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)
paragraph 48: "In Mr. Trump’s second term, Ms. Britt has voted in line with the president 100 percent of the time."
February 5, 2026 at 7:43 PM
paragraph 48: "In Mr. Trump’s second term, Ms. Britt has voted in line with the president 100 percent of the time."
Reposted by Mark Peifer (He, him)
Reposted by Mark Peifer (He, him)
I will write a short tutorial about how I did these analyses...Not the code, just the conceptual aspects.
I agree with you about the tenure issue and some colleagues of my and I are working on a article making this case.
Stay tuned. DM me if you have other questions or if I can help in other ways.
I agree with you about the tenure issue and some colleagues of my and I are working on a article making this case.
Stay tuned. DM me if you have other questions or if I can help in other ways.
February 5, 2026 at 10:01 PM
I will write a short tutorial about how I did these analyses...Not the code, just the conceptual aspects.
I agree with you about the tenure issue and some colleagues of my and I are working on a article making this case.
Stay tuned. DM me if you have other questions or if I can help in other ways.
I agree with you about the tenure issue and some colleagues of my and I are working on a article making this case.
Stay tuned. DM me if you have other questions or if I can help in other ways.
Reposted by Mark Peifer (He, him)
Thank you Jeremy! I've been trying to make the case to my dept that since funding rates are so low, funding shouldn't be required for tenure. This is super helpful. When you get a minute, can you tell me how you came up with these figures?
February 5, 2026 at 7:07 PM
Thank you Jeremy! I've been trying to make the case to my dept that since funding rates are so low, funding shouldn't be required for tenure. This is super helpful. When you get a minute, can you tell me how you came up with these figures?
Reposted by Mark Peifer (He, him)
Been on multiple search committees
For me (personally so YMMV)…I basically dismiss everything that’s labeled *submitted* unless there’s a preprint I can read
For me (personally so YMMV)…I basically dismiss everything that’s labeled *submitted* unless there’s a preprint I can read
You can read more about that experience here: www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Preprints as tools to advance careers - Nature Reviews Cancer
The practice of posting preprint manuscripts on servers such as bioRxiv has become increasingly common. In this Comment, Hindle and Sever explore the utility of preprints for advancing researchers…
www.nature.com
February 5, 2026 at 8:05 PM
Been on multiple search committees
For me (personally so YMMV)…I basically dismiss everything that’s labeled *submitted* unless there’s a preprint I can read
For me (personally so YMMV)…I basically dismiss everything that’s labeled *submitted* unless there’s a preprint I can read
Reposted by Mark Peifer (He, him)
🧬 #Yeast condensin does more than organize chromosomes.
New study shows it acts as a transient crosslinker in entangled DNA, stabilizing entanglements rather than resolving them. This challenges current models of chromosome organizing proteins.
#YeastResearch #SGD
www.yeastgenome.org/reference/S1...
New study shows it acts as a transient crosslinker in entangled DNA, stabilizing entanglements rather than resolving them. This challenges current models of chromosome organizing proteins.
#YeastResearch #SGD
www.yeastgenome.org/reference/S1...
February 4, 2026 at 11:53 PM
🧬 #Yeast condensin does more than organize chromosomes.
New study shows it acts as a transient crosslinker in entangled DNA, stabilizing entanglements rather than resolving them. This challenges current models of chromosome organizing proteins.
#YeastResearch #SGD
www.yeastgenome.org/reference/S1...
New study shows it acts as a transient crosslinker in entangled DNA, stabilizing entanglements rather than resolving them. This challenges current models of chromosome organizing proteins.
#YeastResearch #SGD
www.yeastgenome.org/reference/S1...
Reposted by Mark Peifer (He, him)
Rep. Robert Garcia shows how it's done.
February 5, 2026 at 8:37 PM
Rep. Robert Garcia shows how it's done.
Reposted by Mark Peifer (He, him)
Interviewing lawyers to represent me in my wrongful termination suit against UCLA. Weird feeling, as a higher ed lawyer myself.
