Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Alissa Armstrong @armstrongflylab.bsky.social · 11h

An Armstrong lab trainee is preparing to leave the nest - @chsphd.bsky.social presents his doctoral work and defends is dissertation next week.

Flyer announcing a dissertation defense for Chad Simmons, a doctoral student in the Armstrong Lab

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Reposted by Alissa Armstrong

Mark Peifer (He, him) @peiferlabunc.bsky.social · Aug 27

If you are a researcher whose lab uses FlyBase, consider a tax-deductible personal contribution. A lot of $100 contributions would help bridge the gap until we can set up a user fee system, and even $10 donations send the folks there the message we're behind them. Please share

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Alissa Armstrong @armstrongflylab.bsky.social · Aug 20

Yesterday’s #OOTD for the first day of genetics class. Topic: DNA structure

Selfie of Alissa who is wearing a dress with a DNA double helix pattern

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Reposted by Alissa Armstrong

Shefali @iamshef.bsky.social · Aug 15

#Drosophila community in the US and non- EU countries, please donate to help us support #Flybase. People behind the scenes have put in incredible effort over the past few months - as someone who has seen some of it first hand at #IUBloomington, they deserve all the praise. Please share and donate !

FlyBase @flybase.bsky.social · Aug 15

FlyBase needs your help! We ask that European labs continue to contribute to Cambridge, UK FlyBase, whereas US and other non-European labs can contribute to US FlyBase. For more information and how to donate: wiki.flybase.org/wiki/FlyBase...

FlyBase:Contribute to FlyBase - FlyBase Wiki

wiki.flybase.org

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Reposted by Alissa Armstrong

Dee @dee4ever.bsky.social · Aug 10

#Bluesky #Blacksky #Edusky Would you repost to help my students in rural SC? Your donation can brighten the classroom experience for our students. Your generosity will make a huge difference in the lives of our students, & I would really appreciate your assistance. www.amazon.com/baby-reg/die...

a thank you card with watercolor hearts on a white background

ALT: a thank you card with watercolor hearts on a white background

media.tenor.com

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Reposted by Alissa Armstrong

Dr. Kat Napaaqtuk❄️ @napaaqtuk.bsky.social · Aug 8

I am really excited to be a part of this team. We took our time writing this, putting a lot of thought into how our journeys as #NativesInSTEM were affected by different aspects of Universities and looking for commonalities across the world. I hope folks in academia appreciate this work.

Lydia Jennings, PhD @1nativesoilnerd.bsky.social · Aug 8

New article led by Tara McAllister & co-authored by Lelani Walker, @niiyokamigaabaw.bsky.social, myself, Bradley Moggridge, Serena Naepi, Brittany Kamai and @napaaqtuk.bsky.social

www.nature.com/articles/d41...

Decolonize scientific institutions, don’t just diversify them

Indigenous scholars set out eight steps to stop marginalization in academia and to enable a shared Indigenous agenda in science.

www.nature.com

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Alissa Armstrong @armstrongflylab.bsky.social · Aug 3

Early-career #Drosophila biologists (grad students, postdoc, pre-tenure faculty) looking to add a me tore to your mentoring network, be sure to complete the survey by 9/1 so that you can be matched to the best mentor possible.

Shefali @iamshef.bsky.social · Jul 21

#FlyCROSS mentee surveys are open for #earlycareer #Drosophila scientists. If you're a #gradstudent #postdoc or pretenure faculty or equivalent - fill up the survey by Sept 1 to participate & be matched by #mentor of your preferences to gain guidance to your unique needs. @flybase.bsky.social

docs.google.com

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Reposted by Alissa Armstrong

Moe Mahjoub @mahjoublab.bsky.social · Jul 18

👇 Contact me if you're interested!

