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moadlc.bsky.social
Mel Ortiz-Alvarez
@moadlc.bsky.social
280 followers 330 following 150 posts
Neuro-microbiome Scientist🦠🧠, Science Writer for @microbites.bsky.social ✍️& Artist 🎨 PhD candidate & #NSFGRFP fellow at #BrownUniversity Portfolio: www.microbephd.com Co-Founder of CienciaPaTodes.org #CienciaPR 🇵🇷 #BlackinMicro #InclusiveSciComm
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moadlc.bsky.social
Mel Ortiz-Alvarez @moadlc.bsky.social · Nov 4
✨Who am I?✨
- Pathobiology PhD Candidate 🔬
-Aspiring Science Illustrator🎨
-Microbiome Enthusiast🦠

Let's start a conversation!🥳

www.microbephd.com

#scicomm #microbiology #gradschool
Microscope image of a yellow fungus on a leaf. Text reads Science for All, Melanie Ortiz Alvarez, BSc. Integrative Biology
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moadlc.bsky.social
Mel Ortiz-Alvarez @moadlc.bsky.social · 8d
Excited to be a panelist again for this free #scicomm training!! If you are a researcher looking to improve your communication skills, definitely check it out 👏🏾❤️
cctsi.bsky.social
CCTSI @cctsi.bsky.social · 8d
When you explain your research, do people look bored? Pull out their phones? Register for our Communicating Your Science to the Public course to learn how to tell a compelling story about what you do as a researcher. Begins 11/4. buff.ly/OsjabL5
@projbridgeco.bsky.social, @moadlc.bsky.social
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moadlc.bsky.social
Mel Ortiz-Alvarez @moadlc.bsky.social · 11d
September is ending, so here is a brief wrap-up of what I was up to this past month as a PhD candidate interested in science communication 🎉😍🇵🇷

#substack #scicomm #scipol #gradschool #phd #stem #academicsky
Monthly SciComm WrapUp: September 2025
A brief summary of what fun sci-comm things I did in the month of September!
open.substack.com
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moadlc.bsky.social
Mel Ortiz-Alvarez @moadlc.bsky.social · 22d
I'm always grateful to see well-researched, science non-fiction books trending among general readers. It's a great introduction into the subject and brings more awareness to a forgotten, neglected disease.

Thanks @johngreenbluesky.bsky.app ❤️ 😊 🫂
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moadlc.bsky.social
Mel Ortiz-Alvarez @moadlc.bsky.social · 22d
I'm back with a new #ReadersDigestion on #Substack! This time, I'm reviewing "Everything is Tuberculosis" by John Green.

If you are into brief science book reviews, check it out here: microbephd.substack.com/p/readers-di...

#scicomm #johngreen #everythingistuberculosis #bookreview #bookrec
Reader's Digestion: "Everything is Tuberculosis"
What I am reading/listening to as a PhD candidate working on the neuromicrobiome.
microbephd.substack.com
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moadlc.bsky.social
Mel Ortiz-Alvarez @moadlc.bsky.social · 23d
Absolutely! I didn't even know research was a career option until my sophomore year of college. That's why I think it's so important to help high schoolers learn about STEM early! :) It really sets them up for success
moadlc.bsky.social
Mel Ortiz-Alvarez @moadlc.bsky.social · 25d
My mentee just published his first peer-reviewed article as a high school senior!🦠🔬 🎊

It's been a privilege to see how much he grew as a research over 9 months.

Read it here:
ajosr.org/papers/volum...

¡Seguimos! 👏🏾🇵🇷

#teaching #mentoring #research #gradschool #scicomm #sciencewriting #academicsky
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Reposted by Mel Ortiz-Alvarez
microbites.bsky.social
MicroBites @microbites.bsky.social · Sep 1
📣 New MicroBites!

Breaking the Grass Ceiling: CBD Improves Female Depression 👩

A new study shows CBD treatment helped decrease symptoms of depression in mice consuming a high fat diet. 🐭 🦠
Breaking the Grass Ceiling: CBD Improves Female Depression
A new study shows CBD treatment helped decrease symptoms of depression in mice consuming a high fat diet.
buff.ly
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moadlc.bsky.social
Mel Ortiz-Alvarez @moadlc.bsky.social · Sep 9
Honored to be mentioned among such incredible people! Thanks for the shoutout ❤️🫂👏🏾 #scicomm
cctsi.bsky.social
CCTSI @cctsi.bsky.social · Sep 9
Who’s doing incredible work that deserves more attention? Tag them and tell us why in the comments. Let’s amplify their impact together!

