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
NEW: Jenna Norton, an NIH employee who is openly critical of Trump & RFK Jr, has been put on "non-disciplinary" administrative leave. She says the administration is trying to "scare and silence me." An HHS official, asked to comment, called her a radical leftist.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/13/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/13/u...
N.I.H. Worker Who Criticized Trump Health Policies Says She Is on Administrative Leave
www.nytimes.com
November 14, 2025 at 2:56 AM
NEW: Jenna Norton, an NIH employee who is openly critical of Trump & RFK Jr, has been put on "non-disciplinary" administrative leave. She says the administration is trying to "scare and silence me." An HHS official, asked to comment, called her a radical leftist.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/13/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/13/u...
Reposted by Mary Munson
Just got an email from my SRO for the study section that was missed in October. Good news is that they are trying to reschedule ASAP (Dec/Jan). The bad news is that CSR is mandating that only the the top third (not half) of applications will get discussed for the next 2 rounds.
November 13, 2025 at 10:34 PM
Just got an email from my SRO for the study section that was missed in October. Good news is that they are trying to reschedule ASAP (Dec/Jan). The bad news is that CSR is mandating that only the the top third (not half) of applications will get discussed for the next 2 rounds.
Reposted by Mary Munson
“The prohibited activities would include joint research, co-authorship on papers, and advising a foreign graduate student or postdoctoral fellow. The language is retroactive, meaning any interactions during the previous 5 years could make a scientist ineligible for future federal funding.”
U.S. Congress considers sweeping ban on Chinese collaborations
Researchers speak out against proposal that would bar funding for U.S. scientists working with Chinese partners or training Chinese students
www.science.org
November 14, 2025 at 1:03 AM
“The prohibited activities would include joint research, co-authorship on papers, and advising a foreign graduate student or postdoctoral fellow. The language is retroactive, meaning any interactions during the previous 5 years could make a scientist ineligible for future federal funding.”
Reposted by Mary Munson
Biological Chemistry's position is still taking applications. UM is a great place to be a PI, I'd love to see a new membrane biology or lipids expert join our community.
This is open for new and established investigators.
This is open for new and established investigators.
Collaborative. Creative. Impactful. Come join us in Ann Arbor! For more information and application link see jobs.sciencecareers.org/job/675674/f...
November 11, 2025 at 3:33 PM
Biological Chemistry's position is still taking applications. UM is a great place to be a PI, I'd love to see a new membrane biology or lipids expert join our community.
This is open for new and established investigators.
This is open for new and established investigators.
Reposted by Mary Munson
It's a dark time for artists. Many are struggling!
It's easy to buy gifts online. When you buy from *artists*, you're supporting working people, instead of making rich jerks richer.
This fall, send your present $$ to an artist's shop!
Artists! Drop your shop links!
& check out SquidFacts.net 😘
It's easy to buy gifts online. When you buy from *artists*, you're supporting working people, instead of making rich jerks richer.
This fall, send your present $$ to an artist's shop!
Artists! Drop your shop links!
& check out SquidFacts.net 😘
November 11, 2025 at 4:15 PM
It's a dark time for artists. Many are struggling!
It's easy to buy gifts online. When you buy from *artists*, you're supporting working people, instead of making rich jerks richer.
This fall, send your present $$ to an artist's shop!
Artists! Drop your shop links!
& check out SquidFacts.net 😘
It's easy to buy gifts online. When you buy from *artists*, you're supporting working people, instead of making rich jerks richer.
This fall, send your present $$ to an artist's shop!
Artists! Drop your shop links!
& check out SquidFacts.net 😘
Reposted by Mary Munson
I've said it before: everything giant pandas do makes more sense if you imagine they are six drinks in on a Friday night.
But I feel like we haven't fully celebrated their triumphant return. See, the giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) is no longer Endangered.
A conservation success story!
But I feel like we haven't fully celebrated their triumphant return. See, the giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) is no longer Endangered.
A conservation success story!
a panda bear is sitting on a wooden platform with toys
Alt: a panda bear is sitting on a wooden platform with toys, it barrels through them, falls, and manages to roll down every part of the stairs, as if on purpose. Just agent of chaos behavior.
media.tenor.com
November 9, 2025 at 3:04 PM
I've said it before: everything giant pandas do makes more sense if you imagine they are six drinks in on a Friday night.
But I feel like we haven't fully celebrated their triumphant return. See, the giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) is no longer Endangered.
A conservation success story!
