Mary Munson
@marymunson4.bsky.social
Multidisciplinary research at UMass Chan focused on membrane trafficking. Striving to make academic science a more diverse, equitable, welcoming and inclusive place. President of the American Society for Cell Biology (ASCB).
Opinions are mine
(she/her)
Opinions are mine
(she/her)
Pinned
Mary Munson
@marymunson4.bsky.social
· Nov 25
My lab at UMass Chan Med School uses a variety of approaches to elucidate the molecular mechanisms of membrane traffic. Striving to make academic science a more diverse, equitable, welcoming and inclusive place. Incoming President for the American Society for Cell Biology (ASCB)! Opinions are mine.
Reposted by Mary Munson
Heard an established successful neuroscientist dismissing junior scientists as "people at the bottom" 🤦♀️
You folks with lots of research funds & power: young scientists more than ever need our respect and support even if you don't agree with their ideas and approaches
#sfn2025
You folks with lots of research funds & power: young scientists more than ever need our respect and support even if you don't agree with their ideas and approaches
#sfn2025
November 17, 2025 at 7:35 PM
Heard an established successful neuroscientist dismissing junior scientists as "people at the bottom" 🤦♀️
You folks with lots of research funds & power: young scientists more than ever need our respect and support even if you don't agree with their ideas and approaches
#sfn2025
You folks with lots of research funds & power: young scientists more than ever need our respect and support even if you don't agree with their ideas and approaches
#sfn2025
Reposted by Mary Munson
I wrote this in 2018 for a resource that doesn’t seem to exist anymore about how to respond to sexual harassment in STEM. I’m so disappointed, but not surprised, that I need to post it again
psychiatry.ucsd.edu/_files/diver...
psychiatry.ucsd.edu/_files/diver...
psychiatry.ucsd.edu
November 22, 2025 at 5:31 PM
I wrote this in 2018 for a resource that doesn’t seem to exist anymore about how to respond to sexual harassment in STEM. I’m so disappointed, but not surprised, that I need to post it again
psychiatry.ucsd.edu/_files/diver...
psychiatry.ucsd.edu/_files/diver...
Reposted by Mary Munson
Happy to see our latest work online. Here we present a new method for microsecond time-resolved cryo-EM based on jet vitrification! Details in the 🧵 below... we hope you enjoy reading! (Hint, there's some fun videos...) #cryoEM #structuralbiology
Microsecond Time-Resolved Cryo-EM Based on Jet Vitrification https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2025.11.21.689681v1
November 22, 2025 at 11:26 AM
Happy to see our latest work online. Here we present a new method for microsecond time-resolved cryo-EM based on jet vitrification! Details in the 🧵 below... we hope you enjoy reading! (Hint, there's some fun videos...) #cryoEM #structuralbiology
Reposted by Mary Munson
Our department at RPI is hiring an Assistant Professor in the field of Cell/Neuro Biology. Come join our collaborative and highly interdisciplinary department! careers.rpi.edu/en-us/job/49...
Details - Assistant Professor, Cellular Neuroscience - RPI Jobs
careers.rpi.edu
October 15, 2025 at 7:37 PM
Our department at RPI is hiring an Assistant Professor in the field of Cell/Neuro Biology. Come join our collaborative and highly interdisciplinary department! careers.rpi.edu/en-us/job/49...
Reposted by Mary Munson
We just released a new major version of TrackMate (v8), the cell and organelle tracking plugin of Fiji.
It ships many new features, detailed below, but that are articulated around the following:
It ships many new features, detailed below, but that are articulated around the following:
November 20, 2025 at 11:42 AM
We just released a new major version of TrackMate (v8), the cell and organelle tracking plugin of Fiji.
It ships many new features, detailed below, but that are articulated around the following:
It ships many new features, detailed below, but that are articulated around the following:
Reposted by Mary Munson
I posted yesterday about the shift to triaging 70% of NIH applications rather than 50%.
This is apparently just a temporary step to catch up for all of the study section meetings cancelled due to the government shutdown.
I hope NIH will collect some data to track the impacts of this change.
This is apparently just a temporary step to catch up for all of the study section meetings cancelled due to the government shutdown.
I hope NIH will collect some data to track the impacts of this change.
a woman wearing a beanie says this is a temporary fix netflix
ALT: a woman wearing a beanie says this is a temporary fix netflix
media.tenor.com
November 15, 2025 at 6:44 PM
I posted yesterday about the shift to triaging 70% of NIH applications rather than 50%.
This is apparently just a temporary step to catch up for all of the study section meetings cancelled due to the government shutdown.
I hope NIH will collect some data to track the impacts of this change.
This is apparently just a temporary step to catch up for all of the study section meetings cancelled due to the government shutdown.
I hope NIH will collect some data to track the impacts of this change.
