Ashley Connors
@amconnors.bsky.social
PhD Candidate in Toxicology @ NC State studying effect of PFAS on the immune system. She/her
https://linktr.ee/am_connors
https://linktr.ee/am_connors
A little good news for your feed 🐟
My heart was jubilant while reading this story this morning - more than 100 Chinook salmon have passed the former Klamath River dam sites as well as the fish ladder at Klamath Lake and are naturally spawning in Oregon headwaters for the first time in over a century! 🐟🧪🌎
www.opb.org/article/2025...
www.opb.org/article/2025...
Salmon clear last Klamath dams, reaching Williamson and Sprague rivers
Just a year after four dams were removed, a group of fall Chinook have migrated nearly 300 miles into the Upper Klamath Basin.
www.opb.org
October 18, 2025 at 5:52 PM
A little good news for your feed 🐟
Reason #452 why we should regulate supplements in the same way that we regulate medications:
Our tests of popular dairy, beef, and plant-based protein products found plant-based options had the highest lead levels, 9x as much as dairy and 2x as much as beef. Even dairy powders weren’t risk-free: half were too contaminated for safe daily use.
October 15, 2025 at 9:23 PM
Reason #452 why we should regulate supplements in the same way that we regulate medications:
Reposted by Ashley Connors
What a new study reveals about 'forever chemicals,' lead, more in New Orleans-area tap water. Read the full article by Emily Woodruff (Nola.com) here: www.nola.com/news/environ...
What a new study reveals about 'forever chemicals,' lead, more in New Orleans-area tap water
A new report shows widespread PFAS, lead and other contaminants in tap water drawn from the Mississippi River for New Orleans and neighboring parishes.
www.nola.com
October 3, 2025 at 7:36 PM
What a new study reveals about 'forever chemicals,' lead, more in New Orleans-area tap water. Read the full article by Emily Woodruff (Nola.com) here: www.nola.com/news/environ...
I’m not a nuclear chemist, but I suspect the safe solution to radioactive pollution is NOT dilution.
The article doesn’t say which isotopes are in the radioactive water, or their concentration. The radioisotopes will degrade, but that could take a very long time depending on the half-lives.
The article doesn’t say which isotopes are in the radioactive water, or their concentration. The radioisotopes will degrade, but that could take a very long time depending on the half-lives.
A judge has approved a controversial plan to release 45,000 gallons of radioactive water into the Hudson River. New Jersey-based Holtec International won a lawsuit against New York that had challenged its plans to discharge radioactive substances from its Indian Point nuclear plant
45,000 gallons of radioactive water from Indian Point nuclear plant to be discharged into Hudson River
A company will release 45,000 gallons of radioactive water into the Hudson River from a New Jersey nuclear plant that was shut down in 2021. It argues it is perfectly safe, while critics say that it t...
www.wionews.com
October 3, 2025 at 5:54 PM
I’m not a nuclear chemist, but I suspect the safe solution to radioactive pollution is NOT dilution.
The article doesn’t say which isotopes are in the radioactive water, or their concentration. The radioisotopes will degrade, but that could take a very long time depending on the half-lives.
The article doesn’t say which isotopes are in the radioactive water, or their concentration. The radioisotopes will degrade, but that could take a very long time depending on the half-lives.
Reposted by Ashley Connors
For those that haven't spoken with grad students openly lately: we are not okay
We are watching our futures be gutted (in both industry in academia), while becoming 'overeducated' for other jobs too.
Seeing post docs being suddenly dropped, we know that money isn't coming back soon enough...
We are watching our futures be gutted (in both industry in academia), while becoming 'overeducated' for other jobs too.
Seeing post docs being suddenly dropped, we know that money isn't coming back soon enough...
July 13, 2025 at 1:42 AM
For those that haven't spoken with grad students openly lately: we are not okay
We are watching our futures be gutted (in both industry in academia), while becoming 'overeducated' for other jobs too.
Seeing post docs being suddenly dropped, we know that money isn't coming back soon enough...
We are watching our futures be gutted (in both industry in academia), while becoming 'overeducated' for other jobs too.
Seeing post docs being suddenly dropped, we know that money isn't coming back soon enough...
Reposted by Ashley Connors
What? Some good news on a Friday?
