Helen Lazear
@lazearlab.bsky.social
Associate Professor of Microbiology & Immunology
UNC Chapel Hill
Viral pathogenesis, arboviruses, virus-host interactions, antiviral immunity
www.lazearlab.org
UNC Chapel Hill
Viral pathogenesis, arboviruses, virus-host interactions, antiviral immunity
www.lazearlab.org
Reposted by Helen Lazear
UNC Chancellor Lee Roberts told faculty leaders the university does not plan on signing President Donald Trump’s administration’s “Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education” in exchange for favorable consideration of federal funding.
'We Don't Plan To': Chancellor Downplays Potential That UNC Signs Trump Admin's Higher Ed Compact - Chapelboro.com
Chancellor Lee Roberts told faculty UNC will not sign the "Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education" in its current form.
chapelboro.com
November 10, 2025 at 6:15 PM
UNC Chancellor Lee Roberts told faculty leaders the university does not plan on signing President Donald Trump’s administration’s “Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education” in exchange for favorable consideration of federal funding.
Reposted by Helen Lazear
A Sharon Begley byline, almost 5 years after her death.
Upon hearing the news James Watson had died, a STAT reporter said in our Slack, "I wish I could read what Sharon would have written."
Incredible news: Sharon in fact did pre-write a Watson obit. And it is masterful and excoriating.
🧪🧬🧫
Upon hearing the news James Watson had died, a STAT reporter said in our Slack, "I wish I could read what Sharon would have written."
Incredible news: Sharon in fact did pre-write a Watson obit. And it is masterful and excoriating.
🧪🧬🧫
James Watson, dead at 97, was a scientific legend and a pariah among his peers
James Watson, the co-discoverer of the structure of DNA who died Thursday at 97, was a scientific legend and a pariah among his peers.
www.statnews.com
November 8, 2025 at 1:39 PM
A Sharon Begley byline, almost 5 years after her death.
Upon hearing the news James Watson had died, a STAT reporter said in our Slack, "I wish I could read what Sharon would have written."
Incredible news: Sharon in fact did pre-write a Watson obit. And it is masterful and excoriating.
🧪🧬🧫
Upon hearing the news James Watson had died, a STAT reporter said in our Slack, "I wish I could read what Sharon would have written."
Incredible news: Sharon in fact did pre-write a Watson obit. And it is masterful and excoriating.
🧪🧬🧫
Reposted by Helen Lazear
I wrote some reflections this afternoon about how the discovery of the double helix changed the course of science. Gift link: nyti.ms/4qPS3y6
November 8, 2025 at 3:43 AM
I wrote some reflections this afternoon about how the discovery of the double helix changed the course of science. Gift link: nyti.ms/4qPS3y6
Reposted by Helen Lazear
Scientific breakthroughs are rarely unique; someone else would’ve made them soon enough. But when prominent scientists cause harm, that harm isn’t inevitable; the world might simply have been better had the harm not been inflicted.
liorpachter.wordpress.com/2018/05/18/j...
liorpachter.wordpress.com/2018/05/18/j...
James Watson in his own words
“Some anti-Semitism is justified” “Whenever you interview fat people, you feel bad, because you know you’re not going to hire them” “Japan should be bombed for d…
liorpachter.wordpress.com
November 8, 2025 at 4:29 AM
Scientific breakthroughs are rarely unique; someone else would’ve made them soon enough. But when prominent scientists cause harm, that harm isn’t inevitable; the world might simply have been better had the harm not been inflicted.
liorpachter.wordpress.com/2018/05/18/j...
liorpachter.wordpress.com/2018/05/18/j...
Reposted by Helen Lazear
Yes, some people's legacies are complicated. For example, Watson. After all, though he was racist, don't forget his other traits. For example, he was also sexist. And also anti-semitic. And a data / idea thief. So let's not forget all the different facets.
November 8, 2025 at 12:52 AM
Yes, some people's legacies are complicated. For example, Watson. After all, though he was racist, don't forget his other traits. For example, he was also sexist. And also anti-semitic. And a data / idea thief. So let's not forget all the different facets.
