Needhi Bhalla 💅🏽
@needhibhalla.bsky.social
Cell biologist and geneticist, Professor, mom and consumer of alcohol. Those might all be related. I grind til I own it.
She/her/hers.
ORCID: 0000-0002-6859-0073
personal account
She/her/hers.
ORCID: 0000-0002-6859-0073
personal account
Pinned
Scaling back DEI programmes and the loss of scientific talent
Nature Cell Biology - 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...
www.nature.com
@joann-trejo.bsky.social, @marymunson4.bsky.social and I have a commentary in @natcellbio.nature.com on recent attacks on DEI in biomedical research: "If scientific research, especially biomedical research, is meant to serve everyone, then it requires that everyone has an opportunity to participate"
Reposted by Needhi Bhalla 💅🏽
This is a nice move in an interview www.nytimes.com/2026/02/16/u...
February 16, 2026 at 6:54 PM
This is a nice move in an interview www.nytimes.com/2026/02/16/u...
"I don’t think that the debates between the left & moderates would necessarily be any friendlier if they were disagreeing over the best ways to experiment to attract voters & create compelling policies, but I do think that they would be more likely to result in interesting & unexpected discoveries"
February 16, 2026 at 7:43 PM
"I don’t think that the debates between the left & moderates would necessarily be any friendlier if they were disagreeing over the best ways to experiment to attract voters & create compelling policies, but I do think that they would be more likely to result in interesting & unexpected discoveries"
Reposted by Needhi Bhalla 💅🏽
Agree.
In addition (changing the subject), I really like the concept of “clarity trap.” It might be the best summary I’ve seen of what is wrong with Econ 101ism.
In addition (changing the subject), I really like the concept of “clarity trap.” It might be the best summary I’ve seen of what is wrong with Econ 101ism.
February 16, 2026 at 6:08 PM
Agree.
In addition (changing the subject), I really like the concept of “clarity trap.” It might be the best summary I’ve seen of what is wrong with Econ 101ism.
In addition (changing the subject), I really like the concept of “clarity trap.” It might be the best summary I’ve seen of what is wrong with Econ 101ism.
Reposted by Needhi Bhalla 💅🏽
📢 Predoc Opportunity
I'm hiring a full-time predoc to work with me at UC Berkeley, supporting my research on labor economics, the economics of education, and public policy.
jesse-rothstein.com/rothstein_pr...
Please pass on to anyone who might be interested.
#econsky #econ_ra
I'm hiring a full-time predoc to work with me at UC Berkeley, supporting my research on labor economics, the economics of education, and public policy.
jesse-rothstein.com/rothstein_pr...
Please pass on to anyone who might be interested.
#econsky #econ_ra
jesse-rothstein.com
February 16, 2026 at 6:58 PM
📢 Predoc Opportunity
I'm hiring a full-time predoc to work with me at UC Berkeley, supporting my research on labor economics, the economics of education, and public policy.
jesse-rothstein.com/rothstein_pr...
Please pass on to anyone who might be interested.
#econsky #econ_ra
I'm hiring a full-time predoc to work with me at UC Berkeley, supporting my research on labor economics, the economics of education, and public policy.
jesse-rothstein.com/rothstein_pr...
Please pass on to anyone who might be interested.
#econsky #econ_ra
Reposted by Needhi Bhalla 💅🏽
AOC’s biggest problem if she runs for president is that the white men who control our media ecosystem will not so much put a finger on the scale to stop her as an entire hand
it can be done (see: Zohran) but it’s going to be blatant and it’s going to be infuriating
it can be done (see: Zohran) but it’s going to be blatant and it’s going to be infuriating
Have you ever once seen the New York Times quote Trump like this?
February 16, 2026 at 7:21 PM
AOC’s biggest problem if she runs for president is that the white men who control our media ecosystem will not so much put a finger on the scale to stop her as an entire hand
it can be done (see: Zohran) but it’s going to be blatant and it’s going to be infuriating
it can be done (see: Zohran) but it’s going to be blatant and it’s going to be infuriating
Reposted by Needhi Bhalla 💅🏽
It is absolutely a choice.
