Caitlin Vander Weele, PhD
@caitvw.bsky.social
Founder & CEO at Stellate Communications. Midwest manners with Big Apple hustle. Ex-neuroscientist at MIT. She/her. Say hi 👋🏻 caitlin@stellatecomms.com
Pinned
It's grant season & @stellatecomms.bsky.social just passed a major milestone: $50M+ in funding for our clients ✨
We've supported 108 submissions (41% success; 14 pending) to the NIH, NSF & leading foundations.
We have a few more project openings this Fall 📩 Email us: inquiries@stellatecomms.com
We've supported 108 submissions (41% success; 14 pending) to the NIH, NSF & leading foundations.
We have a few more project openings this Fall 📩 Email us: inquiries@stellatecomms.com
Reposted by Caitlin Vander Weele, PhD
In human teeth, stressful periods can actually cause irreversible changes in the enamel.
We don't know if the same is true in snails, but it's still fascinating to see the similarities.
Learn more about our work here: www.thedunnlab.com/teeth
We don't know if the same is true in snails, but it's still fascinating to see the similarities.
Learn more about our work here: www.thedunnlab.com/teeth
The Dunn Lab | Teeth
The Dunn Lab studies baby teeth as novel biomarkers of mental health risk.
www.thedunnlab.com
November 19, 2025 at 6:19 PM
In human teeth, stressful periods can actually cause irreversible changes in the enamel.
We don't know if the same is true in snails, but it's still fascinating to see the similarities.
Learn more about our work here: www.thedunnlab.com/teeth
We don't know if the same is true in snails, but it's still fascinating to see the similarities.
Learn more about our work here: www.thedunnlab.com/teeth
Reposted by Caitlin Vander Weele, PhD
In this special issue of @harvardrevpsych.bsky.social, Special Issue Co-Editors Drs. Roffman and Dunn present insights from scientific teams working on the cutting edge of prevention and early intervention for psychiatric illness @drerindunn.bsky.social journals.lww.com/hrpjournal/f...
journals.lww.com
January 6, 2026 at 9:00 PM
In this special issue of @harvardrevpsych.bsky.social, Special Issue Co-Editors Drs. Roffman and Dunn present insights from scientific teams working on the cutting edge of prevention and early intervention for psychiatric illness @drerindunn.bsky.social journals.lww.com/hrpjournal/f...
Reposted by Caitlin Vander Weele, PhD
It's always rewarding to connect with trainees at events like #Sfn25 & #NER2025.
In these conversations, more and more students are asking how to break into Neurotech—fortunately for them, the community is stepping up with great resources to help them navigate their paths 🧵1/4
In these conversations, more and more students are asking how to break into Neurotech—fortunately for them, the community is stepping up with great resources to help them navigate their paths 🧵1/4
December 2, 2025 at 11:13 PM
Reposted by Caitlin Vander Weele, PhD
This conversation between @davideagleman.bsky.social & Sergey Stavisky––two influential voices in the field––is a great primer on where #BCI is headed and what breakthroughs can mean for patients.
Well worth a listen for anyone following the future of Neurotech👇🏽
tinyurl.com/4nfr8e47
Well worth a listen for anyone following the future of Neurotech👇🏽
tinyurl.com/4nfr8e47
What happens when we marry brains to machines? with Sergey Stavisky
What is a brain-computer interface? How can a paralyzed person use her brain to control a robotic arm? How can someone who’s lost the gift of speech use brain signals to broadcast his voice a…
tinyurl.com
December 18, 2025 at 4:16 PM
This conversation between @davideagleman.bsky.social & Sergey Stavisky––two influential voices in the field––is a great primer on where #BCI is headed and what breakthroughs can mean for patients.
Well worth a listen for anyone following the future of Neurotech👇🏽
tinyurl.com/4nfr8e47
Well worth a listen for anyone following the future of Neurotech👇🏽
tinyurl.com/4nfr8e47
Reposted by Caitlin Vander Weele, PhD
New paper for #neurips2025!
AI models adjust millions of internal settings to get better at a task. But how are these adjustments determined? For decades, we've mostly figured this out through trial & error.
We took a different approach...🧵 (1/6)
🔗 openreview.net/forum?id=oMi...
AI models adjust millions of internal settings to get better at a task. But how are these adjustments determined? For decades, we've mostly figured this out through trial & error.
We took a different approach...🧵 (1/6)
🔗 openreview.net/forum?id=oMi...
