Irini Topalidou
@irinakitop.bsky.social
Researcher obsessed with little worms. Greek
Senior scientist @HutchBasicSci @FredHutch
Senior scientist @HutchBasicSci @FredHutch
Pinned
Irini Topalidou
@irinakitop.bsky.social
· Nov 18
Inspiring talks, signs, and crowd at today's #StandForScience2025 event in Seattle. Thanks to everyone who participated and gave us hope!
March 8, 2025 at 6:17 AM
Inspiring talks, signs, and crowd at today's #StandForScience2025 event in Seattle. Thanks to everyone who participated and gave us hope!
For this reason I was very pleased to see Tom Maniatis's article and petition on NIH’s decision to cap indirect cost reimbursement at 15% in @cellpress.bsky.social
www.cell.com/cell/fulltex...
www.cell.com/cell/fulltex...
March 3, 2025 at 6:02 AM
For this reason I was very pleased to see Tom Maniatis's article and petition on NIH’s decision to cap indirect cost reimbursement at 15% in @cellpress.bsky.social
www.cell.com/cell/fulltex...
www.cell.com/cell/fulltex...
Reposted by Irini Topalidou
Reposted by Irini Topalidou
that Trumpers think the US Postal *SERVICE* should be a profit-making enterprise exposes the fallacy in their conception of government
February 22, 2025 at 12:20 AM
that Trumpers think the US Postal *SERVICE* should be a profit-making enterprise exposes the fallacy in their conception of government
Reposted by Irini Topalidou
Any talk you hear from the current administration about making the US more competitive in science and technology is utter bullshit. What they are doing is sabotaging our country for years if not decades to come.
The University of Pittsburgh confirmed Friday that there would be no new Ph.D. offers of admission while Pitt works to understand how reduced federal aid could impact the institution.
The University of Pittsburgh pauses its Ph.D. admissions process amid research funding uncertainty
A spokesperson for the University told WESA Friday that the school has "temporarily paused additional Ph.D. offers of admission," while Pitt works to understand how proposed federal funding cuts could...
www.wesa.fm
February 22, 2025 at 11:03 PM
Any talk you hear from the current administration about making the US more competitive in science and technology is utter bullshit. What they are doing is sabotaging our country for years if not decades to come.
Reposted by Irini Topalidou
Maybe I wasn’t clear about this. I wanted more egg and no plane crash, not many plane crash and no egg.
February 17, 2025 at 11:28 PM
Maybe I wasn’t clear about this. I wanted more egg and no plane crash, not many plane crash and no egg.
Reposted by Irini Topalidou
While Trump “floods the zone,” we must stay focused.
NO to oligarchy, tax breaks for the rich and cuts to working class programs. NO to authoritarianism and unlimited power for one man.
YES to growing the union movement and raising wages. YES to health care as a human right.
NO to oligarchy, tax breaks for the rich and cuts to working class programs. NO to authoritarianism and unlimited power for one man.
YES to growing the union movement and raising wages. YES to health care as a human right.
February 16, 2025 at 3:56 PM
While Trump “floods the zone,” we must stay focused.
NO to oligarchy, tax breaks for the rich and cuts to working class programs. NO to authoritarianism and unlimited power for one man.
YES to growing the union movement and raising wages. YES to health care as a human right.
NO to oligarchy, tax breaks for the rich and cuts to working class programs. NO to authoritarianism and unlimited power for one man.
YES to growing the union movement and raising wages. YES to health care as a human right.
Reposted by Irini Topalidou
Thanks to everyone who shared this request. We updated our new Trump Tracker blog today with the voices of some federal scientists who reached out. More to come.
www.science.org/content/arti...
www.science.org/content/arti...
Trump Tracker: Firings, lawsuits and U.S. science in chaos
Follow President Donald Trump’s impact on U.S. research and science globally
www.science.org
February 17, 2025 at 1:13 AM
Thanks to everyone who shared this request. We updated our new Trump Tracker blog today with the voices of some federal scientists who reached out. More to come.
www.science.org/content/arti...
www.science.org/content/arti...
Reposted by Irini Topalidou
Dear federal scientists: If you have been affected by the probationary firings and would be willing to speak with Science, please reach out to me by email (klangin@aaas.org) or on Signal. We can guarantee annonymity.
February 14, 2025 at 8:05 PM
Dear federal scientists: If you have been affected by the probationary firings and would be willing to speak with Science, please reach out to me by email (klangin@aaas.org) or on Signal. We can guarantee annonymity.
Reposted by Irini Topalidou
I do think we will see a lot of people leaving America over this.
Our country is going back to factory settings.
Our country is going back to factory settings.
The U.S. is going to see a major ethical and brain drain as those who embrace our romantic experiment with multicultural pluralistic democracy cannot tolerate living in a country where the majority of people either didn’t care enough to vote, or voted for this.
