Sandra Romero Pinto
@sromeropinto.bsky.social
Neuroscientist
post-doc @zuckermanbrain.bsky.social @ Aronov lab 🪶
previously: phd @harvardmed.bsky.social with Nao Uchida
peruana & alfajor lover
post-doc @zuckermanbrain.bsky.social @ Aronov lab 🪶
previously: phd @harvardmed.bsky.social with Nao Uchida
peruana & alfajor lover
Pinned
Tonic dopamine and biases in value learning linked through a biologically inspired reinforcement learning model
Nature Communications - Accurate future predictions are essential for guiding behavior, and disruptions in this process are associated with psychiatric disorders. Here the authors show that changes...
rdcu.be
My first paper with @naoshigeuchida.bsky.social is finally out in @natcomms.nature.com ! rdcu.be/eACGf
TL;DR: asymmetric learning rates can be induced by shifts in tonic dopamine giving rise to pessimistic/optimistic biases in agents or animals undergoing reinforcement learning .
TL;DR: asymmetric learning rates can be induced by shifts in tonic dopamine giving rise to pessimistic/optimistic biases in agents or animals undergoing reinforcement learning .
Our everyday decisions are guided by “priors” — expectations built on past experiences that help us make predictions. New research on priors is providing insight into autism: https://www.simonsfoundation.org/mapping-mouse-brains-points-to-how-autism-can-affect-expectation-updating/ #science
November 21, 2025 at 1:23 AM
Reposted by Sandra Romero Pinto
Over 20 years after Julius’s lab and mine cloned TRPM8, it is rewarding to see this science helping patients. The TRPM8 agonist Tryptyr treats dry eye by increasing tear production. A reminder that NIH-funded curiosity-driven research translates to medicines.
tryptyr.myalcon.com?gad_source=1...
tryptyr.myalcon.com?gad_source=1...
TRYPTYR (acoltremon ophthalmic solution) 0.003% eye drops | Alcon US
TRYPTYR is a prescription eye drop used for the treatment of the signs and symptoms of dry eye disease. See prescribing information, how to save, and more.
tryptyr.myalcon.com
August 13, 2025 at 9:17 PM
Over 20 years after Julius’s lab and mine cloned TRPM8, it is rewarding to see this science helping patients. The TRPM8 agonist Tryptyr treats dry eye by increasing tear production. A reminder that NIH-funded curiosity-driven research translates to medicines.
tryptyr.myalcon.com?gad_source=1...
tryptyr.myalcon.com?gad_source=1...
My first paper with @naoshigeuchida.bsky.social is finally out in @natcomms.nature.com ! rdcu.be/eACGf
TL;DR: asymmetric learning rates can be induced by shifts in tonic dopamine giving rise to pessimistic/optimistic biases in agents or animals undergoing reinforcement learning .
TL;DR: asymmetric learning rates can be induced by shifts in tonic dopamine giving rise to pessimistic/optimistic biases in agents or animals undergoing reinforcement learning .
Tonic dopamine and biases in value learning linked through a biologically inspired reinforcement learning model
Nature Communications - Accurate future predictions are essential for guiding behavior, and disruptions in this process are associated with psychiatric disorders. Here the authors show that changes...
rdcu.be
August 13, 2025 at 9:55 PM
My first paper with @naoshigeuchida.bsky.social is finally out in @natcomms.nature.com ! rdcu.be/eACGf
TL;DR: asymmetric learning rates can be induced by shifts in tonic dopamine giving rise to pessimistic/optimistic biases in agents or animals undergoing reinforcement learning .
TL;DR: asymmetric learning rates can be induced by shifts in tonic dopamine giving rise to pessimistic/optimistic biases in agents or animals undergoing reinforcement learning .
groundbreaking work by the amazingly talented @hannahpayne.bsky.social !
My latest Aronov lab paper is now published @Nature!
