Mark Peifer (He, him)
@peiferlabunc.bsky.social
Cell adhesion, cytoskeletal regulation, Wnt signaling & wherever science leads us + wildflowers & my own idiosyncratic views. First gen college grad
Diversity, equity & Inclusion are core American Values
https://peiferlab.web.unc.edu
Diversity, equity & Inclusion are core American Values
https://peiferlab.web.unc.edu
Reposted by Mark Peifer (He, him)
FAMU can't use the word Black on anything posted around campus related to Black History Month, to stay in compliance with Florida state laws against DEI. Black students can't use the word Black at their Historically Black College during Black History Month.
February 8, 2026 at 2:28 PM
FAMU can't use the word Black on anything posted around campus related to Black History Month, to stay in compliance with Florida state laws against DEI. Black students can't use the word Black at their Historically Black College during Black History Month.
Reposted by Mark Peifer (He, him)
In a long-form piece, I address recent claims by the Editor-in-Chief of @science.org that "quiet" insiders rather than "heated" activists should be credited for passage of top-line budget numbers for science and medical research.
joshuasweitz.substack.com/p/science-ad...
joshuasweitz.substack.com/p/science-ad...
Science Advocacy: The Risks of Playing the Long Game vs. Playing the Game For Too Long
Reflecting on the establishment view of recent ‘wins’ for research and what real winning looks like when public-facing advocacy is credited and included in broader coalitions.
joshuasweitz.substack.com
February 8, 2026 at 4:46 PM
In a long-form piece, I address recent claims by the Editor-in-Chief of @science.org that "quiet" insiders rather than "heated" activists should be credited for passage of top-line budget numbers for science and medical research.
joshuasweitz.substack.com/p/science-ad...
joshuasweitz.substack.com/p/science-ad...
Reposted by Mark Peifer (He, him)
February 8, 2026 at 4:49 PM
Reposted by Mark Peifer (He, him)
Massie: "I vote with the president 91% of the time. The 9% of the time my party is taking for pedophiles, bankrupting this country, or starting another war, I don't vote with them. And they want 100% compliance. That's why they're trying to take me out."
February 8, 2026 at 4:31 PM
Massie: "I vote with the president 91% of the time. The 9% of the time my party is taking for pedophiles, bankrupting this country, or starting another war, I don't vote with them. And they want 100% compliance. That's why they're trying to take me out."
Reposted by Mark Peifer (He, him)
BASH: Is this measles outbreak a consequence of the administration undermining support for vaccines?
DR OZ: I don't believe so. Secretary Kennedy has been advocating for measles vaccines
BASH: Oh, come on
DR OZ: I don't believe so. Secretary Kennedy has been advocating for measles vaccines
BASH: Oh, come on
February 8, 2026 at 2:29 PM
BASH: Is this measles outbreak a consequence of the administration undermining support for vaccines?
DR OZ: I don't believe so. Secretary Kennedy has been advocating for measles vaccines
BASH: Oh, come on
DR OZ: I don't believe so. Secretary Kennedy has been advocating for measles vaccines
BASH: Oh, come on
Reposted by Mark Peifer (He, him)
Some friends and I wrote a review with @biologists.bsky.social !! Together with Esther Becker and Simone Mayer, we explore the state of the cerebellum organoid field and offer practical guidance on getting this model system started in your own lab. journals.biologists.com/dmm/article/...
Generating cerebellar organoids from pluripotent stem cells
Summary: This Special Article provides a comprehensive overview of the methods, applications and considerations for the generation of cerebellar organoids.
journals.biologists.com
February 8, 2026 at 4:25 PM
Some friends and I wrote a review with @biologists.bsky.social !! Together with Esther Becker and Simone Mayer, we explore the state of the cerebellum organoid field and offer practical guidance on getting this model system started in your own lab. journals.biologists.com/dmm/article/...
