Jessi Cucinello-Ragland, PhD🧠
@jcucinellorags.bsky.social
postdoc | pain & addiction researcher | first gen | proud parent of 1👶🏼 and 3🐱| #BiInSci 🏳️🌈 they/them
Reposted by Jessi Cucinello-Ragland, PhD🧠
This Giving Tuesday:
Consider contributing to our campaign for 2 initiative petitions that protect LGBTQ+ and Women's rights in Missouri. We need contributions to keep spreading across the state and get these rights on the 2026 November Ballot. Every Dollar counts! secure.actblue.com/donate/mo4lg...
Consider contributing to our campaign for 2 initiative petitions that protect LGBTQ+ and Women's rights in Missouri. We need contributions to keep spreading across the state and get these rights on the 2026 November Ballot. Every Dollar counts! secure.actblue.com/donate/mo4lg...
November 25, 2025 at 9:26 PM
This Giving Tuesday:
Consider contributing to our campaign for 2 initiative petitions that protect LGBTQ+ and Women's rights in Missouri. We need contributions to keep spreading across the state and get these rights on the 2026 November Ballot. Every Dollar counts! secure.actblue.com/donate/mo4lg...
Consider contributing to our campaign for 2 initiative petitions that protect LGBTQ+ and Women's rights in Missouri. We need contributions to keep spreading across the state and get these rights on the 2026 November Ballot. Every Dollar counts! secure.actblue.com/donate/mo4lg...
Reposted by Jessi Cucinello-Ragland, PhD🧠
New study from the lab on alcohol/pain and taste aversion.
Persistent inflammation does not promote aversion-resistant binge-like #alcohol drinking in rats @jmoronconcepcion.bsky.social #alcoholawareness www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Persistent inflammation does not promote aversion-resistant binge-like alcohol drinking in rats
Chronic pain is a leading cause of disability, significantly decreases quality of life, and is highly co-morbid with substance use disorders, includin…
www.sciencedirect.com
August 30, 2025 at 3:34 AM
New study from the lab on alcohol/pain and taste aversion.
Reposted by Jessi Cucinello-Ragland, PhD🧠
Have you signed all 5 Missouri initiative petitions? Come stop by a drive thru event in St. Louis City, St. Louis County, St. Charles County, or Jefferson County this Saturday 11/15!
Help us get these important rights on the ballot!
Help us get these important rights on the ballot!
November 11, 2025 at 6:22 PM
Have you signed all 5 Missouri initiative petitions? Come stop by a drive thru event in St. Louis City, St. Louis County, St. Charles County, or Jefferson County this Saturday 11/15!
Help us get these important rights on the ballot!
Help us get these important rights on the ballot!
🍻Interested in alcohol research?
🥼Want to work with a comprehensive team of researchers?
⚜️Love New Orleans?
LSUHSC is the place for you!
🥼Want to work with a comprehensive team of researchers?
⚜️Love New Orleans?
LSUHSC is the place for you!
September 29, 2025 at 11:43 PM
🍻Interested in alcohol research?
🥼Want to work with a comprehensive team of researchers?
⚜️Love New Orleans?
LSUHSC is the place for you!
🥼Want to work with a comprehensive team of researchers?
⚜️Love New Orleans?
LSUHSC is the place for you!
Reposted by Jessi Cucinello-Ragland, PhD🧠
📣 Calling all addiction neuroscience trainees! 📣
💊 Are you interested in a seminar focused exclusively on addiction?
🤝 Do you want to connect with peers from around the world?
🇪🇸 Interested in going to Spain?
The 2026 Neurobiology of Drug Addiction GRS is the meeting for you!
Space is limited!
💊 Are you interested in a seminar focused exclusively on addiction?
🤝 Do you want to connect with peers from around the world?
🇪🇸 Interested in going to Spain?
The 2026 Neurobiology of Drug Addiction GRS is the meeting for you!
Space is limited!
