Laura Williams
@laurawilliams.bsky.social
Enthusiastic about microbiology, predatory bacteria, undergraduate research and scholarship, books, tennis, and cats. Atlanta, GA.
williamsmicrobegenomelab.Wordpress.com
williamsmicrobegenomelab.Wordpress.com
Reposted by Laura Williams
Is there a hashtag for STEM internships?
Merck is accepting applications for internships in cell biology and assay development, immunogenicity, protein metabolism, biostatistics, vaccine communications, DMPK, and discovery and process chemistry.
Merck is accepting applications for internships in cell biology and assay development, immunogenicity, protein metabolism, biostatistics, vaccine communications, DMPK, and discovery and process chemistry.
Merck is accepting applications for its 2026 Future Talent Program - these are internships and co-ops in a variety of areas including drug discovery, vaccines, clinical trials, biostatistics, epidemiology, HEOR, data science, regulatory affairs, and more
#chemsky 🧪⚗️
jobs.merck.com/us/en/search...
#chemsky 🧪⚗️
jobs.merck.com/us/en/search...
Your job search results | Merck Careers
jobs.merck.com
November 5, 2025 at 10:15 PM
Is there a hashtag for STEM internships?
Merck is accepting applications for internships in cell biology and assay development, immunogenicity, protein metabolism, biostatistics, vaccine communications, DMPK, and discovery and process chemistry.
Merck is accepting applications for internships in cell biology and assay development, immunogenicity, protein metabolism, biostatistics, vaccine communications, DMPK, and discovery and process chemistry.
Reposted by Laura Williams
The SSE Small Grants for Local and Regional Outreach program provides up to $1000 USD for a variety of evolution education & outreach projects, workshops, and events. Submit your proposal by March 2nd! shorturl.at/I8HqO
November 17, 2025 at 2:29 AM
The SSE Small Grants for Local and Regional Outreach program provides up to $1000 USD for a variety of evolution education & outreach projects, workshops, and events. Submit your proposal by March 2nd! shorturl.at/I8HqO
Reposted by Laura Williams
CAN LLMs write about science? @science.org decided to find out, and they did it the curious, scientific way. They did an experiment.
Love this thoughtful convo. www.lastwordonnothing.com/2025/11/12/w...
Love this thoughtful convo. www.lastwordonnothing.com/2025/11/12/w...
The Last Word On Nothing | Why AAAS won’t be using AI to write press releases anytime soon
www.lastwordonnothing.com
November 13, 2025 at 4:19 PM
CAN LLMs write about science? @science.org decided to find out, and they did it the curious, scientific way. They did an experiment.
Love this thoughtful convo. www.lastwordonnothing.com/2025/11/12/w...
Love this thoughtful convo. www.lastwordonnothing.com/2025/11/12/w...
I feel seen.
(Listen, I acknowledge my food safety standards might trend towards the overly conservative, but once you’ve seen those bacteria growing on a plate, you really do not want to mess with them.)
(Listen, I acknowledge my food safety standards might trend towards the overly conservative, but once you’ve seen those bacteria growing on a plate, you really do not want to mess with them.)
It’s officially potluck season withoffice parties galore. 🦃🥘 If, like me, you harbor an irrational fear of food poisoning, I’ve got you covered. Here’s your ID doctor–approved guide to surviving the season’s buffets w/out ending up in the ER.
🧤🍽️💀
open.substack.com/pub/bktitanj...
🧤🍽️💀
open.substack.com/pub/bktitanj...
An ID Doctor’s Guide to Surviving Holiday Potlucks Food Poisoning Free
Because nothing says “festive” like avoiding an impromptu Norovirus outbreak.
open.substack.com
November 10, 2025 at 4:31 PM
I feel seen.
(Listen, I acknowledge my food safety standards might trend towards the overly conservative, but once you’ve seen those bacteria growing on a plate, you really do not want to mess with them.)
(Listen, I acknowledge my food safety standards might trend towards the overly conservative, but once you’ve seen those bacteria growing on a plate, you really do not want to mess with them.)
