Xilma Ortiz-Gonzalez MD PhD
@drxilma.bsky.social
Boricua 🇵🇷 physician neuroscientist; Mom,
Peds Neurogenetics 🧠🧬 @CHOP/UPenn, mitochondriac, my lab works on mechanisms of pediatric neurodegeneration
#raredisease #TBCK
https://www.med.upenn.edu/oglab/
opinion = my own
Peds Neurogenetics 🧠🧬 @CHOP/UPenn, mitochondriac, my lab works on mechanisms of pediatric neurodegeneration
#raredisease #TBCK
https://www.med.upenn.edu/oglab/
opinion = my own
Pinned
Good way to start fresh here is to thank all who made our TBCK Foundation meeting a great success! Was especially proud that the meeting was hosted for the first time in PR; max inclusivity +fun!🇵🇷
Always impactful for scientists to experience first hand the why of our research
#raredisease
Always impactful for scientists to experience first hand the why of our research
#raredisease
Reposted by Xilma Ortiz-Gonzalez MD PhD
Every machine in a Hospital that diagnoses your body without cutting you open is based on a principle of Physics, discovered by a Physicist who had no interest in Medicine.
If you think the world doesn’t need Basic Science, or that somehow Science has failed you, think again.
#sciencematters
If you think the world doesn’t need Basic Science, or that somehow Science has failed you, think again.
#sciencematters
November 25, 2025 at 1:40 AM
Every machine in a Hospital that diagnoses your body without cutting you open is based on a principle of Physics, discovered by a Physicist who had no interest in Medicine.
If you think the world doesn’t need Basic Science, or that somehow Science has failed you, think again.
#sciencematters
If you think the world doesn’t need Basic Science, or that somehow Science has failed you, think again.
#sciencematters
Reposted by Xilma Ortiz-Gonzalez MD PhD
Can confirm. I am okay and more motivated than ever to speak up.
Nothing scares this administration more. Their power lies in our silence.
Nothing scares this administration more. Their power lies in our silence.
NIH program officer @jenna-m-norton.bsky.social has been placed on admin leave, sources say.
Norton has been outspoken about the Trump administration's dismantling of science, and she signed the Bethesda Declaration.
Bhattacharya has said that "science is dead without free speech".
Norton has been outspoken about the Trump administration's dismantling of science, and she signed the Bethesda Declaration.
Bhattacharya has said that "science is dead without free speech".
November 14, 2025 at 2:37 AM
Can confirm. I am okay and more motivated than ever to speak up.
Nothing scares this administration more. Their power lies in our silence.
Nothing scares this administration more. Their power lies in our silence.
Reposted by Xilma Ortiz-Gonzalez MD PhD
We are excited to host a social in San Diego during the Society for Neuroscience conference for the Científico Latino community! 💙🏄️
We will gather in the beginning of the conference on Saturday, Nov 15 at 5:30 PM. RSVP for location. See you there!!
🔗 cientificolatino.com/sfn2025
#sfn2025
We will gather in the beginning of the conference on Saturday, Nov 15 at 5:30 PM. RSVP for location. See you there!!
🔗 cientificolatino.com/sfn2025
#sfn2025
November 11, 2025 at 6:13 PM
We are excited to host a social in San Diego during the Society for Neuroscience conference for the Científico Latino community! 💙🏄️
We will gather in the beginning of the conference on Saturday, Nov 15 at 5:30 PM. RSVP for location. See you there!!
🔗 cientificolatino.com/sfn2025
#sfn2025
We will gather in the beginning of the conference on Saturday, Nov 15 at 5:30 PM. RSVP for location. See you there!!
🔗 cientificolatino.com/sfn2025
#sfn2025
Reposted by Xilma Ortiz-Gonzalez MD PhD
Judge rules mandatory detention of Chicago day care teacher by ICE is illegal
Judge rules mandatory detention of Chicago day care teacher by ICE is illegal
According to the ruling, Diana Santillana will be given a bond hearing in front of an immigration judge, who could order her released while her civil deportation case proceeds.
trib.al
November 12, 2025 at 9:29 PM
Judge rules mandatory detention of Chicago day care teacher by ICE is illegal
Reposted by Xilma Ortiz-Gonzalez MD PhD
LA: “They took a US citizen father out and left a toddler in the backseat. Two heavily armed border patrol agents got in that car and drove the child and the vehicle away.”
What are we doing?
What are we doing?
November 5, 2025 at 11:07 PM
LA: “They took a US citizen father out and left a toddler in the backseat. Two heavily armed border patrol agents got in that car and drove the child and the vehicle away.”
