Heather Caslin
@heathercaslin.bsky.social
Assistant Prof in Exercise Science. Immunometabolism researcher and toddler mom! Views my own.
Pinned
Heather Caslin
@heathercaslin.bsky.social
· Mar 21
Weight loss-induced adipose macrophage memory corresponds... : Shock
immune memory in adipose macrophages that correlates with worsened diabetes risk after weight regain. Here, we investigated the effect of weight gain and loss on adipose macrophage memory and infectio...
journals.lww.com
First Caslin Lab publication is out this week!! We explore the impacts of innate immune memory to weight loss on infection outcomes. Thanks to Julie Bohannon and Ed Sherwood at Vanderbilt for the help with infection studies.
journals.lww.com/shockjournal...
journals.lww.com/shockjournal...
TX, it’s primary season! Early voting begins today for the March 3rd election!
February 17, 2026 at 1:46 PM
TX, it’s primary season! Early voting begins today for the March 3rd election!
LolPI moment of the week was talking to a trainee about the Super Bowl halftime show and mentioning Ricky Martin and realizing they had no clue what I was talking about 🤣
February 15, 2026 at 1:57 AM
LolPI moment of the week was talking to a trainee about the Super Bowl halftime show and mentioning Ricky Martin and realizing they had no clue what I was talking about 🤣
Reposted by Heather Caslin
Happening now on 50th Street in Minneapolis. Lined up over a ten block stretch.
February 15, 2026 at 12:23 AM
Happening now on 50th Street in Minneapolis. Lined up over a ten block stretch.
Reposted by Heather Caslin
It's long past time to stop indulging people who think you can meaningfully defend science without also defending democracy and academic freedom and opposing authoritarianism. It's the same fight, otherwise all you're defending is your own status.
February 8, 2026 at 2:26 PM
It's long past time to stop indulging people who think you can meaningfully defend science without also defending democracy and academic freedom and opposing authoritarianism. It's the same fight, otherwise all you're defending is your own status.
Reposted by Heather Caslin
Jesus Ochoa and Raymundo Gutierrez are named as the murderers of Alex Pretti.
Both with enough experience that the excuse of a new agent panicking won’t fly. These guys are supposedly elite (one was on a SWAT team). Yet they pumped 10 bullets into a man they had just disarmed.
Justice will come.
Both with enough experience that the excuse of a new agent panicking won’t fly. These guys are supposedly elite (one was on a SWAT team). Yet they pumped 10 bullets into a man they had just disarmed.
Justice will come.
ProPublica reports that "agents who fired on Minneapolis protester Alex Pretti are identified in government records as Border Patrol agent Jesus Ochoa and Customs and Border Protection officer Raymundo Gutierrez."
www.mprnews.org/story/2026/0...
www.mprnews.org/story/2026/0...
2 CBP agents identified in Alex Pretti shooting
The two federal immigration agents who fired on Minneapolis protester Alex Pretti are identified in government records as Border Patrol agent Jesus Ochoa and Customs and Border Protection officer Raym...
www.mprnews.org
February 1, 2026 at 11:45 PM
Jesus Ochoa and Raymundo Gutierrez are named as the murderers of Alex Pretti.
Both with enough experience that the excuse of a new agent panicking won’t fly. These guys are supposedly elite (one was on a SWAT team). Yet they pumped 10 bullets into a man they had just disarmed.
Justice will come.
Both with enough experience that the excuse of a new agent panicking won’t fly. These guys are supposedly elite (one was on a SWAT team). Yet they pumped 10 bullets into a man they had just disarmed.
Justice will come.
Reposted by Heather Caslin
ICYMI, Rice University students have developed a free online map to track ICE activity throughout the country.
Find it here: www.icemap.dev.
Gift link to @houstonchronicle.com story about it:
www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston...
Find it here: www.icemap.dev.
Gift link to @houstonchronicle.com story about it:
www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston...
Rice students create nationwide ICE tracker to monitor immigration enforcement
The students had been teaching weekly children's classes as volunteers. One day, the kids stopped showing up.
www.houstonchronicle.com
January 31, 2026 at 4:50 PM
ICYMI, Rice University students have developed a free online map to track ICE activity throughout the country.
