Dr. Kat Napaaqtuk❄️
@napaaqtuk.bsky.social
Inupiaq, scientist of host-microbe interactions, mom, runner, news junkie, not necessarily in that order. I speak for myself. She/her. Only reskeets posts with alt text. Unapologetically typo prone.
Pinned
Hi folks! I am an assistant professor in Molecular and Cell Biology at the University of Connecticut. In this thread for #YoungScientistNetworking (invited by @quantumtessera.bsky.social ), I will tell you a little bit about my career path.
But first, my Inupiaq introduction: 1/n
But first, my Inupiaq introduction: 1/n
Reposted by Dr. Kat Napaaqtuk❄️
and literally every woman in astronomy is having flashbacks to
www.buzzfeednews.com/article/azee...
www.buzzfeednews.com/article/azee...
November 16, 2025 at 4:29 PM
and literally every woman in astronomy is having flashbacks to
www.buzzfeednews.com/article/azee...
www.buzzfeednews.com/article/azee...
Reposted by Dr. Kat Napaaqtuk❄️
Thank you again to @andrewstoehr.bsky.social and Butler University for a great visit and for offering my talk as part of the unique “Butler Cultural Requirement” to students!
www.butlerartscenter.org/performances...
🌊 🦑 #AcademicSky
www.butlerartscenter.org/performances...
🌊 🦑 #AcademicSky
November 16, 2025 at 3:08 PM
Thank you again to @andrewstoehr.bsky.social and Butler University for a great visit and for offering my talk as part of the unique “Butler Cultural Requirement” to students!
www.butlerartscenter.org/performances...
🌊 🦑 #AcademicSky
www.butlerartscenter.org/performances...
🌊 🦑 #AcademicSky
Reposted by Dr. Kat Napaaqtuk❄️
👇Listen up and check this out👇
Really enjoyed this Code Switch episode about KYUK and it's importance to the region.
www.npr.org/2025/11/15/n...
www.npr.org/2025/11/15/n...
How Trump's cuts to public media threaten the first Native American station : Code Switch
On October 1, 2025, public radio stations lost all of their federal funding -- and for Black and Native American community stations, the cuts hit hard. Case in point, KYUK in Bethel, Alaska, which was...
www.npr.org
November 15, 2025 at 3:43 PM
👇Listen up and check this out👇
Really enjoyed this Code Switch episode about KYUK and it's importance to the region.
www.npr.org/2025/11/15/n...
www.npr.org/2025/11/15/n...
How Trump's cuts to public media threaten the first Native American station : Code Switch
On October 1, 2025, public radio stations lost all of their federal funding -- and for Black and Native American community stations, the cuts hit hard. Case in point, KYUK in Bethel, Alaska, which was...
www.npr.org
November 15, 2025 at 3:36 PM
Really enjoyed this Code Switch episode about KYUK and it's importance to the region.
www.npr.org/2025/11/15/n...
www.npr.org/2025/11/15/n...
What fictional creature/villain traumatized you as a kid?
November 15, 2025 at 2:37 PM
What fictional creature/villain traumatized you as a kid?
Reposted by Dr. Kat Napaaqtuk❄️
I was laid off from Teen Vogue yesterday, along with 70% of my incredible team. @teenvogue.com
Thank you to everyone who has reached out. I am so grateful. For nearly 4yrs as Culture Editor, I was dedicated to humanizing and empowering young people. We move.❤️🩹🚀
Cash App: $kmcnab Venmo: @/kaitmcnab
Thank you to everyone who has reached out. I am so grateful. For nearly 4yrs as Culture Editor, I was dedicated to humanizing and empowering young people. We move.❤️🩹🚀
Cash App: $kmcnab Venmo: @/kaitmcnab
November 4, 2025 at 9:43 PM
I was laid off from Teen Vogue yesterday, along with 70% of my incredible team. @teenvogue.com
Thank you to everyone who has reached out. I am so grateful. For nearly 4yrs as Culture Editor, I was dedicated to humanizing and empowering young people. We move.❤️🩹🚀
Cash App: $kmcnab Venmo: @/kaitmcnab
Thank you to everyone who has reached out. I am so grateful. For nearly 4yrs as Culture Editor, I was dedicated to humanizing and empowering young people. We move.❤️🩹🚀
Cash App: $kmcnab Venmo: @/kaitmcnab
Reposted by Dr. Kat Napaaqtuk❄️
![4-panel vertical comic. (1) 100 Years Ago [two people standing next to bicycle with small car nearby] PERSON 1: It’s too dangerous riding a bike with these cars around. I should get a car, too. (2) 50 Years Ago [two people between smaller car and bigger car] PERSON 2 with short hair: Small cars are less safe in collisions with larger vehicles, so I should get a bigger one. (3) Today [two people between big car and even bigger car] PERSON 1: Everyone has huge SUVs now. If I don’t get the biggest one, I’m putting my family at risk. (4) Soon [two people next to large armored car with spiked clubs attached] PERSON 2: If I don’t install more whirling spike clubs, I’ll be destroyed by all the other drivers who...](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:cz73r7iyiqn26upot4jtjdhk/bafkreiby6can6k76yzfmv2czxs4pu2l7zie7bqbrpswi7h3ifmiadkuqvu@jpeg)
Reposted by Dr. Kat Napaaqtuk❄️
🧵
I usually share a new Palestinian account every day but today I am going to do a thread of people I’ve already verified impacted by the recent flooding in Gaza. If you can help any of these families- many who lost everything again- please do. edition.cnn.com/2025/11/14/m...
