Kristin Connor
@kconnor.bsky.social
🤰🏽My lab conducts research on developmental origins of health & disease
👶🏻Believe a healthy start to life is a right we all share
👩🏼🔬Value fundamental science!
📍Toronto & Ottawa
connorlab.ca
👶🏻Believe a healthy start to life is a right we all share
👩🏼🔬Value fundamental science!
📍Toronto & Ottawa
connorlab.ca
Reposted by Kristin Connor
Today is #WorldPulsesDay and kidney beans feature in this edition of #PeriodicGraphics in @cenmag.bsky.social on toxins in common fruits and vegetables - did you know that uncooked kidney beans contain a toxin that can cause nausea and diarrhoea? cen.acs.org/biological-c...
#ChemSky 🧪
#ChemSky 🧪
February 10, 2026 at 12:37 PM
Today is #WorldPulsesDay and kidney beans feature in this edition of #PeriodicGraphics in @cenmag.bsky.social on toxins in common fruits and vegetables - did you know that uncooked kidney beans contain a toxin that can cause nausea and diarrhoea? cen.acs.org/biological-c...
#ChemSky 🧪
#ChemSky 🧪
We’re back for another Meet the Member Monday!
Pleased to introduce a trio of amazing #WomenInSTEM leading projects to help tackle #IronDeficiency & nutrition equity in 🇧🇯
Meet Zahra, whose research focuses on understanding Benin’s polices & programmes addressing malnutrition & gender equity… 1/n
Pleased to introduce a trio of amazing #WomenInSTEM leading projects to help tackle #IronDeficiency & nutrition equity in 🇧🇯
Meet Zahra, whose research focuses on understanding Benin’s polices & programmes addressing malnutrition & gender equity… 1/n
February 9, 2026 at 12:51 PM
We’re back for another Meet the Member Monday!
Pleased to introduce a trio of amazing #WomenInSTEM leading projects to help tackle #IronDeficiency & nutrition equity in 🇧🇯
Meet Zahra, whose research focuses on understanding Benin’s polices & programmes addressing malnutrition & gender equity… 1/n
Pleased to introduce a trio of amazing #WomenInSTEM leading projects to help tackle #IronDeficiency & nutrition equity in 🇧🇯
Meet Zahra, whose research focuses on understanding Benin’s polices & programmes addressing malnutrition & gender equity… 1/n
Reposted by Kristin Connor
COVID infection increases clotting risk.
New study: Blood from unvaccinated people after recent COVID was more hypercoagulable, and their plasma corrected low clotting (INR) in recipients.
This pro-clotting state can persist for ≥6 months after infection.
buff.ly/28jDmMu
#medsky #hemesky
New study: Blood from unvaccinated people after recent COVID was more hypercoagulable, and their plasma corrected low clotting (INR) in recipients.
This pro-clotting state can persist for ≥6 months after infection.
buff.ly/28jDmMu
#medsky #hemesky
February 6, 2026 at 7:43 PM
COVID infection increases clotting risk.
New study: Blood from unvaccinated people after recent COVID was more hypercoagulable, and their plasma corrected low clotting (INR) in recipients.
This pro-clotting state can persist for ≥6 months after infection.
buff.ly/28jDmMu
#medsky #hemesky
New study: Blood from unvaccinated people after recent COVID was more hypercoagulable, and their plasma corrected low clotting (INR) in recipients.
This pro-clotting state can persist for ≥6 months after infection.
buff.ly/28jDmMu
#medsky #hemesky
Reposted by Kristin Connor
Important paper. Schools are high-risk environments for respiratory disease transmission MAINLY because classrooms are underventilated. This problem has a workable solution - it just needs political will. Air quality is as important as water quality for public health. MT @martinmckee.bsky.social
Our paper modelling transmission risk in schools is published in Nature Communications. **The relative contribution of close-proximity contacts, shared classroom exposure and indoor air quality to respiratory virus transmission in schools** doi.org/10.1038/s414...