About halfway through this podcast from GPB about 2024 BioLab fire. It’s a careful, multi-layered investigation of how local community was and still is impacted by release of a plume of toxic vapors from pool chemical plant off I-20 near Atlanta.
Grateful for GPB and glad to be a supporter!
Grateful for GPB and glad to be a supporter!
Manufacturing Danger: The BioLab Story
When a chemical fire broke out at the BioLab facility in Conyers, Georgia in 2024, a plume of smoke blanketed the area, triggering evacuations and urgent warnings to stay indoors. But for many residen...
www.gpb.org
November 3, 2025 at 1:12 AM
About halfway through this podcast from GPB about 2024 BioLab fire. It’s a careful, multi-layered investigation of how local community was and still is impacted by release of a plume of toxic vapors from pool chemical plant off I-20 near Atlanta.
Grateful for GPB and glad to be a supporter!
Grateful for GPB and glad to be a supporter!
Reposted by Laura Williams
Microbiologist Siouxsie Wiles @siouxsiew.bsky.social has launched a fundraising campaign to cover some of the legal fees accrued in taking a case against her employer, the University of Auckland. She explains why.
thespinoff.co.nz/society/01-1...
thespinoff.co.nz/society/01-1...
Siouxsie Wiles: Why I’m crowdfunding despite winning my legal battle
'Between the ERA and the Employment Court, my husband and I have spent over $632,000.'
thespinoff.co.nz
November 2, 2025 at 10:36 AM
Microbiologist Siouxsie Wiles @siouxsiew.bsky.social has launched a fundraising campaign to cover some of the legal fees accrued in taking a case against her employer, the University of Auckland. She explains why.
thespinoff.co.nz/society/01-1...
thespinoff.co.nz/society/01-1...
Reading conference stories reminded me of one of my first symposium experiences. Two rival groups presenting in the same session. One group’s presenter finishes a talk. A rival stands and delivers a long questment (question+comment). At the end, the presenter says, “I don’t care about that. Next!”
October 31, 2025 at 8:57 PM
Reading conference stories reminded me of one of my first symposium experiences. Two rival groups presenting in the same session. One group’s presenter finishes a talk. A rival stands and delivers a long questment (question+comment). At the end, the presenter says, “I don’t care about that. Next!”
Georgia has a $14.6 billion reserve fund, but our governor refuses to use this money to step in during the federal shutdown and finance vitally important food aid to 1.3 million Georgians.
It’s a sorry situation that so many folks need food assistance in our state. It’s even sorrier to abandon them.
It’s a sorry situation that so many folks need food assistance in our state. It’s even sorrier to abandon them.
‘Where does this end?’ Why Kemp opposes state bailout of food stamp program
Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp rejects calls to tap state funds to keep food assistance flowing as federal government shutdown enters its fourth week.
www.ajc.com
October 31, 2025 at 12:10 PM
Georgia has a $14.6 billion reserve fund, but our governor refuses to use this money to step in during the federal shutdown and finance vitally important food aid to 1.3 million Georgians.
It’s a sorry situation that so many folks need food assistance in our state. It’s even sorrier to abandon them.
It’s a sorry situation that so many folks need food assistance in our state. It’s even sorrier to abandon them.
Got my flu vaccine today!
Didn’t get COVID vaccine yet bc I tested positive on rapid test in late September. That was interesting - I was testing because of close contact exposure. Like clockwork, I got a positive result on Day 5. But never developed symptoms.
Didn’t get COVID vaccine yet bc I tested positive on rapid test in late September. That was interesting - I was testing because of close contact exposure. Like clockwork, I got a positive result on Day 5. But never developed symptoms.
October 30, 2025 at 9:36 PM
Got my flu vaccine today!
Didn’t get COVID vaccine yet bc I tested positive on rapid test in late September. That was interesting - I was testing because of close contact exposure. Like clockwork, I got a positive result on Day 5. But never developed symptoms.
