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Izabella A. Pena, PhD 🇧🇷🇨🇦

@izabellapena.bsky.social

650 followers 890 following 49 posts

#newPI @ Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute (CHEO-RI), Assist. Professor, University of Ottawa @uottawamed.bsky.social 🇧🇷in🇨🇦 www.penalab.ca Former @MIT_Picower #rarediseases #vitamins #metabolism #genetics #zebrafish #newMom

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Izabella A. Pena, PhD 🇧🇷🇨🇦 @izabellapena.bsky.social · Jan 25

Here is a quick thread to promote my research! After years of dedicated research, I'm thrilled to share our article just published at Nature Communications :)

www.nature.com/articles/s41...

#metabolism #CRISPRscreens #mitochondria

SLC25A38 is required for mitochondrial pyridoxal 5’-phosphate (PLP) accumulation

Nature Communications - Pyridoxal 5’-phosphate (PLP, vitamin B6) is crucial for various metabolic processes. Here, the authors identified SLC25A38 as a key regulator of mitochondrial PLP...

www.nature.com

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Reposted by Izabella A. Pena, PhD 🇧🇷🇨🇦

Princess Vimentin PhD | Cancer Biologist @princess-vimentin.bsky.social · 3d

This life on planet earth isn’t the end. The consciousness survives. We are part of Mother Nature.

You get to choose the difference that you make.

#Pinks

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Izabella A. Pena, PhD 🇧🇷🇨🇦 @izabellapena.bsky.social · 10d

Just a reminder that vaccines are safe and the best tool to protect you and your loved ones from sickness. More than 1.2 million pregnant women vaccinated against Covid-19 (including myself) and research shows clear benefits from mother and baby. #vaccinesAREsafe

Ian Weissman, DO @drianweissman.bsky.social · 11d

COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy conferred benefits for mother and baby without increased risk, according to an umbrella review of meta-analyses comprising more than 1.2 million women.
www.medpagetoday.com/meetingcover...

Mom's COVID Shot Aided Baby, Too, Large Review Confirmed

Vaccination during pregnancy was safe for both mom and baby

www.medpagetoday.com

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Izabella A. Pena, PhD 🇧🇷🇨🇦 @izabellapena.bsky.social · 10d

By the way - congratulations to our MSc student Maanas Vankalapati for his acceptance to med school!!

I feel incredibly fortunate to work alongside such brilliant and kind trainees and colleagues. Here's to the exciting discoveries and collaborations ahead!

#science #collaboration

Izabella A. Pena, PhD 🇧🇷🇨🇦 @izabellapena.bsky.social · 10d

My lab (1st photo), together with the Djaoud lab (2nd photo) took a little break from the lab to enjoy the stunning fall colors and crisp air at Gatineau Park. It was a refreshing gathering, full of connection and shared appreciation for each other, celebrating the accomplishments this past semester

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Reposted by Izabella A. Pena, PhD 🇧🇷🇨🇦

Brooke Newman @brookenewman.bsky.social · 11d

RIP Jane Goodall. Fellow difficult women everywhere salute you.

A photo of and quote by Jane Goodall: “ it actually doesn’t take much to be considered a difficult woman. That’s why there are so many of us.”

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Reposted by Izabella A. Pena, PhD 🇧🇷🇨🇦

Katharine Hayhoe @katharinehayhoe.com · 11d

The world has lost its most powerful advocate for nature and hope. Yet many remain who will continue her legacy and I know she will continue to inspire generations more.

A screenshot of a post by the Jane Goodall Institute on LinkedIn stating that they learned that Dr. Goodall passed away due to natural causes in California while on her speaking to her current speaking tour there.

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Reposted by Izabella A. Pena, PhD 🇧🇷🇨🇦

Scott P. Egan @scottpegan.bsky.social · Aug 14

A friendly reminder from the Common Five-lined Skink (Plestiodon fasciatus), who weighs 9 grams on a good day…

Never give up.

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Reposted by Izabella A. Pena, PhD 🇧🇷🇨🇦

Joao Pereira @jdpereira.bsky.social · Jun 14

I haven’t shared this before but it is worth remembering - the day I was offered my first position leading a lab/core (at Yale), with a substantial start up, I was rejected from a Portuguese institution my application got 60%.

Faculty positions are not dependent on you alone - keep trying.

a man pointing to a sign that says believe

ALT: a man pointing to a sign that says believe

media.tenor.com

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Reposted by Izabella A. Pena, PhD 🇧🇷🇨🇦

Kevin M. Kruse @kevinmkruse.bsky.social · Jun 12

(Attenborough voice)

Behold the majestic splendor of the North American Rescue Mutt, master of all he surveys in this suburban yard

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Reposted by Izabella A. Pena, PhD 🇧🇷🇨🇦

Carolyn Bertozzi @carolynbertozzi.bskyverified.social · Jun 10

“You can get a other job, but you cannot get another soul”.

Dr. Lucky Tran @luckytran.com · Jun 9

"We are speaking on behalf of hundreds of NIH staff who are standing up together to say: WE DISSENT.

I am so scared about doing this but I am trying to be brave for my kids because it's only gonna get harder to speak up."

Thank you to Dr. Jenna Norton and NIH scientists for your courage!