But I feel like we haven't fully celebrated their triumphant return. See, the giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) is no longer Endangered.
A conservation success story!
Reposted by Mary Munson
Bluetorial-Jim Watson
I met Jim Watson a few times but did not know him well. However, I was greatly influenced by his book “The Double Helix”. He was a complicated human being with some very, very bad features, but some good contributions.
What follows is my personal perspective.
1/41
I met Jim Watson a few times but did not know him well. However, I was greatly influenced by his book “The Double Helix”. He was a complicated human being with some very, very bad features, but some good contributions.
What follows is my personal perspective.
1/41
a cartoon says hey everybody an old man 's talking while bart simpson looks on
ALT: a cartoon says hey everybody an old man 's talking while bart simpson looks on
media.tenor.com
November 8, 2025 at 1:58 PM
Bluetorial-Jim Watson
I met Jim Watson a few times but did not know him well. However, I was greatly influenced by his book “The Double Helix”. He was a complicated human being with some very, very bad features, but some good contributions.
What follows is my personal perspective.
1/41
I met Jim Watson a few times but did not know him well. However, I was greatly influenced by his book “The Double Helix”. He was a complicated human being with some very, very bad features, but some good contributions.
What follows is my personal perspective.
1/41
Reposted by Mary Munson
Excited to launch an openRxiv partnership with the scientist-run AI review service qed (@qedscience.bsky.social), the brainchild of @odedrechavi.bsky.social 1/n
openrxiv.org/enabling-rev...
openrxiv.org/enabling-rev...
Enabling options for review: from training and transparency to author-centered AI tools - openRxiv
Peer review is widely viewed as a critical aspect of biomedical communication. Ideally, it provides authors with feedback so they can improve manuscripts and gives readers, particularly nonspecialists...
openrxiv.org
November 6, 2025 at 2:32 PM
Excited to launch an openRxiv partnership with the scientist-run AI review service qed (@qedscience.bsky.social), the brainchild of @odedrechavi.bsky.social 1/n
openrxiv.org/enabling-rev...
openrxiv.org/enabling-rev...
Reposted by Mary Munson
🧪 Two of my favorite sci-things!
Already run q.e.d on my latest bioRxiv submissions :)
Already run q.e.d on my latest bioRxiv submissions :)
Excited to launch an openRxiv partnership with the scientist-run AI review service qed (@qedscience.bsky.social), the brainchild of @odedrechavi.bsky.social 1/n
openrxiv.org/enabling-rev...
openrxiv.org/enabling-rev...
Enabling options for review: from training and transparency to author-centered AI tools - openRxiv
Peer review is widely viewed as a critical aspect of biomedical communication. Ideally, it provides authors with feedback so they can improve manuscripts and gives readers, particularly nonspecialists...
openrxiv.org
November 7, 2025 at 12:57 PM
🧪 Two of my favorite sci-things!
Already run q.e.d on my latest bioRxiv submissions :)
Already run q.e.d on my latest bioRxiv submissions :)
Reposted by Mary Munson
🚨 NASA scientists warn: critical equipment at Goddard Space Flight Center could be discarded during the shutdown, jeopardizing decades of Earth & space science missions.
📢 Act now: agu.quorum.us/campaign/146...
#sciencepolicy #saveNASA
📢 Act now: agu.quorum.us/campaign/146...
#sciencepolicy #saveNASA
November 7, 2025 at 12:45 AM
🚨 NASA scientists warn: critical equipment at Goddard Space Flight Center could be discarded during the shutdown, jeopardizing decades of Earth & space science missions.
📢 Act now: agu.quorum.us/campaign/146...
#sciencepolicy #saveNASA
📢 Act now: agu.quorum.us/campaign/146...
#sciencepolicy #saveNASA
Reposted by Mary Munson
An Asgard archaeon with internal membrane compartments
Brilliant study led by @fmacleod.bsky.social and Andriko von Kügelgen. Tight collaboration with @buzzbaum.bsky.social and lab. Congrats to all authors!
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Brilliant study led by @fmacleod.bsky.social and Andriko von Kügelgen. Tight collaboration with @buzzbaum.bsky.social and lab. Congrats to all authors!
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
November 7, 2025 at 10:44 AM
An Asgard archaeon with internal membrane compartments
Brilliant study led by @fmacleod.bsky.social and Andriko von Kügelgen. Tight collaboration with @buzzbaum.bsky.social and lab. Congrats to all authors!
