Michael Robert (he/him)
@marobert.bsky.social
Mathematical Biologist
Assistant Professor, Mathematics, Virginia Tech
Core Faculty, Center for the Mathematics of Biosystems (VT-CMB)
https://cmb.science.vt.edu/
https://personal.math.vt.edu/michaelrobert/index.html
Assistant Professor, Mathematics, Virginia Tech
Core Faculty, Center for the Mathematics of Biosystems (VT-CMB)
https://cmb.science.vt.edu/
https://personal.math.vt.edu/michaelrobert/index.html
New AIM Research Community: Ecology Meets Infectious Disease - Modeling Complex Interactions in Ecology and Infectious Diseases
More Information: sites.google.com/view/ecology...
Application Site: aimath.org/programs/res...
More Information: sites.google.com/view/ecology...
Application Site: aimath.org/programs/res...
Ecology meets infectious diseases | American Inst. of Mathematics
aimath.org
June 21, 2025 at 7:16 PM
New AIM Research Community: Ecology Meets Infectious Disease - Modeling Complex Interactions in Ecology and Infectious Diseases
More Information: sites.google.com/view/ecology...
Application Site: aimath.org/programs/res...
More Information: sites.google.com/view/ecology...
Application Site: aimath.org/programs/res...
Reposted by Michael Robert (he/him)
Reposted by Michael Robert (he/him)
A small moment of science in the world of the very small... announcing calls for applications from MS + PhD students + postdocs for a Summer School on
Quantitative Phage-Bacteria Dynamics Across Scales
U of Maryland, College Park, June 23-27, 2025
Apply by 3/21/25:
bit.ly/phageschool2...
Quantitative Phage-Bacteria Dynamics Across Scales
U of Maryland, College Park, June 23-27, 2025
Apply by 3/21/25:
bit.ly/phageschool2...
February 21, 2025 at 12:46 PM
A small moment of science in the world of the very small... announcing calls for applications from MS + PhD students + postdocs for a Summer School on
Quantitative Phage-Bacteria Dynamics Across Scales
U of Maryland, College Park, June 23-27, 2025
Apply by 3/21/25:
bit.ly/phageschool2...
Quantitative Phage-Bacteria Dynamics Across Scales
U of Maryland, College Park, June 23-27, 2025
Apply by 3/21/25:
bit.ly/phageschool2...
Support VT Math! It's still Giving Day at VT. If we get the most # of donors in the College of Science, we'll get a bonus 5K to help support our students. Even $5 donations count towards our total number of donors!
givingday.vt.edu/giving-day/9...
givingday.vt.edu/giving-day/9...
Virginia Tech Giving Day 2025 | Donate
Giving Day Powered by ScaleFunder
givingday.vt.edu
February 20, 2025 at 1:22 PM
Support VT Math! It's still Giving Day at VT. If we get the most # of donors in the College of Science, we'll get a bonus 5K to help support our students. Even $5 donations count towards our total number of donors!
givingday.vt.edu/giving-day/9...
givingday.vt.edu/giving-day/9...
This is happening now!
#D&D #DungeonsAndDragons #Opera #Accessibility #AccessibleGaming #TableTopGames #Music #PerformingArts #VirginiaTech
#D&D #DungeonsAndDragons #Opera #Accessibility #AccessibleGaming #TableTopGames #Music #PerformingArts #VirginiaTech
Do you like D&D? My brilliant husband and his colleagues are hosting a D&D livestream today as a fundraiser for the School of Performing Arts as part of VT's Giving Day. This is all part of a larger project aimed at making gaming more accessible and using gaming as a tool for music education.
February 19, 2025 at 5:12 PM
This is happening now!
#D&D #DungeonsAndDragons #Opera #Accessibility #AccessibleGaming #TableTopGames #Music #PerformingArts #VirginiaTech
#D&D #DungeonsAndDragons #Opera #Accessibility #AccessibleGaming #TableTopGames #Music #PerformingArts #VirginiaTech
Do you like D&D? My brilliant husband and his colleagues are hosting a D&D livestream today as a fundraiser for the School of Performing Arts as part of VT's Giving Day. This is all part of a larger project aimed at making gaming more accessible and using gaming as a tool for music education.
