Mary Munson
@marymunson4.bsky.social
Multidisciplinary research at UMass Chan focused on membrane trafficking. Striving to make academic science a more diverse, equitable, welcoming and inclusive place. President of the American Society for Cell Biology (ASCB).
Opinions are mine
(she/her)
Opinions are mine
(she/her)
Pinned
Mary Munson
@marymunson4.bsky.social
· Nov 25
My lab at UMass Chan Med School uses a variety of approaches to elucidate the molecular mechanisms of membrane traffic. Striving to make academic science a more diverse, equitable, welcoming and inclusive place. Incoming President for the American Society for Cell Biology (ASCB)! Opinions are mine.
Reposted by Mary Munson
The Senate may choose to vote together on the DHS and LHHS bills. Thus, a filibuster on DHS may mean no funding for NIH. What my colleagues are saying:
“Shut it down, public health will understand. I’ll work without pay again.”
- anonymous NIHer
“Shut it down, public health will understand. I’ll work without pay again.”
- anonymous NIHer
January 25, 2026 at 5:19 AM
The Senate may choose to vote together on the DHS and LHHS bills. Thus, a filibuster on DHS may mean no funding for NIH. What my colleagues are saying:
“Shut it down, public health will understand. I’ll work without pay again.”
- anonymous NIHer
“Shut it down, public health will understand. I’ll work without pay again.”
- anonymous NIHer
Reposted by Mary Munson
Alex Pretti was a colleague at the VA. We hired him to recruit for our trial. He became an ICU nurse- I lover working with him. He was a good kind person who lived to help and these fuckers executed him.
White. Hot. Rage.
White. Hot. Rage.
January 24, 2026 at 7:31 PM
Alex Pretti was a colleague at the VA. We hired him to recruit for our trial. He became an ICU nurse- I lover working with him. He was a good kind person who lived to help and these fuckers executed him.
White. Hot. Rage.
White. Hot. Rage.
Reposted by Mary Munson
Man shot by federal agents has died, police chief says
www.startribune.com/ice-raids-mi...
www.startribune.com/ice-raids-mi...
Live: Man shot by federal agents in south Minneapolis this morning, witnesses say
A video appears to shows federal agents wrestling a man to the ground then shooting him.
www.startribune.com
January 24, 2026 at 4:37 PM
Man shot by federal agents has died, police chief says
www.startribune.com/ice-raids-mi...
www.startribune.com/ice-raids-mi...
Reposted by Mary Munson
We are calling our senators right now and demanding that they vote no on the omnibus with DHS funding
We are explicitly mentioning ICE’s murder in cold blood of a man on the streets of Minneapolis this morning
We are explicitly mentioning ICE’s murder in cold blood of a man on the streets of Minneapolis this morning
January 24, 2026 at 4:45 PM
We are calling our senators right now and demanding that they vote no on the omnibus with DHS funding
We are explicitly mentioning ICE’s murder in cold blood of a man on the streets of Minneapolis this morning
We are explicitly mentioning ICE’s murder in cold blood of a man on the streets of Minneapolis this morning
Reposted by Mary Munson
ICE just shot another one of my neighbors. They had the person on the ground, being beaten by several agents, and then fired multiple shots. In front of the donut shop where we like to get donuts for our kids.
January 24, 2026 at 3:46 PM
ICE just shot another one of my neighbors. They had the person on the ground, being beaten by several agents, and then fired multiple shots. In front of the donut shop where we like to get donuts for our kids.
Reposted by Mary Munson
I just spoke with the White House after another horrific shooting by federal agents this morning. Minnesota has had it. This is sickening.
The President must end this operation. Pull the thousands of violent, untrained officers out of Minnesota. Now.
The President must end this operation. Pull the thousands of violent, untrained officers out of Minnesota. Now.
January 24, 2026 at 4:04 PM
I just spoke with the White House after another horrific shooting by federal agents this morning. Minnesota has had it. This is sickening.
The President must end this operation. Pull the thousands of violent, untrained officers out of Minnesota. Now.
The President must end this operation. Pull the thousands of violent, untrained officers out of Minnesota. Now.
Reposted by Mary Munson
The United States has officially withdrawn from the World Health Organization.
This is a shameful move that puts both Americans and people all over the world at greater risk from disease outbreaks, which require international collaboration to contain.
This is a shameful move that puts both Americans and people all over the world at greater risk from disease outbreaks, which require international collaboration to contain.
