Christina
@christinaburns.bsky.social
Molecular biology | SciComm | Politics | Paws of any kind
Pinned
Christina
@christinaburns.bsky.social
· May 9
Exclusive: NSF faces radical shake-up as officials abolish its 37 divisions
Changes seen as a response to presidential directives on what research to fund
www.science.org
www.science.org/content/arti...
Irreparably gutting world-class research institutions is an indisputable act of sabotage by the idiocracy. The catastrophic consequences cannot be understated. Congress needs to act. The people need to rise up. We are passing the point of no return.
Irreparably gutting world-class research institutions is an indisputable act of sabotage by the idiocracy. The catastrophic consequences cannot be understated. Congress needs to act. The people need to rise up. We are passing the point of no return.
Reposted by Christina
Here’s the Nature paper: www.nature.com/articles/d41...
What Rosalind Franklin truly contributed to the discovery of DNA’s structure
Franklin was no victim in how the DNA double helix was solved. An overlooked letter and an unpublished news article, both written in 1953, reveal that she was an equal player.
www.nature.com
November 8, 2025 at 8:45 AM
Here’s the Nature paper: www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Reposted by Christina
“Tell your children who the cowards were.”
October 27, 2025 at 10:19 PM
“Tell your children who the cowards were.”
Reposted by Christina
Thought experiment, how much of the White House could the president tear down before anyone in power did anything meaningful to stop it? Like if he just kept going?
October 21, 2025 at 10:38 PM
Thought experiment, how much of the White House could the president tear down before anyone in power did anything meaningful to stop it? Like if he just kept going?
Reposted by Christina
U.S. Congress, you're seeing how voters (even those who couldn't stand him like 72 hours ago) suddenly like Gavin Newsom MUCH much more??
I want that for YOU!
All you have to do is respect yr oath, IMPEACH, gain an honorable name in history and the love of the whole world.
I want that for YOU!
All you have to do is respect yr oath, IMPEACH, gain an honorable name in history and the love of the whole world.
The entire board tasked with overseeing the State Department's Fulbright Program has resigned — claiming political interference from the Trump admin.
The Board voted "overwhelmingly" to resign "rather than endorse unprecedented actions … impermissible under the law." substack.com/home/post/p-...
The Board voted "overwhelmingly" to resign "rather than endorse unprecedented actions … impermissible under the law." substack.com/home/post/p-...
Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board Resignation Statement
Effective immediately, members of the Congressionally mandated Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board voted overwhelmingly to resign from the board, rather than endorse unprecedented actions that we beli...
substack.com
June 11, 2025 at 10:49 PM
U.S. Congress, you're seeing how voters (even those who couldn't stand him like 72 hours ago) suddenly like Gavin Newsom MUCH much more??
I want that for YOU!
All you have to do is respect yr oath, IMPEACH, gain an honorable name in history and the love of the whole world.
I want that for YOU!
All you have to do is respect yr oath, IMPEACH, gain an honorable name in history and the love of the whole world.
Reposted by Christina
Why another protest? What is it going to accomplish? Shouldn’t we be [insert alternate tactic] instead?
These are good-faith questions, and they stem from very reasonable concerns. So let’s take a step back and talk about the role of a peaceful mass mobilization like No Kings.
These are good-faith questions, and they stem from very reasonable concerns. So let’s take a step back and talk about the role of a peaceful mass mobilization like No Kings.
The Strategic Logic of the No Kings Protests
By Leah Greenberg, Indivisible Co-Founder and Co-Executive Director
indivisibleteam.medium.com
June 10, 2025 at 8:34 PM
Why another protest? What is it going to accomplish? Shouldn’t we be [insert alternate tactic] instead?
These are good-faith questions, and they stem from very reasonable concerns. So let’s take a step back and talk about the role of a peaceful mass mobilization like No Kings.
These are good-faith questions, and they stem from very reasonable concerns. So let’s take a step back and talk about the role of a peaceful mass mobilization like No Kings.
Reposted by Christina
Why should you be concerned about what RFK is doing to ACIP (the committee that reviews vaccines, sets recommendations and vaxx schedules)? Covered by private health insurance, Medicaid or Medicare Part D? Your vaxx coverage is tied to ACIP recs. If the recs change, so will insurer obligations.
June 10, 2025 at 3:39 AM
Why should you be concerned about what RFK is doing to ACIP (the committee that reviews vaccines, sets recommendations and vaxx schedules)? Covered by private health insurance, Medicaid or Medicare Part D? Your vaxx coverage is tied to ACIP recs. If the recs change, so will insurer obligations.
Reposted by Christina
The House is voting on the rescissions package THIS THURSDAY.