Parent Fellowship Notices of Funding Opportunities are up!
F30, F31, F32, F33
grants.nih.gov/grants/guide...
Parent Fellowship Notices of Funding Opportunities are up!
F30, F31, F32, F33
grants.nih.gov/grants/guide...
PA-25-422: Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA) Individual Predoctoral Fellowship (Parent F31)
NIH Funding Opportunities and Notices in the NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts: Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA) Individual Predoctoral Fellowship (Parent F31) PA-25-422. NI...
grants.nih.gov
June 13, 2025 at 11:06 PM
What? Some good news on a Friday?
Parent Fellowship Notices of Funding Opportunities are up!
F30, F31, F32, F33
grants.nih.gov/grants/guide...
Parent Fellowship Notices of Funding Opportunities are up!
F30, F31, F32, F33
grants.nih.gov/grants/guide...
Reposted by Ashley Connors
These are grant TO THE STUDENTS, not to the institution, so this is just straight-up punishing students for choosing the institution
All NSF GRFPs to students choosing to attend Harvard in the Fall were just terminated
May 22, 2025 at 7:55 PM
These are grant TO THE STUDENTS, not to the institution, so this is just straight-up punishing students for choosing the institution
Reposted by Ashley Connors
I don’t know what’s going on with my job yet but I’m an NIH funded scientist and I’ve been waiting for the other shoe to drop.
Here’s my LinkedIn. I’m a human geneticist and computational biologist. I very much want to stay in Seattle for family reasons. Please repost
www.linkedin.com/in/nparmalee
Here’s my LinkedIn. I’m a human geneticist and computational biologist. I very much want to stay in Seattle for family reasons. Please repost
www.linkedin.com/in/nparmalee
www.linkedin.com
May 2, 2025 at 7:52 PM
I don’t know what’s going on with my job yet but I’m an NIH funded scientist and I’ve been waiting for the other shoe to drop.
Here’s my LinkedIn. I’m a human geneticist and computational biologist. I very much want to stay in Seattle for family reasons. Please repost
www.linkedin.com/in/nparmalee
Here’s my LinkedIn. I’m a human geneticist and computational biologist. I very much want to stay in Seattle for family reasons. Please repost
www.linkedin.com/in/nparmalee
Reposted by Ashley Connors
It’s never too late to start masking. It doesn’t matter how many covid infections you’ve had, any infection delayed or prevented is a good thing.
You’re also helping protect others when you mask up. You’re breaking chains of transmission. You’re saving lives.
You’re also helping protect others when you mask up. You’re breaking chains of transmission. You’re saving lives.
March 2, 2025 at 3:16 AM
It’s never too late to start masking. It doesn’t matter how many covid infections you’ve had, any infection delayed or prevented is a good thing.
You’re also helping protect others when you mask up. You’re breaking chains of transmission. You’re saving lives.
You’re also helping protect others when you mask up. You’re breaking chains of transmission. You’re saving lives.
Reposted by Ashley Connors
Regulations are written in blood.
NYT reports an air traffic controller’s seat was empty at DCA last night www.nytimes.com/live/2025/01...
January 30, 2025 at 7:16 PM
Regulations are written in blood.
Reposted by Ashley Connors
“If the freeze is not stopped, I might lose my house."
Some NSF-funded postdocs are having trouble paying rent and credit card bills because their salaries were paused this week, even though the federal funding freeze memo was rescinded.
www.statnews.com/2025/01/30/t...
Some NSF-funded postdocs are having trouble paying rent and credit card bills because their salaries were paused this week, even though the federal funding freeze memo was rescinded.
www.statnews.com/2025/01/30/t...
National Science Foundation suspends salary payments, leaving researchers unable to pay their bills
An NSF online payment system remained down after the federal funding freeze was lifted, leaving early-career scientists scrambling to pay bills
www.statnews.com
January 30, 2025 at 11:07 PM
“If the freeze is not stopped, I might lose my house."
Some NSF-funded postdocs are having trouble paying rent and credit card bills because their salaries were paused this week, even though the federal funding freeze memo was rescinded.
www.statnews.com/2025/01/30/t...
Some NSF-funded postdocs are having trouble paying rent and credit card bills because their salaries were paused this week, even though the federal funding freeze memo was rescinded.
www.statnews.com/2025/01/30/t...