@moadlc.bsky.social, @siegenthalerlab.bsky.social, @jabarocas.bsky.social
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moadlc.bsky.social
Mel Ortiz-Alvarez @moadlc.bsky.social · Sep 1
August is over, which means it's time for a wrap-up! Check out what #scicomm things I was up to in the past month.

microbephd.substack.com/p/monthly-sc...

#sciencewriting #gradschool #scipol #stem #phd #academicsky #Substack
Monthly SciComm WrapUp: August 2025
A brief summary of what fun sci-comm things I did in the month of August!
microbephd.substack.com
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moadlc.bsky.social
Mel Ortiz-Alvarez @moadlc.bsky.social · Sep 1
New month, new opportunities!! Check out my list of monthly opportunities for current and aspiring #STEM grads!

microbephd.substack.com/p/september-...

#gradschool #academicsky #research #opportunities #substack
September Opportunities for Aspiring PhDs, MDs and all in between!
Are you an undergrad or grad student interested in STEM careers? Check out these opportunities!
microbephd.substack.com
Reposted by Mel Ortiz-Alvarez
microbites.bsky.social
MicroBites @microbites.bsky.social · Aug 14
📣 New MicroBites!

High-Dose Probiotics Improve Mood in Stress Model 🐭

Combined treatment with Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium improved stress-related depression and anxiety in mice. 🦠
High-Dose Probiotics Improve Mood in Stress Model
Combined treatment with Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium improved stress-related depression and anxiety in mice.
buff.ly
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moadlc.bsky.social
Mel Ortiz-Alvarez @moadlc.bsky.social · Jul 31
July is almost over, and that means it's time for a scicomm wrap-up!! I got some much done this month, including an exciting announcement 👀

Read more here: microbephd.substack.com/p/monthly-sc...

#scicomm #stem #gradschool #academicsky #blackinmicro #latine #teaching
Monthly SciComm WrapUp: July 2025
A brief summary of what fun sci-comm things I did in the month of July!
microbephd.substack.com
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moadlc.bsky.social
Mel Ortiz-Alvarez @moadlc.bsky.social · Jul 25
I wrote about a really interesting #probiotic paper from Ghana! They saw that combining probiotics improved #mood symptoms in mice just as well or even better than antidepressants 👏🏾 Read more over on #MicroBites!

micro-bites.org/2025/07/25/h...

#stress #blackinmicro #scicomm #sciencewriting
High-Dose Probiotics Improve Mood in Stress Model
Combined treatment with Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium improved stress-related depression and anxiety in mice.
micro-bites.org
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moadlc.bsky.social
Mel Ortiz-Alvarez @moadlc.bsky.social · Jul 18
New #Substack today in honor of #BadBunny's concert in #PuertoRico 🎓🇵🇷🔥😎 microbephd.substack.com/p/science-be...

#sciencewriting #stem #science #gradschool #scicomm
Science behind Bad Bunny's DTMF
A short dive into some of the scientific concepts present in his latest album
microbephd.substack.com
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moadlc.bsky.social
Mel Ortiz-Alvarez @moadlc.bsky.social · Jul 16
I just taught high schoolers in a course I designed!

We discussed misinformation & transforming science into accessible media + guest lectures from #GeoLchat & #CienciaPaTodes

In 4 days, they made comics, infographics, blogs, videos & websites! ¡Seguimos! 🔥👏🏾🇵🇷 #scicomm #stem #teaching #gradschool
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moadlc.bsky.social
Mel Ortiz-Alvarez @moadlc.bsky.social · Jul 3
July will have some very cool opportunities for folks interested in #STEM! Check out some of them on my #Substack newsletter.

For more updates and regular opportunities in your inbox, subscribe for free ☺️❤️ microbephd.substack.com/p/july-oppor...

#scicomm #academicsky #academia #research
July Opportunities for Aspiring MD/PhDs & PhDs!
Are you an undergrad or grad student interested in STEM careers? Check out these opportunities!
microbephd.substack.com
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moadlc.bsky.social
Mel Ortiz-Alvarez @moadlc.bsky.social · Jun 30
Celebrating the last day of #pridemonth with a wrap-up of all the wonderful #scicomm activities I was able to do this month.

