Omar Quintero-Carmona, PhD
@omqu.bsky.social
1.1K followers 59 following 35 posts
Teacher-scholar, myosin enthusiast, microscopist, Associate Professor of Biology at University of Richmond. Senior Education Advisor for The Allen Institute. 🇵🇷🔬📷🤺⚽️👨🏾‍🔬
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omqu.bsky.social
The @alleninstitute.org is organizing an "Open Science & Authentic Research in Undergraduate Education" workshop on the Friday before the Cellbio25 meeting in Philadelphia. Check out this link for more information and to apply.

alleninstitute.org/events/open-...
Open Science & Authentic Research in Undergraduate Education
Join the Open Science & Authentic Research in Undergraduate Education Workshop in Philadelphia, PA on December 5, 2025.
alleninstitute.org
omqu.bsky.social
Has anyone used Metamorph or micromanager where microscope controls were assigned to something like an XBox controller?
omqu.bsky.social
When my students do washes for immunostaining, they draw caterpillars on the white board and color in the body segments to keep track of how many washes they’ve done.
omqu.bsky.social
This was a fresh box of tips I started using today. :)
omqu.bsky.social
This project started in early COVID. At the time I wasn’t sure if we’d ever science again—the world might’ve been ending. I just wanted to give my students something normal during chaotic times, so they quantified images I sent them. TLDR: TRAK//MOM/MIRO interaction kinetics say something important.
omqu.bsky.social
Today, ~40 practicing scientists joined a Zoom lab meeting to hear my Mechanochemical Cell Bio undergrads give research progress talks on their quantitative microscopy studies in MYO10 stable knockdown cell lines. I’ve got graduating seniors looking for science jobs. These folks are ready.
omqu.bsky.social
Would you use unopened DMEM/F12 media that “expired” November of 2022 and had been in the fridge the whole time?
omqu.bsky.social
We also talked a bunch about how FRET and FRAP are acronyms and also verbs to some of us.
omqu.bsky.social
It wasn’t making fun of the student. It also wasn’t behind their back. We talked about it as a beauty of living language. It truly was fun to share that moment. For both of us.
omqu.bsky.social
We’re spending some time learning about microtubules, Ran, & spindle assembly in my class this week. A student who pronounces GIF as “Jiff” pronounces GEF ad “Jeff.” I thought that was fun.
homer simpson is screaming with the words jeff written on the bottom
ALT: homer simpson is screaming with the words jeff written on the bottom
media.tenor.com
omqu.bsky.social
@kaylaf2.bsky.social will make a terrific addition to many science teams. She’s got that special kind of curiosity that you need for a successful career in science. DM me for a more detailed recommendation, or trust this GIF of the Doctor…
Reposted by Omar Quintero-Carmona, PhD
kaylaf2.bsky.social
🚨 Looking for Research Technician Opportunities! 🚨

I’m Kayla Friedman, a 4th-year Biology student at University of Richmond (graduating May 2025), eager to gain research experience before pursuing a PhD.
I’m interested in brain research, cancer, stem cells, and all cell & molecular biology (1/4).
Reposted by Omar Quintero-Carmona, PhD
harmitmalik.bsky.social
Heartbreaking chats this week with students thinking of giving up on their dreams of getting a PhD. They worry about getting in PhD programs and careers post PhD. My suggestions: don’t be hasty, think broadly incl EU & Canada, & careers beyond traditional academia. What’re you telling your students?
Reposted by Omar Quintero-Carmona, PhD
cppape.bsky.social
After a long journey, Segment Anything for Microscopy is now published in Nature Methods! We significantly improve SAM for interactive and automatic segmentation in light and electron microscopy and build a user-friendly tool.
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Improvements in LM (top) and EM (bottom) of our micro-sam model (finetuned) compared to the default SAM model.
Reposted by Omar Quintero-Carmona, PhD
dacolon.bsky.social
Here they describe, much more eloquently than I, why what HHMI did is so problematic. “Anticipatory obedience” is the term. I have benefited from HHMI funding and policies, but for that same reason must say: hard to be aspire to be leader of scientific culture, values and excellence while this.
omqu.bsky.social
Just a few days left until the application portal closes. We hope to see you in the pool.
omqu.bsky.social
Hey there #cytoskeleton folks. Are there any actin-associated proteins that support the end on end fusion of #actin filaments onto other filaments? I don’t mean polymerization. I mean something more akin to splicing two bits of rope together.
a black and white photo of a woman in a kitchen with a disney logo in the corner
ALT: a black and white photo of a woman in a kitchen with a disney logo in the corner
media.tenor.com
Reposted by Omar Quintero-Carmona, PhD
needhibhalla.bsky.social
I just contacted my representatives about the nomination of RFK, Jr and the recent executive orders. Here is what I wrote in my email or said to the staffer on the phone:

Hello-

I am writing/calling on several topics:
omqu.bsky.social
Applying by 2/3/25 is a small time-investment given the potential positives for your undergraduate classes. An additional upside for participants—
becoming part of a professional network with shared experiences & aspirations. Community support is always important during challenging times.
omqu.bsky.social
Teachstravaganza is a collaborative curricular development workshop that brings @alleninstitute.bsky.social scientists into the same room with undergraduate biology educators experienced in curricular innovation & inclusive practice. Aug 4-7, 2025. Click to apply.
alleninstitute.org/events/teach...
Teachstravaganza 2025
This four day in-person workshop will support participants in developing inquiry-based educational activities (ranging in scale from short single-class activities to CURE courses) that integrate Allen...
alleninstitute.org
Reposted by Omar Quintero-Carmona, PhD
celiaford.bsky.social
Hi, Vox reporter here: If you've had a study section, NIH travel, or other NIH-related meeting cancelled (or not), raise your hand! Reply or DM me, and repost for visibility if you're able.

#academicsky @drugmonkey.bsky.social
omqu.bsky.social
No apologies needed. Screen didn’t power on, haven’t double checked the lamp yet (was in the middle of teaching a class of 15 students spread across 6 other working scopes), plugged in and tried multiple wall plugs and power cords. I’ve got time to tinker with it tomorrow.
omqu.bsky.social
I've got an X-Cite 120 lamp for my microscope and today when I flipped the power switch, nothing happened. No error indicator on the screen, no sound, no nothing. Any suggestions on where to start troubleshooting?
Reposted by Omar Quintero-Carmona, PhD
alleninstitute.org
Educators - Talk and workshop abstracts for the Open Science in Undergraduate Education Symposium are due by Feb. 15.

We're looking for proposal highlighting interesting and impactful ways you have incorporate #OpenScience tools in your classroom.

🔗 alleninstitute.org/events/opens...

🧬 #EduSky
Open Science in Undergraduate Education Symposium
Join the Allen Institute for the Open Science in Undergraduate Education Symposium in Seattle, Washington next June. This interactive symposium brings together those working to integrate openly availa...
alleninstitute.org