Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Daniel Gonzales @dgonzales1990.bsky.social · Apr 22

When reviewing PhD applications this cycle, I made small notes of things that stood out to me. Both good and bad.

I think it could be helpful to those considering applying this Fall.

gonzales.science/resource-blo...

Reviewing PhD Applications: A stream of consciousness — Gonzales Lab

A list of notes takes in real-time when reviewing PhD applications and interviews

gonzales.science

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Daniel Gonzales @dgonzales1990.bsky.social · Apr 16

Feeling thankful, but also saddened by the cuts to this program. The number of awards were reduced by half. It’s a shame to see such a special program that funds highly talented scientists be cut

Plot of the number of GRFPs awarded by year. 2025 has been reduced to ~1000 from ~2000. Data is from Prof. Eric Pop on LinkedIn

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Daniel Gonzales @dgonzales1990.bsky.social · Apr 16

We snagged two GRFPs and one honorable mention this cycle. Super proud of the lab and the great quality we’re able to recruit!

gonzales.science/lab-news/apr...

April 15, 2025: The lab lands multiple NSF GRFPs — Gonzales Lab

The lab snagged multiple NSF GRFPs!! A huge congrats to Camila Romero and incoming BME PhD student Lauren Iskander on their awards! Hailey Edelman also received an honorable mention. We are so proud o...

gonzales.science

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Daniel Gonzales @dgonzales1990.bsky.social · Apr 9

The shadow in the bottom left of these pics is the ribbon of our flexible probes. The array is inserted and spans about 1 mm. Here we’re imaging at z = 200um

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Daniel Gonzales @dgonzales1990.bsky.social · Apr 9

The lab has had a hell of a month and I’m excited for some upcoming announcements…

…but for now please enjoy these pics as we move step-by-step towards simultaneous ephys and two-photon imaging with our flexible & semi transparent electrodes

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Daniel Gonzales @dgonzales1990.bsky.social · Mar 27

a man wearing overalls and a plaid shirt says it ain 't much but it 's honest work

ALT: a man wearing overalls and a plaid shirt says it ain 't much but it 's honest work

media.tenor.com

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Daniel Gonzales @dgonzales1990.bsky.social · Mar 27

So as of this week it appears the lab is now in the NHP ephys game

Recorded with thin film flexible electrodes

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Daniel Gonzales @dgonzales1990.bsky.social · Mar 6

i want to neuropixels these things

Louise Nicholas @louisenicholas.bsky.social · Mar 4

Your scientists were so preoccupied with whether they could, they didn't stop to think if they should

www.theguardian.com/science/2025...

Scientists aiming to bring back woolly mammoth create woolly mice

Genetically modified mice have traits geared towards cold tolerance, in step towards modifying elephants

www.theguardian.com

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Daniel Gonzales @dgonzales1990.bsky.social · Mar 5

This is what sparked my curiosity! Not sure why I doubted her 😂😂

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Daniel Gonzales @dgonzales1990.bsky.social · Mar 4

We set aside 20min in class for a Q&A on funding a lab, federal funding, IDCs, and ongoing policy shifts. Was definitely not enough time. Such great and insightful questions

Probably could have taken the whole class

Anyway. 10/10 would recommend

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Daniel Gonzales @dgonzales1990.bsky.social · Mar 4

There’s been some talk on here about communicating more with undergrads about science funding, policies, outlook etc.

I admit I was skeptical there would be interest. I polled my course. 70% were interested in having a discussion. The other 30% were “maybe interested.” 0% were not interested.

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Reposted by Daniel Gonzales

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

This new Atlantic piece on the timeline of the NIH shutdown reads like the script to a new Soderbergh film. It is so, so dark and perfectly captures the evil and intentional chaos behind everything we've experienced over the last month www.theatlantic.com/health/archi...

Inside the Collapse at the NIH

Administration officials pressured the NIH to avoid clear advice from the agency’s own lawyers to restart grant funding now.

www.theatlantic.com

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Daniel Gonzales @dgonzales1990.bsky.social · Feb 26

More bad news

The New York Times @nytimes.com · Feb 25

NASA announced on Monday that the odds that an asteroid would smash into Earth in 2032 have dropped to nearly zero.

Earth Safe From Asteroid 2024 YR4, NASA Says

The odds that the space rock, 2024 YR4, will smash into our planet in 2032 have dropped to nearly zero, leading astronomers to conclude that we are no longer in danger.

www.nytimes.com

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Daniel Gonzales @dgonzales1990.bsky.social · Feb 22

Microsoft is inventing new forms of matter for quantum computing before making Outlook or Teams usable without feeling the pain of a thousand suns

The Guardian @theguardian.com · Feb 19

Microsoft unveils chip it says could bring quantum computing within years

Chip is powered by world’s first topoconductor, which can create new state of matter that is not solid, liquid or gas Quantum computers could be built within years rather than decades, according to Microsoft, which has unveiled a breakthrough that it…

www.theguardian.com

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Daniel Gonzales @dgonzales1990.bsky.social · Feb 21

Awesome thread and be prepared for a rollercoaster of emotions

Scott Delaney @scott-delaney.bsky.social · Feb 21

NIH indirects case update:

Hearing ongoing now, and I'll try to live tweet some notable exchanges.

Prior to more detailed arguments, Judge Kelley starts off with a few point questions to both sides:

(I'm paraphrasing here)

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Daniel Gonzales @dgonzales1990.bsky.social · Feb 21

Nice to see McKnight digging in when others are stepping back

David Schneider @schneiderneuro.bsky.social · Feb 20

Compare and contrast the emails from McKnight (left) and Chan-Zuckerberg (right). Proud to be part of the McKnight community.

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Reposted by Daniel Gonzales

ashley juavinett @analog-ashley.bsky.social · Feb 19

Teaching citizens about science
🤝
Teaching students about being a citizen

The Transmitter @thetransmitter.bsky.social · Feb 19

In a special edition of her “How to teach this paper” column, Ashley Juavinett @analog-ashley.bsky.social explains how to best educate students about how the business of scientific research actually works.

www.thetransmitter.org/how-to-teach...

#neuroskyence

How to teach students about science funding

As researchers reel over the uncertain state of U.S. federal funding, educating students on the business of science is more important than ever.

www.thetransmitter.org

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Reposted by Daniel Gonzales

Angie Voyles Askham @avaskham.bsky.social · Feb 18

I just covered this for @thetransmitter.bsky.social — will keep following! www.thetransmitter.org/funding/fede...

Federal Register hold makes ‘end run’ around court pause on NIH funding freeze

www.thetransmitter.org

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Daniel Gonzales @dgonzales1990.bsky.social · Feb 19

I feel this 😭

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Reposted by Daniel Gonzales

Anita Devineni @anitadevineni.bsky.social · Feb 18

NIH meetings are still not being announced in the federal register, so nearly all study sections and councils after this week are not going to happen. This is basically a freeze on funding new grants...

Anita Devineni @anitadevineni.bsky.social · Feb 13

Sounds like upcoming NIH SS/council meetings not posted in the federal register before 1/21 are not going to meet - nothing was posted since then and they must be announced 15 days in advance 🙁

You can see if your meeting is listed: www.federalregister.gov/documents/se...
(e.g. type the SS name)