Brenton DeBoef
@brentondb.bsky.social
Organic chemist and dean by day, amateur rocket scientist by night.
#URI
#GraduateSchool
#ChemSky
#rocketry
#URI
#GraduateSchool
#ChemSky
#rocketry
My TEDx talk was originally titled"The holy grail of science communication," but since it was chosen as an Editor’s Pick, TED changed it. Either way, I'm humbled and grateful to get to share my experiences on the TED stage.
youtu.be/W14BrQX2UkM?...
youtu.be/W14BrQX2UkM?...
How science and theology can help advance truth | Brenton DeBoef | TEDxURI
YouTube video by TEDx Talks
youtu.be
September 18, 2025 at 1:41 AM
My TEDx talk was originally titled"The holy grail of science communication," but since it was chosen as an Editor’s Pick, TED changed it. Either way, I'm humbled and grateful to get to share my experiences on the TED stage.
youtu.be/W14BrQX2UkM?...
youtu.be/W14BrQX2UkM?...
Reposted by Brenton DeBoef
We are looking for PhD candidates to work in Paris at @sorbonne-universite.fr on synthesis & (photo)catalysis inside cyclodextrins with bimetallic complexes in collaboration with @metallacycle.bsky.social
March 10, 2025 at 4:48 PM
We are looking for PhD candidates to work in Paris at @sorbonne-universite.fr on synthesis & (photo)catalysis inside cyclodextrins with bimetallic complexes in collaboration with @metallacycle.bsky.social
I’m seriously about to cry. The NSF REU program was the key to my entire career.
www.insidehighered.com/news/student...
www.insidehighered.com/news/student...
Trump’s cuts threaten key NSF undergrad research program
For decades, Research Experience for Undergraduates has been a golden ticket for students, funding summer research projects at top institutions. Now, at least a dozen are canceled.
www.insidehighered.com
March 11, 2025 at 12:43 PM
I’m seriously about to cry. The NSF REU program was the key to my entire career.
www.insidehighered.com/news/student...
www.insidehighered.com/news/student...
Reposted by Brenton DeBoef
I wrote a book. I go on about it a lot. It's called "Managing Your Mental Health During Your PhD: A Survival Guide". I promised myself it wouldn't just tell PhDs to "eat well" like that is a magic fix for poor supervision, uncertainty and/or research not going to plan, and I think I achieved that.
February 17, 2025 at 7:55 PM
I wrote a book. I go on about it a lot. It's called "Managing Your Mental Health During Your PhD: A Survival Guide". I promised myself it wouldn't just tell PhDs to "eat well" like that is a magic fix for poor supervision, uncertainty and/or research not going to plan, and I think I achieved that.
Reposted by Brenton DeBoef
35 years ago today, one of the most ICONIC and profound images was taken.
the pale blue dot.
the pale blue dot.
February 14, 2025 at 7:34 PM
35 years ago today, one of the most ICONIC and profound images was taken.
the pale blue dot.
the pale blue dot.
Reposted by Brenton DeBoef
🚨BREAKING. From a program officer at the National Science Foundation, a list of keywords that can cause a grant to be pulled. I will be sharing screenshots of these keywords along with a decision tree. Please share widely. This is a crisis for academic freedom & science.
February 4, 2025 at 1:26 AM
🚨BREAKING. From a program officer at the National Science Foundation, a list of keywords that can cause a grant to be pulled. I will be sharing screenshots of these keywords along with a decision tree. Please share widely. This is a crisis for academic freedom & science.
Reposted by Brenton DeBoef
I would totally give $25 to any reporter who asks the President about unobtanium deposits in Greenland. Please, just for my benefit.
February 3, 2025 at 7:09 PM
I would totally give $25 to any reporter who asks the President about unobtanium deposits in Greenland. Please, just for my benefit.
Reposted by Brenton DeBoef
An interesting podcast highlighting the intersectionality of academia and (poor) mental health.