Have you ever once seen the New York Times quote Trump like this?
February 16, 2026 at 6:58 PM
It is absolutely a choice.
Reposted by Needhi Bhalla 💅🏽
If you want to understand why rich guys are turning back to eugenics and recreating the rhetoric and theology of slavery, it’s because they know on some level this level of wealth inequality is unjustifiable bsky.app/profile/marl...
February 16, 2026 at 6:06 PM
If you want to understand why rich guys are turning back to eugenics and recreating the rhetoric and theology of slavery, it’s because they know on some level this level of wealth inequality is unjustifiable bsky.app/profile/marl...
Reposted by Needhi Bhalla 💅🏽
Reposted by Needhi Bhalla 💅🏽
Higher Ed, in particular, should have fought 2FA on personal phones and removing our office phones tooth and nail for this reason.
I think it was @tressiemcphd.bsky.social who was insistent that we decouple our online work lives from our online personal lives and here's data point one million supporting that theory. A lot of people can't ditch google for work functionality, but separating out personal accounts gives you options
Reddit, Meta, and Google Voluntarily Gave DHS Info of Anti-ICE Users, Report Says
DHS is expanding its use of administrative subpoenas, which don't come from judges.
gizmodo.com
February 16, 2026 at 6:15 PM
Higher Ed, in particular, should have fought 2FA on personal phones and removing our office phones tooth and nail for this reason.
Reposted by Needhi Bhalla 💅🏽
Bye Truckee! Going home in a snow storm without any worries at all. "You chose a good day to take the train!"
February 16, 2026 at 6:30 PM
Bye Truckee! Going home in a snow storm without any worries at all. "You chose a good day to take the train!"
Reposted by Needhi Bhalla 💅🏽
Hotel guests are fleeing early because of the snowstorm. Traffic to the Bay Area and Reno is jammed due to gridlock, plows and crashes. Drivers are clearing snow off windshields and having to buy tire chains.
But not us. Our Amtrak is on time. We'll relax in the dining car. The smart way to go.
But not us. Our Amtrak is on time. We'll relax in the dining car. The smart way to go.
February 16, 2026 at 5:32 PM
Hotel guests are fleeing early because of the snowstorm. Traffic to the Bay Area and Reno is jammed due to gridlock, plows and crashes. Drivers are clearing snow off windshields and having to buy tire chains.
But not us. Our Amtrak is on time. We'll relax in the dining car. The smart way to go.
But not us. Our Amtrak is on time. We'll relax in the dining car. The smart way to go.
Reposted by Needhi Bhalla 💅🏽
read that first paragraph if nothing else:
Federal court orders Trump administration to restore historical panel exhibits at President’s House in Philadelphia.
Happy Presidents Day.
Happy Presidents Day.
February 16, 2026 at 6:48 PM
read that first paragraph if nothing else:
Reposted by Needhi Bhalla 💅🏽
Abigail Spanberger ran for governor of Virginia on her record as one of the most bipartisan members of the House. After her first weeks in office, critics on the right are calling her a witch, a “Bond villain” and dangerous. She sees it as a sign of her success. nyti.ms/3MO2wLb
In First Months as Governor, Abigail Spanberger Kicks Up Heat From the Right
The new governor of Virginia, who ran as a centrist Democrat and a former intelligence officer, says the attacks are a sign of her success.