December 16, 2025 at 7:29 PM
New paper for #neurips2025!
AI models adjust millions of internal settings to get better at a task. But how are these adjustments determined? For decades, we've mostly figured this out through trial & error.
We took a different approach...🧵 (1/6)
🔗 openreview.net/forum?id=oMi...
AI models adjust millions of internal settings to get better at a task. But how are these adjustments determined? For decades, we've mostly figured this out through trial & error.
We took a different approach...🧵 (1/6)
🔗 openreview.net/forum?id=oMi...
Reposted by Caitlin Vander Weele, PhD
Wow, such an insightful and substantive open floor discussion at last night's Memory Hub meeting! 🤓
Do we need ANY of the same synapses that were active during learning to be reactivated to recall a memory? Lines have been drawn and sides taken!
Do we need ANY of the same synapses that were active during learning to be reactivated to recall a memory? Lines have been drawn and sides taken!
December 3, 2025 at 4:43 PM
Wow, such an insightful and substantive open floor discussion at last night's Memory Hub meeting! 🤓
Do we need ANY of the same synapses that were active during learning to be reactivated to recall a memory? Lines have been drawn and sides taken!
Do we need ANY of the same synapses that were active during learning to be reactivated to recall a memory? Lines have been drawn and sides taken!
Reposted by Caitlin Vander Weele, PhD
No one can ever accuse Dr. Helen Mayberg @sinaibrain.bsky.social of being a chicken 🐔 🐓
From her cutting edge work in DBS for anhedonic depression to her bold fashion choices, she is the definition of avant garde #FashionsOfACNP #ACNP2026 @acnporg.bsky.social
From her cutting edge work in DBS for anhedonic depression to her bold fashion choices, she is the definition of avant garde #FashionsOfACNP #ACNP2026 @acnporg.bsky.social
January 18, 2026 at 7:55 PM
No one can ever accuse Dr. Helen Mayberg @sinaibrain.bsky.social of being a chicken 🐔 🐓
From her cutting edge work in DBS for anhedonic depression to her bold fashion choices, she is the definition of avant garde #FashionsOfACNP #ACNP2026 @acnporg.bsky.social
From her cutting edge work in DBS for anhedonic depression to her bold fashion choices, she is the definition of avant garde #FashionsOfACNP #ACNP2026 @acnporg.bsky.social
Reposted by Caitlin Vander Weele, PhD
I edited a special issue of Addiction Neuroscience on dopamine circuitry & heterogeneity in addiction - now complete!🧠🧪
Check out the full issue & my editorial (all open access) here: www.sciencedirect.com/special-issu...
Check out the full issue & my editorial (all open access) here: www.sciencedirect.com/special-issu...
Addiction Neuroscience | Dopamine circuitry and heterogeneity in addiction | ScienceDirect.com by Elsevier
The heterogeneity of midbrain dopamine neurons is coming into focus. Distinct subtypes of dopamine neurons can be identified across the ventral tegmental area (VTA) and substantia nigra pars compacta ...
www.sciencedirect.com
January 19, 2026 at 2:11 PM
I edited a special issue of Addiction Neuroscience on dopamine circuitry & heterogeneity in addiction - now complete!🧠🧪
Check out the full issue & my editorial (all open access) here: www.sciencedirect.com/special-issu...
Check out the full issue & my editorial (all open access) here: www.sciencedirect.com/special-issu...
Reposted by Caitlin Vander Weele, PhD
#Cannabis should not be treated like a medical panacea. Like any other treatment, we need strong evidence of its safety & efficacy before confidently supporting its use for medical conditions.
A recent review from Dr. Kevin Hill highlights the knowledge gaps we still need to fill: bit.ly/3Ksrui6
A recent review from Dr. Kevin Hill highlights the knowledge gaps we still need to fill: bit.ly/3Ksrui6
December 4, 2025 at 8:32 PM
#Cannabis should not be treated like a medical panacea. Like any other treatment, we need strong evidence of its safety & efficacy before confidently supporting its use for medical conditions.
A recent review from Dr. Kevin Hill highlights the knowledge gaps we still need to fill: bit.ly/3Ksrui6
A recent review from Dr. Kevin Hill highlights the knowledge gaps we still need to fill: bit.ly/3Ksrui6
Reposted by Caitlin Vander Weele, PhD
Reclassifying #cannabis could expand research to understand its possible clinical use. At the same time, it’s important to remain thoughtful about potential addiction & mental health risks, particularly for adolescents & young adults.
