Anne A. Madden, PhD (she/her)
@anneamadden.bsky.social
Microbe wrangler, scientist, TED speaker. Creator of wasp yeast beer, discover of microbial solutions for human problems, explorer of the microbial cosmos… and bouncy ball enthusiast. (Founder: The Microbe Institute) #microbes & #sciart
So excited about this project! My institute is teaming up with the only museum dedicated to the craft of beadwork to create a truly remarkable—AND GLITTERY— science-art & education experience in 2026. See how you can participate in one of the planned exhibits in this thread below #sicart #scicomm
August 26, 2025 at 5:42 PM
Reposted by Anne A. Madden, PhD (she/her)
I love this visual abstract! What a fantastic paper. Check it out!
Listening Deeply to Indigenous People: A Collaborative Perspective and Reflection Between a Mapuche Machi and Ecologists
Two-eyed seeing offers a way to see with both Indigenous Traditional Ecological Knowledge and Western ecological sciences. In this collaborative perspective piece between ecologists and a Mapuche spi....
onlinelibrary.wiley.com
August 12, 2025 at 3:42 PM
I love this visual abstract! What a fantastic paper. Check it out!
The Microbe Institute is teaming up w/the Museum of Beadwork to host an art competition. The theme: Microbes & Mushrooms: Nature's Artistry in Detail. We challenge you to create a piece that introduces audiences to the microbial realm. #sciart
www.museumofbeadwork.org/pages/microbe-challenge
www.museumofbeadwork.org/pages/microbe-challenge
August 11, 2025 at 6:58 PM
The Microbe Institute is teaming up w/the Museum of Beadwork to host an art competition. The theme: Microbes & Mushrooms: Nature's Artistry in Detail. We challenge you to create a piece that introduces audiences to the microbial realm. #sciart
www.museumofbeadwork.org/pages/microbe-challenge
www.museumofbeadwork.org/pages/microbe-challenge
A common issue in media reports on wasps is that the image associated with the article is very often that of a fly mimic, not a wasp.
In light of that, I very much appreciate that birds are better at discriminating a fly from a wasp than we (historically) have been.
In light of that, I very much appreciate that birds are better at discriminating a fly from a wasp than we (historically) have been.
Birds have an excellent ability to learn to discriminate harmless insects from those that they mimic on the basis of subtle differences in appearance, according to a study in Nature. go.nature.com/44yj4M5 🧪
July 3, 2025 at 1:39 PM
A common issue in media reports on wasps is that the image associated with the article is very often that of a fly mimic, not a wasp.
In light of that, I very much appreciate that birds are better at discriminating a fly from a wasp than we (historically) have been.
In light of that, I very much appreciate that birds are better at discriminating a fly from a wasp than we (historically) have been.
Reposted by Anne A. Madden, PhD (she/her)
Harmful algal bloom species Microcystis aeruginosa releases thiamin antivitamins to suppress competitors journals.asm.org/doi/full/10.... #jcampubs
July 3, 2025 at 1:28 PM
Harmful algal bloom species Microcystis aeruginosa releases thiamin antivitamins to suppress competitors journals.asm.org/doi/full/10.... #jcampubs
Reposted by Anne A. Madden, PhD (she/her)
If you, like me, are confused about the relationship of the "Big Beautiful Bill" to the 2025-2026 Federal budget and its relevance to science funding and other issues, here is a GREAT explainer from my friend Kevin Wilson 🧪@ascbiology.bsky.social
The "Big Beautiful Bill" isn’t the federal budget—it’s a reconciliation bill focused on tax cuts. The real FY26 funding decisions for NIH, NSF, and more are happening now in Congress.
www.ascb.org/science-poli...
www.ascb.org/science-poli...
