. These are real people. Step up folks!
Instead of buying cheap Valentines at a place you don’t want to support, strongly suggest the super awesome science valentines from @skypeascientist.bsky.social. Daughter gave the Love Bugs ones last year and we just ordered the marine theme ones. squidfacts.bigcartel.com/product/deep...
Deep Sea Valentines
Add a little science into your Valentines Day with Deep Sea valentines! Each pack comes with 20 cards in 4 different designs. Each 3x5in card...
squidfacts.bigcartel.com
January 25, 2026 at 9:34 PM
Instead of buying cheap Valentines at a place you don’t want to support, strongly suggest the super awesome science valentines from @skypeascientist.bsky.social. Daughter gave the Love Bugs ones last year and we just ordered the marine theme ones. squidfacts.bigcartel.com/product/deep...
Reposted by Katie Wilkinson
We the people have the power. Join us tomorrow, January 26, for a virtual training on how to exercise your right to document ICE abuses in your community.
RSVP using the link below. When using that link, Indivisible will know you came from us; their privacy policy applies.
RSVP using the link below. When using that link, Indivisible will know you came from us; their privacy policy applies.
Eyes on ICE: Document and Record · No Kings
On Saturday, federal agents horrifically shot and killed 37-year-old Alex Pretti, an ICU nurse who cared for veterans, in the Eat Street neighborhood of south Minneapolis after brutally beating him in...
www.mobilize.us
January 25, 2026 at 7:41 PM
We the people have the power. Join us tomorrow, January 26, for a virtual training on how to exercise your right to document ICE abuses in your community.
RSVP using the link below. When using that link, Indivisible will know you came from us; their privacy policy applies.
RSVP using the link below. When using that link, Indivisible will know you came from us; their privacy policy applies.
Reposted by Katie Wilkinson
Really hard to look at this and all the other examples of bravery and kindness from ordinary people in this moment not think also of the tremendous cowardice exhibited over the past year by some of the richest, most well-protected people in business, media and politics
Let us all have the courage displayed by the residents of Minneapolis.
January 25, 2026 at 2:24 PM
Really hard to look at this and all the other examples of bravery and kindness from ordinary people in this moment not think also of the tremendous cowardice exhibited over the past year by some of the richest, most well-protected people in business, media and politics
Tip for Californians- @padilla.senate.gov doesn’t allow VM at his DC office during non business hours (which seriously??) but you can leave a message at a local office. Neither CA Senators ever have people answering the phones in my experience at any office even during business hours.
No science or nature today. ICE just murdered another person in my home state, an ICU nurse working with vets & now they're trying to frame him for the action . All because ICE is angry & afraid of the 50000 Minnesotans who marched yesterday. If you're not calling Congress you're letting them down
January 24, 2026 at 10:45 PM
Tip for Californians- @padilla.senate.gov doesn’t allow VM at his DC office during non business hours (which seriously??) but you can leave a message at a local office. Neither CA Senators ever have people answering the phones in my experience at any office even during business hours.
Reposted by Katie Wilkinson
No science or nature today. ICE just murdered another person in my home state, an ICU nurse working with vets & now they're trying to frame him for the action . All because ICE is angry & afraid of the 50000 Minnesotans who marched yesterday. If you're not calling Congress you're letting them down
January 24, 2026 at 10:24 PM
No science or nature today. ICE just murdered another person in my home state, an ICU nurse working with vets & now they're trying to frame him for the action . All because ICE is angry & afraid of the 50000 Minnesotans who marched yesterday. If you're not calling Congress you're letting them down
I don’t want to hear anything from an elected official unless it’s a plan to defund the DHS and impeach Noem, Bovino, etc. No texts. No emails. No talk about the economy. Step up or step off.
January 24, 2026 at 10:22 PM
Reposted by Katie Wilkinson
This is the chair of ACIP. Experimenting on America's kids. HE'S GOT TO GO. “What we’re going to have is a real-world experience of when unvaccinated people get measles,” he said. “What is the new incidence of hospitalization? What’s the incidence of death?” www.statnews.com/2026/01/22/v....
Top CDC vaccine adviser questions need for polio shot, other longstanding recommendations
The chair of a federal vaccine advisory panel charted a new course for the committee in a podcast released Thursday, questioning longstanding recommendations.
www.statnews.com
January 23, 2026 at 10:43 AM
This is the chair of ACIP. Experimenting on America's kids. HE'S GOT TO GO. “What we’re going to have is a real-world experience of when unvaccinated people get measles,” he said. “What is the new incidence of hospitalization? What’s the incidence of death?” www.statnews.com/2026/01/22/v....
Reposted by Katie Wilkinson
Cal State University’s deal with OpenAI — providing ChatGPT to all faculty, students, and staff — will expire in June 2026. Amid the prospect of layoffs in the CSU, we’re asking the chancellor not to renew this costly and demoralizing contract.
Link below and anyone can sign:
Link below and anyone can sign:
January 21, 2026 at 7:33 PM
Cal State University’s deal with OpenAI — providing ChatGPT to all faculty, students, and staff — will expire in June 2026. Amid the prospect of layoffs in the CSU, we’re asking the chancellor not to renew this costly and demoralizing contract.
Link below and anyone can sign:
Link below and anyone can sign:
Reposted by Katie Wilkinson
This makes me so angry that it almost takes my breath away, but I think what Stephen Miller et al do not understand is that this will make a lot of people who are a lot further to my right just as angry, too www.cbsnews.com/minnesota/ne...
January 22, 2026 at 1:17 AM
This makes me so angry that it almost takes my breath away, but I think what Stephen Miller et al do not understand is that this will make a lot of people who are a lot further to my right just as angry, too www.cbsnews.com/minnesota/ne...
Reposted by Katie Wilkinson
This is the most astonishing graph of what the Trump regime has done to US science. They have destroyed the federal science workforce across the board. The negative impacts on Americans will be felt for generations, and the US might never be the same again.
www.nature.com/immersive/d4...
www.nature.com/immersive/d4...
January 20, 2026 at 10:53 PM
This is the most astonishing graph of what the Trump regime has done to US science. They have destroyed the federal science workforce across the board. The negative impacts on Americans will be felt for generations, and the US might never be the same again.
www.nature.com/immersive/d4...
www.nature.com/immersive/d4...
Reposted by Katie Wilkinson
he's demanding control over a sovereign nation in an email to a second sovereign nation because a wholly different third sovereign nation didn't give him a prize
remove him from power, the bar isn't even in the ground anymore it's buried six inches under the floor
remove him from power, the bar isn't even in the ground anymore it's buried six inches under the floor
He's demanding control over a sovereign nation because they didn't give him THE NOBEL PRIZE. Why the actual fuck do we have a 25th Amendment?
January 19, 2026 at 4:57 PM
he's demanding control over a sovereign nation in an email to a second sovereign nation because a wholly different third sovereign nation didn't give him a prize
remove him from power, the bar isn't even in the ground anymore it's buried six inches under the floor
remove him from power, the bar isn't even in the ground anymore it's buried six inches under the floor