February 19, 2025 at 12:15 PM
Do you like D&D? My brilliant husband and his colleagues are hosting a D&D livestream today as a fundraiser for the School of Performing Arts as part of VT's Giving Day. This is all part of a larger project aimed at making gaming more accessible and using gaming as a tool for music education.
Firings at the NSF included permanent employees who had already completed their one-year probationary period, as well as at-will workers.
National Science Foundation Fires 168 Workers as Federal Purge Continues
Firings at the NSF included permanent employees who had already completed their one-year probationary period, as well as at-will workers.
wrd.cm
February 18, 2025 at 9:21 PM
Reposted by Michael Robert (he/him)
Giving Day is almost there! Initiatives around Global Climate Change need more support than ever! Please consider donating to the @globalchangevt.bsky.social tomorrow!
⏳ #VTGivingDay starts THIS Wednesday at noon!
Join us Feb 19-20 to support the GCC and drive real-world solutions through innovative environmental research, impactful education, and community outreach. 🌍💡
Share and stay tuned for how you can help!
Join us Feb 19-20 to support the GCC and drive real-world solutions through innovative environmental research, impactful education, and community outreach. 🌍💡
Share and stay tuned for how you can help!
February 18, 2025 at 9:04 PM
Giving Day is almost there! Initiatives around Global Climate Change need more support than ever! Please consider donating to the @globalchangevt.bsky.social tomorrow!
Reposted by Michael Robert (he/him)
A measles outbreak in Gaines County, Texas, is growing, with 24 cases and at least 14 hospitalizations—mainly among children. Low vaccination rates are fueling the crisis. Outbreaks like this will become more common as vaccine misinformation spreads and laws weaken immunization requirements.
Measles Outbreak Mounts Among Children in One of Texas’ Least Vaccinated Counties - KFF Health News
With hospitalizations and at least nine confirmed cases, health officials race to contain a growing outbreak in a community with low vaccination.
kffhealthnews.org
February 13, 2025 at 3:55 PM
A measles outbreak in Gaines County, Texas, is growing, with 24 cases and at least 14 hospitalizations—mainly among children. Low vaccination rates are fueling the crisis. Outbreaks like this will become more common as vaccine misinformation spreads and laws weaken immunization requirements.
Reposted by Michael Robert (he/him)
I'm changing it from LGBTQ+ to LGBTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTQ+ just to make my fucking point.
February 13, 2025 at 11:45 PM
I'm changing it from LGBTQ+ to LGBTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTQ+ just to make my fucking point.
Reposted by Michael Robert (he/him)
UC Merced achieved R1 status this morning. 20 years after opening its doors to its first undergraduate class in 2005. And to do so while dealing with the 2007-8 financial meltdown, the pandemic, dwindling state support, and, well, now - Trump - that's quite an achievement in my humble opinion!
February 14, 2025 at 1:22 AM
UC Merced achieved R1 status this morning. 20 years after opening its doors to its first undergraduate class in 2005. And to do so while dealing with the 2007-8 financial meltdown, the pandemic, dwindling state support, and, well, now - Trump - that's quite an achievement in my humble opinion!
Reposted by Michael Robert (he/him)
This is the kind of stuff we celebrate! #HBCU #BlackHistoryMonth
Howard University is now a R1 university, the first HBCU with a research one designation. H-U definitely knows!
Howard University Receives “Research One” Carnegie Classification Indicating Highest Level of Research Production
The American Council of Education (ACE) today announced that Howard University has been conferred a Research One (R1) Carnegie Classification, indicating “very high research spending and doctorate pro...
thedig.howard.edu
February 14, 2025 at 1:37 AM
This is the kind of stuff we celebrate! #HBCU #BlackHistoryMonth
Reposted by Michael Robert (he/him)
"I am afraid for our country because I know what happens when science denialism comes into power."
Always grateful for @gregggonsalves.bsky.social's leadership, especially today.
www.nytimes.com/2025/02/13/o...
Always grateful for @gregggonsalves.bsky.social's leadership, especially today.
www.nytimes.com/2025/02/13/o...