Reposted by Ashley Connors
Bravo to Sen. Alsobrooks for her question.
“We should not be giving Black people the same vaccine schedule as Whites because their immune system is better than ours.” — RFK Jr
This is the deadlier version of the racist myth that Black people feel less pain, leading to denied pain meds.
“We should not be giving Black people the same vaccine schedule as Whites because their immune system is better than ours.” — RFK Jr
This is the deadlier version of the racist myth that Black people feel less pain, leading to denied pain meds.
January 30, 2025 at 8:16 PM
Bravo to Sen. Alsobrooks for her question.
“We should not be giving Black people the same vaccine schedule as Whites because their immune system is better than ours.” — RFK Jr
This is the deadlier version of the racist myth that Black people feel less pain, leading to denied pain meds.
“We should not be giving Black people the same vaccine schedule as Whites because their immune system is better than ours.” — RFK Jr
This is the deadlier version of the racist myth that Black people feel less pain, leading to denied pain meds.
Reposted by Ashley Connors
Looks like states are going to have to take the lead on #PFAS regulations
New US administration ditches Biden's plan to limit levels of PFAS manufacturers can discharge into rivers from their waste pipes. Numerous studies have linked PFAS to cancers, liver, thyroid, kidney conditions, fertility issues & harm to fetal development 🧵
www.ewg.org/news-insight...
www.ewg.org/news-insight...
January 26, 2025 at 1:35 PM
Looks like states are going to have to take the lead on #PFAS regulations
Reposted by Ashley Connors
500 classrooms have signed up for Skype a Scientist 2025!
@skypeascientist.bsky.social matches scientists with classrooms, scout troops, libraries, & other groups for Q&A sessions. It's FREE!
We have an advertising budget of $0. So tell an educator in your life that we exist
SkypeAScientist.com
@skypeascientist.bsky.social matches scientists with classrooms, scout troops, libraries, & other groups for Q&A sessions. It's FREE!
We have an advertising budget of $0. So tell an educator in your life that we exist
SkypeAScientist.com
January 23, 2025 at 10:58 PM
500 classrooms have signed up for Skype a Scientist 2025!
@skypeascientist.bsky.social matches scientists with classrooms, scout troops, libraries, & other groups for Q&A sessions. It's FREE!
We have an advertising budget of $0. So tell an educator in your life that we exist
SkypeAScientist.com
@skypeascientist.bsky.social matches scientists with classrooms, scout troops, libraries, & other groups for Q&A sessions. It's FREE!
We have an advertising budget of $0. So tell an educator in your life that we exist
SkypeAScientist.com
Reposted by Ashley Connors
uuuuuuuuggggghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
January 21, 2025 at 2:36 AM
uuuuuuuuggggghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
Reposted by Ashley Connors
Looking for a #MSc or #PhD position in #ecotoxicology? Opportunity at Queen's U for an ambitious Canadian student to study the tire antioxidant #6PPD as part of a collaborative research project with Environment & Climate Change Canada. Apply now! Deadline is this Friday, January 24, 2025.
January 21, 2025 at 2:41 AM
Looking for a #MSc or #PhD position in #ecotoxicology? Opportunity at Queen's U for an ambitious Canadian student to study the tire antioxidant #6PPD as part of a collaborative research project with Environment & Climate Change Canada. Apply now! Deadline is this Friday, January 24, 2025.
Reposted by Ashley Connors
Methylene blue is an antidote, yet more often than not my job as a toxicologist is telling highly-trained medical professionals not to use methylene blue (in monitored, clinical settings) because it has a lot of risk and very few benefits. Please don’t listen to people inhaling it on Instagram reels
Anyway…so people are apparently ingesting and vaporizing methylene blue and I just can’t with the wellness grifters any more
January 14, 2025 at 2:54 AM
Methylene blue is an antidote, yet more often than not my job as a toxicologist is telling highly-trained medical professionals not to use methylene blue (in monitored, clinical settings) because it has a lot of risk and very few benefits. Please don’t listen to people inhaling it on Instagram reels
Reposted by Ashley Connors
Outbreaks of the gastrointestinal illness are surging both at sea and on land. Here's what to know.
