Calli McMurray
@callimcflurry.bsky.social
neuroscience reporter at The Transmitter covering brain-body physiology, scientific misconduct and the structural and regulatory issues that affect research
signal: cmcmurray.82
my work: https://www.thetransmitter.org/contributor/calli-mcmurray/
signal: cmcmurray.82
my work: https://www.thetransmitter.org/contributor/calli-mcmurray/
Reposted by Calli McMurray
Had a great time chatting with Steve about his new book, How to Change A Memory. Check out the interview and read a short excerpt of the book today on @thetransmitter.bsky.social
tinyurl.com/42vam6hn
tinyurl.com/42vam6hn
@okaysteve.bsky.social sat down with @franciscorr25.bsky.social to discuss the inspiration behind the book, why he decided to write it partly as a memoir, and what he wants readers to take away from reading it.
#neuroskyence
www.thetransmitter.org/memory/how-t...
#neuroskyence
www.thetransmitter.org/memory/how-t...
November 7, 2025 at 2:43 PM
Had a great time chatting with Steve about his new book, How to Change A Memory. Check out the interview and read a short excerpt of the book today on @thetransmitter.bsky.social
tinyurl.com/42vam6hn
tinyurl.com/42vam6hn
Reposted by Calli McMurray
The work with bats on barren, 7-acre Latham Island was Nachum Ulanovsky’s most complex undertaking yet.
By @claudia-lopez.bsky.social
#neuroskyence
www.thetransmitter.org/neuroetholog...
By @claudia-lopez.bsky.social
#neuroskyence
www.thetransmitter.org/neuroetholog...
October 16, 2025 at 6:15 PM
The work with bats on barren, 7-acre Latham Island was Nachum Ulanovsky’s most complex undertaking yet.
By @claudia-lopez.bsky.social
#neuroskyence
www.thetransmitter.org/neuroetholog...
By @claudia-lopez.bsky.social
#neuroskyence
www.thetransmitter.org/neuroetholog...
Reposted by Calli McMurray
Check out our FlyWire anniversary piece to learn how @crezaval.bsky.social, @anitadevineni.bsky.social, Pelin Volkan, and six other researchers are using connectome data in their labs, and to read their thoughts on what new tools Drosophila neuroscience needs to move forward!
To celebrate the first anniversary of the release of FlyWire, we asked nine neuroscientists to share how they are using connectome data in their research and what they hope is in store for the future of fly connectomics.
By @franciscorr25.bsky.social
#neuroskyence
bit.ly/3Wx5nt3
By @franciscorr25.bsky.social
#neuroskyence
bit.ly/3Wx5nt3
How FlyWire is redefining Drosophila research, one year in
Nine Drosophila researchers share how the connectome transformed the field and what additional new tools they would like to see.
bit.ly
October 7, 2025 at 2:36 PM
Check out our FlyWire anniversary piece to learn how @crezaval.bsky.social, @anitadevineni.bsky.social, Pelin Volkan, and six other researchers are using connectome data in their labs, and to read their thoughts on what new tools Drosophila neuroscience needs to move forward!
Reposted by Calli McMurray
@deffinger.bsky.social and @melissaherman.bsky.social argue that, though many human psychedelic clinical trials are underway, preclinical studies remain our best bet to answer fundamental questions about the neurobiology of psychedelics.
#neuroskyence
www.thetransmitter.org/psychedelics...
#neuroskyence
www.thetransmitter.org/psychedelics...
Why we need basic science to better understand the neurobiology of psychedelics
Despite the many psychedelics clinical trials underway, there is still much we don’t know about how these drugs work. Preclinical studies represent our best viable avenue to answer these lingering…
www.thetransmitter.org
October 1, 2025 at 2:11 PM
@deffinger.bsky.social and @melissaherman.bsky.social argue that, though many human psychedelic clinical trials are underway, preclinical studies remain our best bet to answer fundamental questions about the neurobiology of psychedelics.
#neuroskyence
www.thetransmitter.org/psychedelics...
#neuroskyence
www.thetransmitter.org/psychedelics...