Congress is considering devastating cuts to global health funding, including to PEPFAR and @unicef.org
More from @johngreensbluesky.bsky.social: www.youtube.com/watch?v=oJW2...
Check the thread on how you can take action today 👇
Congress is considering devastating cuts to global health funding, including to PEPFAR and @unicef.org
More from @johngreensbluesky.bsky.social: www.youtube.com/watch?v=oJW2...
Check the thread on how you can take action today 👇
90,000,000 Lives for $20
YouTube video by vlogbrothers
www.youtube.com
June 10, 2025 at 7:24 PM
The House is voting on the rescissions package THIS THURSDAY.
Congress is considering devastating cuts to global health funding, including to PEPFAR and @unicef.org
More from @johngreensbluesky.bsky.social: www.youtube.com/watch?v=oJW2...
Check the thread on how you can take action today 👇
Congress is considering devastating cuts to global health funding, including to PEPFAR and @unicef.org
More from @johngreensbluesky.bsky.social: www.youtube.com/watch?v=oJW2...
Check the thread on how you can take action today 👇
Reposted by Christina
He's right. "Nothing short of devastating"
By @holdenthorp.bsky.social @science.org
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
By @holdenthorp.bsky.social @science.org
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
June 5, 2025 at 8:41 PM
He's right. "Nothing short of devastating"
By @holdenthorp.bsky.social @science.org
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
By @holdenthorp.bsky.social @science.org
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
Reposted by Christina
Women make up only 16% of corresponding authors who submit to Nature, a new Springer Nature analysis revealed. This is not enough - there are 30-40% #womeninSTEM
We want to change it, through targeted editorial policies & outreach. But change will take everyone!
🧪
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
We want to change it, through targeted editorial policies & outreach. But change will take everyone!
🧪
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Gender equality in research publishing is a responsibility for everyone
A concerted effort is needed to support women in their choice of journal when submitting their manuscript.
www.nature.com
May 31, 2025 at 4:31 AM
Women make up only 16% of corresponding authors who submit to Nature, a new Springer Nature analysis revealed. This is not enough - there are 30-40% #womeninSTEM
We want to change it, through targeted editorial policies & outreach. But change will take everyone!
🧪
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
We want to change it, through targeted editorial policies & outreach. But change will take everyone!
🧪
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Reposted by Christina
Nearly a million dead from COVID wasn’t enough for tRump. Now he’s canceling a bird flu vaccine contract—with Moderna.
Letting a deadly virus rip through poultry and people isn’t strategy. It’s sabotage. This isn’t “America First.” It’s science last.
#TrumpKills #BirdFlu #PublicHealthCrisis
Letting a deadly virus rip through poultry and people isn’t strategy. It’s sabotage. This isn’t “America First.” It’s science last.
#TrumpKills #BirdFlu #PublicHealthCrisis
US cancels more than $700 million funding for Moderna bird flu vaccine
The Trump administration has canceled a contract awarded to Moderna for the late-stage development of its bird flu vaccine for humans, as well as the right to purchase shots, the drugmaker announced on Wednesday.
www.reuters.com
May 29, 2025 at 9:39 PM
Nearly a million dead from COVID wasn’t enough for tRump. Now he’s canceling a bird flu vaccine contract—with Moderna.
Letting a deadly virus rip through poultry and people isn’t strategy. It’s sabotage. This isn’t “America First.” It’s science last.
#TrumpKills #BirdFlu #PublicHealthCrisis
Letting a deadly virus rip through poultry and people isn’t strategy. It’s sabotage. This isn’t “America First.” It’s science last.
#TrumpKills #BirdFlu #PublicHealthCrisis
Reposted by Christina
7/ If a few hundred pregnant women and new moms—even a few dozen—show up to protest outside the CDC, I, as a card-carrying member of the media, guarantee you will get TV coverage.
May 28, 2025 at 7:20 PM
7/ If a few hundred pregnant women and new moms—even a few dozen—show up to protest outside the CDC, I, as a card-carrying member of the media, guarantee you will get TV coverage.
Reposted by Christina
A powerful piece by Daniel Malinsky on why scientists must resist Trump’s authoritarian agenda:
“In these times … scientists have a duty to dissent.”
We completely agree. Ready to act? Join the #SummerFightForScience now (1/2)➡️
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
“In these times … scientists have a duty to dissent.”
We completely agree. Ready to act? Join the #SummerFightForScience now (1/2)➡️
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Now is the time for scientists to stand up against Trump’s repressive agenda | Daniel Malinsky
The administration is attacking research, health and the environment. We might seem unlikely activists – but we have a duty to dissent
www.theguardian.com
May 28, 2025 at 4:08 PM
A powerful piece by Daniel Malinsky on why scientists must resist Trump’s authoritarian agenda:
“In these times … scientists have a duty to dissent.”
