Needhi Bhalla ๐
๐ฝ
@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 ๐
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"results show that spatial isolation is highest among advantaged ethnoracial and income groups, a finding that aligns with recent research and provides a challenge to the longstanding assumption that social isolation is most pronounced in areas of concentrated disadvantage."
Ooo can't wait to read!
Ooo can't wait to read!
๐ Our new paper uses daily mobility data to show that spatial isolation is much more common today among those living in advantaged neighborhoods than the converse.
๐ฉ๐ปโ๐ป Lots of massive data wrangling and careful assumptions about mobility data needed - but check it out here! doi.org/10.1177/0042...
๐ฉ๐ปโ๐ป Lots of massive data wrangling and careful assumptions about mobility data needed - but check it out here! doi.org/10.1177/0042...
November 25, 2025 at 3:57 AM
"results show that spatial isolation is highest among advantaged ethnoracial and income groups, a finding that aligns with recent research and provides a challenge to the longstanding assumption that social isolation is most pronounced in areas of concentrated disadvantage."
Ooo can't wait to read!
Ooo can't wait to read!
Reposted by Needhi Bhalla ๐
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You mean rich white families will seclude themselves from other people?
Reminds me of conversations with @louiseseamster.bsky.social about โsnob zonesโ (& the book: www.beacon.org/Snob-Zones-P...) & the construction of social isolation for status that also perpetuates racial & SES inequalities
Reminds me of conversations with @louiseseamster.bsky.social about โsnob zonesโ (& the book: www.beacon.org/Snob-Zones-P...) & the construction of social isolation for status that also perpetuates racial & SES inequalities
November 25, 2025 at 1:18 PM
You mean rich white families will seclude themselves from other people?
Reminds me of conversations with @louiseseamster.bsky.social about โsnob zonesโ (& the book: www.beacon.org/Snob-Zones-P...) & the construction of social isolation for status that also perpetuates racial & SES inequalities
Reminds me of conversations with @louiseseamster.bsky.social about โsnob zonesโ (& the book: www.beacon.org/Snob-Zones-P...) & the construction of social isolation for status that also perpetuates racial & SES inequalities
Reposted by Needhi Bhalla ๐
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"My mentor always tells me, 'Kim, dogs donโt bark at parked cars." Theyโre coming after critical race theory, 1619, intersectionality because these ideas mobilized people. They gave them the language to actually articulate what they were seeing with their own eyes," says Kimberlรฉ Crenshaw.
November 25, 2025 at 1:26 PM
"My mentor always tells me, 'Kim, dogs donโt bark at parked cars." Theyโre coming after critical race theory, 1619, intersectionality because these ideas mobilized people. They gave them the language to actually articulate what they were seeing with their own eyes," says Kimberlรฉ Crenshaw.
Reposted by Needhi Bhalla ๐
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Pam Bondiโs Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day talkingpointsmemo.com/morning-memo...
Pam Bondiโs Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day
No Dignity Left Behind Pam Bondi long ago gave up her dignity,...
talkingpointsmemo.com
November 25, 2025 at 3:32 PM
Pam Bondiโs Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day talkingpointsmemo.com/morning-memo...
Reposted by Needhi Bhalla ๐
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I'm all for reform to improve our public schoolsโI'm the one who rewrote No Child Left Behind.
But Trump breaking apart the Department of Education isn't reform, it's sabotage.
I'm fighting every way I can to stop him and protect public education.
But Trump breaking apart the Department of Education isn't reform, it's sabotage.
I'm fighting every way I can to stop him and protect public education.
Trump is trying to illegally dismantle Education Department, Murray says
Washington's senior senator discussed Trump's moves to dissolve the Education Department with local leaders.
www.seattletimes.com
November 25, 2025 at 3:29 PM
I'm all for reform to improve our public schoolsโI'm the one who rewrote No Child Left Behind.
But Trump breaking apart the Department of Education isn't reform, it's sabotage.
I'm fighting every way I can to stop him and protect public education.
But Trump breaking apart the Department of Education isn't reform, it's sabotage.
I'm fighting every way I can to stop him and protect public education.
Reposted by Needhi Bhalla ๐
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The presidentโs defamation lawsuit against The Guardian fell apart Monday when a Florida judge granted motions to dismiss, crushing his latest attempt to peel money out of a media institution.