Opinion | I Shudder to Imagine Kennedy Running Our Health Agencies. (Gift Article)
We have to go toe-to-toe with this administration and resist its attacks on public health.
www.nytimes.com
February 14, 2025 at 1:36 AM
"I am afraid for our country because I know what happens when science denialism comes into power."
Always grateful for @gregggonsalves.bsky.social's leadership, especially today.
www.nytimes.com/2025/02/13/o...
Always grateful for @gregggonsalves.bsky.social's leadership, especially today.
www.nytimes.com/2025/02/13/o...
Reposted by Michael Robert (he/him)
Three of my professional societies (in stats and atmospheric science) signed on.
The math societies, though...
The math societies, though...
AMS joins numerous professional societies in a commitment to champion scientific integrity--including academic freedom, inclusion of diverse perspectives, and policies grounded in scientific evidence--and support scientists, scientific data, and science funding.
Read more: unitedsciencealliance.org
Read more: unitedsciencealliance.org
February 13, 2025 at 6:51 PM
Three of my professional societies (in stats and atmospheric science) signed on.
The math societies, though...
The math societies, though...
Reposted by Michael Robert (he/him)
Professional societies stand together in defense of science & scientists.
“science has led to humanity’s greatest advances, improving people’s lives & the health of our planet … (we’re) committed to supporting, elevating, & fighting for science & those who further it.“
www.unitedsciencealliance.org
“science has led to humanity’s greatest advances, improving people’s lives & the health of our planet … (we’re) committed to supporting, elevating, & fighting for science & those who further it.“
www.unitedsciencealliance.org
February 13, 2025 at 3:41 AM
Professional societies stand together in defense of science & scientists.
“science has led to humanity’s greatest advances, improving people’s lives & the health of our planet … (we’re) committed to supporting, elevating, & fighting for science & those who further it.“
www.unitedsciencealliance.org
“science has led to humanity’s greatest advances, improving people’s lives & the health of our planet … (we’re) committed to supporting, elevating, & fighting for science & those who further it.“
www.unitedsciencealliance.org
Reposted by Michael Robert (he/him)
What can we do?
Scientists are on our own. University leaders at big schools are not going to help us.
Do what you can to connect with your colleagues. Plan local actions. If you can speak out to the media about what's happening to science, you're critical right now, please do speak out.
/end
Scientists are on our own. University leaders at big schools are not going to help us.
Do what you can to connect with your colleagues. Plan local actions. If you can speak out to the media about what's happening to science, you're critical right now, please do speak out.
/end
February 6, 2025 at 5:41 AM
What can we do?
Scientists are on our own. University leaders at big schools are not going to help us.
Do what you can to connect with your colleagues. Plan local actions. If you can speak out to the media about what's happening to science, you're critical right now, please do speak out.
/end
Scientists are on our own. University leaders at big schools are not going to help us.
Do what you can to connect with your colleagues. Plan local actions. If you can speak out to the media about what's happening to science, you're critical right now, please do speak out.
/end
Reposted by Michael Robert (he/him)
Elon musk isn’t elected.
He’s a Nazi nepo baby who breaks everything he touches.
And right now he’s locked himself in a room with grandpa’s Social Security check.
He’s a Nazi nepo baby who breaks everything he touches.
And right now he’s locked himself in a room with grandpa’s Social Security check.
February 4, 2025 at 12:42 AM
Elon musk isn’t elected.
He’s a Nazi nepo baby who breaks everything he touches.
And right now he’s locked himself in a room with grandpa’s Social Security check.
He’s a Nazi nepo baby who breaks everything he touches.
And right now he’s locked himself in a room with grandpa’s Social Security check.
Reposted by Michael Robert (he/him)
Found this gem in an arcane NSF doc...key to know:
The Constitution and law SUPERSEDES exec orders!
"In the event of a conflict between policies issued at a lower tier versus policies issued at a higher tier, the higher tier policy will take precedence"
nsf-gov-resources.nsf.gov/files/Resear...
The Constitution and law SUPERSEDES exec orders!
"In the event of a conflict between policies issued at a lower tier versus policies issued at a higher tier, the higher tier policy will take precedence"
nsf-gov-resources.nsf.gov/files/Resear...
February 2, 2025 at 3:47 PM
Found this gem in an arcane NSF doc...key to know:
The Constitution and law SUPERSEDES exec orders!
