Caitlyn Sebastian
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Caitlyn Sebastian
@csebastianbio.bsky.social
🏳️‍🌈 They/She | 🔬🧫🧬 | UAB GBS Ph.D Candidate in the Kiedrowski Lab | Polymicrobial Communities in Upper Respiratory Tract of #cysticfibrosis 💕 | 🐈🎮📚 | Views are my own | #queerinSTEM
Pinned
I guess it’s time for me to introduce who I am and what I do!!

I am a 4th PhD candidate at UAB in the GBS Program (Microbiology theme) in the Kiedrowski lab. I specifically look at interactions between Staphylococcus aureus and Haemophilus influenzae in the cystic fibrosis respiratory tract.
Long time, no post, but I had a great time presenting at #nacfc2025 over the weekend! It was amazing giving my first talk at a national conference!
October 27, 2025 at 2:58 AM
Reposted by Caitlyn Sebastian
🚨NEW🚨: Donald Trump is attempting to strip away federal support for libraries. We will NOT let that happen.

Last night the President signed an order to gut the Institute of Museum & Library Services. But together, we know we can show up & defeat it.

Full EO: www.whitehouse.gov/presidential...
March 15, 2025 at 1:41 PM
Proud to have been a part of #standupforscience2025 in Birmingham, AL!! Even prouder to be a part of the Mad Scientist shirt group! Ready for the next steps for us to take!
March 9, 2025 at 4:28 PM
I’m so ready to @standupforscience.bsky.social today!!
March 7, 2025 at 12:37 PM
Reposted by Caitlyn Sebastian
🚨 Many NSF-funded Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REUs) are being cancelled for Summer 2025.

www.reddit.com/r/REU/commen...
Cancellation megathread
www.reddit.com
February 24, 2025 at 4:02 PM
Reposted by Caitlyn Sebastian
LGBTQ federal workers say they're terrified they're about to be fired for their gender identity, sexual orientation, or past efforts to support other queer and trans employees—in other words, a second Lavender Scare.

Honored to have their trust with this story: www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
LGBTQ federal workers brace for a McCarthyist purge
"They’re not asking people ‘Are you gay? Are you lesbian?’ They’re asking, ‘Who is participating in DEI?'"
www.motherjones.com
February 24, 2025 at 6:23 PM
Despite everything going on, I try to still enjoy the little things in life such as spending time with the family chickens! This is Nugget and is probably our most human inclined one and loves to be picked up and held.
February 23, 2025 at 4:45 PM
With everything going on I went to check the NIH Postbac Program and was sadden to see this on the main page. For those who don’t know, I was an NIH IRTA Postbac and I attribute so much of my training from this program. I did not get much research experience during my undergraduate. (1/7)
February 22, 2025 at 2:50 PM
Reposted by Caitlyn Sebastian
I created a brief spreadsheet of reductions I've heard of so far. Any additions you know of (especially if you have the links/receipts) would be great: docs.google.com/spreadsheets...
Graduate Reductions Across Biomedical Sciences (2025)
docs.google.com
February 22, 2025 at 1:23 PM
Reposted by Caitlyn Sebastian
This one absolutely breaks my heart. The NIH post baccalaureate IRTA program lets our youngest and most creative minds come together to understand the potential impact of a career dedicated to scientific discovery. It sets trainees on a future not only of science but of *service*.
One of the many, many “pauses” and cancellations devastating our next generation of researchers. “The NIH Intramural Program has paused the recruitment of IRTAs, CRTAs, and Visiting Fellows in all training programs pending guidance from Health and Human Services. Check back daily for updates.”
Postbac Program
www.training.nih.gov
February 18, 2025 at 2:35 AM
Reposted by Caitlyn Sebastian
It matters that scientists speak out against what is being done to US science.

Staying silent is neither "objective" nor "staying out of politics".

Silence now *is* political - it supports the status quo, says "nothing to worry about".

We need to sound the alarm.
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Trump’s siege of science: how the first 30 days unfolded and what’s next
The breakneck pace and devastating impact of the administration’s policy changes has shocked researchers.
www.nature.com
February 21, 2025 at 9:26 AM
Reposted by Caitlyn Sebastian
Professors please pull up a chair.

