Nicole M. Baran, Ph.D.
@nmbaran.bsky.social
Assistant Professor of Biology at Davidson College | Evolution & development of songbird social behavior, neuroendocrinology, & comparative genomics | STEMinist | Mostly here for the reading recommendations. (she/her) 🐦🧠🧬🌎🔬🌿🎺
Pinned
I believe that it is important that my students learn about the dynamic, complex process by which sexual differentiation occurs because it is the truth, writes @nmbaran.bsky.social.
#neuroskyence
www.thetransmitter.org/sex/what-bir...
#neuroskyence
www.thetransmitter.org/sex/what-bir...
What birds can teach us about the ‘biological truth’ of sex
Part of our job as educators is to give students a deeper understanding of the true diversity of sex and gender in the natural world.
www.thetransmitter.org
Excited to have this out in the world and to share my thoughts! Birds 🐣 have so much to teach us about sexual differentiation and diversity, which is so desperately needed in this moment. #neuroendocrinology
Reposted by Nicole M. Baran, Ph.D.
Someone has sure already made this observation but the fact they can convert all those empty warehouses into prison camps means they could have converted them into housing, community centers, job training centers or, hell, libraries or schools all along. It’s always a matter of will not resources.
February 15, 2026 at 5:30 PM
Someone has sure already made this observation but the fact they can convert all those empty warehouses into prison camps means they could have converted them into housing, community centers, job training centers or, hell, libraries or schools all along. It’s always a matter of will not resources.
Reposted by Nicole M. Baran, Ph.D.
Eliminating gender studies courses helps to ensure that universities and other institutions will continue to protect men who benefit from the abuse of women and girls, either directly or through their connections to those who exploit girls and women for profit.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Gender studies courses are shutting down across the US. The Epstein files reveal why | Joan Wallach Scott
Texas A&M University is the latest school to end women’s and gender studies programs and teaching race. We know why
www.theguardian.com
February 13, 2026 at 5:38 PM
Eliminating gender studies courses helps to ensure that universities and other institutions will continue to protect men who benefit from the abuse of women and girls, either directly or through their connections to those who exploit girls and women for profit.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Reposted by Nicole M. Baran, Ph.D.
As I say here, there is no scientific justification to revoke the engagement finding. In fact, over the last 15+ yrs, the evidence of how climate change affects our health has only grown. Higher risk of allergies, dementia, fertility, heart disease, and death: that’s what’s on the line. @nature.org
There is No Scientific Justification to Revoke the Endangerment Finding
The U.S. EPA's decision to repeal the Endangerment Finding will limit the government's ability to regulate emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases under the Clean Air Act.
www.nature.org
February 12, 2026 at 9:45 PM
As I say here, there is no scientific justification to revoke the engagement finding. In fact, over the last 15+ yrs, the evidence of how climate change affects our health has only grown. Higher risk of allergies, dementia, fertility, heart disease, and death: that’s what’s on the line. @nature.org
Reposted by Nicole M. Baran, Ph.D.
Minnesota still needs your attention
This is the aftermath of an ICE kidnapping a few blocks from my home in St. Paul—an hour ago. A quiet street full of broken glass and at least three wrecked cars. The target of the kidnapping was taken away by ambulance. He was on a stretcher and covered by a sheet, though a cop said he was alive.
February 11, 2026 at 5:52 PM
Minnesota still needs your attention
Reposted by Nicole M. Baran, Ph.D.
Idk I just feel like releasing this on Women and Girls in Science day with the top people being in the Epstein files and only THREE (3) women being in the top FIFTY...is on the nose.
www.forbes.com/sites/alexkn...
www.forbes.com/sites/alexkn...
Forbes 250: America’s Greatest Innovators
The Forbes Innovator 250: America's Greatest Innovators showcases the visionaries shaping our future. Find the full list of great minds and the mark they are leaving on our history.
www.forbes.com
February 11, 2026 at 5:21 PM
Idk I just feel like releasing this on Women and Girls in Science day with the top people being in the Epstein files and only THREE (3) women being in the top FIFTY...is on the nose.
www.forbes.com/sites/alexkn...
www.forbes.com/sites/alexkn...
