Amanda Smythers
@amandalsmythers.bsky.social
PhD, Analytical Chemistry • Postdoc in Spiegelman, Chouchani, & Gygi labs, Dana Farber Cancer Institute & Harvard Med School • #TeamMassSpec #Proteomics #MolecularMetabolism
Pinned
Intro time!
My name is Amanda & I’m a postdoc & mass spectrometrist at the Dana Farber Cancer Institute & Harvard Med School. I’m co-advised by 3 PIs: Bruce Spiegelman, Steve Gygi, & Ed Chouchani. My primary work is finding novel implementations of mass spec proteomics for biological discovery. 1/
My name is Amanda & I’m a postdoc & mass spectrometrist at the Dana Farber Cancer Institute & Harvard Med School. I’m co-advised by 3 PIs: Bruce Spiegelman, Steve Gygi, & Ed Chouchani. My primary work is finding novel implementations of mass spec proteomics for biological discovery. 1/
I’m sad to share that my father died yesterday after a 5 month battle with pancreatic cancer.
It’s a horrific disease. So grateful for my colleagues at the @danafarber.bsky.social for helping me through this process.
www.cunninghamfuneralhome.net/obituaries/M...
It’s a horrific disease. So grateful for my colleagues at the @danafarber.bsky.social for helping me through this process.
www.cunninghamfuneralhome.net/obituaries/M...
Obituary information for Mark Allan White
View Mark Allan White's obituary, contribute to their memorial, see their funeral service details, and more.
www.cunninghamfuneralhome.net
May 29, 2025 at 12:21 AM
I’m sad to share that my father died yesterday after a 5 month battle with pancreatic cancer.
It’s a horrific disease. So grateful for my colleagues at the @danafarber.bsky.social for helping me through this process.
www.cunninghamfuneralhome.net/obituaries/M...
It’s a horrific disease. So grateful for my colleagues at the @danafarber.bsky.social for helping me through this process.
www.cunninghamfuneralhome.net/obituaries/M...
Reposted by Amanda Smythers
Don't Miss Out - TOMORROW - it's an interactive proteomics seminar series!
The CNPN x US HUPO Spotlight Series Webinar brings you cutting edge proteomics research from leading Canadian and US scientist.
Register NOW: ow.ly/lSY150VNhpI
The CNPN x US HUPO Spotlight Series Webinar brings you cutting edge proteomics research from leading Canadian and US scientist.
Register NOW: ow.ly/lSY150VNhpI
May 26, 2025 at 6:28 PM
Don't Miss Out - TOMORROW - it's an interactive proteomics seminar series!
The CNPN x US HUPO Spotlight Series Webinar brings you cutting edge proteomics research from leading Canadian and US scientist.
Register NOW: ow.ly/lSY150VNhpI
The CNPN x US HUPO Spotlight Series Webinar brings you cutting edge proteomics research from leading Canadian and US scientist.
Register NOW: ow.ly/lSY150VNhpI
Reposted by Amanda Smythers
America cannot long remain free, nor first among nations, if it becomes the kind of place where universities are dismantled because they don't align politically with the current head of the government.
May 23, 2025 at 4:00 PM
America cannot long remain free, nor first among nations, if it becomes the kind of place where universities are dismantled because they don't align politically with the current head of the government.
Rough time in our house as we said goodbye to our cat yesterday. 12 years was not nearly enough.
May 23, 2025 at 2:19 PM
Rough time in our house as we said goodbye to our cat yesterday. 12 years was not nearly enough.
Busy couple of days! Kiddo scored her first goal in Boston, me and the hubs saw Tina Fey and Amy Poehler on tour, and Jewish heritage night at the Sox marked the coldest baseball game of my life 😅 Just a quintessential New England weekend 🤣
May 21, 2025 at 1:22 AM
Busy couple of days! Kiddo scored her first goal in Boston, me and the hubs saw Tina Fey and Amy Poehler on tour, and Jewish heritage night at the Sox marked the coldest baseball game of my life 😅 Just a quintessential New England weekend 🤣
Reposted by Amanda Smythers
Northwestern has not received any NIH funds since March. No written communication about why or what can be done. Thank you Ben Singer for raising awareness at #ATS2025
May 18, 2025 at 10:44 PM
Northwestern has not received any NIH funds since March. No written communication about why or what can be done. Thank you Ben Singer for raising awareness at #ATS2025
Reposted by Amanda Smythers
This is completely false. Even the largest university endowment cannot sustain large-scale scientific research.