Heavy rainfall floods the camps of displaced Palestinians in Gaza | CNN
Displaced Palestinians in Gaza woke up Friday morning to inches of water flooding their tents, after heavy rainfall overnight left their shelters and belongings soaked with no way to dry them out.
edition.cnn.com
November 15, 2025 at 11:04 AM
🧵
Reposted by Dr. Kat Napaaqtuk❄️
Come be my colleague at University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. We're hiring an assistant professor in Ocean Biogeochemical Modeling. 🌊
Career Opportunities at the University of Hawai'i | University of Hawai'i
www.schooljobs.com
November 15, 2025 at 12:05 PM
Come be my colleague at University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. We're hiring an assistant professor in Ocean Biogeochemical Modeling. 🌊
Reposted by Dr. Kat Napaaqtuk❄️
Deepest coverage of the administrative leave for @jenna-m-norton.bsky.social from @aniloza.bsky.social at STAT
www.statnews.com/2025/11/14/n...
1/4
www.statnews.com/2025/11/14/n...
1/4
NIH abruptly places outspoken critic of Trump administration on leave
Jenna Norton, a vocal critic of Trump administration actions at the NIH, was abruptly placed on administrative leave this week.
www.statnews.com
November 15, 2025 at 12:07 PM
Deepest coverage of the administrative leave for @jenna-m-norton.bsky.social from @aniloza.bsky.social at STAT
www.statnews.com/2025/11/14/n...
1/4
www.statnews.com/2025/11/14/n...
1/4
Reposted by Dr. Kat Napaaqtuk❄️
Reposted by Dr. Kat Napaaqtuk❄️
A few years ago, I gave a talk, and when we arrived at the facility, this sign was used to reserve a parking spot for me.
Mom and dad kept the sign and this was what I saw when I walked into their house.
Mom and dad kept the sign and this was what I saw when I walked into their house.
November 15, 2025 at 1:09 PM
A few years ago, I gave a talk, and when we arrived at the facility, this sign was used to reserve a parking spot for me.
Mom and dad kept the sign and this was what I saw when I walked into their house.
Mom and dad kept the sign and this was what I saw when I walked into their house.
Reposted by Dr. Kat Napaaqtuk❄️
Alice was an incredible person who worked hard to widen the path to liberation so others could follow. May we be called to rise up in the wake of her passing; may she rest in power.
Our beloved Alice Wong has joined the ancestors. It was one of the great honors of my life to call Alice my friend, co-author & co-conspirator. She was a true genius, a force of nature the likes of which the world has never seen before. I love you, Alice, and am equal parts grateful and devastated
November 15, 2025 at 1:29 PM
Alice was an incredible person who worked hard to widen the path to liberation so others could follow. May we be called to rise up in the wake of her passing; may she rest in power.
Reposted by Dr. Kat Napaaqtuk❄️
🙃🙃🙃
Congress’s shutdown deal eliminated key food safety rules, blocking agencies from enforcing measures to prevent contamination and trace outbreaks. This rollback has coincided with a surge in hospitalizations and deaths from foodborne illnesses.
Shutdown Deal Kills Rules to Prevent Food Contamination and Foodborne Illnesses
The gutting of these rules coincides with a huge increase in hospitalizations and deaths from foodborne illnesses.
truthout.org
November 15, 2025 at 12:15 PM
🙃🙃🙃
Reposted by Dr. Kat Napaaqtuk❄️
Alice Wong died yesterday, November 14, 2025.
November 15, 2025 at 12:51 PM
Alice Wong died yesterday, November 14, 2025.
Reposted by Dr. Kat Napaaqtuk❄️
NIH grant applicants:
October and November grant application submission *deadlines* will be rescheduled (🤯). Specific dates TBD.
grants.nih.gov/grants/guide...
October and November grant application submission *deadlines* will be rescheduled (🤯). Specific dates TBD.
grants.nih.gov/grants/guide...
NOT-OD-26-005: Interim Guidance on Reopening of NIH Extramural Activities
NIH Funding Opportunities and Notices in the NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts: Interim Guidance on Reopening of NIH Extramural Activities NOT-OD-26-005. NIH
grants.nih.gov
November 14, 2025 at 8:45 PM
NIH grant applicants:
October and November grant application submission *deadlines* will be rescheduled (🤯). Specific dates TBD.
grants.nih.gov/grants/guide...
October and November grant application submission *deadlines* will be rescheduled (🤯). Specific dates TBD.
grants.nih.gov/grants/guide...