What are we doing?
What are we doing?
Reposted by Xilma Ortiz-Gonzalez MD PhD
Mitophagy updates of last week 🪫🗑️
biomed.news/bims-tofagi/...
Highlights:
-two papers on the beneficial effects of mitophagy in CD8+ T cells
-VPS35 mutations in PD affect PINK1/Parkin mitophagy selectively
-review on selective autophagy initiation
Thanks to @biomednews.bsky.social for pre-sorting
biomed.news/bims-tofagi/...
Highlights:
-two papers on the beneficial effects of mitophagy in CD8+ T cells
-VPS35 mutations in PD affect PINK1/Parkin mitophagy selectively
-review on selective autophagy initiation
Thanks to @biomednews.bsky.social for pre-sorting
November 4, 2025 at 5:26 PM
Mitophagy updates of last week 🪫🗑️
biomed.news/bims-tofagi/...
Highlights:
-two papers on the beneficial effects of mitophagy in CD8+ T cells
-VPS35 mutations in PD affect PINK1/Parkin mitophagy selectively
-review on selective autophagy initiation
Thanks to @biomednews.bsky.social for pre-sorting
biomed.news/bims-tofagi/...
Highlights:
-two papers on the beneficial effects of mitophagy in CD8+ T cells
-VPS35 mutations in PD affect PINK1/Parkin mitophagy selectively
-review on selective autophagy initiation
Thanks to @biomednews.bsky.social for pre-sorting
Reposted by Xilma Ortiz-Gonzalez MD PhD
November is #epilepsyawareness month. 3.4M Americans live with epilepsy, and 1/3 of people living with epilepsy are not controlled by medication. Help fund critical #epilepsy research that will improve outcomes for generations to come: aesnet.org/give/give
Make a Gift
Your gift helps us expand the epilepsy knowledge base and provide grants/fellowships that attract scientists and clinicians to the epilepsy field.
aesnet.org
November 4, 2025 at 3:25 PM
November is #epilepsyawareness month. 3.4M Americans live with epilepsy, and 1/3 of people living with epilepsy are not controlled by medication. Help fund critical #epilepsy research that will improve outcomes for generations to come: aesnet.org/give/give
Reposted by Xilma Ortiz-Gonzalez MD PhD
An AP investigation found that more than 420 anti-science bills attacking longstanding public health protections – vaccines, milk safety and fluoride – have been introduced in statehouses this year, part of a campaign to enshrine a conspiracy theory-driven agenda into law. https://to.pbs.org/43dxCkD
Anti-science bills hit statehouses, attacking longstanding public health protections
More than 420 anti-science bills attacking longstanding public health protections – vaccines, milk safety and fluoride – have been introduced in statehouses across the U.S. this year.
to.pbs.org
October 21, 2025 at 8:31 PM
An AP investigation found that more than 420 anti-science bills attacking longstanding public health protections – vaccines, milk safety and fluoride – have been introduced in statehouses this year, part of a campaign to enshrine a conspiracy theory-driven agenda into law. https://to.pbs.org/43dxCkD
Reposted by Xilma Ortiz-Gonzalez MD PhD
My husband was detained by ICE today
Juan Muñoz, an American citizen, father of 2, and local government official, was peacefully protesting w. other elected officials. He was assaulted and taken away
I have had zero contact or updates since
#SOS
@duckworth.senate.gov @durbin.senate.gov
Juan Muñoz, an American citizen, father of 2, and local government official, was peacefully protesting w. other elected officials. He was assaulted and taken away
I have had zero contact or updates since
#SOS
@duckworth.senate.gov @durbin.senate.gov
October 3, 2025 at 5:12 PM
My husband was detained by ICE today
Juan Muñoz, an American citizen, father of 2, and local government official, was peacefully protesting w. other elected officials. He was assaulted and taken away
I have had zero contact or updates since
#SOS
@duckworth.senate.gov @durbin.senate.gov
Juan Muñoz, an American citizen, father of 2, and local government official, was peacefully protesting w. other elected officials. He was assaulted and taken away
I have had zero contact or updates since
#SOS
@duckworth.senate.gov @durbin.senate.gov
Congrats @pennngg.bsky.social students Briana and Leonardo! we were happy to collaborate on defining this novel human disease association for BCAT1
📣New from DiSanza et al!
