Emily R. Trunnell, Ph.D.
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ertrunnell.bsky.social
Emily R. Trunnell, Ph.D.
@ertrunnell.bsky.social
1.1K followers 800 following 1.3K posts
neuroscientist 🧠 | Director @ https://www.scienceadvancement.org/ | Moving U.S. biomedical research toward humans & away from other animals | she/her/hers
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ertrunnell.bsky.social
Art as a tool for change 🎨🎭

In this paper, Victor J. Krawczyk of the University of South Australia examines how artworks depicting animal suffering in laboratory settings can evoke “moral shock,” a concept describing visceral emotional responses that challenge expectations.

#philsky #philsci
A quote from the linked paper: “In both works, the animals are imparted with a sense of being vulnerable, beautiful, and sacred, which takes them out of the mundane scientific–organizational space of animal research and testing facilities. ... They can shock people in a manner that swells with compassion for animals in these organizational spaces by showing its current limitations for animals to live well in research and testing facilities.” Attributed to author Victor J. Krawczyk, Journal of Aesthetics & Culture (2025) DOI: 10.1080/20004214.2025.2579371. Also pictured is the reproduced painting, “Baboon Heart Transplant” (1985) by Sue Coe and a photograph of the “Lush animal testing campaign” (2012) by Nicole Cataldo-Davies.
January 16, 2026 at 12:39 PM
ertrunnell.bsky.social
Check out this nice feature on brain #organoids in the latest issue of Grey Matters, an undergraduate neuroscience publication.

@umdscience.bsky.social student Emily Davies gives an overview of the technology and its applications.

online.flippingbook.com/view/1000206...

#neuroskyence 🧪
January 15, 2026 at 7:04 PM
ertrunnell.bsky.social
In this mini-review, @unisouthampton.bsky.social & @humaneworldorg.bsky.social scientists highlight recent advances in human-relevant, complex in vitro systems for studying #Alzheimers, exploring the effects of pathogens, environment, & gut-brain axis on neurodegeneration & AD risk.

#neuroskyence
Figure 1 from the Frontiers in Toxicology paper "Beyond the amyloid hypothesis: leveraging human-centered complex in vitro models to decode Alzheimer’s disease etiology" by Matthew Price and Francesca Pistollato (doi: 10.3389/ftox.2025.1753572). The figure caption reads, "Diagram illustrating how gut–brain axis disruption, environmental toxicants, and pathogen infections could contribute to the development of Alzheimer’s disease–related neuropathology, such as amyloid plaque formation, neurofibrillary tau tangles, blood–brain barrier leakage, neuroinflammation, synaptic dysfunction, and neuronal loss. Complex in vitro models, including brain organoids and organ-on-a-chip systems, enable these mechanisms to be replicated and studied under controlled and human-relevant conditions."
January 15, 2026 at 6:50 PM
ertrunnell.bsky.social
For @nytimes.com, @carlzimmer.com spoke with brain #organoid researchers about how rapidly the field has grown in recent years & their studies on genetic mutations, how compounds like sugar influence brain development, & traits of normal & disordered neurodevelopment.

#neuroskyence 🧪
Image from the November 6, 2025, New York Times article titled: “What We Can Learn From Brain Organoids” by Carl Zimmer. The photo caption reads: “Organoids under a microscope in Dr. Arlotta’s lab. She and her colleagues are constructing organoids with light-sensitive neurons. This stimulus might let the organoids mature further. David Degner for The New York Times.”
January 15, 2026 at 2:29 AM
ertrunnell.bsky.social
Isolation doubles death risk for female 🐭

New study shows cage mate number impacts survival: solo females were 2x likelier to die than group-housed.

Housing conditions often go unreported, ⬆️ bias & ⬇️ reproducibility.

link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11357-025-02080-z
Infographic titled “Association Between Cagemate Number and Risk of Death in Mice: A Time-Varying Covariate Analysis Using Cox Frailty Models.” Left panel (“Study Design”) shows same-sex mouse housing with a median of three mice per cage, no reassignment after a cagemate’s death, and a study population of 2,635 mice across three research sites. Center panel (“Survival Analysis / Results”) describes Cox frailty models with random effects for site and cage and fixed effects for sex, treatment, and number of cagemates. A line graph shows mortality risk versus number of living cagemates: a blue line (females) slopes downward, indicating lower mortality with higher cage density, while an orange line (males) remains relatively flat, indicating no major change. Right panel (“Considerations”) highlights that social environment influences longevity, particularly in females, and emphasizes the need to consider social housing dynamics in experimental design and animal welfare protocols.
January 14, 2026 at 5:03 PM
ertrunnell.bsky.social
‪This piece was published in Global Surgical Education, the journal of @surgicaleducation.bsky.social, in a special collection developed my SAO colleague Dr. Donya Mand.