Reposted by Helen Lazear
James Dewey Watson – who won the Nobel Prize for his role in divining the structure of DNA; was instrumental in initiating and propelling the Human Genome Project; and who became notorious for his history of racist and sexist comments – has died at 97.
go.nature.com/3JKHqvB
go.nature.com/3JKHqvB
DNA pioneer James Watson has died ― colleagues wrestle with his legacy
The co-discoverer of the structure of DNA helped to strengthen a US research institute and wrote a classic textbook, but also earned a reputation for racist and sexist comments.
go.nature.com
November 8, 2025 at 4:03 AM
James Dewey Watson – who won the Nobel Prize for his role in divining the structure of DNA; was instrumental in initiating and propelling the Human Genome Project; and who became notorious for his history of racist and sexist comments – has died at 97.
go.nature.com/3JKHqvB
go.nature.com/3JKHqvB
Reposted by Helen Lazear
Researchers immunized an alpaca and a llama with snake venoms, and combined some of the antibodies produced into a potent cocktail
go.nature.com/47QZkGc
go.nature.com/47QZkGc
Single antivenom protects against 17 different snakebites
Nature - Researchers immunized an alpaca and a llama with snake venoms, and combined some of the antibodies produced into a potent cocktail.
go.nature.com
November 1, 2025 at 10:38 AM
Researchers immunized an alpaca and a llama with snake venoms, and combined some of the antibodies produced into a potent cocktail
go.nature.com/47QZkGc
go.nature.com/47QZkGc
Reposted by Helen Lazear
A huge congratulations to Cristian, who defended this PhD thesis yesterday. We're proud to now call him Dr. Roca!
November 7, 2025 at 4:01 PM
A huge congratulations to Cristian, who defended this PhD thesis yesterday. We're proud to now call him Dr. Roca!
Congratulations to Celeste Robles @celeste-robles.bsky.social who did a great job on her qualifying exam and is our lab's newest PhD Candidate! Celeste is studying HSV neurobiology and defining the neuronal mechanisms that govern latency and reactivation.
November 7, 2025 at 1:17 PM
Congratulations to Celeste Robles @celeste-robles.bsky.social who did a great job on her qualifying exam and is our lab's newest PhD Candidate! Celeste is studying HSV neurobiology and defining the neuronal mechanisms that govern latency and reactivation.
Reposted by Helen Lazear
They infect mammals worldwide—but, so far, not humans. 🧬
Join Dr. Adam Bailey on Nov. 18 at 10 a.m. ET for a free webinar on new insights into arterivirus receptor usage and host interactions. asm.social/2Fj
#Virology #ViralEvolution #Research #JVI #Arterivirus
Join Dr. Adam Bailey on Nov. 18 at 10 a.m. ET for a free webinar on new insights into arterivirus receptor usage and host interactions. asm.social/2Fj
#Virology #ViralEvolution #Research #JVI #Arterivirus
October 29, 2025 at 4:27 PM
They infect mammals worldwide—but, so far, not humans. 🧬
Join Dr. Adam Bailey on Nov. 18 at 10 a.m. ET for a free webinar on new insights into arterivirus receptor usage and host interactions. asm.social/2Fj
#Virology #ViralEvolution #Research #JVI #Arterivirus
Join Dr. Adam Bailey on Nov. 18 at 10 a.m. ET for a free webinar on new insights into arterivirus receptor usage and host interactions. asm.social/2Fj
#Virology #ViralEvolution #Research #JVI #Arterivirus
Reposted by Helen Lazear
New PhD opportunity! Can skin inflammation protect us from mosquito-borne viruses like Zika?
Join our MRC PhD project at York exploring how psoriasis and eczema change skin immunity to virus.
Our grads thrive in academia, biotech & beyond.
Apply now 👉 tinyurl.com/bfmd2rf4
Join our MRC PhD project at York exploring how psoriasis and eczema change skin immunity to virus.
Our grads thrive in academia, biotech & beyond.
Apply now 👉 tinyurl.com/bfmd2rf4
October 31, 2025 at 12:25 PM
New PhD opportunity! Can skin inflammation protect us from mosquito-borne viruses like Zika?
Join our MRC PhD project at York exploring how psoriasis and eczema change skin immunity to virus.
Our grads thrive in academia, biotech & beyond.
Apply now 👉 tinyurl.com/bfmd2rf4
Join our MRC PhD project at York exploring how psoriasis and eczema change skin immunity to virus.
Our grads thrive in academia, biotech & beyond.
Apply now 👉 tinyurl.com/bfmd2rf4
Reposted by Helen Lazear
Talk about an in-flight meal.