February 5, 2026 at 10:59 PM
Important paper. Schools are high-risk environments for respiratory disease transmission MAINLY because classrooms are underventilated. This problem has a workable solution - it just needs political will. Air quality is as important as water quality for public health. MT @martinmckee.bsky.social
True for 🇨🇦 too
Maybe this should be the theme of the next GoC adverts?
Maybe this should be the theme of the next GoC adverts?
Once all of the other, uh, things are settled we really need a serious public health campaign around everything involved in being part of a society.
February 3, 2026 at 7:24 PM
True for 🇨🇦 too
Maybe this should be the theme of the next GoC adverts?
Maybe this should be the theme of the next GoC adverts?
Reposted by Kristin Connor
PSA: it is in fact possible for universities to address financial challenges by slashing (incredibly expensive and largely useless) admin positions.
Memorial University just downsized VPs from 7 to 3.
Yes we can!
universityaffairs.ca/news/memoria...
Memorial University just downsized VPs from 7 to 3.
Yes we can!
universityaffairs.ca/news/memoria...
February 3, 2026 at 1:43 PM
PSA: it is in fact possible for universities to address financial challenges by slashing (incredibly expensive and largely useless) admin positions.
Memorial University just downsized VPs from 7 to 3.
Yes we can!
universityaffairs.ca/news/memoria...
Memorial University just downsized VPs from 7 to 3.
Yes we can!
universityaffairs.ca/news/memoria...
Reposted by Kristin Connor
We’re proud to support a National Framework for Women’s Health through Bill S-243 by partnering with @whcwomenshealth.bsky.social, organizations across Canada and Senator Henkel. The time for change is now 💪
Learn more and take action: thewhc.ca/whframework
womenshealthresearchcluster.com/advocacy
Learn more and take action: thewhc.ca/whframework
womenshealthresearchcluster.com/advocacy
January 30, 2026 at 8:47 PM
We’re proud to support a National Framework for Women’s Health through Bill S-243 by partnering with @whcwomenshealth.bsky.social, organizations across Canada and Senator Henkel. The time for change is now 💪
Learn more and take action: thewhc.ca/whframework
womenshealthresearchcluster.com/advocacy
Learn more and take action: thewhc.ca/whframework
womenshealthresearchcluster.com/advocacy
Reposted by Kristin Connor
Sorry, re-posting because I accidentally mentioned the wrong stat. If your kid starts smoking in front of you and smokes their whole life, they have *15%* of developing lung cancer. If an adult gets three covid infections - just three - their risk of developing Long Covid is up to 40%
“The take-home message from this study is clear: long COVID is here to stay, even in children, & can be exacerbated by reinfections and sustained by high viral circulation. …Without decisive action, the long-term societal cost of long COVID will continue to rise.”
www.thelancet.com/journals/lan...
www.thelancet.com/journals/lan...
Long COVID is here to stay—even in children
Post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC, also known as long COVID) are complex,
multisystem, long-lasting complications of SARS-CoV-2 infection that profoundly impact
the daily life of those...
www.thelancet.com
January 30, 2026 at 12:58 AM
Sorry, re-posting because I accidentally mentioned the wrong stat. If your kid starts smoking in front of you and smokes their whole life, they have *15%* of developing lung cancer. If an adult gets three covid infections - just three - their risk of developing Long Covid is up to 40%
Thanks to the CIHR grant reviewers for their efforts and comments!
…will put the feedback to good use (🤞🏻🤞🏻) for our resubmissions!
🙏🏻 And grateful to receive specific funding from the Strategy for Patient Oriented Research priority
to keep moving our research forward.
@sporalliance.bsky.social
…will put the feedback to good use (🤞🏻🤞🏻) for our resubmissions!
🙏🏻 And grateful to receive specific funding from the Strategy for Patient Oriented Research priority
to keep moving our research forward.
@sporalliance.bsky.social
a squirrel is reaching out towards a person 's hand .
ALT: a squirrel is reaching out towards a person 's hand .
media.tenor.com
January 29, 2026 at 8:15 PM
Thanks to the CIHR grant reviewers for their efforts and comments!
…will put the feedback to good use (🤞🏻🤞🏻) for our resubmissions!