Explore the full collection of publications here:
link.springer.com/collections/...
January 13, 2026 at 7:12 PM
ertrunnell.bsky.social
A new article explores 5️⃣ lessons from global approaches to animal use in #MedEd:

💲 Cost & scalability
🐖 Moral, religious, & cultural factors
🌏 Global collaboration

Authored by my colleague, Samuel Pons, & Dr. John Pawlowski of @bidmcreseach.bsky.social:
doi.org/10.1007/s441...

#MedSky #SurgSky
The image has an orange background with a white text box in the center. The background features a faint globe outline. Inside the quote box in blue font is: "Some German and Italian schools have policies in place for conscientious objection to animal use in medical training. This exemption allows students to refuse to participate in trainings without fear that doing so will formally impact their ability to pass their course... [A]nimal alternatives should be considered as a means to increase accessibility and prevent students from missing out on learning key skills, as there are few, if any, moral, cultural, or religious beliefs that would limit a student’s ability to participate in medical training using nonanimal alternatives." Citation below in black text: Pons S, Pawlowski J. What are the top 5 things to be learned from international approaches to nonhuman animal use in health professions training? Global Surg Educ. 2026;5(29). https://doi.org/10.1007/s44186-025-00422-1
January 13, 2026 at 7:12 PM
ertrunnell.bsky.social
This piece was published in Global Surgical Education, the journal of @surgicaleducation.bsky.social, in a special collection developed my SAO colleague Dr. Donya Mand.

Explore the full collection of publications here: link.springer.com/collections/...
January 13, 2026 at 6:59 PM
ertrunnell.bsky.social
Cara S. Swain, PhD critiques inconsistent use of “validity” & “fidelity” in #MedEd research, urging conceptual rigor for simulation models.

A stronger evidence base can help us determine which models to adopt, refine, or transition away from.

doi.org/10.1007/s441...

#MedSky #SurgSky #SurgEd
The image is divided vertically into two halves. Center title in white states: "ASSESSING SURGICAL SIMULATION MODELS." A graphic of a pair of scissors is next to it. Blue left side: A black pig graphic and the word "FIDELITY" are on the upper left side. Below, a quote in black reads: "[A]n interpretation of how faithful a simulator is in comparison to reality. However, it is not a binary high-low concept, as used in many scientific publications, but a fluid attribute..." An orange squiggly line runs in the bottom left side. Orange right side: A black pig graphic and the word "VALIDITY" are in the bottom right. Above, a quote in black text reads: "[T]he focus of validity is not on faithful replication of reality, but whether the simulator is actually teaching what it is intended to teach." At the bottom of the image, inside a white box, there is a citation for the linked paper.
January 13, 2026 at 6:59 PM
ertrunnell.bsky.social
Also out in @labonachip.rsc.org!

“Breakthrough Technologies and Applications in Organ-On-a-Chip," features some of the most innovative and groundbreaking #OrganChip technology and its applications.

Check out the full collection here: pubs.rsc.org/en/journals/...

#MPS #OrganonaChip #OrganonChip
January 12, 2026 at 3:28 PM
ertrunnell.bsky.social
🆕 in @labonachip.rsc.org!

Yansong Peng & @isaacleelab.bsky.social of @cornelluniversity.bsky.social review #organ-on-a-chip devices for the human #lymphatic system, modeling diseases like lymphedema, autoimmune disorders, cancer & more.

pubs.rsc.org/en/content/a...

#immunosky 🧪
A graphic with a quote and modified figure from the linked Lab on a Chip paper, “Lymphatics-on-a-chip microphysiological system: engineering lymphatic structure and function in vitro” (doi: 10.1039/D5LC00875A). It features part of Figure 6 (“Schematic illustrating a multilevel validation framework for human lymphatics-on-a-chip systems, encompassing molecular, structural, functional, and clinical benchmarks.”) and a quote attributed to authors Yansong Peng and Esak Lee of Cornell University: “These microphysiological systems offer unprecedented potential to accurately replicate human lymphatic physiology and disease, complementing and even replacing traditional animal models, which suffer from translational limitations and rising regulatory and ethical scrutiny.”
January 12, 2026 at 2:57 PM
ertrunnell.bsky.social
🚨 Students! 🧑‍🎓 Join the Global Education Hub for Animal-Free Innovation webinars to kickstart your career in non-animal research & testing.

Open to bachelor’s & master’s students (and anyone interested!).

Register here: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...

