Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Ian L Morgan @ianlmorgan.bsky.social · 1h

"Those who oppose authoritarianism have to play a different game, creating solidarity among an unwieldy coalition, which knows that if everyone holds together, they will surely succeed." This rings so true for me.
Great op-ed @himself.bsky.social!

Henry Farrell @himself.bsky.social · 4h

"It wanted to signal strength. Instead, it’s revealing its weakness. The administration’s need to break the academy is forcing it to make a desperately risky gamble." www.nytimes.com/2025/10/08/o...

Opinion | You Beat Trumpism by Banding Together. It’s as Hard and as Simple as That.

www.nytimes.com

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Ian L Morgan @ianlmorgan.bsky.social · 5h

Are you a postdoctoral researcher with a passion for science? Get featured on the scientist magazine!

This is a great way to dip your toes into science communication, which is more important than ever for researchers these days.

www.the-scientist.com/postdoc-port...

Postdoc Portraits

Are you a postdoctoral researcher with a passion for science and a desire for fame? We want to feature you!

www.the-scientist.com

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Ian L Morgan @ianlmorgan.bsky.social · 16h

Hegseth described closing racial achievement gaps as a “laudable goal,” and backed “equality, diversity, and accessibility." Umm... does this mean Hegseth is getting fired?

Pete Hegseth railed against diversity and equity to his generals. As a Harvard student, he had a much different take. - The Boston Globe

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth once described closing minority achievement gaps as a “laudable goal.”

www.bostonglobe.com

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Reposted by Ian L Morgan

Dr. Lucky Tran @luckytran.com · 23h

"Secretary Kennedy is entitled to his views. But he is not entitled to put people’s health at risk. This is bigger than politics. It’s about putting the health of Americans first."

- Six former U.S. surgeons general, who have served under both Republican and Democratic administrations

Opinion | Six surgeons general: It’s our duty to warn the nation about RFK Jr.

We took an oath to declare dangers when we found them. We’re doing that again today.

www.washingtonpost.com

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AKA NickleDave @nicholdav.bsky.social · 1d

Very proud to be part of the MD @standupforscience.bsky.social group where I am learning about these events from @ianlmorgan.bsky.social and @ecotrombonegal.bsky.social

Like @nicbennett.bsky.social says, resistance starts at the local level

AKA NickleDave @nicholdav.bsky.social · 1d

V encouraging to hear @alsobrooks.senate.gov @brookelierman.bsky.social & Bmore Councilwoman Porter speak out against RFK's budget cuts at this town hall, & stand w/scientists from @nihfellowsunited.bsky.social @hopkinspro-uaw.bsky.social @uaw.org 2070

www.alsobrooks.senate.gov/press-releas...

Senator Alsobrooks Attends Town Hall Focused on RFK Jr.’s Dangerous Funding Cuts - Senator Angela Alsobrooks

September 22, 2025 BALTIMORE, MD – Saturday, September 20, Senator Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.) attended a Town Hall alongside Comptroller Brooke Lierman, Baltimore City Councilwoman Phylicia Porter, NI...

www.alsobrooks.senate.gov

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Ian L Morgan @ianlmorgan.bsky.social · 2d

This is a great op-ed by Dr. Stanley about the effects of anti-science politicized attacks on "gain-of-function" research. Much of this research poses little risk and has huge benefits for people across the globe. If your research has been affected, please consider writing an op-ed like Dr. Stanley.

The NIH ordered me to stop my ‘dangerous’ gain-of-function research. It isn’t dangerous at all

Safe gain-of-function research is necessary to identify new treatments for diseases like for tuberculosis — but the NIH has imposed unfounded stops.

www.statnews.com

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Ian L Morgan @ianlmorgan.bsky.social · 3d

I'm proud to see that my union, UAW, is a plaintiff in this lawsuit. These H1-B visa fees would decimate our biomedical workforce. Support your unions!

Dare Obasanjo @carnage4life.bsky.social · 3d

A group of unions, schools, churches & hospitals are suing over Trump’s $100K H-1B fee, arguing it’s unlawful for the president to invent taxes and it hurts vital services relying on foreign staff.

Notably absent in the lawsuit are tech companies.

Groups File Suit Over Trump’s $100,000 H-1B Visa Fee

www.nytimes.com

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Ian L Morgan @ianlmorgan.bsky.social · 5d

Thanks for hosting this amazing event @standupforscience.bsky.social! Amidst being furloughed, it was uplifting to spend time with so many other great science advocates!

Stand Up for Science! @standupforscience.bsky.social · 5d

We had an amazing time last night with @michaelemann.bsky.social and @peterhotezmdphd.bsky.social as they discussed their new book #ScienceUnderSiege!

One poignant quote: “Anti-science is a lethal force.” Standing up for science saves lives! ✊

A gathering of people in the early evening alongside Dr. Michael E Mann and Dr. Peter J Hotez, they are dressed casually and standing on a sidewalk terrace hung with string lights. Behind, a green awning says "Rosemary Bistro Cafe."

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Ian L Morgan @ianlmorgan.bsky.social · 5d

Assignment accepted. I'm an overachiever and furloughed, so two op-eds coming right up. Who's going to join me?

Gregg Gonsalves @gregggonsalves.bsky.social · 5d

Here's the assignment folks. Write op-eds for your local papers and campus newspapers too. Just. Say. No. This is a classic authoritarian move and risks the future of higher education and science and innovation in the US. Speak out today. No time to lose. www.nytimes.com/2025/10/02/o...

