Maiko Kitaoka 北岡舞子, PhD
@maikokitaoka.bsky.social
Cell biologist enamored with gametes and their chromosomes | HHMI Hanna Gray Fellow | Leading Edge Fellow | 🧬🐸🪰🔬 she/her
Reposted by Maiko Kitaoka 北岡舞子, PhD
Today my @nytimes.com colleagues and I are launching a new series called Lost Science. We interview US scientists who can no longer discover something new about our world, thanks to this year‘s cuts. Here is my first interview with a scientist who studied bees and fires. Gift link: nyti.ms/3IWXbiE
nyti.ms
October 8, 2025 at 11:29 PM
Today my @nytimes.com colleagues and I are launching a new series called Lost Science. We interview US scientists who can no longer discover something new about our world, thanks to this year‘s cuts. Here is my first interview with a scientist who studied bees and fires. Gift link: nyti.ms/3IWXbiE
Reposted by Maiko Kitaoka 北岡舞子, PhD
FlyBase needs your help! We ask that European labs continue to contribute to Cambridge, UK FlyBase, whereas US and other non-European labs can contribute to US FlyBase. For more information and how to donate: wiki.flybase.org/wiki/FlyBase...
FlyBase:Contribute to FlyBase - FlyBase Wiki
wiki.flybase.org
August 15, 2025 at 12:45 PM
FlyBase needs your help! We ask that European labs continue to contribute to Cambridge, UK FlyBase, whereas US and other non-European labs can contribute to US FlyBase. For more information and how to donate: wiki.flybase.org/wiki/FlyBase...
Reposted by Maiko Kitaoka 北岡舞子, PhD
If you are a researcher whose lab uses FlyBase, consider a tax-deductible personal contribution. A lot of $100 contributions would help bridge the gap until we can set up a user fee system, and even $10 donations send the folks there the message we're behind them. Please share
August 27, 2025 at 12:27 AM
If you are a researcher whose lab uses FlyBase, consider a tax-deductible personal contribution. A lot of $100 contributions would help bridge the gap until we can set up a user fee system, and even $10 donations send the folks there the message we're behind them. Please share
Reposted by Maiko Kitaoka 北岡舞子, PhD
All proceeds from my #sciart Etsy shop will now be donated to
@flybase.bsky.social . Due to fed cuts, this beloved resource that I use daily has lost it's funding, and I'm helping in my small way. Now's a good time stock up on #STEM & #drosophila gifts & swag!
www.etsy.com/shop/Picosti...
@flybase.bsky.social . Due to fed cuts, this beloved resource that I use daily has lost it's funding, and I'm helping in my small way. Now's a good time stock up on #STEM & #drosophila gifts & swag!
www.etsy.com/shop/Picosti...
July 10, 2025 at 3:52 AM
All proceeds from my #sciart Etsy shop will now be donated to
@flybase.bsky.social . Due to fed cuts, this beloved resource that I use daily has lost it's funding, and I'm helping in my small way. Now's a good time stock up on #STEM & #drosophila gifts & swag!
www.etsy.com/shop/Picosti...
@flybase.bsky.social . Due to fed cuts, this beloved resource that I use daily has lost it's funding, and I'm helping in my small way. Now's a good time stock up on #STEM & #drosophila gifts & swag!
www.etsy.com/shop/Picosti...
Reposted by Maiko Kitaoka 北岡舞子, PhD
Model organism communities are fantastic. Good work, "Drosophilists"! www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Giant study finds a research field that’s mostly reproducible
Researchers assessed more than 1,000 results from fruit-fly immunity research published between 1959 and 2011. The majority of findings look verifiable.
www.nature.com
July 16, 2025 at 5:55 PM
Model organism communities are fantastic. Good work, "Drosophilists"! www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Reposted by Maiko Kitaoka 北岡舞子, PhD
This isn't a coincidence, IMO. The fly community is generally super rigorous - because there are so many tools and techniques available, people expect you to really nail things in order to get published (and keep getting funded)
Model organism communities are fantastic. Good work, "Drosophilists"! www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Giant study finds a research field that’s mostly reproducible
Researchers assessed more than 1,000 results from fruit-fly immunity research published between 1959 and 2011. The majority of findings look verifiable.
www.nature.com
July 16, 2025 at 7:17 PM
This isn't a coincidence, IMO. The fly community is generally super rigorous - because there are so many tools and techniques available, people expect you to really nail things in order to get published (and keep getting funded)
Reposted by Maiko Kitaoka 北岡舞子, PhD
🚨Our latest work on selfish centromeres is published @currentbiology.bsky.social 🐭🧬We found that the spindle checkpoint contributes to non-Mendelian segregation! Huge congrats to our lab manager, Zaak Walton, who led the project🎉
Free link:
authors.elsevier.com/a/1lQzN3QW8S...