The case was brought in 2023 by the corporate owner of Trumpโs platform, Truth Social. trib.al/VF4fcKE
The case was brought in 2023 by the corporate owner of Trumpโs platform, Truth Social. trib.al/VF4fcKE
November 25, 2025 at 3:17 PM
The presidentโs defamation lawsuit against The Guardian fell apart Monday when a Florida judge granted motions to dismiss, crushing his latest attempt to peel money out of a media institution.
The case was brought in 2023 by the corporate owner of Trumpโs platform, Truth Social. trib.al/VF4fcKE
The case was brought in 2023 by the corporate owner of Trumpโs platform, Truth Social. trib.al/VF4fcKE
Reposted by Needhi Bhalla ๐
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In a potentially dramatic change to how it chooses what science to fund, NIH is ending a long-running practice at many of its institutes of establishing, and making public, a threshold peer-review score needed for a grant applicationโs approval. https://scim.ag/48ck2zu
NIH shake-up to grant decision-making draws concerns of political meddling
Policy drops โpaylinesโ based on peer-review scores and requires geography and other factors to guide approvals
scim.ag
November 25, 2025 at 3:18 PM
In a potentially dramatic change to how it chooses what science to fund, NIH is ending a long-running practice at many of its institutes of establishing, and making public, a threshold peer-review score needed for a grant applicationโs approval. https://scim.ag/48ck2zu
Reposted by Needhi Bhalla ๐
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The Payback is one of @electricliterature.comโs best novels of the year!
Electric Lit's Best Novels of 2025 - Electric Literature
Books by Katie Kitamura, Angela Flournoy, and Susan Choi are among the year's most celebrated novels
electricliterature.com
November 25, 2025 at 3:11 PM
The Payback is one of @electricliterature.comโs best novels of the year!
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Blog post: A Missing Heritability Update. Three legs and other problems. I follow up on the recent excellent post on the subject by @sashagusevposts.bsky.social. ericturkheimer.substack.com/p/missing-he...
Missing Heritability Revisited
Following up on Sasha
ericturkheimer.substack.com
November 25, 2025 at 3:04 PM
Blog post: A Missing Heritability Update. Three legs and other problems. I follow up on the recent excellent post on the subject by @sashagusevposts.bsky.social. ericturkheimer.substack.com/p/missing-he...
โThey donโt seem well thought outโฆThereโs no guarantee the governmentโs going to make money, so theyโre really putting taxpayer money at risk.โ
"If business-as-usual policies worked, America would not be reliant on foreign countries for critical minerals, semiconductors and other products that are key for our national and economic security."
@anaswanson.bsky.social goes deep on the new state capitalism.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/25/u...
@anaswanson.bsky.social goes deep on the new state capitalism.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/25/u...
$10 Billion and Counting: Trump Administration Snaps Up Stakes in Private Firms
www.nytimes.com
November 25, 2025 at 3:02 PM
โThey donโt seem well thought outโฆThereโs no guarantee the governmentโs going to make money, so theyโre really putting taxpayer money at risk.โ
Reposted by Needhi Bhalla ๐
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"If business-as-usual policies worked, America would not be reliant on foreign countries for critical minerals, semiconductors and other products that are key for our national and economic security."
@anaswanson.bsky.social goes deep on the new state capitalism.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/25/u...
@anaswanson.bsky.social goes deep on the new state capitalism.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/25/u...
$10 Billion and Counting: Trump Administration Snaps Up Stakes in Private Firms
www.nytimes.com
November 25, 2025 at 2:51 PM
"If business-as-usual policies worked, America would not be reliant on foreign countries for critical minerals, semiconductors and other products that are key for our national and economic security."
@anaswanson.bsky.social goes deep on the new state capitalism.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/25/u...
@anaswanson.bsky.social goes deep on the new state capitalism.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/25/u...
Reposted by Needhi Bhalla ๐
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At a Democratic shadow hearing on Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids and mass deportation, Rep. Maxine Waters (D-CA) and Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-TX) didnโt hold back.
Waters & Crockettโs Fiery ICE Speeches
At a Democratic shadow hearing on Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids and mass deportation, Rep. Maxine Waters (D-CA) and Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-TX) didnโt hold back.
www.huffpost.com
November 25, 2025 at 2:50 PM
At a Democratic shadow hearing on Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids and mass deportation, Rep. Maxine Waters (D-CA) and Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-TX) didnโt hold back.
Reposted by Needhi Bhalla ๐
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Reposted by Needhi Bhalla ๐
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Some additional updates to deadlines have been released for grant submissions that fell during the shutdown
grants.nih.gov/grants/guide...
grants.nih.gov/grants/guide...
