Brian Lovett
@lovettbr.bsky.social
Upstanding Scientist | Insect Pathologist | Entomologist | Mycologist | He/Him/His | Skies are my own
Pinned
Brian Lovett
@lovettbr.bsky.social
· Oct 1
Today is bittersweet for me, as I have now officially retired from the USDA-ARS.
It is still difficult for me that the doors to the Lovett Lab have closed.
I am so grateful for the community and science we were able to stir up as a research scientist at the USDA.
It is still difficult for me that the doors to the Lovett Lab have closed.
I am so grateful for the community and science we were able to stir up as a research scientist at the USDA.
So what’s next for me?
I am standing up for science full time at @standupforscience.bsky.social. I am so pleased to support their vision and urgency in this moment.
As I tend to, I wear a few hats, but I am happy to still be using data to tell the best stories possible. 💻 📈 🗞️ ✊
I am standing up for science full time at @standupforscience.bsky.social. I am so pleased to support their vision and urgency in this moment.
As I tend to, I wear a few hats, but I am happy to still be using data to tell the best stories possible. 💻 📈 🗞️ ✊
Reposted by Brian Lovett
Sometimes there are jewels just sitting on leaves out here
This is a tortoise beetle, beautifully iridescent, about the size of my fingernail.
This is a tortoise beetle, beautifully iridescent, about the size of my fingernail.
February 16, 2026 at 8:49 PM
Sometimes there are jewels just sitting on leaves out here
This is a tortoise beetle, beautifully iridescent, about the size of my fingernail.
This is a tortoise beetle, beautifully iridescent, about the size of my fingernail.
Reposted by Brian Lovett
One thing that sucks very bad is that everyone, and I do mean everyone, people you like, are using Claude to write their NSF and NIH grants even when it's against the rules, and also, the process is no longer reliable or merit based, and like no I'm not going to do it, but fuck!! FUCK!!
February 16, 2026 at 2:30 AM
One thing that sucks very bad is that everyone, and I do mean everyone, people you like, are using Claude to write their NSF and NIH grants even when it's against the rules, and also, the process is no longer reliable or merit based, and like no I'm not going to do it, but fuck!! FUCK!!
Reposted by Brian Lovett
For secure instant messaging, @signal.org, of course. That's the new standard. Just get on it and use it. Only knock right now - I can only have one username/display name. It'd be great to have different display names for different chats. But not a dealbreaker by any means.
February 15, 2026 at 12:18 AM
For secure instant messaging, @signal.org, of course. That's the new standard. Just get on it and use it. Only knock right now - I can only have one username/display name. It'd be great to have different display names for different chats. But not a dealbreaker by any means.
Reposted by Brian Lovett
A Trump administration official said Moderna might have more luck with its vaccine application if it resubmitted with a little “humility”
Does that sound like the “gold-standard science” RFK Jr. promised?
Or a mob boss threat?
www.thebulwark.com/p/this-is-wh...
Does that sound like the “gold-standard science” RFK Jr. promised?
Or a mob boss threat?
www.thebulwark.com/p/this-is-wh...
This Is What Destroying the Vaccine Market Looks Like
A shocking move by RFK Jr.’s team has the industry spooked—for good reason.
www.thebulwark.com
February 15, 2026 at 3:39 PM
A Trump administration official said Moderna might have more luck with its vaccine application if it resubmitted with a little “humility”
Does that sound like the “gold-standard science” RFK Jr. promised?
Or a mob boss threat?
www.thebulwark.com/p/this-is-wh...
Does that sound like the “gold-standard science” RFK Jr. promised?
Or a mob boss threat?
www.thebulwark.com/p/this-is-wh...
I believe in these captions, Robert Blum is using his platform at the premier American science conference to call the dropped speaker Brian Greene a “fantastic scientist”.
Brian Greene was in active association with Jeffrey Epstein.
👏 Fantastic scientists do not socialize with pedophiles. 👏
Brian Greene was in active association with Jeffrey Epstein.
👏 Fantastic scientists do not socialize with pedophiles. 👏
The main speaker tonight is Robert Blum, who tells about a new US observatory named after Vera C. Rubin - a cosmic trailblazer , located in Chile, near La Serena. It is large, fast, and strong.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vera_C....
#AAASmtg @aaas.org
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vera_C....
#AAASmtg @aaas.org
February 15, 2026 at 3:24 PM
I believe in these captions, Robert Blum is using his platform at the premier American science conference to call the dropped speaker Brian Greene a “fantastic scientist”.