April 30, 2025 at 7:34 PM
📣 Calling all addiction neuroscience trainees! 📣
💊 Are you interested in a seminar focused exclusively on addiction?
🤝 Do you want to connect with peers from around the world?
🇪🇸 Interested in going to Spain?
The 2026 Neurobiology of Drug Addiction GRS is the meeting for you!
Space is limited!
💊 Are you interested in a seminar focused exclusively on addiction?
🤝 Do you want to connect with peers from around the world?
🇪🇸 Interested in going to Spain?
The 2026 Neurobiology of Drug Addiction GRS is the meeting for you!
Space is limited!
Reposted by Jessi Cucinello-Ragland, PhD🧠
The #BethesdaDeclaration stories are now up on the front pages of both the New York Times and the Washington Post.
Thanks again to the brave folks at NIH who stood up and worked together to make this happen.
1/n
Thanks again to the brave folks at NIH who stood up and worked together to make this happen.
1/n
a black background with the words heroes at work
ALT: a black background with the words heroes at work
media.tenor.com
June 9, 2025 at 7:34 PM
The #BethesdaDeclaration stories are now up on the front pages of both the New York Times and the Washington Post.
Thanks again to the brave folks at NIH who stood up and worked together to make this happen.
1/n
Thanks again to the brave folks at NIH who stood up and worked together to make this happen.
1/n
Reposted by Jessi Cucinello-Ragland, PhD🧠
Reposted by Jessi Cucinello-Ragland, PhD🧠
Want to help us protect and expand LGBTQ+ Rights in Missouri, but don't have time to volunteer? You can help spread the word by sharing and interacting with our posts. And support our efforts by donating to our campaign. Any size donation helps!! secure.actblue.com/donate/mo4lg...
May 18, 2025 at 3:35 PM
Want to help us protect and expand LGBTQ+ Rights in Missouri, but don't have time to volunteer? You can help spread the word by sharing and interacting with our posts. And support our efforts by donating to our campaign. Any size donation helps!! secure.actblue.com/donate/mo4lg...
📣 Calling all addiction neuroscience trainees! 📣
💊 Are you interested in a seminar focused exclusively on addiction?
🤝 Do you want to connect with peers from around the world?
🇪🇸 Interested in going to Spain?
The 2026 Neurobiology of Drug Addiction GRS is the meeting for you!
Space is limited!
💊 Are you interested in a seminar focused exclusively on addiction?
🤝 Do you want to connect with peers from around the world?
🇪🇸 Interested in going to Spain?
The 2026 Neurobiology of Drug Addiction GRS is the meeting for you!
Space is limited!
April 30, 2025 at 7:34 PM
📣 Calling all addiction neuroscience trainees! 📣
💊 Are you interested in a seminar focused exclusively on addiction?
🤝 Do you want to connect with peers from around the world?
🇪🇸 Interested in going to Spain?
The 2026 Neurobiology of Drug Addiction GRS is the meeting for you!
Space is limited!
💊 Are you interested in a seminar focused exclusively on addiction?
🤝 Do you want to connect with peers from around the world?
🇪🇸 Interested in going to Spain?
The 2026 Neurobiology of Drug Addiction GRS is the meeting for you!
Space is limited!
Reposted by Jessi Cucinello-Ragland, PhD🧠
Sobering analysis by @nature.com on the Trump administration's NIH cuts. ~ 800 research projects have been terminated with research on HIV/AIDS, health disparities, transgender health, vaccines and COVID-19 being hit hardest, with some labs forced to close entirely. www.nature.com/articles/d41...
How Trump 2.0 is slashing NIH-backed research — in charts
Nature analyses which fields of science and US states are being hit hardest by grant terminations.
www.nature.com
April 13, 2025 at 10:12 PM
Sobering analysis by @nature.com on the Trump administration's NIH cuts. ~ 800 research projects have been terminated with research on HIV/AIDS, health disparities, transgender health, vaccines and COVID-19 being hit hardest, with some labs forced to close entirely. www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Reposted by Jessi Cucinello-Ragland, PhD🧠
Well, here it is.
