Romi Burks
@profromi.bsky.social
Ecologist prof at small college; Chocolate educator, dog lover & pupper mom to cavachons Chai & Latte & aunt RoRo
DISCLAIMER: All opinions are my own.
DISCLAIMER: All opinions are my own.
what a clever, sad & on point cartoon satire…
March 7, 2025 at 1:53 PM
what a clever, sad & on point cartoon satire…
Reposted by Romi Burks
Every US scientist needs to 100% clear that this is a fundamental attack on the process of science itself. If allowed to stand it will be the end of US science as we know it. Staying quiet because it does not (yet) target your work is not an option.
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Exclusive: NIH to terminate hundreds of active research grants
Studies that touch on LGBT+ health, gender identity and DEI in the biomedical workforce could be terminated, according to documents obtained by Nature.
www.nature.com
March 6, 2025 at 12:33 PM
Every US scientist needs to 100% clear that this is a fundamental attack on the process of science itself. If allowed to stand it will be the end of US science as we know it. Staying quiet because it does not (yet) target your work is not an option.
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
March 2, 2025 at 6:07 PM
Agreed. Lots of premature cancellations
"downsizes" is a weak way of saying "forced to cancel dozens of programs, which jeopardizes future STEM careers of talented undergrads" @science.org www.science.org/content/arti...
NSF downsizes summer research program for undergraduates
Many participants are from groups underrepresented in science
www.science.org
March 2, 2025 at 5:56 AM
Agreed. Lots of premature cancellations
Next round of #BurksLab #undergraduateresearchers @txacsci.bsky.social #TAS2025 - good work from only bring in the lab since August! My first #TAS was 20+ yrs ago! Crazy how long I’ve been doing this!
March 1, 2025 at 4:58 AM
Next round of #BurksLab #undergraduateresearchers @txacsci.bsky.social #TAS2025 - good work from only bring in the lab since August! My first #TAS was 20+ yrs ago! Crazy how long I’ve been doing this!
Nice big group of young scientists from #SouthwesternU attending @txacsci.bsky.social 2025 - molecular ecologists, physiologists, neurobiologists, chemists, engineers, computer scientists. It’s good to #celebratescience
March 1, 2025 at 4:54 AM
Nice big group of young scientists from #SouthwesternU attending @txacsci.bsky.social 2025 - molecular ecologists, physiologists, neurobiologists, chemists, engineers, computer scientists. It’s good to #celebratescience
Reposted by Romi Burks
Next up in the science education section, @profromi.bsky.social discusses a CURE based on micro plastic study in freshwater systems #TAS128
February 28, 2025 at 7:49 PM
Next up in the science education section, @profromi.bsky.social discusses a CURE based on micro plastic study in freshwater systems #TAS128
Reposted by Romi Burks
The BBC is quite correct.
February 26, 2025 at 10:30 PM
The BBC is quite correct.
9 pm - Just drove to & from Austin airport down Tollway 130. Passed “Tesla” Dr. and office building monstrosity lit up enough to see from space! This is a reflection of who is improving efficiency? #dogeisBS #turnthelightsoff #focusonyourworld
February 27, 2025 at 3:42 AM
9 pm - Just drove to & from Austin airport down Tollway 130. Passed “Tesla” Dr. and office building monstrosity lit up enough to see from space! This is a reflection of who is improving efficiency? #dogeisBS #turnthelightsoff #focusonyourworld
Reposted by Romi Burks
"Undermining the NSF is not just a threat to universities and researchers — it is a threat to the well-being of every American."
www.chronicle.com/article/the-...
www.chronicle.com/article/the-...
The Rise (and Fall?) of the National Science Foundation
In the ’50s, America declared science an “endless frontier.” We may be reaching the end of it.
www.chronicle.com
February 25, 2025 at 1:41 PM
"Undermining the NSF is not just a threat to universities and researchers — it is a threat to the well-being of every American."
www.chronicle.com/article/the-...
www.chronicle.com/article/the-...
