Dr. Sunny Shin
@sunnyshinlab.bsky.social
Professor of Microbiology, University of Pennsylvania | bacterial pathogens & innate immunity | Chair, Microbiology, Virology, Parasitology Graduate Program | she/her | mom | daughter of immigrants | #FirstGen | opinions are my own
Lab: sunnyshinlab.com
Lab: sunnyshinlab.com
Pinned
Dr. Sunny Shin
@sunnyshinlab.bsky.social
· Nov 10
Hi everyone! 👋 To introduce myself, I’m a scientist & professor @Penn. Our lab studies how bacterial pathogens cause disease & how our immune system clears infection. I care deeply about science, teaching, mentoring, diversity & inclusion, & kindness. I look forward to spending more time over here!
Reposted by Dr. Sunny Shin
A bad thing is unfolding at NIH this week: It looks like the Trump administration is trying to replace key civil servant scientific leaders, the Institute Directors, with political hires. These directors control the NIH budget, tens of billions.
A bit of a video explainer here: 1/ 🧪
A bit of a video explainer here: 1/ 🧪
November 13, 2025 at 10:31 PM
A bad thing is unfolding at NIH this week: It looks like the Trump administration is trying to replace key civil servant scientific leaders, the Institute Directors, with political hires. These directors control the NIH budget, tens of billions.
A bit of a video explainer here: 1/ 🧪
A bit of a video explainer here: 1/ 🧪
Reposted by Dr. Sunny Shin
#InflammasomePower! 💥New paper alert💥 How is NLPR3 primed & activated in chronic non-communicable inflammatory diseases? With @oceanedufies.bsky.social &co we show that chronic exposure to oxPAPC drives NRF2 activation that primes & activates NLRP3 sustaining #atherosclerosis in mice & humans! 👇👇👇
Chronic sensing of host-derived lipids is an all-in-one signal that primes and activates NLRP3.
Activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome leads to the production of bioactive interleukin (IL)-1β fostering atherosclerosis. The current dogma is that NLRP3 must be first primed by microbial stimuli, know...
www.biorxiv.org
October 31, 2025 at 3:49 PM
#InflammasomePower! 💥New paper alert💥 How is NLPR3 primed & activated in chronic non-communicable inflammatory diseases? With @oceanedufies.bsky.social &co we show that chronic exposure to oxPAPC drives NRF2 activation that primes & activates NLRP3 sustaining #atherosclerosis in mice & humans! 👇👇👇
Reposted by Dr. Sunny Shin
The UofA is hiring for a Principal Scientist in cancer immunology! This isn’t a typical academic position—we're looking for a scientist with a great idea but needs time/resources to translate and commercialize. Please repost and apply if interested!
arizona.csod.com/ux/ats/caree...
arizona.csod.com/ux/ats/caree...
Principal Scientist, Center for Advanced Molecular and Immunological Therapies
Develop a research program in the advancement of immunological therapies.Play a crucial role in all aspects of research development, implementation, a...
arizona.csod.com
October 30, 2025 at 12:53 AM
The UofA is hiring for a Principal Scientist in cancer immunology! This isn’t a typical academic position—we're looking for a scientist with a great idea but needs time/resources to translate and commercialize. Please repost and apply if interested!
arizona.csod.com/ux/ats/caree...
arizona.csod.com/ux/ats/caree...
Reposted by Dr. Sunny Shin
@joann-trejo.bsky.social, @marymunson4.bsky.social and I have a commentary in @natcellbio.nature.com on recent attacks on DEI in biomedical research: "If scientific research, especially biomedical research, is meant to serve everyone, then it requires that everyone has an opportunity to participate"
Scaling back DEI programmes and the loss of scientific talent
Nature Cell Biology - Programmes that support diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) in science are under attack in the USA. Data indicate that diversity in the scientific workforce increases...
www.nature.com
October 23, 2025 at 4:36 PM
@joann-trejo.bsky.social, @marymunson4.bsky.social and I have a commentary in @natcellbio.nature.com on recent attacks on DEI in biomedical research: "If scientific research, especially biomedical research, is meant to serve everyone, then it requires that everyone has an opportunity to participate"
Reposted by Dr. Sunny Shin
Genome maintenance by telomerase is a fundamental process in nearly all eukaryotes. But where does it come from?
