Elysse
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elyssegs.bsky.social
Elysse
@elyssegs.bsky.social
940 followers 840 following 180 posts
Postdoc studying pathogenesis and evolution of RNA viruses

STEM outreach nonprofit: STEMOutreachCollective.org

(They/them or none)
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elyssegs.bsky.social
Stanford Biosciences PhD applications now open for 2026 admissions.
If you or someone you know is thinking about applying to a program within #Stanford #Biosciences, and want to talk to a recent grad, please reach out. I’m more than happy to chat with anyone about these programs.
#AcademicSky 🧪
October 24, 2025 at 2:06 PM
elyssegs.bsky.social
October 17, 2025 at 10:56 AM
Reposted by Elysse
blackinmicro.bsky.social
Welcome to Day 3 of Black In Micro Week! 🎉 Don't miss today's free events - simply click the linktr.ee/BlackInMicro to 1) Register and 2) Login. Everyone is welcome to join! Show your support by donating at tinyurl.com/GiveBiM (all links in bio). #BlackInMicro #BiM2025
The summarised schedule of Black in Micro Week 2025, October 14-16. All times are in Eastern Standard Time. Mon 14: Pathways for Change. Welcome and Keynote Address 12pm. Marian Johnson-Thompson, PhD. Panel Discussion: Finding Black Spaces in STEM, 1:15-2:15 PM. Weds 15, Careers & Research: ECR Symposium 9-12 PM. Panel discussion: Navigating Careers in Microbiology 2-3 PM. Thurs 16, Community: Panel Discussion - Empowering Your Science 12-1:15 PM. Workshop: Science in Action, Zine Creation 1:30-2:30. Social hour: networking and community building 2:45-3:45. Register to take part!
October 16, 2025 at 12:18 PM
elyssegs.bsky.social
Since they just announced their annual international scientific meeting will be held in Florida in 2026, here’s hoping the @globalvirusnews.bsky.social incorporates some free outreach programs for the public. Hold some accessible talks at a library or school. Encourage conversations Anything! 🦠🧪
September 11, 2025 at 1:13 PM
elyssegs.bsky.social
This is absolute perfection. Thank you John Darnielle for finding the words and stringing them together so beautifully.
pitchfork.com Pitchfork @pitchfork.com · Jul 24
The voice of Ozzy Osbourne was unlike anything before it. John Darnielle of @themountaingoats.bsky.social reflects on the loss of the singular frontman
Ozzy Osbourne Obituary: For the Back Street Kids
John Darnielle of the Mountain Goats reflects on the loss of the singular frontman.
pitchfork.com
July 24, 2025 at 9:48 PM
elyssegs.bsky.social
Thinking about the FDA approval of Lenacapavir today, during #pride month. I wonder what pride month, & our society as a whole, would look like today if the millions that have died were still alive today?

🦠🧪🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

www.gilead.com/news/news-de...
Yeztugo Lenacapavir Is Now the First and Only FDA Approved HIV Prevention Option Offering 6 Months of Protection
Yeztugo Lenacapavir Is Now the First and Only FDA Approved HIV Prevention Option Offering 6 Months of Protection
www.gilead.com
June 19, 2025 at 1:35 AM
elyssegs.bsky.social
23 years ago, I dropped out of high school after sophomore year because I was bullied for being queer, & was suicidal. Yesterday, I served as the 2025 PhD speaker for the Stanford School of Medicine graduation. This was not my dream, because I had no dreams. Now I’m almost 40 & full of hope. 🎓 🦠🧪🔬🧬
A smiling nonbinary person, wearing a leopard print jumpsuit under doctoral regalia (graduation tam and gown), stands in front of a lawn with the Stanford University oval (main campus) in the background.
June 15, 2025 at 3:15 PM
elyssegs.bsky.social
This is exactly why I made a campy horror inspired movie trailer/preview short film about my thesis and sent it out to my entire department before my defense last week. It’s so stupid and fun. More silliness in #science and #academia, please!
kp11studios.bsky.social KP Upadhyayula @kp11studios.bsky.social · Jun 9
One other thing I want to say is:

Don’t feel guilty for putting out your joy in the world, especially now.

Acknowledge the pain & what’s happening if you can, but don’t stop creating.

Don’t stop silly things

Don’t stop your arts

Don’t stop your viral dances

Don’t stop making

Just…Don’t stop
kp11studios.bsky.social KP Upadhyayula @kp11studios.bsky.social · Jun 9
Hey, just checking in.

How y’all doing this morning?

The world is….what it is.

But I’m glad you’re here.

If you’re out there fighting, be safe, & thank you.

If you’re safe at home, take rest, & thank you.

The world burns, but it burns less cause you’re here.
June 9, 2025 at 4:22 PM
elyssegs.bsky.social
It’s thesis defense day!!!
June 6, 2025 at 1:43 PM
elyssegs.bsky.social
Another thing: take pronoun usage in reference letters from mentors with a grain of salt. Always default to what the applicant says. If a mentor misgenders them in a letter, it could be a mistake, or it could show that the trainee was in an unsafe environment where they felt they couldn’t be out.
elyssegs.bsky.social Elysse @elyssegs.bsky.social · Jun 1
Happy pride month, #AcademiaSky!