UCLA fires DEI director after social media posts on Charlie Kirk’s death
Former UCLA DEI director Johnathan Perkins, who was fired over his posts after the fatal shooting of Charlie Kirk, said he plans to sue the university.
www.latimes.com
February 5, 2026 at 8:36 PM
Interviewing lawyers to represent me in my wrongful termination suit against UCLA. Weird feeling, as a higher ed lawyer myself.
Reposted by Mark Peifer (He, him)
Congrats to the 2026 SDB Award Winners!
Conklin Medal: Lee Niswander
SDB Lifetime Achievement Award: Alexandra Joyner
Hamburger Outstanding Educator Prize: Roberto Mayor
Hay New Investigator Award: Jeffrey Farrell
SDB Trainee SciComm Award: Nicholas Desnoyer
bit.ly/4afnjiC
Conklin Medal: Lee Niswander
SDB Lifetime Achievement Award: Alexandra Joyner
Hamburger Outstanding Educator Prize: Roberto Mayor
Hay New Investigator Award: Jeffrey Farrell
SDB Trainee SciComm Award: Nicholas Desnoyer
bit.ly/4afnjiC
February 5, 2026 at 5:34 PM
Congrats to the 2026 SDB Award Winners!
Conklin Medal: Lee Niswander
SDB Lifetime Achievement Award: Alexandra Joyner
Hamburger Outstanding Educator Prize: Roberto Mayor
Hay New Investigator Award: Jeffrey Farrell
SDB Trainee SciComm Award: Nicholas Desnoyer
bit.ly/4afnjiC
Conklin Medal: Lee Niswander
SDB Lifetime Achievement Award: Alexandra Joyner
Hamburger Outstanding Educator Prize: Roberto Mayor
Hay New Investigator Award: Jeffrey Farrell
SDB Trainee SciComm Award: Nicholas Desnoyer
bit.ly/4afnjiC
Reposted by Mark Peifer (He, him)
I explained to a child who expressed frank interest and concern over my eyeliner last night, “You know how poison dart frogs are all those crazy colors?? It’s the same thing. It’s a warning: if you try to eat me, I’ll poison you!!”
It’s never too early to teach kids about aposematism!
It’s never too early to teach kids about aposematism!
February 5, 2026 at 7:19 PM
I explained to a child who expressed frank interest and concern over my eyeliner last night, “You know how poison dart frogs are all those crazy colors?? It’s the same thing. It’s a warning: if you try to eat me, I’ll poison you!!”
It’s never too early to teach kids about aposematism!
It’s never too early to teach kids about aposematism!
Let's flip that. Providing access to girls to rape got him in with some of the richest and most influential people on the planet
At the end of his life, Epstein had assets of around $600m. A large part of that was due to his ability to get in early to hot tech deals. The returns he made off those deals helped fund his lifestyle.
Here's a gift link for those who want to read the full piece: www.nytimes.com/2026/02/05/b...
Here's a gift link for those who want to read the full piece: www.nytimes.com/2026/02/05/b...
Jeffrey Epstein’s Money Mingled With Silicon Valley Start-Ups
www.nytimes.com
February 5, 2026 at 7:33 PM
Let's flip that. Providing access to girls to rape got him in with some of the richest and most influential people on the planet
Reposted by Mark Peifer (He, him)
At the end of his life, Epstein had assets of around $600m. A large part of that was due to his ability to get in early to hot tech deals. The returns he made off those deals helped fund his lifestyle.
Here's a gift link for those who want to read the full piece: www.nytimes.com/2026/02/05/b...
Here's a gift link for those who want to read the full piece: www.nytimes.com/2026/02/05/b...
Jeffrey Epstein’s Money Mingled With Silicon Valley Start-Ups
www.nytimes.com
February 5, 2026 at 3:49 PM
At the end of his life, Epstein had assets of around $600m. A large part of that was due to his ability to get in early to hot tech deals. The returns he made off those deals helped fund his lifestyle.
Here's a gift link for those who want to read the full piece: www.nytimes.com/2026/02/05/b...
Here's a gift link for those who want to read the full piece: www.nytimes.com/2026/02/05/b...