Find it here: www.icemap.dev.
Gift link to @houstonchronicle.com story about it:
www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston...
Find it here: www.icemap.dev.
Gift link to @houstonchronicle.com story about it:
www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston...
Reposted by Heather Caslin
If I were a blue state governor, I’d be looking into adding a bunch of tenure lines at my state schools.
I know that seems like “kick ‘em when they’re down,” but it’s more like “let academics who can escape to where they can do real work.”
Builds up your own schools AND protect US academic output.
I know that seems like “kick ‘em when they’re down,” but it’s more like “let academics who can escape to where they can do real work.”
Builds up your own schools AND protect US academic output.
The governor of Texas is rapidly turning world-class universities into minor regional ones. Example:
Greg Abbott halts H-1B visas at Texas universities, agencies
The governor said public universities and state agencies may not seek new visas without permission through the end of the 2027 legislative session.
www.texastribune.org
January 30, 2026 at 11:15 PM
If I were a blue state governor, I’d be looking into adding a bunch of tenure lines at my state schools.
I know that seems like “kick ‘em when they’re down,” but it’s more like “let academics who can escape to where they can do real work.”
Builds up your own schools AND protect US academic output.
I know that seems like “kick ‘em when they’re down,” but it’s more like “let academics who can escape to where they can do real work.”
Builds up your own schools AND protect US academic output.
Reposted by Heather Caslin
Two Democratic members of Congress attacked in three days. Maxwell Frost was assaulted on Saturday, Ilan Omar tonight.
January 28, 2026 at 2:03 AM
Two Democratic members of Congress attacked in three days. Maxwell Frost was assaulted on Saturday, Ilan Omar tonight.
Lots of information about places to donate if anyone is still looking for ways to help MN
tomorrow, StandWithMinnesota.com will hit a million site visits and over 650,000 unique visitors.
i made it 10 days ago with $600 from you guys for hosting and cloudflare.
thank you. thank you.
i made it 10 days ago with $600 from you guys for hosting and cloudflare.
thank you. thank you.
Stand With Minnesota Donation Directory
Stand With Minnesota is a hub for supporting, learning, and taking action to support Minnesotans impacted by ICE and federal enforcement.
StandWithMinnesota.com
January 26, 2026 at 4:08 PM
Lots of information about places to donate if anyone is still looking for ways to help MN
Reposted by Heather Caslin
ICE OUT MN MARCH AND RALLY
January 23, 2026 at 10:09 PM
ICE OUT MN MARCH AND RALLY
Reposted by Heather Caslin
Minneapolis, MN
The resistance!
1/23/26
The resistance!
1/23/26
January 23, 2026 at 9:35 PM
Minneapolis, MN
The resistance!
1/23/26
The resistance!
1/23/26
😳
🚨 New from me: Grant review at more than half of NIH's institutes could be frozen by the end of the year.
That's because crucial NIH grant-review panels are slated to be empty at those institutes by Jan 2027.
A wonky bureaucratic problem with big implications.
A short 🧵
That's because crucial NIH grant-review panels are slated to be empty at those institutes by Jan 2027.
A wonky bureaucratic problem with big implications.
A short 🧵
Exclusive: key NIH review panels due to lose all members by the end of 2026
Thirteen of the agency’s advisory councils, which must review grant applications before funding is awarded, are on track to have no voting members.
www.nature.com
January 23, 2026 at 2:31 AM
😳
Reposted by Heather Caslin
So all colleges and universities will bring back the DEI stuff they cut when obeying in advance right...............................................................................................................................................right?
Re the February Dear Colleagues letter that threatened funding for schools & universities over DEI-related efforts:
‘[Ed Dept]…moved to dismiss its appeal. It leaves in place a federal judge’s August decision finding that the anti-DEI effort violated the First Amendment & federal procedural rules.’
‘[Ed Dept]…moved to dismiss its appeal. It leaves in place a federal judge’s August decision finding that the anti-DEI effort violated the First Amendment & federal procedural rules.’
