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 💅🏽
Reposted by Needhi Bhalla 💅🏽
Pregnancy became far more dangerous in Texas after the state banned abortion, according to ProPublica’s first-of-its-kind analysis, which found the sepsis rate for women hospitalized as they miscarried in the 2nd trimester shot up by more than 50%.
(Published Feb. 2025)
(Published Feb. 2025)
Texas Banned Abortion. Then Sepsis Rates Soared.
ProPublica’s first-of-its-kind analysis is the most detailed look yet into a rise in life-threatening complications for women experiencing pregnancy loss under Texas’ abortion ban.
www.propublica.org
February 17, 2026 at 4:00 AM
Pregnancy became far more dangerous in Texas after the state banned abortion, according to ProPublica’s first-of-its-kind analysis, which found the sepsis rate for women hospitalized as they miscarried in the 2nd trimester shot up by more than 50%.
(Published Feb. 2025)
(Published Feb. 2025)
Reposted by Needhi Bhalla 💅🏽
Wow. More info via Instagram:
February 17, 2026 at 5:55 AM
Wow. More info via Instagram:
Reposted by Needhi Bhalla 💅🏽
gotta do investigations into DHS “waste, fraud and abuse” as pretext for killing the agency
The interior of Kristi Noem’s new billionaire-class luxury jet is complete with two bidets and a wet bar with a wine chiller. It will be purchased on our dime from the slush fund Congress approved in the One Big Beautiful Bill.
open.substack.com/pub/newsnotn...
open.substack.com/pub/newsnotn...
Let Them Fly First Class: Kristi Noem’s DHS Luxury Jet Scandal
Inside Noem's flying palace. Plus: Pentagon demands obedient, deadly AI. The race to deploy untested nuclear reactors. Lawmakers move to rein in presidential pardons. And remembering Robert Duvall.
open.substack.com
February 17, 2026 at 2:53 AM
gotta do investigations into DHS “waste, fraud and abuse” as pretext for killing the agency
Reposted by Needhi Bhalla 💅🏽
Reposted by Needhi Bhalla 💅🏽
“[James Talarico] was supposed to be here, but we were told in no uncertain terms by our network’s lawyers, who called us directly, that we could not have him on the broadcast,” Colbert said.
Stephen Colbert blasted Brendan Carr after FCC scrutiny led CBS to pull an interview with Texas State Rep James Talarico. Instead, 'The Late Show' posted it to YouTube.
Colbert Says CBS Pulled Guest Over FCC Scrutiny; Posts Interview to YouTube Instead
Stephen Colbert blasted Brendan Carr after FCC scrutiny led CBS to pull an interview with Texas State Rep James Talarico. Instead, 'The Late Show' posted it to YouTube.
dlvr.it
February 17, 2026 at 6:10 AM
“[James Talarico] was supposed to be here, but we were told in no uncertain terms by our network’s lawyers, who called us directly, that we could not have him on the broadcast,” Colbert said.
Reposted by Needhi Bhalla 💅🏽
Every time you speak up - and every time you don't - there are people watching and learning about you and the world you help create.
The drunk uncle theory.
You don’t argue with the casually homophobic uncle at Thanksgiving dinner to change his mind; you argue so that the closeted cousin at the kids table knows there’s safe people and better possibilities out there
You don’t argue with the casually homophobic uncle at Thanksgiving dinner to change his mind; you argue so that the closeted cousin at the kids table knows there’s safe people and better possibilities out there
agree with this (hah) but also think a particular mistake the left made for a long time online, and still makes to an extent, is failing to understand that the person whose mind you may actually change is the one reading the argument you're having, not the one you're arguing with
February 17, 2026 at 3:52 AM
Every time you speak up - and every time you don't - there are people watching and learning about you and the world you help create.
Reposted by Needhi Bhalla 💅🏽
This is how you live a life
February 17, 2026 at 2:32 AM
This is how you live a life
Reposted by Needhi Bhalla 💅🏽
One flex I remain quite proud of: even after a v long workday, we can still make a restaurant-quality meal at home.
Tonight: chicharrón-encrusted chicken schnitzel, crispy smashed potatoes, & lemon-zested broccoli. Absolutely delicious.
You’ve got to find a way to hold on to joy amidst all this.
Tonight: chicharrón-encrusted chicken schnitzel, crispy smashed potatoes, & lemon-zested broccoli. Absolutely delicious.
You’ve got to find a way to hold on to joy amidst all this.
February 17, 2026 at 4:58 AM
One flex I remain quite proud of: even after a v long workday, we can still make a restaurant-quality meal at home.
Tonight: chicharrón-encrusted chicken schnitzel, crispy smashed potatoes, & lemon-zested broccoli. Absolutely delicious.
You’ve got to find a way to hold on to joy amidst all this.
Tonight: chicharrón-encrusted chicken schnitzel, crispy smashed potatoes, & lemon-zested broccoli. Absolutely delicious.
You’ve got to find a way to hold on to joy amidst all this.