When Tiffany Haddish started making real $$, she bought a $300 microscope! I had no idea she is so into microbes 🦠🔬
www.npr.org/2025/11/15/n...
www.npr.org/2025/11/15/n...
Tiffany Haddish tries to talk Peter Sagal into throwing himself a second bar mitzvah : Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!
This week, Tiffany Haddish joins panelists Brian Babylon, Paula Poundstone, and Roxanne Roberts
www.npr.org
November 15, 2025 at 1:09 PM
When Tiffany Haddish started making real $$, she bought a $300 microscope! I had no idea she is so into microbes 🦠🔬
www.npr.org/2025/11/15/n...
www.npr.org/2025/11/15/n...
Reposted by Dr. Kat Napaaqtuk❄️
Tanya has been doing really important work in the gaming industry for decades, and has also been incredibly generous in raising funds for important causes. She’s been affected by industry layoffs, and the DEI consulting she helped pioneer has dried up. Let’s show her some support.
So I did the thing before I chickened out (or came to my senses) and threw up a GFM as a stop gap measure. I hate doing it more than anyone will hate seeing another fund raiser.
gofund.me/f5615787f
gofund.me/f5615787f
Donate to Chip in to help with the cost of existence while I job hunt., organized by Tanya DePass
Like many of those in the games industry, I was laid off back… Tanya DePass needs your support for Chip in to help with the cost of existence while I job hunt.
gofund.me
November 15, 2025 at 1:07 PM
Tanya has been doing really important work in the gaming industry for decades, and has also been incredibly generous in raising funds for important causes. She’s been affected by industry layoffs, and the DEI consulting she helped pioneer has dried up. Let’s show her some support.
Reposted by Dr. Kat Napaaqtuk❄️
So many prominent Chinese-American scientists whose lives and careers were turned upside down in the first Trump administration.
The 5 year retroactive punishment is like penalizing something for an ‘infraction’ which was not even an infraction when the action occurred. How does this make sense?
The 5 year retroactive punishment is like penalizing something for an ‘infraction’ which was not even an infraction when the action occurred. How does this make sense?
“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 8:55 PM
So many prominent Chinese-American scientists whose lives and careers were turned upside down in the first Trump administration.
The 5 year retroactive punishment is like penalizing something for an ‘infraction’ which was not even an infraction when the action occurred. How does this make sense?
The 5 year retroactive punishment is like penalizing something for an ‘infraction’ which was not even an infraction when the action occurred. How does this make sense?
Reposted by Dr. Kat Napaaqtuk❄️
Banning Patton Oswalt before their West Coast staff is online I’m sure was handled super professionally
November 14, 2025 at 1:28 PM
Banning Patton Oswalt before their West Coast staff is online I’m sure was handled super professionally
"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."
Oh dang, I have a postdoc from China who I really like working with and 2 grants in at NIH. This is not good.
If this stupid bill actually passes, we are even more doomed than I thought. Note that it also includes Russia. U.S. Congress considers sweeping ban on Chinese collaborations | Science | AAAS www.science.org/content/arti...
November 14, 2025 at 2:39 PM
"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."
Oh dang, I have a postdoc from China who I really like working with and 2 grants in at NIH. This is not good.
If this stupid bill actually passes, we are even more doomed than I thought. Note that it also includes Russia. U.S. Congress considers sweeping ban on Chinese collaborations | Science | AAAS www.science.org/content/arti...
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 2:22 PM
Oh dang, I have a postdoc from China who I really like working with and 2 grants in at NIH. This is not good.
Reposted by Dr. Kat Napaaqtuk❄️
Both Texas A&M and Indiana University should lose accreditation.
Indiana University, which has now been subordinated to the direct control of the Indiana GOP, announces that criticism of the MAGA movement and doctrines of the GOP is forbidden. An instructor is dismissed for speaking critical words about the MAGA movement.
Indiana Professor Removed From Class Over White Supremacy Lesson
www.nytimes.com
November 13, 2025 at 11:44 PM
Both Texas A&M and Indiana University should lose accreditation.
Reposted by Dr. Kat Napaaqtuk❄️
If you have tenure at Texas A&M and aren't maliciously emailing the president a dozen times every day to ask if you can say this or you can say that, then what's the point in having tenure?
COLLEGE STATION, Texas (AP) — Texas A&M adopts policy requiring professors to get OK from school president to discuss certain race and gender issues.
November 13, 2025 at 11:18 PM
If you have tenure at Texas A&M and aren't maliciously emailing the president a dozen times every day to ask if you can say this or you can say that, then what's the point in having tenure?
Reposted by Dr. Kat Napaaqtuk❄️
COLLEGE STATION, Texas (AP) — Texas A&M adopts policy requiring professors to get OK from school president to discuss certain race and gender issues.
November 13, 2025 at 11:15 PM
COLLEGE STATION, Texas (AP) — Texas A&M adopts policy requiring professors to get OK from school president to discuss certain race and gender issues.