The "Big Beautiful Bill" is Not the Budget - ASCB
If you’ve read recent news about Congress trying to pass “the budget,” you may have noticed that even Washington, D.C. reporters don’t always have a firm grasp on the details of what they’re covering....
www.ascb.org
July 1, 2025 at 10:32 PM
If you, like me, are confused about the relationship of the "Big Beautiful Bill" to the 2025-2026 Federal budget and its relevance to science funding and other issues, here is a GREAT explainer from my friend Kevin Wilson 🧪@ascbiology.bsky.social
Hear me out... what if the orcas aren't exploring ways of sharing food with us (in an example of pro-social behavior) but instead testing which baits work for hunting humans??
psycnet.apa.org/fulltext/202...
#TeamWhale
psycnet.apa.org/fulltext/202...
#TeamWhale
APA PsycNet
psycnet.apa.org
July 2, 2025 at 4:11 PM
Hear me out... what if the orcas aren't exploring ways of sharing food with us (in an example of pro-social behavior) but instead testing which baits work for hunting humans??
psycnet.apa.org/fulltext/202...
#TeamWhale
psycnet.apa.org/fulltext/202...
#TeamWhale
After hiding in an internet hole for a bit, I'm back, & here w/a bit of whimsy, some science, & the space in between. Today I learned that the Tonka bean tree (of candle aroma fame) evolved to kill its enemies w/lightening (as the media headline described.) METAL! www.livescience.com/planet-earth...
Tree that kills its 'enemies' with lightning discovered
Tonka bean trees survive lightning strikes — and use the powerful electric shocks to kill their competitors.
www.livescience.com
July 2, 2025 at 3:45 PM
After hiding in an internet hole for a bit, I'm back, & here w/a bit of whimsy, some science, & the space in between. Today I learned that the Tonka bean tree (of candle aroma fame) evolved to kill its enemies w/lightening (as the media headline described.) METAL! www.livescience.com/planet-earth...
Reposted by Anne A. Madden, PhD (she/her)
GODDAMIT. IT’S NOT A RESURRECTED DIRE WOLF. 20 edits in 19,000 genes.
IT’S NOT GOING TO AID CONSERVATION.
EVERY WRITE UP THAT SWALLOWS AND REGURGITATES THIS GUFFERY WOLFSHIT IS DOING PR FOR A FUNDING ROUND.
IT’S NOT GOING TO AID CONSERVATION.
EVERY WRITE UP THAT SWALLOWS AND REGURGITATES THIS GUFFERY WOLFSHIT IS DOING PR FOR A FUNDING ROUND.
April 8, 2025 at 12:05 PM
GODDAMIT. IT’S NOT A RESURRECTED DIRE WOLF. 20 edits in 19,000 genes.
IT’S NOT GOING TO AID CONSERVATION.
EVERY WRITE UP THAT SWALLOWS AND REGURGITATES THIS GUFFERY WOLFSHIT IS DOING PR FOR A FUNDING ROUND.
IT’S NOT GOING TO AID CONSERVATION.
EVERY WRITE UP THAT SWALLOWS AND REGURGITATES THIS GUFFERY WOLFSHIT IS DOING PR FOR A FUNDING ROUND.
Reposted by Anne A. Madden, PhD (she/her)
📣 Calling on individuals interested in:
✨ Reinforcing the potential of preprints and expanding their uptake
✨ Role of preprints in improving trust and integrity
✨ Preprints in the Global South
✨ Institutional recognition of preprints
If that's you, let us know!
✨ Reinforcing the potential of preprints and expanding their uptake
✨ Role of preprints in improving trust and integrity
✨ Preprints in the Global South
✨ Institutional recognition of preprints
If that's you, let us know!
March 20, 2025 at 2:13 PM
📣 Calling on individuals interested in:
✨ Reinforcing the potential of preprints and expanding their uptake
✨ Role of preprints in improving trust and integrity
✨ Preprints in the Global South
✨ Institutional recognition of preprints
If that's you, let us know!
✨ Reinforcing the potential of preprints and expanding their uptake
✨ Role of preprints in improving trust and integrity
✨ Preprints in the Global South
✨ Institutional recognition of preprints
If that's you, let us know!