Take a gander over on #Substack if you are looking for inspiration in volunteering opportunities within science 🦠🔬

microbephd.substack.com/p/monthly-sc...
Monthly SciComm WrapUp: June 2025
A brief summary of what fun sci-comm things I did in the month of June!
microbephd.substack.com
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moadlc.bsky.social
Mel Ortiz-Alvarez @moadlc.bsky.social · Jun 20
As an #NSFGRFP fellow, it's been really concerning to see comments from people on social media saying that public funding of science is "wasteful".

When we protect science, we protect our future! Get involved now 👏🏾
#nsf #nih #science #substack #scicomm

microbephd.substack.com/p/a-brief-hi...
A Brief History of the NSF & Why We Need It
My thoughts on why the National Science Foundation matters, as a GRFP fellow
microbephd.substack.com
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moadlc.bsky.social
Mel Ortiz-Alvarez @moadlc.bsky.social · Jun 16
I love writing about new studies looking at the gut brain connection! 🧠 🦠 The article I wrote for MicroBites this month is precisely about that, this time about a clinical study with infants Rio 👶

Read it here:
micro-bites.org/2025/05/23/w...

#scicomm #stem #gradschool #microbiome #sciencewriting
What the Gut’s First Residents Say About Baby’s Brain Health
Newborns’ first gut microbes may predict social development at 6 months, revealing early links between microbiome and brain health.
micro-bites.org
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moadlc.bsky.social
Mel Ortiz-Alvarez @moadlc.bsky.social · Jun 13
Time for another #bookreview! This time it's a timeless classic: #ParableoftheSower

It was tough to read this considering current events, but I felt it was better now than never.

Butler is a masterclass in dystopia. Read more on #Substack

microbephd.substack.com/p/readers-di...
Reader's Digestion: "Parable of the Sower"
What I am reading/listening to as a PhD candidate working on the neuromicrobiome.
microbephd.substack.com
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moadlc.bsky.social
Mel Ortiz-Alvarez @moadlc.bsky.social · Jun 11
Full circle. Last night, I talked about my PhD journey with #LeadershipAlliance students at #BrownU!

7 years ago, I was exactly where they are now. I'm happy to give back to the program that introduced me to #microbiology & my PhD advisor. 🙏💐🦠

#outreach #stem #scicomm #gradschool
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moadlc.bsky.social
Mel Ortiz-Alvarez @moadlc.bsky.social · Jun 7
I had a wonderful time helping to organize this year's @samuelnabritcon.bsky.social at #BrownU! We heard many great talks, had 39 posters and lively discussions about community and mentorship. I'm grateful for the opportunity to participate in this wonderful #scicomm event! 🙏👏🏾 #smnc2025
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moadlc.bsky.social
Mel Ortiz-Alvarez @moadlc.bsky.social · Jun 7
June is full of great opportunities for incoming #PhDs and #MD/PhDs. See a list of my favorites in my latest #Substack

microbephd.substack.com/p/june-oppor...

#academicsky #stem #scicomm #conferences #mentoring #opportunities
June Opportunities for Aspiring MD/PhDs & PhDs!
Are you an undergrad or grad student interested in STEM careers? Check out these opportunities!
microbephd.substack.com
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moadlc.bsky.social
Mel Ortiz-Alvarez @moadlc.bsky.social · Jun 5
So grateful to help organize spaces like this! It's important to have these conversations now more than ever! Can't wait for Day 2 of #smnc2025 👏🏾😍🥳🎉
samuelnabritcon.bsky.social
Dr. Samuel M. Nabrit Conference for Early Career Scholars @samuelnabritcon.bsky.social · Jun 5
Wrapping up Day 1! Thank you to our wonderful faculty panelists! Dr. Garcia, Dr. Fisk, Dr. Wharton & Dr. Van Wart held a beautiful discussion about community engagement in science!

Thank you to @moadlc.bsky.social and Kim Meza for organizing this panel!

See you all tomorrow for Day 2! #smnc2025
moadlc.bsky.social
Mel Ortiz-Alvarez @moadlc.bsky.social · May 30
This past month was a whirlwind of exciting #scicomm opportunities 🙌 Read more about what I've been up to on my monthly #Substack update!

microbephd.substack.com/p/monthly-sc...

#sciencewriting #academicsky #microbio #gradschool #phd #stem
Monthly SciComm WrapUp: May 2025
A brief summary of what fun sci-comm things I did in the month of May!
microbephd.substack.com
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