Reposted by Calli McMurray
Hi everyone! We are taking a look at the state of funding in the neuroscience field so we are looking for PIs to answer this survey. Please feel free to fill out and share with colleagues.
Ty!
Ty!
Quantifying funding sources across neuroscience labs
We want to hear from you about the sources of funding for your research.
www.thetransmitter.org
September 24, 2025 at 7:42 PM
Hi everyone! We are taking a look at the state of funding in the neuroscience field so we are looking for PIs to answer this survey. Please feel free to fill out and share with colleagues.
Ty!
Ty!
Reposted by Calli McMurray
Faux fish and birds are helping researchers decipher some of the rules that govern schooling and squawking, among other social behaviors.
By @callimcflurry.bsky.social
#neuroskyence
www.thetransmitter.org/social-behav...
By @callimcflurry.bsky.social
#neuroskyence
www.thetransmitter.org/social-behav...
Robots marry natural neuroscience, experimental control to probe animal interactions
Faux fish and birds are helping researchers decipher some of the rules that govern schooling and squawking, among other social behaviors.
www.thetransmitter.org
September 19, 2025 at 2:23 PM
Faux fish and birds are helping researchers decipher some of the rules that govern schooling and squawking, among other social behaviors.
By @callimcflurry.bsky.social
#neuroskyence
www.thetransmitter.org/social-behav...
By @callimcflurry.bsky.social
#neuroskyence
www.thetransmitter.org/social-behav...
Reposted by Calli McMurray
In The Transmitter's reading list, we highlight the most anticipated upcoming neuroscience books and other notable 2025 releases. Featuring titles by @okaysteve.bsky.social, @dr-brein.bsky.social, @nicolecrust.bsky.social, Xiao-Jing Wang and many more.
By @franciscorr25.bsky.social
bit.ly/45MvK41
By @franciscorr25.bsky.social
bit.ly/45MvK41
The Transmitter’s reading list: Six upcoming neuroscience books, plus notable titles in 2025
Dig into an exploration of the fundamental aspects of intelligence, a new textbook about theoretical neuroscience and a memoir about memory research, among other new releases.
bit.ly
August 27, 2025 at 12:51 PM
In The Transmitter's reading list, we highlight the most anticipated upcoming neuroscience books and other notable 2025 releases. Featuring titles by @okaysteve.bsky.social, @dr-brein.bsky.social, @nicolecrust.bsky.social, Xiao-Jing Wang and many more.
By @franciscorr25.bsky.social
bit.ly/45MvK41
By @franciscorr25.bsky.social
bit.ly/45MvK41
NEW: The NIH removed gender identity variables from the latest ABCD study data release. This counteracts the goals of the study "by pretending that some aspects of adolescent brain development don’t exist," @nicolagrissom.bsky.social told me. Read more: www.thetransmitter.org/gender/abcd-...
ABCD Study omits gender-identity data from latest release
The removal counteracts the goals of the longitudinal study by “pretending that some aspects of adolescent brain development don’t exist,” says sex differences researcher Nicola Grissom.
www.thetransmitter.org
July 11, 2025 at 8:55 PM
NEW: The NIH removed gender identity variables from the latest ABCD study data release. This counteracts the goals of the study "by pretending that some aspects of adolescent brain development don’t exist," @nicolagrissom.bsky.social told me. Read more: www.thetransmitter.org/gender/abcd-...
Reposted by Calli McMurray
NEW: The Trump administration said their research did not "enhance health, lengthen life, or reduce illness."
Thousands of scientists disagreed.
We heard from +150 researchers impacted by the NIH grant terminations on what is being lost in the cuts. 🧵👇
projects.propublica.org/nih-cuts-res...
Thousands of scientists disagreed.
We heard from +150 researchers impacted by the NIH grant terminations on what is being lost in the cuts. 🧵👇
projects.propublica.org/nih-cuts-res...
Shattered Science: The Research Lost as Trump Targets NIH Funding
The Trump administration cut research funding that sought cures for future pandemics, examined the causes of dementia and tried to prevent HIV transmission. More than 150 researchers shared with ProPu...
projects.propublica.org
June 12, 2025 at 12:30 PM
NEW: The Trump administration said their research did not "enhance health, lengthen life, or reduce illness."
