Cameron LaMack
@proflamack.bsky.social
Incoming Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering at Quinnipiac University
Neuroprosthetics and control researcher | Engineering is inherently politically
Robotics + Empathy + Biomimetics + WH40k + Magic: The Gathering + DnD
Opinions are my own
Neuroprosthetics and control researcher | Engineering is inherently politically
Robotics + Empathy + Biomimetics + WH40k + Magic: The Gathering + DnD
Opinions are my own
Reposted by Cameron LaMack
"I don't want a Disney vacation of our history! I don't a whitewashed history, I don't want a homogenized history. Tell me the wretched truth about America, because that speaks to our greatness" -- 20 hours into his speech, Cory Booker is spitting absolute 🔥
April 1, 2025 at 7:47 PM
"I don't want a Disney vacation of our history! I don't a whitewashed history, I don't want a homogenized history. Tell me the wretched truth about America, because that speaks to our greatness" -- 20 hours into his speech, Cory Booker is spitting absolute 🔥
A paper we wrote about teaching empathy to engineering students. Students showed significant increases on an empathy scale.
#AcademicSky 🧪
Paper link:
link.springer.com/article/10.1...
#AcademicSky 🧪
Paper link:
link.springer.com/article/10.1...
How Engineering Students Learn and are Impacted by Empathy Training: A Multi-year Study of an Empathy Program Focused on Disability and Technology - Biomedical Engineering Education
Purpose Measurable results of efforts to teach empathy to engineering students are sparse and somewhat mixed. This study’s objectives are (O1) to understand how empathy training affects students’ prof...
link.springer.com
March 31, 2025 at 6:08 PM
A paper we wrote about teaching empathy to engineering students. Students showed significant increases on an empathy scale.
#AcademicSky 🧪
Paper link:
link.springer.com/article/10.1...
#AcademicSky 🧪
Paper link:
link.springer.com/article/10.1...
Just saw a cat on a leash; it’s all gonna be ok
March 10, 2025 at 9:52 PM
Just saw a cat on a leash; it’s all gonna be ok
Saw an old tweet that doing a PhD was like doing a group project with yourself from 4 years ago.
Had a moment today where I was thinking of all the past Camerons and was like, “Aw! What little guys! I’m so proud of them for trying their best and getting me here”
#AcademicSky
Had a moment today where I was thinking of all the past Camerons and was like, “Aw! What little guys! I’m so proud of them for trying their best and getting me here”
#AcademicSky
February 11, 2025 at 12:41 AM
Saw an old tweet that doing a PhD was like doing a group project with yourself from 4 years ago.
Had a moment today where I was thinking of all the past Camerons and was like, “Aw! What little guys! I’m so proud of them for trying their best and getting me here”
#AcademicSky
Had a moment today where I was thinking of all the past Camerons and was like, “Aw! What little guys! I’m so proud of them for trying their best and getting me here”
#AcademicSky
Reposted by Cameron LaMack
Reposted by Cameron LaMack
The NIH overhead cut doesn't just hurt universities.
It's deadly to the US economy.
The US is a world leader in tech due to the ecosystem that NIH and NSF propel. It drives innovation for tech transfer, creates a highly-skilled sci/tech workforce, and fosters academic/industry crossfertilization.
It's deadly to the US economy.
The US is a world leader in tech due to the ecosystem that NIH and NSF propel. It drives innovation for tech transfer, creates a highly-skilled sci/tech workforce, and fosters academic/industry crossfertilization.
2. While NSF and NIH indeed have a mission to fund specific research innovations via grantmaking, they do a lot more than that.
Their principal role is support a scientific ecosystem in the United States, that includes everything from education and training to infrastructure and communication.
Their principal role is support a scientific ecosystem in the United States, that includes everything from education and training to infrastructure and communication.
February 8, 2025 at 2:03 AM
The NIH overhead cut doesn't just hurt universities.
It's deadly to the US economy.
The US is a world leader in tech due to the ecosystem that NIH and NSF propel. It drives innovation for tech transfer, creates a highly-skilled sci/tech workforce, and fosters academic/industry crossfertilization.