If you are interviewing a trans or nonbinary person for a position in your lab or group, don’t stop at pronouns.

I had an interview recently where I was addressed correctly, but shown to the wrong bathroom. I was uncomfortable for the rest of the day.
1/n
June 1, 2025 at 5:18 PM
elyssegs.bsky.social
Happy pride month, #AcademiaSky!

If you are interviewing a trans or nonbinary person for a position in your lab or group, don’t stop at pronouns.

I had an interview recently where I was addressed correctly, but shown to the wrong bathroom. I was uncomfortable for the rest of the day.
1/n
June 1, 2025 at 4:06 PM
elyssegs.bsky.social
Important thesis defense prep:
A photo of a laptop with the screen open to PowerPoint. The slide has a photo of Dolly Parton’s head surrounded my magenta, because the user is using the “remove background” function.
May 27, 2025 at 6:31 PM
elyssegs.bsky.social
I watched this and cried the entire time.
thebaltimorebanner.com Baltimore Banner @thebaltimorebanner.com · May 23
Kermit the Frog tells UMD grads to hold each other tight and take leaps of faith
buff.ly/uQ1ovkN
May 23, 2025 at 3:46 PM
elyssegs.bsky.social
For someone who has dedicated their career to health equity, I’m shocked to see another shortsighted thread from @peterhotezmdphd.bsky.social. TX has also been absolutely vile to & unsafe for LGBTQ+, immigrants, abortion access, etc.

So again, who is this for?
Also, where is the alt text?
May 21, 2025 at 1:11 PM
elyssegs.bsky.social
Is there anything more heartwarming than receiving email updates from past students? Got this today from a student who took my Intro to Biology class at a local community college while looking for a new career.

The power of accessible education is truly incredible.
#academicsky #academiasky
A screenshot of an email in white text on a black background that reads “hi professor elysse! Hope you are doing well!! I wanted to share some exciting news with you. I got my RN license and today is my first day as a NICU nurse! Thank you for your support and being a great role model!” The sender’s name has been removed to protect their privacy.
May 19, 2025 at 3:48 PM
elyssegs.bsky.social
It’s FISH Friday over here… 🧪🧫🧬🦠
Human lung epithelial cells showing nuclei stained blue (with DAPI) with RNA in the cytoplasm (showing as fluorescent magenta thanks to a special Alexa Fluor 546 probe).
May 9, 2025 at 11:45 PM
elyssegs.bsky.social
This paper deserves more attention:

www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
An immunologist, ecologist and clinician walk into Plato’s cave to discuss infections
If the immune system is an interconnected network, then the evolution of an archetype that is ideal for fighting one pathogen should result in tradeoffs decreasing its ability to fight others. How many archetypes are there in an immune system? We infected diverse mice with Plasmodium chabaudi, and identified five distinct archetypes of responses based on the host’s position in microbial load, immune activity, and host damage space. To better understand the nature of these archetypes, we developed a mathematical model of a generalized host-pathogen system. This model explains the number, and distribution of archetypes across a population of diverse hosts. Mice resilient to P. chabaudi exhibited poor outcomes when challenged with influenza, SARS-CoV-1, or Mycobacterium tuberculosis , and vice versa, supporting our tradeoff hypothesis. ### Competing Interest Statement The authors have declared no competing interest.
www.biorxiv.org
May 7, 2025 at 3:59 PM
Reposted by Elysse
ryanmarino.bsky.social
The alternative to naloxone (Narcan) for a fentanyl overdose outside a healthcare facility - where almost all of them in this country occur - is death. Dead people don’t recover. Fentanyl overdose is the leading cause of death for Americans 18-44. Every single fentanyl overdose death is preventable.
ryanmarino.bsky.social Ryan Marino, MD @ryanmarino.bsky.social · Apr 30
There are few things as cost effective as Narcan, especially in a country where (entirely preventable) opioid overdoses have been a leading cause of death for years. For every 6 kits distributed 1 OD is prevented. The $56M in this grant trained >66K people and distributed >282,500 kits in 2024 alone
RFK Jr. to End 'Godsend' Narcan Program That Helped Reduce Overdose Deaths Despite His Past Heroin Addiction
Despite overcoming heroin addiction himself, RFK Jr. is backing plans to cut a critical Narcan program that helped reduce overdose deaths.
www.latintimes.com
April 30, 2025 at 3:16 AM
Reposted by Elysse
ostem.org
oSTEM's 2025 Scholarship Program is offering $183k in scholarships for LGBTQ+ students in STEM. 41 scholarships ($2,500-$5,000) available for community college, undergrad, and grad students.
Applications open April 14, 2025 - May 18, 2025, 11:59 PM EDT.
Learn more at bit.ly/oSTEM-Scholarship
A pink background with a black texture overlay and a large white square with rounded edges in the middle. At the top of the white square is the oSTEM logo with the word “scholarships” below it. Below are four circles in pink, yellow, green, and blue with black numbers in each to make “2025.” Below, in italicized text, it says “$183k in Scholarships Available!” Below is a purple and yellow graphic of a diploma. Below, in more italicized text, it says “41 Scholarships to be Awarded!” Below is a link to ostem.awardspring.com, which is underlined. Below the white square is a black arrow pointing right with yellow text in it that says “Learn More!” A pink background with a black texture overlay and a large white square with rounded edges in the middle. At the top of the white square is the oSTEM logo with the word “scholarships” below it. Below are four circles in pink, yellow, green, and blue with black numbers in each to make “2025.” Below, in italicized text, it says “Applications open Monday, April 14th.” Below is a black, pink, and yellow graphic of a graduation cap. Below is italicized text that says “Applications due by Sunday, May 18th, 11:59 PM EDT.” The date is bolded. Below is a link to ostem.awardspring.com, which is underlined. Below the white square is a black arrow pointing right with yellow text in it that says “Learn More!” A pink background with a black texture overlay and a large white square with rounded edges in the middle. At the top of the white square is the oSTEM logo with the word “scholarships” below it. Below are four circles in pink, yellow, green, and blue with black numbers in each to make “2025.” Below is a bulleted list of the available scholarships: “1 $2,500 oSTEM Community College Scholarship; 2 $5,000 oSTEM Undergrad Scholarships; 2 $5,000 oSTEM Graduate Scholarships; 18 $5,000 Veralto Scholarships for LGBTQ+ Excellence in STEM; 8 $5,000 Actalent Engineering: Queer Excellence Scholarships; 3 $4,500 Ansys Scholarships; 4 $2,500 #SemiconductorPRIDE Scholarships; 1 $2,500 Arup Scholarship; 1 $2,500 Novelis oSTEM Scholarship; 1 $2,500 Tighe & Bond Scholarship.” At the bottom is a link to ostem.awardspring.com, which is underlined.
April 14, 2025 at 9:03 PM
elyssegs.bsky.social
I have so many thoughts about this piece by Peter Hotez regarding the choices early career scientists currently face in the current climate of dissolving scientific stability in the US. While I agree with the advice, I’m going to “yes, and…” here 🧵 🧪 1/?
peterhotezmdphd.bsky.social Prof Peter Hotez MD PhD DSc(hon) @peterhotezmdphd.bsky.social · Apr 13
My latest in @plosbiology.org Look I get it, it seems really dark, but there are opportunities. My paper explores some ideas and tries to guide ways of thinking through the anticipated challenges. An emphasis on America’s “biohubs” and entrepreneurship

journals.plos.org/plosbiology/...
April 14, 2025 at 3:03 PM
elyssegs.bsky.social
Hell yeah, this is awesome. Thank you for battling the gate keeping @jrossibarra.bsky.social and everyone who has contributed!
April 12, 2025 at 9:50 PM
elyssegs.bsky.social
The emails from Penzey’s Spices are really my only source of hope at this point.
March 14, 2025 at 3:53 PM
elyssegs.bsky.social
Every time I read a paper that has red/green figures, I wonder why journals aren’t adamant about standards for colorblind, low vision, or visually impaired readers. It would take *zero* effort on their part to say “follow these standards and make your paper inclusive or we won’t publish it.” 🧪
March 11, 2025 at 11:58 PM
Reposted by Elysse
lovetheants.bsky.social
Collaborating with @rin-krichilsky.bsky.social and Kanako Shimizu, we put together what's basically a top-ten list of ways to help foster trans inclusivity and awareness within our scientific and academic communities and would love if you could help share the guide!
How to Support Trans Colleagues Create a Gender-Inclusive Environment Research institutional, governmental, local, and other bureaucratic procedures and policies that recognize and support gender transition. Support training and advocacy for colleagues’ personal/professional safety (ex. in fieldwork, lab work, conferences, institution visits, affinity groups). Establish and/or identify gender-neutral bathrooms throughout your building. Implement trans-inclusive recruitment and hiring procedures. Acknowledge intersectionality and the unique needs and barriers that someone with multiple marginalized identities may face. Consider the importance of representation in your field. Advocate for Name Changes Research institutional, governmental, local, and other bureaucratic procedures and policy to recognize and support an individual’s name change. Identify journals in your field that allow authors to change their names post- publication. Improve Information Accessibility Publicly share information on inclusive practices throughout your departments and institution. (Ensure the content centers and is created by trans people.) Consider Daily Language & Use Decrease use of gendered terms to avoid exclusionary language. Ask for personal pronouns. List on all public-facing directories, and consider including them in email signatures and on professional websites. Practice discretion. Don’t out your colleagues without their consent.
January 16, 2025 at 7:21 AM
Reposted by Elysse
annealiz1.bsky.social
Here is some helpful advice (sent to me by my university) on how faculty can support undocumented students during these difficult times
Help for undocumented students
January 22, 2025 at 2:51 PM