In my 25 years at my school, the most monumental research fund drive raised $325M in *total*. Federal research here costs $200M per *every year*.
This is an extinction-level event.
In my 25 years at my school, the most monumental research fund drive raised $325M in *total*. Federal research here costs $200M per *every year*.
This is an extinction-level event.
May 17, 2025 at 2:09 PM
This is completely false. Even the largest university endowment cannot sustain large-scale scientific research.
In my 25 years at my school, the most monumental research fund drive raised $325M in *total*. Federal research here costs $200M per *every year*.
This is an extinction-level event.
In my 25 years at my school, the most monumental research fund drive raised $325M in *total*. Federal research here costs $200M per *every year*.
This is an extinction-level event.
Reposted by Amanda Smythers
Disappointing to see, across both parties.
Sciex is no longer providing funding for Skyline/Proteowizard as part of the multi-vendor agreement to keep Skyline supported across all major vendors.
I can see the arguments from both sides, just a shame it's resulted in this.
Sciex is no longer providing funding for Skyline/Proteowizard as part of the multi-vendor agreement to keep Skyline supported across all major vendors.
I can see the arguments from both sides, just a shame it's resulted in this.
May 13, 2025 at 1:34 PM
Disappointing to see, across both parties.
Sciex is no longer providing funding for Skyline/Proteowizard as part of the multi-vendor agreement to keep Skyline supported across all major vendors.
I can see the arguments from both sides, just a shame it's resulted in this.
Sciex is no longer providing funding for Skyline/Proteowizard as part of the multi-vendor agreement to keep Skyline supported across all major vendors.
I can see the arguments from both sides, just a shame it's resulted in this.
Lucky 13 in the books today. ✨ Kiddo had a sleepover so we could enjoy this “hidden” cafe in Beacon Hill with enough champagne to give me proper rosy cheeks 🥰🥂
May 11, 2025 at 3:48 AM
Lucky 13 in the books today. ✨ Kiddo had a sleepover so we could enjoy this “hidden” cafe in Beacon Hill with enough champagne to give me proper rosy cheeks 🥰🥂
Reposted by Amanda Smythers
Now they are gutting NSF. This is radical destruction.
The Trump goal is to end scientific research in America. Our sense is that few people, even inside the government, have actually grappled with this reality.
The Trump goal is to end scientific research in America. Our sense is that few people, even inside the government, have actually grappled with this reality.
Exclusive: NSF faces radical shake-up as officials abolish its 37 divisions
Changes seen as a response to presidential directives on what research to fund
www.science.org
May 9, 2025 at 3:22 AM
Now they are gutting NSF. This is radical destruction.
The Trump goal is to end scientific research in America. Our sense is that few people, even inside the government, have actually grappled with this reality.
The Trump goal is to end scientific research in America. Our sense is that few people, even inside the government, have actually grappled with this reality.
Reposted by Amanda Smythers
The current administration’s narrative that Harvard (and all universities) feel “entitled” to federal dollars misleads the public. Nor are these funds a “privilege” 1/n
Harvard may have a lot of issues, but none of the accusations in this acid-tripping letter are it. Don't know whether to laugh or cry as I watch monkeys tear up pearl strings.
🚨🚨 Deranged letter from Education Secretary Linda McMahon to Harvard’s president, cutting off federal funding for any new grants.
Worth reading in full. It is NUTS.
Worth reading in full. It is NUTS.
May 6, 2025 at 1:31 AM
The current administration’s narrative that Harvard (and all universities) feel “entitled” to federal dollars misleads the public. Nor are these funds a “privilege” 1/n
Reposted by Amanda Smythers
FWIW, NIH had already silently barred Harvard and four other schools from receiving funds — and agency staff were forbidden from telling applicants and grantees about it.
bsky.app/profile/maxk...
bsky.app/profile/maxk...