NOT-OD-26-012: Updated Guidance on Reopening of NIH Extramural Activities Following the October 1, 2025 - Lapse in Appropriations
NIH Funding Opportunities and Notices in the NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts: Updated Guidance on Reopening of NIH Extramural Activities Following the October 1, 2025 - Lapse in Appropriations NOT-...
grants.nih.gov
November 25, 2025 at 3:16 AM
Some additional updates to deadlines have been released for grant submissions that fell during the shutdown
grants.nih.gov/grants/guide...
grants.nih.gov/grants/guide...
Reposted by Needhi Bhalla ๐
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AD HOC REVIEWERS BEWARE. "There is no additional 2-week late window."
If you were counting on that as a perk for reviewing this round, it's gone. Your SRO had no say in this.
If you were counting on that as a perk for reviewing this round, it's gone. Your SRO had no say in this.
Some additional updates to deadlines have been released for grant submissions that fell during the shutdown
grants.nih.gov/grants/guide...
grants.nih.gov/grants/guide...
NOT-OD-26-012: Updated Guidance on Reopening of NIH Extramural Activities Following the October 1, 2025 - Lapse in Appropriations
NIH Funding Opportunities and Notices in the NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts: Updated Guidance on Reopening of NIH Extramural Activities Following the October 1, 2025 - Lapse in Appropriations NOT-...
grants.nih.gov
November 25, 2025 at 2:43 PM
AD HOC REVIEWERS BEWARE. "There is no additional 2-week late window."
If you were counting on that as a perk for reviewing this round, it's gone. Your SRO had no say in this.
If you were counting on that as a perk for reviewing this round, it's gone. Your SRO had no say in this.
Reposted by Needhi Bhalla ๐
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Good newsโDr. Abedini has been released!!! Thanks to everyone who shared and mobilized ๐๐ผ๐๐ผ๐๐ผ
My colleague, Dr. Vahid Abedini, was illegally detained by ICE on Saturday. He is currently being held without a court date in sight, despite being in the country legally. Please spread the word! We must ensure his due process rights are upheld. www.oudaily.com/news/ou-prof...
OU College of International Studies professor reportedly arrested by ICE
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement reportedly arrested an OU professor at Will Rogers International Airport Saturday.
www.oudaily.com
November 25, 2025 at 7:58 AM
Good newsโDr. Abedini has been released!!! Thanks to everyone who shared and mobilized ๐๐ผ๐๐ผ๐๐ผ
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โHaving a United States senator subject to discipline at the behest of the secretary of defense and the president โ that violates a core principle of legislative independence,โ Kreis said in a phone interview.
apnews.com/article/pent...
apnews.com/article/pent...
Pentagon says it's investigating Sen. Mark Kelly over video urging troops to defy 'illegal orders'
The Pentagon says it's investigating Democratic Sen. Mark Kelly of Arizona over possible breaches of military law after the former Navy pilot joined a handful of other lawmakers in a video that called...
apnews.com
November 24, 2025 at 9:55 PM
โHaving a United States senator subject to discipline at the behest of the secretary of defense and the president โ that violates a core principle of legislative independence,โ Kreis said in a phone interview.
apnews.com/article/pent...
apnews.com/article/pent...
Reposted by Needhi Bhalla ๐
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This one means a lot: just woke up to find that THERE IS NO PLACE FOR US has been named a New York Times Notable Book of 2025.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/24/b...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/24/b...
November 25, 2025 at 1:33 PM
This one means a lot: just woke up to find that THERE IS NO PLACE FOR US has been named a New York Times Notable Book of 2025.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/24/b...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/24/b...
Reposted by Needhi Bhalla ๐
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Our bill to reverse President Trumpโs union-busting executive order is getting a vote in Congress!
Tell your representative: restore union rights for 1 million federal workers and pass the Protect Americaโs Workforce Act! https://act.aflcio.org/call_campaigns/pass-pawa-house/
Tell your representative: restore union rights for 1 million federal workers and pass the Protect Americaโs Workforce Act! https://act.aflcio.org/call_campaigns/pass-pawa-house/
November 25, 2025 at 2:38 PM
Our bill to reverse President Trumpโs union-busting executive order is getting a vote in Congress!
