Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

catie profaci, phd @cprofaci.bsky.social · 8d

Rocío is an amazing scientist, mentor, and person in general!!! Please share this job opening with anyone who might be interested 🤩🤩

Rocio Servin @rocioservin.bsky.social · 8d

We’re hiring!
My new Gut–Brain Axis Lab at Northwestern is looking for a Research Technologist 2 to help build the lab and explore how the nervous system shapes gut health and disease.
🔬 Apply here: myhr.northwestern.edu/psp/hrnu/EMP...

Sign In

JavaScript is required. This web browser does not support JavaScript or JavaScript in this web browser is not enabled.

myhr.northwestern.edu

1 5

Reposted by catie profaci, phd

Ardem Patapoutian @ardemp.bskyverified.social · 20d

New preprint alert! The uterus expands ~500-fold in pregnancy, yet we know little about how pressures are sensed. Led by @yunxiao-dr.bsky.social, we show PIEZOs are required for contractions and birth in mice, with dual roles of PIEZO1 in muscle and PIEZO2 in neurons
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...

PIEZO channels link mechanical forces to uterine contractions in parturition

Mechanical forces are extensively involved in pregnancy and parturition, but their precise roles and mechanisms remain poorly understood. Here, we identify mechanically activated ion channels PIEZO1 a...

www.biorxiv.org

1 41 130

catie profaci, phd @cprofaci.bsky.social · Aug 23

My duck is on its way!

Colette Delawalla @cdelawalla.bsky.social · Aug 21

🚨ACTION OF THE DAY🚨
@standupforscience.bsky.social

Day 21! QUACK-O-GRAM THURSDAY!

For $3 we will hand deliver an "IMPEACH THE QUACK" rubber ducky to your House Representative! (By one of our team members in a duck suit!)

DO IT (AND TELL YOUR FRIENDS)

act.standupforscience.net/fundraising/...

1

Reposted by catie profaci, phd

Megan Kirchgessner, PhD @megkirch.bsky.social · Aug 17

Thanks to Nicole for the highlight!! 🥹 this has been such a rewarding a labor of love for the last 6 (!!) years with @cprofaci.bsky.social and @drnancypadilla.bsky.social and our whole team of amazing volunteers!!! Always grateful to hear that it’s reaching a wider audience and having some impact ❤️

Nicole Rust @nicolecrust.bsky.social · Aug 17

Let’s talk @storiesofwin.bsky.social. I’m flattered to be among their profiles (coming soon) & I want to elevate the team behind this terrific effort. /1

www.storiesofwin.org

Stories of WiN

www.storiesofwin.org

1 7 19

catie profaci, phd @cprofaci.bsky.social · Aug 17

Hard to choose from >150 profiles! One that always sticks out is Huda Akil (ep 19)- www.storiesofwin.org/profiles/202.... & some of my fave interview convos I’ve had are w @osmanaya.bsky.social (ep 58)- www.storiesofwin.org/profiles/202... & Sally Temple (ep 73)- www.storiesofwin.org/profiles/202...

Nicole Rust @nicolecrust.bsky.social · Aug 17

What are your favorite @storiesofwin.bsky.social?

1 1 6

catie profaci, phd @cprofaci.bsky.social · Aug 17

Thank you so much to @nicolecrust.bsky.social for taking the time to highlight our team and project on Bluesky!! We are so honored ☺️

Nicole Rust @nicolecrust.bsky.social · Aug 17

Let’s talk @storiesofwin.bsky.social. I’m flattered to be among their profiles (coming soon) & I want to elevate the team behind this terrific effort. /1

www.storiesofwin.org

Stories of WiN

www.storiesofwin.org

1 4

catie profaci, phd @cprofaci.bsky.social · Aug 8

Thrilled to share this amazing work from Marie Blanchette & team in the Daneman Lab!!! We found that differences in the BBB across brain regions help regulate local brain function 🧠 Honored to have contributed to the study & to have had Marie as a mentor during my PhD💕
www.nature.com/articles/s41...

Regional heterogeneity of the blood-brain barrier - Nature Communications

The blood-brain barrier (BBB) regulates the extracellular composition of the central nervous system (CNS), but it is not known whether its properties differ across CNS regions. Here, the authors show ...

www.nature.com

5 16

catie profaci, phd @cprofaci.bsky.social · Aug 2

Interested in a neuroscience PhD or postdoc position in Germany? Check out the Brain Algorithms and Circuits Group opening at MPI this Fall!!

