Ben Saunders
@bensaunders.bsky.social
Neuroscientist and gardener
Lab site- saunderslab.com
Lab site- saunderslab.com
Pinned
Ben Saunders
@bensaunders.bsky.social
· Nov 24
Ventral tegmental area GABA neurons integrate positive and negative valence - Nature Communications
The role of ventral tegmental area GABA neurons in behavior is unclear. Here, authors show that VTA GABA but not dopamine neurons integrate positive and negative valence to encode motivational conflic...
www.nature.com
So excited to see our latest paper out today in @natcomms.nature.com! Studies led by the amazing @margestelzner.bsky.social www.nature.com/articles/s41.... VTA GABA neurons have a unique role in economic decision making - they integrate reward seeking motivation and the current cost of seeking
Reposted by Ben Saunders
"We can have democracy in this country, or we can have great wealth concentrated in the hands of a few, but we can't have both." –Justice Louis Brandeis
Words spoken many years ago that are just as relevant today.
We must continue the fight to get big money out of politics.
Words spoken many years ago that are just as relevant today.
We must continue the fight to get big money out of politics.
February 16, 2026 at 11:01 PM
"We can have democracy in this country, or we can have great wealth concentrated in the hands of a few, but we can't have both." –Justice Louis Brandeis
Words spoken many years ago that are just as relevant today.
We must continue the fight to get big money out of politics.
Words spoken many years ago that are just as relevant today.
We must continue the fight to get big money out of politics.
Reposted by Ben Saunders
The SAVE Act would be the most restrictive voting legislation ever passed by Congress. bit.ly/4qrNeJO
The SAVE Act and the Election Power Grab
The revived bill is a serious threat to voting rights.
www.brennancenter.org
February 16, 2026 at 4:02 PM
The SAVE Act would be the most restrictive voting legislation ever passed by Congress. bit.ly/4qrNeJO
Reposted by Ben Saunders
NBC story on NIH Institute Director vacancies...
www.nbcnews.com/health/healt...
It is bad enough that national news networks (well, not CBS) are covering this story,,,
www.nbcnews.com/health/healt...
It is bad enough that national news networks (well, not CBS) are covering this story,,,
National Institutes of Health faces leadership vacuum as director positions sit open
More than half of the NIH's institutes and centers don’t have permanent directors, giving the Trump administration an unusual opportunity to reshape the agency. The latest departure came on Friday.
www.nbcnews.com
February 15, 2026 at 4:47 PM
NBC story on NIH Institute Director vacancies...
www.nbcnews.com/health/healt...
It is bad enough that national news networks (well, not CBS) are covering this story,,,
www.nbcnews.com/health/healt...
It is bad enough that national news networks (well, not CBS) are covering this story,,,
Reposted by Ben Saunders
"ICE operations in Pa. surge under the radar, destroying communities and lives"
Harrisburg, Scranton, Erie, Norristown. Even if ICE leaves Minnesota, they still need to be stopped
www.pennlive.com/news/2026/02...
Harrisburg, Scranton, Erie, Norristown. Even if ICE leaves Minnesota, they still need to be stopped
www.pennlive.com/news/2026/02...
ICE operations in Pa. surge under the radar, destroying communities and lives
In recent weeks, scores of immigrant communities have been targeted by ICE, resulting in arrests and even swift deportations. They are mostly happening under the radar but they are upending communitie...
www.pennlive.com
February 14, 2026 at 2:44 AM
"ICE operations in Pa. surge under the radar, destroying communities and lives"
Harrisburg, Scranton, Erie, Norristown. Even if ICE leaves Minnesota, they still need to be stopped
www.pennlive.com/news/2026/02...
Harrisburg, Scranton, Erie, Norristown. Even if ICE leaves Minnesota, they still need to be stopped
www.pennlive.com/news/2026/02...
Reposted by Ben Saunders
We continue to see no drawdown today with ICE activity in the Phillips neighborhood, Columbia Heights, and Shakopee.
Our pressure is working as the Senate bill to fund DHS did not pass last night. Keep up the pressure by reaching out to your federal representatives.
Our pressure is working as the Senate bill to fund DHS did not pass last night. Keep up the pressure by reaching out to your federal representatives.
February 13, 2026 at 7:32 PM
We continue to see no drawdown today with ICE activity in the Phillips neighborhood, Columbia Heights, and Shakopee.
Our pressure is working as the Senate bill to fund DHS did not pass last night. Keep up the pressure by reaching out to your federal representatives.
Our pressure is working as the Senate bill to fund DHS did not pass last night. Keep up the pressure by reaching out to your federal representatives.