🙏🏻 And grateful to receive specific funding from the Strategy for Patient Oriented Research priority
to keep moving our research forward.
@sporalliance.bsky.social
…will put the feedback to good use (🤞🏻🤞🏻) for our resubmissions!
🙏🏻 And grateful to receive specific funding from the Strategy for Patient Oriented Research priority
to keep moving our research forward.
@sporalliance.bsky.social
Reposted by Kristin Connor
“Forced adoption.”
Remember: As citizens we always have agency and we can always opt out of this AI bullshit. They might make it harder and more of a pain in the ass but we always have the power.
Remember: As citizens we always have agency and we can always opt out of this AI bullshit. They might make it harder and more of a pain in the ass but we always have the power.
Microsoft and Blackrock have "have largely given up on organic adoption [of AI] by consumers. They have moved on to a new dream of forced adoption mandated by government and managerial coercion."
Fascinating piece here on what Davos can teach us about the AI industry by @mattseybold.bsky.social
Fascinating piece here on what Davos can teach us about the AI industry by @mattseybold.bsky.social
"You have to use it. You have to trust it.": Forced Adoption of AI is The Subtext of Davos
Authoritarianism is the AI Bailout; But If AI Doesn't Need a Bailout, Does it Need Authoritarianism?
theamericanvandal.substack.com
January 29, 2026 at 1:40 PM
“Forced adoption.”
Remember: As citizens we always have agency and we can always opt out of this AI bullshit. They might make it harder and more of a pain in the ass but we always have the power.
Remember: As citizens we always have agency and we can always opt out of this AI bullshit. They might make it harder and more of a pain in the ass but we always have the power.
Reposted by Kristin Connor
Carney's dangerous austerity plan means fewer food inspectors & less capacity to track food borne illness. As the US is gutting its food safety regulations & Canada imports over half our food from the US, how does cutting food inspection here make us safer? www.thestar.com/politics/fed...
Food inspection agency to cut more than 1,300 jobs, says union
The union representing employees at the Canadian Food Inspection Agency says staff have been told there will be 1,371 agency jobs cut as part of the government's cost-cutting exercise.
www.thestar.com
January 29, 2026 at 12:36 PM
Carney's dangerous austerity plan means fewer food inspectors & less capacity to track food borne illness. As the US is gutting its food safety regulations & Canada imports over half our food from the US, how does cutting food inspection here make us safer? www.thestar.com/politics/fed...
Reposted by Kristin Connor
The names of 72 female scientists will be added to the Eiffel Tower, to accompany those of 72 male scientists that are already engraved there tinyurl.com/e2satnyp
👏👩🔬
🧪
👏👩🔬
🧪
January 28, 2026 at 5:37 PM
The names of 72 female scientists will be added to the Eiffel Tower, to accompany those of 72 male scientists that are already engraved there tinyurl.com/e2satnyp
👏👩🔬
🧪
👏👩🔬
🧪
Reposted by Kristin Connor
Pleased to share our Comment piece on the power and challenges of placental #organoids for pregnancy research 🤰
January 27, 2026 at 5:39 AM
Pleased to share our Comment piece on the power and challenges of placental #organoids for pregnancy research 🤰
Gutted to learn of the passing of Dr Kirsty Duncan.
She was a tireless fighter for the people she served, not only her local community in Toronto but others, especially the science & research &
athletics communities too.
She championed equity, diversity, inclusion and made change happen.
🤍🙏🏻
She was a tireless fighter for the people she served, not only her local community in Toronto but others, especially the science & research &
athletics communities too.
She championed equity, diversity, inclusion and made change happen.
🤍🙏🏻
Former Liberal cabinet minister Kirsty Duncan dies at 59
OTTAWA — Former Liberal cabinet minister Kirsty Duncan has died at the age of 59 following a years-long battle with cancer. Born on Oct.
www.richmond-news.com
January 26, 2026 at 10:28 PM
Gutted to learn of the passing of Dr Kirsty Duncan.
She was a tireless fighter for the people she served, not only her local community in Toronto but others, especially the science & research &
athletics communities too.
She championed equity, diversity, inclusion and made change happen.