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Brilliant study led by @fmacleod.bsky.social and Andriko von Kügelgen. Tight collaboration with @buzzbaum.bsky.social and lab. Congrats to all authors!
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Reposted by Mary Munson
The Leading Edge Fellows gathered this week to celebrate Zara Weinberg, a beloved member of our community. Our 7th cohort of Leading Edge Fellows (2026) will be named in her honor.
The Zara Weinberg Leading Edge Cohort application is now open! Due Feb 2.
www.leadingedgesymposium.org/apply/
The Zara Weinberg Leading Edge Cohort application is now open! Due Feb 2.
www.leadingedgesymposium.org/apply/
November 5, 2025 at 5:48 PM
The Leading Edge Fellows gathered this week to celebrate Zara Weinberg, a beloved member of our community. Our 7th cohort of Leading Edge Fellows (2026) will be named in her honor.
The Zara Weinberg Leading Edge Cohort application is now open! Due Feb 2.
www.leadingedgesymposium.org/apply/
The Zara Weinberg Leading Edge Cohort application is now open! Due Feb 2.
www.leadingedgesymposium.org/apply/
Reposted by Mary Munson
Love the idea of the "deletion test" posed by @needhibhalla.bsky.social & coauthors in their commentary about costs of cutting DEI efforts in science.
What if that student were "deleted?" What will the costs be?
Screenshots attached to enhance access. www.nature.com/articles/s41...
What if that student were "deleted?" What will the costs be?
Screenshots attached to enhance access. www.nature.com/articles/s41...
November 5, 2025 at 8:49 PM
Love the idea of the "deletion test" posed by @needhibhalla.bsky.social & coauthors in their commentary about costs of cutting DEI efforts in science.
What if that student were "deleted?" What will the costs be?
Screenshots attached to enhance access. www.nature.com/articles/s41...
What if that student were "deleted?" What will the costs be?
Screenshots attached to enhance access. www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Reposted by Mary Munson
Scaling back DEI isn’t just a moral setback—it’s a loss of innovation.
Bhalla, Trejo & @marymunson4.bsky.social in Nature Cell Biology: limiting who can participate in science “weakens research capacity and stifles discovery.”
doi.org/10.1038/s415...
Bhalla, Trejo & @marymunson4.bsky.social in Nature Cell Biology: limiting who can participate in science “weakens research capacity and stifles discovery.”
doi.org/10.1038/s415...
November 3, 2025 at 2:05 PM
Scaling back DEI isn’t just a moral setback—it’s a loss of innovation.
Bhalla, Trejo & @marymunson4.bsky.social in Nature Cell Biology: limiting who can participate in science “weakens research capacity and stifles discovery.”
doi.org/10.1038/s415...
Bhalla, Trejo & @marymunson4.bsky.social in Nature Cell Biology: limiting who can participate in science “weakens research capacity and stifles discovery.”
doi.org/10.1038/s415...
Reposted by Mary Munson
Reposted by Mary Munson
I was blown away by the response to my trans "It's Dr, Actually" pins so, by popular demand, I made nonbinary ones too. They were so successful, I've now expanded to a whole range of gender pride flag variants, as well as some plain and shimmery colour versions!
canopyrobin.etsy.com/listing/1841...
canopyrobin.etsy.com/listing/1841...
November 3, 2025 at 7:18 AM
I was blown away by the response to my trans "It's Dr, Actually" pins so, by popular demand, I made nonbinary ones too. They were so successful, I've now expanded to a whole range of gender pride flag variants, as well as some plain and shimmery colour versions!
canopyrobin.etsy.com/listing/1841...
canopyrobin.etsy.com/listing/1841...
Reposted by Mary Munson
We are all better because of the energy, inspiration, brilliance, and tenacity that Zara was. A bright light, role model, advocate & snarky tweeter... everything I needed in a person when I was navigating dark times when we met in 2021. You will be missed deeply, Zara, but never forgotten ❤️
Zara Weinberg passed away earlier this week. She joined my lab earlier this year when her postdoc lab formally closed.
She was a brilliant scientist, supportive mentor, dear friend, avid music fan, rabid believer in public transit, open science champion, and above all just an amazing human.
She was a brilliant scientist, supportive mentor, dear friend, avid music fan, rabid believer in public transit, open science champion, and above all just an amazing human.