Today, we report the discovery of telomerase homologs in a family of antiviral reverse transcriptases, revealing an unexpected evolutionary origin in bacteria.
doi.org/10.1101/2025...
Today, we report the discovery of telomerase homologs in a family of antiviral reverse transcriptases, revealing an unexpected evolutionary origin in bacteria.
doi.org/10.1101/2025...
October 17, 2025 at 12:47 PM
Genome maintenance by telomerase is a fundamental process in nearly all eukaryotes. But where does it come from?
Today, we report the discovery of telomerase homologs in a family of antiviral reverse transcriptases, revealing an unexpected evolutionary origin in bacteria.
doi.org/10.1101/2025...
Today, we report the discovery of telomerase homologs in a family of antiviral reverse transcriptases, revealing an unexpected evolutionary origin in bacteria.
doi.org/10.1101/2025...
Reposted by Dr. Sunny Shin
Each Friday, I summarize what is happening to American science & higher ed. 🧪
This was Week 38:
- MIT declines loyalty oath/compact & I review latest at other 8 universities
- Newest RIFs gutting CDC
- “Payroll pirates” targeting university HR
& so much more buttondown.com/liminalcreat...
This was Week 38:
- MIT declines loyalty oath/compact & I review latest at other 8 universities
- Newest RIFs gutting CDC
- “Payroll pirates” targeting university HR
& so much more buttondown.com/liminalcreat...
Week 38
Oct 4-10, 2025 - failure state
buttondown.com
October 11, 2025 at 2:35 PM
Each Friday, I summarize what is happening to American science & higher ed. 🧪
This was Week 38:
- MIT declines loyalty oath/compact & I review latest at other 8 universities
- Newest RIFs gutting CDC
- “Payroll pirates” targeting university HR
& so much more buttondown.com/liminalcreat...
This was Week 38:
- MIT declines loyalty oath/compact & I review latest at other 8 universities
- Newest RIFs gutting CDC
- “Payroll pirates” targeting university HR
& so much more buttondown.com/liminalcreat...
Reposted by Dr. Sunny Shin
For more information about the Friday night massacre at CDC, I wrote up an analysis of who got terminated and what that means for public health.
Grateful to @saveamericamvmt.bsky.social for supporting and amplifying. We are in really terrible trouble.
rasmussenretorts.substack.com/p/the-death-...
Grateful to @saveamericamvmt.bsky.social for supporting and amplifying. We are in really terrible trouble.
rasmussenretorts.substack.com/p/the-death-...
October 11, 2025 at 4:42 PM
For more information about the Friday night massacre at CDC, I wrote up an analysis of who got terminated and what that means for public health.
Grateful to @saveamericamvmt.bsky.social for supporting and amplifying. We are in really terrible trouble.
rasmussenretorts.substack.com/p/the-death-...
Grateful to @saveamericamvmt.bsky.social for supporting and amplifying. We are in really terrible trouble.
rasmussenretorts.substack.com/p/the-death-...
Reposted by Dr. Sunny Shin
I completed a PhD in Physics at MIT in '03. Even when the intensity seemed to be off-scale, there was one piece that I never doubted: the place had integrity, purpose, and passion.
It's clear the culture and drive of MIT remains.
MIT says no to the compact.
orgchart.mit.edu/letters/rega...
It's clear the culture and drive of MIT remains.
MIT says no to the compact.
orgchart.mit.edu/letters/rega...
October 10, 2025 at 1:58 PM
I completed a PhD in Physics at MIT in '03. Even when the intensity seemed to be off-scale, there was one piece that I never doubted: the place had integrity, purpose, and passion.
It's clear the culture and drive of MIT remains.
MIT says no to the compact.
orgchart.mit.edu/letters/rega...
It's clear the culture and drive of MIT remains.
MIT says no to the compact.
orgchart.mit.edu/letters/rega...
Reposted by Dr. Sunny Shin
Pls share: Hofstra University is looking for a Tenure-Track Microbiologists!