🤍🙏🏻
She was a tireless fighter for the people she served, not only her local community in Toronto but others, especially the science & research &
athletics communities too.
She championed equity, diversity, inclusion and made change happen.
🤍🙏🏻
Reposted by Kristin Connor
I have an open BBSRC PhD position in my lab at @northumbriauni.bsky.social to start Oct 2026
This exciting project will focus on the Resistance, resilience, & redundancy in the human gut microbiome
This is part in collaboration with the fantastic @stewartlab.bsky.social
Project details ⤵️
1/2
This exciting project will focus on the Resistance, resilience, & redundancy in the human gut microbiome
This is part in collaboration with the fantastic @stewartlab.bsky.social
Project details ⤵️
1/2
January 26, 2026 at 9:15 AM
I have an open BBSRC PhD position in my lab at @northumbriauni.bsky.social to start Oct 2026
This exciting project will focus on the Resistance, resilience, & redundancy in the human gut microbiome
This is part in collaboration with the fantastic @stewartlab.bsky.social
Project details ⤵️
1/2
This exciting project will focus on the Resistance, resilience, & redundancy in the human gut microbiome
This is part in collaboration with the fantastic @stewartlab.bsky.social
Project details ⤵️
1/2
❄️What’s better than 40 cm of snow?
Possibly 60 cm by morning! 😬
Gotta love that lake effect
#SnowyInTheSix
Possibly 60 cm by morning! 😬
Gotta love that lake effect
#SnowyInTheSix
a man in a white suit is standing next to a white convertible car in the snow .
ALT: a man in a white suit is standing next to a white convertible car in the snow .
media.tenor.com
January 26, 2026 at 1:06 AM
❄️What’s better than 40 cm of snow?
Possibly 60 cm by morning! 😬
Gotta love that lake effect
#SnowyInTheSix
Possibly 60 cm by morning! 😬
Gotta love that lake effect
#SnowyInTheSix
Reposted by Kristin Connor
DOHaD Canada 2026 Meeting Call for Abstracts! Deadline for abstract submission is March 1, 2026. Looking forward to sharing knowledge and learning about your outstanding research! @dohadtrainee-ecr.bsky.social
January 24, 2026 at 8:57 PM
DOHaD Canada 2026 Meeting Call for Abstracts! Deadline for abstract submission is March 1, 2026. Looking forward to sharing knowledge and learning about your outstanding research! @dohadtrainee-ecr.bsky.social
👏🏻 Congrats to @verndolinsky.bsky.social on his End Diabetes award from #Diabetes Canada!!
🤰🏻Critical gestational diabetes research that aims to improve blood sugar levels during #pregnancy through a novel intervention strategy.
#DOHaD
@dohadcanada.bsky.social
🤰🏻Critical gestational diabetes research that aims to improve blood sugar levels during #pregnancy through a novel intervention strategy.
#DOHaD
@dohadcanada.bsky.social
January 23, 2026 at 12:26 AM
👏🏻 Congrats to @verndolinsky.bsky.social on his End Diabetes award from #Diabetes Canada!!
🤰🏻Critical gestational diabetes research that aims to improve blood sugar levels during #pregnancy through a novel intervention strategy.
#DOHaD
@dohadcanada.bsky.social
🤰🏻Critical gestational diabetes research that aims to improve blood sugar levels during #pregnancy through a novel intervention strategy.
#DOHaD
@dohadcanada.bsky.social
Reposted by Kristin Connor
Turns out that if you use a broom to scratch yourself everyone thinks you're a weirdo but if a cow does it they end up in the cover of Current Biology
January 22, 2026 at 2:33 PM
Turns out that if you use a broom to scratch yourself everyone thinks you're a weirdo but if a cow does it they end up in the cover of Current Biology
Reposted by Kristin Connor
Need additional childcare support to attend the 2026 SRI Annual Meeting? Apply for the Family Care Grant is here to help!
This grant supports members by offsetting caregiving expenses, at home or onsite at the meeting.
Apply by January 31st to be considered!
forms.gle/3AydBoygrkhg...