January 23, 2026 at 1:57 AM
The United States has officially withdrawn from the World Health Organization.
This is a shameful move that puts both Americans and people all over the world at greater risk from disease outbreaks, which require international collaboration to contain.
This is a shameful move that puts both Americans and people all over the world at greater risk from disease outbreaks, which require international collaboration to contain.
Reposted by Mary Munson
🚨 New from me: Grant review at more than half of NIH's institutes could be frozen by the end of the year.
That's because crucial NIH grant-review panels are slated to be empty at those institutes by Jan 2027.
A wonky bureaucratic problem with big implications.
A short 🧵
That's because crucial NIH grant-review panels are slated to be empty at those institutes by Jan 2027.
A wonky bureaucratic problem with big implications.
A short 🧵
Exclusive: key NIH review panels due to lose all members by the end of 2026
Thirteen of the agency’s advisory councils, which must review grant applications before funding is awarded, are on track to have no voting members.
www.nature.com
January 22, 2026 at 7:46 PM
🚨 New from me: Grant review at more than half of NIH's institutes could be frozen by the end of the year.
That's because crucial NIH grant-review panels are slated to be empty at those institutes by Jan 2027.
A wonky bureaucratic problem with big implications.
A short 🧵
That's because crucial NIH grant-review panels are slated to be empty at those institutes by Jan 2027.
A wonky bureaucratic problem with big implications.
A short 🧵
Reposted by Mary Munson
A major victory. A federal judge has ruled that ICE must stop targeting peaceful protesters and legal observers who are not suspected of any crimes.
January 17, 2026 at 3:09 AM
A major victory. A federal judge has ruled that ICE must stop targeting peaceful protesters and legal observers who are not suspected of any crimes.
Reposted by Mary Munson
Explain to Congress how important it is to keep multiyear funding of NIH grants in the funding bill.
This protects against Russell Vought's trick, which is to make this year's NIH budget cover multiple years of research in advance.
Tell your Congresscritter. US Capitol switchboard: 202-224-3121.
This protects against Russell Vought's trick, which is to make this year's NIH budget cover multiple years of research in advance.
Tell your Congresscritter. US Capitol switchboard: 202-224-3121.
Don’t let Russell Vought trick Congress into destroying science by removing multiyear funding limits from the NIH funding bill.
January 17, 2026 at 4:49 AM
Explain to Congress how important it is to keep multiyear funding of NIH grants in the funding bill.
This protects against Russell Vought's trick, which is to make this year's NIH budget cover multiple years of research in advance.
Tell your Congresscritter. US Capitol switchboard: 202-224-3121.
This protects against Russell Vought's trick, which is to make this year's NIH budget cover multiple years of research in advance.
Tell your Congresscritter. US Capitol switchboard: 202-224-3121.
Reposted by Mary Munson
We’ve discovered how the superbug E. faecalis prevents chronic wounds from healing.
It’s not a toxin. It’s metabolism.
The bacteria use extracellular electron transport (EET) to electrochemically generate ROS, effectively "freezing" skin cells in place.
doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.aeb5297
It’s not a toxin. It’s metabolism.
The bacteria use extracellular electron transport (EET) to electrochemically generate ROS, effectively "freezing" skin cells in place.
doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.aeb5297
Enterococcus faecalis redox metabolism activates the unfolded protein response to impair wound healing
E. faecalis EET generates ROS, which induces the UPR in keratinocytes, inhibiting in vitro migration.
doi.org
January 17, 2026 at 1:26 AM
We’ve discovered how the superbug E. faecalis prevents chronic wounds from healing.
It’s not a toxin. It’s metabolism.
The bacteria use extracellular electron transport (EET) to electrochemically generate ROS, effectively "freezing" skin cells in place.
doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.aeb5297
It’s not a toxin. It’s metabolism.
The bacteria use extracellular electron transport (EET) to electrochemically generate ROS, effectively "freezing" skin cells in place.
doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.aeb5297
So excited to see this out now! #exocyst
0/10
🥳 our #exocyst paper out in @cp-cell.bsky.social, led by Marta, Sebas & @sasmeek.bsky.social in collab with @jonasries.bsky.social, @cmanzo.bsky.social & Castaño-Díez labs #Quantitative_Cell_Biology
Continuum architecture dynamics of vesicle tethering in exocytosis
www.cell.com/cell/fulltex...