Trump and Musk are turning #NIH into a garbage rightwing thinktank, just as we said.
They’re forcing down junk science on us with your tax dollars. This is a deep shame for America and for scientists everywhere.
1/3
Trump and Musk are turning #NIH into a garbage rightwing thinktank, just as we said.
They’re forcing down junk science on us with your tax dollars. This is a deep shame for America and for scientists everywhere.
1/3
NEW: After cancelling nearly all projects on trans health, the Trump admin has now directed the NIH to study the negative consequences of transitioning.
This will create “a distorted research ecosystem where only politically favorable findings are permitted to exist”, researcher Harry Barbee says.
This will create “a distorted research ecosystem where only politically favorable findings are permitted to exist”, researcher Harry Barbee says.
Exclusive: Trump White House directs NIH to study ‘regret’ after transgender people transition
After cancelling nearly all NIH projects studying transgender health, Trump’s team instructs the US biomedical agency to study negative consequences of transitioning.
www.nature.com
April 3, 2025 at 11:49 PM
Well, here it is.
Trump and Musk are turning #NIH into a garbage rightwing thinktank, just as we said.
They’re forcing down junk science on us with your tax dollars. This is a deep shame for America and for scientists everywhere.
1/3
Trump and Musk are turning #NIH into a garbage rightwing thinktank, just as we said.
They’re forcing down junk science on us with your tax dollars. This is a deep shame for America and for scientists everywhere.
1/3
I don’t usually plan my conference outfits in advance, but if you’re going to @rsaofficial.bsky.social be on the lookout for my symposium fit
April 3, 2025 at 11:13 PM
I don’t usually plan my conference outfits in advance, but if you’re going to @rsaofficial.bsky.social be on the lookout for my symposium fit
Reposted by Jessi Cucinello-Ragland, PhD🧠
"It’s kind of a textbook case of arbitrary and capricious.” A lawsuit alleges that NIH didn't follow proper procedure and was unconstitutionally vague when abruptly terminating >600 grants. My story @science.org www.science.org/content/arti...
Lawsuit aims to overturn many NIH grant terminations
Multiple groups and NIH-funded scientists challenge agency’s decision as arbitrary and capricious
www.science.org
April 2, 2025 at 10:10 PM
"It’s kind of a textbook case of arbitrary and capricious.” A lawsuit alleges that NIH didn't follow proper procedure and was unconstitutionally vague when abruptly terminating >600 grants. My story @science.org www.science.org/content/arti...
Reposted by Jessi Cucinello-Ragland, PhD🧠
Extremely disappointing & cowardly. The American Psychological Association is rescinding diversity requirements. Not due to any actual mandate from the federal government, but only because it may *someday* face pressure from the government www.nytimes.com/2025/03/27/h...
Under Pressure, Psychology Accreditation Board Suspends Diversity Standards
As the Trump administration threatens to strip accrediting bodies of their power, many are scrambling to purge diversity requirements.
www.nytimes.com
March 28, 2025 at 1:16 AM
Extremely disappointing & cowardly. The American Psychological Association is rescinding diversity requirements. Not due to any actual mandate from the federal government, but only because it may *someday* face pressure from the government www.nytimes.com/2025/03/27/h...
Reposted by Jessi Cucinello-Ragland, PhD🧠
Reposted by Jessi Cucinello-Ragland, PhD🧠
Why is Trump going after US science?
What's the endgame for these attacks?
Vance, Rufo, Trump and Republican elites are attacking NIH and manipulating its grants in order to attack American universities.
"It's bad, folks."
New contributed post at our blog.
Please share it w/ your 🧪 colleagues.
What's the endgame for these attacks?
Vance, Rufo, Trump and Republican elites are attacking NIH and manipulating its grants in order to attack American universities.
"It's bad, folks."