We completely agree. Ready to act? Join the #SummerFightForScience now (1/2)➡️
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
“In these times … scientists have a duty to dissent.”
We completely agree. Ready to act? Join the #SummerFightForScience now (1/2)➡️
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Reposted by Christina
🚨 URGENT RESPONSE CALL 🚨
Trump’s Fool’s Gold Science EO is a dangerous sham.
It gives his appointees the power to dismiss entire bodies of research and punish researchers who fail to fall in line with his agenda.
We’ve launched an open letter.
SIGN & SHARE NOW: actionnetwork.org/petitions/op...
Trump’s Fool’s Gold Science EO is a dangerous sham.
It gives his appointees the power to dismiss entire bodies of research and punish researchers who fail to fall in line with his agenda.
We’ve launched an open letter.
SIGN & SHARE NOW: actionnetwork.org/petitions/op...
Sign The Open Letter to Stand Up For Science Now!
Science is under siege. Trump’s latest Executive Order calls for politically appointed science commissars to evaluate research. Join us in adding your name to our open letter condemning Trump’s escala...
actionnetwork.org
May 26, 2025 at 4:19 PM
🚨 URGENT RESPONSE CALL 🚨
Trump’s Fool’s Gold Science EO is a dangerous sham.
It gives his appointees the power to dismiss entire bodies of research and punish researchers who fail to fall in line with his agenda.
We’ve launched an open letter.
SIGN & SHARE NOW: actionnetwork.org/petitions/op...
Trump’s Fool’s Gold Science EO is a dangerous sham.
It gives his appointees the power to dismiss entire bodies of research and punish researchers who fail to fall in line with his agenda.
We’ve launched an open letter.
SIGN & SHARE NOW: actionnetwork.org/petitions/op...
Reposted by Christina
To reiterate my rant last night: pull your head out of the sand, wake up, and get in the fight.
These are not normal times.
Saving science is going to require some discomfort and risk.
These are not normal times.
Saving science is going to require some discomfort and risk.
Couched in all those sciencey sounding words is that the people who believe the Earth is 6k years old will be appointing officers at each agency to evaluate if research is “Gold Standard Science” or not. They will have the power to call anything fraud.
www.whitehouse.gov/presidential...
www.whitehouse.gov/presidential...
Restoring Gold Standard Science
By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, including section 7301 of title 5, United
www.whitehouse.gov
May 24, 2025 at 1:27 PM
To reiterate my rant last night: pull your head out of the sand, wake up, and get in the fight.
These are not normal times.
Saving science is going to require some discomfort and risk.
These are not normal times.
Saving science is going to require some discomfort and risk.
Reposted by Christina
🚨Hiding under 6 sections of science sounding rhetoric is an edict to appoint officers at each agency that will be responsible for detecting research that isn't "Gold Standard Science" as defined by the White House🚨
Stay tuned for rapid response action!
www.whitehouse.gov/presidential...
Stay tuned for rapid response action!
www.whitehouse.gov/presidential...
Restoring Gold Standard Science
By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, including section 7301 of title 5, United
www.whitehouse.gov
May 24, 2025 at 3:33 PM
🚨Hiding under 6 sections of science sounding rhetoric is an edict to appoint officers at each agency that will be responsible for detecting research that isn't "Gold Standard Science" as defined by the White House🚨
Stay tuned for rapid response action!
www.whitehouse.gov/presidential...
Stay tuned for rapid response action!
www.whitehouse.gov/presidential...
Reposted by Christina
Are YOU sitting around, reading the headlines, feeling powerless and scared?
Wish there was a way to just DO SOMETHING????
Boy, have I got the thing for you!
@standupforscience.bsky.social has an ambitious goal of hosting 1000 teach-ins across the nation between now and 9/30
#standupforscience
Wish there was a way to just DO SOMETHING????
Boy, have I got the thing for you!
@standupforscience.bsky.social has an ambitious goal of hosting 1000 teach-ins across the nation between now and 9/30
#standupforscience
May 23, 2025 at 9:40 PM
Are YOU sitting around, reading the headlines, feeling powerless and scared?
Wish there was a way to just DO SOMETHING????
Boy, have I got the thing for you!
@standupforscience.bsky.social has an ambitious goal of hosting 1000 teach-ins across the nation between now and 9/30
#standupforscience
Wish there was a way to just DO SOMETHING????
Boy, have I got the thing for you!