Reposted by Mary Munson
Explore real-time event-driven microscopy with Suliana Manley, Ben Loos & Lindy O’Claire! ➡️ Dec 2 | 12 p.m. ET | Free + Certificate ➡️ Learn how advanced imaging captures mitochondrial + neuronal dynamics. 🔗 www.ascb.org/ascb-meeting...
November 13, 2025 at 8:34 PM
Explore real-time event-driven microscopy with Suliana Manley, Ben Loos & Lindy O’Claire! ➡️ Dec 2 | 12 p.m. ET | Free + Certificate ➡️ Learn how advanced imaging captures mitochondrial + neuronal dynamics. 🔗 www.ascb.org/ascb-meeting...
Reposted by Mary Munson
From LSE... 20 years, 650 lesson plans: after Vision & Change, publications ↑4×, 7/11 core concepts/competencies show up more, and teaching is more student-centered. Scoping review by Kira Treibergs et al. 🔗 www.lifescied.org/doi/10.1187/...
November 13, 2025 at 8:45 PM
From LSE... 20 years, 650 lesson plans: after Vision & Change, publications ↑4×, 7/11 core concepts/competencies show up more, and teaching is more student-centered. Scoping review by Kira Treibergs et al. 🔗 www.lifescied.org/doi/10.1187/...
Reposted by Mary Munson
From MBoC… Dorothy Lerit (Emory University) shows how cells choreograph RNA delivery to their division centers—keeping the process of cell division precise and on time.
🔗 www.molbiolcell.org/doi/full/10....
🔗 www.molbiolcell.org/doi/full/10....
November 14, 2025 at 2:23 PM
From MBoC… Dorothy Lerit (Emory University) shows how cells choreograph RNA delivery to their division centers—keeping the process of cell division precise and on time.
🔗 www.molbiolcell.org/doi/full/10....
🔗 www.molbiolcell.org/doi/full/10....
Reposted by Mary Munson
"A citizens group in Ontario, California is spearheading an effort to make the community aware of incidents involving federal immigration agents.
They're placing signs at the locations that read, 'ICE stole someone here'..."
abc7.com/post/ontario...
They're placing signs at the locations that read, 'ICE stole someone here'..."
abc7.com/post/ontario...
Immigrant rights group placing 'ICE stole someone here' signs in Ontario
A citizens group in Ontario is spearheading an effort to make the community aware of incidents involving ICE agents detaining and arresting undocumented immigrants.
abc7.com
November 16, 2025 at 2:38 AM
"A citizens group in Ontario, California is spearheading an effort to make the community aware of incidents involving federal immigration agents.
They're placing signs at the locations that read, 'ICE stole someone here'..."
abc7.com/post/ontario...
They're placing signs at the locations that read, 'ICE stole someone here'..."
abc7.com/post/ontario...
Reposted by Mary Munson
Scaling back DEI programmes and the loss of scientific talent by Needhi Bhalla, JoAnn Trejo & Mary Munson
www.nature.com/articles/s41... via @natcellbio.nature.com
www.nature.com/articles/s41... via @natcellbio.nature.com
Scaling back DEI programmes and the loss of scientific talent
Programmes that support diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) in science are under attack in the USA. Data indicate that diversity in the scientific workforce increases creativity and success in tackling...
www.nature.com
November 4, 2025 at 4:10 PM
Scaling back DEI programmes and the loss of scientific talent by Needhi Bhalla, JoAnn Trejo & Mary Munson
www.nature.com/articles/s41... via @natcellbio.nature.com
www.nature.com/articles/s41... via @natcellbio.nature.com
Reposted by Mary Munson
NEW: Jenna Norton, an NIH employee who is openly critical of Trump & RFK Jr, has been put on "non-disciplinary" administrative leave. She says the administration is trying to "scare and silence me." An HHS official, asked to comment, called her a radical leftist.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/13/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/13/u...
N.I.H. Worker Who Criticized Trump Health Policies Says She Is on Administrative Leave
www.nytimes.com
November 14, 2025 at 2:56 AM
NEW: Jenna Norton, an NIH employee who is openly critical of Trump & RFK Jr, has been put on "non-disciplinary" administrative leave. She says the administration is trying to "scare and silence me." An HHS official, asked to comment, called her a radical leftist.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/13/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/13/u...
Reposted by Mary Munson
Just got an email from my SRO for the study section that was missed in October. Good news is that they are trying to reschedule ASAP (Dec/Jan). The bad news is that CSR is mandating that only the the top third (not half) of applications will get discussed for the next 2 rounds.
November 13, 2025 at 10:34 PM
Just got an email from my SRO for the study section that was missed in October. Good news is that they are trying to reschedule ASAP (Dec/Jan). The bad news is that CSR is mandating that only the the top third (not half) of applications will get discussed for the next 2 rounds.
