Susan Perkins
@nycuratrix.bsky.social
Provost of SUNY Potsdam, Parasitologist, Board gamer. Believer that the world works better when we invite different voices to the conversations that we need to have - and incorporate data to make empirical, just, and inclusive decisions.
We were afraid of peanut allergies…. So we accidentally jacked up peanut allergies. It’s straight up hygiene hypothesis proven right.
A decade ago, research said giving young children peanut products can prevent allergies. A new study says that, 10 years later, tens of thousands of U.S. children have avoided allergies as a result. n.pr/4o3hKJO
Reversing peanut advice prevented tens of thousands of allergy cases, researchers say
A decade ago, research said giving young children peanut products can prevent allergies. A new study says that, 10 years later, tens of thousands of U.S. children have avoided allergies as a result.
n.pr
October 22, 2025 at 1:25 AM
We were afraid of peanut allergies…. So we accidentally jacked up peanut allergies. It’s straight up hygiene hypothesis proven right.
In my long career of catching anoles, it was not unusual to sometimes see lizards missing whole limbs. It was awesome to be part of this huge collaboration to study this phenomenon broadly!
🦎THREAD: We just published something wild in @asn-amnat.bsky.social - lizards missing entire limbs not only survive, but some appear to actually thrive in the wild?!
Let me tell you about the "three-legged pirate" lizards 🏴☠️
[Paper: www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/10.1086/... ]
(1/n)
Let me tell you about the "three-legged pirate" lizards 🏴☠️
[Paper: www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/10.1086/... ]
(1/n)
October 14, 2025 at 2:21 PM
In my long career of catching anoles, it was not unusual to sometimes see lizards missing whole limbs. It was awesome to be part of this huge collaboration to study this phenomenon broadly!
First session of “Hacking College” by Ned Laff and @carlsonics.bsky.social book group yesterday with new academic advisors at SUNY Potsdam. So much excitement about implementing ideas into our model of student support.
August 19, 2025 at 11:00 AM
First session of “Hacking College” by Ned Laff and @carlsonics.bsky.social book group yesterday with new academic advisors at SUNY Potsdam. So much excitement about implementing ideas into our model of student support.
Really wanted to send in a piece for your contest, @carlsonics.bsky.social but this month has been a whirlwind of real estate and moving. You will just have to take a vacation again next year! 😁
June 25, 2025 at 11:33 AM
Really wanted to send in a piece for your contest, @carlsonics.bsky.social but this month has been a whirlwind of real estate and moving. You will just have to take a vacation again next year! 😁
Reposted by Susan Perkins
This is absolutely terrible news.
With the shifting regulatory climate (i.e., antivax ratfuckery), Moderna has withdrawn their application for their eagerly anticipated COVID-flu combo vaccine. This vaccine offered better protection than getting each shot separately.
h/t @merz.bsky.social
With the shifting regulatory climate (i.e., antivax ratfuckery), Moderna has withdrawn their application for their eagerly anticipated COVID-flu combo vaccine. This vaccine offered better protection than getting each shot separately.
h/t @merz.bsky.social
Moderna withdraws application for COVID-flu combination vaccine
Moderna said on Wednesday it has withdrawn an application seeking approval for its flu and COVID combination vaccine candidate after discussions with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
www.reuters.com
May 22, 2025 at 6:46 AM
This is absolutely terrible news.
With the shifting regulatory climate (i.e., antivax ratfuckery), Moderna has withdrawn their application for their eagerly anticipated COVID-flu combo vaccine. This vaccine offered better protection than getting each shot separately.
h/t @merz.bsky.social
With the shifting regulatory climate (i.e., antivax ratfuckery), Moderna has withdrawn their application for their eagerly anticipated COVID-flu combo vaccine. This vaccine offered better protection than getting each shot separately.
h/t @merz.bsky.social
Reposted by Susan Perkins
say it again:
4 million people work in higher ed, the largest employer in 10 states, second largest employer in 10 more, and in 60 of the 100 biggest cities
ROI for NIH and NSF for local economies is conservatively 4x, often close to 10x
demolishing higher education is economic sabotage
4 million people work in higher ed, the largest employer in 10 states, second largest employer in 10 more, and in 60 of the 100 biggest cities
ROI for NIH and NSF for local economies is conservatively 4x, often close to 10x
demolishing higher education is economic sabotage
There is a false dichotomy drawn between "the ivory tower" and "the real world," and I'm here to report that in a post-industrial society, your real-world economy absolutely hinges on the university.
University towns are factory towns. Universities drive economic activity, not the other way around.
University towns are factory towns. Universities drive economic activity, not the other way around.
A must read
May 18, 2025 at 1:45 PM
say it again:
4 million people work in higher ed, the largest employer in 10 states, second largest employer in 10 more, and in 60 of the 100 biggest cities
ROI for NIH and NSF for local economies is conservatively 4x, often close to 10x
demolishing higher education is economic sabotage
4 million people work in higher ed, the largest employer in 10 states, second largest employer in 10 more, and in 60 of the 100 biggest cities
ROI for NIH and NSF for local economies is conservatively 4x, often close to 10x
demolishing higher education is economic sabotage
Reposted by Susan Perkins
OK, this is wild.
In September 2023, geophysicists across the world started monitoring a very odd signal coming from the ground under them.
It was picked up in the Arctic. And Antarctica. It was detected everywhere, every 90 seconds, as regular as a metronome, for *nine days*.
What the HELL?
1/
In September 2023, geophysicists across the world started monitoring a very odd signal coming from the ground under them.
It was picked up in the Arctic. And Antarctica. It was detected everywhere, every 90 seconds, as regular as a metronome, for *nine days*.
What the HELL?