Reposted by Ben Saunders
The American Academy of Pediatrics has become a leader in the effort to reverse RFK Jr.'s vaccine policies.
The success — or failure — of the group's approach will have consequences for kids' health nationwide.
Inside the AAP's plan for the MAHA age:
www.statnews.com/2026/02/13/a...
The success — or failure — of the group's approach will have consequences for kids' health nationwide.
Inside the AAP's plan for the MAHA age:
www.statnews.com/2026/02/13/a...
How pediatricians found themselves at war with RFK Jr.
The AAP has become a leading opponent of MAHA and RFK Jr.'s vaccine agenda.
www.statnews.com
February 13, 2026 at 1:21 PM
The American Academy of Pediatrics has become a leader in the effort to reverse RFK Jr.'s vaccine policies.
The success — or failure — of the group's approach will have consequences for kids' health nationwide.
Inside the AAP's plan for the MAHA age:
www.statnews.com/2026/02/13/a...
The success — or failure — of the group's approach will have consequences for kids' health nationwide.
Inside the AAP's plan for the MAHA age:
www.statnews.com/2026/02/13/a...
Reposted by Ben Saunders
Already seeing people not from around here saying "Minnesota won" and I just— It's not over yet. We don't know if they'll actually withdraw. And the damage is overwhelming. We need a lot of fucking help here. And there are still people in concentration camps.
Abolish ICE, shut down DHS, prosecute.
Abolish ICE, shut down DHS, prosecute.
February 12, 2026 at 5:26 PM
Already seeing people not from around here saying "Minnesota won" and I just— It's not over yet. We don't know if they'll actually withdraw. And the damage is overwhelming. We need a lot of fucking help here. And there are still people in concentration camps.
Abolish ICE, shut down DHS, prosecute.
Abolish ICE, shut down DHS, prosecute.
Reposted by Ben Saunders
Ending this operation is not enough.
We need justice and accountability. That starts with independent investigations into the murders of Renee Good and Alex Pretti, economic restitution for businesses impacted, abolishing ICE, and the impeachment of Kristi Noem.
We need justice and accountability. That starts with independent investigations into the murders of Renee Good and Alex Pretti, economic restitution for businesses impacted, abolishing ICE, and the impeachment of Kristi Noem.
February 12, 2026 at 5:07 PM
Ending this operation is not enough.
We need justice and accountability. That starts with independent investigations into the murders of Renee Good and Alex Pretti, economic restitution for businesses impacted, abolishing ICE, and the impeachment of Kristi Noem.
We need justice and accountability. That starts with independent investigations into the murders of Renee Good and Alex Pretti, economic restitution for businesses impacted, abolishing ICE, and the impeachment of Kristi Noem.
Reposted by Ben Saunders
NEW: ICE is leasing offices throughout the US as part of a secret, months-long expansion campaign. WIRED is publishing dozens of these locations.
ICE Is Expanding Across the US at Breakneck Speed. Here’s Where It’s Going Next
ICE plans to lease offices throughout the US as part of a secret, months-long expansion campaign. WIRED is publishing dozens of these locations.
www.wired.com
February 10, 2026 at 4:07 PM
NEW: ICE is leasing offices throughout the US as part of a secret, months-long expansion campaign. WIRED is publishing dozens of these locations.
Reposted by Ben Saunders
This is a catastrophic unforced error.
It was quite something to hear @ohsunews.bsky.social President Shereef Elnahal equate the shambolic lies of fringe groups (“others”) with the heartfelt & credible testimony of the scientists & veterinarians in his employ.
“Teammates” don’t support rivals.
It was quite something to hear @ohsunews.bsky.social President Shereef Elnahal equate the shambolic lies of fringe groups (“others”) with the heartfelt & credible testimony of the scientists & veterinarians in his employ.
“Teammates” don’t support rivals.
February 10, 2026 at 4:24 AM
This is a catastrophic unforced error.
It was quite something to hear @ohsunews.bsky.social President Shereef Elnahal equate the shambolic lies of fringe groups (“others”) with the heartfelt & credible testimony of the scientists & veterinarians in his employ.
“Teammates” don’t support rivals.
It was quite something to hear @ohsunews.bsky.social President Shereef Elnahal equate the shambolic lies of fringe groups (“others”) with the heartfelt & credible testimony of the scientists & veterinarians in his employ.
“Teammates” don’t support rivals.
Reposted by Ben Saunders
President Mandela said, "there can be no keener revelation of a society's soul than the way in which it treats its children."