Reposted by Romi Burks
couldn’t imagine a better colleague - would be lucky to work w @jolatimore.bsky.social
Job: Come work with me! Please repost!
We're seeking a faculty colleague whose research, teaching, and outreach focuses on water quality and freshwater ecosystems in the context of climate change. Review of applications will begin April 15, 2025.
careers.msu.edu/jobs/assista...
We're seeking a faculty colleague whose research, teaching, and outreach focuses on water quality and freshwater ecosystems in the context of climate change. Review of applications will begin April 15, 2025.
careers.msu.edu/jobs/assista...
February 20, 2025 at 7:47 PM
couldn’t imagine a better colleague - would be lucky to work w @jolatimore.bsky.social
Reposted by Romi Burks
NEW: NSF has lost about 10% of its workforce. @jonlambert.bsky.social reports on the impact at the science agency.
"These arbitrary firings and failure of leadership directly impact the agency's ability to evaluate and fund good science," says Mary Feeney, at ASU.
www.npr.org/2025/02/18/n...
"These arbitrary firings and failure of leadership directly impact the agency's ability to evaluate and fund good science," says Mary Feeney, at ASU.
www.npr.org/2025/02/18/n...
National Science Foundation fires roughly 10% of its workforce
NSF fired 168 employees, leaving the agency less equipped to fund a wide range of scientific research.
www.npr.org
February 19, 2025 at 4:35 AM
100% this. No words to thank staffers enough - Except there are other words to describe the situation w science & treatment of #NSF & #NIH in general that I’m no longer allowed to use in social media. Here I provide some alternatives:
#tragic #criminal #shortsighted #dystopic #heartbreaking
#tragic #criminal #shortsighted #dystopic #heartbreaking
February 19, 2025 at 10:10 PM
100% this. No words to thank staffers enough - Except there are other words to describe the situation w science & treatment of #NSF & #NIH in general that I’m no longer allowed to use in social media. Here I provide some alternatives:
#tragic #criminal #shortsighted #dystopic #heartbreaking
#tragic #criminal #shortsighted #dystopic #heartbreaking
None of the research I do now would occur if not for past opportunities provided by #NSF #IRES expanded my thinking and scientific toolkit. Transformative is not just an adjective - it’s actionable. 2014: apple snails from #Uruguay. 2024-2025: now able to explore diversity in #Belize.
February 19, 2025 at 10:04 PM
Not the way to tighten the belt of the federal government. Even if, any short term gain will be exponentially lost by the long term cost of devaluation of the scientific process. #leaveNSFalone #letsciencework #protectpotential #fostercuriosity #valuediveristy
It's almost as if none of these draconian cuts are about saving money. Or the price of eggs, for that matter.
From NSF’s website: ‘Our investments account for about 25% of federal support to America's colleges and universities for basic research: research driven by curiosity and discovery.’
More than 95% of NSF’s budget goes back out the door to fund science. Cutting staff won’t save much tax payer money.
More than 95% of NSF’s budget goes back out the door to fund science. Cutting staff won’t save much tax payer money.
February 19, 2025 at 9:53 PM
Not the way to tighten the belt of the federal government. Even if, any short term gain will be exponentially lost by the long term cost of devaluation of the scientific process. #leaveNSFalone #letsciencework #protectpotential #fostercuriosity #valuediveristy
Reposted by Romi Burks
nearly 11% of the NSF workforce was fired today.
this WILL slow scientific progress.
this is hurting families.
we need to educate folks about all the GOOD that the gov't can do! To help @500womensci.bsky.social has made social media cards for what #NSF funds in each state: bit.ly/NSF_bystate
this WILL slow scientific progress.
this is hurting families.
we need to educate folks about all the GOOD that the gov't can do! To help @500womensci.bsky.social has made social media cards for what #NSF funds in each state: bit.ly/NSF_bystate
February 18, 2025 at 10:11 PM
nearly 11% of the NSF workforce was fired today.