📄Biallelic variants in BCAT1 impair mitochondrial function and are associated with a candidate neurometabolic disorder
👉https://bit.ly/4mGchH5
📄Biallelic variants in BCAT1 impair mitochondrial function and are associated with a candidate neurometabolic disorder
👉https://bit.ly/4mGchH5
October 2, 2025 at 12:57 AM
Congrats @pennngg.bsky.social students Briana and Leonardo! we were happy to collaborate on defining this novel human disease association for BCAT1
Reposted by Xilma Ortiz-Gonzalez MD PhD
Reposted by Xilma Ortiz-Gonzalez MD PhD
The future is visiting again! We are seeking applicants for the 7th season of MITOchats. Deadline for submission is October 17th. Visit www.mitotalks.org for details or submit your application at forms.gle/5D6vWE92yYCi...
September 25, 2025 at 9:59 PM
The future is visiting again! We are seeking applicants for the 7th season of MITOchats. Deadline for submission is October 17th. Visit www.mitotalks.org for details or submit your application at forms.gle/5D6vWE92yYCi...
Reposted by Xilma Ortiz-Gonzalez MD PhD
If you were concerned about Kimmel, here's another for you…
Journalist Mario Guevara has been detained for 100+ days, ironically arrested as he reported on a "No Kings" protest.
The Trump-Vance admin just issued an order of final removal, to send him to El Salvador—where he fled from 21 years ago.
Journalist Mario Guevara has been detained for 100+ days, ironically arrested as he reported on a "No Kings" protest.
The Trump-Vance admin just issued an order of final removal, to send him to El Salvador—where he fled from 21 years ago.
September 24, 2025 at 6:39 PM
If you were concerned about Kimmel, here's another for you…
Journalist Mario Guevara has been detained for 100+ days, ironically arrested as he reported on a "No Kings" protest.
The Trump-Vance admin just issued an order of final removal, to send him to El Salvador—where he fled from 21 years ago.
Journalist Mario Guevara has been detained for 100+ days, ironically arrested as he reported on a "No Kings" protest.
The Trump-Vance admin just issued an order of final removal, to send him to El Salvador—where he fled from 21 years ago.
Reposted by Xilma Ortiz-Gonzalez MD PhD
To be clear, there are no data that provide a link between short-term use of Tylenol during pregnancy and autism. In fact, one of the best prospective studies w/ sibling controls, if anything, pointed to a protective effect for use less than 7 days
acamh.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...
acamh.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...
September 23, 2025 at 3:05 PM
To be clear, there are no data that provide a link between short-term use of Tylenol during pregnancy and autism. In fact, one of the best prospective studies w/ sibling controls, if anything, pointed to a protective effect for use less than 7 days
acamh.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...
acamh.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...
Reposted by Xilma Ortiz-Gonzalez MD PhD
📽️ WATCH: Epidemiologist Erin McCanlies spent much of the past 20 years studying how parents’ exposure to toxic chemicals affects the chances that they will have an autistic child.
RFK Jr. cut her entire division — yet promises to identify the causes of autism by September: https://propub.li/4nhXQua
RFK Jr. cut her entire division — yet promises to identify the causes of autism by September: https://propub.li/4nhXQua
September 21, 2025 at 9:01 PM
📽️ WATCH: Epidemiologist Erin McCanlies spent much of the past 20 years studying how parents’ exposure to toxic chemicals affects the chances that they will have an autistic child.
RFK Jr. cut her entire division — yet promises to identify the causes of autism by September: https://propub.li/4nhXQua
RFK Jr. cut her entire division — yet promises to identify the causes of autism by September: https://propub.li/4nhXQua
Reposted by Xilma Ortiz-Gonzalez MD PhD
This is what happens without vaccinations.
The ducks are adorable.
The hospitalized child with a respirator is tragic.
And now preventable.
The ducks are adorable.
The hospitalized child with a respirator is tragic.
And now preventable.
September 18, 2025 at 2:36 AM
This is what happens without vaccinations.
The ducks are adorable.
The hospitalized child with a respirator is tragic.
And now preventable.
The ducks are adorable.
The hospitalized child with a respirator is tragic.
And now preventable.
Reposted by Xilma Ortiz-Gonzalez MD PhD
This week (Sept 15 to 21, 2025) is Mitochondrial Disease Week
-a chance to shine light on mitochondrial disorders and the people living with them.
Light up green for mito on 20th, September.
-a chance to shine light on mitochondrial disorders and the people living with them.
Light up green for mito on 20th, September.
September 19, 2025 at 12:22 PM
This week (Sept 15 to 21, 2025) is Mitochondrial Disease Week
-a chance to shine light on mitochondrial disorders and the people living with them.
Light up green for mito on 20th, September.
-a chance to shine light on mitochondrial disorders and the people living with them.
Light up green for mito on 20th, September.