For the first time, researchers have captured rats hunting bats by grabbing them from the sky. Learn more: https://scim.ag/3Jqldmn
For the first time, researchers have captured rats hunting bats by grabbing them from the sky. Learn more: https://scim.ag/3Jqldmn
October 27, 2025 at 10:31 PM
Talk about an in-flight meal.
For the first time, researchers have captured rats hunting bats by grabbing them from the sky. Learn more: https://scim.ag/3Jqldmn
For the first time, researchers have captured rats hunting bats by grabbing them from the sky. Learn more: https://scim.ag/3Jqldmn
Reposted by Helen Lazear
The UNC Department of Biology is seeking a Director of Biology Teaching Labs, a key leadership role overseeing our undergraduate laboratory program. 1/n
Learn more and apply here: unc.peopleadmin.com/postings/308...
Learn more and apply here: unc.peopleadmin.com/postings/308...
Director of Biology Teaching Labs
The Director of Biology Teaching Labs provides leadership and direction in the management of the Biology Department's undergraduate laboratories and will be responsible for the undergraduate laborator...
unc.peopleadmin.com
October 27, 2025 at 2:12 PM
The UNC Department of Biology is seeking a Director of Biology Teaching Labs, a key leadership role overseeing our undergraduate laboratory program. 1/n
Learn more and apply here: unc.peopleadmin.com/postings/308...
Learn more and apply here: unc.peopleadmin.com/postings/308...
Reposted by Helen Lazear
Ebola is one of the nasty viruses that can hide in the body even after a patient recovers and tests negative. It can reemerge and trigger a new outbreak years later. How do they survive? And how can they be kayoed?
Some viruses can play a deadly game of hide and seek
Ebola is one of the nasty viruses that can hide in the body even after a patient recovers and tests negative. It can reemerge and trigger a new outbreak years later. How do they survive? And how can they be kayoed?
n.pr
October 24, 2025 at 4:53 PM
Ebola is one of the nasty viruses that can hide in the body even after a patient recovers and tests negative. It can reemerge and trigger a new outbreak years later. How do they survive? And how can they be kayoed?
Reposted by Helen Lazear
Emil Ferris created "My Favorite Thing is Monsters" after being paralyzed by West Nile virus
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
Emil Ferris Pays Homage to Horror Comics With ‘My Favorite Thing Is Monsters’ (Gift Article)
In her two-volume classic, “My Favorite Thing Is Monsters,” Emil Ferris explores a girl’s journey to understand the world, and herself.
www.nytimes.com
October 5, 2025 at 10:30 PM
Emil Ferris created "My Favorite Thing is Monsters" after being paralyzed by West Nile virus
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
Reposted by Helen Lazear
Evolutionary biologist @scs22.bsky.social has had a lot of success recently sequencing ancient RNA viruses from museum samples. This summer I had the chance to accompany him and a team of researchers to the Arctic where they hope that the permafrost might allow them to go further back in time.
🧪
🧪
On an Arctic archipelago, frozen soil may preserve a hidden history of viruses
Scientists are hunting for ancient RNA in Svalbard’s permafrost, hoping to shed light on the evolution of viral diseases
www.science.org
October 16, 2025 at 7:12 PM
Evolutionary biologist @scs22.bsky.social has had a lot of success recently sequencing ancient RNA viruses from museum samples. This summer I had the chance to accompany him and a team of researchers to the Arctic where they hope that the permafrost might allow them to go further back in time.
🧪
🧪
Reposted by Helen Lazear
Come be my chair at The University of Arizona! We have great bike riding, hiking, and of course, science! arizona.csod.com/ux/ats/caree...
Department Head, Department of Immunobiology
Strategic LeadershipDevelop and execute a bold
vision for the Department of Immunobiology that advances understanding of
how immune and micr...
arizona.csod.com
October 21, 2025 at 3:42 PM
Come be my chair at The University of Arizona! We have great bike riding, hiking, and of course, science! arizona.csod.com/ux/ats/caree...
Reposted by Helen Lazear
#microsky #mevosky The UNC Chapel Hill Biology Department is hiring 2 Teaching Assistant/Associate Professors with expertise from any area of biology. Individuals with expertise in microbiology are particularly encouraged to apply. Read more and apply at unc.peopleadmin.com/postings/307...
Two (2) Open Rank Teaching Faculty
The Department of Biology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill seeks applicants for two (2) Teaching Faculty positions to be effective July 1, 2026. These positions will be fixed-term 9-...
unc.peopleadmin.com
October 14, 2025 at 1:44 PM
#microsky #mevosky The UNC Chapel Hill Biology Department is hiring 2 Teaching Assistant/Associate Professors with expertise from any area of biology. Individuals with expertise in microbiology are particularly encouraged to apply. Read more and apply at unc.peopleadmin.com/postings/307...