The idea of building supportive and sustained programs for junior faculty, and others, is on the top my mind.
What are your universities doing in this space? I’d love to know!
#academicsky
The idea of building supportive and sustained programs for junior faculty, and others, is on the top my mind.
What are your universities doing in this space? I’d love to know!
#academicsky
it's been such incredible hosting this series for @nature.com's careers podcast.
it's about the mental health toll of academia. and every single conversation has been incredible.
ep1: www.nature.com/articles/d41...
(search Working Scientist wherever you get your pods!)
it's about the mental health toll of academia. and every single conversation has been incredible.
ep1: www.nature.com/articles/d41...
(search Working Scientist wherever you get your pods!)
Mind matters: investigating academia’s ‘mental health crisis’
Adam Levy discusses some of the systemic changes needed to make the academic workplace both a happier and healthier place.
www.nature.com
January 31, 2025 at 12:13 AM
An interesting podcast highlighting the intersectionality of academia and (poor) mental health.
The idea of building supportive and sustained programs for junior faculty, and others, is on the top my mind.
What are your universities doing in this space? I’d love to know!
#academicsky
The idea of building supportive and sustained programs for junior faculty, and others, is on the top my mind.
What are your universities doing in this space? I’d love to know!
#academicsky
Reposted by Brenton DeBoef
Post the amazing science things you have done with federal funding.
January 28, 2025 at 8:51 PM
Post the amazing science things you have done with federal funding.
Reposted by Brenton DeBoef
Withdrawing US funding from the World Health Organization is a potential disaster for public health worldwide, due to the impact it will have on the important work the WHO does. Preventing the CDC from even *talking* with WHO personnel is a step much farther toward undermining global health & safety
CDC ordered to stop working with WHO immediately, upending expectations of an extended withdrawal
U.S. public health officials have been told to stop working with the World Health Organization, effective immediately. The surprise decision is focused on the U.S.
apnews.com
January 27, 2025 at 10:31 PM
Withdrawing US funding from the World Health Organization is a potential disaster for public health worldwide, due to the impact it will have on the important work the WHO does. Preventing the CDC from even *talking* with WHO personnel is a step much farther toward undermining global health & safety
Reposted by Brenton DeBoef
Academic Skyers: I am compiling a list of policies and statements from various universities about how they are handling the "pause" in terms of stopping expenditures (or not).
Please respond to this post with your institution and materials.
THANK YOU!
Please respond to this post with your institution and materials.
THANK YOU!
January 28, 2025 at 5:35 PM
Academic Skyers: I am compiling a list of policies and statements from various universities about how they are handling the "pause" in terms of stopping expenditures (or not).
Please respond to this post with your institution and materials.
THANK YOU!
Please respond to this post with your institution and materials.
THANK YOU!
PEPFAR is a one of the best things the USA has ever supported, giving life to millions. This is evil.
January 28, 2025 at 5:02 PM
PEPFAR is a one of the best things the USA has ever supported, giving life to millions. This is evil.
Reposted by Brenton DeBoef
NSF says review panels scheduled for this week will be rescheduled to a future date. Unclear what that means for future panels.
I'm still following this story. If you were on a review panel that was canceled or can speak to how these cancelations impact research, reach out.
Contact info below ⬇️
I'm still following this story. If you were on a review panel that was canceled or can speak to how these cancelations impact research, reach out.
Contact info below ⬇️
I'm hearing that NSF panels have been canceled. Did any #ChemSky folks get a cancelation email today? Would appreciate hearing from you for a potential @cenmag.bsky.social article.
Reach me via DM, email ([email protected]) or Signal (kvasquez.12)
Reach me via DM, email ([email protected]) or Signal (kvasquez.12)
January 28, 2025 at 12:08 AM
NSF says review panels scheduled for this week will be rescheduled to a future date. Unclear what that means for future panels.