Reposted by Mark Peifer (He, him)
🚨CODE RED ALERT🚨
THIS IS A HUGE AND VERY BAD SITUATION.
This is designed as an override of whistleblowing and first amendment rights.
THIS IS A HUGE AND VERY BAD SITUATION.
This is designed as an override of whistleblowing and first amendment rights.
Final schedule F rule "will allow agencies to quickly remove employees from critical positions who engage in misconduct, perform poorly, or *obstruct the democratic process by intentionally
subverting Presidential directives.*"
(emphasis mine)
public-inspection.federalregister.gov/2026-02375.pdf
subverting Presidential directives.*"
(emphasis mine)
public-inspection.federalregister.gov/2026-02375.pdf
February 5, 2026 at 5:46 PM
🚨CODE RED ALERT🚨
THIS IS A HUGE AND VERY BAD SITUATION.
This is designed as an override of whistleblowing and first amendment rights.
THIS IS A HUGE AND VERY BAD SITUATION.
This is designed as an override of whistleblowing and first amendment rights.
Reposted by Mark Peifer (He, him)
PM Tusk on Epstein: it is very likely that this was a planned operation by the Russian KGB.
More and more leads are pointing to suspicions that this unprecedented pedophilia scandal was co-organized by Russian intelligence services.
More and more leads are pointing to suspicions that this unprecedented pedophilia scandal was co-organized by Russian intelligence services.
February 4, 2026 at 2:28 PM
PM Tusk on Epstein: it is very likely that this was a planned operation by the Russian KGB.
More and more leads are pointing to suspicions that this unprecedented pedophilia scandal was co-organized by Russian intelligence services.
More and more leads are pointing to suspicions that this unprecedented pedophilia scandal was co-organized by Russian intelligence services.
Reposted by Mark Peifer (He, him)
Honoring immigrants in research
www.science.org/content/arti...
www.science.org/content/arti...
Honoring immigrants in research: The Vilcek Prizes in Biomedical Science
Diverse voices overcome scientific challenges
www.science.org
February 5, 2026 at 7:24 PM
Honoring immigrants in research
www.science.org/content/arti...
www.science.org/content/arti...
Reposted by Mark Peifer (He, him)
Without the Washington Post health and science team the public would have known far less about what’s been happening at NIH and CDC this year.
Post reporters have done absolutely key reporting, for example a profile on NIH cancer researcher Steve Rosenberg speaking up about damage to his work.
Post reporters have done absolutely key reporting, for example a profile on NIH cancer researcher Steve Rosenberg speaking up about damage to his work.
The Washington Post gutted the health team which I helped to lead despite our stories being among the most widely read, impactful and adept at reaching new audiences.
February 5, 2026 at 5:35 PM
Without the Washington Post health and science team the public would have known far less about what’s been happening at NIH and CDC this year.
Post reporters have done absolutely key reporting, for example a profile on NIH cancer researcher Steve Rosenberg speaking up about damage to his work.
Post reporters have done absolutely key reporting, for example a profile on NIH cancer researcher Steve Rosenberg speaking up about damage to his work.
Reposted by Mark Peifer (He, him)
I am SO incredibly excited to announce the launch of a global list of Inspiring Black Scientists. You can use this list to nominate and connect with researchers. Please share and join us in highlighting these outstanding scientists for #BlackHistoryMonth and beyond!
www.wiley.com/en-us/resear...
www.wiley.com/en-us/resear...
February 5, 2026 at 5:36 PM
I am SO incredibly excited to announce the launch of a global list of Inspiring Black Scientists. You can use this list to nominate and connect with researchers. Please share and join us in highlighting these outstanding scientists for #BlackHistoryMonth and beyond!
www.wiley.com/en-us/resear...
www.wiley.com/en-us/resear...
Reposted by Mark Peifer (He, him)
Trump at the National Prayer Breakfast on himself: "He may not have ever read the Bible, but he will be a much stronger messenger for us"
February 5, 2026 at 2:52 PM
Trump at the National Prayer Breakfast on himself: "He may not have ever read the Bible, but he will be a much stronger messenger for us"
Reposted by Mark Peifer (He, him)
In case you had any doubts what this “oh we just want to encourage non-animal research” excuse for putting an AR nutter in high office at NIH was about….