nyti.ms
February 16, 2026 at 7:00 PM
Abigail Spanberger ran for governor of Virginia on her record as one of the most bipartisan members of the House. After her first weeks in office, critics on the right are calling her a witch, a “Bond villain” and dangerous. She sees it as a sign of her success. nyti.ms/3MO2wLb
Reposted by Needhi Bhalla 💅🏽
👀 Invoking Orwell, a federal judge has ordered the Trump administration to restore panels and historical acknowledgments of the history of slavery that the National Park Service removed in Philadelphia. storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
February 16, 2026 at 6:24 PM
👀 Invoking Orwell, a federal judge has ordered the Trump administration to restore panels and historical acknowledgments of the history of slavery that the National Park Service removed in Philadelphia. storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
Reposted by Needhi Bhalla 💅🏽
Mamdani taps ex-Biden official to audit NYPD, other agencies for sanctuary law lapses
Mamdani taps ex-Biden official to audit NYPD, other agencies for sanctuary law lapses
The effort is aimed at counteracting the Trump administration’s immigration crackdowns.
dlvr.it
February 16, 2026 at 7:00 PM
Mamdani taps ex-Biden official to audit NYPD, other agencies for sanctuary law lapses
I'd be excited if she ran and I agree that the moment might be right but I am also just so so grateful to have her on an international stage, representing the US and US interests, compared to the alternatives, both on the right and the left 💅🏽
"From joining Sanders on the “Fighting Oligarchy” tour to endorsing Mamdani to her comments in Munich, Ocasio-Cortez keeps showing prescience and depth. Perhaps the right woman is staring right in front of us, and we should embrace her leadership." newrepublic.com/article/2065...
You Know What? Maybe the Time Is Right for an AOC Presidential Bid
She’s only 36, and there’s a good argument that she should run for Senate and bide her time. But she also could be a formidable White House candidate.
newrepublic.com
February 16, 2026 at 7:01 PM
I'd be excited if she ran and I agree that the moment might be right but I am also just so so grateful to have her on an international stage, representing the US and US interests, compared to the alternatives, both on the right and the left 💅🏽
Reposted by Needhi Bhalla 💅🏽
Good arguments here from Bacon. To add: Main thing I want to see from candidates is the willingness to build and foster year-round organizing that has a chance of delivering systemic change, like Obama tried with OFA.
Pretty sure @aoc.bsky.social would do that despite lots of opposition.
Pretty sure @aoc.bsky.social would do that despite lots of opposition.
"From joining Sanders on the “Fighting Oligarchy” tour to endorsing Mamdani to her comments in Munich, Ocasio-Cortez keeps showing prescience and depth. Perhaps the right woman is staring right in front of us, and we should embrace her leadership." newrepublic.com/article/2065...
You Know What? Maybe the Time Is Right for an AOC Presidential Bid
She’s only 36, and there’s a good argument that she should run for Senate and bide her time. But she also could be a formidable White House candidate.
newrepublic.com
February 16, 2026 at 2:39 PM
Good arguments here from Bacon. To add: Main thing I want to see from candidates is the willingness to build and foster year-round organizing that has a chance of delivering systemic change, like Obama tried with OFA.
Pretty sure @aoc.bsky.social would do that despite lots of opposition.
Pretty sure @aoc.bsky.social would do that despite lots of opposition.
Reposted by Needhi Bhalla 💅🏽
chris christie might have been president if he had struck when the iron was hot in 2012, and the same goes for liz warren in 2016.
February 16, 2026 at 2:14 PM
chris christie might have been president if he had struck when the iron was hot in 2012, and the same goes for liz warren in 2016.
Reposted by Needhi Bhalla 💅🏽
from the perspective of someone who might want to be president, the best time to run for the white house is now, not later. so if AOC is thinking about it — if the white house is her ambition — then her best bet is to throw her hat in the ring
You Know What? Maybe the Time Is Right for an AOC Presidential Bid
She’s only 36, and there’s a good argument that she should run for Senate and bide her time. But she also could be a formidable White House candidate.
newrepublic.com
February 16, 2026 at 2:13 PM
from the perspective of someone who might want to be president, the best time to run for the white house is now, not later. so if AOC is thinking about it — if the white house is her ambition — then her best bet is to throw her hat in the ring
Reposted by Needhi Bhalla 💅🏽
Keza Macdonald — author of a fantastic new book on the history of Nintendo — is coming on the pod this week to talk about women/non-binary people getting into gaming *as adults.* We need your questions!!