Tell your representative: restore union rights for 1 million federal workers and pass the Protect Americaโs Workforce Act! https://act.aflcio.org/call_campaigns/pass-pawa-house/
Tell your representative: restore union rights for 1 million federal workers and pass the Protect Americaโs Workforce Act! https://act.aflcio.org/call_campaigns/pass-pawa-house/
Reposted by Needhi Bhalla ๐
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Thr concern is who will be making final programmatic decisions. If its qualified science experts, I don't see any major issues (sure some folk will be pissed but in the larger scheme things will work fine). If its unqualified politically-appointed hacks, we have a serious problem.
Atm we don't know
Atm we don't know
November 25, 2025 at 2:36 PM
Thr concern is who will be making final programmatic decisions. If its qualified science experts, I don't see any major issues (sure some folk will be pissed but in the larger scheme things will work fine). If its unqualified politically-appointed hacks, we have a serious problem.
Atm we don't know
Atm we don't know
Reposted by Needhi Bhalla ๐
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Funding choices based on the administration's priorities has always been there, mostly seen in what doesn't get funded (I have stories). Are we seeing a much more extreme version? I think so. Does this mean research is utterly borked? I genuinely hope not.
November 24, 2025 at 8:04 PM
Funding choices based on the administration's priorities has always been there, mostly seen in what doesn't get funded (I have stories). Are we seeing a much more extreme version? I think so. Does this mean research is utterly borked? I genuinely hope not.
Reposted by Needhi Bhalla ๐
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I was asked about this today, but I think it also matters to take into account the recent change to streamlining, discussing only the top 25-30% of applications.That means scientific review makes the first cut.
Short thread of observation/opinion.
Short thread of observation/opinion.
November 24, 2025 at 8:04 PM
I was asked about this today, but I think it also matters to take into account the recent change to streamlining, discussing only the top 25-30% of applications.That means scientific review makes the first cut.
Short thread of observation/opinion.
Short thread of observation/opinion.
Reposted by Needhi Bhalla ๐
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Detroit students from Western International High detained byย ICE
Arrested on the cityโs eastside, they were taken with family members to an ICE detention facility in Texas.
Arrested on the cityโs eastside, they were taken with family members to an ICE detention facility in Texas.
Detroit students from Western International High detained byย ICE
Arrested on the cityโs eastside, they were taken with family members to an ICE detention facility in Texas.
www.bridgedetroit.com
November 25, 2025 at 2:13 PM
Detroit students from Western International High detained byย ICE
Arrested on the cityโs eastside, they were taken with family members to an ICE detention facility in Texas.
Arrested on the cityโs eastside, they were taken with family members to an ICE detention facility in Texas.
Reposted by Needhi Bhalla ๐
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"Thus did Harvard allow the public to believe that just one faculty member had been responsible for the millions Epstein had secured to Harvard โโ โor at least, just one faculty member would be punished for the relationships that had inspired that money."
Insightful piece by Larry Lessig on the need for more transparency in Harvard faculty membersโ ties to Epstein
The 2020 Harvard Epstein report now looks like a big joke
www.thecrimson.com/article/2025...
The 2020 Harvard Epstein report now looks like a big joke
www.thecrimson.com/article/2025...
The First Epstein Report Ignored Summers. Harvard Must Do Better. | Opinion | The Harvard Crimson
How could Harvard have allowed this production of Hamlet without the Prince? And will it now commit to a practice that will not protect the elite among us, while shaming those not quite elite enough?
www.thecrimson.com
November 25, 2025 at 2:32 PM
"Thus did Harvard allow the public to believe that just one faculty member had been responsible for the millions Epstein had secured to Harvard โโ โor at least, just one faculty member would be punished for the relationships that had inspired that money."
Reposted by Needhi Bhalla ๐
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We @uam-umd.bsky.social won. Faculty packed town halls, talked to their colleagues and collected hundreds of petition signatures. Now UMD is coughing up $8.75m, during a deficit, to fund faculty whose research is under attack. Not enough, but a helluva thing for a union the state calls illegal.
$8.75M Investment Supports โResearch Resilienceโโฆ | Maryland Today
UMD, MPower Funds Combine to Help Preserve Institutional Capabilities, Lab Operations and More
today.umd.edu
November 25, 2025 at 2:32 PM
We @uam-umd.bsky.social won. Faculty packed town halls, talked to their colleagues and collected hundreds of petition signatures. Now UMD is coughing up $8.75m, during a deficit, to fund faculty whose research is under attack. Not enough, but a helluva thing for a union the state calls illegal.