👩‍🔬 #STEM #STEMJobs #STEMlecture #PhDchat 🧪
Poster for the Human Relevant Research Webinar Series, which includes the following text: “Learn why and how your career can help the transition to more relevant and more ethical research. When? March 9th, March 23rd, April 20th, & May 5th, 2026. How? 4 online events. For whom? Bachelor & Masters Students (all backgrounds welcome!); The transition needs all disciplines: biology, chemistry, law, medicine, toxicology, veterinary sciences, social sciences, computer sciences, bioengineering. What’s in it FOR YOU? Connect with students across Europe to accelerate the transition. Receive a Certificate of Participation for your CV. Network for your next internship or job. Safer, more effective science while reducing animal testing!” Also features a QR code linking to more info and registration and the logos for the Global Education Hub for Animal-Free Innovation, the Transition Programme animal-free innovations, Ombion Centre for Animal-Free Biomedical Translation, and PETA UK. In the background is a map of Europe with the stars from the EU flag.
January 12, 2026 at 2:35 AM
ertrunnell.bsky.social
🖥️ #InSilico tech is revolutionizing #RareDisease research! 🦓

Computational models, machine learning, and digital twins can:
✅ Integrate complex data
✅ Simulate biology
✅ Predict actionable outcomes

#HumanRelevant 🧪 🧬
Figure 1 from the linked paper showing a ‘Schematic representation of in silico methods across the rare disease therapeutic pipeline.’ The caption reads: “Methods span from diagnosis (e.g., variant analysis) to drug discovery (e.g., virtual screening), preclinical development (e.g., disease modeling), and clinical trials (e.g., virtual patients, pharmacokinetics/ pharmacodynamics (PK/PD) modeling). Abbreviations: PBPK physiologically based pharmacokinetics, popPK population pharmacokinetics, HTS, high-throughput screening, QSAR quantitative structure–activity relationship.”
January 9, 2026 at 8:51 PM
ertrunnell.bsky.social
Without enforceable standards and clear benchmarks, progress could stall.

To ensure lasting impact, the U.S. must mandate and incentivize human-centric science and hold agencies accountable for measurable outcomes.

See our full recommendations: www.scienceadvancement.org/resources/re...
January 8, 2026 at 8:53 PM
ertrunnell.bsky.social
In December, SAO and colleagues sent 23 pages of recommendations to #OSTP on "accelerating the American scientific enterprise."

In 2025, agencies like #NIH and #FDA began phasing out animal use—a big step forward, but still voluntary.

#SciencePolicy #SciPol
January 8, 2026 at 8:53 PM
ertrunnell.bsky.social
At @bcmhouston.bsky.social, @kathlemon.bsky.social, @katypatras.bsky.social, @josh-lensmire.bsky.social, & colleagues are using human nasal #organoids to study how different bacteria interact & live within the lining of the human nose.

journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/...

#microsky 🧪
A quote in black on a white background reads: “Compared to other lab models, such as cancer-derived cell lines or animal models, HNOs [human nose organoids] offer several advantages. They very closely resemble real human nasal tissue, can be used for multiple experiments over years, and reflect the genetic diversity of human donors.” Above the quote to the left is a quote symbol in green with a short green line below and to the right. Below the quote is text in green that says: “Katherine P. Lemon, MD, Ph.D. Associate Professor, Baylor College of Medicine.” To the right is a silhouette of a young woman's side profile. At the top right text in dark green states: “BCM From the Labs | Oct 16, 2025”
January 7, 2026 at 1:48 PM
ertrunnell.bsky.social
In the U.S., 1 in 3 women experience heavy menstrual bleeding, often leading to iron deficiency & anemia.

Despite its prevalence, the causes remain poorly understood.

With help from @wellcomeleap.bsky.social, @wyssinstitute.bsky.social aims to change that.

#WomensHealth 🧪
Screenshot from The Harvard Gazette webpage linked later in the thread titled "A condition more common than asthma or diabetes, yet often ignored"
January 7, 2026 at 3:32 AM
ertrunnell.bsky.social
🧬 Opportunity for #omics researchers!

#NHLBI seeks applicants to leverage its TOPMed program for large-scale genetics & multi-omics data to uncover molecular mechanisms of heart, lung, blood, & sleep disorders.

More info: grants.nih.gov/grants/guide...
A dark red, light yellow, light orange, and pastel orange graphic with cartoon graphics of DNA, networks, a calendar icon, stacked papers, and money bullseyes, with the following text: “NHLBI X01 Opportunity. Omics phenotypes of heart, lung, and blood disorders. Next application due dates: February 6, June 8, October 6. PAR-25-447.”
January 5, 2026 at 12:35 PM
ertrunnell.bsky.social
👀 Your eyes reveal more than you think!

