Jeff Lewis
@lewislab.bsky.social
Interested in understanding how organisms sense and respond to stressful environments, and why some individuals are more sensitive or more resilient. he/his
Pinned
Jeff Lewis
@lewislab.bsky.social
· Sep 26
Assistant Professor Cell Biology
Current University of Arkansas System employees, including student employees and graduate assistants, need to log in to Workday via MyApps.Microsoft.com, then access Find Jobs from the Workday search ...
uasys.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com
Very excited to announce that our department is now accepting applications for a tenure track faculty position in Cell Biology: uasys.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/UASYS/...
Come join our wonderful department!
Come join our wonderful department!
Reposted by Jeff Lewis
#DeepMutationalScanning (DMS) experiments are limited by gene size due to library complexity & costs. @christianlandry.bsky.social &co develop an efficient & cost-effective barcoded cloning strategy for plasmid-based DMS libraries that enables study of large genes @plosbiology.org 🧪 plos.io/4abhyUf
February 11, 2026 at 7:19 PM
#DeepMutationalScanning (DMS) experiments are limited by gene size due to library complexity & costs. @christianlandry.bsky.social &co develop an efficient & cost-effective barcoded cloning strategy for plasmid-based DMS libraries that enables study of large genes @plosbiology.org 🧪 plos.io/4abhyUf
Reposted by Jeff Lewis
Our new micropub is out, where we evolve yeast strains that are both scientifically interesting and practically useful! Using Experimental Evolution to Correct Mother-Daughter Separation Defects in Brewing Yeast doi.org/10.17912/mic...
Using Experimental Evolution to Correct Mother-Daughter Separation Defects in Brewing Yeast | microPublication
doi.org
February 13, 2026 at 12:52 AM
Our new micropub is out, where we evolve yeast strains that are both scientifically interesting and practically useful! Using Experimental Evolution to Correct Mother-Daughter Separation Defects in Brewing Yeast doi.org/10.17912/mic...
🙄 “Some of the dismantling” is important to keep in mind. These fuckers within the last month threatened a veto and forced a ‘compromise’ on MYF that will continue to harm a large number of people. Just the most recent example of their fuckery, but obviously not the worst.
You don’t praise the people who were unsuccessful in their attempts to fully dismantle a scientific infrastructure it took 80 years to build. You praise the people who successfully resisted some of the dismantling
bsky.app/profile/jere...
bsky.app/profile/jere...
I was shocked to see this statement from a group of representatives from the American scientific establishment...
1/2
1/2
February 7, 2026 at 7:24 PM
🙄 “Some of the dismantling” is important to keep in mind. These fuckers within the last month threatened a veto and forced a ‘compromise’ on MYF that will continue to harm a large number of people. Just the most recent example of their fuckery, but obviously not the worst.
Reposted by Jeff Lewis
We are watching in real time who some scientists are willing to sacrifice in favor of access to funding: early career researchers, trainees, scientists from historically excluded groups and immigrants.
February 7, 2026 at 5:18 PM
We are watching in real time who some scientists are willing to sacrifice in favor of access to funding: early career researchers, trainees, scientists from historically excluded groups and immigrants.
Reposted by Jeff Lewis
A pretty stunning attempt at rewriting the last year. While there are exceptions, legal challenges were largely led by faculty, AAUP, and state AGs, while university leadership and scientific societies almost uniformly attempted appeasement and acquiesced in advance.
The world has changed, and the old ways are not the only thing needed for this moment.
Both/and: inside advocacy is important but public attention achieved a lot of pushback this year. It’s wrong to talk about “seething advocacy” behind pics evoking “bipartisan compromise”
Both/and: inside advocacy is important but public attention achieved a lot of pushback this year. It’s wrong to talk about “seething advocacy” behind pics evoking “bipartisan compromise”
February 7, 2026 at 3:28 PM
A pretty stunning attempt at rewriting the last year. While there are exceptions, legal challenges were largely led by faculty, AAUP, and state AGs, while university leadership and scientific societies almost uniformly attempted appeasement and acquiesced in advance.
Reposted by Jeff Lewis
You don’t praise the people who were unsuccessful in their attempts to fully dismantle a scientific infrastructure it took 80 years to build. You praise the people who successfully resisted some of the dismantling
bsky.app/profile/jere...
bsky.app/profile/jere...