this WILL slow scientific progress.
this is hurting families.
we need to educate folks about all the GOOD that the gov't can do! To help @500womensci.bsky.social has made social media cards for what #NSF funds in each state: bit.ly/NSF_bystate
this WILL slow scientific progress.
this is hurting families.
we need to educate folks about all the GOOD that the gov't can do! To help @500womensci.bsky.social has made social media cards for what #NSF funds in each state: bit.ly/NSF_bystate
Nice to get a little good science news - '24 graduate Esme Rosas - now MS student @utrgv.bsky.social @utrgvnewsroom.bsky.social just had her #SouthwesternUniv #capstone accepted for publication. #eDNA monitoring success story #snailing #winningtheshellgame Honored 2 collaborate w @drbarnes.org
February 19, 2025 at 2:05 AM
Nice to get a little good science news - '24 graduate Esme Rosas - now MS student @utrgv.bsky.social @utrgvnewsroom.bsky.social just had her #SouthwesternUniv #capstone accepted for publication. #eDNA monitoring success story #snailing #winningtheshellgame Honored 2 collaborate w @drbarnes.org
unprecedented…uninformed…unscrupulous…undermining…unwise…unsubstantiated…unreal
This 15% cap on indirect costs for NIH grants is yet another example of the 'unprecedented' moves the Trump administration is taking to change how science is done that I wrote about today.
www.npr.org/sections/sho...
www.npr.org/sections/sho...
'Unprecedented': White House moves to control science funding worry researchers
If the Trump administration continues targeting DEI in science and seeking to slash funding, American science will look fundamentally different.
www.npr.org
February 8, 2025 at 1:53 PM
unprecedented…uninformed…unscrupulous…undermining…unwise…unsubstantiated…unreal
This is insane. Disgusting is another word. Really wish it was a post from The Onion. WTF? C’mon….Let’s not just let the gov’t disrupt science now when we [the other ppl w $$$] can dismantle the future. Who thinks all the medical ills will just vanish?
The Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the nation’s largest private funder of biomedical research, yesterday killed a $60 million program aimed at making universities’ STEM education more inclusive. scim.ag/3EtS0US
HHMI kills program aimed at boosting inclusivity in STEM education
“Inclusive excellence” program had committed $60 million to 104 institutions
scim.ag
February 7, 2025 at 2:18 PM
This is insane. Disgusting is another word. Really wish it was a post from The Onion. WTF? C’mon….Let’s not just let the gov’t disrupt science now when we [the other ppl w $$$] can dismantle the future. Who thinks all the medical ills will just vanish?
Note - need to send out to students researchers
Great study on the economic costs of invasive species in urban areas, which is >$260B in the US alone!
I think we are only scratching the surface on knowing the true economic costs of invaders.
mereconomics.com/2025/01/09/c...
I think we are only scratching the surface on knowing the true economic costs of invaders.
mereconomics.com/2025/01/09/c...
Costly new neighbors: Invasive species drain finances in urban areas
Invasive alien species pose significant threats to biodiversity and ecosystem health, simultaneously impacting human and social well-being. They are species accidentally or intentionally introduced…
mereconomics.com
February 6, 2025 at 6:12 PM
Note - need to send out to students researchers
Yep…crazy amounts. Just shared this w my methods class
February 6, 2025 at 12:40 AM
Yep…crazy amounts. Just shared this w my methods class
Reposted by Romi Burks
Got a cool & super appropriately timed thing in the mail today. My gift for renewing my @aaas.bsky.social membership - Yes #inclusion is both elemental and Fund-amental. yes, literally warranting funding. Think I’ll wear it tomorrow. #scienceadvocate #dei
February 5, 2025 at 4:09 AM
Got a cool & super appropriately timed thing in the mail today. My gift for renewing my @aaas.bsky.social membership - Yes #inclusion is both elemental and Fund-amental. yes, literally warranting funding. Think I’ll wear it tomorrow. #scienceadvocate #dei