Free link:
authors.elsevier.com/a/1lQzN3QW8S...
authors.elsevier.com
July 15, 2025 at 12:39 AM
🚨Our latest work on selfish centromeres is published @currentbiology.bsky.social 🐭🧬We found that the spindle checkpoint contributes to non-Mendelian segregation! Huge congrats to our lab manager, Zaak Walton, who led the project🎉
Free link:
authors.elsevier.com/a/1lQzN3QW8S...
Free link:
authors.elsevier.com/a/1lQzN3QW8S...
Are you an MIT postdoc in the life sciences? Come join my new initiative, the KendallSqBio Postdoc Symposium on Sept. 10, 2025!
✅ Present your science
✅ Connect with other postdocs
✅ Build your community
Abstract deadline July 11th! forms.gle/iXMTYfqgLKWR...
✅ Present your science
✅ Connect with other postdocs
✅ Build your community
Abstract deadline July 11th! forms.gle/iXMTYfqgLKWR...
July 1, 2025 at 2:01 PM
Are you an MIT postdoc in the life sciences? Come join my new initiative, the KendallSqBio Postdoc Symposium on Sept. 10, 2025!
✅ Present your science
✅ Connect with other postdocs
✅ Build your community
Abstract deadline July 11th! forms.gle/iXMTYfqgLKWR...
✅ Present your science
✅ Connect with other postdocs
✅ Build your community
Abstract deadline July 11th! forms.gle/iXMTYfqgLKWR...
Reposted by Maiko Kitaoka 北岡舞子, PhD
Congratulations to Whitehead Institute Member Yukiko Yamashita, who has been elected as a member to the National Academy of Sciences! www.nasonline.org/news/2025-na... @nasonline.org
April 29, 2025 at 8:50 PM
Congratulations to Whitehead Institute Member Yukiko Yamashita, who has been elected as a member to the National Academy of Sciences! www.nasonline.org/news/2025-na... @nasonline.org
Reposted by Maiko Kitaoka 北岡舞子, PhD
Whitehead Institute Member Yukiko Yamashita, who studies how genetic information is passed from parents to offspring, has been elected to the National Academy of Sciences. Full story on our website: wi.mit.edu/news/yukiko-...
April 30, 2025 at 1:31 PM
Whitehead Institute Member Yukiko Yamashita, who studies how genetic information is passed from parents to offspring, has been elected to the National Academy of Sciences. Full story on our website: wi.mit.edu/news/yukiko-...
Many well-deserved congratulations to my postdoc mentor Yukiko Yamashita on her election to the National Academy of Sciences!! So grateful to learn from her and be a part of an amazing lab 🪰🥳🍾🥂👏🏼
www.nasonline.org/news/2025-na...
www.nasonline.org/news/2025-na...
National Academy of Sciences Elects Members and International Members - NAS
WASHINGTON — The National Academy of Sciences announced today the election of 120 members and 30 international members in recognition of their distinguished and continuing achievements in original res...
www.nasonline.org
April 29, 2025 at 7:57 PM
Many well-deserved congratulations to my postdoc mentor Yukiko Yamashita on her election to the National Academy of Sciences!! So grateful to learn from her and be a part of an amazing lab 🪰🥳🍾🥂👏🏼
www.nasonline.org/news/2025-na...
www.nasonline.org/news/2025-na...
Reposted by Maiko Kitaoka 北岡舞子, PhD
Huge congratulations to my former PI Yukiko Yamashita on her election to the National Academy of Sciences! An amazing scientists and wonderful person who I'm so fortunate to have as a mentor!
🥳🥳🥳
www.nasonline.org/news/2025-na...
🥳🥳🥳
www.nasonline.org/news/2025-na...
National Academy of Sciences Elects Members and International Members - NAS
WASHINGTON — The National Academy of Sciences announced today the election of 120 members and 30 international members in recognition of their distinguished and continuing achievements in original res...
www.nasonline.org
April 29, 2025 at 7:27 PM
Huge congratulations to my former PI Yukiko Yamashita on her election to the National Academy of Sciences! An amazing scientists and wonderful person who I'm so fortunate to have as a mentor!
🥳🥳🥳
www.nasonline.org/news/2025-na...
🥳🥳🥳
www.nasonline.org/news/2025-na...