Reposted by Mark Peifer (He, him)
I've mentioned it before, but when I volunteered for my local library's literacy program, one of the most commonly cited reasons older adults cited for participating was to "read my medication labels."
according to a pediatric ER doctor my wife follows on Instagram they have started to see children coming in sick because their parents are asking ChatGPT what the correct dosage is on over the counter medication instead of just looking at the instructions on the bottle
One of the easiest ways to shoot down the idea that "AI" is an expert is to show how it deals with something people know about.
Younger readers may not get this as most appliances come pre-wired, but anyone 35+ can see these are chaotic fire hazards.
From Mastodon, AI asked how to wire a plug:
Younger readers may not get this as most appliances come pre-wired, but anyone 35+ can see these are chaotic fire hazards.
From Mastodon, AI asked how to wire a plug:
February 8, 2026 at 4:38 PM
I've mentioned it before, but when I volunteered for my local library's literacy program, one of the most commonly cited reasons older adults cited for participating was to "read my medication labels."
Reposted by Mark Peifer (He, him)
With tax season in full swing, here's our reminder that TurboTax owner Intuit spent two decades fighting to prevent Americans from filing their taxes online for free.
(Published 2019)
(Published 2019)
Inside TurboTax’s 20-Year Fight to Stop Americans From Filing Their Taxes for Free
Using lobbying, the revolving door and “dark pattern” customer tricks, Intuit fended off the government’s attempts to make tax filing free and easy, and created its multi-billion-dollar franchise.
www.propublica.org
February 8, 2026 at 4:00 AM
With tax season in full swing, here's our reminder that TurboTax owner Intuit spent two decades fighting to prevent Americans from filing their taxes online for free.
(Published 2019)
(Published 2019)
Reposted by Mark Peifer (He, him)
Hello epithelial mechanics fans!! I’m Juanma @juanmagararc.bsky.social 👋 I work on cell mechanics (see celldynamicslab.com) and use Flipper-TR FLIM to probe membrane biophysics in cells.
Join me on this tour about Flipper: what it measures, strengths, advice, cool case studies, and cute drawings!
Join me on this tour about Flipper: what it measures, strengths, advice, cool case studies, and cute drawings!
February 8, 2026 at 7:59 AM
Hello epithelial mechanics fans!! I’m Juanma @juanmagararc.bsky.social 👋 I work on cell mechanics (see celldynamicslab.com) and use Flipper-TR FLIM to probe membrane biophysics in cells.
Join me on this tour about Flipper: what it measures, strengths, advice, cool case studies, and cute drawings!
Join me on this tour about Flipper: what it measures, strengths, advice, cool case studies, and cute drawings!
Reposted by Mark Peifer (He, him)
Soren Stevenson lost his eye to police rubber bullets at the George Floyd protests. Now at 31, he's a Minneapolis city council member in the ward where both Floyd was murdered and federal agents killed Renée Good. He lived through state violence. Now he's fighting to END it. This is leadership.
He lost an eye in the George Floyd protests. Now he represents the ward where Renée Good was killed.
Meet Minneapolis city council member Soren Stevenson.
www.motherjones.com
February 7, 2026 at 11:35 PM
Soren Stevenson lost his eye to police rubber bullets at the George Floyd protests. Now at 31, he's a Minneapolis city council member in the ward where both Floyd was murdered and federal agents killed Renée Good. He lived through state violence. Now he's fighting to END it. This is leadership.
Reposted by Mark Peifer (He, him)
And the winner is...📨
WHOI-affiliated scientist Alan Seltzer was just awarded one of the highest early-career honors in geochemistry, the F.G. Houtermans Award!🎉 Learn how he's tackling big questions about how the ocean, atmosphere, and Earth’s interior are connected: go.whoi.edu/alan-seltzer
WHOI-affiliated scientist Alan Seltzer was just awarded one of the highest early-career honors in geochemistry, the F.G. Houtermans Award!🎉 Learn how he's tackling big questions about how the ocean, atmosphere, and Earth’s interior are connected: go.whoi.edu/alan-seltzer
February 6, 2026 at 5:34 PM
And the winner is...📨
WHOI-affiliated scientist Alan Seltzer was just awarded one of the highest early-career honors in geochemistry, the F.G. Houtermans Award!🎉 Learn how he's tackling big questions about how the ocean, atmosphere, and Earth’s interior are connected: go.whoi.edu/alan-seltzer
WHOI-affiliated scientist Alan Seltzer was just awarded one of the highest early-career honors in geochemistry, the F.G. Houtermans Award!🎉 Learn how he's tackling big questions about how the ocean, atmosphere, and Earth’s interior are connected: go.whoi.edu/alan-seltzer
Reposted by Mark Peifer (He, him)
Breaking someone's skull in eight places is not law enforcement. It's attempted murder.