Brian Greene was in active association with Jeffrey Epstein.
👏 Fantastic scientists do not socialize with pedophiles. 👏
Brian Greene was in active association with Jeffrey Epstein.
👏 Fantastic scientists do not socialize with pedophiles. 👏
Reposted by Brian Lovett
Do you like swag and care about #EarlyCareerResearchers in #scipol and #scicomm? Of course you do.
Drop by Booth 605 at #AAASmtg today to speak with SNAPpers about what we do and how you can help!
And come see our plenary panel today @ 1 p.m.!
#AAAS2026
Drop by Booth 605 at #AAASmtg today to speak with SNAPpers about what we do and how you can help!
And come see our plenary panel today @ 1 p.m.!
#AAAS2026
February 13, 2026 at 4:58 PM
Do you like swag and care about #EarlyCareerResearchers in #scipol and #scicomm? Of course you do.
Drop by Booth 605 at #AAASmtg today to speak with SNAPpers about what we do and how you can help!
And come see our plenary panel today @ 1 p.m.!
#AAAS2026
Drop by Booth 605 at #AAASmtg today to speak with SNAPpers about what we do and how you can help!
And come see our plenary panel today @ 1 p.m.!
#AAAS2026
Unacceptable @aaas.org! Time for a clear statement about how “good scientists” don’t associate with famous pedophiles, perhaps? This speaker should apologize too.
February 15, 2026 at 1:16 PM
Unacceptable @aaas.org! Time for a clear statement about how “good scientists” don’t associate with famous pedophiles, perhaps? This speaker should apologize too.
Reposted by Brian Lovett
Entomologist here. 👋🏼
Screwworm is the stuff of nightmares.
Eradicating it from the US in 1966 and eventually down to the southern tip of North America was a historic victory for biocontrol.
We know how to control screwworms: you rear them in large numbers, sterilize these, then release them.
Screwworm is the stuff of nightmares.
Eradicating it from the US in 1966 and eventually down to the southern tip of North America was a historic victory for biocontrol.
We know how to control screwworms: you rear them in large numbers, sterilize these, then release them.
February 13, 2026 at 3:11 AM
Entomologist here. 👋🏼
Screwworm is the stuff of nightmares.
Eradicating it from the US in 1966 and eventually down to the southern tip of North America was a historic victory for biocontrol.
We know how to control screwworms: you rear them in large numbers, sterilize these, then release them.
Screwworm is the stuff of nightmares.
Eradicating it from the US in 1966 and eventually down to the southern tip of North America was a historic victory for biocontrol.
We know how to control screwworms: you rear them in large numbers, sterilize these, then release them.
Entomologist here. 👋🏼
Screwworm is the stuff of nightmares.
Eradicating it from the US in 1966 and eventually down to the southern tip of North America was a historic victory for biocontrol.
We know how to control screwworms: you rear them in large numbers, sterilize these, then release them.
Screwworm is the stuff of nightmares.
Eradicating it from the US in 1966 and eventually down to the southern tip of North America was a historic victory for biocontrol.
We know how to control screwworms: you rear them in large numbers, sterilize these, then release them.
February 13, 2026 at 3:11 AM
Entomologist here. 👋🏼
Screwworm is the stuff of nightmares.
Eradicating it from the US in 1966 and eventually down to the southern tip of North America was a historic victory for biocontrol.
We know how to control screwworms: you rear them in large numbers, sterilize these, then release them.
Screwworm is the stuff of nightmares.
Eradicating it from the US in 1966 and eventually down to the southern tip of North America was a historic victory for biocontrol.
We know how to control screwworms: you rear them in large numbers, sterilize these, then release them.
How much ketamine is too much ketamine? 🤔
Elon Musk told employees at xAI, his artificial intelligence company, on Tuesday that the company needed a factory on the moon to build A.I. satellites and a massive catapult to launch them into space.