Gave a webinar on careers in science communication at @harvardmed.bsky.social today. I managed to reference unicorns, whales, and gingerbread in an on-topic way (I swear). Wish I had access to this full career seminar series when I was in grad school! #scicomm
February 27, 2025 at 7:20 PM
Gave a webinar on careers in science communication at @harvardmed.bsky.social today. I managed to reference unicorns, whales, and gingerbread in an on-topic way (I swear). Wish I had access to this full career seminar series when I was in grad school! #scicomm
Reposted by Anne A. Madden, PhD (she/her)
For decades, the US government has painstakingly kept American science #1 globally—and every facet of American life has improved because of it. The internet? Flu shot? Ozempic? All grew out of federally-funded research. Now all that's being dismantled. 1/ www.technologyreview.com/2025/02/21/1...
The foundations of America’s prosperity are being dismantled
Federal scientists warn that Americans could feel the effects of the new administration's devastating cuts for decades to come
www.technologyreview.com
February 21, 2025 at 1:01 PM
For decades, the US government has painstakingly kept American science #1 globally—and every facet of American life has improved because of it. The internet? Flu shot? Ozempic? All grew out of federally-funded research. Now all that's being dismantled. 1/ www.technologyreview.com/2025/02/21/1...
Reposted by Anne A. Madden, PhD (she/her)
Every scientist, long before they were a scientist, was a little kid who stood in front of a fish tank or stared up at the stars or turned over a rock to look at the bugs underneath and said “wow”. On the best days, working in science still feels like that.
February 19, 2025 at 2:08 AM
Every scientist, long before they were a scientist, was a little kid who stood in front of a fish tank or stared up at the stars or turned over a rock to look at the bugs underneath and said “wow”. On the best days, working in science still feels like that.
Reposted by Anne A. Madden, PhD (she/her)
If a NBA team worth about $5B fired all its players and went from a $150M to a $0 payroll does that mean the team was efficient and saved money? Or, does it mean there is no basketball team and there is no more revenue because then no one comes and the team is worthless?
#analogies
#analogies
February 19, 2025 at 3:12 PM
If a NBA team worth about $5B fired all its players and went from a $150M to a $0 payroll does that mean the team was efficient and saved money? Or, does it mean there is no basketball team and there is no more revenue because then no one comes and the team is worthless?
#analogies
#analogies
This is a brilliant resource!! Please share widely!
This is amazing 😍😍 @500womensci.bsky.social has made cards for each state on funding for NSF and NIH avail for download bit.ly/NSF_bystate & bit.ly/NIH_bystate if they are helpful for folks
NSF state cards - Google Drive
bit.ly
February 19, 2025 at 3:44 PM
This is a brilliant resource!! Please share widely!
Even in the darkness, there is light. Even in isolating times, there are allies.
A photo of me wearing living jewelry containing a naturally bioluminescent microbe that sometimes partners with a fish species to help it avoid predators.
Be the light. Be the ally.
#scicomm #lessonsfrommicrobes
A photo of me wearing living jewelry containing a naturally bioluminescent microbe that sometimes partners with a fish species to help it avoid predators.
Be the light. Be the ally.
#scicomm #lessonsfrommicrobes
February 19, 2025 at 1:48 PM
Even in the darkness, there is light. Even in isolating times, there are allies.
A photo of me wearing living jewelry containing a naturally bioluminescent microbe that sometimes partners with a fish species to help it avoid predators.
Be the light. Be the ally.
#scicomm #lessonsfrommicrobes
A photo of me wearing living jewelry containing a naturally bioluminescent microbe that sometimes partners with a fish species to help it avoid predators.
Be the light. Be the ally.
#scicomm #lessonsfrommicrobes
Reposted by Anne A. Madden, PhD (she/her)
Jumping back in to #FebruArty after being away for a bit - today’s prompt is glasses
Went looking for a self portrait to post & came across this instead
A response to the prompt ‘transparency’ in the #SciCommInk challenge a few years ago
Went looking for a self portrait to post & came across this instead
A response to the prompt ‘transparency’ in the #SciCommInk challenge a few years ago
February 18, 2025 at 7:03 PM
Jumping back in to #FebruArty after being away for a bit - today’s prompt is glasses
Went looking for a self portrait to post & came across this instead
A response to the prompt ‘transparency’ in the #SciCommInk challenge a few years ago
Went looking for a self portrait to post & came across this instead
A response to the prompt ‘transparency’ in the #SciCommInk challenge a few years ago
I'm giving a seminar on careers in science communication to an audience of graduate students at a leading university next week. Any things you all want to make sure I share?