It's deadly to the US economy.
The US is a world leader in tech due to the ecosystem that NIH and NSF propel. It drives innovation for tech transfer, creates a highly-skilled sci/tech workforce, and fosters academic/industry crossfertilization.
I’m sure there’s a world where folks see this as, “There’s less money being wasted on ‘non-research related costs.’”
But what’s the point of a greater proportion of money going towards lab equipment if it’s housed in decrepit buildings with less staff to handle paperwork? 🧪 #academicsky
But what’s the point of a greater proportion of money going towards lab equipment if it’s housed in decrepit buildings with less staff to handle paperwork? 🧪 #academicsky
For the record- if this happens for NSF too (and I assume it will), it will devastate R1 universities.
⚠️ Effective Monday 2/10/25, NIH indirect rate capped at 15%. Applies to existing & future grants.
—> Deep budget cuts & program closures coming to a university near you.
Is this the break the glass moment for university administrators who have been silent so far about the attack on science?
—> Deep budget cuts & program closures coming to a university near you.
Is this the break the glass moment for university administrators who have been silent so far about the attack on science?
February 8, 2025 at 6:57 PM
I’m sure there’s a world where folks see this as, “There’s less money being wasted on ‘non-research related costs.’”
But what’s the point of a greater proportion of money going towards lab equipment if it’s housed in decrepit buildings with less staff to handle paperwork? 🧪 #academicsky
But what’s the point of a greater proportion of money going towards lab equipment if it’s housed in decrepit buildings with less staff to handle paperwork? 🧪 #academicsky
Studies show that folks who major in STEM fields tend to score lower on evaluations of empathy. Unanswered q is whether folks with lower levels of empathy choose STEM fields or whether STEM education atrophies it.
Here’s why teaching empathy and ethics is important for STEM 🧪 #AcademicSky #philsci
Here’s why teaching empathy and ethics is important for STEM 🧪 #AcademicSky #philsci
February 6, 2025 at 11:45 AM
Studies show that folks who major in STEM fields tend to score lower on evaluations of empathy. Unanswered q is whether folks with lower levels of empathy choose STEM fields or whether STEM education atrophies it.
Here’s why teaching empathy and ethics is important for STEM 🧪 #AcademicSky #philsci
Here’s why teaching empathy and ethics is important for STEM 🧪 #AcademicSky #philsci
Reposted by Cameron LaMack
Censoring the language of science (the pursuit of Truth) to align better with a political ideology sure does seem like fascism.
I think it’s on us, the academic/scientific community, to not yield Truth in pursuit of publication. 🧪 #AcademicSky #philsci
insidemedicine.substack.com/p/breaking-n...
I think it’s on us, the academic/scientific community, to not yield Truth in pursuit of publication. 🧪 #AcademicSky #philsci
insidemedicine.substack.com/p/breaking-n...
BREAKING NEWS: CDC orders mass retraction and revision of submitted research across all science and medicine journals. Banned terms must be scrubbed.
Any unpublished manuscript mentioning certain topics, including gender and "LGBT," must be pulled or revised.
insidemedicine.substack.com
February 2, 2025 at 1:42 PM
Censoring the language of science (the pursuit of Truth) to align better with a political ideology sure does seem like fascism.
I think it’s on us, the academic/scientific community, to not yield Truth in pursuit of publication. 🧪 #AcademicSky #philsci
insidemedicine.substack.com/p/breaking-n...
I think it’s on us, the academic/scientific community, to not yield Truth in pursuit of publication. 🧪 #AcademicSky #philsci
insidemedicine.substack.com/p/breaking-n...
Reposted by Cameron LaMack
Every safety regulation was written in blood, frequently with a body count higher than one, and it’s not political to put the blame on people who want to “move fast and break things” when they start breaking human lives.
January 30, 2025 at 4:08 AM
Every safety regulation was written in blood, frequently with a body count higher than one, and it’s not political to put the blame on people who want to “move fast and break things” when they start breaking human lives.