Reposted by Mary Munson
“The prohibited activities would include joint research, co-authorship on papers, and advising a foreign graduate student or postdoctoral fellow. The language is retroactive, meaning any interactions during the previous 5 years could make a scientist ineligible for future federal funding.”
U.S. Congress considers sweeping ban on Chinese collaborations
Researchers speak out against proposal that would bar funding for U.S. scientists working with Chinese partners or training Chinese students
www.science.org
November 14, 2025 at 1:03 AM
“The prohibited activities would include joint research, co-authorship on papers, and advising a foreign graduate student or postdoctoral fellow. The language is retroactive, meaning any interactions during the previous 5 years could make a scientist ineligible for future federal funding.”
Reposted by Mary Munson
Biological Chemistry's position is still taking applications. UM is a great place to be a PI, I'd love to see a new membrane biology or lipids expert join our community.
This is open for new and established investigators.
This is open for new and established investigators.
Collaborative. Creative. Impactful. Come join us in Ann Arbor! For more information and application link see jobs.sciencecareers.org/job/675674/f...
November 11, 2025 at 3:33 PM
Biological Chemistry's position is still taking applications. UM is a great place to be a PI, I'd love to see a new membrane biology or lipids expert join our community.
This is open for new and established investigators.
This is open for new and established investigators.
Reposted by Mary Munson
It's a dark time for artists. Many are struggling!
It's easy to buy gifts online. When you buy from *artists*, you're supporting working people, instead of making rich jerks richer.
This fall, send your present $$ to an artist's shop!
Artists! Drop your shop links!
& check out SquidFacts.net 😘
It's easy to buy gifts online. When you buy from *artists*, you're supporting working people, instead of making rich jerks richer.
This fall, send your present $$ to an artist's shop!
Artists! Drop your shop links!
& check out SquidFacts.net 😘
November 11, 2025 at 4:15 PM
It's a dark time for artists. Many are struggling!
It's easy to buy gifts online. When you buy from *artists*, you're supporting working people, instead of making rich jerks richer.
This fall, send your present $$ to an artist's shop!
Artists! Drop your shop links!
& check out SquidFacts.net 😘
It's easy to buy gifts online. When you buy from *artists*, you're supporting working people, instead of making rich jerks richer.
This fall, send your present $$ to an artist's shop!
Artists! Drop your shop links!
& check out SquidFacts.net 😘
Reposted by Mary Munson
I've said it before: everything giant pandas do makes more sense if you imagine they are six drinks in on a Friday night.
But I feel like we haven't fully celebrated their triumphant return. See, the giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) is no longer Endangered.
A conservation success story!
But I feel like we haven't fully celebrated their triumphant return. See, the giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) is no longer Endangered.
A conservation success story!
a panda bear is sitting on a wooden platform with toys
Alt: a panda bear is sitting on a wooden platform with toys, it barrels through them, falls, and manages to roll down every part of the stairs, as if on purpose. Just agent of chaos behavior.
media.tenor.com
November 9, 2025 at 3:04 PM
I've said it before: everything giant pandas do makes more sense if you imagine they are six drinks in on a Friday night.
But I feel like we haven't fully celebrated their triumphant return. See, the giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) is no longer Endangered.
A conservation success story!
But I feel like we haven't fully celebrated their triumphant return. See, the giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) is no longer Endangered.
A conservation success story!
Reposted by Mary Munson
Bluetorial-Jim Watson
I met Jim Watson a few times but did not know him well. However, I was greatly influenced by his book “The Double Helix”. He was a complicated human being with some very, very bad features, but some good contributions.
What follows is my personal perspective.
1/41
I met Jim Watson a few times but did not know him well. However, I was greatly influenced by his book “The Double Helix”. He was a complicated human being with some very, very bad features, but some good contributions.
What follows is my personal perspective.
1/41
a cartoon says hey everybody an old man 's talking while bart simpson looks on
ALT: a cartoon says hey everybody an old man 's talking while bart simpson looks on
media.tenor.com
November 8, 2025 at 1:58 PM
Bluetorial-Jim Watson
I met Jim Watson a few times but did not know him well. However, I was greatly influenced by his book “The Double Helix”. He was a complicated human being with some very, very bad features, but some good contributions.
What follows is my personal perspective.
1/41
I met Jim Watson a few times but did not know him well. However, I was greatly influenced by his book “The Double Helix”. He was a complicated human being with some very, very bad features, but some good contributions.
What follows is my personal perspective.
1/41
Reposted by Mary Munson
Excited to launch an openRxiv partnership with the scientist-run AI review service qed (@qedscience.bsky.social), the brainchild of @odedrechavi.bsky.social 1/n
openrxiv.org/enabling-rev...
openrxiv.org/enabling-rev...