@standupforscience.bsky.social has an ambitious goal of hosting 1000 teach-ins across the nation between now and 9/30
#standupforscience
Reposted by Christina
One of my most brilliant Ph.D students just had his NIH Diversity Supplement cancelled. This supplement was funding his graduate research on perinatal mental health. I'm out of words -- just sad that trainees are bearing the brunt of the administration's attacks on science. We are eating our young.
May 23, 2025 at 1:44 AM
One of my most brilliant Ph.D students just had his NIH Diversity Supplement cancelled. This supplement was funding his graduate research on perinatal mental health. I'm out of words -- just sad that trainees are bearing the brunt of the administration's attacks on science. We are eating our young.
Reposted by Christina
Withdrawing NSF graduate fellowships is cruel & shortsighted. These fellowships are highly competitive & give top students the choice to attend the institution that best serves their needs & interests. Withdrawing fellowships just because students chose to go to Harvard infringes on their freedom.😢😡
All NSF GRFPs to students choosing to attend Harvard in the Fall were just terminated
May 23, 2025 at 2:01 AM
Withdrawing NSF graduate fellowships is cruel & shortsighted. These fellowships are highly competitive & give top students the choice to attend the institution that best serves their needs & interests. Withdrawing fellowships just because students chose to go to Harvard infringes on their freedom.😢😡
Reposted by Christina
Outstanding presentation of the devastating cuts at NSF and their impact across multiple areas of scientific research and training. Angry at the impact now and in the long-term to US research. www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
Trump Has Cut Science Funding to Its Lowest Level in Decades (Gift Article)
The lag in funding extends far beyond D.E.I. initiatives, affecting almost every area of science: chemistry, computing, engineering, materials and more.
www.nytimes.com
May 23, 2025 at 2:03 AM
Outstanding presentation of the devastating cuts at NSF and their impact across multiple areas of scientific research and training. Angry at the impact now and in the long-term to US research. www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
Reposted by Christina
I'm a current Harvard graduate student and I found out today that I had my NSF GRFP terminated without notification. I was awarded this individual research fellowship before even choosing Harvard as my graduate school
May 22, 2025 at 9:38 PM
I'm a current Harvard graduate student and I found out today that I had my NSF GRFP terminated without notification. I was awarded this individual research fellowship before even choosing Harvard as my graduate school
Reposted by Christina
🚨ATTENTION SCIENTISTS🚨
👀 Are you looking for a way to connect with the press to share your story?
📰 We are excited to announce the *safe and secure* SUFS Press Connect System. Whether you are looking to be a face or stay anonymous--we have you covered.
actionnetwork.org/forms/sign-u...
👀 Are you looking for a way to connect with the press to share your story?
📰 We are excited to announce the *safe and secure* SUFS Press Connect System. Whether you are looking to be a face or stay anonymous--we have you covered.
actionnetwork.org/forms/sign-u...
SIGN UP: Press Connection
Are YOU willing to speak to the press? Join the Summer Fight for Science Air Game by signing up to be a source for break science news stories. We will provide media training and keep your information ...
actionnetwork.org
May 20, 2025 at 6:17 PM
🚨ATTENTION SCIENTISTS🚨
👀 Are you looking for a way to connect with the press to share your story?
📰 We are excited to announce the *safe and secure* SUFS Press Connect System. Whether you are looking to be a face or stay anonymous--we have you covered.
actionnetwork.org/forms/sign-u...
👀 Are you looking for a way to connect with the press to share your story?
📰 We are excited to announce the *safe and secure* SUFS Press Connect System. Whether you are looking to be a face or stay anonymous--we have you covered.
actionnetwork.org/forms/sign-u...
Reposted by Christina
Deaths from heart disease down 75%, that’s NIH.
Deaths from stroke down 75%, that’s NIH.
HIV/AIDS no longer a death sentence, that’s NIH.
99% of FDA approved drugs in the last decade, that’s NIH.
Please show this video to anyone who doesn’t understand why the NIH is so important.
Deaths from stroke down 75%, that’s NIH.
HIV/AIDS no longer a death sentence, that’s NIH.
99% of FDA approved drugs in the last decade, that’s NIH.
Please show this video to anyone who doesn’t understand why the NIH is so important.
April 28, 2025 at 5:20 PM
Deaths from heart disease down 75%, that’s NIH.
Deaths from stroke down 75%, that’s NIH.
HIV/AIDS no longer a death sentence, that’s NIH.
99% of FDA approved drugs in the last decade, that’s NIH.
Please show this video to anyone who doesn’t understand why the NIH is so important.
Deaths from stroke down 75%, that’s NIH.
HIV/AIDS no longer a death sentence, that’s NIH.
99% of FDA approved drugs in the last decade, that’s NIH.
Please show this video to anyone who doesn’t understand why the NIH is so important.