-----
We are seeking a microbiologist with a research focus on a non-pathogenic bacterial model system.
hofstra.peopleadmin.com/postings/6542
-----
We are seeking a microbiologist with a research focus on a non-pathogenic bacterial model system.
hofstra.peopleadmin.com/postings/6542
Assistant Professor of Microbiology
hofstra.peopleadmin.com
October 10, 2025 at 8:00 PM
Pls share: Hofstra University is looking for a Tenure-Track Microbiologists!
-----
We are seeking a microbiologist with a research focus on a non-pathogenic bacterial model system.
hofstra.peopleadmin.com/postings/6542
-----
We are seeking a microbiologist with a research focus on a non-pathogenic bacterial model system.
hofstra.peopleadmin.com/postings/6542
Reposted by Dr. Sunny Shin
MIT refuses to accept White House terms for funding, other schools still mulling reut.rs/471tkNZ
MIT refuses to accept White House terms for funding, other schools still mulling
Massachusetts Institute of Technology President Sally Kornbluth on Friday said she "cannot support" a memo that the White House sent to nine elite U.S. universities last week detailing policies they should follow to get preferential consideration for federal funding.
reut.rs
October 10, 2025 at 9:35 PM
MIT refuses to accept White House terms for funding, other schools still mulling reut.rs/471tkNZ
Reposted by Dr. Sunny Shin
New from @jeremymberg.bsky.social at Can We Still Govern:
"Silence may protect an institution from becoming an early target, but history shows that it increases the likelihood that that institution (and many others) will be become targets over time."
donmoynihan.substack.com/p/deafening-...
"Silence may protect an institution from becoming an early target, but history shows that it increases the likelihood that that institution (and many others) will be become targets over time."
donmoynihan.substack.com/p/deafening-...
Deafening Quiet from the Scientific Establishment
Leaders are underestimating the risks of not fighting back
donmoynihan.substack.com
October 9, 2025 at 1:31 PM
New from @jeremymberg.bsky.social at Can We Still Govern:
"Silence may protect an institution from becoming an early target, but history shows that it increases the likelihood that that institution (and many others) will be become targets over time."
donmoynihan.substack.com/p/deafening-...
"Silence may protect an institution from becoming an early target, but history shows that it increases the likelihood that that institution (and many others) will be become targets over time."
donmoynihan.substack.com/p/deafening-...
Reposted by Dr. Sunny Shin
#LiveForever! Chen, Mao &co show @science.org that not all #cGAS are equals & that naked mole-rats one bears a 4 amino acid mutation which enhances DNA repair & when transferred in aged mice dampens frailty, hair graying, inflammatory & senescence markers! www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
A cGAS-mediated mechanism in naked mole-rats potentiates DNA repair and delays aging
Efficient DNA repair might make possible the longevity of naked mole-rats. However, whether they have distinctive mechanisms to optimize functions of DNA repair suppressors is unclear. We find that na...
www.science.org
October 9, 2025 at 10:49 PM
#LiveForever! Chen, Mao &co show @science.org that not all #cGAS are equals & that naked mole-rats one bears a 4 amino acid mutation which enhances DNA repair & when transferred in aged mice dampens frailty, hair graying, inflammatory & senescence markers! www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
Reposted by Dr. Sunny Shin
Today my @nytimes.com colleagues and I are launching a new series called Lost Science. We interview US scientists who can no longer discover something new about our world, thanks to this year‘s cuts. Here is my first interview with a scientist who studied bees and fires. Gift link: nyti.ms/3IWXbiE
nyti.ms
October 8, 2025 at 11:29 PM
Today my @nytimes.com colleagues and I are launching a new series called Lost Science. We interview US scientists who can no longer discover something new about our world, thanks to this year‘s cuts. Here is my first interview with a scientist who studied bees and fires. Gift link: nyti.ms/3IWXbiE
Reposted by Dr. Sunny Shin
Reporting from @cenmag.bsky.social on the last-minute announcement and eligibility changes to the NSF GRFP program, including a link to the petition to restore eligibility to 2nd year PhD students + more.
Petition:
laurenkuehne.github.io/grfpChanges/
Story:
cen.acs.org/policy/resea...
Petition:
laurenkuehne.github.io/grfpChanges/
Story:
cen.acs.org/policy/resea...
October 6, 2025 at 8:38 PM
Reporting from @cenmag.bsky.social on the last-minute announcement and eligibility changes to the NSF GRFP program, including a link to the petition to restore eligibility to 2nd year PhD students + more.