More in @newsweek.com: www.newsweek.com/is-donald-tr...
More in @newsweek.com: www.newsweek.com/is-donald-tr...
December 18, 2025 at 6:07 PM
Reclassifying #cannabis could expand research to understand its possible clinical use. At the same time, it’s important to remain thoughtful about potential addiction & mental health risks, particularly for adolescents & young adults.
More in @newsweek.com: www.newsweek.com/is-donald-tr...
More in @newsweek.com: www.newsweek.com/is-donald-tr...
Reposted by Caitlin Vander Weele, PhD
Identifying the neural pathways that link drug cues to relapse is critical to improving substance use disorder treatments.
New work from my lab found that #CBD reduces cue-driven heroin seeking in rats, related to changes in gene expression 🧠👇
www.biologicalpsychiatryjournal.com/article/S000...
New work from my lab found that #CBD reduces cue-driven heroin seeking in rats, related to changes in gene expression 🧠👇
www.biologicalpsychiatryjournal.com/article/S000...
January 9, 2026 at 7:11 PM
Identifying the neural pathways that link drug cues to relapse is critical to improving substance use disorder treatments.
New work from my lab found that #CBD reduces cue-driven heroin seeking in rats, related to changes in gene expression 🧠👇
www.biologicalpsychiatryjournal.com/article/S000...
New work from my lab found that #CBD reduces cue-driven heroin seeking in rats, related to changes in gene expression 🧠👇
www.biologicalpsychiatryjournal.com/article/S000...
Reposted by Caitlin Vander Weele, PhD
Many of today's youth are under the misconception that #cannabis is not addictive, but the truth is, it can be.
I spoke with Impact Parents about empowering youth to understand the effects of cannabis use on their brains and health 🧠 ⬇️ www.youtube.com/watch?v=-wZu...
I spoke with Impact Parents about empowering youth to understand the effects of cannabis use on their brains and health 🧠 ⬇️ www.youtube.com/watch?v=-wZu...
January 15, 2026 at 7:50 PM
Many of today's youth are under the misconception that #cannabis is not addictive, but the truth is, it can be.
I spoke with Impact Parents about empowering youth to understand the effects of cannabis use on their brains and health 🧠 ⬇️ www.youtube.com/watch?v=-wZu...
I spoke with Impact Parents about empowering youth to understand the effects of cannabis use on their brains and health 🧠 ⬇️ www.youtube.com/watch?v=-wZu...
Reposted by Caitlin Vander Weele, PhD
Arc’s Science Fellows program gives a springboard to recent PhD and/or MD students to become a PI right out of grad school.
Interested? Apply by Jan 12 or hear from our team and current Fellows Jingtian Zhou, Uche Medoh, and @mayaarce.bsky.social in this video: youtu.be/3Qs5cmXxsWQ
Interested? Apply by Jan 12 or hear from our team and current Fellows Jingtian Zhou, Uche Medoh, and @mayaarce.bsky.social in this video: youtu.be/3Qs5cmXxsWQ
Arc Science Fellows Program for Early PIs - 2026 Application Cycle Information
YouTube video by Arc Institute
youtu.be
December 12, 2025 at 10:35 PM
Arc’s Science Fellows program gives a springboard to recent PhD and/or MD students to become a PI right out of grad school.
Interested? Apply by Jan 12 or hear from our team and current Fellows Jingtian Zhou, Uche Medoh, and @mayaarce.bsky.social in this video: youtu.be/3Qs5cmXxsWQ
Interested? Apply by Jan 12 or hear from our team and current Fellows Jingtian Zhou, Uche Medoh, and @mayaarce.bsky.social in this video: youtu.be/3Qs5cmXxsWQ
Reposted by Caitlin Vander Weele, PhD
Predicting cell state in previously unseen conditions has typically required retraining for each new biological context. Today, Arc is releasing Stack, a foundation model that learns to simulate cell state under novel conditions directly at inference time, no fine-tuning required.
January 9, 2026 at 6:44 PM
Predicting cell state in previously unseen conditions has typically required retraining for each new biological context. Today, Arc is releasing Stack, a foundation model that learns to simulate cell state under novel conditions directly at inference time, no fine-tuning required.