🥳 our #exocyst paper out in @cp-cell.bsky.social, led by Marta, Sebas & @sasmeek.bsky.social in collab with @jonasries.bsky.social, @cmanzo.bsky.social & Castaño-Díez labs #Quantitative_Cell_Biology
Continuum architecture dynamics of vesicle tethering in exocytosis
www.cell.com/cell/fulltex...
Continuum architecture dynamics of vesicle tethering in exocytosis
Data from complementary imaging techniques were integrated into a model that resolves
the dynamic exocyst ensemble and membrane architecture during exocytosis, an essential
cellular pathway. Sec18 med...
www.cell.com
January 17, 2026 at 2:28 PM
So excited to see this out now! #exocyst
Reposted by Mary Munson
Guess what happens when one country stops investing in universities (at federal and state levels) and another country turns up the investment dial?
US higher education was a crown jewel, generating knowledge, wealth, prestige, and power unrivaled by anyone.
And the US is throwing it away, because Americans elected a govt ideologically opposed to truth, science, merit, and racial/gender equality, preferring to weaken the country to reduce that.
And the US is throwing it away, because Americans elected a govt ideologically opposed to truth, science, merit, and racial/gender equality, preferring to weaken the country to reduce that.
Chinese Universities Surge in Global Rankings as U.S. Schools Slip
www.nytimes.com
January 15, 2026 at 2:20 PM
Guess what happens when one country stops investing in universities (at federal and state levels) and another country turns up the investment dial?
Reposted by Mary Munson
Powerful piece in STAT this morning from some NIH staff members who have resigned
www.statnews.com/2026/01/10/n...
1/3
www.statnews.com/2026/01/10/n...
1/3
The NIH has lost its scientific integrity. So we left
“We can no longer lend our credibility to an organization that has lost its integrity,” write four scientists and administrators who recently resigned from the NIH.
www.statnews.com
January 10, 2026 at 12:24 PM
Powerful piece in STAT this morning from some NIH staff members who have resigned
www.statnews.com/2026/01/10/n...
1/3
www.statnews.com/2026/01/10/n...
1/3
Reposted by Mary Munson
The first rule of Science Fight Club is that you should all talk about Science Figure Club...
2025 sucked.
In 2026, we are taking back our science!
We are excited to launch our Substack: The Science Fight Club.
Read our first post, written by @cdelawalla.bsky.social, a review of 2025, a preview of 2026, and a big call to action.
open.substack.com/pub/sciencef...
In 2026, we are taking back our science!
We are excited to launch our Substack: The Science Fight Club.
Read our first post, written by @cdelawalla.bsky.social, a review of 2025, a preview of 2026, and a big call to action.
open.substack.com/pub/sciencef...
January 1, 2026 at 8:43 PM
The first rule of Science Fight Club is that you should all talk about Science Figure Club...
Reposted by Mary Munson
Director Bhattacharya spending more time on podcasts, this time taking about not renewing grants NIH was forced to restore.
Good reporting from @aniloza.bsky.social
www.statnews.com/2025/12/31/n...
1/3
Good reporting from @aniloza.bsky.social
www.statnews.com/2025/12/31/n...
1/3
NIH director says DEI-related grants that were restored under a court order won’t be renewed
NIH Director Jay Bhattacharya told a podcaster that DEI-related grants restored under a court order won't be renewed in 2026
www.statnews.com
January 1, 2026 at 12:11 AM
Director Bhattacharya spending more time on podcasts, this time taking about not renewing grants NIH was forced to restore.
Good reporting from @aniloza.bsky.social
www.statnews.com/2025/12/31/n...
1/3
Good reporting from @aniloza.bsky.social
www.statnews.com/2025/12/31/n...
1/3
Reposted by Mary Munson
Welp ... some breaking news on New Year's Eve:
On a podcast, NIH Director Bhattacharya says the agency will likely not renew grants that were reinstated as part of a court decision earlier this year
www.statnews.com/2025/12/31/n...
On a podcast, NIH Director Bhattacharya says the agency will likely not renew grants that were reinstated as part of a court decision earlier this year
www.statnews.com/2025/12/31/n...
NIH director says DEI-related grants that were restored under a court order won’t be renewed
NIH Director Jay Bhattacharya told a podcaster that DEI-related grants restored under a court order won't be renewed in 2026
www.statnews.com
December 31, 2025 at 11:29 PM
Welp ... some breaking news on New Year's Eve:
On a podcast, NIH Director Bhattacharya says the agency will likely not renew grants that were reinstated as part of a court decision earlier this year
www.statnews.com/2025/12/31/n...