“I Have Been Here Too Long”: Read Letters from the Children Detained at ICE’s Dilley Facility
Hundreds of children are currently being held with their parents at an immigration detention center in Dilley, Texas. In letters and drawings, eight kids convey the pain of feeling trapped with no end...
www.propublica.org
February 9, 2026 at 11:36 PM
President Mandela said, "there can be no keener revelation of a society's soul than the way in which it treats its children."
Reposted by Ben Saunders
Cmon now guys. If any Dem says anything besides shut down until this is all gone then there's no need for federal government at all. These are concentration camps. If you're too scared to say so then you're part of the problem.
In the last month ICE has bought warehouses in:
- Hagerstown, MD: $102 million
- Surprise, AZ: $70 million
- Hamburg, PA: $87 million
- Tremont, PA: $120 million
- San Antonio, TX: $82 million
- El Paso, TX: $123 million
- Social Circle, GA: price unknown
This is unprecedented.
- Hagerstown, MD: $102 million
- Surprise, AZ: $70 million
- Hamburg, PA: $87 million
- Tremont, PA: $120 million
- San Antonio, TX: $82 million
- El Paso, TX: $123 million
- Social Circle, GA: price unknown
This is unprecedented.
February 9, 2026 at 6:48 PM
Cmon now guys. If any Dem says anything besides shut down until this is all gone then there's no need for federal government at all. These are concentration camps. If you're too scared to say so then you're part of the problem.
Reposted by Ben Saunders
$1.65M per day in DC alone. That’s approximately two NIH R01 Grant *years* burned per day. Ninety *five year* R01s projects burned in the last seven months with no end in sight.
Instead of lasting scientific advance we get….what?
Civil rights violations and authoritarian replacement of democracy.
Instead of lasting scientific advance we get….what?
Civil rights violations and authoritarian replacement of democracy.
A new report from Democratic members of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee finds that the deployment of the National Guard in D.C. is costing $1.65 million a day, and over seven months has hit $332 million. The report is here: hsgac.senate.gov/wp-content/upl…
February 9, 2026 at 5:32 PM
$1.65M per day in DC alone. That’s approximately two NIH R01 Grant *years* burned per day. Ninety *five year* R01s projects burned in the last seven months with no end in sight.
Instead of lasting scientific advance we get….what?
Civil rights violations and authoritarian replacement of democracy.
Instead of lasting scientific advance we get….what?
Civil rights violations and authoritarian replacement of democracy.
Reposted by Ben Saunders
U.K. might lose a prime minister because a guy who worked for him knew another guy who hung out with Epstein. Meanwhile the U.S. opposition party is telling our President, who was Epstein's best friend, that his secret police should get better training so their public street murders look less messy.
February 9, 2026 at 4:07 PM
U.K. might lose a prime minister because a guy who worked for him knew another guy who hung out with Epstein. Meanwhile the U.S. opposition party is telling our President, who was Epstein's best friend, that his secret police should get better training so their public street murders look less messy.
Reposted by Ben Saunders
First of a few postings for jobs in my lab-we are hiring an entry level technician! www.gwu.jobs/postings/124...
Research Assistant
This Research Assistant position contributes to research/development by assisting with experiments in a controlled laboratory setting. The core responsibilities of this position include assisting with...
www.gwu.jobs
February 6, 2026 at 8:53 PM
First of a few postings for jobs in my lab-we are hiring an entry level technician! www.gwu.jobs/postings/124...
Reposted by Ben Saunders
No Kings includes Draft Kings
February 8, 2026 at 11:49 PM
No Kings includes Draft Kings
Really honored, floored honestly, to receive the faculty mentorship award, which is nominated and voted on by the grad students, today at our annual neuroscience graduate program retreat. I feel a little sheepish posting about it but it really means a lot to me!
February 7, 2026 at 11:14 PM
Really honored, floored honestly, to receive the faculty mentorship award, which is nominated and voted on by the grad students, today at our annual neuroscience graduate program retreat. I feel a little sheepish posting about it but it really means a lot to me!
Reposted by Ben Saunders
The first Bandcamp Friday of 2026 is this Friday, February 6th. From midnight to midnight PDT, we'll be waive our revenue share and pass the funds directly to artists & labels. Mark your calendars and get those wishlists ready. daily.bandcamp.com/features/ban...
February 4, 2026 at 5:20 PM
The first Bandcamp Friday of 2026 is this Friday, February 6th. From midnight to midnight PDT, we'll be waive our revenue share and pass the funds directly to artists & labels. Mark your calendars and get those wishlists ready. daily.bandcamp.com/features/ban...