Take action TODAY. Provide public comment in writing by emailing [email protected] by THIS FRIDAY, Feb. 6 at noon PT. Include “For public comment” in the subject line. The battles are local AND national. All NHP researchers in the USA are at risk next.
www.politico.com/news/2026/02...
www.politico.com/news/2026/02...
February 5, 2026 at 6:44 PM
In case you had any doubts what this “oh we just want to encourage non-animal research” excuse for putting an AR nutter in high office at NIH was about….
Reposted by Mark Peifer (He, him)
I spoke with Aliya Rahman, the autistic woman with a TBI whom ICE dragged out of her car. But that video was just the beginning of her nightmare. To this day, she can’t lift her arms normally.
www.independent.co.uk/news/world/a...
www.independent.co.uk/news/world/a...
I’m autistic and have a brain injury. ICE dragged me from my car anyway.
Exclusive Details: Aliya Rahman speaks to Eric Garcia about her ordeals — on the streets of Minneapolis, in a grim ICE detention center where she was mocked over her condition and through the public t...
www.independent.co.uk
February 5, 2026 at 6:34 PM
I spoke with Aliya Rahman, the autistic woman with a TBI whom ICE dragged out of her car. But that video was just the beginning of her nightmare. To this day, she can’t lift her arms normally.
www.independent.co.uk/news/world/a...
www.independent.co.uk/news/world/a...
Reposted by Mark Peifer (He, him)
Reposted by Mark Peifer (He, him)
After four months, the journal has not found a single reviewer for my PhD student's manuscript. The academic peer review system is broken.
I think we all should:
1. Review three papers for every one that we submit.
2. Promptly declined to review a paper when the request arrives.
#AcademicChatter
I think we all should:
1. Review three papers for every one that we submit.
2. Promptly declined to review a paper when the request arrives.
#AcademicChatter
February 5, 2026 at 6:43 PM
After four months, the journal has not found a single reviewer for my PhD student's manuscript. The academic peer review system is broken.
I think we all should:
1. Review three papers for every one that we submit.
2. Promptly declined to review a paper when the request arrives.
#AcademicChatter
I think we all should:
1. Review three papers for every one that we submit.
2. Promptly declined to review a paper when the request arrives.
#AcademicChatter
Reposted by Mark Peifer (He, him)
“I don't think the solution to our inequities is to prevent people from doing science more than 40 hours per week. I think the solution lies in how we value the scientific contributions of ourselves and others…
Your time for doing science waxes and wanes throughout your career. Don’t let anybody tell you that you’re doing it wrong. You get to decide what’s right for you (as long as you meet your basic commitments). 🧪
Don't let anybody tell you what your academic-life balance is supposed to be
You do you. And please stay healthy.
scienceforeveryone.science
February 5, 2026 at 4:29 PM
“I don't think the solution to our inequities is to prevent people from doing science more than 40 hours per week. I think the solution lies in how we value the scientific contributions of ourselves and others…
Reposted by Mark Peifer (He, him)
Sympathy for the brutality of the NIH grant lyfe is all well and good. But it is not good to communicate to newbies that this system is other than it is.
February 5, 2026 at 4:30 PM
Sympathy for the brutality of the NIH grant lyfe is all well and good. But it is not good to communicate to newbies that this system is other than it is.
Reposted by Mark Peifer (He, him)
If I was a faculty member at Yale (lol), this would inspire several emails
Gelernter: professor in the emails
Brock: dean of the School of Engineering & Applied Science
Gelernter: professor in the emails
Brock: dean of the School of Engineering & Applied Science
February 5, 2026 at 4:20 PM
If I was a faculty member at Yale (lol), this would inspire several emails
Gelernter: professor in the emails
Brock: dean of the School of Engineering & Applied Science
Gelernter: professor in the emails
Brock: dean of the School of Engineering & Applied Science