I was shocked to see this statement from a group of representatives from the American scientific establishment...
1/2
1/2
February 7, 2026 at 5:34 PM
You don’t praise the people who were unsuccessful in their attempts to fully dismantle a scientific infrastructure it took 80 years to build. You praise the people who successfully resisted some of the dismantling
bsky.app/profile/jere...
bsky.app/profile/jere...
Reposted by Jeff Lewis
This a word cloud from the titles of ~1100 terminated NSF grants.
It is hard not to see these grant terminations as an attack on the training of the future United States scientific workforce.
It is hard not to see these grant terminations as an attack on the training of the future United States scientific workforce.
February 7, 2026 at 3:55 PM
This a word cloud from the titles of ~1100 terminated NSF grants.
It is hard not to see these grant terminations as an attack on the training of the future United States scientific workforce.
It is hard not to see these grant terminations as an attack on the training of the future United States scientific workforce.
Reposted by Jeff Lewis
If you have an interest in mixing computation and experiments to understand microbial evolution (for example antibiotic resistance) and you think you might be a good fit for a postdoc in my lab, reach out. If it seems it might be a fit I’m happy to help you frame it as AI for Biology per this call
Holy shit: it's an RFP for the NSF Postdoctoral Research Fellowship in Biology (PRFB). Hello old friend www.nsf.gov/funding/oppo...
Postdoctoral Research Fellowships in Biology (PRFB)
www.nsf.gov
February 6, 2026 at 1:04 AM
If you have an interest in mixing computation and experiments to understand microbial evolution (for example antibiotic resistance) and you think you might be a good fit for a postdoc in my lab, reach out. If it seems it might be a fit I’m happy to help you frame it as AI for Biology per this call
Reposted by Jeff Lewis
Been on multiple search committees
For me (personally so YMMV)…I basically dismiss everything that’s labeled *submitted* unless there’s a preprint I can read
For me (personally so YMMV)…I basically dismiss everything that’s labeled *submitted* unless there’s a preprint I can read
You can read more about that experience here: www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Preprints as tools to advance careers - Nature Reviews Cancer
The practice of posting preprint manuscripts on servers such as bioRxiv has become increasingly common. In this Comment, Hindle and Sever explore the utility of preprints for advancing researchers…
www.nature.com
February 5, 2026 at 8:05 PM
Been on multiple search committees
For me (personally so YMMV)…I basically dismiss everything that’s labeled *submitted* unless there’s a preprint I can read
For me (personally so YMMV)…I basically dismiss everything that’s labeled *submitted* unless there’s a preprint I can read
Reposted by Jeff Lewis
One of the most valuable comments I heard in grad school was in a mock review panel when the guest prof said, basically, sometimes reviewer comments are real concerns and you can get funded by fixing them, and sometimes they just didn’t think it was interesting and had to write something.
February 5, 2026 at 5:16 PM
One of the most valuable comments I heard in grad school was in a mock review panel when the guest prof said, basically, sometimes reviewer comments are real concerns and you can get funded by fixing them, and sometimes they just didn’t think it was interesting and had to write something.
Reposted by Jeff Lewis
First they came for DEI and I said nothing for I hoped my success rates would improve.
Then they came for gender identity research and I said nothing for I hoped my success rates would improve.
Then they came for the NPRCs, and I said nothing for I hoped my success rates would improve.
Then they came for gender identity research and I said nothing for I hoped my success rates would improve.
Then they came for the NPRCs, and I said nothing for I hoped my success rates would improve.
February 5, 2026 at 6:47 PM
First they came for DEI and I said nothing for I hoped my success rates would improve.
Then they came for gender identity research and I said nothing for I hoped my success rates would improve.
Then they came for the NPRCs, and I said nothing for I hoped my success rates would improve.
Then they came for gender identity research and I said nothing for I hoped my success rates would improve.
Then they came for the NPRCs, and I said nothing for I hoped my success rates would improve.
Reposted by Jeff Lewis
NIGMS has had no official payline as long as I can remember. That said, funding was highly correlated with percentile, with exceptions for publicly stated policies (limits on total funding to one investigator). I’m expecting this to be the norm at other ICs.
February 4, 2026 at 2:13 PM
NIGMS has had no official payline as long as I can remember. That said, funding was highly correlated with percentile, with exceptions for publicly stated policies (limits on total funding to one investigator). I’m expecting this to be the norm at other ICs.
