Mark Peifer (He, him)
@peiferlabunc.bsky.social
Cell adhesion, cytoskeletal regulation, Wnt signaling & wherever science leads us + wildflowers & my own idiosyncratic views. First gen college grad
Diversity, equity & Inclusion are core American Values
https://peiferlab.web.unc.edu
Diversity, equity & Inclusion are core American Values
https://peiferlab.web.unc.edu
Reposted by Mark Peifer (He, him)
Lots of problems with multi year funding mechanism. Far fewer grants can be funded and they can only be funded for 4, not 5 years even though most grants funded by the normal mechanism are 5 years. It’s a back door way for Russell Vought to choke off science funding
At least prior to 2025, you could expect all years on your grant (barring major issues).
The main problem with MYF is the rapid transition absent an NIH budget increase. We can pay 4 grants for 1 year, or only 1 grant for 4 years. Under MYF, we can pay far fewer grants (1 instead of 4).
The main problem with MYF is the rapid transition absent an NIH budget increase. We can pay 4 grants for 1 year, or only 1 grant for 4 years. Under MYF, we can pay far fewer grants (1 instead of 4).
January 17, 2026 at 8:17 PM
Lots of problems with multi year funding mechanism. Far fewer grants can be funded and they can only be funded for 4, not 5 years even though most grants funded by the normal mechanism are 5 years. It’s a back door way for Russell Vought to choke off science funding
Reposted by Mark Peifer (He, him)
NYT publishes audio of Karoline Leavitt threatening CBS over its Trump interview: “He said, ‘If it’s not out in full, we’ll sue your ass off.’” www.nytimes.com/2026/01/17/b...
‘We’ll Sue’: White House’s Warning to CBS Is Sign of a New Media Status Quo
www.nytimes.com
January 17, 2026 at 9:01 PM
NYT publishes audio of Karoline Leavitt threatening CBS over its Trump interview: “He said, ‘If it’s not out in full, we’ll sue your ass off.’” www.nytimes.com/2026/01/17/b...
Reposted by Mark Peifer (He, him)
French President Emmanuel Macron said Europe will respond to US President Trump’s new tariffs, stressing that “no intimidation will affect us.” This response comes after Trump imposed a 10% duty on all goods from Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the UK, the Netherlands because of Greenland.
January 17, 2026 at 7:51 PM
French President Emmanuel Macron said Europe will respond to US President Trump’s new tariffs, stressing that “no intimidation will affect us.” This response comes after Trump imposed a 10% duty on all goods from Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the UK, the Netherlands because of Greenland.
Reposted by Mark Peifer (He, him)
Greg Bovino was seen earlier today at the Minneapolis ICE facility dressed in a very nazi-inspired outfit. They don’t even hide anymore.
January 17, 2026 at 8:44 PM
Greg Bovino was seen earlier today at the Minneapolis ICE facility dressed in a very nazi-inspired outfit. They don’t even hide anymore.
Reposted by Mark Peifer (He, him)
In short I tell them this is likely temporary and to try and keep moving forward, focus on what they control.
This sort of fell apart when I told them I am losing my job (at the end of April) due to funding issues. But I think it also shows them by example, I have not given up on my career or them.
This sort of fell apart when I told them I am losing my job (at the end of April) due to funding issues. But I think it also shows them by example, I have not given up on my career or them.
January 17, 2026 at 6:49 PM
In short I tell them this is likely temporary and to try and keep moving forward, focus on what they control.
This sort of fell apart when I told them I am losing my job (at the end of April) due to funding issues. But I think it also shows them by example, I have not given up on my career or them.
This sort of fell apart when I told them I am losing my job (at the end of April) due to funding issues. But I think it also shows them by example, I have not given up on my career or them.
Reposted by Mark Peifer (He, him)
I talk about how in science we are used to focusing on part of a problem and steadily chipping away at it. This is no different. Find your fight and how you can help. Chip away at it.
The only way is through.
The only way is through.
January 17, 2026 at 6:54 PM
I talk about how in science we are used to focusing on part of a problem and steadily chipping away at it. This is no different. Find your fight and how you can help. Chip away at it.
The only way is through.
The only way is through.