apnews.com/article/immi...
apnews.com/article/immi...
Immigrant whose skull was broken in eight places during ICE arrest says beating was unprovoked
A Mexican immigrant whose skull was broken during his arrest by immigration officers last month in Minnesota says the beating was unprovoked.
apnews.com
February 8, 2026 at 10:54 AM
Breaking someone's skull in eight places is not law enforcement. It's attempted murder.
apnews.com/article/immi...
apnews.com/article/immi...
Reposted by Mark Peifer (He, him)
For example: if 84% of people already agree that scientific research aimed at advancing knowledge is usually a worthwhile investment over time...
Why are you so sure that the real problem is that people "just don't know enough about why research matters"
www.pewresearch.org/science/2026...
Why are you so sure that the real problem is that people "just don't know enough about why research matters"
www.pewresearch.org/science/2026...
February 7, 2026 at 2:26 AM
For example: if 84% of people already agree that scientific research aimed at advancing knowledge is usually a worthwhile investment over time...
Why are you so sure that the real problem is that people "just don't know enough about why research matters"
www.pewresearch.org/science/2026...
Why are you so sure that the real problem is that people "just don't know enough about why research matters"
www.pewresearch.org/science/2026...
Reposted by Mark Peifer (He, him)
👀 What if I told you there was a hidden art gallery scattered across the country?
What if I told you some of its treasures had vanished?
What if I told you that I found them?
A project three years in the making (🎁 gift link):
What if I told you some of its treasures had vanished?
What if I told you that I found them?
A project three years in the making (🎁 gift link):
The disappearing art gallery in your post office
The U.S. Postal Service is home to thousands of historic works of art in post offices nationwide. Hundreds have been lost, sold or destroyed.
wapo.st
February 8, 2026 at 2:08 PM
👀 What if I told you there was a hidden art gallery scattered across the country?
What if I told you some of its treasures had vanished?
What if I told you that I found them?
A project three years in the making (🎁 gift link):
What if I told you some of its treasures had vanished?
What if I told you that I found them?
A project three years in the making (🎁 gift link):
Reposted by Mark Peifer (He, him)
It's long past time to stop indulging people who think you can meaningfully defend science without also defending democracy and academic freedom and opposing authoritarianism. It's the same fight, otherwise all you're defending is your own status.
February 8, 2026 at 2:26 PM
It's long past time to stop indulging people who think you can meaningfully defend science without also defending democracy and academic freedom and opposing authoritarianism. It's the same fight, otherwise all you're defending is your own status.
Reposted by Mark Peifer (He, him)
Reposted by Mark Peifer (He, him)
“For 280 days we haven’t eaten a single piece of fruit, banana, apple, orange, or anything fresh. We are all in one big room with no doors or windows. We can’t see any grass or trees. We are all constantly sick.”
Conditions in a San Diego concentration camp, via message hurled out in a bottle.
Conditions in a San Diego concentration camp, via message hurled out in a bottle.
![“Good afternoon. My name is [redacted] and my wife and I have been at OMDC since April 15 2025,” reads a handwritten note, wrapped around a lotion bottle that was thrown by a man held captive inside the Otay Mesa Detention Center (OMDC) on Sunday.