This grant supports members by offsetting caregiving expenses, at home or onsite at the meeting.
Apply by January 31st to be considered!
forms.gle/3AydBoygrkhg...
January 20, 2026 at 8:50 PM
Need additional childcare support to attend the 2026 SRI Annual Meeting? Apply for the Family Care Grant is here to help!
This grant supports members by offsetting caregiving expenses, at home or onsite at the meeting.
Apply by January 31st to be considered!
forms.gle/3AydBoygrkhg...
This grant supports members by offsetting caregiving expenses, at home or onsite at the meeting.
Apply by January 31st to be considered!
forms.gle/3AydBoygrkhg...
Reposted by Kristin Connor
Canadian faculty & students are prevented from accessing their own work at Canadian universities… by U.S. trade policy. This scandalous extraterritoriality is just the tip of the iceberg of Canada's vulnerability to U.S. tech aggression. I explain in @thestar.com: www.thestar.com/business/opi....
Trump’s trade policy has digitally invaded Canadian universities. Here’s how, and why you should worry
By outsourcing IT to a U.S. company, writes Jim Stanford, students at more than 100 Canadian schools, including the U of T, are at the whim of Trump's U.S. trade
www.thestar.com
January 17, 2026 at 5:46 PM
Canadian faculty & students are prevented from accessing their own work at Canadian universities… by U.S. trade policy. This scandalous extraterritoriality is just the tip of the iceberg of Canada's vulnerability to U.S. tech aggression. I explain in @thestar.com: www.thestar.com/business/opi....
Reposted by Kristin Connor
While the U.S. is actively weakening the FDA, Canada is preparing to stop doing its own drug reviews and defer to foreign regulators.
“Public service savings targets” in action.
“Public service savings targets” in action.
The Carney government is about to give up a vital bit of sovereignty. Worse, it could harm Canadians’ health www.thestar.com/opinion/cont... @thestar.com
News and analysis → canadahealthwatch.ca 🍁
News and analysis → canadahealthwatch.ca 🍁
January 18, 2026 at 3:36 PM
While the U.S. is actively weakening the FDA, Canada is preparing to stop doing its own drug reviews and defer to foreign regulators.
“Public service savings targets” in action.
“Public service savings targets” in action.
Reposted by Kristin Connor
No, these are very serious comments.
ChatGPT has absolutely no goddamn place in graduate education. It steals from other authors, routinely gets major facts wrong, hallucinates sources, and generally makes the prose flat and boring as hell.
And if you shill for it in my mentions, I'll block you.
ChatGPT has absolutely no goddamn place in graduate education. It steals from other authors, routinely gets major facts wrong, hallucinates sources, and generally makes the prose flat and boring as hell.
And if you shill for it in my mentions, I'll block you.
January 17, 2026 at 11:16 PM
No, these are very serious comments.
ChatGPT has absolutely no goddamn place in graduate education. It steals from other authors, routinely gets major facts wrong, hallucinates sources, and generally makes the prose flat and boring as hell.
And if you shill for it in my mentions, I'll block you.
ChatGPT has absolutely no goddamn place in graduate education. It steals from other authors, routinely gets major facts wrong, hallucinates sources, and generally makes the prose flat and boring as hell.
And if you shill for it in my mentions, I'll block you.
Reposted by Kristin Connor
“The affordances of AI systems have the effect of eroding expertise, short-circuiting decision-making, + isolating people from each other. These systems are anathema to the kind of evolution, transparency, cooperation, + accountability that give vital institutions their purpose and sustainability.”
"If you wanted to create a tool that would enable the destruction of institutions that prop up democratic life, you could not do better than artificial intelligence." papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers....
How AI Destroys Institutions
Civic institutions—the rule of law, universities, and a free press—are the backbone of democratic life. They are the mechanisms through which complex societies
papers.ssrn.com
January 17, 2026 at 1:51 PM
“The affordances of AI systems have the effect of eroding expertise, short-circuiting decision-making, + isolating people from each other. These systems are anathema to the kind of evolution, transparency, cooperation, + accountability that give vital institutions their purpose and sustainability.”