Reposted by Mark Peifer (He, him)
I can’t just do science. I have to organize, protest, volunteer beyond science, so that we can keep having science. Even in better times, science benefits when scientists participate in society broadly and deeply. I encourage my students to find where they can make a difference beyond our lab.
January 17, 2026 at 7:54 PM
I can’t just do science. I have to organize, protest, volunteer beyond science, so that we can keep having science. Even in better times, science benefits when scientists participate in society broadly and deeply. I encourage my students to find where they can make a difference beyond our lab.
Reposted by Mark Peifer (He, him)
Getting asked about how academics can continue to do science & inspire trainees even in the midst of a continued (escalated) assault on science, reason, truth, & human rights. I don’t have great answers.
I would love to hear from mentors about advice they’re giving to trainees/ colleagues.
I would love to hear from mentors about advice they’re giving to trainees/ colleagues.
January 17, 2026 at 6:47 PM
Getting asked about how academics can continue to do science & inspire trainees even in the midst of a continued (escalated) assault on science, reason, truth, & human rights. I don’t have great answers.
I would love to hear from mentors about advice they’re giving to trainees/ colleagues.
I would love to hear from mentors about advice they’re giving to trainees/ colleagues.
Reposted by Mark Peifer (He, him)
Justice Department asks federal judge to deny special master for Epstein files reut.rs/3NrpzeL
Justice Department asks federal judge to deny special master for Epstein files
The U.S. Justice Department has asked a New York federal judge to deny a request by two lawmakers seeking an appointment of a special master to monitor the public release of records tied to the late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
reut.rs
January 17, 2026 at 7:35 PM
Justice Department asks federal judge to deny special master for Epstein files reut.rs/3NrpzeL
Reposted by Mark Peifer (He, him)
Four GOP Senators.
At most four Repubs in the House.
Together they could stop nearly all the mad-king's rampages. They would be known to history as Profiles in Courage. They might/would lose the next election. But people have sacrificed a lot more, for a lot less.
At most four Repubs in the House.
Together they could stop nearly all the mad-king's rampages. They would be known to history as Profiles in Courage. They might/would lose the next election. But people have sacrificed a lot more, for a lot less.
I can't repeat this enough.
I've said this before and I'll say it again.
It would only take a tiny handful of Republican Congress members or senators to stop the slide of America toward authoritarian fascism, but nope. They're all in.
It would only take a tiny handful of Republican Congress members or senators to stop the slide of America toward authoritarian fascism, but nope. They're all in.
January 17, 2026 at 8:41 PM
Four GOP Senators.
At most four Repubs in the House.
Together they could stop nearly all the mad-king's rampages. They would be known to history as Profiles in Courage. They might/would lose the next election. But people have sacrificed a lot more, for a lot less.
At most four Repubs in the House.
Together they could stop nearly all the mad-king's rampages. They would be known to history as Profiles in Courage. They might/would lose the next election. But people have sacrificed a lot more, for a lot less.
Reposted by Mark Peifer (He, him)
Running Nazis out of town and then whimsical cardboard sleds at Powderhorn - you just have to love Minneapolis.
January 17, 2026 at 8:59 PM
Running Nazis out of town and then whimsical cardboard sleds at Powderhorn - you just have to love Minneapolis.
Reposted by Mark Peifer (He, him)
June 2024: "Arkansas Congressman Steve Womack‘s [(R)] son James Phillip Womack was sentenced to eight years in prison after pleading guilty to distributing methamphetamine."
Jan. 2026: Trump pardons James Phillip Womack.
arktimes.com/arkansas-blo...
www.justice.gov/pardon/media...
Jan. 2026: Trump pardons James Phillip Womack.
arktimes.com/arkansas-blo...
www.justice.gov/pardon/media...
January 17, 2026 at 8:41 PM
June 2024: "Arkansas Congressman Steve Womack‘s [(R)] son James Phillip Womack was sentenced to eight years in prison after pleading guilty to distributing methamphetamine."
Jan. 2026: Trump pardons James Phillip Womack.
arktimes.com/arkansas-blo...
www.justice.gov/pardon/media...
Jan. 2026: Trump pardons James Phillip Womack.
arktimes.com/arkansas-blo...
www.justice.gov/pardon/media...
Reposted by Mark Peifer (He, him)
It's a shame more white men over 35 aren't yelling at them then. Get to work.