1/
May 12, 2025 at 3:20 PM
OK, this is wild.
In September 2023, geophysicists across the world started monitoring a very odd signal coming from the ground under them.
It was picked up in the Arctic. And Antarctica. It was detected everywhere, every 90 seconds, as regular as a metronome, for *nine days*.
What the HELL?
1/
In September 2023, geophysicists across the world started monitoring a very odd signal coming from the ground under them.
It was picked up in the Arctic. And Antarctica. It was detected everywhere, every 90 seconds, as regular as a metronome, for *nine days*.
What the HELL?
1/
She is so ridiculous.
May 5, 2025 at 2:03 AM
She is so ridiculous.
As I remember the amazing and special @jillsobule.bsky.social , this one just went up several notches. It’s brilliant and fun - just like her. open.spotify.com/track/26Cm9S...
Karen by Night
Jill Sobule · Jill Sobule · Song · 1995
open.spotify.com
May 3, 2025 at 1:49 AM
As I remember the amazing and special @jillsobule.bsky.social , this one just went up several notches. It’s brilliant and fun - just like her. open.spotify.com/track/26Cm9S...
Hey everyone! Your friendly microbiologist here with a PSA. Measles can wipe out a lots of your B cells…the memory cells of your immune system. It’s called “immune amnesia” - so, you might survive the measles infection…but your immunity to every other infection could be lost/diminished for years.
May 3, 2025 at 1:45 AM
Hey everyone! Your friendly microbiologist here with a PSA. Measles can wipe out a lots of your B cells…the memory cells of your immune system. It’s called “immune amnesia” - so, you might survive the measles infection…but your immunity to every other infection could be lost/diminished for years.
For decades, the US raced to be the best in STEM. Now, while we are in a race to literally sustain human life on this planet, the US has benched its starters and canceled all training camps. It won’t just end our country - it may cause the extinction of our species. www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Trump proposes unprecedented budget cuts to US science
Huge reductions, if enacted, could have ‘catastrophic’ effects on US competitiveness and the scientific pipeline, critics say.
www.nature.com
May 3, 2025 at 12:47 AM
For decades, the US raced to be the best in STEM. Now, while we are in a race to literally sustain human life on this planet, the US has benched its starters and canceled all training camps. It won’t just end our country - it may cause the extinction of our species. www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Just read the phrase “rapidly evolving research landscape.” I would prefer “temporarily bass-ackwards.”
April 29, 2025 at 11:28 AM
Just read the phrase “rapidly evolving research landscape.” I would prefer “temporarily bass-ackwards.”
Such a good essay! “If the federal government holds an abiding distrust of universities, why would it leave the nation’s research infrastructure even more completely in their hands?” www.chronicle.com/article/the-...
Opinion | The Incoherent Policy Change Wreaking Havoc on University Research
The fight over NIH indirect costs has high stakes.
www.chronicle.com
April 8, 2025 at 10:50 AM
Such a good essay! “If the federal government holds an abiding distrust of universities, why would it leave the nation’s research infrastructure even more completely in their hands?” www.chronicle.com/article/the-...
For freaks sake, stop saying protestors are paid. It’s literally what the protests were about - I.e., paying to get what you want as opposed to democratic decisions.
April 6, 2025 at 2:09 PM
For freaks sake, stop saying protestors are paid. It’s literally what the protests were about - I.e., paying to get what you want as opposed to democratic decisions.
It will be live.
April 4, 2025 at 3:10 AM
It will be live.
Everyone download this now. open.spotify.com/track/7kjg2N...
The Revolution Will Not Be Televised
Gil Scott-Heron · Pieces of a Man · Song · 1971
open.spotify.com
April 4, 2025 at 3:09 AM
Everyone download this now. open.spotify.com/track/7kjg2N...
Rapa Nui is magical!!
You're seeing a hypothesis being tested: Terry Hunt & Carl Lipo (anthropology faculty at U of Hawai'i) investigated oral legends that Easter Island Moai statues "walked" from the quarry to their locations by the sea, where they stare into the island, signifying the spirit of ancestors & leaders.
April 1, 2025 at 12:11 AM
Rapa Nui is magical!!
Reposted by Susan Perkins
THIS IS HUGE! Researchers at McMaster University have discovered a NEW peptide antibiotic that targets a broad range of disease-causing bacteria INCLUDING those RESISTANT to existing antibiotics. This discovery marks the first potential new class of antibiotics in NEARLY 30 YEARS. 🧪🧵⬇️
March 31, 2025 at 4:00 PM
THIS IS HUGE! Researchers at McMaster University have discovered a NEW peptide antibiotic that targets a broad range of disease-causing bacteria INCLUDING those RESISTANT to existing antibiotics. This discovery marks the first potential new class of antibiotics in NEARLY 30 YEARS. 🧪🧵⬇️
Or play Question of the Day on @wfuv.bsky.social and do this every day! It’s on their app and you can stream the station from anywhere!
Hard to say no to music curation
March 30, 2025 at 1:00 PM
Or play Question of the Day on @wfuv.bsky.social and do this every day! It’s on their app and you can stream the station from anywhere!
Who wore it better?
March 30, 2025 at 12:37 AM
Who wore it better?
Everyone needs to see the new film “Counted Out: Math is Power” - it’s vital!!
I've said this before: the way math is taught to children is usually entirely computational, math that a calculator can help with. Full of numbers, no proofs.
In other words, the *exact* kind of math that'll traumatize people with dyscalculia. That'll traumatize them into avoiding math.
In other words, the *exact* kind of math that'll traumatize people with dyscalculia. That'll traumatize them into avoiding math.
March 29, 2025 at 1:22 PM
Everyone needs to see the new film “Counted Out: Math is Power” - it’s vital!!