One of the unexpected joys of teaching an undergrad dynamics course is solving the homework myself!
You mean I get paid to solve problems I know have answer that I can find in a relatively short amount of time?? Not a years long open-ended research problem??
#AcademicSky
You mean I get paid to solve problems I know have answer that I can find in a relatively short amount of time?? Not a years long open-ended research problem??
#AcademicSky
January 30, 2025 at 4:56 PM
One of the unexpected joys of teaching an undergrad dynamics course is solving the homework myself!
You mean I get paid to solve problems I know have answer that I can find in a relatively short amount of time?? Not a years long open-ended research problem??
#AcademicSky
You mean I get paid to solve problems I know have answer that I can find in a relatively short amount of time?? Not a years long open-ended research problem??
#AcademicSky
Reposted by Cameron LaMack
And it's not just scientists. The US being a world leader in scientific research means that there's a whole industry built around serving the needs of scientists. From consumables to instruments, to people like my cousin who services fume hoods. This is an attack on a true American greatness.
I think some people hear “grants” and think that without them, scientists and government workers just have less stuff to play with at work. But grants fund salaries for students, academics, researchers, and people who work in all areas of public service.
“Pausing” grants means people don’t eat.
“Pausing” grants means people don’t eat.
White House pauses all federal grants, sparking confusion
The Trump administration has put a hold on all federal financial grants and loans, affecting tens of billions of dollars in payments.
www.washingtonpost.com
January 28, 2025 at 8:16 AM
And it's not just scientists. The US being a world leader in scientific research means that there's a whole industry built around serving the needs of scientists. From consumables to instruments, to people like my cousin who services fume hoods. This is an attack on a true American greatness.
Who woulda thought that investing in research and education is an overall good, both for humanity and the economy 🤔🤔🤔
#AcademicSky
#AcademicSky
"At the same time that we see Chinese innovation arising from the investments they’ve made in their education system, the Trump Administration is waging outright war on the American system of research and development. A civil war, but for knowledge."
buildcognitiveresonance.substack.com/p/deepirony
buildcognitiveresonance.substack.com/p/deepirony
DeepIrony
China innovates as America burns
buildcognitiveresonance.substack.com
January 29, 2025 at 11:13 AM
Who woulda thought that investing in research and education is an overall good, both for humanity and the economy 🤔🤔🤔
#AcademicSky
#AcademicSky
One (1) NSF REU grant supported 3 summers of working with students from engineering to oceanography to industrial and fashion design, introducing them to human-focused rehab engineering.
My advisor was a director of the REU site; it solidified my desire to mentor and teach young people 🧪
My advisor was a director of the REU site; it solidified my desire to mentor and teach young people 🧪
January 29, 2025 at 3:16 AM
One (1) NSF REU grant supported 3 summers of working with students from engineering to oceanography to industrial and fashion design, introducing them to human-focused rehab engineering.
My advisor was a director of the REU site; it solidified my desire to mentor and teach young people 🧪
My advisor was a director of the REU site; it solidified my desire to mentor and teach young people 🧪
Solid 6
Just a few more days until the premiere of Ask Hank Anything on January 29th at youtube.com/complexly.
Which Hank are you feeling like today?
@hankgreen.bsky.social
Which Hank are you feeling like today?
@hankgreen.bsky.social
January 28, 2025 at 4:24 PM
Solid 6
Since I’m new, I’ll shamelessly share some of my work!
We demonstrated a method for untangling measurements of a whole-system to be used to predict subsystem dynamic behavior. Each subsystem prediction model can share the same source of whole-system data. 🧪
🔗 doi.org/10.1088/2632...
We demonstrated a method for untangling measurements of a whole-system to be used to predict subsystem dynamic behavior. Each subsystem prediction model can share the same source of whole-system data. 🧪
🔗 doi.org/10.1088/2632...
Global system errors to simultaneously improve the identification of subsystems with mixed data Gaussian process regression - IOPscienceSearch
Global system errors to simultaneously improve the identification of subsystems with mixed data Gaussian process regression, LaMack, Cameron J, Schearer, Eric M
doi.org
January 27, 2025 at 8:31 PM
Since I’m new, I’ll shamelessly share some of my work!
