4/ #DYK during pregnancy🤰, cells are exchanged between mothers + offspring, & even twins? Awardee @elizostrow.bsky.social will study how microchimerism mediates genetic conflict and drive resource competition.
🍾 Congrats Dr. Ostrowski! @uwbothell.bsky.social
🙏 #HFScout @paulturnerlab.bsky.social

3/ Awardee @mixotrophe.bsky.social aims to uncover how mixotrophs (marine microbes that harness energy from the 🌞 & organic matter) strategize their metabolisms. Her project may be key to understanding our changing ocean.
🎉 Congrats Dr. Moeller! @ucsantabarbara.bsky.social
🙏 #HFScout Ginger Armbrust

2/ Awardee @megbehri.bsky.social will study how chaotic dynamics arise in microbial🦠 populations. Her research could transform how we predict microbiome dysbiosis across human health and beyond.
🥳 Congrats Dr. Behringer! @vuartsci.bsky.social
🙏 #HFScout @paulturnerlab.bsky.social

Congrats @flichtman.bsky.social, @annetteheist.bsky.social, @pvangay.bsky.social, & David Sanford on the award! Great to partner with @scifri.bsky.social to share The Leap w/ the world!
Here’s to celebrating science not just as a discipline but as a daring & profoundly human endeavor. 4/4

This award recognizes this spirit of curiosity & courage, and we’re so grateful to the scientists who shared their stories with us, as well as everyone who listened, shared, and found inspiration in our podcast. 3/

When we created The Leap, we wanted to dive into the journeys of visionary scientists (like Nobel Laureate Katalin Kariko, volcanologist Richie Robertson, & biochemist Virginia Man-Lee Yee) and unpack the risks they took, the setbacks they faced, and their lasting impacts. 💫 2/

Dipti was initially drawn to Archaea for their highly unusual metabolism. "In reflecting on my scientific trajectory, I realize how unique it has been & now take pride in being the ambassador for archaea to the broader scientific community." 4/4

Shown in this image, the frozen methane bubbles🫧 are produced by the microorganisms that she studies in her lab. She shares: "This image beautifully captures the dramatic impact that these invisible microorganisms can have on our planet and on us too." 3/

The oxygen-free environments that methanogens thrive in are also what makes them technically challenging to work with. But Dipti found a way💡. By pioneering the development of genome editing tools for methanogens, she's unlocked a completely new way to study these microbes. 2/

Roseanna shares, "My career has been transformed by having taken this risk and I am happier than ever as a scientist."💫 We're excited for Roseanna to support even more bold science exploration as a Scout! 4/4

She found thought partners & mentors to help her break into the #synbio world, & leaned on her novel expertise in colloid physics. This bold move led to the development of the first ever whole-cell model of E. coli, where biomolecules are represented individually & explicitly. 3/

After a successful career in materials science, Roseanna took a big leap: she brought her expertise to the very different world of *living* biological cells🦠. This required mastering a new discipline, entering a new scientific community, & assembling a specialized team. 2/

How is our strategy different? We empower our diverse network of #HFScouts to identify and recommend especially innovative, #highrisk #highreward research projects for support via catalytic seed grants. Learn more about all of the talented scientist Scouts: www.hypothesisfund.org/scouts 3/3