Jason Shepherd
@jasonsynaptic.bsky.social
🇿🇦🇳🇿🇺🇸Neuroscientist/amateur virologist. Professor, University of Utah. Molecular mechanisms of memory, repurposed transposons, and virus-like intercellular signaling. Personal views.
Photography, travel, sports.
www.shepherdlab.org
Photography, travel, sports.
www.shepherdlab.org
Pinned
Jason Shepherd
@jasonsynaptic.bsky.social
· Oct 20
For obvious reasons, I've become fascinated with retrotransposons. So we ( @alexwhiteley.bsky.social and I) wrote an article now out in Neuron @cellpress.bsky.social on how we think retrotransposons influence brain function and health! kwnsfk27.r.eu-west-1.awstrack.me/L0/https:%2F...
To state the obvious, there’s no good reason to deny renewal of Dr. Koroshetz, who’s done a rock solid job of leading the NINDS. This is sowing chaos on purpose and leaving the NIH rudderless.
More news (not good) from NIH
The renewal request from National Institute of Neurological Diseases and Stroke Director Walter Koroshetz has been denied.
I guess the NIH_leadership™ needed another position to fill with their time-tested recruitment process.
The renewal request from National Institute of Neurological Diseases and Stroke Director Walter Koroshetz has been denied.
I guess the NIH_leadership™ needed another position to fill with their time-tested recruitment process.
December 28, 2025 at 4:05 AM
To state the obvious, there’s no good reason to deny renewal of Dr. Koroshetz, who’s done a rock solid job of leading the NINDS. This is sowing chaos on purpose and leaving the NIH rudderless.
Had to break our Christmas streak of skiing Deer Valley..because no snow. Instead we went for a hike in our backyard!
December 25, 2025 at 10:16 PM
Had to break our Christmas streak of skiing Deer Valley..because no snow. Instead we went for a hike in our backyard!
Merry Christmas to me! Hope everyone has a relaxing day with their loved ones.
December 25, 2025 at 5:02 PM
Merry Christmas to me! Hope everyone has a relaxing day with their loved ones.
Reposted by Jason Shepherd
Neuro grad students! Applications for the 6th annual - Rising Stars in Neuroscience - due Jan 9!
Don’t miss this chance to present research, sharpen science communication skills and connect with peers & faculty. Plus you’ll get to experience stunning Utah!
medicine.utah.edu/neurobiology...
Don’t miss this chance to present research, sharpen science communication skills and connect with peers & faculty. Plus you’ll get to experience stunning Utah!
medicine.utah.edu/neurobiology...
December 9, 2025 at 6:52 PM
Neuro grad students! Applications for the 6th annual - Rising Stars in Neuroscience - due Jan 9!
Don’t miss this chance to present research, sharpen science communication skills and connect with peers & faculty. Plus you’ll get to experience stunning Utah!
medicine.utah.edu/neurobiology...
Don’t miss this chance to present research, sharpen science communication skills and connect with peers & faculty. Plus you’ll get to experience stunning Utah!
medicine.utah.edu/neurobiology...
Current playlist…
December 20, 2025 at 10:03 PM
Current playlist…
Excited to be working with colleagues around the world (including @drjkhokhar.bsky.social @jojolab.bsky.social and CHAIR @sjo09.bsky.social) on the @ibroorg.bsky.social World Congress in Cape Town, 2027! ibro.org/ibro-announc...
IBRO announces the Scientific Program Committee for the 2027 World Congress
Following a rigorous global selection process led by co-chairs Dr. Sheena Josselyn and Dr. Thiruma V. Arumugam, who aimed at establishing a scientifically broad Scientific Program Committee (SPC) for…
ibro.org
December 18, 2025 at 10:22 PM
Excited to be working with colleagues around the world (including @drjkhokhar.bsky.social @jojolab.bsky.social and CHAIR @sjo09.bsky.social) on the @ibroorg.bsky.social World Congress in Cape Town, 2027! ibro.org/ibro-announc...