We demonstrated a method for untangling measurements of a whole-system to be used to predict subsystem dynamic behavior. Each subsystem prediction model can share the same source of whole-system data. 🧪
🔗 doi.org/10.1088/2632...
We demonstrated a method for untangling measurements of a whole-system to be used to predict subsystem dynamic behavior. Each subsystem prediction model can share the same source of whole-system data. 🧪
🔗 doi.org/10.1088/2632...
Interesting read!
“…[PhD] candidates in natural sciences and engineering may experience ‘close guidance’ and a ‘hierarchical work environment’, leading them to identify more as a student.”
I think there’s strength in the heterogeneity; candidates are LEARNING to be independent
#AcademicSky
“…[PhD] candidates in natural sciences and engineering may experience ‘close guidance’ and a ‘hierarchical work environment’, leading them to identify more as a student.”
I think there’s strength in the heterogeneity; candidates are LEARNING to be independent
#AcademicSky
Are PhD candidates students, employees or a combination of both? It’s a subject of ongoing debate – and, according to a new study, one that divides the candidates themselves
#AcademicSky #highered
#AcademicSky #highered
PhD candidates divided on whether they’re students or employees
While majority do see themselves as staff, discipline and stage of PhD likely to influence how candidates perceive their role, researchers say
www.timeshighereducation.com
January 27, 2025 at 12:18 PM
Interesting read!
“…[PhD] candidates in natural sciences and engineering may experience ‘close guidance’ and a ‘hierarchical work environment’, leading them to identify more as a student.”
I think there’s strength in the heterogeneity; candidates are LEARNING to be independent
#AcademicSky
“…[PhD] candidates in natural sciences and engineering may experience ‘close guidance’ and a ‘hierarchical work environment’, leading them to identify more as a student.”
I think there’s strength in the heterogeneity; candidates are LEARNING to be independent
#AcademicSky
Reposted by Cameron LaMack
“Who goes Nazi” from 1941 harpers.org/archive/1941...
January 25, 2025 at 3:26 AM
“Who goes Nazi” from 1941 harpers.org/archive/1941...
Interesting thread on the intersection of science and political agendas
The world has been through anti-science cycles before, to disastrous results
On a detour on my lit review, a mosey through the history of our familiar friend, the standard onion (Allium cepa) brought me right to one of botany's greatest cautionary tales of what happens when ideology overrides data
On a detour on my lit review, a mosey through the history of our familiar friend, the standard onion (Allium cepa) brought me right to one of botany's greatest cautionary tales of what happens when ideology overrides data
January 25, 2025 at 2:29 PM
Interesting thread on the intersection of science and political agendas
Reposted by Cameron LaMack
The price of eggs in the US is spiking, mostly due to #H5N1 bird flu. Solving the problem requires urgent, important communications from the CDC & FDA* and rapid development of research by the NIH**
* Currently paused by Executive Order
** Grant reviews now all canceled
www.kcur.org/news/2025-01...
* Currently paused by Executive Order
** Grant reviews now all canceled
www.kcur.org/news/2025-01...
Egg prices are soaring again. Here’s why and what to expect
Bird flu has killed millions of hens in recent weeks, shrinking the supply of eggs and hiking up prices at grocery stores.
www.kcur.org
January 23, 2025 at 5:18 PM
The price of eggs in the US is spiking, mostly due to #H5N1 bird flu. Solving the problem requires urgent, important communications from the CDC & FDA* and rapid development of research by the NIH**
* Currently paused by Executive Order
** Grant reviews now all canceled
www.kcur.org/news/2025-01...
* Currently paused by Executive Order
** Grant reviews now all canceled
www.kcur.org/news/2025-01...
Wow. Just wow. One of the largest funding agencies for health research can’t fund research.
All NIH study sections canceled indefinitely. This will halt science and devastate research budgets in universities.
January 23, 2025 at 12:44 AM
Wow. Just wow. One of the largest funding agencies for health research can’t fund research.