Trump administration drops legal appeal over anti-DEI funding threat to schools and colleges
The Trump administration is dropping its appeal of a federal court ruling that blocked a campaign against diversity, equity, and inclusion threatening federal funding to the nation’s schools and colle...
apnews.com
January 21, 2026 at 7:42 PM
So all colleges and universities will bring back the DEI stuff they cut when obeying in advance right...............................................................................................................................................right?
Reposted by Heather Caslin
ICE shot a man in Glen Burnie and the story they told was contradicted by:
1. ICE’s own photos
2. Bystander video
3. Lawyer for another immigrant at the scene
4. Anne Arundel County Police
Now ICE is revising its story.
The latest from Alex Mann:
www.thebanner.com/community/cr...
1. ICE’s own photos
2. Bystander video
3. Lawyer for another immigrant at the scene
4. Anne Arundel County Police
Now ICE is revising its story.
The latest from Alex Mann:
www.thebanner.com/community/cr...
ICE changes story on Christmas Eve shooting by agents in Glen Burnie
Federal officials changed their account of the Christmas Eve shooting by ICE agents in Glen Burnie.
www.thebanner.com
January 10, 2026 at 3:42 PM
ICE shot a man in Glen Burnie and the story they told was contradicted by:
1. ICE’s own photos
2. Bystander video
3. Lawyer for another immigrant at the scene
4. Anne Arundel County Police
Now ICE is revising its story.
The latest from Alex Mann:
www.thebanner.com/community/cr...
1. ICE’s own photos
2. Bystander video
3. Lawyer for another immigrant at the scene
4. Anne Arundel County Police
Now ICE is revising its story.
The latest from Alex Mann:
www.thebanner.com/community/cr...
Reposted by Heather Caslin
Minnesota today
January 10, 2026 at 11:41 PM
Minnesota today
Reposted by Heather Caslin
Texas A&M University will not reinstate a lecturer who was fired after a video of her teaching about gender identity in a children’s literature class went viral, despite a faculty appeals panel unanimously concluding that her dismissal was not justified.
Texas A&M won’t reinstate fired lecturer despite findings
A vice chancellor upheld the firing of Melissa McCoul, seen in a viral video being confronted by a student on her gender identity teachings, saying the termination was done with “good cause.”
www.texastribune.org
December 24, 2025 at 11:02 PM
Texas A&M University will not reinstate a lecturer who was fired after a video of her teaching about gender identity in a children’s literature class went viral, despite a faculty appeals panel unanimously concluding that her dismissal was not justified.
Yall will be so interested in all of the immunology articles I have open that I swear I will read at a later date… 🤣
Truth or Dare:
If a player chooses “truth,” they must reveal how much money they make. If they choose “dare,” they must hand someone their phone and let them look at every tab they have open on their browser.
If a player chooses “truth,” they must reveal how much money they make. If they choose “dare,” they must hand someone their phone and let them look at every tab they have open on their browser.
Middle School Party Games, Revised for Thirty-Five-Year-Olds
Truth or Dare If a player chooses “truth,” they must reveal how much money they make. If they choose “dare,” they must hand someone their phone and...
buff.ly
December 5, 2025 at 2:02 AM
Yall will be so interested in all of the immunology articles I have open that I swear I will read at a later date… 🤣
Reposted by Heather Caslin
Clinical trials are so vital!!!
cuts to NIH grants disrupted more than 380 clinical trials, affecting over 74,000 participants!!
cuts to NIH grants disrupted more than 380 clinical trials, affecting over 74,000 participants!!
A new study found the Trump administration’s cuts to NIH grants disrupted more than 380 clinical trials, affecting over 74,000 participants.
The cuts disproportionately impacted trials on infectious diseases and minority communities.
The cuts disproportionately impacted trials on infectious diseases and minority communities.
Federal cuts upended clinical trials. A new study reveals the toll.
Grants for 383 clinical trials were terminated and the funding disruptions affected more than 74,000 trial participants, according to new research.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 18, 2025 at 12:31 AM
Clinical trials are so vital!!!
cuts to NIH grants disrupted more than 380 clinical trials, affecting over 74,000 participants!!
cuts to NIH grants disrupted more than 380 clinical trials, affecting over 74,000 participants!!