New contributed post at our blog.
Please share it w/ your 🧪 colleagues.
Trump is attacking NIH because politicizing funding can force universities to become conservative thinktanks
It's bad, folks. The real war is on free thought in the United States.
altnih4science.substack.com
March 30, 2025 at 7:12 PM
Why is Trump going after US science?
What's the endgame for these attacks?
Vance, Rufo, Trump and Republican elites are attacking NIH and manipulating its grants in order to attack American universities.
"It's bad, folks."
New contributed post at our blog.
Please share it w/ your 🧪 colleagues.
What's the endgame for these attacks?
Vance, Rufo, Trump and Republican elites are attacking NIH and manipulating its grants in order to attack American universities.
"It's bad, folks."
New contributed post at our blog.
Please share it w/ your 🧪 colleagues.
Reposted by Jessi Cucinello-Ragland, PhD🧠
I wrote a piece for @thetransmitter.bsky.social www.thetransmitter.org/sex-differen... With the fate of NIH-funded research uncertain, it is extra important that the work we do now is most likely to benefit everyone. Adhering to SABV in the lab and in grant & paper review is the right thing to do.
Amid NIH upheaval, how to keep sex as a biological variable
Even in the absence of formal instruction to do so, we should continue to hold our colleagues accountable for SABV practices.
www.thetransmitter.org
March 25, 2025 at 1:43 PM
I wrote a piece for @thetransmitter.bsky.social www.thetransmitter.org/sex-differen... With the fate of NIH-funded research uncertain, it is extra important that the work we do now is most likely to benefit everyone. Adhering to SABV in the lab and in grant & paper review is the right thing to do.
Reposted by Jessi Cucinello-Ragland, PhD🧠
Bluetorial:
The announcement to move scientific review out of the institutes and centers into the Center for Scientific Review (CSR) and its potential consequences
The announcement to move scientific review out of the institutes and centers into the Center for Scientific Review (CSR) and its potential consequences
a cartoon of homer simpson holding a card
ALT: a cartoon of homer simpson holding a card
media.tenor.com
March 7, 2025 at 3:32 AM
Bluetorial:
The announcement to move scientific review out of the institutes and centers into the Center for Scientific Review (CSR) and its potential consequences
The announcement to move scientific review out of the institutes and centers into the Center for Scientific Review (CSR) and its potential consequences
Reposted by Jessi Cucinello-Ragland, PhD🧠
The SRO move is designed to look plausible.
Looks like another "NIH" statement passed down by the Trump/MAGA political appointees. (We hear that DOGE people are showing up at #NIH meetings, like Soviet apparatchiks, to monitor NIH leaders.)
This move is to harm NIH.
Why? See below in thread:
Looks like another "NIH" statement passed down by the Trump/MAGA political appointees. (We hear that DOGE people are showing up at #NIH meetings, like Soviet apparatchiks, to monitor NIH leaders.)
This move is to harm NIH.
Why? See below in thread:
March 7, 2025 at 6:20 AM
The SRO move is designed to look plausible.
Looks like another "NIH" statement passed down by the Trump/MAGA political appointees. (We hear that DOGE people are showing up at #NIH meetings, like Soviet apparatchiks, to monitor NIH leaders.)
This move is to harm NIH.
Why? See below in thread:
Looks like another "NIH" statement passed down by the Trump/MAGA political appointees. (We hear that DOGE people are showing up at #NIH meetings, like Soviet apparatchiks, to monitor NIH leaders.)
This move is to harm NIH.
Why? See below in thread:
Reposted by Jessi Cucinello-Ragland, PhD🧠
Excellent coverage from Nature about LGBT+, gender identity, and DEI grants termination.
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Exclusive: NIH to terminate hundreds of active research grants
Studies that touch on LGBT+ health, gender identity and DEI in the biomedical workforce could be terminated, according to documents obtained by Nature.
www.nature.com
March 6, 2025 at 2:31 PM
Excellent coverage from Nature about LGBT+, gender identity, and DEI grants termination.