Reposted by Ben Saunders
How does neuronal gene expression evolve over time in response to experience? CytoTape will help us find out - a major milestone for neuroscience, providing new ways to study memory & aging 🧠
Congrats to the whole team! Looking forward to our continued collaboration on this work 🎉
Congrats to the whole team! Looking forward to our continued collaboration on this work 🎉
Our CytoTape work is published today in Nature @nature.com! CytoTape is a genetically encoded, flexible, intracellular protein tape recorder for spatiotemporally scalable and multiplexed recording of cellular activities continuously across weeks in vitro and in vivo. www.nature.com/articles/s41...
February 6, 2026 at 4:24 PM
How does neuronal gene expression evolve over time in response to experience? CytoTape will help us find out - a major milestone for neuroscience, providing new ways to study memory & aging 🧠
Congrats to the whole team! Looking forward to our continued collaboration on this work 🎉
Congrats to the whole team! Looking forward to our continued collaboration on this work 🎉
Reposted by Ben Saunders
Reminder there are still 2000 active goons destroying our city and kidnapping civilians to such an extreme extent that kids cant even go to school normally
ICE surge news: Minneapolis Public Schools has extended *optional* distance learning until April 6.
February 6, 2026 at 2:15 PM
Reminder there are still 2000 active goons destroying our city and kidnapping civilians to such an extreme extent that kids cant even go to school normally
Reposted by Ben Saunders
Take action TODAY. Provide public comment in writing by emailing ohsuboard@ohsu.edu by THIS FRIDAY, Feb. 6 at noon PT. Include “For public comment” in the subject line. The battles are local AND national. All NHP researchers in the USA are at risk next.
www.politico.com/news/2026/02...
www.politico.com/news/2026/02...
February 5, 2026 at 2:59 PM
Take action TODAY. Provide public comment in writing by emailing ohsuboard@ohsu.edu by THIS FRIDAY, Feb. 6 at noon PT. Include “For public comment” in the subject line. The battles are local AND national. All NHP researchers in the USA are at risk next.
www.politico.com/news/2026/02...
www.politico.com/news/2026/02...
Reposted by Ben Saunders
The headline should be, "DHS to keep 2,000 immigration officers in Minnesota."
Instead, it seems the entirety of the traditional media went with, "DHS to withdraw 700 immigration officers from Minnesota."
This presser worked like a charm.
Instead, it seems the entirety of the traditional media went with, "DHS to withdraw 700 immigration officers from Minnesota."
This presser worked like a charm.
Homan in Minneapolis: "Effective immediately, we will draw down 700 people effective today."
February 4, 2026 at 3:43 PM
The headline should be, "DHS to keep 2,000 immigration officers in Minnesota."
Instead, it seems the entirety of the traditional media went with, "DHS to withdraw 700 immigration officers from Minnesota."
This presser worked like a charm.
Instead, it seems the entirety of the traditional media went with, "DHS to withdraw 700 immigration officers from Minnesota."
This presser worked like a charm.
Reposted by Ben Saunders
Minimizing the window where I read about how our world is a joke and we're at the mercy of megalomaniacal evil perverts. Logging on to the work zoom. "Heyyyy I'm good! How are you?"
February 4, 2026 at 2:14 AM
Minimizing the window where I read about how our world is a joke and we're at the mercy of megalomaniacal evil perverts. Logging on to the work zoom. "Heyyyy I'm good! How are you?"
Reposted by Ben Saunders
Please stop saying the bill allows "no more multi-year funding" - or at least be clear the 'more' is in reference to disastrous FY25 levels.
The bill allows 39% MYF, same as in FY25, which contributed substantially to a 24% drop in new research.
The bill has some wins. MYF is not one of them.
The bill allows 39% MYF, same as in FY25, which contributed substantially to a 24% drop in new research.
The bill has some wins. MYF is not one of them.
Both chambers of Congress have now passed the FY26 minibus with NIH provisions. The President will sign.
(1) $48.7 billion for NIH
(2) Full IDC recovery
(3) No more multi-year funding
(4) No NIH reorganization, maintaining the current IC structure.
(1) $48.7 billion for NIH
(2) Full IDC recovery
(3) No more multi-year funding
(4) No NIH reorganization, maintaining the current IC structure.
February 3, 2026 at 9:38 PM
Please stop saying the bill allows "no more multi-year funding" - or at least be clear the 'more' is in reference to disastrous FY25 levels.
The bill allows 39% MYF, same as in FY25, which contributed substantially to a 24% drop in new research.
The bill has some wins. MYF is not one of them.
The bill allows 39% MYF, same as in FY25, which contributed substantially to a 24% drop in new research.
The bill has some wins. MYF is not one of them.