Thousands of scientists disagreed.
We heard from +150 researchers impacted by the NIH grant terminations on what is being lost in the cuts. 🧵👇
projects.propublica.org/nih-cuts-res...
Thousands of scientists disagreed.
We heard from +150 researchers impacted by the NIH grant terminations on what is being lost in the cuts. 🧵👇
projects.propublica.org/nih-cuts-res...
Reposted by Calli McMurray
The hunt for a soulmate can be hard work. Neurons in the developing Drosophila antennal lobe simplify the problem by turning a 3D search into a 1D one.
By @callimcflurry.bsky.social
#neuroskyence
www.thetransmitter.org/developmenta...
By @callimcflurry.bsky.social
#neuroskyence
www.thetransmitter.org/developmenta...
How developing neurons simplify their search for a synaptic mate
Streamlining the problem from 3D to 1D eases the expedition—a strategy the study investigators deployed to rewire an olfactory circuit in flies.
www.thetransmitter.org
June 6, 2025 at 1:35 PM
The hunt for a soulmate can be hard work. Neurons in the developing Drosophila antennal lobe simplify the problem by turning a 3D search into a 1D one.
By @callimcflurry.bsky.social
#neuroskyence
www.thetransmitter.org/developmenta...
By @callimcflurry.bsky.social
#neuroskyence
www.thetransmitter.org/developmenta...
FlyBase, a crucial resource for drosophila research, has lost its funding because its grant is awarded to Harvard. The team is scrambling to find other sources of funds, including donations from labs. Read more: www.thetransmitter.org/community/fl... @flybase.bsky.social
FlyBase funding squashed amid Harvard grant terminations
The team behind the Drosophila genetics database is now requesting donations from labs to keep the resource afloat.
www.thetransmitter.org
June 4, 2025 at 9:11 PM
FlyBase, a crucial resource for drosophila research, has lost its funding because its grant is awarded to Harvard. The team is scrambling to find other sources of funds, including donations from labs. Read more: www.thetransmitter.org/community/fl... @flybase.bsky.social
Reposted by Calli McMurray
The National Institute on Drug Abuse canceled its diversity-based fellowship program, including active awards. It’s unclear if fellowships awarded by other institutes within the NIH are also implicated.
By @callimcflurry.bsky.social
#neuroskyence
www.thetransmitter.org/funding/nida...
By @callimcflurry.bsky.social
#neuroskyence
www.thetransmitter.org/funding/nida...
NIDA shutters diversity fellowship program, axes active awards
It’s unclear if the cancellation at the U.S. National Institute on Drug Abuse extends to the fellowships awarded by other institutes within the National Institutes of Health.
www.thetransmitter.org
May 14, 2025 at 8:27 PM
The National Institute on Drug Abuse canceled its diversity-based fellowship program, including active awards. It’s unclear if fellowships awarded by other institutes within the NIH are also implicated.
By @callimcflurry.bsky.social
#neuroskyence
www.thetransmitter.org/funding/nida...
By @callimcflurry.bsky.social
#neuroskyence
www.thetransmitter.org/funding/nida...
A forthcoming human brain atlas hopes to include the functional organization of each donor's cortex alongside the single-cell data. But the team is struggling to recruit donors, and might have to scale back their ambitious plan. My latest: www.thetransmitter.org/brain-mappin...
Exclusive: Recruitment issues jeopardize ambitious plan for human brain atlas
A lack of six new brain donors may stop the project from meeting its goal to pair molecular and cellular data with the functional organization of the cortex.
www.thetransmitter.org
May 9, 2025 at 1:33 PM
A forthcoming human brain atlas hopes to include the functional organization of each donor's cortex alongside the single-cell data. But the team is struggling to recruit donors, and might have to scale back their ambitious plan. My latest: www.thetransmitter.org/brain-mappin...
I hope no one ever has to use this story, but here are the key things to know if your grant is terminated: #neuroskyence www.thetransmitter.org/funding/five...