Reposted by Maiko Kitaoka 北岡舞子, PhD
If using Bloomigton #Drosophila Stock Center stocks, pls. acknowledge them & their NIH funding (P40 OD018537). Papers listing this no. are being harvested as evidence. We massively depend on the @bdsc.bsky.social & they need our support in these dire times! @flybase.bsky.social @fly-eds.bsky.social
April 10, 2025 at 6:06 AM
If using Bloomigton #Drosophila Stock Center stocks, pls. acknowledge them & their NIH funding (P40 OD018537). Papers listing this no. are being harvested as evidence. We massively depend on the @bdsc.bsky.social & they need our support in these dire times! @flybase.bsky.social @fly-eds.bsky.social
Reposted by Maiko Kitaoka 北岡舞子, PhD
Just in case you thought that removing DEI criteria would mean that everyone is competing equally: NIH is removing grad students from underrepresented backgrounds from the applicant pool altogether. Their applications will not be considered. Other students, not from these backgrounds, will be.
February 6, 2025 at 7:59 PM
Just in case you thought that removing DEI criteria would mean that everyone is competing equally: NIH is removing grad students from underrepresented backgrounds from the applicant pool altogether. Their applications will not be considered. Other students, not from these backgrounds, will be.
Reposted by Maiko Kitaoka 北岡舞子, PhD
@neuronline.sfn.org has made it incredibly easy to contact your reps and urge them to protect federal funding for biomedical research! Please sign today, it takes about 10 seconds:
www.sfn.org/Advocacy/Adv...
www.sfn.org/Advocacy/Adv...
Available Actions
www.sfn.org
February 6, 2025 at 6:57 PM
@neuronline.sfn.org has made it incredibly easy to contact your reps and urge them to protect federal funding for biomedical research! Please sign today, it takes about 10 seconds:
www.sfn.org/Advocacy/Adv...
www.sfn.org/Advocacy/Adv...
Reposted by Maiko Kitaoka 北岡舞子, PhD
The Zwick lab has landed in the Regenerative Medicine Institute @NYU! I’m incredibly excited to build a team to study how epithelial organs are patterned and remodeled throughout life, with a major focus on the remarkable changes that occur in the maternal body during pregnancy..1/5
February 6, 2025 at 6:16 PM
The Zwick lab has landed in the Regenerative Medicine Institute @NYU! I’m incredibly excited to build a team to study how epithelial organs are patterned and remodeled throughout life, with a major focus on the remarkable changes that occur in the maternal body during pregnancy..1/5
Reposted by Maiko Kitaoka 北岡舞子, PhD
The Institute mourns the loss of R. Scott Hawley, PhD. A brilliant scientist, cherished colleague, and true mentor. Scott's contributions to our understanding of genetics and passion for training the next generation of scientists will forever be remembered. bit.ly/3WPqqYG
Remembering R. Scott Hawley, Ph.D.
A Legacy of Scientific Excellence and Mentorship
bit.ly
February 4, 2025 at 6:12 PM
The Institute mourns the loss of R. Scott Hawley, PhD. A brilliant scientist, cherished colleague, and true mentor. Scott's contributions to our understanding of genetics and passion for training the next generation of scientists will forever be remembered. bit.ly/3WPqqYG
Reposted by Maiko Kitaoka 北岡舞子, PhD
🚨BREAKING. From a program officer at the National Science Foundation, a list of keywords that can cause a grant to be pulled. I will be sharing screenshots of these keywords along with a decision tree. Please share widely. This is a crisis for academic freedom & science.
February 4, 2025 at 1:26 AM
🚨BREAKING. From a program officer at the National Science Foundation, a list of keywords that can cause a grant to be pulled. I will be sharing screenshots of these keywords along with a decision tree. Please share widely. This is a crisis for academic freedom & science.