Elon Musk Wants to Build an A.I. Satellite Factory on the Moon
In a meeting with employees at his company xAI, Mr. Musk revealed a vision for a facility that includes a giant catapult to launch his satellites into space.
nyti.ms
February 11, 2026 at 2:57 PM
How much ketamine is too much ketamine? 🤔
Reposted by Brian Lovett
On this day that supports inclusive futures for women and girls in science, let's not forget all the women that were sidelined, ignored, or forced out of science because they:
- had children
- prioritised family/caring
- did science differently
- questioned boundaries & norms
- fought the patriarchy
- had children
- prioritised family/caring
- did science differently
- questioned boundaries & norms
- fought the patriarchy
February 11, 2026 at 9:39 AM
On this day that supports inclusive futures for women and girls in science, let's not forget all the women that were sidelined, ignored, or forced out of science because they:
- had children
- prioritised family/caring
- did science differently
- questioned boundaries & norms
- fought the patriarchy
- had children
- prioritised family/caring
- did science differently
- questioned boundaries & norms
- fought the patriarchy
Reposted by Brian Lovett
the deployment of mRNA vaccine technology was a monumental leap in medical advancement and the crowning achievement of Donald Trump's first presidency but now his administration is scuttling it because their political coalition exists in opposition to the concept of expertise
So the feds ARE NOT considering an mRNA vaccine for the flu, which could save countless lives, but ARE backing research into whether horse dewormer can cure cancer, because the right views vaccines as elite and ivermectin as populist.
Cool.
kffhealthnews.org/news/article...
Cool.
kffhealthnews.org/news/article...
FDA won’t review Moderna application for first mRNA-based flu vaccine
The decision, which shocked company officials, comes as the FDA says it will take a stricter approach to federal vaccine approvals.
www.washingtonpost.com
February 11, 2026 at 4:59 AM
the deployment of mRNA vaccine technology was a monumental leap in medical advancement and the crowning achievement of Donald Trump's first presidency but now his administration is scuttling it because their political coalition exists in opposition to the concept of expertise
Elon Musk has so much money he can lie and fail spectacularly over and over with no consequences.
His illegal actions under the auspices of DOGE should put him behind bars for a long time.
His illegal actions under the auspices of DOGE should put him behind bars for a long time.
Elon Musk's ambition to one day settle Mars appears to have taken a back seat for a rather nearer and more achievable goal – sending humans to live on the moon. https://cnn.it/46sbAMm
February 10, 2026 at 10:58 AM
Elon Musk has so much money he can lie and fail spectacularly over and over with no consequences.
His illegal actions under the auspices of DOGE should put him behind bars for a long time.
His illegal actions under the auspices of DOGE should put him behind bars for a long time.
Reposted by Brian Lovett
My quote of the day
Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio
Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio
February 9, 2026 at 11:40 AM
My quote of the day
Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio
Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio
Reposted by Brian Lovett
It’s been a year since this post. Life is…so different now.
Yet, I’m sitting here on my living room floor, with my cold coffee, in the same robe, playing with my beautiful son. Just like I was when I wrote this.
@standupforscience.bsky.social started with a skeet and an idea.
Yet, I’m sitting here on my living room floor, with my cold coffee, in the same robe, playing with my beautiful son. Just like I was when I wrote this.
@standupforscience.bsky.social started with a skeet and an idea.
Can’t believe I’m typing this but…
FUCK IT IM PLANNING A STAND UP FOR SCIENCE PROTEST IN DC.
If you want to be involved, be dm me. I’m nervous, I’ve never done this before, but we gotta be the change we want to see in the world.
FUCK IT IM PLANNING A STAND UP FOR SCIENCE PROTEST IN DC.
If you want to be involved, be dm me. I’m nervous, I’ve never done this before, but we gotta be the change we want to see in the world.
IF YOU KNOW IF ANYONE PLANNING A SCIENCE RELATED PROTEST IN DC, PLEASE DM ME!
February 8, 2026 at 1:09 PM
It’s been a year since this post. Life is…so different now.
Yet, I’m sitting here on my living room floor, with my cold coffee, in the same robe, playing with my beautiful son. Just like I was when I wrote this.
@standupforscience.bsky.social started with a skeet and an idea.
Yet, I’m sitting here on my living room floor, with my cold coffee, in the same robe, playing with my beautiful son. Just like I was when I wrote this.
@standupforscience.bsky.social started with a skeet and an idea.
You keep “ferments” out of your mouth, meat industry shill. 😡
RFK Jr on what he'll eat during the Super Bowl: "I am on a carnivore diet so I just eat meat and ferments, and I'm very happy with that. So I'm probably going to have yogurt."
February 8, 2026 at 4:56 PM
You keep “ferments” out of your mouth, meat industry shill. 😡
Reposted by Brian Lovett
Concentration camps are the defining issue in public health right now. Measles and TB outbreaks, healthcare being withheld as punishment for your race. It is not enough simply to turn the grants tap back on. To do so would make us the same as the Nazi scientists who discovered smoking causes cancer
February 7, 2026 at 12:51 AM
Concentration camps are the defining issue in public health right now. Measles and TB outbreaks, healthcare being withheld as punishment for your race. It is not enough simply to turn the grants tap back on. To do so would make us the same as the Nazi scientists who discovered smoking causes cancer
Those examples do not exist because scientists who did the work are always better equipped to communicate the work than a plagiarism machine that has no concept of what its writing.
