Needhi Bhalla 💅🏽
@needhibhalla.bsky.social
Cell biologist and geneticist, Professor, mom and consumer of alcohol. Those might all be related. I grind til I own it.
She/her/hers.
ORCID: 0000-0002-6859-0073
personal account
She/her/hers.
ORCID: 0000-0002-6859-0073
personal account
Pinned
Scaling back DEI programmes and the loss of scientific talent
Nature Cell Biology - Programmes that support diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) in science are under attack in the USA. Data indicate that diversity in the scientific workforce increases...
www.nature.com
@joann-trejo.bsky.social, @marymunson4.bsky.social and I have a commentary in @natcellbio.nature.com on recent attacks on DEI in biomedical research: "If scientific research, especially biomedical research, is meant to serve everyone, then it requires that everyone has an opportunity to participate"
Reposted by Needhi Bhalla 💅🏽
Jacob Lawrence, They also made it very difficult for migrants leaving the South. They often went to railroad stations and arrested the Negroes wholesale, which in turn made them miss their train, 1940-41
https://botfrens.com/collections/14377/contents/1134642
https://botfrens.com/collections/14377/contents/1134642
January 4, 2026 at 6:07 AM
Jacob Lawrence, They also made it very difficult for migrants leaving the South. They often went to railroad stations and arrested the Negroes wholesale, which in turn made them miss their train, 1940-41
https://botfrens.com/collections/14377/contents/1134642
https://botfrens.com/collections/14377/contents/1134642
![Screen shot from the show Andor. Someone says to Mon Mothma “They [meaning the Empire] don’t even bother to lie badly anymore.” Mon replies “I suppose that’s the final humiliation.”](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:ny5w2k6brb2kdubxnevke6li/bafkreibrxbmhwrnkwo2ztnczubpnzpup3uf6dpyhs7mk2uxpeoeynhjo2q@jpeg)
Reposted by Needhi Bhalla 💅🏽
Don't forget folks: allowing yourself a vision of the future you'd want for our country and planet - not the one you'd settle for, not the one you fear, but the future of your dreams - isn't naive, it's a vital cognitive skill. That's how we articulate what we most value. What's worth fighting for.
Instead of whatever this is, we should have a government getting lots of new homes and apartments built, lots of clean energy built, lots of high speed rail and transit and bike lanes built, human rights for everyone, economic & healthcare opportunities for all, & innovation that leads the world.
January 4, 2026 at 2:34 AM
Don't forget folks: allowing yourself a vision of the future you'd want for our country and planet - not the one you'd settle for, not the one you fear, but the future of your dreams - isn't naive, it's a vital cognitive skill. That's how we articulate what we most value. What's worth fighting for.
Reposted by Needhi Bhalla 💅🏽
Currently in Puerto Rico. My flight today was canceled bc the airspace was closed by US military. Archipelago is highly militarized, with frequent military patrols. Flashback to cold war theater of 1980s.
January 4, 2026 at 12:24 AM
Currently in Puerto Rico. My flight today was canceled bc the airspace was closed by US military. Archipelago is highly militarized, with frequent military patrols. Flashback to cold war theater of 1980s.
Reposted by Needhi Bhalla 💅🏽
organizing can look like: finding a mutual in your state/city who also talks about the same bills as you and divvying up work on contacting your reps/senators. you can also share info about the responses you’re getting. i’ve even organized w/ folks who could visit the offices directly.
I agree with this entirely.
Talking about it locally also encourages local attention. Find your people w/in your communities.
Talking about it locally also encourages local attention. Find your people w/in your communities.
I would also add this - urge everyone to contact state elected officials, which include governor, state representatives, state senators, etc., as well as local officials. Ask them if they condone this or not, especially when some could be running for Congress in the 2026 midterm elections.
January 4, 2026 at 4:39 AM
organizing can look like: finding a mutual in your state/city who also talks about the same bills as you and divvying up work on contacting your reps/senators. you can also share info about the responses you’re getting. i’ve even organized w/ folks who could visit the offices directly.
Reposted by Needhi Bhalla 💅🏽
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHH
January 4, 2026 at 3:05 AM
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHH
Reposted by Needhi Bhalla 💅🏽
For Californians, I was able to leave a vm for all of my Reps, including Senator Padilla who, for the longest time, did not have VMs available on weekends and Holidays.
Please make the call. The only one to say something so far (among my Reps) is Adam Schiff and his response...is pretty weak sauce.
Please make the call. The only one to say something so far (among my Reps) is Adam Schiff and his response...is pretty weak sauce.
Boosting my call script again, since I think some people are only catching the second post, which is call tips.
Call your reps + please read the thread. Do it now, please.
Script.
Script.