ICE seems to get completely flummoxed when they’re being yelled at by white men over 35. They kind of put their heads down and shuffle their feet. It’s like their kryptonite.
January 17, 2026 at 6:08 PM
It's a shame more white men over 35 aren't yelling at them then. Get to work.
Reposted by Mark Peifer (He, him)
that’s right
Spanberger ends relationship between ICE and Virginia State Police
“This is an absolutely huge first step because it sends a message that she cares about the trust that the community has with the government, not just law enforcement,” immigration advocate Luis Aguila...
www.wvtf.org
January 17, 2026 at 8:33 PM
that’s right
Reposted by Mark Peifer (He, him)
DE ICER
ICE OUT OF MN
Powderhorn Art Sled Rally
Minneapolis
ICE OUT OF MN
Powderhorn Art Sled Rally
Minneapolis
January 17, 2026 at 8:24 PM
DE ICER
ICE OUT OF MN
Powderhorn Art Sled Rally
Minneapolis
ICE OUT OF MN
Powderhorn Art Sled Rally
Minneapolis
Reposted by Mark Peifer (He, him)
I try really hard to keep this account focused on professional updates. But I can’t stay silent.
Whatever your politics, religion, or personal beliefs:
Please be our voice.
Please help amplify attention on what’s happening.
Please don’t stay silent.
#DigitalBlackoutIran
#IranMassacre
#Iran
Whatever your politics, religion, or personal beliefs:
Please be our voice.
Please help amplify attention on what’s happening.
Please don’t stay silent.
#DigitalBlackoutIran
#IranMassacre
#Iran
January 17, 2026 at 9:09 PM
I try really hard to keep this account focused on professional updates. But I can’t stay silent.
Whatever your politics, religion, or personal beliefs:
Please be our voice.
Please help amplify attention on what’s happening.
Please don’t stay silent.
#DigitalBlackoutIran
#IranMassacre
#Iran
Whatever your politics, religion, or personal beliefs:
Please be our voice.
Please help amplify attention on what’s happening.
Please don’t stay silent.
#DigitalBlackoutIran
#IranMassacre
#Iran
Reposted by Mark Peifer (He, him)
My graduate ethics course was canceled after I refused to censor discussions of race, gender, and sexuality. Ethics is about people and power, not scripted silence. This is bigger than one class. I address it in my next video, premiering at 5:00 PM today.
youtu.be/wP_W3AHcDxY
youtu.be/wP_W3AHcDxY
Texas A&M CANCELED My Ethics Course: I Refused to CENSOR my RACE.
YouTube video by The Bright Professor
youtu.be
January 17, 2026 at 7:20 PM
My graduate ethics course was canceled after I refused to censor discussions of race, gender, and sexuality. Ethics is about people and power, not scripted silence. This is bigger than one class. I address it in my next video, premiering at 5:00 PM today.
youtu.be/wP_W3AHcDxY
youtu.be/wP_W3AHcDxY
Reposted by Mark Peifer (He, him)
Full survey results show American public have high levels of confidence in scientists while revealing some partisan differences (including on how to fund science), but statements asserting lost trust should be read instead as intentional efforts to degrade trust.
www.pewresearch.org/science/2026...
www.pewresearch.org/science/2026...
January 16, 2026 at 3:25 PM
Full survey results show American public have high levels of confidence in scientists while revealing some partisan differences (including on how to fund science), but statements asserting lost trust should be read instead as intentional efforts to degrade trust.
www.pewresearch.org/science/2026...
www.pewresearch.org/science/2026...
Reposted by Mark Peifer (He, him)
Right-wing influencer Jake Lang is stuck in a window recess against Minneapolis City Hall.
He’s soaked with freezing water after counterprotesters hurled water balloons at him. bit.ly/4baGhJn
He’s soaked with freezing water after counterprotesters hurled water balloons at him. bit.ly/4baGhJn
January 17, 2026 at 7:09 PM
Right-wing influencer Jake Lang is stuck in a window recess against Minneapolis City Hall.
He’s soaked with freezing water after counterprotesters hurled water balloons at him. bit.ly/4baGhJn
He’s soaked with freezing water after counterprotesters hurled water balloons at him. bit.ly/4baGhJn
Reposted by Mark Peifer (He, him)
The NIH's new multi-year funding plan will harm many institutions, scientists, and health outcomes.