Didn’t get COVID vaccine yet bc I tested positive on rapid test in late September. That was interesting - I was testing because of close contact exposure. Like clockwork, I got a positive result on Day 5. But never developed symptoms.
What a fun day for Tulane University communications folks.
Lab monkeys from Tulane University have escaped an overturned truck north of the town of Heidelberg, Mississippi.
Despite initial claims by local law enforcement, the monkeys are not carrying COVID-19, herpes or hepatitis C.
buff.ly/16gTRJa
Despite initial claims by local law enforcement, the monkeys are not carrying COVID-19, herpes or hepatitis C.
buff.ly/16gTRJa
Lab Monkeys Escape Overturned Truck Near Heidelberg, Mississippi
Lab monkeys from Tulane University have escaped an overturned truck around mile marker 117 on Interstate 59, north of the town of Heidelberg, Mississippi, marshalling a response from numerous law…
www.mississippifreepress.org
October 28, 2025 at 11:26 PM
What a fun day for Tulane University communications folks.
Reposted by Laura Williams
TLDR; The PSF has made the decision to put our community and our shared diversity, equity, and inclusion values ahead of seeking $1.5M in new revenue. Please read and share. pyfound.blogspot.com/2025/10/NSF-...
🧵
🧵
The official home of the Python Programming Language
www.python.org
October 27, 2025 at 2:47 PM
TLDR; The PSF has made the decision to put our community and our shared diversity, equity, and inclusion values ahead of seeking $1.5M in new revenue. Please read and share. pyfound.blogspot.com/2025/10/NSF-...
🧵
🧵
“Keyboard. How quaint.”
This is the future of Windows. Microsoft wants to rewrite Windows to turn computers into AI PCs that you talk to. It's now bringing AI features to all Windows 11 PCs today, in a bid to convince you to talk to your PC and let AI control it. Full details 👇 www.theverge.com/news/799768/...
Microsoft wants you to talk to your PC and let AI control it
Copilot Voice and Vision are now rolling out.
www.theverge.com
October 16, 2025 at 6:01 PM
“Keyboard. How quaint.”
Reposted by Laura Williams
DeKalb County police officer killed in CDC shooting awarded Purple Heart, Medal of Honor
DeKalb County police officer killed in CDC shooting awarded Purple Heart, Medal of Honor
The Purple Heart is awarded to those hurt or killed in action, while the Medal of Honor is the country’s highest award for military valor.
www.atlantanewsfirst.com
October 14, 2025 at 8:16 PM
DeKalb County police officer killed in CDC shooting awarded Purple Heart, Medal of Honor
When I taught Micro, we talked a lot about how drug-resistant infections are a serious challenge for 21st century medicine. Standard healthcare (for example, surgical procedures) relies heavily on effective antimicrobials.
🚨Drug-resistant bacteria are becoming more dangerous.
Life-saving antibiotics are losing effectiveness, increasing infection risks & limiting treatment options.
Some resistant infections can only be treated with antibiotics that are costly, difficult to access, & often unavailable 👉 bit.ly/438Ta1u
Life-saving antibiotics are losing effectiveness, increasing infection risks & limiting treatment options.
Some resistant infections can only be treated with antibiotics that are costly, difficult to access, & often unavailable 👉 bit.ly/438Ta1u
October 14, 2025 at 11:27 AM
When I taught Micro, we talked a lot about how drug-resistant infections are a serious challenge for 21st century medicine. Standard healthcare (for example, surgical procedures) relies heavily on effective antimicrobials.