October 31, 2025 at 5:20 PM
We are all better because of the energy, inspiration, brilliance, and tenacity that Zara was. A bright light, role model, advocate & snarky tweeter... everything I needed in a person when I was navigating dark times when we met in 2021. You will be missed deeply, Zara, but never forgotten ❤️
Reposted by Mary Munson
Zara was one of the best people I've crossed paths with in this career, in this life. A fissure has opened with her departure, and I will miss her terribly.
Zara Weinberg passed away earlier this week. She joined my lab earlier this year when her postdoc lab formally closed.
She was a brilliant scientist, supportive mentor, dear friend, avid music fan, rabid believer in public transit, open science champion, and above all just an amazing human.
She was a brilliant scientist, supportive mentor, dear friend, avid music fan, rabid believer in public transit, open science champion, and above all just an amazing human.
November 1, 2025 at 1:05 AM
Zara was one of the best people I've crossed paths with in this career, in this life. A fissure has opened with her departure, and I will miss her terribly.
Reposted by Mary Munson
Reposted by Mary Munson
We have progressed from data collection to data analysis.
November 1, 2025 at 12:31 AM
We have progressed from data collection to data analysis.
Reposted by Mary Munson
“Children born to mothers who had COVID-19 while pregnant face an elevated risk of developmental disorders by the time they turn 3 years old, including speech delays, autism, motor disorders, and other developmental delays”
#Covid19 #Pregnancy #ReproSky 🧪
www.massgeneralbrigham.org/en/about/new...
#Covid19 #Pregnancy #ReproSky 🧪
www.massgeneralbrigham.org/en/about/new...
COVID-19 During Pregnancy Linked to Higher Risk of Neurodevelopmental Disorders in Children | Mass General Brigham
Children born to mothers who had COVID-19 while pregnant face an elevated risk of developmental disorders by the time they turn 3 years old, including speech delays, autism, motor disorders, and other...
www.massgeneralbrigham.org
October 31, 2025 at 10:25 PM
“Children born to mothers who had COVID-19 while pregnant face an elevated risk of developmental disorders by the time they turn 3 years old, including speech delays, autism, motor disorders, and other developmental delays”
#Covid19 #Pregnancy #ReproSky 🧪
www.massgeneralbrigham.org/en/about/new...
#Covid19 #Pregnancy #ReproSky 🧪
www.massgeneralbrigham.org/en/about/new...
Reposted by Mary Munson
CovidDoom and antivax disinformation accounts thrive on fear. They claim science hides “the truth,” but offer no solid evidence of their own, only conjecture. By turning uncertainty into conspiracy, they erode trust in experts and data, making evidence itself seem suspicious.
1/4
1/4
November 1, 2025 at 5:12 PM
CovidDoom and antivax disinformation accounts thrive on fear. They claim science hides “the truth,” but offer no solid evidence of their own, only conjecture. By turning uncertainty into conspiracy, they erode trust in experts and data, making evidence itself seem suspicious.
1/4
1/4
Reposted by Mary Munson
Zara Weinberg passed away earlier this week. She joined my lab earlier this year when her postdoc lab formally closed.
She was a brilliant scientist, supportive mentor, dear friend, avid music fan, rabid believer in public transit, open science champion, and above all just an amazing human.
She was a brilliant scientist, supportive mentor, dear friend, avid music fan, rabid believer in public transit, open science champion, and above all just an amazing human.
October 31, 2025 at 1:18 PM
Zara Weinberg passed away earlier this week. She joined my lab earlier this year when her postdoc lab formally closed.
She was a brilliant scientist, supportive mentor, dear friend, avid music fan, rabid believer in public transit, open science champion, and above all just an amazing human.
She was a brilliant scientist, supportive mentor, dear friend, avid music fan, rabid believer in public transit, open science champion, and above all just an amazing human.
Reposted by Mary Munson
Truly one of the best. We worked on various initiatives/wrote a paper together, and had the best conference meet ups. She was a bold and tireless advocate for change. Last time we met, we had a great time trying new cuisine and imagining a future that’s so different for trainees than we experienced.
Zara Weinberg was a brilliant, loving, and beautiful woman. She inspired everyone who she interacted with, and always strived to make the world a better place for everyone. Tho the world is a little less bright today without her, her memory will always be a blessing.
She was truly one of the best.
She was truly one of the best.
October 30, 2025 at 9:59 PM
Truly one of the best. We worked on various initiatives/wrote a paper together, and had the best conference meet ups. She was a bold and tireless advocate for change. Last time we met, we had a great time trying new cuisine and imagining a future that’s so different for trainees than we experienced.