Dr. Jill Zitzewitz, PhD
@jillzzz.bsky.social
Scientist, Educator and #Myeloma Patient Advocate | Mom, wife, friend, avid reader & stress-relieving crocheter | Working daily to love my neighbor and show that basic science saves lives.
Reposted by Dr. Jill Zitzewitz, PhD
Don't want to miss this livestream on 12/8 broadcasting from the 2025 ASH meeting! IMF CMO Dr. Joseph Mikhael will be joined by support group leaders to share what’s most important to myeloma patients from the latest ASH research. https://www.facebook.com/events/837237505620824
#ASH25 #IMFASH25
#ASH25 #IMFASH25
November 11, 2025 at 5:59 PM
Don't want to miss this livestream on 12/8 broadcasting from the 2025 ASH meeting! IMF CMO Dr. Joseph Mikhael will be joined by support group leaders to share what’s most important to myeloma patients from the latest ASH research. https://www.facebook.com/events/837237505620824
#ASH25 #IMFASH25
#ASH25 #IMFASH25
Reposted by Dr. Jill Zitzewitz, PhD
Exposing the disease that tries to stay hidden, one beat at a time—it's the Flow to Know Myeloma. Get informed at knowmyeloma.org #FlowtoKnowMyeloma #KnowMyeloma #HealthHopeAndHipHop
September 5, 2025 at 6:01 PM
Exposing the disease that tries to stay hidden, one beat at a time—it's the Flow to Know Myeloma. Get informed at knowmyeloma.org #FlowtoKnowMyeloma #KnowMyeloma #HealthHopeAndHipHop
Hello, Boston and central MA area friends! This month for Blood Cancer Awareness, you can #knowmyeloma by attending a community #myeloma workshop. Also, you’ll hear my husband and I talk about the patient/care partner dance of a busy family! ♥️💃🕺🏻♥️
#Mmsm community, will we see you at our #Waltham Myeloma Community Workshop on September 27? Join us for expert advice, #myeloma education, Q&A sessions with the experts, and more. Save your seat before they're all out: https://mmsm.link/3RdElVc
#massachusetts
#massachusetts
September 2, 2025 at 6:20 PM
Hello, Boston and central MA area friends! This month for Blood Cancer Awareness, you can #knowmyeloma by attending a community #myeloma workshop. Also, you’ll hear my husband and I talk about the patient/care partner dance of a busy family! ♥️💃🕺🏻♥️
September is blood cancer awareness month! #kNOwMyeloma
September 2, 2025 at 12:43 AM
September is blood cancer awareness month! #kNOwMyeloma
Hey that’s my better half in the middle! After my #myeloma diagnosis, we both took a major career leap. Now I teach the next generation of scientists and physicians and he develops new scientific instruments. Setting up shop at MBI has been the best decision for him. Basic science saves lives. 😊♥️
New to MBI is investment firm Conifer Life Sciences Group, the second-ever venture capital company to set up shop within the incubator.
Surviving the Valley of Death: Worcester’s oldest incubator has brought on an in-house investment firm for the first time in 30 years
Central Massachusetts startups have navigated the perilous Valley of Death period with varying levels of success. Conifer Life Sciences Group at Massachusetts Biomedical Initiatives is trying to…
www.wbjournal.com
July 1, 2025 at 10:32 AM
Hey that’s my better half in the middle! After my #myeloma diagnosis, we both took a major career leap. Now I teach the next generation of scientists and physicians and he develops new scientific instruments. Setting up shop at MBI has been the best decision for him. Basic science saves lives. 😊♥️
Reposted by Dr. Jill Zitzewitz, PhD
BREAKING: Dr. Michael Collins, the longest-serving chancellor of UMass Chan Medical School, will step down from his role leading the Worcester institution at the end of the 2025-2026 academic school year.
www.wbjournal.com/article/umas...
www.wbjournal.com/article/umas...
UMass Chan Chancellor Michael Collins to step down next year
Dr. Michael Collins, the longest-serving chancellor of UMass Chan Medical School, will step down from his role leading the Worcester institution at the end of the 2025-2026 academic school year.
www.wbjournal.com
June 24, 2025 at 6:28 PM
BREAKING: Dr. Michael Collins, the longest-serving chancellor of UMass Chan Medical School, will step down from his role leading the Worcester institution at the end of the 2025-2026 academic school year.
www.wbjournal.com/article/umas...
www.wbjournal.com/article/umas...