When a chickadee looks at a distant location, the same place cells activate as if it were actually there 👁️
The hippocampus encodes where the bird is looking, AND what it expects to see next -- enabling spatial reasoning from afar
bit.ly/3HvWSum
When a chickadee looks at a distant location, the same place cells activate as if it were actually there 👁️
The hippocampus encodes where the bird is looking, AND what it expects to see next -- enabling spatial reasoning from afar
bit.ly/3HvWSum
June 12, 2025 at 1:55 AM
groundbreaking work by the amazingly talented @hannahpayne.bsky.social !
this is awesome groundbreaking work!! congrats to all involved!!!
Our work with Pablo Tano, @hyunggoo-kim.bsky.social Athar Malik, Alexandre Pouget and @naoshigeuchida.bsky.social exploring how dopamine neurons could enable multi-timescale reinforcement learning in the brain is out in @nature.com
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Multi-timescale reinforcement learning in the brain - Nature
Individual dopaminergic neurons encode future rewards over distinct temporal horizons.
www.nature.com
June 5, 2025 at 12:40 AM
this is awesome groundbreaking work!! congrats to all involved!!!
Reposted by Sandra Romero Pinto
Out now in @nathumbehav.nature.com: Cuts to NIH funding will impact the economy and employment nationwide. We visualize these losses and advocate for a theory-driven approach to communicating local, self-relevant impact. w/ @joshuasweitz.bsky.social + SCIMaP team:
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
NIH indirect cost cuts will affect the economy and employment - Nature Human Behaviour
Nature Human Behaviour - NIH indirect cost cuts will affect the economy and employment
www.nature.com
June 2, 2025 at 4:30 PM
Out now in @nathumbehav.nature.com: Cuts to NIH funding will impact the economy and employment nationwide. We visualize these losses and advocate for a theory-driven approach to communicating local, self-relevant impact. w/ @joshuasweitz.bsky.social + SCIMaP team:
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Reposted by Sandra Romero Pinto
Harvard today, your institution tomorrow.
It's all part of the Project 2025 plan to destroy high education in America.
All leading US universities depend on federal funding and tuition dollars from international students. They severely curtailed the former. Now they're eliminating the latter.
It's all part of the Project 2025 plan to destroy high education in America.
All leading US universities depend on federal funding and tuition dollars from international students. They severely curtailed the former. Now they're eliminating the latter.
May 22, 2025 at 6:38 PM
Harvard today, your institution tomorrow.
It's all part of the Project 2025 plan to destroy high education in America.
All leading US universities depend on federal funding and tuition dollars from international students. They severely curtailed the former. Now they're eliminating the latter.
It's all part of the Project 2025 plan to destroy high education in America.
All leading US universities depend on federal funding and tuition dollars from international students. They severely curtailed the former. Now they're eliminating the latter.
Reposted by Sandra Romero Pinto
America is in danger of experiencing an academic brain drain
economist.com/science-and-...
economist.com/science-and-...
May 22, 2025 at 8:59 PM
America is in danger of experiencing an academic brain drain
economist.com/science-and-...
economist.com/science-and-...
Reposted by Sandra Romero Pinto
I am where I am now because of OPT. That was my status all throughout my postdoc. It is basically the only way international students are able to transition to employment and contribute their US-trained skills in the United States.
They're terminating OPT.
Today the nominee to head USCIS stated directly: he will end Optional Practical Training, the single largest channel for high-skill immigrants to work in the US.
6 weeks ago I warned about this & summarized the research on impacts of this drastic action—> @piie.com
Today the nominee to head USCIS stated directly: he will end Optional Practical Training, the single largest channel for high-skill immigrants to work in the US.
6 weeks ago I warned about this & summarized the research on impacts of this drastic action—> @piie.com
Skilled immigration on the chopping block? Effects of eliminating "Optional Practical Training" in the US
The White House has taken numerous steps to sharply reduce the number of immigrant workers, with or without legal status, in the US economy. These policies, so far, typically target immigrants with le...
www.piie.com
May 22, 2025 at 8:37 PM
I am where I am now because of OPT. That was my status all throughout my postdoc. It is basically the only way international students are able to transition to employment and contribute their US-trained skills in the United States.