Petition:
laurenkuehne.github.io/grfpChanges/
Story:
cen.acs.org/policy/resea...
Petition:
laurenkuehne.github.io/grfpChanges/
Story:
cen.acs.org/policy/resea...
Reposted by Dr. Sunny Shin
Important piece from Sarah Stanley at Berkeley on new NIH definitions that can be construed to arbitrarily halt research that is both safe and important to public health and future cures www.statnews.com/2025/10/06/g... via @statnews.com
The NIH ordered me to stop my ‘dangerous’ gain-of-function research. It isn’t dangerous at all
Safe gain-of-function research is necessary to identify new treatments for diseases like for tuberculosis — but the NIH has imposed unfounded stops.
www.statnews.com
October 6, 2025 at 12:15 PM
Important piece from Sarah Stanley at Berkeley on new NIH definitions that can be construed to arbitrarily halt research that is both safe and important to public health and future cures www.statnews.com/2025/10/06/g... via @statnews.com
Reposted by Dr. Sunny Shin
Finally, check out AAUP-Penn’s statement that clearly frames the compact as a “threat, not an invitation.”
No to partisan interference in higher education!
@aaup-penn.bsky.social
Statement here👇
No to partisan interference in higher education!
@aaup-penn.bsky.social
Statement here👇
Statement by the AAUP-Penn Executive Committee on the Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education | AAUP–Penn
October 2, 2025 (updated 4:15pm) All members of the Penn community are invited to sign this petition urging the administration to say no to the Compact. We were alarmed to read reports that Penn has b...
aaup-penn.org
October 3, 2025 at 2:34 PM
Finally, check out AAUP-Penn’s statement that clearly frames the compact as a “threat, not an invitation.”
No to partisan interference in higher education!
@aaup-penn.bsky.social
Statement here👇
No to partisan interference in higher education!
@aaup-penn.bsky.social
Statement here👇
Reposted by Dr. Sunny Shin
Job alert ‼️ UChicago Micro is hiring! Open to tenured/tenure track faculty at all levels in any area of microbiology. Come join our amazing and growing department. apply.interfolio.com/174404
October 4, 2025 at 6:44 PM
Job alert ‼️ UChicago Micro is hiring! Open to tenured/tenure track faculty at all levels in any area of microbiology. Come join our amazing and growing department. apply.interfolio.com/174404
Reposted by Dr. Sunny Shin
Each Friday, I summarize what is happening to American science & higher ed. 🧪
This was Week 37:
- 9 universities face loyalty oath (“compact”)
- government shutdown - impact on services & fear of further RIFs
- four NIH directors officially fired
& so much more buttondown.com/liminalcreat...
This was Week 37:
- 9 universities face loyalty oath (“compact”)
- government shutdown - impact on services & fear of further RIFs
- four NIH directors officially fired
& so much more buttondown.com/liminalcreat...
Week 37
Sept 27-Oct 2, 2025 - hold the door
buttondown.com
October 4, 2025 at 1:50 PM
Each Friday, I summarize what is happening to American science & higher ed. 🧪
This was Week 37:
- 9 universities face loyalty oath (“compact”)
- government shutdown - impact on services & fear of further RIFs
- four NIH directors officially fired
& so much more buttondown.com/liminalcreat...
This was Week 37:
- 9 universities face loyalty oath (“compact”)
- government shutdown - impact on services & fear of further RIFs
- four NIH directors officially fired
& so much more buttondown.com/liminalcreat...
Reposted by Dr. Sunny Shin
Grateful to @aaup-penn.bsky.social speaking out against the Trump administration’s latest attempt to recruit Penn and other universities to sign on to a government takeover of higher education in exchange for a favored status in receiving federal grants.
aaup-penn.org/statement-by...
aaup-penn.org/statement-by...
Statement by the AAUP-Penn Executive Committee on the Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education | AAUP–Penn
October 2, 2025 We have received reports that Penn has been “invited” to sign a so-called “Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education” by the federal government, and that failing to do so wou...
aaup-penn.org
October 2, 2025 at 2:52 PM
Grateful to @aaup-penn.bsky.social speaking out against the Trump administration’s latest attempt to recruit Penn and other universities to sign on to a government takeover of higher education in exchange for a favored status in receiving federal grants.
aaup-penn.org/statement-by...
aaup-penn.org/statement-by...