Brooke Fitzwater, PhD (she/her) 🐟🪱🏳️‍🌈♾️ @oceanfilly.bsky.social · Jul 18

As Requested - A Starter Pack of PIs in Biology (or adjacent) fields who are recruiting POSTDOCS! Please don't hesitate to reach out if you wish to be added! go.bsky.app/4gbXXR3

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Reposted by Alissa Armstrong

Biology Open @biologyopen.bsky.social · Jul 8

Will you be at #SEB2025 this week? Visit the @biologists.bsky.social booth (#3 & 4) in the exhibition hall to ask about the @biologyopen.bsky.social Fast & Fair peer review initiative. bit.ly/41N31tO
@sebiology.bsky.social

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Reposted by Alissa Armstrong

USC Research @uscresearch.bsky.social · Jul 7

Letters of intent are due Friday, August 1!

University of South Carolina Arnold School of Public Health @uscarnoldschool.bsky.social · Jul 3

Submit your proposals to receive grant funding from the SHARE program! We'd like to support up to three early-career faculty members as they conduct pilot projects focused on aging-related research. Learn more ➡️ ow.ly/R7zx50WjCgO #ArnoldSchoolDiscovery ‪@uscresearch.bsky.social‬

The mission of SHARE is to enhance an Alzheimer’s and related dementias (ADRD) research workforce and
strengthen the science on non-medical drivers of health (NMDoH) and best practices in aging and ADRD. This
National-Institute of Aging-funded pilot project program will provide monetary, curricular, and mentorship
support to early-career faculty members to advance ADRD research in community engagement, health
communication, and implementation science

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Alissa Armstrong @armstrongflylab.bsky.social · Jul 4

It’s official! Fall 2025, I go from “Assistant” to “Associate” Professor. Thanks to trainees (ugrad/grad/postbacs), professional/personal networks, & family for supporting my goal of establishing a vibrant research program that puts people before projects. More science, scientists, & understanding!

Screenshot that says “Dear Professor Armstrong:
By action taken during the June 20, 2025 meeting of the University of South Carolina Board of Trustees, I am pleased to inform you approval was given to the administration's recommendation that you be awarded tenure and promoted to the rank of Associate Professor, effective August 16, 2025.
Congratulations on your achievement.”

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Alissa Armstrong @armstrongflylab.bsky.social · Jun 11

It was a give-away! I’ve never replied to an email faster, lol

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Alissa Armstrong @armstrongflylab.bsky.social · Jun 10

...and how to dissect fat bodies on our newly acquired, old-school teaching 🔬

Isaiah showing Acchia how to pin dissected fly abdominal carcasses

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Alissa Armstrong @armstrongflylab.bsky.social · Jun 10

Summer brings new @sc.edu undergraduates to the lab - learning some #drosophila genetics...

Two undergraduate students, Merelin (left) and Acchia (right), working out a genetics cross in Dr. Armstrong's office

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Reposted by Alissa Armstrong

Shefali @iamshef.bsky.social · Jun 2

Hey #Drosophila folks ! #FlyCROSS is back and #Mentor surveys are open NOW ! If you're a faculty/postdoc/ equivalent in any scientific career & have #Drosophila research experience - we'd be delighted to have you as mentors to empower early career scientists in the #Dros community !

Summer 2025 Survey For Mentors : FlyCROSS Mentor Mentee Matching Program

We appreciate you taking the time and volunteering to be a mentor! Add [email protected] to your email address book or safe sender list, so that you can receive our emails. To be a participating me...

docs.google.com

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Reposted by Alissa Armstrong

Chanda Prescod-Weinstein 🌌 @chanda.blacksky.app · May 23

DEADLINE EXTENDED TO JUNE 7!!

SAVE THE FEDERAL CIVIL SERVICE! MAKE A COMMENT TODAY!!!

news.chanda.science/archive/urge...

Urgent: Take Action to Protect Public Services

Photo by Katie Rodriguez on Unsplash MAY 23 UPDATE: The comment period has been extended until June 7. Please keep submitting comments! (Thanks to the reader...

news.chanda.science

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Alissa Armstrong @armstrongflylab.bsky.social · May 20

Part of the Armstrong and Ables lab crews met up for dinner at the #SESDB2025 @socdevbio.bsky.social meeting yesterday evening.