And many congrats to my friend Gregor Schuhknecht on opening his lab 🥳

#Neuroscience #Zebrafish #NeuroJobs

brain.mpg.de/schuhknecht

Gregor Schuhknecht

brain.mpg.de

1 3

Reposted by catie profaci, phd

Megan Kirchgessner, PhD @megkirch.bsky.social · Jul 29

It’s finally happening 🥹 save the date for our very first in-person event!! Fill out our interest form if you’ll be in SD for #sfn25 or otherwise, or fill it out even if you won’t be able to make it - we’re also gathering interest in a virtual streaming option!! Stay tuned for more details to come!!

Stories of WiN @storiesofwin.bsky.social · Jul 29

✨EXCITING NEWS!✨We're hosting our first ever, in-person event! Join us immediately before #SFN for a keynote, panel discussions, networking & more! Interested in attending? Fill out the form below:

docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...

Nov 15 | 9am-1pm | Tata Hall at UCSD
Help us spread the word!

16 26

catie profaci, phd @cprofaci.bsky.social · Jul 29

We at @storiesofwin.bsky.social have dreamt of hosting an in-person event for years… and it’s finally happening!!!! 🧠💕

Fill out the interest form even if you won’t be in SD for SfN—we’re gauging interest in a virtual option too!

Stories of WiN @storiesofwin.bsky.social · Jul 29

✨EXCITING NEWS!✨We're hosting our first ever, in-person event! Join us immediately before #SFN for a keynote, panel discussions, networking & more! Interested in attending? Fill out the form below:

docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...

Nov 15 | 9am-1pm | Tata Hall at UCSD
Help us spread the word!

3 7

Reposted by catie profaci, phd

John Wallingford @jbwallingford.bsky.social · Jul 11

The NIH is asking scientists and the public to comment on plans to drastically limit animal model research. If you think animal models remain important tools for basic and clinical research tell them! Click the link below and scroll down to send your comments!

www.fda.gov/news-events/...

FDA-NIH Workshop: Reducing Animal Testing

The FDA is hosting a workshop on reducing animal testing. The workshop is open to current FDA and NIH employees.

www.fda.gov

3 45 59

Reposted by catie profaci, phd

Kyle Cheney @kyledcheney.bsky.social · Jun 16

BREAKING: A federal judge in Massachusetts (the Reagan-appointed William Young) has declared the Trump administration's cuts to NIH grants — ostensibly over Trump's EOs on gender ideology and DEI — are "illegal" and "void." He's ordering many grants restored.

100 3.6K 14K

Reposted by catie profaci, phd

Scott Delaney @scott-delaney.bsky.social · Jun 16

⚖️ HUGE day today in the NIH terminations cases

There's a trial (of sorts) at 10a ET in Boston today for arguments that NIH unlawfully terminated 100s of grants.

It's a 3 hour hearing and I'll post periodic updates.

Of note: this is the 1st lawsuit filed against the Trump Admin to go to trial.

3 140 400

Reposted by catie profaci, phd

Phil Lewis @phillewis.bsky.social · Jun 12

Sen. Alex Padilla was just removed from Kristi Noem's press conference in Los Angeles (video: Bill Melugin/Fox News)

1.6K 5.9K 13K

catie profaci, phd @cprofaci.bsky.social · Jun 6

Happening today!!!

1 1

Reposted by catie profaci, phd

Alt CDC (they/them) @altcdc.altgov.info · Jun 2

Friends, as much fun as it is to play "Goon, fiend, or wanker? with the Trump regime, the sad reality is that this regime is actively attacking the LGBTQ+ community. Please share this LGBTQ+ friendly one-pager of mental health resources widely #PrideMonth #MentalHealth #AltComms

A summary of LGBTQ+ friendly mental health resources
Trans Lifeline is a trans-led organization that connects trans people to the community, support, and resources they need to thrive. Available at https://translifeline.org or 1-877-565-8860
LGBT National Hotline serves the community by providing free & confidential peer support, information, and local resources through national hotlines and online programs. Available at https://lgbthotline.org or 1-800-246-7743
National Suicide Crisis Lifeline: Available at https://988lifeline.org or 988. Text PRIDE to 988 for LGBTQ+ services. "At the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, we understand that life's challenges can sometimes be difficult. Our caring counselors are here for you. You are not alone."
Crisis Text Line serves anyone, in any type of crisis, providing access to free, 24/7 support via mediums people already use and trust. Available at https://www.crisistextline.org/ or text HOME to 741-741
For LGBTQ+ young people: The Trevor Project, available at https://www.thetrevorproject.org or text START to 678-678
For queer BIPOC community: BlackLine, available at https://www.callblackline.com/ or 1-800-604-5841
For queer South Asian community: DeQH, available at https://www.deqh.org/ or 908-367-3374
For LGBT older adults >50 years: SAGE, available at https://www.sageusa.org or 1-888-234-SAGE

7 370 520

Reposted by catie profaci, phd

Stories of WiN @storiesofwin.bsky.social · Jun 2

Special Episode! Didn't get into your dream grad program? Don't give up! Colors of the Brain (@colorsofthebrain.bsky.social) co-founder Dr. Maribel Patino (‪@maribel-patino.bsky.social‬) shares tips to strengthen your application #AcademicTwitter #GradSchoolTips

www.storiesofwin.org/profiles/202...