Reposted by Dr. Jill Zitzewitz, PhD
Congratulations to the McDougall, Wang and Silverman labs for their recent publication! The SCOPE is proud to help with your research @umasschan.bsky.social @cellpress.bsky.social #microscope #microscopy #covidresearch #UserHighlight
June 25, 2025 at 2:12 PM
Congratulations to the McDougall, Wang and Silverman labs for their recent publication! The SCOPE is proud to help with your research @umasschan.bsky.social @cellpress.bsky.social #microscope #microscopy #covidresearch #UserHighlight
Reposted by Dr. Jill Zitzewitz, PhD
UMass Chan Medical School study explains dual functioning of Meckel-Gruber syndrome gene: direc.to/nS_j
Meckel-Gruber syndrome impacts child development due to mutations in genes responsible for cilia, which are essential for movement. As published in @natcomms.nature.com. @karenphd.bsky.social
Meckel-Gruber syndrome impacts child development due to mutations in genes responsible for cilia, which are essential for movement. As published in @natcomms.nature.com. @karenphd.bsky.social
UMass Chan scientists discover process controlling cilia development
Research by Sumeda Nandadasa, PhD, a scientist at UMass Chan, uncovers a molecular mechanism affecting ciliopathies such as Meckel-Gruber and Joubert syndromes and cystic kidney disease.
direc.to
June 25, 2025 at 2:37 PM
UMass Chan Medical School study explains dual functioning of Meckel-Gruber syndrome gene: direc.to/nS_j
Meckel-Gruber syndrome impacts child development due to mutations in genes responsible for cilia, which are essential for movement. As published in @natcomms.nature.com. @karenphd.bsky.social
Meckel-Gruber syndrome impacts child development due to mutations in genes responsible for cilia, which are essential for movement. As published in @natcomms.nature.com. @karenphd.bsky.social
Reposted by Dr. Jill Zitzewitz, PhD
Kicking off #RNATx2025 with our career workshop @UMassChan.bsky.social! Exploring careers for PhDs in academia, industry, and beyond the bench. We are excited to welcome our career panelists from all realms to discuss their career journeys as our trainees prepare for theirs.
June 25, 2025 at 4:55 PM
Kicking off #RNATx2025 with our career workshop @UMassChan.bsky.social! Exploring careers for PhDs in academia, industry, and beyond the bench. We are excited to welcome our career panelists from all realms to discuss their career journeys as our trainees prepare for theirs.
Reposted by Dr. Jill Zitzewitz, PhD
PhD candidate Bradley Class has received a NIH fellowship to further his research into the correlation between neuron mutations and ataxia-telangiectasia, or Louis-Bar syndrome: direc.to/nT12
#RareDisease #research #NIH #PhD #PhDSky @bradclass.bsky.social @uofmass.bsky.social
#RareDisease #research #NIH #PhD #PhDSky @bradclass.bsky.social @uofmass.bsky.social
PhD candidate Bradley Class receives NIH grant to study Louis-Bar syndrome
PhD candidate Bradley Class has received a NIH grant to further his research on neuron mutations and ataxia-telangiectasia, a rare disease characterized by impaired motor function, dilated blood vesse...
direc.to
June 26, 2025 at 3:19 PM
PhD candidate Bradley Class has received a NIH fellowship to further his research into the correlation between neuron mutations and ataxia-telangiectasia, or Louis-Bar syndrome: direc.to/nT12
#RareDisease #research #NIH #PhD #PhDSky @bradclass.bsky.social @uofmass.bsky.social
#RareDisease #research #NIH #PhD #PhDSky @bradclass.bsky.social @uofmass.bsky.social
Reposted by Dr. Jill Zitzewitz, PhD
Every machine in a Hospital that diagnoses your body without cutting you open is based on a principle of Physics, discovered by a Physicist who had no interest in Medicine.
If you think the world doesn’t need Basic Science, or that somehow Science has failed you, think again.
If you think the world doesn’t need Basic Science, or that somehow Science has failed you, think again.
June 17, 2025 at 11:22 AM
Every machine in a Hospital that diagnoses your body without cutting you open is based on a principle of Physics, discovered by a Physicist who had no interest in Medicine.
If you think the world doesn’t need Basic Science, or that somehow Science has failed you, think again.
If you think the world doesn’t need Basic Science, or that somehow Science has failed you, think again.