Reposted by Maiko Kitaoka 北岡舞子, PhD
This is a fantastic program! You can apply as a mentor to work with a student who will travel to your lab, or you can apply as a mentor to work with one of your current students. I highly recommend it! I have done both and it’s been so rewarding. ❤️
We are extending the #ChooseDevelopment application deadline to Wednesday, February 5, 11:59 PM ET. Undergrads from underrepresented racial or ethnic groups, first-generation college students, veterans & students with a disability are eligible. bit.ly/3FwHqYp #devbio
February 3, 2025 at 4:41 PM
This is a fantastic program! You can apply as a mentor to work with a student who will travel to your lab, or you can apply as a mentor to work with one of your current students. I highly recommend it! I have done both and it’s been so rewarding. ❤️
Reposted by Maiko Kitaoka 北岡舞子, PhD
We're growing and recruiting! Please share this open position in our lab at University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) (www.torninilab.org) for a Staff Research Associate I (SRA I) position - jobs.ucla.edu/jobs/6546
Tornini Lab | UCLA
Tornini Lab @ UCLA - Genetics of vertebrate neurodevelopment
www.torninilab.org
February 3, 2025 at 6:00 PM
We're growing and recruiting! Please share this open position in our lab at University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) (www.torninilab.org) for a Staff Research Associate I (SRA I) position - jobs.ucla.edu/jobs/6546
Reposted by Maiko Kitaoka 北岡舞子, PhD
SOME GOOD NEWS ABOUT NIH FUNDING
Closed sessions of institute and center Advisory Counsel meetings are now permitted. This is where grant applications are discussed and approved for potential funding.
Open sessions where there are public presentations and discussions are still not allowed.
Closed sessions of institute and center Advisory Counsel meetings are now permitted. This is where grant applications are discussed and approved for potential funding.
Open sessions where there are public presentations and discussions are still not allowed.
a man with glasses and a black shirt says " it 's a small step that really goes a long way "
ALT: a man with glasses and a black shirt says " it 's a small step that really goes a long way "
media.tenor.com
February 3, 2025 at 6:35 PM
SOME GOOD NEWS ABOUT NIH FUNDING
Closed sessions of institute and center Advisory Counsel meetings are now permitted. This is where grant applications are discussed and approved for potential funding.
Open sessions where there are public presentations and discussions are still not allowed.
Closed sessions of institute and center Advisory Counsel meetings are now permitted. This is where grant applications are discussed and approved for potential funding.
Open sessions where there are public presentations and discussions are still not allowed.
Reposted by Maiko Kitaoka 北岡舞子, PhD
We will host the 3rd Full Circle Symposium for Native Biologists at UCSF on April 3-4! We aim to build community and provide opportunities for Native scientists. If you are a Native biologist at any training stage who wants to speak, please fill this out by this Friday (1/31):
tinyurl.com/mm2tswt7
tinyurl.com/mm2tswt7
January 27, 2025 at 7:33 PM
We will host the 3rd Full Circle Symposium for Native Biologists at UCSF on April 3-4! We aim to build community and provide opportunities for Native scientists. If you are a Native biologist at any training stage who wants to speak, please fill this out by this Friday (1/31):
tinyurl.com/mm2tswt7
tinyurl.com/mm2tswt7
Reposted by Maiko Kitaoka 北岡舞子, PhD
🚨PIs of Training Grants and Programs, ESPECIALLY training grants that support students from historically excluded groups (T32s and T34s, IMSD, MARC, PREP, MOSAIC, etc.)🚨
We need to push back on the loss of information and the disappearance of websites about these resources.
We need to push back on the loss of information and the disappearance of websites about these resources.
January 29, 2025 at 6:48 PM
🚨PIs of Training Grants and Programs, ESPECIALLY training grants that support students from historically excluded groups (T32s and T34s, IMSD, MARC, PREP, MOSAIC, etc.)🚨
We need to push back on the loss of information and the disappearance of websites about these resources.
We need to push back on the loss of information and the disappearance of websites about these resources.
Reposted by Maiko Kitaoka 北岡舞子, PhD
I have a wonderful scientist in my lab who is looking to move to Europe. Is anyone looking for a staff scientist? She has a PhD. She is particularly in her element doing field work. Great skills with rodents and very open to non-rodent positions as well.
Please send leads, please amplify!
Please send leads, please amplify!
January 29, 2025 at 3:57 PM
I have a wonderful scientist in my lab who is looking to move to Europe. Is anyone looking for a staff scientist? She has a PhD. She is particularly in her element doing field work. Great skills with rodents and very open to non-rodent positions as well.
Please send leads, please amplify!
Please send leads, please amplify!
Reposted by Maiko Kitaoka 北岡舞子, PhD
Seconded! We have lots of 18 degree room and a dedicated fly food cook for our shared fly space. Please reach out if you need help!
If you have been affected by the fires in LA, or are concerned about your ability to keep precious Drosophila strains going during the latest funding crisis, we will host your strains as a backup. Please email me.
Please amplify. If you are also able to host fly strains, add your name as well.
Please amplify. If you are also able to host fly strains, add your name as well.
January 28, 2025 at 11:01 PM
Seconded! We have lots of 18 degree room and a dedicated fly food cook for our shared fly space. Please reach out if you need help!