Reposted by Nicole M. Baran, Ph.D.
Devastated to see what’s happening at a place that I loved because it was the writing home of so many people I loved. what a gutting week
Should You Buy a Newspaper or a Yacht?
Advice for Jeff Bezos
www.theatlantic.com
February 6, 2026 at 12:33 AM
Devastated to see what’s happening at a place that I loved because it was the writing home of so many people I loved. what a gutting week
Reposted by Nicole M. Baran, Ph.D.
Welp, this one made me cry
A newborn in Minneapolis hadn’t eaten for a day and a half.
ICE agents took her mother when she went to work, trying to make money for diapers.
Her 16-year-old and Bri, a local mother of two, saved that baby's life. @chabeli.bsky.social tells their story
ICE agents took her mother when she went to work, trying to make money for diapers.
Her 16-year-old and Bri, a local mother of two, saved that baby's life. @chabeli.bsky.social tells their story
When one mother was taken by ICE, another stepped in to donate breastmilk
Moms in Minneapolis are donating diapers, food and time to help families who have been ripped apart by ICE.
19thnews.org
February 2, 2026 at 7:57 PM
Welp, this one made me cry
Reposted by Nicole M. Baran, Ph.D.
Anne Frank died of typhus at Bergen-Belsen
ICE now confirming that there is a measles outbreak at the Texas concentration camp where young Liam was held.
February 2, 2026 at 12:52 AM
Anne Frank died of typhus at Bergen-Belsen
Reposted by Nicole M. Baran, Ph.D.
ACADEMICS:
If some other academic's ability to think through ethics, morals, or consequences was so poor as to admit association with any old wealthy person, especially when they've already been convicted of heinous crimes
You gotta admit their work may ALSO reflect this lack of intellectual rigor
If some other academic's ability to think through ethics, morals, or consequences was so poor as to admit association with any old wealthy person, especially when they've already been convicted of heinous crimes
You gotta admit their work may ALSO reflect this lack of intellectual rigor
February 1, 2026 at 2:50 PM
ACADEMICS:
If some other academic's ability to think through ethics, morals, or consequences was so poor as to admit association with any old wealthy person, especially when they've already been convicted of heinous crimes
You gotta admit their work may ALSO reflect this lack of intellectual rigor
If some other academic's ability to think through ethics, morals, or consequences was so poor as to admit association with any old wealthy person, especially when they've already been convicted of heinous crimes
You gotta admit their work may ALSO reflect this lack of intellectual rigor
Reposted by Nicole M. Baran, Ph.D.
Epstein’s economic power among academics was made possible by a capitalist system that makes higher education dependent on the charity economy rather than a public good supported by taxing the rich
February 1, 2026 at 2:33 PM
Epstein’s economic power among academics was made possible by a capitalist system that makes higher education dependent on the charity economy rather than a public good supported by taxing the rich
Reposted by Nicole M. Baran, Ph.D.
the things is that evolutionary psychologists et al who promote a biologically essentialist (ie sexist and racist) view of humanity would be wrong and bad on their own terms without them spending all their private time hanging out chatting about torture with their rape daddy billionaire, and yet…
February 1, 2026 at 5:41 PM
the things is that evolutionary psychologists et al who promote a biologically essentialist (ie sexist and racist) view of humanity would be wrong and bad on their own terms without them spending all their private time hanging out chatting about torture with their rape daddy billionaire, and yet…
Reposted by Nicole M. Baran, Ph.D.
Academics vying for a spot in Epstein‘s world. There are so many. I feel the need to make a thread, so I don’t keep confusing them. 1/
January 31, 2026 at 9:02 PM
Academics vying for a spot in Epstein‘s world. There are so many. I feel the need to make a thread, so I don’t keep confusing them. 1/
Reposted by Nicole M. Baran, Ph.D.
An extraordinary document. Read it.
“Attached to this order is an appendix that identifies 96 court orders that ICE has violated in 74 cases. … ICE has likely violated more court orders in January 2026 than some federal agencies have violated in their entire existence.”