Reposted by Needhi Bhalla 💅🏽
@tressiemcphd.bsky.social wrote a really great article about AOC, beauty, and power a while ago that I enjoyed. No longer have access to the unpaywalled version though tressiemcphd.medium.com/aocs-attract...
AOC’s Attractiveness Drives Us All Mad
I am in the middle of a storm, literally and figuratively. Somehow I missed that a hurricane is blowing through my town. That means I am…
tressiemcphd.medium.com
February 16, 2026 at 10:50 PM
@tressiemcphd.bsky.social wrote a really great article about AOC, beauty, and power a while ago that I enjoyed. No longer have access to the unpaywalled version though tressiemcphd.medium.com/aocs-attract...
Reposted by Needhi Bhalla 💅🏽
So when thousands of women (and children) were being duplicated--including in non-consensual AI porn--it was no big deal. But it took "only a 15-sec clip" of these two famous white men to draw outrage and fear. Gotcha. Cool cool.
It took only a 15-second clip of Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt duking it out on a crumbling rooftop — made by A.I. with a two-sentence prompt and the click of a button — to draw swift outrage, and sizable fear, from Hollywood.
"It’s nothing short of terrifying," one scriptwriter said.
"It’s nothing short of terrifying," one scriptwriter said.
Why an A.I. Video of Tom Cruise Battling Brad Pitt Spooked Hollywood
A 15-second clip created by an artificial intelligence tool owned by the Chinese technology company ByteDance appears more cinematic than anything so far.
nyti.ms
February 16, 2026 at 8:36 PM
So when thousands of women (and children) were being duplicated--including in non-consensual AI porn--it was no big deal. But it took "only a 15-sec clip" of these two famous white men to draw outrage and fear. Gotcha. Cool cool.
Reposted by Needhi Bhalla 💅🏽
BREAKING: Majestic Realty, who owns one of the warehouses ICE was planning to purchase to create a detention camp, announced today that it would not sell to the agency. More at DMagazine.com shortly.
February 16, 2026 at 5:34 PM
BREAKING: Majestic Realty, who owns one of the warehouses ICE was planning to purchase to create a detention camp, announced today that it would not sell to the agency. More at DMagazine.com shortly.
Reposted by Needhi Bhalla 💅🏽
🚨🚨 It's new research week for me on the socials! 🚨🚨
First up, just released today as an NBER working paper:
"More Hours, More Work: Head Start Expansions Boost Maternal Employment" with fantastic coauthors Esra Kose and Maria Rosales-Rueda
www.nber.org/papers/w34831
First up, just released today as an NBER working paper:
"More Hours, More Work: Head Start Expansions Boost Maternal Employment" with fantastic coauthors Esra Kose and Maria Rosales-Rueda
www.nber.org/papers/w34831
February 17, 2026 at 1:48 AM
🚨🚨 It's new research week for me on the socials! 🚨🚨
First up, just released today as an NBER working paper:
"More Hours, More Work: Head Start Expansions Boost Maternal Employment" with fantastic coauthors Esra Kose and Maria Rosales-Rueda
www.nber.org/papers/w34831
First up, just released today as an NBER working paper:
"More Hours, More Work: Head Start Expansions Boost Maternal Employment" with fantastic coauthors Esra Kose and Maria Rosales-Rueda
www.nber.org/papers/w34831
Reposted by Needhi Bhalla 💅🏽
Coming this May. A documentary about WEB Du Bois - www.youtube.com/watch?v=5kMs...
W.E.B. Du Bois: Rebel With A Cause | Official Trailer | American Masters | PBS
YouTube video by American Masters PBS
www.youtube.com
February 16, 2026 at 3:03 PM
Coming this May. A documentary about WEB Du Bois - www.youtube.com/watch?v=5kMs...
Reposted by Needhi Bhalla 💅🏽
The drunk uncle theory.
You don’t argue with the casually homophobic uncle at Thanksgiving dinner to change his mind; you argue so that the closeted cousin at the kids table knows there’s safe people and better possibilities out there
You don’t argue with the casually homophobic uncle at Thanksgiving dinner to change his mind; you argue so that the closeted cousin at the kids table knows there’s safe people and better possibilities out there
agree with this (hah) but also think a particular mistake the left made for a long time online, and still makes to an extent, is failing to understand that the person whose mind you may actually change is the one reading the argument you're having, not the one you're arguing with
The secret to engaging in social media debate is knowing you will never win anyone over. The best you can hope for is to have people who already agree with tell you you're awesome. You might great a dopamine thrill from the righteousness of your anger! Fine benefits, all. But you will never win.
February 16, 2026 at 11:35 PM
The drunk uncle theory.
You don’t argue with the casually homophobic uncle at Thanksgiving dinner to change his mind; you argue so that the closeted cousin at the kids table knows there’s safe people and better possibilities out there
You don’t argue with the casually homophobic uncle at Thanksgiving dinner to change his mind; you argue so that the closeted cousin at the kids table knows there’s safe people and better possibilities out there
Reposted by Needhi Bhalla 💅🏽
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.