Spectacularly easy question submission form here:
docs.google.com/forms/d/1x-9...
Spectacularly easy question submission form here:
docs.google.com/forms/d/1x-9...
Culture Study Podcast Questions!
Each week, Anne will tug on the thread of our cultural fabric and see what unravels. But she needs your help! What questions do you have about the world around you? You can use this form to answer a s...
docs.google.com
February 16, 2026 at 5:21 PM
Keza Macdonald — author of a fantastic new book on the history of Nintendo — is coming on the pod this week to talk about women/non-binary people getting into gaming *as adults.* We need your questions!!
Spectacularly easy question submission form here:
docs.google.com/forms/d/1x-9...
Spectacularly easy question submission form here:
docs.google.com/forms/d/1x-9...
Reposted by Needhi Bhalla 💅🏽
Reminds me of a recent post by @tressiemcphd.bsky.social about how male loneliness only becomes a social *problem* if lonely men are violent men. Men who feel emasculated are embarrassed, but a particular brand of embarrassment that leads them to become violent.
www.instagram.com/reels/DOMGr0...
www.instagram.com/reels/DOMGr0...
Tressie McMillan Cottom | Another post by #populardemand.
The media construction of loneliness as gendered, a urgent social problem, and an apolitical phenomenon... | Instagram
48K likes, 304 comments - tressiemcphd on September 4, 2025: "Another post by #populardemand.
The media construction of loneliness as gendered, a urgent social problem, and an apolitical phenomenon....
www.instagram.com
February 16, 2026 at 5:21 PM
Reminds me of a recent post by @tressiemcphd.bsky.social about how male loneliness only becomes a social *problem* if lonely men are violent men. Men who feel emasculated are embarrassed, but a particular brand of embarrassment that leads them to become violent.
www.instagram.com/reels/DOMGr0...
www.instagram.com/reels/DOMGr0...
Reposted by Needhi Bhalla 💅🏽
Inspired by this from @perrybaconjr.bsky.social who's becoming pretty much my go-to political analyst
from the perspective of someone who might want to be president, the best time to run for the white house is now, not later. so if AOC is thinking about it — if the white house is her ambition — then her best bet is to throw her hat in the ring
You Know What? Maybe the Time Is Right for an AOC Presidential Bid
She’s only 36, and there’s a good argument that she should run for Senate and bide her time. But she also could be a formidable White House candidate.
newrepublic.com
February 16, 2026 at 3:49 PM
Inspired by this from @perrybaconjr.bsky.social who's becoming pretty much my go-to political analyst
Reposted by Needhi Bhalla 💅🏽
Trump backed off calling Renee Good & Alex Pretti domestic terrorists because people didn't like it. But as I wrote, the admin is still doubling down on the use of domestic terrorism investigations to scare Americans away from using their First Amendment rights. www.brennancenter.org/our-work/res...
Trump’s Version of “Domestic Terrorism” vs. the First Amendment
The administration has given itself permission to prosecute people and organizations for their political views.
www.brennancenter.org
February 16, 2026 at 2:17 PM
Trump backed off calling Renee Good & Alex Pretti domestic terrorists because people didn't like it. But as I wrote, the admin is still doubling down on the use of domestic terrorism investigations to scare Americans away from using their First Amendment rights. www.brennancenter.org/our-work/res...
Reposted by Needhi Bhalla 💅🏽
Trump backed off calling Renee Good & Alex Pretti domestic terrorists because people didn't like it. But as I wrote, the admin is still doubling down on the use of domestic terrorism investigations to scare Americans away from using their First Amendment rights. www.brennancenter.org/our-work/res...
Trump’s Version of “Domestic Terrorism” vs. the First Amendment
The administration has given itself permission to prosecute people and organizations for their political views.
www.brennancenter.org
February 16, 2026 at 5:03 PM