Per source, NIH has been instructed to hold off from issuing ALL awards to Harvard, Cornell, Columbia, Brown, and Northwestern (including med schools)
Agency staff have also been instructed to not speak about this funding freeze to grantees and applicants
Agency staff have also been instructed to not speak about this funding freeze to grantees and applicants
May 6, 2025 at 12:49 AM
FWIW, NIH had already silently barred Harvard and four other schools from receiving funds — and agency staff were forbidden from telling applicants and grantees about it.
bsky.app/profile/maxk...
bsky.app/profile/maxk...
These are truly unprecedented times for science, & I know several community members facing job loses. It would be incredibly helpful for those hiring in proteomics to post to our US HUPO job board so we can help our colleagues find new positions.
Please share!
us-hupo.org/US-HUPO-Job-...
Please share!
us-hupo.org/US-HUPO-Job-...
US HUPO - Job Board
us-hupo.org
May 5, 2025 at 7:53 PM
These are truly unprecedented times for science, & I know several community members facing job loses. It would be incredibly helpful for those hiring in proteomics to post to our US HUPO job board so we can help our colleagues find new positions.
Please share!
us-hupo.org/US-HUPO-Job-...
Please share!
us-hupo.org/US-HUPO-Job-...
So excited to see this work!
MY UNIVERSITY WILL DO PROTEOMICS (by LCMS) on 1 MILLION PEOPLE - LONGITUDINALLY?? proteomicsnews.blogspot.com/2025/04/pitt...
Pitt announces plans to do Proteomics /multi-omics of 1 MILLION PEOPLE!
My new home is planning to do deep mult-omics - proteomics by MASS SPECTROMETRY - of ONE MILLION PEOPLE! The 12 hour launch event appears...
proteomicsnews.blogspot.com
April 27, 2025 at 11:19 PM
So excited to see this work!
My stomach (and heart) is satisfied ♥️
April 21, 2025 at 4:59 AM
My stomach (and heart) is satisfied ♥️
Made a reservation at an Italian restaurant to break Passover tonight. I neeeeed noodles. No idea how my kiddo can do stuff like this- I feel like my stomach is full of matzah shaped boulders!
April 20, 2025 at 8:28 PM
Made a reservation at an Italian restaurant to break Passover tonight. I neeeeed noodles. No idea how my kiddo can do stuff like this- I feel like my stomach is full of matzah shaped boulders!
Reposted by Amanda Smythers
I still can't quite believe I am included in the 2025 Searle Scholars cohort. Feeling especially thankful for all who have supported me. I am most excited about the science @riley-research.bsky.social gets to pursue and the support this award provides for my group
searlescholars.org/2025/04/14/s...
searlescholars.org/2025/04/14/s...
SEARLE SCHOLARS PROGRAM NAMES 15 SCIENTISTS AS SEARLE SCHOLARS FOR 2025
Members of the new class of Searle Scholars pursue ground-breaking research in chemistry and the biomedical sciences. Each receives an award of $300,000 in flexible funding to support his, her, or …
searlescholars.org
April 18, 2025 at 6:51 PM
I still can't quite believe I am included in the 2025 Searle Scholars cohort. Feeling especially thankful for all who have supported me. I am most excited about the science @riley-research.bsky.social gets to pursue and the support this award provides for my group
searlescholars.org/2025/04/14/s...
searlescholars.org/2025/04/14/s...
Reposted by Amanda Smythers
Hearing from sources that grant terminations are starting now, likely targeting grants aimed at broadening participation of underrepresented groups in science.... which congress explicitly asks NSF grants to do.
NSF killing broader impacts as they've been practiced.
"efforts should not preference some groups at the expense of others ... projects with more narrow impact limited to subgroups of people based on protected class or characteristics do not effectuate NSF priorities."
www.nsf.gov/updates-on-p...
"efforts should not preference some groups at the expense of others ... projects with more narrow impact limited to subgroups of people based on protected class or characteristics do not effectuate NSF priorities."
www.nsf.gov/updates-on-p...