Five things to know if your federal grant is terminated
If you want to appeal the decision, know the rules that govern terminations, as well as the specific rationale given in your notice, science policy experts say.
www.thetransmitter.org
April 2, 2025 at 1:02 PM
I hope no one ever has to use this story, but here are the key things to know if your grant is terminated: #neuroskyence www.thetransmitter.org/funding/five...
Reposted by Calli McMurray
Three researchers who served as scientific advisers to NIMH and one to NIDA were removed from their positions this week with no explanation. @callimcflurry.bsky.social and I reported for @thetransmitter.bsky.social:
#neuroskyence 🧪
www.thetransmitter.org/science-and-...
#neuroskyence 🧪
www.thetransmitter.org/science-and-...
Acting NIH director dismisses four neuroscientists from advisory boards
The letters they received this week did not include a reason for their termination.
www.thetransmitter.org
March 25, 2025 at 7:23 PM
Three researchers who served as scientific advisers to NIMH and one to NIDA were removed from their positions this week with no explanation. @callimcflurry.bsky.social and I reported for @thetransmitter.bsky.social:
#neuroskyence 🧪
www.thetransmitter.org/science-and-...
#neuroskyence 🧪
www.thetransmitter.org/science-and-...
Reposted by Calli McMurray
In 15 yrs of reporting, I've never had so many health & biomed researchers & outreach orgs tell me they're afraid to talk w/press or barred from speaking bc of new comms policies.
I understand the fear of losing funds. I don't know if silence does more harm than good. If you can speak up, pls do.
I understand the fear of losing funds. I don't know if silence does more harm than good. If you can speak up, pls do.
March 21, 2025 at 2:27 PM
In 15 yrs of reporting, I've never had so many health & biomed researchers & outreach orgs tell me they're afraid to talk w/press or barred from speaking bc of new comms policies.
I understand the fear of losing funds. I don't know if silence does more harm than good. If you can speak up, pls do.
I understand the fear of losing funds. I don't know if silence does more harm than good. If you can speak up, pls do.
A brave (and patient) group of neuroscientists have figured out how to do task-based fMRI in babies and toddlers. They aim to uncover how the infant mind takes shape—and the method has already provided new insight into infantile amnesia. My latest www.thetransmitter.org/cognitive-ne... #neuroskyence
What infant fMRI is revealing about the developing mind
Cognitive neuroscientists have finally clocked how to perform task-based fMRI experiments in awake babies. Now they want watch cognition take shape.
www.thetransmitter.org
March 20, 2025 at 6:55 PM
A brave (and patient) group of neuroscientists have figured out how to do task-based fMRI in babies and toddlers. They aim to uncover how the infant mind takes shape—and the method has already provided new insight into infantile amnesia. My latest www.thetransmitter.org/cognitive-ne... #neuroskyence
Reposted by Calli McMurray
We are excited to announce that nominations are open for our “Rising stars in neuroscience” 2025 report. We seek to feature early-career researchers who have made outstanding scientific contributions and demonstrated a commitment to community-building. Submit a nominee here:
bit.ly/4bsoBXD
bit.ly/4bsoBXD
The Transmitter’s ‘Rising stars in neuroscience’ 2025
Recognize early-career researchers who have made outstanding contributions to the field. Selected nominees will be featured on our website and in our annual book.
bit.ly
March 14, 2025 at 7:27 PM
We are excited to announce that nominations are open for our “Rising stars in neuroscience” 2025 report. We seek to feature early-career researchers who have made outstanding scientific contributions and demonstrated a commitment to community-building. Submit a nominee here:
bit.ly/4bsoBXD
bit.ly/4bsoBXD
NEW: @claudia-lopez.bsky.social and I asked 50 US #neuroskyence PhD programs if they're reducing admissions this year due to funding concerns. 20 got back to us: 8 are making cuts, 8 are not, and the other 4 have more complex situations. Read the story: www.thetransmitter.org/academia/neu...
Neuro Ph.D. programs adjust admissions over funding unease
Some neuroscience departments plan to shrink class size by 25 to 40 percent; others may inadvertently take more students than they can afford.
www.thetransmitter.org
March 3, 2025 at 9:42 PM
NEW: @claudia-lopez.bsky.social and I asked 50 US #neuroskyence PhD programs if they're reducing admissions this year due to funding concerns. 20 got back to us: 8 are making cuts, 8 are not, and the other 4 have more complex situations. Read the story: www.thetransmitter.org/academia/neu...