Picture of lab members after dinner. From left to right - David, Chad, Isaiah, Dr. Armstrong, Carly, BiClareline, Vicky, and Dr. Ables in an outside patio

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Alissa Armstrong @armstrongflylab.bsky.social · May 19

Grateful that students in my lab/department and one that I mentor were able to attend the @pair-up.bsky.social workshop at the MBL!

Falk Schneider @faldalf.bsky.social · May 18

Back to @mblscience.bsky.social Woods Hole - teaching on the Pair Up Microscopy Course. Great experience and awesome participants.

Wild - last time here I was a student (Physical Biology of the Cell Course in 2018). Now introducing my lab.

Thanks Abhishek Kumar for organising and the invitation.

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Alissa Armstrong @armstrongflylab.bsky.social · May 16

Lab alum and recent USC graduates really know me! Thanks to Helena and Ivory for my necklace 🧬👩🏾‍🔬

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Reposted by Alissa Armstrong

Jennifer Polk @fromphdtolife.com · May 12

Burned out by academic work that never ends? You’re not alone. My free webinar is for professors, postdocs, and PhDs ready to find a better way forward. #AcademicSky
Watch here:

Free Training for PhDs - From PhD to Life

Leaving academia? You want a new career as a PhD without wasting time applying for the wrong jobs, but don’t know where to start. Get clarity with Dr. Jen Polk in this free training.

fromphdtolife.com

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Reposted by Alissa Armstrong

chasingmicrobes @chasingmicrobes.bsky.social · May 6

1/3
PLEASE READ, LIKE, REPOST this "1/3" post

There is a Senate Hearing May 14th with RFK Jr to discuss Trump's proposed HHS budget. Please find call/email the members of the committee every day until then (I have compiled contact info for the members in post 2/3)

05.02.2025
MEDIA ADVISORY: Senate HELP Committee to Hold Hearing with Secretary Kennedy on HHS Budget

WASHINGTON – On Wednesday, May 14, the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee will hold a hearing with U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to discuss President Trump's proposed HHS budget for fiscal year 2026. This is the first time in at least two decades that the HHS Secretary is testifying on a presidential budget before the HELP Committee.

Agenda: Hearing on Fiscal Year 2026 Department of Health and Human Services Budget;

Date: Wednesday, May 14, 2025

Time: 1:00 PM ET/ 12:00 PM CT

Location: 430 Dirksen Senate Office Building

Witnesses: Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Secretary, Department of Health and Human Services

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Alissa Armstrong @armstrongflylab.bsky.social · May 5

15 years ago, I turned in printed copies of my dissertation with baby in tow. I like to repost this as a reminder to myself and others - we can do hard things. @rkuruvi1.bsky.social will remember the backdrop 😃

Photo of Alissa with a pink pacifier in her mouth, carrying her sleeping baby in a baby carrier, and holding several printed copies of her dissertation in manila folders.

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Alissa Armstrong @armstrongflylab.bsky.social · May 2

📌

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Alissa Armstrong @armstrongflylab.bsky.social · May 2

Our very own J'nea won a FIRST PLACE poster award at #DiscoverUSC2025. The Armstrong Lab is proud!

J'nea posing at her poster during Discover USC 2025

Announcement of J'nea's first place poster win for Discover USC 2025

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Reposted by Alissa Armstrong

Whitney Gibbs @whitgibbs.bsky.social · Apr 30

My lab at NYU is hiring a postdoc interested in RNA biology and local translation in neurons following axonal injury/neurodegenerative diseases!! Apply here: apply.interfolio.com/165681

Apply - Interfolio {{$ctrl.$state.data.pageTitle}} - Apply - Interfolio

apply.interfolio.com

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