"In the event of a conflict between policies issued at a lower tier versus policies issued at a higher tier, the higher tier policy will take precedence"
nsf-gov-resources.nsf.gov/files/Resear...
The Constitution and law SUPERSEDES exec orders!
"In the event of a conflict between policies issued at a lower tier versus policies issued at a higher tier, the higher tier policy will take precedence"
nsf-gov-resources.nsf.gov/files/Resear...
Every time I say something to a family member about how the last two weeks have been for me and they respond with silence, I learn everything I need to know.
February 2, 2025 at 8:30 PM
Every time I say something to a family member about how the last two weeks have been for me and they respond with silence, I learn everything I need to know.
Reposted by Michael Robert (he/him)
I wish this was satire.
Having watched with growing alarm the developments of the last 24 and 36 hours in Washington, I thought I’d take a stab at how the US media would cover this story if it was happening in a foreign country. Here’s that story that should be written this weekend: www.doomsdayscenario.co/p/musk-s-jun...
Musk's Junta Establishes Him as Head of Government
Imagining how we'd cover overseas what's happening to the U.S. right now
www.doomsdayscenario.co
February 1, 2025 at 8:20 PM
I wish this was satire.
Reposted by Michael Robert (he/him)
There are a few things to pay attention to here with a caveat.
If it turns out that NSF accepted applications and then cancelled the program w/out review, this will have major implications (again, *if* at this point, but given recent events, seems plausible and folks should be prepared).
a brief 🧵
If it turns out that NSF accepted applications and then cancelled the program w/out review, this will have major implications (again, *if* at this point, but given recent events, seems plausible and folks should be prepared).
a brief 🧵
The dismantling of American Science continues. The Organismal Response to Climate Change grant call has been cancelled. The NSF Director is a disgrace
![Email text:
[EXT] Grants.gov
Opportunities Update
External Email
The following grant opportunities were created, updated, or deleted on Grants.gov:
NSF
National Science Foundation
25-504 - Organismal Response to
Climate Change
Deletion Comments: Opportunity deleted](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:misyogthncmyejlvlflkvjbh/bafkreibzievopgxfpflskzvszff3bgr6komy6htkril4e3zgiob3rtc3qi@jpeg)
February 1, 2025 at 8:22 PM
There are a few things to pay attention to here with a caveat.
If it turns out that NSF accepted applications and then cancelled the program w/out review, this will have major implications (again, *if* at this point, but given recent events, seems plausible and folks should be prepared).
a brief 🧵
If it turns out that NSF accepted applications and then cancelled the program w/out review, this will have major implications (again, *if* at this point, but given recent events, seems plausible and folks should be prepared).
a brief 🧵
Reposted by Michael Robert (he/him)
Bleak. The USAID website has gone dark.
February 1, 2025 at 7:43 PM
Bleak. The USAID website has gone dark.
Reposted by Michael Robert (he/him)
To our American friends who may now be struggling to find health information on US websites: Please check out the Public Health Agency of Canada's website for helpful resources, updated dashboards & practical health tips.
🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦
canada.ca/en/public-he...
🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦
canada.ca/en/public-he...
February 1, 2025 at 12:06 PM
To our American friends who may now be struggling to find health information on US websites: Please check out the Public Health Agency of Canada's website for helpful resources, updated dashboards & practical health tips.
🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦
canada.ca/en/public-he...
🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦
canada.ca/en/public-he...
Reposted by Michael Robert (he/him)
Seriously, we should be worried about Pubmed. Can we mirror it to some site in EU or Iceland or Switzerland? Ultimately, also arxiv / biorxiv and of course The Internet Archive ...
www.theatlantic.com/health/archi...
www.theatlantic.com/health/archi...
CDC Data Are Disappearing
The agency has already removed scientific data from public view. More could follow.
www.theatlantic.com
February 1, 2025 at 5:39 PM
Seriously, we should be worried about Pubmed. Can we mirror it to some site in EU or Iceland or Switzerland? Ultimately, also arxiv / biorxiv and of course The Internet Archive ...
www.theatlantic.com/health/archi...
www.theatlantic.com/health/archi...