Reposted by Jeff Lewis
This is not true. MYF is capped at FY25 levels, where 39% of all awards were MYF.
We need to be very precise about this because the impact is enormous.
We need to be very precise about this because the impact is enormous.
Both chambers of Congress have now passed the FY26 minibus with NIH provisions. The President will sign.
(1) $48.7 billion for NIH
(2) Full IDC recovery
(3) No more multi-year funding
(4) No NIH reorganization, maintaining the current IC structure.
(1) $48.7 billion for NIH
(2) Full IDC recovery
(3) No more multi-year funding
(4) No NIH reorganization, maintaining the current IC structure.
February 3, 2026 at 8:45 PM
This is not true. MYF is capped at FY25 levels, where 39% of all awards were MYF.
We need to be very precise about this because the impact is enormous.
We need to be very precise about this because the impact is enormous.
Reposted by Jeff Lewis
Please stop saying the bill allows "no more multi-year funding" - or at least be clear the 'more' is in reference to disastrous FY25 levels.
The bill allows 39% MYF, same as in FY25, which contributed substantially to a 24% drop in new research.
The bill has some wins. MYF is not one of them.
The bill allows 39% MYF, same as in FY25, which contributed substantially to a 24% drop in new research.
The bill has some wins. MYF is not one of them.
Both chambers of Congress have now passed the FY26 minibus with NIH provisions. The President will sign.
(1) $48.7 billion for NIH
(2) Full IDC recovery
(3) No more multi-year funding
(4) No NIH reorganization, maintaining the current IC structure.
(1) $48.7 billion for NIH
(2) Full IDC recovery
(3) No more multi-year funding
(4) No NIH reorganization, maintaining the current IC structure.
February 3, 2026 at 9:38 PM
Please stop saying the bill allows "no more multi-year funding" - or at least be clear the 'more' is in reference to disastrous FY25 levels.
The bill allows 39% MYF, same as in FY25, which contributed substantially to a 24% drop in new research.
The bill has some wins. MYF is not one of them.
The bill allows 39% MYF, same as in FY25, which contributed substantially to a 24% drop in new research.
The bill has some wins. MYF is not one of them.
Reposted by Jeff Lewis
To bang a drum I often bang on about:
Many programs will not give a grad student a degree without having papers out.
Not caring to make the paper better is a 💯 predictable consequence.
Many programs will not give a grad student a degree without having papers out.
Not caring to make the paper better is a 💯 predictable consequence.
February 2, 2026 at 1:15 PM
To bang a drum I often bang on about:
Many programs will not give a grad student a degree without having papers out.
Not caring to make the paper better is a 💯 predictable consequence.
Many programs will not give a grad student a degree without having papers out.
Not caring to make the paper better is a 💯 predictable consequence.
Reposted by Jeff Lewis
This figure captures both the accuracy of the model in predicting research grant success rate and the project effect of multiyear funding at fiscal year 2025 levels.
2/2
2/2
January 30, 2026 at 8:44 PM
This figure captures both the accuracy of the model in predicting research grant success rate and the project effect of multiyear funding at fiscal year 2025 levels.
2/2
2/2
Reposted by Jeff Lewis
Long post from me at the Good Science Project on success rates including the effects of multiyear funding.
goodscience.substack.com/p/understand...
1/2
goodscience.substack.com/p/understand...
1/2
Understanding and Modeling NIH Research Grant Success Rates and the Impact of “Multiyear Funding”
This is a guest post from Jeremy M.
goodscience.substack.com
January 30, 2026 at 8:44 PM
Long post from me at the Good Science Project on success rates including the effects of multiyear funding.
goodscience.substack.com/p/understand...
1/2
goodscience.substack.com/p/understand...
1/2
Obviously, secondary or tertiary at best to everything else happening, but the lack of blog posts and other forms of communication really bothers me. It is a form of both censorship and gaslighting, and is more salt in the wound caused by the effects of new NIH policies.
For those who are interested, creative use of the wayback machine can sometimes get you to old NIH blog content that was memoryholed in 2025
web.archive.org/web/20250119...
web.archive.org/web/20250119...