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Reposted by Izabella A. Pena, PhD 🇧🇷🇨🇦

uOttawa @uottawa.ca · Jun 8

We’re all getting so emotional here! 🥹Time moves so fast - congratulations to all graduates! Savour this moment! #uograd25

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Izabella A. Pena, PhD 🇧🇷🇨🇦 @izabellapena.bsky.social · Jun 8

Celebrating the first MSc graduation from my lab, Rahima Hasmani! It was a truly wonderful experience to mentor you through your science journey. I’m very proud of you and I’m excited to follow your next journey! Viva! #uoGrad25

Reposted by Izabella A. Pena, PhD 🇧🇷🇨🇦

A Returning Doctor @returningdoctor.bsky.social · May 24

Samantha Anthony: Career breaks should be supported, not feared

'We owe it to ourselves and to our patients to take time out when we need to'

#PermittedToPause

blogs.bmj.com/bmj/2018/03/...

Samantha Anthony: Career breaks should be supported, not feared - The BMJ

We owe it to ourselves and to our patients to take time out when we need to As I near the end of a one year career break, it has [...]More...

blogs.bmj.com

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Reposted by Izabella A. Pena, PhD 🇧🇷🇨🇦

Carolyn Bertozzi @carolynbertozzi.bskyverified.social · May 24

David Liu @harvard.edu beautifully articulates the criticality of basic science funding for developing revolutionary therapeutics like life-saving base editors 👏

youtu.be/8YhJM6zxYDw?...

Breakthrough Prize-Winning Biochemist on the Deadly Cost of Funding Cuts | Amanpour and Company

YouTube video by Amanpour and Company

youtu.be

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Izabella A. Pena, PhD 🇧🇷🇨🇦 @izabellapena.bsky.social · May 22

Cool! And very curious!!!

Reposted by Izabella A. Pena, PhD 🇧🇷🇨🇦

Nature @nature.com · May 21

Molecules in urine and blood can reveal how much of a person’s diet comes from ultra-processed foods

https://go.nature.com/4kybHea

How much ultra-processed food do you eat? Blood and urine record it

Samples could provide an objective measure of diets and help to unravel their contribution to disease.

go.nature.com

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Reposted by Izabella A. Pena, PhD 🇧🇷🇨🇦

Daniel MacPhee 🇨🇦 @d-macphee.bsky.social · May 19

“demethylation isn't universally required for formation of an early mammalian embryo, because the opossum embryo develops without being fully wiped of this epigenetic mark…wiping may have evolved specifically for the development of the placenta.”
#ReproSky #Placenta

www.crick.ac.uk/news-and-fea...

Marsupial research reveals how mammalian embryos form

Researchers at the Francis Crick Institute have revealed insight into why embryos erase a key epigenetic mark during early development, suggesting this may have evolved to help form a placenta.

www.crick.ac.uk

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Reposted by Izabella A. Pena, PhD 🇧🇷🇨🇦

European Research Council (ERC) @erc.europa.eu · May 19

Are you based in the U.S. 🇺🇸 or Canada 🇨🇦 and thinking of doing research in Europe?

ERC grants offer up to €4.5 million to support groundbreaking, investigator-driven frontier research in all fields.

Watch the dedicated info session for researchers in your region👉 youtu.be/92QYink1Lik

#ChooseEurope

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Reposted by Izabella A. Pena, PhD 🇧🇷🇨🇦

Carolyn Bertozzi @carolynbertozzi.bskyverified.social · May 15

This is what can be achieved today due to longstanding federal support of academic basic science alongside close partnership of universities, private industry and NIH intramural initiatives. An ecosystem worth not just saving but doubling down on!

innovativegenomics.org/news/first-p...

First Patient Treated with Personalized CRISPR Therapy, Developed in Just Six Months

The first on-demand CRISPR therapy for an infant with a rare metabolic disease developed by the IGI and collaborators around the world.

innovativegenomics.org

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Reposted by Izabella A. Pena, PhD 🇧🇷🇨🇦

Christian Frezza @frezzalab.bsky.social · May 15

Whoa!!

www.nejm.org/doi/full/10....

Patient-Specific In Vivo Gene Editing to Treat a Rare Genetic Disease | NEJM

Base editors can correct disease-causing genetic variants. After a neonate had received a diagnosis of severe carbamoyl-phosphate synthetase 1 deficiency, a disease with an estimated 50% mortality ...

www.nejm.org

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Izabella A. Pena, PhD 🇧🇷🇨🇦 @izabellapena.bsky.social · May 12

It was a great conference! Thanks so much for organizing!!! Looking forward to next year’s!

Reposted by Izabella A. Pena, PhD 🇧🇷🇨🇦

Michelle Collins @mmcollins.bsky.social · May 8

What a great day of zebrafish research! Thanks to everyone who shared their amazing work at the 3rd CZRC and congrats to our award winners!

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Reposted by Izabella A. Pena, PhD 🇧🇷🇨🇦

Aaron Quinlan (he/him) @aaronquinlan.bsky.social · Apr 28

The Department of Human Genetics at the University of Utah is sponsoring the Rising Stars in Genetics and Genomics symposium!

- We are seeking nominations bu June 1.
- September 18-19, 2025
- Please share with the star postdocs that you know.

docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...

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Reposted by Izabella A. Pena, PhD 🇧🇷🇨🇦

Senator Bernie Sanders @sanders.senate.gov · May 11

Ages 0-4 are the most important, emotionally & intellectually, in human development.

Yet, in the US, we have a very high rate of childhood poverty and a broken child care system.

Congratulations to New Mexico for leading the way forward for high quality, free child care. Other states must follow.

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Izabella A. Pena, PhD 🇧🇷🇨🇦 @izabellapena.bsky.social · May 2

Very nice work, congrats Jason!

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