On a podcast, NIH Director Bhattacharya says the agency will likely not renew grants that were reinstated as part of a court decision earlier this year
www.statnews.com/2025/12/31/n...
Reposted by Mary Munson
We don’t need New Year’s resolutions, it’s the year’s turn to be better.
December 31, 2025 at 9:01 PM
We don’t need New Year’s resolutions, it’s the year’s turn to be better.
Reposted by Mary Munson
Some breaking news via me & @aniloza.bsky.social. The Trump administration has agreed to reconsider frozen and denied NIH grant submissions related to DEI. Our latest for @statnews.com
www.statnews.com/2025/12/29/n...
www.statnews.com/2025/12/29/n...
Trump administration agrees to reconsider frozen and denied NIH grant submissions related to DEI
NIH agrees to reevaluate research projects left in bureaucratic limbo while a lawsuit over termination of DEI-related grants moves through the courts
www.statnews.com
December 30, 2025 at 2:49 AM
Some breaking news via me & @aniloza.bsky.social. The Trump administration has agreed to reconsider frozen and denied NIH grant submissions related to DEI. Our latest for @statnews.com
www.statnews.com/2025/12/29/n...
www.statnews.com/2025/12/29/n...
Reposted by Mary Munson
On delayed application review, the NIH grant terminations lawsuit appears to be headed for a settlement.
Both plaintiffs and defendants have submitted a joint document outlining their agreement. Judge Young must sign off on it before it takes effect.
Here's what it says and what all this means 🧵
Both plaintiffs and defendants have submitted a joint document outlining their agreement. Judge Young must sign off on it before it takes effect.
Here's what it says and what all this means 🧵
December 29, 2025 at 11:49 PM
On delayed application review, the NIH grant terminations lawsuit appears to be headed for a settlement.
Both plaintiffs and defendants have submitted a joint document outlining their agreement. Judge Young must sign off on it before it takes effect.
Here's what it says and what all this means 🧵
Both plaintiffs and defendants have submitted a joint document outlining their agreement. Judge Young must sign off on it before it takes effect.
Here's what it says and what all this means 🧵
Reposted by Mary Munson
This settlement is the best case scenario for these applications at this point.
Pushing back matters but real damage still done by illegal actions by the current NIH leadership.
Thanks to everyone who helped make this settlement happen!
Pushing back matters but real damage still done by illegal actions by the current NIH leadership.
Thanks to everyone who helped make this settlement happen!
December 30, 2025 at 1:06 AM
This settlement is the best case scenario for these applications at this point.
Pushing back matters but real damage still done by illegal actions by the current NIH leadership.
Thanks to everyone who helped make this settlement happen!
Pushing back matters but real damage still done by illegal actions by the current NIH leadership.
Thanks to everyone who helped make this settlement happen!
Reposted by Mary Munson
BREAKING: The National Institutes of Health has agreed to evaluate grant applications that were wrongfully frozen due to the Trump administration’s ideological purge of biomedical research.
December 29, 2025 at 11:14 PM
BREAKING: The National Institutes of Health has agreed to evaluate grant applications that were wrongfully frozen due to the Trump administration’s ideological purge of biomedical research.
Reposted by Mary Munson
These are ALL renewal awards (with a few supplements).
No new or competitive renewal awards!
No new or competitive renewal awards!
December 19, 2025 at 5:59 PM
These are ALL renewal awards (with a few supplements).
No new or competitive renewal awards!
No new or competitive renewal awards!
Reposted by Mary Munson
If this accommodation is useful for your situation, PLEASE reach out to your POs. She specifically suggested that having some documentation from your PO may be useful to demonstrate eligibility for this accommodation.
December 19, 2025 at 7:17 PM
If this accommodation is useful for your situation, PLEASE reach out to your POs. She specifically suggested that having some documentation from your PO may be useful to demonstrate eligibility for this accommodation.
Reposted by Mary Munson
She let me know that they recently received guidance that, ONLY for the January EI deadline (1/27/2026) and the February ESI deadline (2/3/2026), PIs can submit MIRAs even if their previous application (R35, R01, R15, R21, and R37) is still considered under review.
December 19, 2025 at 7:17 PM
She let me know that they recently received guidance that, ONLY for the January EI deadline (1/27/2026) and the February ESI deadline (2/3/2026), PIs can submit MIRAs even if their previous application (R35, R01, R15, R21, and R37) is still considered under review.