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Sharena Rice, PhD

@sharenarice.bsky.social

2K followers 1.3K following 760 posts

Science Communications Lead/1st employee at Sanmai. Transcranial focused ultrasound neuromodulation. Medical neurotech. Bylines: Neurotech Reports. Alum, UMich. Opinions = own 📍 Silicon Valley ☀️ https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharenarice/

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Sharena Rice, PhD @sharenarice.bsky.social · Nov 13

Students often ask about my transition out of academia.

The thing is:
I never considered myself IN academia.
Nor OUT of academia.

Rather, I am something else: working WITH academia!

Startups and universities both have their strengths.
Busting the silos and playing the cards can enhance progress.

Cards representing a few things Sharena does.
UCSF ID card
Sanmai business card
WeWork key card

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Sharena Rice, PhD @sharenarice.bsky.social · 10h

Currently happy about: digital circuit schematics

Sharena Rice, PhD @sharenarice.bsky.social · 22h

Currently happy because: many of TIME's best inventions of 2025 are in neuro!

Sharena Rice, PhD @sharenarice.bsky.social · 4d

Shaping the future.
In my imagination, it looks like a pretzel right now!

Sharena Rice, PhD @sharenarice.bsky.social · 6d

It is Tech Week SF,
and I am excited for the neurotech!

Sharena Rice, PhD @sharenarice.bsky.social · 13d

Thinking about space
occasionally leads to
comet relief.

Sharena Rice, PhD @sharenarice.bsky.social · 13d

Maybe... spit hit the fan 😅

Sharena Rice, PhD @sharenarice.bsky.social · 13d

Currently enjoying: forbidden rice sourdough loaf.

This bread is made from purple rice!
It's amusing and delicious!
#bread

Sharena Rice, PhD @sharenarice.bsky.social · 13d

🧪 This Neurotech Reports article on sonogenetics and Merge Labs is free to read: www.neurotechreports.com/pages/sonoge...

#neurotech #neuroscience

Merge Labs, Sam Altman, genetic targeting, ultrasound systems, Open AI, mechanosensitive channels

www.neurotechreports.com

Sharena Rice, PhD @sharenarice.bsky.social · 13d

🧪 Sonogenetics = gene therapy + ultrasound.

I interviewed @logantcollins.bsky.social on the nuances of this technique.

Merge Labs may be first to try.
Will it work?

Let’s see what emerges from Merge.

🧠 Neurotech Reports article link in comments.

#neurotech #neuroscience

Brain with clusters of neurons precisely lighting up in response to visualized sound waves.

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Sharena Rice, PhD @sharenarice.bsky.social · 13d

Weeks later, another co-worker noted that his watermelon vine has grown 7 watermelons while they were only expecting 2.
There must be something in the water(melon).

Sharena Rice, PhD @sharenarice.bsky.social · 17d

Two fandoms,
one phrase:

May the Force
be ever in your favor.

Sharena Rice, PhD @sharenarice.bsky.social · 24d

Currently happy about: HOVering in a carpool lane

Sharena Rice, PhD @sharenarice.bsky.social · 28d

When computer science teaching assistants nap,
is that a CS-ta?

#cs #computerscience

Sharena Rice, PhD @sharenarice.bsky.social · Sep 13

Do not put an L at the end of NASA.
Otherwise, you will get NASAL!

Sharena Rice, PhD @sharenarice.bsky.social · Sep 10

Coffee made the raster go faster?
It's just a little over my head.

Sharena Rice, PhD @sharenarice.bsky.social · Aug 27

Sometimes, people are so fed up
that they only eat a little!

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Sharena Rice, PhD @sharenarice.bsky.social · Aug 25

A former boss said I am the only person they know who can put an exclamation point after every sentence and have it sound just like me!

Sharena Rice, PhD @sharenarice.bsky.social · Aug 24

Very happy about: having a 10/10 discipline level with everything I set out to do today!

Sharena Rice, PhD @sharenarice.bsky.social · Aug 22

Coworker: Where do watermelons grow?

Me: 🎵 Down by the Bay! 🎶

Sharena Rice, PhD @sharenarice.bsky.social · Aug 18

I am not a physicist, yet...
-My parents both have associate's degrees in physics.
-I enjoy making a wordplay that my sister is my astrophysisister... because she totally is.
-My boyfriend is a physicist.
-My favorite former roommate was a physicist.

Happy to collect more #physics connections!

Sharena Rice, PhD @sharenarice.bsky.social · Aug 18

If you are a physicist, let's collect each other!
Along with neuro people,
I have a tendency to collect physics people!
#physics

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Sharena Rice, PhD @sharenarice.bsky.social · Aug 18

I am curious about the nuances of how the economic losses and gains were counted and accounted for, when it comes to miles traveled and by which type of vehicle (car vs bike).

Happy to have a full recovery!
Yet I hope that the bikers stay safe!

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Sharena Rice, PhD @sharenarice.bsky.social · Aug 17

This makes sense: about a year ago, I was hit by a car while riding my bike in California.

Some economic gains for society:
-Needing to spend 3 days in the hospital
-Several follow up medical appointments
-Hiring a personal injury lawyer
-The insurance settlement
-Having the bike repaired

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Sharena Rice, PhD @sharenarice.bsky.social · Aug 5

We picked up something ASAP:
it was maple syrup!

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Sharena Rice, PhD @sharenarice.bsky.social · Aug 1

Currently happy about: my robotic vacuum mop’s 163 hours of cleaning over the past year!

It is wonderful to have the floor automatically cleaned every day!