Reposted by Laura Williams
New from @agreenberg.bsky.social and me: For three years, security researchers pointed a satellite at the sky and found highly sensitive data being sent unencrypted
They found: calls and texts on T-Mobile’s network; military info from the US and Mexico; in-flight Wi-Fi browsing, and a lot more
They found: calls and texts on T-Mobile’s network; military info from the US and Mexico; in-flight Wi-Fi browsing, and a lot more
Satellites Are Leaking the World’s Secrets: Calls, Texts, Military and Corporate Data
With just $800 in basic equipment, researchers found a stunning variety of data—including thousands of T-Mobile users’ calls and texts and even US military communications—sent by satellites unencrypte...
www.wired.com
October 14, 2025 at 10:04 AM
New from @agreenberg.bsky.social and me: For three years, security researchers pointed a satellite at the sky and found highly sensitive data being sent unencrypted
They found: calls and texts on T-Mobile’s network; military info from the US and Mexico; in-flight Wi-Fi browsing, and a lot more
They found: calls and texts on T-Mobile’s network; military info from the US and Mexico; in-flight Wi-Fi browsing, and a lot more
“CDC has confirmed 44 measles outbreaks in 41 states this year…The vast majority of cases were in people who were unvaccinated; 27% percent have been in children under the age of 5. About 1 in 8 measles cases have resulted in hospitalization.”
Vaccination is so important to protect our communities.
Vaccination is so important to protect our communities.
U.S. measles cases continue to climb, with outbreaks across the country
In South Carolina, more than 150 unvaccinated schoolkids are under quarantine after being exposed to measles. Across the U.S., total case counts could be even higher than the official number.
www.npr.org
October 13, 2025 at 6:23 PM
“CDC has confirmed 44 measles outbreaks in 41 states this year…The vast majority of cases were in people who were unvaccinated; 27% percent have been in children under the age of 5. About 1 in 8 measles cases have resulted in hospitalization.”
Vaccination is so important to protect our communities.
Vaccination is so important to protect our communities.
Forgot to start culture
In honour of spooky month, share a 4 word horror story that only someone in your profession would understand.
rm -rf ~/
rm -rf ~/
"The chancellor approved it"
October 12, 2025 at 1:41 PM
Forgot to start culture
Reposted by Laura Williams
Threw away the pellet
In honour of spooky month, share a 4 word horror story that only someone in your profession would understand.
rm -rf ~/
rm -rf ~/
"The chancellor approved it"
October 12, 2025 at 1:26 PM
Threw away the pellet
Good grief.
The first seven paragraphs of this.
I’m heartbroken for the dedicated public servants at CDC. I’m heartbroken for U.S. public health.
Just awful.
Thinking of fed workers at other agencies, too.
The first seven paragraphs of this.
I’m heartbroken for the dedicated public servants at CDC. I’m heartbroken for U.S. public health.
Just awful.
Thinking of fed workers at other agencies, too.
The Trump administration on Saturday scrambled to rescind layoffs of hundreds of CDC scientists who were mistakenly fired on Friday night in what appeared to be a substantial procedural lapse.
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/11/h...
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/11/h...
Trump Administration Is Bringing Back Scores of C.D.C. Experts Fired in Error
www.nytimes.com
October 12, 2025 at 12:52 AM
Good grief.
The first seven paragraphs of this.
I’m heartbroken for the dedicated public servants at CDC. I’m heartbroken for U.S. public health.
Just awful.
Thinking of fed workers at other agencies, too.
The first seven paragraphs of this.
I’m heartbroken for the dedicated public servants at CDC. I’m heartbroken for U.S. public health.
Just awful.
Thinking of fed workers at other agencies, too.
Reposted by Laura Williams
I'm the incoming SSE president and am behind this idea -- if you're interested in putting together an app and have questions, pls reach out!
Now accepting proposals for new Research Synthesis Working Groups! Each funded group will present a symposium at the Evolution meeting, collaborate on a publication, and establish a lasting research network. Submit your proposal by January 6: www.evolutionsociety.org/content/soci...
October 11, 2025 at 2:31 PM
I'm the incoming SSE president and am behind this idea -- if you're interested in putting together an app and have questions, pls reach out!