I'm still following this story. If you were on a review panel that was canceled or can speak to how these cancelations impact research, reach out.
Contact info below ⬇️
I'm still following this story. If you were on a review panel that was canceled or can speak to how these cancelations impact research, reach out.
Contact info below ⬇️
Reposted by Brenton DeBoef
It is very easy to call your representatives’ offices. They have to log your calls and the call numbers are meaningful. You don’t even have to try to convince anyone; just call and tell them your concerns. They are there to represent you. Let them know what that means. www.usa.gov/elected-offi...
Find and contact elected officials | USAGov
Use USAGov’s Contact Your Elected Officials tool to get contact information for your members of Congress, the president, and state and local officials.
www.usa.gov
January 28, 2025 at 2:16 PM
It is very easy to call your representatives’ offices. They have to log your calls and the call numbers are meaningful. You don’t even have to try to convince anyone; just call and tell them your concerns. They are there to represent you. Let them know what that means. www.usa.gov/elected-offi...
I was just thinking the same thing. And we thought the pandemic tried our mettle…
Today in illegal actions.
January 2025 has miraculously surpassed March 2020 in its longevity.
And, it's only been a week.
January 2025 has miraculously surpassed March 2020 in its longevity.
And, it's only been a week.
The While House pauses all federal grants and loan disbursements.
For researchers, this means that work already completed and charged to federal grants (NSF, NIH, etc) will not be reimbursed by the federal government until further notice.
www.cnn.com/2025/01/27/p...
For researchers, this means that work already completed and charged to federal grants (NSF, NIH, etc) will not be reimbursed by the federal government until further notice.
www.cnn.com/2025/01/27/p...
January 28, 2025 at 3:00 PM
I was just thinking the same thing. And we thought the pandemic tried our mettle…
Reposted by Brenton DeBoef
If you’re in the US and you’d like to know what projects and vital services federal grants currently fund in your state, you can search here: www.usaspending.gov
And you can find the contact information for your elected representatives here: www.usa.gov/elected-offi...
They need to hear from you.
And you can find the contact information for your elected representatives here: www.usa.gov/elected-offi...
They need to hear from you.
USAspending.gov
www.usaspending.gov
January 28, 2025 at 4:59 AM
If you’re in the US and you’d like to know what projects and vital services federal grants currently fund in your state, you can search here: www.usaspending.gov
And you can find the contact information for your elected representatives here: www.usa.gov/elected-offi...
They need to hear from you.
And you can find the contact information for your elected representatives here: www.usa.gov/elected-offi...
They need to hear from you.
Words to live by
January 27, 2025 at 3:08 AM
Words to live by
Reposted by Brenton DeBoef
Rhode Islanders - it’s time to mobilize.
Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) is a longtime friend of RFK, Jr. and reportedly has not yet committed to voting against him.
Personal friendship are not relevant to whether a nut job like RFK, Jr. is qualified.
Call Whitehouse: 202-224-2921
Or message: whitehouse.senate.gov/contact/email-sheldon
Personal friendship are not relevant to whether a nut job like RFK, Jr. is qualified.
Call Whitehouse: 202-224-2921
Or message: whitehouse.senate.gov/contact/email-sheldon
Email Sheldon - Senator Sheldon Whitehouse
I look forward to hearing from you. All scheduling requests should be made via email to [email protected]. Looking for help with a federal agency? Click here. "*" indicates required fie...
whitehouse.senate.gov
January 25, 2025 at 11:39 PM
Rhode Islanders - it’s time to mobilize.
Reposted by Brenton DeBoef
The FDA has scrubbed from its website guidance on conducting medical trials with representative numbers of men/women and racial/ethnic minorities. these aren't symbolic issues. Drugs affect men/men, people with different genetic backgrounds differently. talkingpointsmemo.com/edblog/medic...