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Reposted by Jessi Cucinello-Ragland, PhD🧠
NIH cuts are getting the press, but VA research is getting slashed too. What do we lose when VA research goes away? Here's some greatest hits: The nicotine patch, invention of the cardiac pacemaker, first successful liver transplant, development of the CAT/CT scan
prospect.org/health/2025-...
prospect.org/health/2025-...
VA Research Funding Slashed
Though not as prominent as the NIH, VA researchers play a major role in advancing basic health science. Hundreds of projects have been cut.
prospect.org
February 25, 2025 at 10:12 PM
NIH cuts are getting the press, but VA research is getting slashed too. What do we lose when VA research goes away? Here's some greatest hits: The nicotine patch, invention of the cardiac pacemaker, first successful liver transplant, development of the CAT/CT scan
prospect.org/health/2025-...
prospect.org/health/2025-...
Reposted by Jessi Cucinello-Ragland, PhD🧠
A source close to the situation confirmed that study sections are continuing to be cancelled. On the chopping block this week: developmental brain disorders, mechanisms of cancer therapy, and neurotoxicology of alcohol. For some labs, this was the last chance to get funding or they’ll shut down.
Trump officials are trying to sneak around federal judges’ orders.
They could be held in civil contempt of court, which can include jail time and can’t be undone with a presidential pardon, according to @sbagen.bsky.social .
My latest for @theguardian.com
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
They could be held in civil contempt of court, which can include jail time and can’t be undone with a presidential pardon, according to @sbagen.bsky.social .
My latest for @theguardian.com
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
Trump halts medical research funding in apparent violation of judge’s order
Health department orders NIH to hold Federal Register submissions – critical step in process for funding studies
www.theguardian.com
February 24, 2025 at 7:48 PM
A source close to the situation confirmed that study sections are continuing to be cancelled. On the chopping block this week: developmental brain disorders, mechanisms of cancer therapy, and neurotoxicology of alcohol. For some labs, this was the last chance to get funding or they’ll shut down.
Reposted by Jessi Cucinello-Ragland, PhD🧠
The Trump administration's efforts to slash research funding have US graduate students, postdocs and other early-career scientists fearing for their careers. Some might leave the country -- or abandon research altogether.
https://go.nature.com/43ao2zq
https://go.nature.com/43ao2zq
Postdocs and PhD students hit hard by Trump’s crackdown on science
As US federal grants remain frozen and budget cuts loom, anxiety and fear grip early-career researchers.
go.nature.com
February 24, 2025 at 9:39 PM
The Trump administration's efforts to slash research funding have US graduate students, postdocs and other early-career scientists fearing for their careers. Some might leave the country -- or abandon research altogether.
https://go.nature.com/43ao2zq
https://go.nature.com/43ao2zq
Reposted by Jessi Cucinello-Ragland, PhD🧠
Another loss for #science & the next generation of researchers. The 28-year running NIDA summer internship program is cancelled for this year.
@altnih4science.bsky.social #SavetheNIH
@altnih4science.bsky.social #SavetheNIH
February 24, 2025 at 6:55 PM
Another loss for #science & the next generation of researchers. The 28-year running NIDA summer internship program is cancelled for this year.
@altnih4science.bsky.social #SavetheNIH
@altnih4science.bsky.social #SavetheNIH
Reposted by Jessi Cucinello-Ragland, PhD🧠
Exclusive: NIH appears to archive policy requiring female animals in studies www.thetransmitter.org/policy/exclu...
Exclusive: NIH appears to archive policy requiring female animals in studies
Such a shift would “put us back in the dark ages in terms of our science,” says neuroscientist Anne Murphy, who helped to formulate the original policy.
www.thetransmitter.org
February 24, 2025 at 10:28 PM
Exclusive: NIH appears to archive policy requiring female animals in studies www.thetransmitter.org/policy/exclu...