Reposted by Dr. Sunny Shin
Some problems have simple solutions. This new “Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education” is one. The answer is simply saying no.
Simple does not mean easy. But Brown, Dartmouth, MIT, Vanderbilt, Univ of AZ, UPenn, USC, UT Austin & UVA must understand what they’ll lose if they sign on.
Simple does not mean easy. But Brown, Dartmouth, MIT, Vanderbilt, Univ of AZ, UPenn, USC, UT Austin & UVA must understand what they’ll lose if they sign on.
October 2, 2025 at 6:14 AM
Some problems have simple solutions. This new “Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education” is one. The answer is simply saying no.
Simple does not mean easy. But Brown, Dartmouth, MIT, Vanderbilt, Univ of AZ, UPenn, USC, UT Austin & UVA must understand what they’ll lose if they sign on.
Simple does not mean easy. But Brown, Dartmouth, MIT, Vanderbilt, Univ of AZ, UPenn, USC, UT Austin & UVA must understand what they’ll lose if they sign on.
Reposted by Dr. Sunny Shin
This moment from our latest episode with science writer @edyong209.bsky.social is 🔥
We asked Ed — how do we talk up the benefits of science in the face of government cuts? He told us that's the wrong approach. 🧪
Listen wherever, or watch on Spotify 👇
open.spotify.com/episode/7Evh...
We asked Ed — how do we talk up the benefits of science in the face of government cuts? He told us that's the wrong approach. 🧪
Listen wherever, or watch on Spotify 👇
open.spotify.com/episode/7Evh...
October 1, 2025 at 2:56 PM
This moment from our latest episode with science writer @edyong209.bsky.social is 🔥
We asked Ed — how do we talk up the benefits of science in the face of government cuts? He told us that's the wrong approach. 🧪
Listen wherever, or watch on Spotify 👇
open.spotify.com/episode/7Evh...
We asked Ed — how do we talk up the benefits of science in the face of government cuts? He told us that's the wrong approach. 🧪
Listen wherever, or watch on Spotify 👇
open.spotify.com/episode/7Evh...
Reposted by Dr. Sunny Shin
There is time to urge a change to the current #GRFP solicitation ( #NSF 25-547 ): reverse the eligibility restrictions and ensure applicants (including 2nd year PhD students) have a fair chance in the competition.
Feel free to sign and share this open petition:
laurenkuehne.github.io/grfpChanges/
Feel free to sign and share this open petition:
laurenkuehne.github.io/grfpChanges/
Petition to NSF to Restore Eligibility for the 2026 Graduate Research Fellowship Program Competition
laurenkuehne.github.io
September 29, 2025 at 6:16 PM
There is time to urge a change to the current #GRFP solicitation ( #NSF 25-547 ): reverse the eligibility restrictions and ensure applicants (including 2nd year PhD students) have a fair chance in the competition.
Feel free to sign and share this open petition:
laurenkuehne.github.io/grfpChanges/
Feel free to sign and share this open petition:
laurenkuehne.github.io/grfpChanges/
Reposted by Dr. Sunny Shin
Here are the results in terms of the number of projects.
The number of funded projects in FY2025 is 4014 fewer than the number for FY2024.
2/3
The number of funded projects in FY2025 is 4014 fewer than the number for FY2024.
2/3
September 29, 2025 at 5:38 PM
Here are the results in terms of the number of projects.
The number of funded projects in FY2025 is 4014 fewer than the number for FY2024.
2/3
The number of funded projects in FY2025 is 4014 fewer than the number for FY2024.
2/3
Reposted by Dr. Sunny Shin
📢A new effector-triggered immunity role for GBP1! No place for pathogens to hide now that GBP1 can detect extracellular pathogens that hijack the actin cytoskeleton. Surprise*suprise* GBP1 does this independently of LPS! 🧵
biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
September 28, 2025 at 10:36 AM
📢A new effector-triggered immunity role for GBP1! No place for pathogens to hide now that GBP1 can detect extracellular pathogens that hijack the actin cytoskeleton. Surprise*suprise* GBP1 does this independently of LPS! 🧵
biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
biorxiv.org/content/10.1...