Updates on NSF Priorities
www.nsf.gov
April 18, 2025 at 8:05 PM
Hearing from sources that grant terminations are starting now, likely targeting grants aimed at broadening participation of underrepresented groups in science.... which congress explicitly asks NSF grants to do.
Reposted by Amanda Smythers
Harvard redid its whole homepage to push back against the administration’s demands. I mean, this is just a website but I think it’s kind of a great PR move: www.harvard.edu
Harvard University
Harvard University is devoted to excellence in teaching, learning, and research, and to developing leaders who make a difference globally.
www.harvard.edu
April 14, 2025 at 7:10 PM
Harvard redid its whole homepage to push back against the administration’s demands. I mean, this is just a website but I think it’s kind of a great PR move: www.harvard.edu
Very glad that Harvard will fight. History is not kind to those who give up their rights freely.
April 14, 2025 at 5:29 PM
Very glad that Harvard will fight. History is not kind to those who give up their rights freely.
I hope everyone celebrating has a wonderful Passover! We are praying for an end to warfare, our hostages to return, and injustice to end- in the US and elsewhere. Grateful to be with family and to enjoy these traditions with my kiddo.
April 13, 2025 at 5:59 PM
I hope everyone celebrating has a wonderful Passover! We are praying for an end to warfare, our hostages to return, and injustice to end- in the US and elsewhere. Grateful to be with family and to enjoy these traditions with my kiddo.
Reposted by Amanda Smythers
Reposted by Amanda Smythers
Feeling fortunate for the opportunity to thank the many mentors who have supported me and to highlight the outstanding scientists in @riley-research.bsky.social. Excited to keeping working together as a group and with the bigger #glycotime and #TeamMassSpec communities to advance glycoscience
A world-class researcher and scholar, we are thrilled to present Nicholas Riley with an Early Career Research Award in 2026! @nmriley.bsky.social's research group pursues an exciting vision that leverages new technology development to solve critical problems in glycoscience (and beyond!).
April 8, 2025 at 1:01 PM
Feeling fortunate for the opportunity to thank the many mentors who have supported me and to highlight the outstanding scientists in @riley-research.bsky.social. Excited to keeping working together as a group and with the bigger #glycotime and #TeamMassSpec communities to advance glycoscience
Reposted by Amanda Smythers
Speaker Spotlight: Bruce Spiegelman @spiegelmanlab.bsky.social
Join us @ #AdiposeBiology Conference in Montreal🇨🇦, Aug 19-20, 2025, to hear from this world leading #metabolism expert!
🔗Register before the early bird deadline at: adiposebiology.com
@mcgillgci.bsky.social @danafarber.bsky.social
Join us @ #AdiposeBiology Conference in Montreal🇨🇦, Aug 19-20, 2025, to hear from this world leading #metabolism expert!
🔗Register before the early bird deadline at: adiposebiology.com
@mcgillgci.bsky.social @danafarber.bsky.social
April 7, 2025 at 4:49 PM
Speaker Spotlight: Bruce Spiegelman @spiegelmanlab.bsky.social
Join us @ #AdiposeBiology Conference in Montreal🇨🇦, Aug 19-20, 2025, to hear from this world leading #metabolism expert!
🔗Register before the early bird deadline at: adiposebiology.com
@mcgillgci.bsky.social @danafarber.bsky.social
Join us @ #AdiposeBiology Conference in Montreal🇨🇦, Aug 19-20, 2025, to hear from this world leading #metabolism expert!
🔗Register before the early bird deadline at: adiposebiology.com
@mcgillgci.bsky.social @danafarber.bsky.social
Reposted by Amanda Smythers
BREAKING: We're suing the National Institutes of Health over their politically-motivated purge of research grants.
This is an unlawful attack on scientific progress that puts lives at risk.
This is an unlawful attack on scientific progress that puts lives at risk.
April 2, 2025 at 8:03 PM
BREAKING: We're suing the National Institutes of Health over their politically-motivated purge of research grants.
This is an unlawful attack on scientific progress that puts lives at risk.
This is an unlawful attack on scientific progress that puts lives at risk.