Reposted by Helen Lazear
Congratulations to the Burroughs Wellcome Fund GDEP awardees @bwfund.bsky.social, including Lazear Lab grad student Celeste Robles! @celeste-robles.bsky.social
www.bwfund.org/news/bwf-exp...
www.bwfund.org/news/bwf-exp...
BWF Expands Graduate Diversity Enrichment Program to Support 14 Pre-Doctoral Scholars - Burroughs Wellcome Fund
DURHAM, N.C. – The Burroughs Wellcome Fund (BWF) is proud to announce the 2025 recipients of the Graduate Diversity Enrichment Program (GDEP)—fourteen outstanding pre-doctoral scientists whose work re...
www.bwfund.org
October 17, 2025 at 6:12 PM
Congratulations to the Burroughs Wellcome Fund GDEP awardees @bwfund.bsky.social, including Lazear Lab grad student Celeste Robles! @celeste-robles.bsky.social
www.bwfund.org/news/bwf-exp...
www.bwfund.org/news/bwf-exp...
A case of locally-transmitted CHIKV in Long Island, NY
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/17/n...
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/17/n...
Fever, Joint Pain, Aching Toes. A Mystery Ailment, a Stunning Diagnosis.
www.nytimes.com
October 20, 2025 at 12:20 PM
A case of locally-transmitted CHIKV in Long Island, NY
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/17/n...
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/17/n...
Reposted by Helen Lazear
I am fascinated by how viruses evolve - and not just since #SARSCoV2 has shown us at the global stage how consequential virus evolution can be for us.
In my new story in @science.org I got to explore how researchers are probing deeper into the past with old RNA virus genome.
So a 🧪 thread…
In my new story in @science.org I got to explore how researchers are probing deeper into the past with old RNA virus genome.
So a 🧪 thread…
On an Arctic archipelago, frozen soil may preserve a hidden history of viruses
Scientists are hunting for ancient RNA in Svalbard’s permafrost, hoping to shed light on the evolution of viral diseases
www.science.org
October 18, 2025 at 10:02 AM
I am fascinated by how viruses evolve - and not just since #SARSCoV2 has shown us at the global stage how consequential virus evolution can be for us.
In my new story in @science.org I got to explore how researchers are probing deeper into the past with old RNA virus genome.
So a 🧪 thread…
In my new story in @science.org I got to explore how researchers are probing deeper into the past with old RNA virus genome.
So a 🧪 thread…
Reposted by Helen Lazear
UChicago Microbiology is searching for tenured or tenure-track faculty working in host-pathogens interactions, viral and bacterial pathogenesis, and emerging infectious diseases. Come join our vibrant Department! microbiology.uchicago.edu
Apply here apply.interfolio.com/174404
Apply here apply.interfolio.com/174404
Department of Microbiology | The University of Chicago
microbiology.uchicago.edu
October 6, 2025 at 5:32 PM
UChicago Microbiology is searching for tenured or tenure-track faculty working in host-pathogens interactions, viral and bacterial pathogenesis, and emerging infectious diseases. Come join our vibrant Department! microbiology.uchicago.edu
Apply here apply.interfolio.com/174404
Apply here apply.interfolio.com/174404
Congratulations to the Burroughs Wellcome Fund GDEP awardees @bwfund.bsky.social, including Lazear Lab grad student Celeste Robles! @celeste-robles.bsky.social
www.bwfund.org/news/bwf-exp...
www.bwfund.org/news/bwf-exp...
BWF Expands Graduate Diversity Enrichment Program to Support 14 Pre-Doctoral Scholars - Burroughs Wellcome Fund
DURHAM, N.C. – The Burroughs Wellcome Fund (BWF) is proud to announce the 2025 recipients of the Graduate Diversity Enrichment Program (GDEP)—fourteen outstanding pre-doctoral scientists whose work re...
www.bwfund.org
October 17, 2025 at 6:12 PM
Congratulations to the Burroughs Wellcome Fund GDEP awardees @bwfund.bsky.social, including Lazear Lab grad student Celeste Robles! @celeste-robles.bsky.social
www.bwfund.org/news/bwf-exp...
www.bwfund.org/news/bwf-exp...