Didn't get into grad school, what now? — Stories of WiN

Dr. Maribel Patino, co-Founder of Colors of the Brain, about what to do if you didn’t get into grad school

www.storiesofwin.org

1 5 9

Reposted by catie profaci, phd

Stories of WiN @storiesofwin.bsky.social · May 28

We love to see multiple #StoriesOfWiN team members in the 2025 Leading Edge cohort! 💜 Congratulations to @cprofaci.bsky.social, @megkirch.bsky.social, and @hannahelam.bsky.social!

Leading Edge Fellows Program @leadingedgeprogram.bsky.social · May 27

We are thrilled to announce the 2025 Leading Edge Fellows! 40 outstanding postdoctoral fellows doing pioneering research in a wide range of biological and biomedical disciplines.

Learn more about these exceptional scientists:

www.leadingedgesymposium.org/fellows

2 7

Reposted by catie profaci, phd

Dr. Becca @docbecca.bsky.social · May 27

Every day I am so heartbroken for all the brilliant, curious, and promising young scientists that have passed through my lab and classrooms, now having their futures stolen just to serve some guy’s ego.

STAT @statnews.com · May 27

Across New England and the country, thousands of budding scientists have awoken to a stark new reality, following funding cuts by the Trump Administration. - via @bostonglobe.com

buff.ly/XYK9bLh

Young scientists say they may abandon research as their career options shrink amid Trump cuts

Across New England and the country, thousands of budding scientists have awoken to a stark new reality, following funding cuts by the Trump Administration.

www.statnews.com

1 16 61

catie profaci, phd @cprofaci.bsky.social · May 27

Very excited to be among the newest cohort of Leading Edge Fellows!! It’s an incredibly supportive community of scientists, and I can’t wait to get to know all of them better ☺️

Leading Edge Fellows Program @leadingedgeprogram.bsky.social · May 27

We are thrilled to announce the 2025 Leading Edge Fellows! 40 outstanding postdoctoral fellows doing pioneering research in a wide range of biological and biomedical disciplines.

Learn more about these exceptional scientists:

www.leadingedgesymposium.org/fellows

2 1 21

catie profaci, phd @cprofaci.bsky.social · May 17

While I was unsuccessful with HG, I got my start in research in an HHMI-funded undergrad program. Funding people at early stages matters immensely!!!

I kinda feel like putting all journal titles back in my talk slides in defiance 😈

(I know I know, journal elitism is also bad. Just so disappointed)

3

catie profaci, phd @cprofaci.bsky.social · May 17

💔 for this year’s HG applicants. I applied twice (unsuccessfully) and I remember really pouring my heart and soul into last year’s app. The new application format is so much intellectual and emotional work! So awful this year’s apps are all just getting thrown away

1 3

catie profaci, phd @cprofaci.bsky.social · May 17

I truly do not understand this @hhmi.org decision. Why go to all the trouble to make big changes to several awards to keep them “legal” (open to everyone) only to then terminate them??? And at a time when ECRs are the most desperate??? I think a public explanation is much needed

1 1 17

Reposted by catie profaci, phd

Jason Shepherd @jasonsynaptic.bsky.social · May 16

This is so demoralizing. We are losing critical ECR funding from all sources..and in doing so, losing the future of science. Who will stand up for these vulnerable communities?!

Ya'el Courtney, PhD @scienceyael.bsky.social · May 16

As a former @hhmi.org Gilliam fellow, I’m deeply disappointed to see HHMI cancel the Hanna Gray this year and pause all competitions.

@leslievosshall.bsky.social, Erin O’Shea — this was a moment to lead with vision, not retreat.

1 8 17

Reposted by catie profaci, phd

Stories of WiN @storiesofwin.bsky.social · May 14

Check out our latest profile! Dr. Eve Marder studies the stability and flexibility of neural circuit function. Follow the link below to learn more!

www.storiesofwin.org/profiles/202...

#StoriesofWiN #WomenInNeuroscience #WomenInNeuro

36 110