January 4, 2026 at 3:39 AM
For Californians, I was able to leave a vm for all of my Reps, including Senator Padilla who, for the longest time, did not have VMs available on weekends and Holidays.
Please make the call. The only one to say something so far (among my Reps) is Adam Schiff and his response...is pretty weak sauce.
Please make the call. The only one to say something so far (among my Reps) is Adam Schiff and his response...is pretty weak sauce.
LMFAO imagine trying to do dry January during this bullshit
Could not be me 🍸
Could not be me 🍸
January 4, 2026 at 4:35 AM
LMFAO imagine trying to do dry January during this bullshit
Could not be me 🍸
Could not be me 🍸
Reposted by Needhi Bhalla 💅🏽
Mayor Zohran Mamdani said he called President Donald Trump and directly voiced his opposition to the U.S. capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.
January 3, 2026 at 8:41 PM
Mayor Zohran Mamdani said he called President Donald Trump and directly voiced his opposition to the U.S. capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.
Reposted by Needhi Bhalla 💅🏽
The mayor of New York City is doing more than the senate and house minority leaders
Zohran Mamdani, the new mayor of New York City, called President Trump on Saturday to personally object to strikes the U.S. had conducted in Venezuela and to the capture of its leader, Nicolás Maduro. Mamdani accused Trump of violating international law.
Zohran Mamdani Called President Trump to Criticize Venezuela Strikes
Mayor Zohran Mamdani of New York accused President Trump of violating international law. It was the first time he had criticized the president since their White House meeting.
nyti.ms
January 4, 2026 at 4:09 AM
The mayor of New York City is doing more than the senate and house minority leaders
Reposted by Needhi Bhalla 💅🏽
Zohran Mamdani, the new mayor of New York City, called President Trump on Saturday to personally object to strikes the U.S. had conducted in Venezuela and to the capture of its leader, Nicolás Maduro. Mamdani accused Trump of violating international law.
Zohran Mamdani Called President Trump to Criticize Venezuela Strikes
Mayor Zohran Mamdani of New York accused President Trump of violating international law. It was the first time he had criticized the president since their White House meeting.
nyti.ms
January 4, 2026 at 12:05 AM
Zohran Mamdani, the new mayor of New York City, called President Trump on Saturday to personally object to strikes the U.S. had conducted in Venezuela and to the capture of its leader, Nicolás Maduro. Mamdani accused Trump of violating international law.
Reposted by Needhi Bhalla 💅🏽
Sleep well my children …
January 4, 2026 at 4:21 AM
Sleep well my children …
Reposted by Needhi Bhalla 💅🏽
"They got money for war but can't feed the poor"
Sticker spotted in Pittsburgh
Sticker spotted in Pittsburgh
January 4, 2026 at 2:03 AM
"They got money for war but can't feed the poor"
Sticker spotted in Pittsburgh
Sticker spotted in Pittsburgh
Reposted by Needhi Bhalla 💅🏽
My latest with @ichotiner.bsky.social.
January 4, 2026 at 1:14 AM
My latest with @ichotiner.bsky.social.
Reposted by Needhi Bhalla 💅🏽
A lovely Black Manhattan, utilizing some wonderful birthday bourbon!
January 4, 2026 at 2:15 AM
A lovely Black Manhattan, utilizing some wonderful birthday bourbon!
Reposted by Needhi Bhalla 💅🏽
As a person who is "I remember the 2008 Democratic Primary clearly" years old, I'm thinking of Obama's opposition to the Iraq War, and wondering how the 2028 potential candidates are thinking. I hope they're thinking.
January 4, 2026 at 1:47 AM
As a person who is "I remember the 2008 Democratic Primary clearly" years old, I'm thinking of Obama's opposition to the Iraq War, and wondering how the 2028 potential candidates are thinking. I hope they're thinking.
Reposted by Needhi Bhalla 💅🏽
I’m calling my reps today.
Candid answer - as someone who handled constituent affairs calls for years - while they’re not checking the phone right now, the urgency of the moment is important.
Show them you care enough to make the weekend call, and be counted that way. Staffers will clock and report this upstream.
Show them you care enough to make the weekend call, and be counted that way. Staffers will clock and report this upstream.
Is there actually a benefit to leaving a VM now vs getting a staffer on Monday? Can do both but just curious
January 3, 2026 at 11:03 PM
I’m calling my reps today.