Opinion | Trump’s ‘Compact’ With Universities Is Just Extortion

www.nytimes.com

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J. Offir, PhD @joffirphd.bsky.social · 5d

Dr. Jeanne Marrazzo had directed the National Institute of Allergy & Infectious Diseases. 3 weeks after filing a whistle-blower complaint, RFK fired her. Trump has destroyed the ability to respond w/ retaliation complaints, so Marrazzo is appealing to Congess.

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www.nytimes.com/2025/10/02/h...

Kennedy Fires N.I.H. Scientist Who Filed Whistle-Blower Complaint

www.nytimes.com

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Ian L Morgan @ianlmorgan.bsky.social · 5d

Using my time on furlough to go to this to great #scienceundersiege book event with @michaelemann.bsky.social and @peterhotezmdphd.bsky.social! We are facing a Tolkien-esque attack on science, but there are great things in this world, and they are worth fighting for.

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Eric Feigl-Ding @drericding.bsky.social · 5d

TYLENOL—“Why hasn’t the CDC refuted it? Well, RFK Jr. fired CDC director Monarez....and the acting director has no medical background is a speechwriter for Bush. So if you’re a speechwriter, you too can become a CDC director someday if you really believe in yourself”
www.pennlive.com/politics/202...

Medical experts slam Trump administration on Tylenol and autism link at Pa. House hearing

Three medical experts with decades of experience in autism and epidemiology on Tuesday slammed Trump administration federal officials for spreading disinformation and distrust with new guidance falsel...

www.pennlive.com

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Ian L Morgan @ianlmorgan.bsky.social · 5d

From the Office of Special Counsel, which it's worth noting has been furloughed, an agency official shall not coerce the political activity of any person or retaliate against an employee for refusing to engage in political activity. 5 U.S.C. § 2302(b)(3)

Government Workers Say Their Out-of-Office Replies Were Forcibly Changed to Blame Democrats for Shutdown

Some employees at the Department of Education changed their responses back to the more neutral language, only to have it changed yet again to the partisan response, multiple sources tell WIRED.

www.wired.com

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Ian L Morgan @ianlmorgan.bsky.social · 5d

Antibacterial resistance is threatening common medical procedures such as c-sections and chemotherapy because of the risk of untreatable infections. My work focuses on combatting this by studying antibacterials and helping improve them. Over the past year, the chaos has kept me from doing this work.

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Ian L Morgan @ianlmorgan.bsky.social · 6d

Sorry you have to deal with all of this nonsense. I'm looking forward to seeing you at your book event in DC this evening!

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Dr. Dawn Wright @deepseadawn.bsky.social · 8d

Once more with feeling, as well as conviction and hard data:

"The Scientific Case for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion"

greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item...

The Scientific Case for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

In light of attacks on DEI, we gathered articles that lay out the evidence in favor of fostering racially diverse and equitable schools, workplaces, cities, and societies.

greatergood.berkeley.edu

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Colette Delawalla @cdelawalla.bsky.social · 6d

Pressure to reject the compact should come from all sides:

Alumni, students, current employees, AND anyone who engages with people or work from the institution, high school students looking to attend, etc.

We say NO.

@standupforscience.bsky.social

www.nytimes.com/2025/10/02/u...

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Gregg Gonsalves @gregggonsalves.bsky.social · 6d

This is extortion. Faculty, students, staff, alumni across the country need to get to their Presidents & Trustees today. Just say no. This blackmail only works if most everyone folds. Capitulation now means the end of American higher education for a generation. www.nytimes.com/2025/10/02/u...

Trump Administration Asks Colleges to Sign ‘Compact’ to Get Funding Preference

www.nytimes.com

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Ian L Morgan @ianlmorgan.bsky.social · 6d

In the reporter's defense, they included that fact in their story. But, the headline is missing the important nuance.

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Ian L Morgan @ianlmorgan.bsky.social · 6d

And, so the RIFs begin. The US Patent and Trademark Office is not affected by a government shutdown, because they are funded by user fees. That means these RIFs are not due to the shutdown. The timing is either coincidental, or the shutdown is being used as a smokescreen.

Patent Office Lays Off Staff as Government Shutdown Begins (2)

The US Patent and Trademark Office laid off certain employees early Wednesday as a part of a reduction-in-force plan, according to multiple sources.

news.bloomberglaw.com

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Ian L Morgan @ianlmorgan.bsky.social · 6d

Sure, I have some time right now. I'll DM you, and we can chat.

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Ian L Morgan @ianlmorgan.bsky.social · 6d

Welp, as of today, I'm furloughed from my job as an NIH scientist for the foreseeable future. If you have questions about the furlough or what's going on, AMA.

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Ian L Morgan @ianlmorgan.bsky.social · 9d

Submit a public comment today! You can help support biomedical research by ensuring the United States can keep recruiting the best and brightest young researchers from around the world.

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Mark Histed @markhisted.org · 11d

Recently I learned that civil servants have the First Amendment-protected right to speak out on matters of public concern.

Thurgood Marshall, in an 8-1 SCOTUS decision, noted that government employees know how the gov’t works, and the public has a special interest in hearing from them.

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Ian L Morgan @ianlmorgan.bsky.social · 9d

I just got back from a conference/work trip to Europe, and graduate students kept telling me how they want to come do biomedical research in the Unites States, but that rule changes like these are scaring them away.

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