“It’s cold here all the time and the food is poor,” the missive continues. “For 280 days we haven’t eaten a single piece of fruit, banana, apple, orange, or anything fresh. We are all in one big room with no doors or windows. We can’t see any grass or trees. We are all constantly sick.”](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:tgw3d4hvw3x5ijrxax7lg26u/bafkreiet46krrk7ovnqxsd6vr7ogw2lgame43jsqw25u2ygi5el5i5toom@jpeg)
February 8, 2026 at 1:29 PM
“For 280 days we haven’t eaten a single piece of fruit, banana, apple, orange, or anything fresh. We are all in one big room with no doors or windows. We can’t see any grass or trees. We are all constantly sick.”
Conditions in a San Diego concentration camp, via message hurled out in a bottle.
Conditions in a San Diego concentration camp, via message hurled out in a bottle.
Reposted by Mark Peifer (He, him)
Amy Klobuchar running for Governor of Minnesota
February 6, 2026 at 8:44 PM
Amy Klobuchar running for Governor of Minnesota
Reposted by Mark Peifer (He, him)
I just started a cell biology and biophysics group at EPFL, Switzerland that will investigate how cells endure mechanical stress and release large cytoplasts.
Get in touch if you’d like to join!
See more at celldynamicslab.com
Get in touch if you’d like to join!
See more at celldynamicslab.com
Main - Cell Dynamics and Fragmentation Lab
The Cell Dynamics and Fragmentation lab at We study how single cells move and fragment in complex environments using microfluidics. We bring tools and concepts from physics and chemistry into cell bio...
celldynamicslab.com
February 8, 2026 at 7:59 AM
I just started a cell biology and biophysics group at EPFL, Switzerland that will investigate how cells endure mechanical stress and release large cytoplasts.
Get in touch if you’d like to join!
See more at celldynamicslab.com
Get in touch if you’d like to join!
See more at celldynamicslab.com
Reposted by Mark Peifer (He, him)
A desperate plea sent to me by a Minneapolis resident who's been on the front lines since the beginning of the ICE occupation:
February 8, 2026 at 5:06 AM
A desperate plea sent to me by a Minneapolis resident who's been on the front lines since the beginning of the ICE occupation:
Reposted by Mark Peifer (He, him)
welcome input from others as well!!
February 8, 2026 at 1:56 AM
welcome input from others as well!!
Reposted by Mark Peifer (He, him)
"[Virginia] House Bill 614 would change statewide learning standards by requiring public schools to include the contributions and experiences of groups described as 'historically marginalized' in history and social science instruction." #historyteacher #sschat 🗃️ wset.com/news/local/b...
Bill could affect history and social science lessons for students across Virginia
A bill being discussed in Richmond could impact what students across Virginia learn in history and social science classrooms.
wset.com
February 7, 2026 at 8:15 PM
"[Virginia] House Bill 614 would change statewide learning standards by requiring public schools to include the contributions and experiences of groups described as 'historically marginalized' in history and social science instruction." #historyteacher #sschat 🗃️ wset.com/news/local/b...
Reposted by Mark Peifer (He, him)
Snap election taking place in Japan right now. I don’t doubt the LDP will gain seats but the interesting thing will be how well Sanseito does as the LDP seemed to bet on Takaichi being far enough to the Right to take the wind out of the populist party’s sails some.
February 8, 2026 at 12:56 AM
Snap election taking place in Japan right now. I don’t doubt the LDP will gain seats but the interesting thing will be how well Sanseito does as the LDP seemed to bet on Takaichi being far enough to the Right to take the wind out of the populist party’s sails some.
Reposted by Mark Peifer (He, him)
But ... But ... Kamala bought a Le Creuset pan when she went to France.
February 8, 2026 at 12:58 AM
But ... But ... Kamala bought a Le Creuset pan when she went to France.
Reposted by Mark Peifer (He, him)
And ICE lied and said he intentionally hit his head against a wall. www.huffpost.com/entry/immigr...
Immigrant Whose Skull Was Broken In Eight Places During ICE Arrest Says Beating Was Unprovoked
“They started beating me right away when they arrested me,” the Mexican immigrant recounted this week to The Associated Press.
www.huffpost.com
February 8, 2026 at 12:21 AM
And ICE lied and said he intentionally hit his head against a wall. www.huffpost.com/entry/immigr...