Analyses of Demographic-Specific Funding Rates for Type 1 Research Project Grant and R01-Equivalent Applications
In this post, we analyze funding rates for Fiscal Year (FY) 2010 to FY 2022 Type 1 Research Project Grant (RPG) and Type 1 R01-Equivalent applicants according to the race-ethnicity of designated Princ...
web.archive.org
January 30, 2026 at 8:37 PM
Obviously, secondary or tertiary at best to everything else happening, but the lack of blog posts and other forms of communication really bothers me. It is a form of both censorship and gaslighting, and is more salt in the wound caused by the effects of new NIH policies.
Reposted by Jeff Lewis
On the whole, though, looking at the current situation - if people can't see that we urgently need to work to build a better, more robust system to support scientific progress *while also trying our best to rescue what we've got*, then I don't know what to say to them. 🧪
bsky.app/profile/azfa...
bsky.app/profile/azfa...
So I am not happy with any of these approaches, and I am even less happy that it feels like we have to do them all at the same time to try to stay afloat.
January 28, 2026 at 5:02 PM
On the whole, though, looking at the current situation - if people can't see that we urgently need to work to build a better, more robust system to support scientific progress *while also trying our best to rescue what we've got*, then I don't know what to say to them. 🧪
bsky.app/profile/azfa...
bsky.app/profile/azfa...
Reposted by Jeff Lewis
the experiences of individuals from marginalized groups are almost ALWAYS the bellwether for weaknesses and stress points in systems. Trying to correct their experiences improves these systems FOR EVERYONE, not just them
January 28, 2026 at 4:03 PM
the experiences of individuals from marginalized groups are almost ALWAYS the bellwether for weaknesses and stress points in systems. Trying to correct their experiences improves these systems FOR EVERYONE, not just them
Reposted by Jeff Lewis
I don’t say this to be a bitch but do you know who else had to resubmit and resubmit and resubmit and it felt unsustainable?
January 28, 2026 at 3:52 PM
I don’t say this to be a bitch but do you know who else had to resubmit and resubmit and resubmit and it felt unsustainable?
I've been thinking about this since MYF started killing paylines last year. Those in power want to dismantle our system of science, which is why their explanations ignore the pain inflicted on scientists and come across as gaslighting. They can't tell the truth without losing broad support.
I have been thinking about Dave's comment a lot over the last 12 hours. This round has been brutal, good scores are few and far in between (and still not sure if they're even fundable) so as I am meeting with clients, I have been pondering myself what other strategies are there.
What other strategy is there? Resubmit, resubmit and resubmit?
January 28, 2026 at 3:54 PM
I've been thinking about this since MYF started killing paylines last year. Those in power want to dismantle our system of science, which is why their explanations ignore the pain inflicted on scientists and come across as gaslighting. They can't tell the truth without losing broad support.
Reposted by Jeff Lewis
As Dave rightly points out, resubmission absolutely feels brutal in this moment. Futile. It has the distinct feeling of buying a lottery ticket - it feels like a scam and winning feels out of reach.
January 28, 2026 at 3:10 PM
As Dave rightly points out, resubmission absolutely feels brutal in this moment. Futile. It has the distinct feeling of buying a lottery ticket - it feels like a scam and winning feels out of reach.
💯 Instead of remaining calm, ICE approached protesters, and then violently pushed them to the ground, pepper sprayed, and started beating. All of that should not be happening, whether or not it culminates in shooting someone in the back.
Important context, this is the victim’s behavior BEFORE being tackled
He’s not threatening, he’s not brandishing, he’s filming
He’s not threatening, he’s not brandishing, he’s filming
Video before it happens is showing this guy they shot in the head in Minneapolis was just standing there videoing them before and they got out to push him back and then murder him.
January 25, 2026 at 12:40 PM
💯 Instead of remaining calm, ICE approached protesters, and then violently pushed them to the ground, pepper sprayed, and started beating. All of that should not be happening, whether or not it culminates in shooting someone in the back.
Reposted by Jeff Lewis
Important context, this is the victim’s behavior BEFORE being tackled
He’s not threatening, he’s not brandishing, he’s filming
He’s not threatening, he’s not brandishing, he’s filming
Video before it happens is showing this guy they shot in the head in Minneapolis was just standing there videoing them before and they got out to push him back and then murder him.
January 24, 2026 at 6:17 PM
Important context, this is the victim’s behavior BEFORE being tackled
He’s not threatening, he’s not brandishing, he’s filming
He’s not threatening, he’s not brandishing, he’s filming