February 16, 2025 at 1:54 PM
I do think we will see a lot of people leaving America over this.
Our country is going back to factory settings.
Our country is going back to factory settings.
I foresee a massive brain drain of scientists from the U.S. in the next few years, along with immigrant scientists avoiding the country. Trump's voters destroyed the unique appeal the U.S. once had for scientists 😢😣
February 17, 2025 at 12:16 AM
I foresee a massive brain drain of scientists from the U.S. in the next few years, along with immigrant scientists avoiding the country. Trump's voters destroyed the unique appeal the U.S. once had for scientists 😢😣
Reposted by Irini Topalidou
Sweeping layoffs are set to hit federal health and science agencies, including at the NIH, and former director Monica Bertagnolli called the situation at the NIH “devastating.”
Trump administration layoffs set to hit NIH are ‘devastating,’ former director Monica Bertagnolli says
Sweeping layoffs are set to hit federal health and science agencies, including at the NIH, and former director Monica Bertagnolli called the situation at the NIH “devastating.”
buff.ly
February 16, 2025 at 9:12 PM
Sweeping layoffs are set to hit federal health and science agencies, including at the NIH, and former director Monica Bertagnolli called the situation at the NIH “devastating.”
Reposted by Irini Topalidou
It’s quite clear by now that the answer to “why is the Trump administration doing x terrible thing?” is that they are *trying* to dismantle America and destabilize the entire world.
February 16, 2025 at 6:14 PM
It’s quite clear by now that the answer to “why is the Trump administration doing x terrible thing?” is that they are *trying* to dismantle America and destabilize the entire world.
Reposted by Irini Topalidou
Trainees who applied for an NIH diversity fellowship whose applications were withdrawn/not being reviewed, there's a NYTimes reporter who wants to talk, especially interested in applicants with disabilities. DM me & I'll put you in touch, will keep all contact confidential. Please amplify
February 10, 2025 at 3:58 AM
Trainees who applied for an NIH diversity fellowship whose applications were withdrawn/not being reviewed, there's a NYTimes reporter who wants to talk, especially interested in applicants with disabilities. DM me & I'll put you in touch, will keep all contact confidential. Please amplify
"Keep calling, keep writing,
Knowing you can always make a change for sure.
That's what we're here for.
Through good times and bad times,
We'll stand by the side of research more.
That's what we're here for."
Bad but more modern version of "that's what friends are for"
Knowing you can always make a change for sure.
That's what we're here for.
Through good times and bad times,
We'll stand by the side of research more.
That's what we're here for."
Bad but more modern version of "that's what friends are for"
And for that reason I keep writing to my reps (third time in the last two weeks). I don't know if it helps but I do know that it's more than doing nothing. I try to push the blame more on Musk, as I think this may fly better with most Republicans. We do what we can.
February 10, 2025 at 2:05 AM
"Keep calling, keep writing,
Knowing you can always make a change for sure.
That's what we're here for.
Through good times and bad times,
We'll stand by the side of research more.
That's what we're here for."
Bad but more modern version of "that's what friends are for"
Knowing you can always make a change for sure.
That's what we're here for.
Through good times and bad times,
We'll stand by the side of research more.
That's what we're here for."
Bad but more modern version of "that's what friends are for"
Reposted by Irini Topalidou
If only that breast cancer commercial ended with a notice about all the research funding cuts the current administration is pushing through and how it has immediate negative impacts on breast cancer research and screening.
February 10, 2025 at 1:15 AM
If only that breast cancer commercial ended with a notice about all the research funding cuts the current administration is pushing through and how it has immediate negative impacts on breast cancer research and screening.
As Christopher Hitchens said "never be a spectator of unfairness or stupidity. The grave will supply plenty of time for silence.” Now is the time for all of us to resist the absolute stupidity this government has imposed on our lives. www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/int...
Opinion | The antidote to Trump despair is action. Here’s where to start.
Readers react to Anne Lamott’s op-ed on resistance and share strategies for fighting Trump 2.0.
www.washingtonpost.com
February 9, 2025 at 10:30 PM
As Christopher Hitchens said "never be a spectator of unfairness or stupidity. The grave will supply plenty of time for silence.” Now is the time for all of us to resist the absolute stupidity this government has imposed on our lives. www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/int...
Reposted by Irini Topalidou
Very cool study on SKN-1/Nrf protein regulation of oxidative stress resistance by @nlehrbach.bsky.social lab in #Celegans
Our latest work on the ever-fascinating skn-1 transcription factor (Nrf1 and Nrf2 for non-worm people).