Reposted by Caitlin Vander Weele, PhD
The next inflection point in virtual cell modeling will require large-scale perturbative data. To get there we are partnering with @tahoetherapeutics.bsky.social and @biohub.org
to help us generate a dataset to push us forward: arcinstitute.org/news/tahoe-a...
to help us generate a dataset to push us forward: arcinstitute.org/news/tahoe-a...
Tahoe Therapeutics, Arc Institute, and Biohub Partner to Generate the Largest Perturbation Dataset for Virtual Cell Models | Arc Institute
Tahoe Therapeutics, Arc Institute, and Biohub announced a landmark initiative to generate the largest and most perturbation-rich single-cell dataset for virtual cell models. The effort is supported by...
arcinstitute.org
January 13, 2026 at 12:01 AM
The next inflection point in virtual cell modeling will require large-scale perturbative data. To get there we are partnering with @tahoetherapeutics.bsky.social and @biohub.org
to help us generate a dataset to push us forward: arcinstitute.org/news/tahoe-a...
to help us generate a dataset to push us forward: arcinstitute.org/news/tahoe-a...
Reposted by Caitlin Vander Weele, PhD
What happens when a neuroscientist realizes trauma rewired their own brain? ❤️🩹
I’ll be sharing that very personal story - the intersection of my research, insights it's brought me & the healing journey I've embarked on - LIVE & LIVESTREAMING on 1/26!
Tickets 👇
www.storycollider.org/tickets/2026...
I’ll be sharing that very personal story - the intersection of my research, insights it's brought me & the healing journey I've embarked on - LIVE & LIVESTREAMING on 1/26!
Tickets 👇
www.storycollider.org/tickets/2026...
On Jan 26, Do Not Miss UNSPOKEN, an @storycollider.bsky.social event @caveatnyc.bsky.social! JOIN Diana Li & @paulacroxson.bsky.social when they host @denisejcai.bsky.social & 4 other story tellers for an unforgettable evening of deeply personal stories.🎟️🎟️ 👉 www.storycollider.org/tickets/2026...
January 14, 2026 at 4:12 PM
What happens when a neuroscientist realizes trauma rewired their own brain? ❤️🩹
I’ll be sharing that very personal story - the intersection of my research, insights it's brought me & the healing journey I've embarked on - LIVE & LIVESTREAMING on 1/26!
Tickets 👇
www.storycollider.org/tickets/2026...
I’ll be sharing that very personal story - the intersection of my research, insights it's brought me & the healing journey I've embarked on - LIVE & LIVESTREAMING on 1/26!
Tickets 👇
www.storycollider.org/tickets/2026...
Reposted by Caitlin Vander Weele, PhD
PS- peep the princess shoes! 👠
January 14, 2026 at 9:06 PM
PS- peep the princess shoes! 👠
Reposted by Caitlin Vander Weele, PhD
@caitvw.bsky.social telling a story of sophistication in this elegant ensemble 🤍
If you need any help telling your scientific story, check out her scicomm company, @stellatecomms.bsky.social!
#FashionsOfACNP @acnporg.bsky.social
If you need any help telling your scientific story, check out her scicomm company, @stellatecomms.bsky.social!
#FashionsOfACNP @acnporg.bsky.social
January 14, 2026 at 9:06 PM
@caitvw.bsky.social telling a story of sophistication in this elegant ensemble 🤍
If you need any help telling your scientific story, check out her scicomm company, @stellatecomms.bsky.social!
#FashionsOfACNP @acnporg.bsky.social
If you need any help telling your scientific story, check out her scicomm company, @stellatecomms.bsky.social!
#FashionsOfACNP @acnporg.bsky.social
Reposted by Caitlin Vander Weele, PhD
Thank you to everyone that came out to our symposium earlier today @acnporg.bsky.social✨ Special shoutout to our panelists Victoria Arango, Dionna Williams, and David Jentsch for sharing your experiences overcoming distinct types of adversity. #ACNP2026
January 13, 2026 at 9:07 PM
Thank you to everyone that came out to our symposium earlier today @acnporg.bsky.social✨ Special shoutout to our panelists Victoria Arango, Dionna Williams, and David Jentsch for sharing your experiences overcoming distinct types of adversity. #ACNP2026
Reposted by Caitlin Vander Weele, PhD
Catch our CEO @caitvw.bsky.social at @acnporg.bsky.social next week!