The NIH director says the premise of the question “are vaccines worse then than the disease? is flawed. I can’t even.
December 17, 2025 at 4:41 AM
The NIH director says the premise of the question “are vaccines worse then than the disease? is flawed. I can’t even.
Reposted by Jason Shepherd
📣Register now for the 50th Anniversary Park City Winter Conference on the Neurobiology of Learning and Memory parkcitywinterconf.org/register/
Deadline tomorrow, Friday, the 12th! Spread the word. 🧠🔬👩🔬
➡️Top 5 reasons to attend:
1/6
Deadline tomorrow, Friday, the 12th! Spread the word. 🧠🔬👩🔬
➡️Top 5 reasons to attend:
1/6
December 11, 2025 at 5:07 PM
📣Register now for the 50th Anniversary Park City Winter Conference on the Neurobiology of Learning and Memory parkcitywinterconf.org/register/
Deadline tomorrow, Friday, the 12th! Spread the word. 🧠🔬👩🔬
➡️Top 5 reasons to attend:
1/6
Deadline tomorrow, Friday, the 12th! Spread the word. 🧠🔬👩🔬
➡️Top 5 reasons to attend:
1/6
Thanks to @chillinwithpfn1.bsky.social for hosting me at the Medical College of Georgia/Augusta university! Enjoyed talking with everyone and the surprisingly good sushi dinner (and coffee shop).
December 12, 2025 at 5:00 PM
Thanks to @chillinwithpfn1.bsky.social for hosting me at the Medical College of Georgia/Augusta university! Enjoyed talking with everyone and the surprisingly good sushi dinner (and coffee shop).
Reason #679 you should always take the window seat!
On my way to Georgia medical school/Augusta university!
On my way to Georgia medical school/Augusta university!
December 11, 2025 at 3:12 AM
Reason #679 you should always take the window seat!
On my way to Georgia medical school/Augusta university!
On my way to Georgia medical school/Augusta university!
The latest NIH uidated are duoer vague. Today they announced that you cannot contact an IC to get permission to go above $500K Directs. Does this mean the cap is removed OR you can’t go over $500K at all and if you do submit a budget above, it will not go through?! grants.nih.gov/grants/guide...
NOT-OD-26-019: Updated Application Policies: NIH Administrative Burden Reduction Effort Removal of Requirements for Letters of Intent and Unsolicited Applications Requesting $500,000 or More in Dire...
NIH Funding Opportunities and Notices in the NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts: Updated Application Policies: NIH Administrative Burden Reduction Effort Removal of Requirements for Letters of Inten...
grants.nih.gov
December 3, 2025 at 10:24 PM
The latest NIH uidated are duoer vague. Today they announced that you cannot contact an IC to get permission to go above $500K Directs. Does this mean the cap is removed OR you can’t go over $500K at all and if you do submit a budget above, it will not go through?! grants.nih.gov/grants/guide...
The last month has been..a lot. But it’s always a highlight to have a student defend their PhD! Kaelan worked his ass off and I’m super proud of him.
Now just hoping for good reviews on his resubmitted epic paper🤞🏻
Excited to see what he does in @tinakim-neuro.bsky.social’s lab as a PD!
Now just hoping for good reviews on his resubmitted epic paper🤞🏻
Excited to see what he does in @tinakim-neuro.bsky.social’s lab as a PD!
December 1, 2025 at 11:23 PM
The last month has been..a lot. But it’s always a highlight to have a student defend their PhD! Kaelan worked his ass off and I’m super proud of him.
Now just hoping for good reviews on his resubmitted epic paper🤞🏻
Excited to see what he does in @tinakim-neuro.bsky.social’s lab as a PD!
Now just hoping for good reviews on his resubmitted epic paper🤞🏻
Excited to see what he does in @tinakim-neuro.bsky.social’s lab as a PD!
🧪🧠 A reminder to come join us in beautiful Park city for the 50th anniversary of the winter learning and memory meeting! Stellar program: parkcitywinterconf.org/conference-p...