I’ve been talking to my classes about what has been going on. I explained indirect costs to them. I talked to them about what a probationary employee is in the government.

At the end of class they asked if we could talk about it more. (1/)
February 18, 2025 at 8:01 PM
I’ve done everything to have been “successful”:
-Made good grades in HS to get into college
-Got good grades in college to get into a postbac program
-Networked and worked hard to get into grad school
-Gathered data to get a fellowship

Now, I don’t know what the future in science holds
February 18, 2025 at 10:34 PM
Reposted by Caitlyn Sebastian
The Pride in Microbiology Network is excited to announce dates and times for Virtual Coffee Hours for the first half of the year! Join our email list to receive the link before each event! 🏳️‍🌈
Our first Coffee Hour is this Friday! ☕ 🔬 🌈
#PrideinMicrobiology #PiM #QueerinSTEM
January 29, 2025 at 2:00 AM
I have been participating in a research trial where I can only eat the food they provide me. I have 2 days left and all I want are carbs. The main thing holding me back is the idea that if I mess up their experiment it’ll mess up mine. So gotta do it for the good experiment luck.
December 18, 2024 at 1:14 AM
Reposted by Caitlyn Sebastian
Introducing PiM Connections, a mentorship program by the Pride in Microbiology Network! 🌈 🔬
We will connect members based on career & scientific interests to support the next gen of queer & trans scientists. Register to be a mentor or mentee (or both!): https://buff.ly/3ZhdFGr
December 4, 2024 at 5:00 PM
I know more UAB people have moved over, but let me know if I’m missing anyone!
Slowly putting together a UAB starter pack as some of us slowly move over! Will contain UAB official accounts, faculty, staff, graduate students/graduate alumni, etc! Let me know people I’m missing so I can add them to it!

go.bsky.app/FC8nfDF
November 29, 2024 at 5:00 PM
Reposted by Caitlyn Sebastian
Today is International Day of LGBTQIA+ People in STEM! We are marking this occasion with our first ever Pride in Microbiology Research Symposium and have a lineup of incredible speakers!

#QueerinSTEM

It's still not too late to register: forms.gle/cE8n7F1688Ns...
November 18, 2024 at 1:23 PM
TOMORROW🧫🦠
November 18, 2024 at 3:42 AM
Reposted by Caitlyn Sebastian
🚨Want to know what amazing microbiologists from the LGBTQ+ community are doing? Join us tomorrow at the Pride in STEM Day Virtual Symposium!
The event will conclude with a Coffee Hour to connect with our global network. Check the schedule below! Register here:
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
November 17, 2024 at 11:19 PM
Reposted by Caitlyn Sebastian
The #CFMicro starter pack is taking shape - please share and let me know if you would like to be added!

#CF #CysticFibrosis #IDSky #MicroSky #IPSky

go.bsky.app/VYizbMW
November 13, 2024 at 6:58 PM
Reposted by Caitlyn Sebastian

I made a Starter Pack for the Staphylococcus community. Hope to find more good friends here on Bluesky to keep in touch about Staphylococcus infections, biology, microbiome interaction, antibiotic resistance and more. Please join and repost!

go.bsky.app/3zVWbSs
November 10, 2024 at 2:39 PM
Slowly putting together a UAB starter pack as some of us slowly move over! Will contain UAB official accounts, faculty, staff, graduate students/graduate alumni, etc! Let me know people I’m missing so I can add them to it!

go.bsky.app/FC8nfDF
November 17, 2024 at 1:16 PM
Reposted by Caitlyn Sebastian
Meet Caitlyn Sebastien (They/She), our first Speaker Spotlight from the Medical & Clinical Microbiology Session. Hear more about Caitlyn's work on November 18 at our LGBTQ+ STEM Day Virtual Symposium🏳️‍🌈 🔬
Learn more & register here:
https://buff.ly/4hH1oUj
#PrideinMicrobiology
November 13, 2024 at 6:00 PM