Reposted by Sandra Romero Pinto
I realize that as a retired professor I have a responsibility to say more on this than I have.
International students are essential to the fiscal bottom line of almost every university. This is an unambiguous attempt to destroy Harvard—permanently.
And he won’t stop with Harvard. This is madness.
International students are essential to the fiscal bottom line of almost every university. This is an unambiguous attempt to destroy Harvard—permanently.
And he won’t stop with Harvard. This is madness.
May 22, 2025 at 8:29 PM
I realize that as a retired professor I have a responsibility to say more on this than I have.
International students are essential to the fiscal bottom line of almost every university. This is an unambiguous attempt to destroy Harvard—permanently.
And he won’t stop with Harvard. This is madness.
International students are essential to the fiscal bottom line of almost every university. This is an unambiguous attempt to destroy Harvard—permanently.
And he won’t stop with Harvard. This is madness.
Reposted by Sandra Romero Pinto
They're terminating OPT.
Today the nominee to head USCIS stated directly: he will end Optional Practical Training, the single largest channel for high-skill immigrants to work in the US.
6 weeks ago I warned about this & summarized the research on impacts of this drastic action—> @piie.com
Today the nominee to head USCIS stated directly: he will end Optional Practical Training, the single largest channel for high-skill immigrants to work in the US.
6 weeks ago I warned about this & summarized the research on impacts of this drastic action—> @piie.com
Skilled immigration on the chopping block? Effects of eliminating "Optional Practical Training" in the US
The White House has taken numerous steps to sharply reduce the number of immigrant workers, with or without legal status, in the US economy. These policies, so far, typically target immigrants with le...
www.piie.com
May 21, 2025 at 9:04 PM
They're terminating OPT.
Today the nominee to head USCIS stated directly: he will end Optional Practical Training, the single largest channel for high-skill immigrants to work in the US.
6 weeks ago I warned about this & summarized the research on impacts of this drastic action—> @piie.com
Today the nominee to head USCIS stated directly: he will end Optional Practical Training, the single largest channel for high-skill immigrants to work in the US.
6 weeks ago I warned about this & summarized the research on impacts of this drastic action—> @piie.com
Reposted by Sandra Romero Pinto
With nearly all of Harvard Chan School’s direct federal grants terminated, we are relying on philanthropy to power our research and support our educational programs. Every gift, regardless of size, advances our vision of health, dignity, and justice for every human. Support our work: hsph.me/whygive
May 16, 2025 at 5:07 PM
With nearly all of Harvard Chan School’s direct federal grants terminated, we are relying on philanthropy to power our research and support our educational programs. Every gift, regardless of size, advances our vision of health, dignity, and justice for every human. Support our work: hsph.me/whygive
Reposted by Sandra Romero Pinto
Reposted by Sandra Romero Pinto
The Trump administration is "willing to not just slash and burn research that challenges their political ideology but to replace it with shoddy studies designed to support their goals, under the guise of scientific legitimacy," Katherine J. Wu writes.
‘This Is Not How We Do Science, Ever’
The Trump administration is manipulating government-sponsored research to get the answers it wants.
bit.ly
April 24, 2025 at 2:45 PM
The Trump administration is "willing to not just slash and burn research that challenges their political ideology but to replace it with shoddy studies designed to support their goals, under the guise of scientific legitimacy," Katherine J. Wu writes.
Reposted by Sandra Romero Pinto
An autism "registry" culled from private medical records could potentially violate federal privacy laws and runs the risk of abuse.
It also harkens back to a time when disabled people were labeled, segregated, and excluded. We won't go back.
It also harkens back to a time when disabled people were labeled, segregated, and excluded. We won't go back.
RFK Jr’s autism study collecting Americans’ private medical records
The National Institutes of Health claims it is fulfilling RFK’s promise to find cause of autism by September
www.theguardian.com
April 23, 2025 at 8:31 PM
An autism "registry" culled from private medical records could potentially violate federal privacy laws and runs the risk of abuse.