Medical Trial Guidance Scrubbed
Another detail out of FDA. The agency has removed pages which provide...
talkingpointsmemo.com
January 24, 2025 at 6:43 PM
The FDA has scrubbed from its website guidance on conducting medical trials with representative numbers of men/women and racial/ethnic minorities. these aren't symbolic issues. Drugs affect men/men, people with different genetic backgrounds differently. talkingpointsmemo.com/edblog/medic...
Reposted by Brenton DeBoef
Funding can make or break a lab, so there's a lot of concern over recent cancellation of NIH study sections and other meetings. Some folks I spoke to are also worried about changes that could be coming to NIH funding process.
cen.acs.org/policy/resea...
#ChemSky @cenmag.bsky.social
cen.acs.org/policy/resea...
#ChemSky @cenmag.bsky.social
Some chemists fear delays in NIH funding
Meeting cancellations at US health agency force pause in grant reviews
cen.acs.org
January 24, 2025 at 8:36 PM
Funding can make or break a lab, so there's a lot of concern over recent cancellation of NIH study sections and other meetings. Some folks I spoke to are also worried about changes that could be coming to NIH funding process.
cen.acs.org/policy/resea...
#ChemSky @cenmag.bsky.social
cen.acs.org/policy/resea...
#ChemSky @cenmag.bsky.social
Reposted by Brenton DeBoef
Good God
January 25, 2025 at 12:15 AM
Good God
Reposted by Brenton DeBoef
Excellent perspective by @lisamjarvis.bsky.social @bloomberg.com on the deep freeze at NIH
Trump's NIH Freeze Puts Scientific Research at Risk
America’s best scientific minds are scrambling to determine the impact of the disruption.
www.bloomberg.com
January 24, 2025 at 9:28 PM
Excellent perspective by @lisamjarvis.bsky.social @bloomberg.com on the deep freeze at NIH
To all my Christian brothers and sisters…
She is Jeremiah
She is Esther
She is Bonhoeffer
Speaking truth to power is not popular, but it is righteousness. Both history and God will judge Trump and Bonne. How do you think that will turn out?
Isaiah 1:17, Micah 6:8
www.nytimes.com/2025/01/22/u...
She is Jeremiah
She is Esther
She is Bonhoeffer
Speaking truth to power is not popular, but it is righteousness. Both history and God will judge Trump and Bonne. How do you think that will turn out?
Isaiah 1:17, Micah 6:8
www.nytimes.com/2025/01/22/u...
The Bishop Who Pleaded With Trump: ‘Was Anyone Going to Say Anything?’
Bishop Budde locked eyes with President Trump and made a plea for mercy — and the war over spiritual authority in America was ignited anew.
www.nytimes.com
January 23, 2025 at 6:11 PM
To all my Christian brothers and sisters…
She is Jeremiah
She is Esther
She is Bonhoeffer
Speaking truth to power is not popular, but it is righteousness. Both history and God will judge Trump and Bonne. How do you think that will turn out?
Isaiah 1:17, Micah 6:8
www.nytimes.com/2025/01/22/u...
She is Jeremiah
She is Esther
She is Bonhoeffer
Speaking truth to power is not popular, but it is righteousness. Both history and God will judge Trump and Bonne. How do you think that will turn out?
Isaiah 1:17, Micah 6:8
www.nytimes.com/2025/01/22/u...
Reposted by Brenton DeBoef
#Chemsky looking for researchers affected by the NIH freeze. Hoping to get folks from all career levels.
DM or email ([email protected]). I also have Signal (DM for info). We can talk about keeping you anonymous if your worried.
DM or email ([email protected]). I also have Signal (DM for info). We can talk about keeping you anonymous if your worried.
January 23, 2025 at 4:57 AM
#Chemsky looking for researchers affected by the NIH freeze. Hoping to get folks from all career levels.
DM or email ([email protected]). I also have Signal (DM for info). We can talk about keeping you anonymous if your worried.
DM or email ([email protected]). I also have Signal (DM for info). We can talk about keeping you anonymous if your worried.