At the same time - I wonder if there's a flip side, of solid science that authors are now able to communicate more clearly because of (more measured!) assistance from AI...
Welcome, piles of slop filling up the journals with clouds of useless wordy garbage. Case in point:
February 5, 2026 at 1:10 PM
Those examples do not exist because scientists who did the work are always better equipped to communicate the work than a plagiarism machine that has no concept of what its writing.
All over the Epstein files fawning and “plotting”. Perhaps it’s time for @harvardoeb.bsky.social to update their already quite long report on Martin Nowak and Epstein? Has the Epstein money for Nowak’s institute even run dry?
It’s disgusting that Dr. Martin Nowak remains faculty at Harvard OEB @harvardoeb.bsky.social: his reputation was built by Epstein by his own admission. His Wikipedia page rightly starts by summarizing his Epstein relationship. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martin_...
Martin Nowak - Wikipedia
en.wikipedia.org
February 2, 2026 at 11:34 AM
All over the Epstein files fawning and “plotting”. Perhaps it’s time for @harvardoeb.bsky.social to update their already quite long report on Martin Nowak and Epstein? Has the Epstein money for Nowak’s institute even run dry?
Reposted by Brian Lovett
Martin Nowak, mentioned in this Epstein Files letter, is a collaborator of E.O. Wilson's on social insect theory. For those looking for an entomological association.
Lmaooo HOLY SHIT can I call it or what
January 31, 2026 at 9:14 PM
Reposted by Brian Lovett
A quick collage of some snow flakes 🙂. Forsyth County, North Carolina, today
January 31, 2026 at 5:44 PM
A quick collage of some snow flakes 🙂. Forsyth County, North Carolina, today
Concept: an actual public square not controlled by billionaires.
January 29, 2026 at 2:04 PM
Concept: an actual public square not controlled by billionaires.
Reposted by Brian Lovett
Walz: I think Kristi Noem probably should go back to South Dakota, not have any dogs, and just kind of ride things out
January 27, 2026 at 8:20 PM
Walz: I think Kristi Noem probably should go back to South Dakota, not have any dogs, and just kind of ride things out
Reposted by Brian Lovett
"Take away college football tomorrow & watch college towns descend into chaos. But when they came for our pipettes & microscopes, almost nothing happened. "
New thoughts on the War on Science, 1 yr later, for @undark.org:
'How MAHA Exploits the Flaws of Modern Science '
undark.org/2026/01/28/o...
New thoughts on the War on Science, 1 yr later, for @undark.org:
'How MAHA Exploits the Flaws of Modern Science '
undark.org/2026/01/28/o...
How MAHA Exploits the Flaws of Modern Science
Opinion | The weaknesses in science’s processes have been weaponized against it. It’s time to confront those flaws and fix them.
undark.org
January 28, 2026 at 1:37 PM
"Take away college football tomorrow & watch college towns descend into chaos. But when they came for our pipettes & microscopes, almost nothing happened. "
New thoughts on the War on Science, 1 yr later, for @undark.org:
'How MAHA Exploits the Flaws of Modern Science '
undark.org/2026/01/28/o...
New thoughts on the War on Science, 1 yr later, for @undark.org:
'How MAHA Exploits the Flaws of Modern Science '
undark.org/2026/01/28/o...
Sounds like a nice idea, but, FWIW, I will *never* work for the federal government again after how we were treated.
It could take a generation to recover the talent lost from federal science.
But it doesn't have to. We should be ready to scale up the Presidential Management Fellowship program to triple what it once was and rebuild U.S. capacity by 2030.
But it doesn't have to. We should be ready to scale up the Presidential Management Fellowship program to triple what it once was and rebuild U.S. capacity by 2030.
How many STEM Ph.D.s were lost from the U.S. federal government last year?
My colleagues @mghersher.bsky.social and @policyhound.bsky.social dug into a recent data release to find the answer. A @science.org exclusive.
www.science.org/content/arti...
My colleagues @mghersher.bsky.social and @policyhound.bsky.social dug into a recent data release to find the answer. A @science.org exclusive.
www.science.org/content/arti...
January 27, 2026 at 11:57 AM
Sounds like a nice idea, but, FWIW, I will *never* work for the federal government again after how we were treated.