Help us stop it! Call your representatives in the U.S. Congress!
#NIH
Help us stop it! Call your representatives in the U.S. Congress!
#NIH
At least prior to 2025, you could expect all years on your grant (barring major issues).
The main problem with MYF is the rapid transition absent an NIH budget increase. We can pay 4 grants for 1 year, or only 1 grant for 4 years. Under MYF, we can pay far fewer grants (1 instead of 4).
The main problem with MYF is the rapid transition absent an NIH budget increase. We can pay 4 grants for 1 year, or only 1 grant for 4 years. Under MYF, we can pay far fewer grants (1 instead of 4).
January 17, 2026 at 6:24 PM
The NIH's new multi-year funding plan will harm many institutions, scientists, and health outcomes.
Help us stop it! Call your representatives in the U.S. Congress!
#NIH
Help us stop it! Call your representatives in the U.S. Congress!
#NIH
Reposted by Mark Peifer (He, him)
My church hosted a local neighborhood group organizing to support Minnesotans. It was packed & likely the most important event held at the church in 20 years. I say that as a church attendee whose kids were christened there. Neighbor gathering to support each other & democracy. Weather be damned.
January 17, 2026 at 7:24 PM
My church hosted a local neighborhood group organizing to support Minnesotans. It was packed & likely the most important event held at the church in 20 years. I say that as a church attendee whose kids were christened there. Neighbor gathering to support each other & democracy. Weather be damned.
Reposted by Mark Peifer (He, him)
+ many OBGYNs do not want to work in places with strict abortion bans because they don’t want to work in environments with preventable deaths or serious medical complications for their patients.
January 17, 2026 at 7:45 PM
+ many OBGYNs do not want to work in places with strict abortion bans because they don’t want to work in environments with preventable deaths or serious medical complications for their patients.
No worries--we hired someone laid off at McDonalds and they're supervising the robots
Dr Oz: "Alabama has no OBGYNs in many of their counties, so they're doing something pretty cool. They're actually having robots do ultrasounds on these pregnant moms."
January 17, 2026 at 7:55 PM
No worries--we hired someone laid off at McDonalds and they're supervising the robots
Reposted by Mark Peifer (He, him)
Hmm. 🤔
Robots doing ultrasounds is definitely the ‘pretty cool’ solution rather than asking WHY many counties have no OBGYNs willing to work there.
Many rural counties are served almost exclusively by immigrant doctors; new immigration laws will worsen this problem; but hey, we will have robots!
Robots doing ultrasounds is definitely the ‘pretty cool’ solution rather than asking WHY many counties have no OBGYNs willing to work there.
Many rural counties are served almost exclusively by immigrant doctors; new immigration laws will worsen this problem; but hey, we will have robots!
Dr Oz: "Alabama has no OBGYNs in many of their counties, so they're doing something pretty cool. They're actually having robots do ultrasounds on these pregnant moms."
January 17, 2026 at 6:35 PM
Hmm. 🤔
Robots doing ultrasounds is definitely the ‘pretty cool’ solution rather than asking WHY many counties have no OBGYNs willing to work there.
Many rural counties are served almost exclusively by immigrant doctors; new immigration laws will worsen this problem; but hey, we will have robots!
Robots doing ultrasounds is definitely the ‘pretty cool’ solution rather than asking WHY many counties have no OBGYNs willing to work there.
Many rural counties are served almost exclusively by immigrant doctors; new immigration laws will worsen this problem; but hey, we will have robots!
Reposted by Mark Peifer (He, him)
A super interesting historical review in Genetics, chosen completely at random:
pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC...
pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC...
Lysenkoism Against Genetics: The Meeting of the Lenin All-Union Academy of Agricultural Sciences of August 1948, Its Background, Causes, and Aftermath
This article reviews the ideological, political, economic, social, cultural, personal, moral, and ethical factors that determined the conduct of the Lenin All-Union Academy of Agricultural Sciences session in August 1948, as well as the immediate... ...
pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
January 16, 2026 at 6:49 PM
A super interesting historical review in Genetics, chosen completely at random:
pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC...
pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC...