Usha Lee McFarling
@usha.bsky.social
I direct the Knight Science Journalism Program at MIT. Working hard to advance science journalism and support its practitioners at a time they are needed more than ever.
How is AI changing how we communicate and how can we use its tools more ethically? Join us at MIT on Feb. 27 for this important conversation about journalism, free speech, and public discourse -- all currently under threat. Please share; all are welcome.
January 13, 2026 at 12:47 AM
How is AI changing how we communicate and how can we use its tools more ethically? Join us at MIT on Feb. 27 for this important conversation about journalism, free speech, and public discourse -- all currently under threat. Please share; all are welcome.
Incredible poetry event Jan. 23 to make visible all the cuts (and trauma) from cutting federal research funding. Register here: luma.com/phmnhtwn
January 6, 2026 at 11:50 PM
Incredible poetry event Jan. 23 to make visible all the cuts (and trauma) from cutting federal research funding. Register here: luma.com/phmnhtwn
Chat-GPT: Make me a magazine cover that completely rips off a human artist and looks like it’s been poorly photoshopped. (What an apt metaphor for AI.)
December 12, 2025 at 1:21 PM
Chat-GPT: Make me a magazine cover that completely rips off a human artist and looks like it’s been poorly photoshopped. (What an apt metaphor for AI.)
Cam McMath told us the lab is growing “Dire Wolf” corals — hardier versions that are more likely to survive the coming heat waves. The 2023 bleaching event killed nearly all of the area’s elkhorn corals; most that survived had been transplanted from labs.
December 11, 2025 at 3:45 PM
Cam McMath told us the lab is growing “Dire Wolf” corals — hardier versions that are more likely to survive the coming heat waves. The 2023 bleaching event killed nearly all of the area’s elkhorn corals; most that survived had been transplanted from labs.
Seeing the future: Growing climate and disease-hardy baby corals for outplanting and reef restoration. Thank you Coral Reef Futures Lab at @miamirosenstiel.bsky.social for hosting @ksjatmit.bsky.social and for your work.
December 11, 2025 at 3:45 PM
Seeing the future: Growing climate and disease-hardy baby corals for outplanting and reef restoration. Thank you Coral Reef Futures Lab at @miamirosenstiel.bsky.social for hosting @ksjatmit.bsky.social and for your work.
I haven’t found every @ksjatmit.bsky.social fellow here at #WCSJ25 but here’s a start. Rosalia Omungo, Fabio Turone, and our inaugural Africa/Middle East fellow @sharonmuzaki.bsky.social
December 4, 2025 at 2:52 PM
I haven’t found every @ksjatmit.bsky.social fellow here at #WCSJ25 but here’s a start. Rosalia Omungo, Fabio Turone, and our inaugural Africa/Middle East fellow @sharonmuzaki.bsky.social
“If I’m not getting attacked…I would have felt I failed.” @charlespiller.bsky.social at #WCSJ25 on how his work exposing fraud in Alzheimer’s research was attacked and called misinformation and how he responded. “Ignoring scientific misconduct invites public distrust.”
December 3, 2025 at 8:00 AM
“If I’m not getting attacked…I would have felt I failed.” @charlespiller.bsky.social at #WCSJ25 on how his work exposing fraud in Alzheimer’s research was attacked and called misinformation and how he responded. “Ignoring scientific misconduct invites public distrust.”
So excited to be at the World Conference of Science Journalists ’25 in Pretoria. First meeting held on the African continent and session topics are 🔥! if you’re here please find me to say hello. #WCSJ
December 2, 2025 at 9:13 AM
So excited to be at the World Conference of Science Journalists ’25 in Pretoria. First meeting held on the African continent and session topics are 🔥! if you’re here please find me to say hello. #WCSJ
The bookshelf in our beautiful seminar room @ksjatmit.bsky.social is filled with books by former fellows. Want to be next? Applications to our fellowship are open and on our website. @annaleen.bsky.social @ferrisjabr.bsky.social @tomzellerjr.com @s-r-m.bsky.social and Melanie Kaplan. Please share.
November 19, 2025 at 6:25 PM
The bookshelf in our beautiful seminar room @ksjatmit.bsky.social is filled with books by former fellows. Want to be next? Applications to our fellowship are open and on our website. @annaleen.bsky.social @ferrisjabr.bsky.social @tomzellerjr.com @s-r-m.bsky.social and Melanie Kaplan. Please share.
Many causes for Black maternal mortality crisis, but depression is one factor and not being able to afford diapers can contribute to depression. 💔 Dr. Wendy Wilcox of @nychealthsystem.bsky.social says NYC is handing out "baby boxes" to help. Solutions can be so simple. And so cheap. #ACHJSummit
November 13, 2025 at 7:03 PM
Many causes for Black maternal mortality crisis, but depression is one factor and not being able to afford diapers can contribute to depression. 💔 Dr. Wendy Wilcox of @nychealthsystem.bsky.social says NYC is handing out "baby boxes" to help. Solutions can be so simple. And so cheap. #ACHJSummit
Hearing about improving health care from Terence Muhammad of the Greensboro Disparities Collaborative which is doing amazing anti-racism work in medicine. He urges journalists to include community members in stories. “If you don’t listen you won’t be able to get the story right.” #AHCJSummit
November 13, 2025 at 4:44 PM
Hearing about improving health care from Terence Muhammad of the Greensboro Disparities Collaborative which is doing amazing anti-racism work in medicine. He urges journalists to include community members in stories. “If you don’t listen you won’t be able to get the story right.” #AHCJSummit
When I say we need to take care of science writers I mean it. @ksjatmit.bsky.social cookies from Levain bakery for #SciWri25 attendees. 😍
November 9, 2025 at 11:19 PM
When I say we need to take care of science writers I mean it. @ksjatmit.bsky.social cookies from Levain bakery for #SciWri25 attendees. 😍
I know we’re all political reporters now 😢but incredible to hear Nobelist and UChicago chemist Jack Szostak tell us about the rna world and origin of life at #SciWri25. Remember to nerd out. 🤓🤓🤓
November 9, 2025 at 5:25 PM
I know we’re all political reporters now 😢but incredible to hear Nobelist and UChicago chemist Jack Szostak tell us about the rna world and origin of life at #SciWri25. Remember to nerd out. 🤓🤓🤓
How are science writers coping with the unprecedented assault on science and what is the path ahead? Was honored to discuss this at #SciWri25 plenary with @shiplives.bsky.social @jeanna.bsky.social and Erin Podolak. Missed @michellejewell.bsky.social who still contributed much from afar.
November 9, 2025 at 4:56 PM
How are science writers coping with the unprecedented assault on science and what is the path ahead? Was honored to discuss this at #SciWri25 plenary with @shiplives.bsky.social @jeanna.bsky.social and Erin Podolak. Missed @michellejewell.bsky.social who still contributed much from afar.
This graphic from the story says it all:
October 29, 2025 at 1:35 PM
This graphic from the story says it all:
Let's talk about how science journalism and writing can keep us sane and in the ✨ light ✨right now. I'm excited to have this conversation with @ferrisjabr.bsky.social whose writing I have long admired. We need these conversations rnow more than ever. Please join us. Register👇
October 29, 2025 at 1:01 PM
Let's talk about how science journalism and writing can keep us sane and in the ✨ light ✨right now. I'm excited to have this conversation with @ferrisjabr.bsky.social whose writing I have long admired. We need these conversations rnow more than ever. Please join us. Register👇
So happy to be back with former colleagues at #STATSummit. First session on CRISPR gene editing featured adorable Baby KJ who received life saving treatment in Pennsylvania.
October 15, 2025 at 1:31 PM
So happy to be back with former colleagues at #STATSummit. First session on CRISPR gene editing featured adorable Baby KJ who received life saving treatment in Pennsylvania.
My first post as head of KSJ! Our first public event. This Thursday. Cambridge. Science journalism in a time of crisis. It's going to be 🔥. Join me and @katherinejwu.com @aniloza.bsky.social @sarareardon.bsky.social @akuchment.bsky.social @jeremyfaust.bsky.social and @edenmedina.bsky.social
October 7, 2025 at 12:09 PM
My first post as head of KSJ! Our first public event. This Thursday. Cambridge. Science journalism in a time of crisis. It's going to be 🔥. Join me and @katherinejwu.com @aniloza.bsky.social @sarareardon.bsky.social @akuchment.bsky.social @jeremyfaust.bsky.social and @edenmedina.bsky.social
Had an amazing time at the incredible NMF gala with absolute legends @mclemoremr.bsky.social @ucheblackstockmd.bsky.social @joelbervell.bsky.social Aletha Maybank Nick St. Fleur Micheleen Davis and fellow awardee Toyin Ajayi. So inspired by your work. Thank you for recognizing mine. ♥️
October 5, 2025 at 5:01 PM
Had an amazing time at the incredible NMF gala with absolute legends @mclemoremr.bsky.social @ucheblackstockmd.bsky.social @joelbervell.bsky.social Aletha Maybank Nick St. Fleur Micheleen Davis and fellow awardee Toyin Ajayi. So inspired by your work. Thank you for recognizing mine. ♥️
I'm truly humbled to be honored tonight by @nmfonline.bsky.social with the Truth to Power Award for amplifying marginalized voices and exposing inequality through storytelling. Other incredible honorees include @richbesser.bsky.social @jbetancourtpr.bsky.social and -- not lying -- Ben Vereen.
October 3, 2025 at 7:44 PM
I'm truly humbled to be honored tonight by @nmfonline.bsky.social with the Truth to Power Award for amplifying marginalized voices and exposing inequality through storytelling. Other incredible honorees include @richbesser.bsky.social @jbetancourtpr.bsky.social and -- not lying -- Ben Vereen.
Elementary school principals going where university presidents fear to tread...
April 5, 2025 at 12:11 AM
Elementary school principals going where university presidents fear to tread...
impossibly round! photo from GattGatt
March 2, 2025 at 12:08 AM
impossibly round! photo from GattGatt
APOD (animal photo of day) courtesy Memphis Zoo.
February 9, 2025 at 6:07 PM
APOD (animal photo of day) courtesy Memphis Zoo.
Science journalists waiting for MMWR tomorrow
February 6, 2025 at 2:03 AM
Science journalists waiting for MMWR tomorrow