“Attached to this order is an appendix that identifies 96 court orders that ICE has violated in 74 cases. … ICE has likely violated more court orders in January 2026 than some federal agencies have violated in their entire existence.”
January 28, 2026 at 10:42 PM
An extraordinary document. Read it.
“Attached to this order is an appendix that identifies 96 court orders that ICE has violated in 74 cases. … ICE has likely violated more court orders in January 2026 than some federal agencies have violated in their entire existence.”
“Attached to this order is an appendix that identifies 96 court orders that ICE has violated in 74 cases. … ICE has likely violated more court orders in January 2026 than some federal agencies have violated in their entire existence.”
Reposted by Nicole M. Baran, Ph.D.
This quantification of loss is staggering. And knowing some of the excellent people that make up these numbers… is heartbreaking
www.science.org/content/arti...
www.science.org/content/arti...
U.S. government has lost more than 10,000 STEM Ph.D.s since Trump took office
A Science analysis reveals how many were fired, retired, or quit across 14 agencies
www.science.org
January 27, 2026 at 11:16 PM
This quantification of loss is staggering. And knowing some of the excellent people that make up these numbers… is heartbreaking
www.science.org/content/arti...
www.science.org/content/arti...
Reposted by Nicole M. Baran, Ph.D.
Last week in Minnesota, I watched ordinary people risk their lives to protect their neighbors. In the process, they not only won a significant—though not final—victory against authoritarianism, they proved virtually every MAGA social theory wrong. (gift link) www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/0...
January 27, 2026 at 1:06 PM
Last week in Minnesota, I watched ordinary people risk their lives to protect their neighbors. In the process, they not only won a significant—though not final—victory against authoritarianism, they proved virtually every MAGA social theory wrong. (gift link) www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/0...
Reposted by Nicole M. Baran, Ph.D.
The American Federation of Government Employees, which represents border patrol officers at the National Border Patrol Council, calls on Kristi Noem and Stephen Miller to resign or be fired
January 27, 2026 at 2:07 AM
The American Federation of Government Employees, which represents border patrol officers at the National Border Patrol Council, calls on Kristi Noem and Stephen Miller to resign or be fired
Reposted by Nicole M. Baran, Ph.D.
if bovino is out and conservatives are turning on noem then there is a real opportunity to demand that miller resign too.
January 27, 2026 at 1:07 AM
if bovino is out and conservatives are turning on noem then there is a real opportunity to demand that miller resign too.
Reposted by Nicole M. Baran, Ph.D.
The more I think about it, the more I’m convinced the Democrats have to push their hand immediately. The parallels with the delays and subsequent failures after January 6th are blaring warning signs about what will happen if they don’t go after the issues with ICE and CBP at the root RIGHT NOW.
January 26, 2026 at 11:35 PM
The more I think about it, the more I’m convinced the Democrats have to push their hand immediately. The parallels with the delays and subsequent failures after January 6th are blaring warning signs about what will happen if they don’t go after the issues with ICE and CBP at the root RIGHT NOW.
Reposted by Nicole M. Baran, Ph.D.
The people of Minnesota have also:
- Created a visual record of ICE crimes to counter false narratives and aid future prosecutors
- Engaged in well organized mutual aid to meet immediate needs of those most affected
A model for the rest of us.
- Created a visual record of ICE crimes to counter false narratives and aid future prosecutors
- Engaged in well organized mutual aid to meet immediate needs of those most affected
A model for the rest of us.
The people of Minnesota have executed one of the most impressive civil resistance campaigns I can remember:
- Organized a city wide general strike
- Maintained nonviolent discipline amidst violence
- Mobilized 10,000s in subzero temps to protest and watch ICE
- Flipped public opinion against ICE
- Organized a city wide general strike
- Maintained nonviolent discipline amidst violence
- Mobilized 10,000s in subzero temps to protest and watch ICE
- Flipped public opinion against ICE
January 26, 2026 at 4:34 PM
The people of Minnesota have also:
- Created a visual record of ICE crimes to counter false narratives and aid future prosecutors
- Engaged in well organized mutual aid to meet immediate needs of those most affected
A model for the rest of us.