Norovirus outbreaks are on the rise around the country and on cruise ships
Outbreaks of the gastrointestinal illness are surging both at sea and on land. Here's what to know.
www.npr.org
January 1, 2025 at 5:35 PM
Outbreaks of the gastrointestinal illness are surging both at sea and on land. Here's what to know.
Reposted by Ashley Connors
So, a few things things:
1. Regular cat food is cooked and therefore safe from bird flu. Only raw/undercooked meat and raw dairy put your cat at risk. "Cooking meat or pasteurizing raw milk destroys the bird flu virus and other disease-causing germs." apnews.com/article/cats... 🧵
1. Regular cat food is cooked and therefore safe from bird flu. Only raw/undercooked meat and raw dairy put your cat at risk. "Cooking meat or pasteurizing raw milk destroys the bird flu virus and other disease-causing germs." apnews.com/article/cats... 🧵
December 31, 2024 at 9:21 PM
So, a few things things:
1. Regular cat food is cooked and therefore safe from bird flu. Only raw/undercooked meat and raw dairy put your cat at risk. "Cooking meat or pasteurizing raw milk destroys the bird flu virus and other disease-causing germs." apnews.com/article/cats... 🧵
1. Regular cat food is cooked and therefore safe from bird flu. Only raw/undercooked meat and raw dairy put your cat at risk. "Cooking meat or pasteurizing raw milk destroys the bird flu virus and other disease-causing germs." apnews.com/article/cats... 🧵
Reposted by Ashley Connors
The Library of Congress has literally one gazillion public domain photos and illustrations that are free to use for your projects!
www.loc.gov/free-to-use
www.loc.gov/free-to-use
October 8, 2024 at 8:31 PM
The Library of Congress has literally one gazillion public domain photos and illustrations that are free to use for your projects!
www.loc.gov/free-to-use
www.loc.gov/free-to-use
Reposted by Ashley Connors
Please respond/share and help reach the goal of 100 participants. Only 2 more to go!!!
December 19, 2024 at 11:35 PM
Please respond/share and help reach the goal of 100 participants. Only 2 more to go!!!
Reposted by Ashley Connors
Don’t drink raw milk yourself, but also don’t feed it to your pets. (And while we’re at it, keep your cats inside.) Cats have been infected via raw milk, as here or in the dairy barns elsewhere in this outbreak - and also by raw meat.
The mortality rate for cats with H5N1 infections is 50-67%.
🧪
The mortality rate for cats with H5N1 infections is 50-67%.
🧪
Cats in L.A. County die after drinking recalled raw milk
Los Angeles County health officials are investigating the deaths of two cats who became ill after drinking recalled H5N1 bird flu-infected raw milk.
www.latimes.com
December 15, 2024 at 6:25 PM
Don’t drink raw milk yourself, but also don’t feed it to your pets. (And while we’re at it, keep your cats inside.) Cats have been infected via raw milk, as here or in the dairy barns elsewhere in this outbreak - and also by raw meat.
The mortality rate for cats with H5N1 infections is 50-67%.
🧪
The mortality rate for cats with H5N1 infections is 50-67%.
🧪
Reposted by Ashley Connors
Excellent writing on the unregulated nutraceutical space. AKA untested ingredients w/unsubstantiated claims.
One of the first things the FDA requires are safety/toxicology tests, which includes monitoring the liver. Bypassing these safety studies puts patients at risk. #medsky #supplements
One of the first things the FDA requires are safety/toxicology tests, which includes monitoring the liver. Bypassing these safety studies puts patients at risk. #medsky #supplements
Case report links Nutrafol with liver injury. Just one more reason not to take it. open.substack.com/pub/vajenda/...
Nutrafol is Linked with Liver Injury
Just one more reason not to take it...
open.substack.com
December 11, 2024 at 6:52 PM
Excellent writing on the unregulated nutraceutical space. AKA untested ingredients w/unsubstantiated claims.
One of the first things the FDA requires are safety/toxicology tests, which includes monitoring the liver. Bypassing these safety studies puts patients at risk. #medsky #supplements
One of the first things the FDA requires are safety/toxicology tests, which includes monitoring the liver. Bypassing these safety studies puts patients at risk. #medsky #supplements