Reposted by Xilma Ortiz-Gonzalez MD PhD
There’s more than one way to do science 🧠💼
Join us for #BlackInNeuroAltCareers: Beyond the Bench at #BINW25 — featuring Black scientists thriving in tech, policy & beyond.
🗓 Sept 11 | 🕒 3–4 PM ET
#5YearsOfBIN
Join us for #BlackInNeuroAltCareers: Beyond the Bench at #BINW25 — featuring Black scientists thriving in tech, policy & beyond.
🗓 Sept 11 | 🕒 3–4 PM ET
#5YearsOfBIN
September 5, 2025 at 10:18 PM
There’s more than one way to do science 🧠💼
Join us for #BlackInNeuroAltCareers: Beyond the Bench at #BINW25 — featuring Black scientists thriving in tech, policy & beyond.
🗓 Sept 11 | 🕒 3–4 PM ET
#5YearsOfBIN
Join us for #BlackInNeuroAltCareers: Beyond the Bench at #BINW25 — featuring Black scientists thriving in tech, policy & beyond.
🗓 Sept 11 | 🕒 3–4 PM ET
#5YearsOfBIN
👏🏾
CDC scientists receive a heroes welcome after walking out today.
August 28, 2025 at 11:49 PM
👏🏾
Reposted by Xilma Ortiz-Gonzalez MD PhD
Great set of follows here. Diverse perspectives on all this [waves arms wildly]...
Current and former members of the NIH community have valuable personal perspectives to share about the devastation that is happening to US biomedical research, our federal agencies, and our democracy. This starter pack is a great way to hear what they have to say and what you can do about it.
🧪🧬🧠🥼🇺🇸
🧪🧬🧠🥼🇺🇸
August 28, 2025 at 11:49 AM
Great set of follows here. Diverse perspectives on all this [waves arms wildly]...
Here's a no brainer (pun intended) petition to sign!
Launched today! Join 6 Nobel Laureates, 27 Members of the US National Academies & the Scientific Advisory Board of @accountabilityji.bsky.social in signing this petition demanding RFK Jr.'s resignation.
www.change.org/p/demand-rfk...
www.change.org/p/demand-rfk...
Sign the Petition
Demand RFK Jr. Resign: Petition for a Healthy America
www.change.org
August 27, 2025 at 2:17 AM
Here's a no brainer (pun intended) petition to sign!
Reposted by Xilma Ortiz-Gonzalez MD PhD
We asked researchers across the country how federal funding changes have affected them and their labs. Their responses indicate a sense of doom and an existential crisis for science in the US: “The ship is going down and we are powerless.”
Importantly, there’s still time to fix this. 1/2
Importantly, there’s still time to fix this. 1/2
We surveyed hundreds of biomedical researchers about the instability in federal funding. Here’s what they said
“The ship is going down and we are powerless”: What scientists are saying about cuts to federal research funding.
www.statnews.com
August 26, 2025 at 5:18 PM
We asked researchers across the country how federal funding changes have affected them and their labs. Their responses indicate a sense of doom and an existential crisis for science in the US: “The ship is going down and we are powerless.”
Importantly, there’s still time to fix this. 1/2
Importantly, there’s still time to fix this. 1/2
Reposted by Xilma Ortiz-Gonzalez MD PhD
New York Times story with profiles of researchers whose grants were terminated.
[Gift Link]
www.nytimes.com/2025/08/24/o...
[Gift Link]
www.nytimes.com/2025/08/24/o...
Opinion | America First? Not When It Comes to Your Health.
www.nytimes.com
August 24, 2025 at 1:08 PM
New York Times story with profiles of researchers whose grants were terminated.
[Gift Link]
www.nytimes.com/2025/08/24/o...
[Gift Link]
www.nytimes.com/2025/08/24/o...
Reposted by Xilma Ortiz-Gonzalez MD PhD
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) is stepping up to fund some of the health equity grants that were fed to the wood-chipper. If your racial/indigenous health equity grant was funded, then that funding was rescinded, consider applying! 🧪
www.rwjf.org/en/grants/ac...
www.rwjf.org/en/grants/ac...
Rapid Response: Reinvesting in Racial and Indigenous Health Equity Research
The purpose of this call for proposals is to meet the current moment by supporting timely, actionable health equity research that has been interrupted by shifts in federal funding.
www.rwjf.org
August 21, 2025 at 10:05 PM
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) is stepping up to fund some of the health equity grants that were fed to the wood-chipper. If your racial/indigenous health equity grant was funded, then that funding was rescinded, consider applying! 🧪
www.rwjf.org/en/grants/ac...
www.rwjf.org/en/grants/ac...