2026 Conference Program – Park City Winter Conference
parkcitywinterconf.org
December 1, 2025 at 6:26 PM
🧪🧠 A reminder to come join us in beautiful Park city for the 50th anniversary of the winter learning and memory meeting! Stellar program: parkcitywinterconf.org/conference-p...
Winter has FINALLY come to the Wasatch! ❄️
November 30, 2025 at 4:03 PM
Winter has FINALLY come to the Wasatch! ❄️
Thanks to @gokcegroup.bsky.social for playing “tour guide” despite the weather! Hiked up to a cool castle above the Rhein and checked out the classic Christmas market in Bonn!
November 26, 2025 at 5:26 PM
Thanks to @gokcegroup.bsky.social for playing “tour guide” despite the weather! Hiked up to a cool castle above the Rhein and checked out the classic Christmas market in Bonn!
Had a great day visiting the @dzne.science German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) in Bonn! Thanks to @sabinekrabbe.bsky.social for the invitation and hosting me.
November 25, 2025 at 9:43 PM
Had a great day visiting the @dzne.science German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) in Bonn! Thanks to @sabinekrabbe.bsky.social for the invitation and hosting me.
SLC—>JFK—>FRA.
Looking forward to visiting the DNZE in Bonn!
First leg done.
Looking forward to visiting the DNZE in Bonn!
First leg done.
November 23, 2025 at 10:59 PM
SLC—>JFK—>FRA.
Looking forward to visiting the DNZE in Bonn!
First leg done.
Looking forward to visiting the DNZE in Bonn!
First leg done.
"The heart will break, but broken live on."
November 19, 2025 at 1:08 AM
"The heart will break, but broken live on."
Reposted by Jason Shepherd
🧪
Calling all rising juniors & seniors: Interested in biological or biomedical research? Applications for our ’26 Summer Undergraduate Research Experience Program are now open! Nine weeks, hands-on research, & mentorship from some of the nation’s top scientists — learn more: bit.ly/CechFellows
Summer Undergraduate Research Experience | HHMI
The Cech Fellows Program is a paid, nine-week summer research experience empowering the next generation of scientific leaders.
bit.ly
November 18, 2025 at 4:56 PM
🧪
Reposted by Jason Shepherd
A special edition of our Launch Newsletter, highlighting The Transmitter's State of Neuroscience 2025 report, features rising stars of neuroscience, 80 new neuroscience labs, how funding cuts have affected the careers of young scientists, and more. bit.ly/3K96Mna
#neuroskyence #StateOfNeuroscience
#neuroskyence #StateOfNeuroscience
Newsletters and alerts
The latest news and perspectives on the neuroscience topics that interest you most, direct to your inbox
www.thetransmitter.org
November 18, 2025 at 3:35 PM
A special edition of our Launch Newsletter, highlighting The Transmitter's State of Neuroscience 2025 report, features rising stars of neuroscience, 80 new neuroscience labs, how funding cuts have affected the careers of young scientists, and more. bit.ly/3K96Mna
#neuroskyence #StateOfNeuroscience
#neuroskyence #StateOfNeuroscience
Some sad news. What we thought was just an eye infection for Leo turned out to be a big mass behind his eye and the cancer had already spread throughout his body. Even though he’s only 11 months, there weren’t any good treatments for such an aggressive cancer and he declined quickly.
November 17, 2025 at 8:21 PM
Some sad news. What we thought was just an eye infection for Leo turned out to be a big mass behind his eye and the cancer had already spread throughout his body. Even though he’s only 11 months, there weren’t any good treatments for such an aggressive cancer and he declined quickly.
Our boy Leo has been sick the past week and stopped eating. A bad sign for a year old active pup. Turns out it’s some sort of aggressive cancer that’s spread 😢. Still waiting for more info but not looking good 💔
November 15, 2025 at 9:20 PM
Our boy Leo has been sick the past week and stopped eating. A bad sign for a year old active pup. Turns out it’s some sort of aggressive cancer that’s spread 😢. Still waiting for more info but not looking good 💔