It also harkens back to a time when disabled people were labeled, segregated, and excluded. We won't go back.
It also harkens back to a time when disabled people were labeled, segregated, and excluded. We won't go back.
Reposted by Sandra Romero Pinto
1. For the past thirty years I've had the best job in the world.
I've had the opportunity to follow my curiosity; explore the workings of nature and society; mentor students and junior colleagues in the same process; and teach generations of students about it all.
I've had the opportunity to follow my curiosity; explore the workings of nature and society; mentor students and junior colleagues in the same process; and teach generations of students about it all.
March 19, 2025 at 7:32 PM
1. For the past thirty years I've had the best job in the world.
I've had the opportunity to follow my curiosity; explore the workings of nature and society; mentor students and junior colleagues in the same process; and teach generations of students about it all.
I've had the opportunity to follow my curiosity; explore the workings of nature and society; mentor students and junior colleagues in the same process; and teach generations of students about it all.
Reposted by Sandra Romero Pinto
Here are six examples of how foreign visitors to the US with no criminal record are being treated:
1. Mahmoud Khalil, a green card holding student with no criminal record married to an American is abducted by ICE and is still in detention over a week later.
www.nytimes.com/2025/03/19/n...
......
1. Mahmoud Khalil, a green card holding student with no criminal record married to an American is abducted by ICE and is still in detention over a week later.
www.nytimes.com/2025/03/19/n...
......
March 20, 2025 at 2:59 AM
Here are six examples of how foreign visitors to the US with no criminal record are being treated:
1. Mahmoud Khalil, a green card holding student with no criminal record married to an American is abducted by ICE and is still in detention over a week later.
www.nytimes.com/2025/03/19/n...
......
1. Mahmoud Khalil, a green card holding student with no criminal record married to an American is abducted by ICE and is still in detention over a week later.
www.nytimes.com/2025/03/19/n...
......
Reposted by Sandra Romero Pinto
A kidney transplant specialist and professor at Brown University’s medical school has been deported from the U.S., even though she had a valid visa and a court order temporarily blocking her expulsion, according to her lawyer and court papers.
Brown University Surgeon and Professor Are Deported to Lebanon Despite a Judge’s Order
Dr. Rasha Alawieh, a kidney transplant specialist and Brown University professor who had a valid visa, was expelled in apparent defiance of a court order.
www.nytimes.com
March 16, 2025 at 7:48 PM
A kidney transplant specialist and professor at Brown University’s medical school has been deported from the U.S., even though she had a valid visa and a court order temporarily blocking her expulsion, according to her lawyer and court papers.
Reposted by Sandra Romero Pinto
"downsizes" is a weak way of saying "forced to cancel dozens of programs, which jeopardizes future STEM careers of talented undergrads" @science.org www.science.org/content/arti...
NSF downsizes summer research program for undergraduates
Many participants are from groups underrepresented in science
www.science.org
March 1, 2025 at 12:13 PM
"downsizes" is a weak way of saying "forced to cancel dozens of programs, which jeopardizes future STEM careers of talented undergrads" @science.org www.science.org/content/arti...
Thinking of how to convince the NIH to give me money to study these...
February 8, 2025 at 9:25 PM
Thinking of how to convince the NIH to give me money to study these...
Reposted by Sandra Romero Pinto
🚨PIs of Training Grants and Programs, ESPECIALLY training grants that support students from historically excluded groups (T32s and T34s, IMSD, MARC, PREP, MOSAIC, etc.)🚨
We need to push back on the loss of information and the disappearance of websites about these resources.
We need to push back on the loss of information and the disappearance of websites about these resources.
January 29, 2025 at 6:48 PM
🚨PIs of Training Grants and Programs, ESPECIALLY training grants that support students from historically excluded groups (T32s and T34s, IMSD, MARC, PREP, MOSAIC, etc.)🚨
We need to push back on the loss of information and the disappearance of websites about these resources.
We need to push back on the loss of information and the disappearance of websites about these resources.