Reposted by Dr. Jill Zitzewitz, PhD
PhD candidate Favour Akabogu is working to develop new therapies for a rare type of sarcoma called gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST), a tumor that develops throughout the gastrointestinal tract: direc.to/nQ_m
#StudentSpotlight #Research #PhD
@sarcomalab.bsky.social
#StudentSpotlight #Research #PhD
@sarcomalab.bsky.social
PhD candidate studies rare form of sarcoma
PhD candidate Favour Akabogu has earned a scholarship and an award to continue research developing new therapies for GIST, a rare type of cancer.
direc.to
June 16, 2025 at 4:21 PM
PhD candidate Favour Akabogu is working to develop new therapies for a rare type of sarcoma called gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST), a tumor that develops throughout the gastrointestinal tract: direc.to/nQ_m
#StudentSpotlight #Research #PhD
@sarcomalab.bsky.social
#StudentSpotlight #Research #PhD
@sarcomalab.bsky.social
Reposted by Dr. Jill Zitzewitz, PhD
I have written many healthcare stories, but never before have I written about my own health. I decided to do so after learning one of my drugs costs nearly $1,000 a pill and just 25 cents to make. What I found was an incredible story of discovery and exploitation. www.propublica.org/article/revl...
The Price of Remission
When I was diagnosed with cancer, I set out to understand why a single pill of Revlimid cost the same as a new iPhone. I’ve covered high drug prices as a reporter for years. What I discovered shocked ...
www.propublica.org
May 8, 2025 at 1:51 PM
I have written many healthcare stories, but never before have I written about my own health. I decided to do so after learning one of my drugs costs nearly $1,000 a pill and just 25 cents to make. What I found was an incredible story of discovery and exploitation. www.propublica.org/article/revl...
Back in the infusion center starting my third line that includes a monoclonal antibody that stimulates my body’s natural killer cells to keep my #myeloma under control. Thank goodness for the downstream fruits of basic science research or I wouldn’t have this option! #mmsm Science saves lives! 💜🧫🧪🐁♥️
May 6, 2025 at 8:14 PM
Back in the infusion center starting my third line that includes a monoclonal antibody that stimulates my body’s natural killer cells to keep my #myeloma under control. Thank goodness for the downstream fruits of basic science research or I wouldn’t have this option! #mmsm Science saves lives! 💜🧫🧪🐁♥️
Reposted by Dr. Jill Zitzewitz, PhD
The 60 minutes piece on the #NIH cuts and firings is well worth the watch. youtu.be/U8CcOAsyORM
Federal cuts to National Institutes of Health could threaten medical progress
YouTube video by 60 Minutes
youtu.be
April 28, 2025 at 9:42 PM
The 60 minutes piece on the #NIH cuts and firings is well worth the watch. youtu.be/U8CcOAsyORM
Every $1 invested in science by NIH fuels the economy by $2.46. Importantly, investing in basic and clinical research leads to new therapies that help patients like me. Basic science saves lives, and we need to protect the NIH and our country’s amazing research enterprise. #myeloma #mmsm
April 26, 2025 at 9:58 PM
Reposted by Dr. Jill Zitzewitz, PhD
Science matters! New report shows that STEM jobs:
✅make up 34% of the economy
✅generate $11 trillion in economic activity
✅account for 39% of the GDP
scienceisus.org/science-at-w...
✅make up 34% of the economy
✅generate $11 trillion in economic activity
✅account for 39% of the GDP
scienceisus.org/science-at-w...
Science at Work: The People and Industries Powering America's Prosperity - Science is US
Professionals working in science, technology, engineering, mathematics and medicine (STEMM) now number more than 73.6 million
scienceisus.org
April 8, 2025 at 11:27 PM
Science matters! New report shows that STEM jobs:
✅make up 34% of the economy
✅generate $11 trillion in economic activity
✅account for 39% of the GDP
scienceisus.org/science-at-w...
✅make up 34% of the economy
✅generate $11 trillion in economic activity
✅account for 39% of the GDP
scienceisus.org/science-at-w...
Reposted by Dr. Jill Zitzewitz, PhD
Hey Bluesky, I was interviewed about the attacks on science for NPR’s All Things Considered. Listen, below! www.wbur.org/news/2025/03...
UMass biomedical scientist freezes pediatric brain cancer research due to federal funding problems
UMass Chan Medical School biomedical engineer and professor Rachael Sirianni leads a lab that researches new technologies to help treat brain tumors in children. Delays in federal grants have led her ...
www.wbur.org
March 28, 2025 at 9:29 AM
Hey Bluesky, I was interviewed about the attacks on science for NPR’s All Things Considered. Listen, below! www.wbur.org/news/2025/03...