- Created a visual record of ICE crimes to counter false narratives and aid future prosecutors
- Engaged in well organized mutual aid to meet immediate needs of those most affected
A model for the rest of us.
Reposted by Nicole M. Baran, Ph.D.
The people of Minnesota have executed one of the most impressive civil resistance campaigns I can remember:
- Organized a city wide general strike
- Maintained nonviolent discipline amidst violence
- Mobilized 10,000s in subzero temps to protest and watch ICE
- Flipped public opinion against ICE
- Organized a city wide general strike
- Maintained nonviolent discipline amidst violence
- Mobilized 10,000s in subzero temps to protest and watch ICE
- Flipped public opinion against ICE
January 26, 2026 at 4:17 PM
The people of Minnesota have executed one of the most impressive civil resistance campaigns I can remember:
- Organized a city wide general strike
- Maintained nonviolent discipline amidst violence
- Mobilized 10,000s in subzero temps to protest and watch ICE
- Flipped public opinion against ICE
- Organized a city wide general strike
- Maintained nonviolent discipline amidst violence
- Mobilized 10,000s in subzero temps to protest and watch ICE
- Flipped public opinion against ICE
Reposted by Nicole M. Baran, Ph.D.
If you are a scientist funded by NIH and agree that if the HHS/NIH bill is held hostage by linkage for funding to DHS/ICE, we need to shutdown both and save lives, its time to speak up. Right now, with a few exceptions, the silence is deafening
As a someone with a 33 year NIH-funded lab whose grant is supposed to be reviewed this week, shut NIH down if that is what's needed to end ICE terrorism. Innocent lives are more important 🧪
The Senate may choose to vote together on the DHS and LHHS bills. Thus, a filibuster on DHS may mean no funding for NIH. What my colleagues are saying:
“Shut it down, public health will understand. I’ll work without pay again.”
- anonymous NIHer
“Shut it down, public health will understand. I’ll work without pay again.”
- anonymous NIHer
January 26, 2026 at 1:46 PM
If you are a scientist funded by NIH and agree that if the HHS/NIH bill is held hostage by linkage for funding to DHS/ICE, we need to shutdown both and save lives, its time to speak up. Right now, with a few exceptions, the silence is deafening
Reposted by Nicole M. Baran, Ph.D.
On the weakness of state terror: once ppl internalize the regime's lawless brutality, that they are no safer in their homes than in the streets (& vice versa), and that their unwavering defiance is what confounds & disempowers the regime, they also realize they have nothing to lose but their fear.
This administration is cooked. Literally no one is scared of them.
January 25, 2026 at 7:51 PM
On the weakness of state terror: once ppl internalize the regime's lawless brutality, that they are no safer in their homes than in the streets (& vice versa), and that their unwavering defiance is what confounds & disempowers the regime, they also realize they have nothing to lose but their fear.
Reposted by Nicole M. Baran, Ph.D.
Really hard to look at this and all the other examples of bravery and kindness from ordinary people in this moment not think also of the tremendous cowardice exhibited over the past year by some of the richest, most well-protected people in business, media and politics
Let us all have the courage displayed by the residents of Minneapolis.
January 25, 2026 at 2:24 PM
Really hard to look at this and all the other examples of bravery and kindness from ordinary people in this moment not think also of the tremendous cowardice exhibited over the past year by some of the richest, most well-protected people in business, media and politics
Reposted by Nicole M. Baran, Ph.D.
The Trump administration “seeks to reduce us all to a state of constant fear — a fear of violence from which some people may at a given moment be spared, but from which no one will ever be truly safe. That is our new national reality. State terror has arrived.” - @mashagessen.bsky.social
Opinion | State Terror Has Arrived
www.nytimes.com
January 25, 2026 at 12:43 PM
The Trump administration “seeks to reduce us all to a state of constant fear — a fear of violence from which some people may at a given moment be spared, but from which no one will ever be truly safe. That is our new national reality. State terror has arrived.” - @mashagessen.bsky.social
Reposted by Nicole M. Baran, Ph.D.
January 25, 2026 at 6:48 AM