Reposted by Heather Caslin
Per CNN, Elizabeth Warren is calling on Harvard to cut ties with Larry Summers after Jeffrey Epstein's emails released last week by House Dems featured Summers making sexist comments + asking for Epstein’s romantic advice.
November 17, 2025 at 5:55 PM
Per CNN, Elizabeth Warren is calling on Harvard to cut ties with Larry Summers after Jeffrey Epstein's emails released last week by House Dems featured Summers making sexist comments + asking for Epstein’s romantic advice.
New review with @lab-williams.bsky.social out today! One of the most enjoyable things about being a new PI has been making new collaborations and seeing projects advance through the pipeline.
link.springer.com/article/10.1...
link.springer.com/article/10.1...
Mechanisms of Innate Immune Modulation by High-Fat Diet: Implications for Obesity and Asthma - Current Allergy and Asthma Reports
Purpose of the Review The innate immune system plays a critical role in mediating many of the physiological consequences of high-fat diet consumption. Dietary lipids, and specifically saturated fatty ...
link.springer.com
November 10, 2025 at 12:40 PM
New review with @lab-williams.bsky.social out today! One of the most enjoyable things about being a new PI has been making new collaborations and seeing projects advance through the pipeline.
link.springer.com/article/10.1...
link.springer.com/article/10.1...
Reposted by Heather Caslin
The man who ended USAID is the world's first trillionaire
November 7, 2025 at 2:14 AM
The man who ended USAID is the world's first trillionaire
😭 there’s no way this is a good thing
8 high level positions at NIH posted including 6 institute director positions (NIMH, NIGMS, NICHD, NIDCR, NHGRI, NLM).
Only open for 2 weeks (applications due November 21).
Application materials include a) CV b) vision statement c) a photocopy of doctoral degree.
hr.nih.gov/careers/open...
Only open for 2 weeks (applications due November 21).
Application materials include a) CV b) vision statement c) a photocopy of doctoral degree.
hr.nih.gov/careers/open...
hr.nih.gov
November 8, 2025 at 1:17 AM
😭 there’s no way this is a good thing
Reposted by Heather Caslin
harvard medical school got bombed yesterday and it barely made news
A device exploded inside the Goldenson Building in Harvard’s Longwood medical campus early Saturday morning, according to a message from the Harvard University Police Department to University affiliates.
Matan H. Josephy and Laurel M. Shugart report.
www.thecrimson.com/article/2025...
Matan H. Josephy and Laurel M. Shugart report.
www.thecrimson.com/article/2025...
Authorities Investigating Explosion on Harvard’s Medical Campus, Believed To Be Intentional | News | The Harvard Crimson
A device exploded inside the Goldenson Building in Harvard’s Longwood medical campus early Saturday morning, according to a message from the Harvard University Police Department to University…
www.thecrimson.com
November 2, 2025 at 7:14 PM
harvard medical school got bombed yesterday and it barely made news
Reposted by Heather Caslin
Socioeconomic roots of academic faculty
Tenure-track faculty are up to 25 times more likely to have a parent with a Ph.D. Moreover, this rate nearly doubles at prestigious universities and is stable across the past 50 years.
#AcademicSky
Tenure-track faculty are up to 25 times more likely to have a parent with a Ph.D. Moreover, this rate nearly doubles at prestigious universities and is stable across the past 50 years.
#AcademicSky
Socioeconomic roots of academic faculty - Nature Human Behaviour
Studying socioeconomic backgrounds and intergenerational transmission in the US academia, Morgan et al. find that faculty have a parent with a Ph.D. degree a striking 25 times more often than the gene...
www.nature.com
November 1, 2025 at 3:53 PM
Socioeconomic roots of academic faculty
Tenure-track faculty are up to 25 times more likely to have a parent with a Ph.D. Moreover, this rate nearly doubles at prestigious universities and is stable across the past 50 years.
#AcademicSky
Tenure-track faculty are up to 25 times more likely to have a parent with a Ph.D. Moreover, this rate nearly doubles at prestigious universities and is stable across the past 50 years.
#AcademicSky
Is being a PI just updating mouse protocols every month?
October 22, 2025 at 8:09 PM
Is being a PI just updating mouse protocols every month?