#SciComm
(Photo is a mirror selfie of me before I gave a commencement speech a few years back...yes, my hat is on backwards)
#SciComm
(Photo is a mirror selfie of me before I gave a commencement speech a few years back...yes, my hat is on backwards)
February 18, 2025 at 8:13 PM
I'm giving a seminar on careers in science communication to an audience of graduate students at a leading university next week. Any things you all want to make sure I share?
#SciComm
(Photo is a mirror selfie of me before I gave a commencement speech a few years back...yes, my hat is on backwards)
#SciComm
(Photo is a mirror selfie of me before I gave a commencement speech a few years back...yes, my hat is on backwards)
Reposted by Anne A. Madden, PhD (she/her)
Devastated to hear what’s happening at #NSF. Dear colleagues, program managers, affected by this, there are no words to thank you for your service and dedication - always advocating for excellence in research & demonstrating committment to uplifting the nations scientific enterprise. #nowords
February 18, 2025 at 6:57 PM
Reposted by Anne A. Madden, PhD (she/her)
Teaching the next generations of young scientists a practical course about biofilms in building plumbing potable water... these are some fabulous images from their own shower hoses 🦠🧫
February 18, 2025 at 6:29 PM
Teaching the next generations of young scientists a practical course about biofilms in building plumbing potable water... these are some fabulous images from their own shower hoses 🦠🧫
My research in graduate school was funded by an NSF GRFP. They invested in me to study the microbes of paper wasps of all things- the most basic and fundamental of sciences. Ten years later, this research led to patented brewing technology commercialized across the world. ... #NSF
February 18, 2025 at 6:53 PM
My research in graduate school was funded by an NSF GRFP. They invested in me to study the microbes of paper wasps of all things- the most basic and fundamental of sciences. Ten years later, this research led to patented brewing technology commercialized across the world. ... #NSF
Hey @defcon.bsky.social can this year’s event be about whitehat hacking not just for safer/more secure voting machines, but for democracy and free science?
Asking for about 335m friends…
Asking for about 335m friends…
February 14, 2025 at 5:57 PM
Hey @defcon.bsky.social can this year’s event be about whitehat hacking not just for safer/more secure voting machines, but for democracy and free science?
Asking for about 335m friends…
Asking for about 335m friends…
Needing a reminder that the collective action of many tiny creatures can have profound effects? This petri plate holds more living organisms than there are people in the USA.
#sciart #microbes #yeast #valentinesday #scicomm
#sciart #microbes #yeast #valentinesday #scicomm
February 14, 2025 at 5:51 PM
Needing a reminder that the collective action of many tiny creatures can have profound effects? This petri plate holds more living organisms than there are people in the USA.
#sciart #microbes #yeast #valentinesday #scicomm
#sciart #microbes #yeast #valentinesday #scicomm
Reposted by Anne A. Madden, PhD (she/her)
Bacterial community function increases leaf growth in a pitcher plant experimental system
#mSystems by @jess-bernardin.bsky.social et al
journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/...
#mSystems by @jess-bernardin.bsky.social et al
journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/...
November 26, 2024 at 11:28 AM
Bacterial community function increases leaf growth in a pitcher plant experimental system
#mSystems by @jess-bernardin.bsky.social et al
journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/...
#mSystems by @jess-bernardin.bsky.social et al
journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/...
Reposted by Anne A. Madden, PhD (she/her)
Thanks to everyone who has amplified and shared the initial starter pack. I have started another to amplify more Black Scientists here go.bsky.app/BkaCHkp
November 24, 2024 at 8:39 PM
Thanks to everyone who has amplified and shared the initial starter pack. I have started another to amplify more Black Scientists here go.bsky.app/BkaCHkp