Her Special Topics Session will tackle #SciComm in an era of misinformation with Yasmin Hurd @neurovoice.bsky.social & Lana Ruvolo Grasser 📢🧪
Caitlin will be at ACNP all week so email her to connect: caitlin@stellatecomms.com
Her Special Topics Session will tackle #SciComm in an era of misinformation with Yasmin Hurd @neurovoice.bsky.social & Lana Ruvolo Grasser 📢🧪
Caitlin will be at ACNP all week so email her to connect: caitlin@stellatecomms.com
January 8, 2026 at 4:04 PM
Catch our CEO @caitvw.bsky.social at @acnporg.bsky.social next week!
Her Special Topics Session will tackle #SciComm in an era of misinformation with Yasmin Hurd @neurovoice.bsky.social & Lana Ruvolo Grasser 📢🧪
Caitlin will be at ACNP all week so email her to connect: caitlin@stellatecomms.com
Her Special Topics Session will tackle #SciComm in an era of misinformation with Yasmin Hurd @neurovoice.bsky.social & Lana Ruvolo Grasser 📢🧪
Caitlin will be at ACNP all week so email her to connect: caitlin@stellatecomms.com
Reposted by Caitlin Vander Weele, PhD
We're thrilled to share that Clare Reynell, PhD has been promoted to Senior Account Supervisor at Stellate in recognition of her steady & trusted leadership on several of our most high-profile accounts!
Congrats on the much-deserved advancement— we’re excited for what’s ahead 💜
Congrats on the much-deserved advancement— we’re excited for what’s ahead 💜
January 6, 2026 at 3:25 PM
We're thrilled to share that Clare Reynell, PhD has been promoted to Senior Account Supervisor at Stellate in recognition of her steady & trusted leadership on several of our most high-profile accounts!
Congrats on the much-deserved advancement— we’re excited for what’s ahead 💜
Congrats on the much-deserved advancement— we’re excited for what’s ahead 💜
Reposted by Caitlin Vander Weele, PhD
✨ That’s a wrap on 2025!
From research milestones to community connections, we’ve accomplished so much this past year. Here’s a look back at everything we did together...
From research milestones to community connections, we’ve accomplished so much this past year. Here’s a look back at everything we did together...
December 19, 2025 at 4:31 PM
✨ That’s a wrap on 2025!
From research milestones to community connections, we’ve accomplished so much this past year. Here’s a look back at everything we did together...
From research milestones to community connections, we’ve accomplished so much this past year. Here’s a look back at everything we did together...
Reposted by Caitlin Vander Weele, PhD
(1/5)
🧵Our new preprint shows how the brain develops to transform how kids, teens & adults represent & navigate their world: shifting from local, moment-to-moment memories in childhood to integrated, global cognitive maps in adulthood 🧠
Paper: www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...
🧵Our new preprint shows how the brain develops to transform how kids, teens & adults represent & navigate their world: shifting from local, moment-to-moment memories in childhood to integrated, global cognitive maps in adulthood 🧠
Paper: www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...
December 16, 2025 at 4:32 PM
(1/5)
🧵Our new preprint shows how the brain develops to transform how kids, teens & adults represent & navigate their world: shifting from local, moment-to-moment memories in childhood to integrated, global cognitive maps in adulthood 🧠
Paper: www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...
🧵Our new preprint shows how the brain develops to transform how kids, teens & adults represent & navigate their world: shifting from local, moment-to-moment memories in childhood to integrated, global cognitive maps in adulthood 🧠
Paper: www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...
Reposted by Caitlin Vander Weele, PhD
Celebrating the Rajan Lab’s papers at #NeurIPS2025! Stop by to chat with these talented students and postdocs 🎉
December 4, 2025 at 4:08 PM
Celebrating the Rajan Lab’s papers at #NeurIPS2025! Stop by to chat with these talented students and postdocs 🎉
Reposted by Caitlin Vander Weele, PhD
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is not dangerous. Timing and formulation are critical components of benefit vs. harm. I’m glad to see the FDA warnings removed from HRT.
Thanks @bloomberg.com for covering this important topic: www.bloomberg.com/news/videos/...
Thanks @bloomberg.com for covering this important topic: www.bloomberg.com/news/videos/...
December 3, 2025 at 3:52 PM
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is not dangerous. Timing and formulation are critical components of benefit vs. harm. I’m glad to see the FDA warnings removed from HRT.
Thanks @bloomberg.com for covering this important topic: www.bloomberg.com/news/videos/...
Thanks @bloomberg.com for covering this important topic: www.bloomberg.com/news/videos/...