NIH’s #AllofUs, #NEI & #NIBIB launched Eyes on Health to study links between eye imaging & chronic conditions like heart disease, diabetes, & neurological disorders.

allofus.nih.gov/article/all-...

#VisionScience #Ophthosky #imaging #biomed #BME
Screenshot from the linked webpage.
January 5, 2026 at 12:30 PM
ertrunnell.bsky.social
Chunhui Tian, @jungsukim77.bsky.social, @mingxiagu.bsky.social et al. found that AD-derived monocytes induce pro-inflammatory effects, including increased astrocyte activation & neuronal apoptosis.
Figure 7 from the paper "Understanding monocyte-driven neuroinflammation in Alzheimer’s disease using human cortical organoid microphysiological systems" with the following caption: "The proposed pathway of ADMo-driven neuroinflammation."
January 2, 2026 at 3:19 PM
ertrunnell.bsky.social
To investigate neuroinflammation in Alzheimer’s disease pathogenesis, researchers at #IUBloomington, @cityofhope.bsky.social, @uclaanes.bsky.social, & @mayoclinic.org developed a human cortical #organoid microphysiological system to study monocyte-mediated neuroinflammation.

#neuroskyence #alz #MPS
Figure 1A from the paper "Understanding monocyte-driven neuroinflammation in Alzheimer’s disease using human cortical organoid microphysiological systems" with the following caption: "hCO-MPSs for understanding monocyte-mediated neuroinflammation in AD ... Schematics of modeling monocyte-mediated neuroinflammation in AD using hCO-MPSs."
January 2, 2026 at 3:19 PM
ertrunnell.bsky.social
2025 was a breakthrough year for human-relevant science. 🧪

Behind the scenes, our SAO team spent thousands of hours moving this work forward.

We’re proud to share a few highlights from an impactful year ⬇️

Onward to an even more ambitious 2026! 🎉

—Emily, Kati, Donya & Gabby
December 21, 2025 at 1:53 PM
ertrunnell.bsky.social
In Films' Sentient is part of the World Cinema Documentary Competition at #Sundance!

Sentient features the story of my colleague Dr. Lisa Jones-Engel, a primatologist who turned away from the laboratory and toward animal liberation.

festival.sundance.org/program/film...

#animalrights #ethics
A photo from the linked Sundance webpage for Sentient by In Films. In the photo, Dr. Lisa Jones-Engel holds the foot of a monkey in a tree and looks up at them. The monkey reaches for Dr. Jones-Engel's head, mussing her hair.
December 19, 2025 at 6:24 PM
ertrunnell.bsky.social
🧠 Organoid research at @emoryuniversity.bsky.social just got an upgrade!

The @brainorganoidhub.bsky.social, part of @emorygenetics.bsky.social, is now the home of a new CellXpress.ai Automated Cell Culture System.
A photo of Emory Brain Organoid Hub manager Alexia King standing in front of a Molecular Devices CellXpress.ai system. The photo appeared in the December 12, 2025 Emory News Center article “New automated cell culture system facilitates advanced organoid research” by Quinn Eastman. Link to article in the post.
December 19, 2025 at 4:30 AM
ertrunnell.bsky.social
With just a $10 routine microscopy slide, scientists can now generate a virtual population for modeling the tumor microenvironment, helping to stratify patients and bringing the promise of #digitaltwins even closer.

#precisionhealth #pathsky
Figure 1 from "Multimodal AI generates virtual population for tumor microenvironment modeling" by Valanarasu et al. (Cell Stem Cell 2025 doi: 10.1016/j.cell.2025.11.016) with the following caption: "GigaTIME enables population-scale tumor immune microenvironment analysis (A) GigaTIME inputs a hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) whole-slide image and outputs multiplex immunofluorescence (mIF) across 21 protein channels. By applying GigaTIME to 14,256 patients, we generated a virtual population with mIF information, leading to population-scale discovery on clinical biomarkers and patient stratification, with independent validation on TCGA. (B) Circular plot visualizing a tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) spectrum encompassing the GigaTIME-translated virtual mIF activation scores across different protein channels at the population scale, where each channel is represented as an individual circular bar chart segment. The inner circle encodes OncoTree, which classifies 14,256 patients into 306 subtypes across 24 cancer types. The outer circle groups these activations by cancer types, allowing visual comparison across major categories. (C) Scatter plot comparing the subtype-level GigaTIME-translated virtual mIF activations between TCGA and Providence virtual populations. Each dot denotes the average activation score of a protein channel among all tumors of a cancer subtype."
December 16, 2025 at 1:55 PM