Enabling options for review: from training and transparency to author-centered AI tools - openRxiv
Peer review is widely viewed as a critical aspect of biomedical communication. Ideally, it provides authors with feedback so they can improve manuscripts and gives readers, particularly nonspecialists...
openrxiv.org
November 6, 2025 at 2:32 PM
Excited to launch an openRxiv partnership with the scientist-run AI review service qed (@qedscience.bsky.social), the brainchild of @odedrechavi.bsky.social 1/n
openrxiv.org/enabling-rev...
openrxiv.org/enabling-rev...
Reposted by Mary Munson
🧪 Two of my favorite sci-things!
Already run q.e.d on my latest bioRxiv submissions :)
Already run q.e.d on my latest bioRxiv submissions :)
Excited to launch an openRxiv partnership with the scientist-run AI review service qed (@qedscience.bsky.social), the brainchild of @odedrechavi.bsky.social 1/n
openrxiv.org/enabling-rev...
openrxiv.org/enabling-rev...
Enabling options for review: from training and transparency to author-centered AI tools - openRxiv
Peer review is widely viewed as a critical aspect of biomedical communication. Ideally, it provides authors with feedback so they can improve manuscripts and gives readers, particularly nonspecialists...
openrxiv.org
November 7, 2025 at 12:57 PM
🧪 Two of my favorite sci-things!
Already run q.e.d on my latest bioRxiv submissions :)
Already run q.e.d on my latest bioRxiv submissions :)
Reposted by Mary Munson
🚨 NASA scientists warn: critical equipment at Goddard Space Flight Center could be discarded during the shutdown, jeopardizing decades of Earth & space science missions.
📢 Act now: agu.quorum.us/campaign/146...
#sciencepolicy #saveNASA
📢 Act now: agu.quorum.us/campaign/146...
#sciencepolicy #saveNASA
November 7, 2025 at 12:45 AM
🚨 NASA scientists warn: critical equipment at Goddard Space Flight Center could be discarded during the shutdown, jeopardizing decades of Earth & space science missions.
📢 Act now: agu.quorum.us/campaign/146...
#sciencepolicy #saveNASA
📢 Act now: agu.quorum.us/campaign/146...
#sciencepolicy #saveNASA
Reposted by Mary Munson
An Asgard archaeon with internal membrane compartments
Brilliant study led by @fmacleod.bsky.social and Andriko von Kügelgen. Tight collaboration with @buzzbaum.bsky.social and lab. Congrats to all authors!
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Brilliant study led by @fmacleod.bsky.social and Andriko von Kügelgen. Tight collaboration with @buzzbaum.bsky.social and lab. Congrats to all authors!
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
November 7, 2025 at 10:44 AM
An Asgard archaeon with internal membrane compartments
Brilliant study led by @fmacleod.bsky.social and Andriko von Kügelgen. Tight collaboration with @buzzbaum.bsky.social and lab. Congrats to all authors!
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Brilliant study led by @fmacleod.bsky.social and Andriko von Kügelgen. Tight collaboration with @buzzbaum.bsky.social and lab. Congrats to all authors!
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Reposted by Mary Munson
The Leading Edge Fellows gathered this week to celebrate Zara Weinberg, a beloved member of our community. Our 7th cohort of Leading Edge Fellows (2026) will be named in her honor.
The Zara Weinberg Leading Edge Cohort application is now open! Due Feb 2.
www.leadingedgesymposium.org/apply/
The Zara Weinberg Leading Edge Cohort application is now open! Due Feb 2.
www.leadingedgesymposium.org/apply/
November 5, 2025 at 5:48 PM
The Leading Edge Fellows gathered this week to celebrate Zara Weinberg, a beloved member of our community. Our 7th cohort of Leading Edge Fellows (2026) will be named in her honor.
The Zara Weinberg Leading Edge Cohort application is now open! Due Feb 2.
www.leadingedgesymposium.org/apply/
The Zara Weinberg Leading Edge Cohort application is now open! Due Feb 2.
www.leadingedgesymposium.org/apply/
Reposted by Mary Munson
Love the idea of the "deletion test" posed by @needhibhalla.bsky.social & coauthors in their commentary about costs of cutting DEI efforts in science.
What if that student were "deleted?" What will the costs be?
Screenshots attached to enhance access. www.nature.com/articles/s41...
What if that student were "deleted?" What will the costs be?
Screenshots attached to enhance access. www.nature.com/articles/s41...
November 5, 2025 at 8:49 PM
Love the idea of the "deletion test" posed by @needhibhalla.bsky.social & coauthors in their commentary about costs of cutting DEI efforts in science.
What if that student were "deleted?" What will the costs be?
Screenshots attached to enhance access. www.nature.com/articles/s41...
What if that student were "deleted?" What will the costs be?
Screenshots attached to enhance access. www.nature.com/articles/s41...