Reposted by Calli McMurray
This new Atlantic piece on the timeline of the NIH shutdown reads like the script to a new Soderbergh film. It is so, so dark and perfectly captures the evil and intentional chaos behind everything we've experienced over the last month www.theatlantic.com/health/archi...
Inside the Collapse at the NIH
Administration officials pressured the NIH to avoid clear advice from the agency’s own lawyers to restart grant funding now.
www.theatlantic.com
February 27, 2025 at 7:12 PM
This new Atlantic piece on the timeline of the NIH shutdown reads like the script to a new Soderbergh film. It is so, so dark and perfectly captures the evil and intentional chaos behind everything we've experienced over the last month www.theatlantic.com/health/archi...
The Trump administration's chaotic changes to diversity-based funding have left trainees in limbo. My colleagues and I at @thetransmitter.bsky.social spoke to ten neuroscience trainees about what the uncertainty means for them, their research and their futures: www.thetransmitter.org/funding/a-gu...
‘A gut punch:’ How U.S. neuroscience trainees are grappling with diversity-based funding flux
Ten trainees spoke with The Transmitter about how the precarious state of U.S. federal funding is affecting their research and career plans.
www.thetransmitter.org
February 14, 2025 at 5:30 PM
The Trump administration's chaotic changes to diversity-based funding have left trainees in limbo. My colleagues and I at @thetransmitter.bsky.social spoke to ten neuroscience trainees about what the uncertainty means for them, their research and their futures: www.thetransmitter.org/funding/a-gu...
Reposted by Calli McMurray
Meet 10 neuroscientists bringing model diversity back with the funky animals they study.
By @callimcflurry.bsky.social, @avaskham.bsky.social, @claudia-lopez.bsky.social, @shaena.bsky.social
#neuroskyence
www.thetransmitter.org/animal-model...
By @callimcflurry.bsky.social, @avaskham.bsky.social, @claudia-lopez.bsky.social, @shaena.bsky.social
#neuroskyence
www.thetransmitter.org/animal-model...
The non-model organism “renaissance” has arrived
Meet 10 neuroscientists bringing model diversity back with the funky animals they study.
www.thetransmitter.org
December 20, 2024 at 2:08 PM
Meet 10 neuroscientists bringing model diversity back with the funky animals they study.
By @callimcflurry.bsky.social, @avaskham.bsky.social, @claudia-lopez.bsky.social, @shaena.bsky.social
#neuroskyence
www.thetransmitter.org/animal-model...
By @callimcflurry.bsky.social, @avaskham.bsky.social, @claudia-lopez.bsky.social, @shaena.bsky.social
#neuroskyence
www.thetransmitter.org/animal-model...
listening to the interstellar soundtrack while writing a story about the wonders of the octopus brain feels very right!!
December 19, 2024 at 9:38 PM
listening to the interstellar soundtrack while writing a story about the wonders of the octopus brain feels very right!!
Reposted by Calli McMurray
I'm excited to share another project we've been working on: The Transmitter's first book, which includes some of our favorite essays from our first ~9 months. Download a copy here: www.thetransmitter.org/transmitter-...
December 18, 2024 at 5:32 PM
I'm excited to share another project we've been working on: The Transmitter's first book, which includes some of our favorite essays from our first ~9 months. Download a copy here: www.thetransmitter.org/transmitter-...
If you're interested in thermoregulation, you don't want to miss our home page on @thetransmitter.bsky.social today! We have a package of five stories, including one on @jansiemens.bsky.social's new paper about the neuronal plasticity that drives heat tolerance. Check it out: www.thetransmitter.org
December 11, 2024 at 3:33 PM
If you're interested in thermoregulation, you don't want to miss our home page on @thetransmitter.bsky.social today! We have a package of five stories, including one on @jansiemens.bsky.social's new paper about the neuronal plasticity that drives heat tolerance. Check it out: www.thetransmitter.org