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Protein sequence editing defines distinct and overlapping functions of SKN-1A/Nrf1 and SKN-1C/Nrf2
The Nrf/NFE2L family of transcription factors regulates redox balance, xenobiotic detoxification, metabolism, proteostasis, and aging. Nrf1/NFE2L1 is primarily responsible for stress-responsive upregu...
www.biorxiv.org
February 7, 2025 at 8:06 PM
Very cool study on SKN-1/Nrf protein regulation of oxidative stress resistance by @nlehrbach.bsky.social lab in #Celegans
In the midst of the dark ages, we MUST retain optimism—keep going, keep publishing, keep talking science, and keep doing fun experiments! Our latest paper on the fascinating TF SKN-1/NRF presents exciting new findings using our one and only #Celegans #genetics #oxidativestress #proteasome
Our latest work on the ever-fascinating skn-1 transcription factor (Nrf1 and Nrf2 for non-worm people).
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Protein sequence editing defines distinct and overlapping functions of SKN-1A/Nrf1 and SKN-1C/Nrf2
The Nrf/NFE2L family of transcription factors regulates redox balance, xenobiotic detoxification, metabolism, proteostasis, and aging. Nrf1/NFE2L1 is primarily responsible for stress-responsive upregu...
www.biorxiv.org
February 9, 2025 at 10:19 PM
In the midst of the dark ages, we MUST retain optimism—keep going, keep publishing, keep talking science, and keep doing fun experiments! Our latest paper on the fascinating TF SKN-1/NRF presents exciting new findings using our one and only #Celegans #genetics #oxidativestress #proteasome
Reposted by Irini Topalidou
#Celegans #Worms - I'm guessing sending whole labs to big conferences might be too expensive for many labs this year. I want to highlight this meeting will be FREE. VAI will cover all costs and lunch and if people still want night networking I will set something up if enough are interested.
Website and registration for the 11th annual Midwest Worm Meeting on April 18th is now live. Great opportunity for trainees who might not be able to attend the bigger meetings. Also if you'd like to visit VAI or see a great Keynote by Prof. Frank Schroeder this year. - www.vai.org/event/2025-m...
2025 Midwest C. elegans Meeting
Join us for 2025 Midwest C. elegans Meeting at Van Andel Institute Stay informed about exciting upcoming events and activities.
www.vai.org
February 9, 2025 at 7:05 PM
Reposted by Irini Topalidou
That the White House feels the need to push back on this is good news. It means they are feeling the heat, and it's not just being seen as an inside baseball issue. Because it's not.
Keep pushing! Keep calling! Keep fighting!
Keep pushing! Keep calling! Keep fighting!
The White House sent out an email to all reporters on its press list, calling our story “fake news.”
We stand by our story.
We stand by our story.
February 9, 2025 at 5:17 PM
That the White House feels the need to push back on this is good news. It means they are feeling the heat, and it's not just being seen as an inside baseball issue. Because it's not.
Keep pushing! Keep calling! Keep fighting!
Keep pushing! Keep calling! Keep fighting!
Reposted by Irini Topalidou
Gene editing technology began by people studying salt marshes. Ozempic began by folks studying the venom of Gila Monsters. Support for basic science has empowered us to understand our world. Tethering it to applications health has transformed and saved countless lives.
February 8, 2025 at 1:45 PM
Gene editing technology began by people studying salt marshes. Ozempic began by folks studying the venom of Gila Monsters. Support for basic science has empowered us to understand our world. Tethering it to applications health has transformed and saved countless lives.
👇😭
Thinking back on all this I better understand the pain I feel to see science under devastating attack here. It’s not just about my livelihood or my university. It’s about my identity. And it’s about a pursuit that I see as standing along with art, literature, and music as among our highest callings.
February 9, 2025 at 12:17 AM
👇😭
I’m reflecting on the many reasons immigrants like myself left their homes to come to this country—to join a scientific community built on innovation, creativity, freedom, and discovery.
Trump, his supporters, and those who voted for him are destroying this incredible world 😢
Trump, his supporters, and those who voted for him are destroying this incredible world 😢
February 8, 2025 at 11:53 PM
I’m reflecting on the many reasons immigrants like myself left their homes to come to this country—to join a scientific community built on innovation, creativity, freedom, and discovery.
Trump, his supporters, and those who voted for him are destroying this incredible world 😢
Trump, his supporters, and those who voted for him are destroying this incredible world 😢
A great 🧵 explaining why the new NIH directive felt like a bomb dropped on our heads 💣
1. Today the NIH director issued a new directive slashing overhead rates to 15%.
I want to provide some context on what that means and why it matters.
grants.nih.gov/grants/guide...
I want to provide some context on what that means and why it matters.
grants.nih.gov/grants/guide...
NOT-OD-25-068: Supplemental Guidance to the 2024 NIH Grants Policy Statement: Indirect Cost Rates
NIH Funding Opportunities and Notices in the NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts: Supplemental Guidance to the 2024 NIH Grants Policy Statement: Indirect Cost Rates NOT-OD-25-068. OD
grants.nih.gov
February 8, 2025 at 6:59 AM
A great 🧵 explaining why the new NIH directive felt like a bomb dropped on our heads 💣