Reposted by Dr. Jill Zitzewitz, PhD
These are uncertain times for National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated cancer centers. Facing delays and disruptions, some leaders are questioning whether their funding will come through at all.
www.medpagetoday.com/special-repo...
www.medpagetoday.com/special-repo...
NCI-Designated Cancer Centers Worry About Their Future
Facing delays and disruptions, some wonder whether their funding will come through at all
www.medpagetoday.com
March 19, 2025 at 8:11 PM
These are uncertain times for National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated cancer centers. Facing delays and disruptions, some leaders are questioning whether their funding will come through at all.
www.medpagetoday.com/special-repo...
www.medpagetoday.com/special-repo...
Reposted by Dr. Jill Zitzewitz, PhD
This is a good article…just write. www.nature.com/articles/s41...
An open letter to graduate students and other procrastinators: it’s time to write - Nature Biotechnology
Nature Biotechnology - An open letter to graduate students and other procrastinators: it’s time to write
www.nature.com
March 20, 2025 at 2:32 PM
This is a good article…just write. www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Reposted by Dr. Jill Zitzewitz, PhD
100k papers from NIH funding in the last year. What boggles my mind is imagining how many others, institutions, and specialized experimental or analytical approaches were used in each 1/
Almost 100k papers have been published in the last year with NIH funding. These are the top 200 most frequent title words from 10k of them. Disrupting NIH will cause incalculable harm to US citizens 🧪
March 17, 2025 at 11:45 PM
100k papers from NIH funding in the last year. What boggles my mind is imagining how many others, institutions, and specialized experimental or analytical approaches were used in each 1/
It’s been a hard week for science, but I am so grateful that I was able to take long walks in nature to center myself. When I was diagnosed with #myeloma in 2017, I could barely walk a few steps with the help of a walker. Today, thanks to basic science research, I have the gift of more time.
March 16, 2025 at 8:00 PM
It’s been a hard week for science, but I am so grateful that I was able to take long walks in nature to center myself. When I was diagnosed with #myeloma in 2017, I could barely walk a few steps with the help of a walker. Today, thanks to basic science research, I have the gift of more time.
Reposted by Dr. Jill Zitzewitz, PhD
Why isn't bench research (develop and test new therapies) done in private practice? Because research depends on INFRASTRUCTURE: microscopes, MRIs, tissue core, animal vivarium, statisticians and biorepositories. All of this is funded by NIH, being cut right now through fewer grants and slashed IDCs
Yes, below. (I am a PhD, not an MD). This work does not get done anywhere else. It's not financially lucrative enough. We invest in pediatric cancer research as a *society* because that work does not get done otherwise. Hard impacts to MDs especially: bench research can't be done in private practice
There’s no clear mechanism for getting the public to understand. My spouse is a pediatric cancer researcher. People have said to her “if NIH funding runs out you can just get a job in private practice.” There IS NO private practice for most pediatric cancer work. It’s all publicly-funded research.
March 16, 2025 at 4:51 PM
Why isn't bench research (develop and test new therapies) done in private practice? Because research depends on INFRASTRUCTURE: microscopes, MRIs, tissue core, animal vivarium, statisticians and biorepositories. All of this is funded by NIH, being cut right now through fewer grants and slashed IDCs
Reposted by Dr. Jill Zitzewitz, PhD
I'm proud of (and grateful for) this remarkable @upenn.edu sophmore for speaking up about the importance of science.
In 2012, Whitehead became the first child treated with CAR T cell therapy, a treatment developed at Penn Medicine; she has been in remission since.
www.cnn.com/2025/03/07/h...
In 2012, Whitehead became the first child treated with CAR T cell therapy, a treatment developed at Penn Medicine; she has been in remission since.
www.cnn.com/2025/03/07/h...
Cancer survivor warns against threats to health funding | CNN
Emily Whitehead and Tom Whitehead join The Lead
www.cnn.com
March 16, 2025 at 1:22 PM
I'm proud of (and grateful for) this remarkable @upenn.edu sophmore for speaking up about the importance of science.
In 2012, Whitehead became the first child treated with CAR T cell therapy, a treatment developed at Penn Medicine; she has been in remission since.
www.cnn.com/2025/03/07/h...
In 2012, Whitehead became the first child treated with CAR T cell therapy, a treatment developed at Penn Medicine; she has been in remission since.
www.cnn.com/2025/03/07/h...