Reposted by Laura Williams
#BlackInMicro Week is more than just an event; it's a hub for connection. The need for strong communities like ours has never been more urgent. Donate today to show your support: tinyurl.com/GiveBiM (all links in bio) #BIMWeek2025 #HARMONY
October 10, 2025 at 9:13 PM
#BlackInMicro Week is more than just an event; it's a hub for connection. The need for strong communities like ours has never been more urgent. Donate today to show your support: tinyurl.com/GiveBiM (all links in bio) #BIMWeek2025 #HARMONY
Reposted by Laura Williams
The government shutdown interrupted CDC's disease updates, so Team Force of Infection spent our Saturday going to the websites of all 50 health departments to check on Covid-19, flu and RSV. caitlinrivers.substack.com/p/cdc-data-i...
CDC data interrupted, so we went state by state
A look at Covid-19, flu and RSV trends in each state
caitlinrivers.substack.com
October 4, 2025 at 7:06 PM
The government shutdown interrupted CDC's disease updates, so Team Force of Infection spent our Saturday going to the websites of all 50 health departments to check on Covid-19, flu and RSV. caitlinrivers.substack.com/p/cdc-data-i...
Reposted by Laura Williams
4 October (today) is International Observe the Moon night!
It's super easy to do - just head out and look up at our celestial companion who has been with us for nearly all of our time. Without it, our world would be very different.
*There's a whole other world that just hangs in our sky for us*
It's super easy to do - just head out and look up at our celestial companion who has been with us for nearly all of our time. Without it, our world would be very different.
*There's a whole other world that just hangs in our sky for us*
International Observe the Moon Night
Join NASA and lunar observers around the world in a global celebration of the Moon.
moon.nasa.gov
October 4, 2025 at 12:16 AM
4 October (today) is International Observe the Moon night!
It's super easy to do - just head out and look up at our celestial companion who has been with us for nearly all of our time. Without it, our world would be very different.
*There's a whole other world that just hangs in our sky for us*
It's super easy to do - just head out and look up at our celestial companion who has been with us for nearly all of our time. Without it, our world would be very different.
*There's a whole other world that just hangs in our sky for us*
A terrible, avoidable tragedy.
Per the article, the infant was too young to get the vaccine, therefore dependent on protection from a vaccinated community.
State Health Officer: “We do believe that declining vaccination rates are impacting this.”
Per the article, the infant was too young to get the vaccine, therefore dependent on protection from a vaccinated community.
State Health Officer: “We do believe that declining vaccination rates are impacting this.”
Mississippi Baby Dies of Whooping Cough, the State’s First Pertussis Death in 13 Years www.mississippifreepress.org/mississippi-...
Mississippi Baby Dies of Whooping Cough Amid Rising Cases
A baby in Mississippi has died of whooping cough for the first time since 2012. The baby was less than two months old—too young for vaccination.
www.mississippifreepress.org
October 2, 2025 at 10:40 PM
A terrible, avoidable tragedy.
Per the article, the infant was too young to get the vaccine, therefore dependent on protection from a vaccinated community.
State Health Officer: “We do believe that declining vaccination rates are impacting this.”
Per the article, the infant was too young to get the vaccine, therefore dependent on protection from a vaccinated community.
State Health Officer: “We do believe that declining vaccination rates are impacting this.”
Posted by NSF on LinkedIn:
“Due to a lapse in government funding, NSF will not post content or respond to any comments/replies until the government reopens.”
Confirmation of expected: non-essential functions must cease during a shutdown. NSF personnel cannot perform any official work.
“Due to a lapse in government funding, NSF will not post content or respond to any comments/replies until the government reopens.”
Confirmation of expected: non-essential functions must cease during a shutdown. NSF personnel cannot perform any official work.
October 1, 2025 at 11:44 AM
Posted by NSF on LinkedIn:
“Due to a lapse in government funding, NSF will not post content or respond to any comments/replies until the government reopens.”
Confirmation of expected: non-essential functions must cease during a shutdown. NSF personnel cannot perform any official work.
“Due to a lapse in government funding, NSF will not post content or respond to any comments/replies until the government reopens.”
Confirmation of expected: non-essential functions must cease during a shutdown. NSF personnel cannot perform any official work.