Reposted by Needhi Bhalla 💅🏽
Movie night (Jaws) with Ramenesque Chicken and Noodles. This is a mongrel dish, if I’m honest - part katsu, part ramen and I’ve posted the recipe for the broth below. It’s finished it off with a jammy egg, a few green chillies, fried mushrooms and Lao Gan Ma from a jar. Recipe for the broth attached
January 3, 2026 at 9:02 PM
Movie night (Jaws) with Ramenesque Chicken and Noodles. This is a mongrel dish, if I’m honest - part katsu, part ramen and I’ve posted the recipe for the broth below. It’s finished it off with a jammy egg, a few green chillies, fried mushrooms and Lao Gan Ma from a jar. Recipe for the broth attached
Reposted by Needhi Bhalla 💅🏽
I am struggling with what might be a generational experience. The gulf war was pretty politically formative for me. It’s not history so much as memory this time.
It is destabilizing to see almost the exact same gameplan but this time without the guardrails that at the time I took for granted.
It is destabilizing to see almost the exact same gameplan but this time without the guardrails that at the time I took for granted.
January 3, 2026 at 11:09 PM
I am struggling with what might be a generational experience. The gulf war was pretty politically formative for me. It’s not history so much as memory this time.
It is destabilizing to see almost the exact same gameplan but this time without the guardrails that at the time I took for granted.
It is destabilizing to see almost the exact same gameplan but this time without the guardrails that at the time I took for granted.
Reposted by Needhi Bhalla 💅🏽
Strongly endorse Derek's first 2026 blog 🔥🔥 and especially this:
"Just saying “This didn’t have to happen” avoids thinking about why it did, and risks not realizing what bad shape our institutions and our civil society had to be in for things to get to this point."
"Just saying “This didn’t have to happen” avoids thinking about why it did, and risks not realizing what bad shape our institutions and our civil society had to be in for things to get to this point."
First Pipeline post of the year! A statement of purpose, and science topics resume on Monday:
Last Year, and the Year to Come
www.science.org
January 3, 2026 at 11:02 PM
Strongly endorse Derek's first 2026 blog 🔥🔥 and especially this:
"Just saying “This didn’t have to happen” avoids thinking about why it did, and risks not realizing what bad shape our institutions and our civil society had to be in for things to get to this point."
"Just saying “This didn’t have to happen” avoids thinking about why it did, and risks not realizing what bad shape our institutions and our civil society had to be in for things to get to this point."
Reposted by Needhi Bhalla 💅🏽
FOX NEWS: What are your expectations when you get briefings from senior Trump administration officials in the coming days?
GALLEGO: Well, they're just gonna lie
GALLEGO: Well, they're just gonna lie
January 3, 2026 at 6:27 PM
FOX NEWS: What are your expectations when you get briefings from senior Trump administration officials in the coming days?
GALLEGO: Well, they're just gonna lie
GALLEGO: Well, they're just gonna lie
Reposted by Needhi Bhalla 💅🏽
I'm not trying to put the person I quoted on blast or be a quoting jerk in 2026, but I'm begging all of you:
Stop accepting the inevitable. Americans have got to stop pleading apathy. Other countries know how to fight, and this is a lesson WE have to learn.
Stop accepting the inevitable. Americans have got to stop pleading apathy. Other countries know how to fight, and this is a lesson WE have to learn.
January 3, 2026 at 8:05 PM
I'm not trying to put the person I quoted on blast or be a quoting jerk in 2026, but I'm begging all of you:
Stop accepting the inevitable. Americans have got to stop pleading apathy. Other countries know how to fight, and this is a lesson WE have to learn.
Stop accepting the inevitable. Americans have got to stop pleading apathy. Other countries know how to fight, and this is a lesson WE have to learn.
Reposted by Needhi Bhalla 💅🏽
What a time to be a social studies teacher in the middle of a unit on colonialism & imperialism.
January 3, 2026 at 8:12 PM
What a time to be a social studies teacher in the middle of a unit on colonialism & imperialism.
Reposted by Needhi Bhalla 💅🏽
And there ya have it…
Officials from top Wall Street firms will be traveling to Venezuela to investigate “investment prospects” of the country. “The trip will feature about 20 officials from the finance, energy and defense sectors.”
Officials from top Wall Street firms will be traveling to Venezuela to investigate “investment prospects” of the country. “The trip will feature about 20 officials from the finance, energy and defense sectors.”
Finance Industry Eyes Investment Opportunities in Venezuela
Some on Wall Street are already considering possible investment opportunities in Venezuela following the capture of Nicolás Maduro, according to Charles Myers, chairman of consulting firm Signum Globa...
www.wsj.com
January 3, 2026 at 7:13 PM
And there ya have it…
Officials from top Wall Street firms will be traveling to Venezuela to investigate “investment prospects” of the country. “The trip will feature about 20 officials from the finance, energy and defense sectors.”
Officials from top Wall Street firms will be traveling to Venezuela to investigate “investment prospects” of the country. “The trip will feature about 20 officials from the finance, energy and defense sectors.”