Julie Johnston
@queermsfrizzle.bsky.social
Assistant Professor at Hampshire College. Loves wastewater microbes, nutrient cycling, outreach and social justice she/they
queermsfrizzle.com
queermsfrizzle.com
Reposted by Julie Johnston
Big news: I’m writing a book!!
I’ll be writing & illustrating a beginner’s guide to appreciating wildlife in cities/suburbs, & how all of us can make our neighborhoods better for those animals.
Thank you to my book agent @ericsmithrocks.bsky.social & the folks at Storey for believing in this book!
I’ll be writing & illustrating a beginner’s guide to appreciating wildlife in cities/suburbs, & how all of us can make our neighborhoods better for those animals.
Thank you to my book agent @ericsmithrocks.bsky.social & the folks at Storey for believing in this book!
November 20, 2025 at 2:26 PM
Big news: I’m writing a book!!
I’ll be writing & illustrating a beginner’s guide to appreciating wildlife in cities/suburbs, & how all of us can make our neighborhoods better for those animals.
Thank you to my book agent @ericsmithrocks.bsky.social & the folks at Storey for believing in this book!
I’ll be writing & illustrating a beginner’s guide to appreciating wildlife in cities/suburbs, & how all of us can make our neighborhoods better for those animals.
Thank you to my book agent @ericsmithrocks.bsky.social & the folks at Storey for believing in this book!
lowkey disappointed that my holiday break read is only about mushrooms and not The Secret Life of FUNGI as advertised.
November 30, 2025 at 12:51 AM
lowkey disappointed that my holiday break read is only about mushrooms and not The Secret Life of FUNGI as advertised.
Reposted by Julie Johnston
I can't wait to be able to run RT-qPCR in my lab!!!
Eagerly awaiting my Pocket qPCR to arrive. I can finally use my 50k units of reverse transcriptase I got from Gene and Cell Technologies a few years ago.
gaudi.ch/PocketPCR/in...
Eagerly awaiting my Pocket qPCR to arrive. I can finally use my 50k units of reverse transcriptase I got from Gene and Cell Technologies a few years ago.
gaudi.ch/PocketPCR/in...
qPocketPCR – The Ultra-Compact Real-Time PCR Thermocycler – PocketPCR
gaudi.ch
November 29, 2025 at 9:55 AM
I can't wait to be able to run RT-qPCR in my lab!!!
Eagerly awaiting my Pocket qPCR to arrive. I can finally use my 50k units of reverse transcriptase I got from Gene and Cell Technologies a few years ago.
gaudi.ch/PocketPCR/in...
Eagerly awaiting my Pocket qPCR to arrive. I can finally use my 50k units of reverse transcriptase I got from Gene and Cell Technologies a few years ago.
gaudi.ch/PocketPCR/in...
Before and after grocery shopping. I did NOT buy any potatoes. They were stolen.
November 26, 2025 at 1:38 AM
Before and after grocery shopping. I did NOT buy any potatoes. They were stolen.
Reposted by Julie Johnston
Facilitation-competition tradeoffs structure microbial niches and nitrogen cycling www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1... #jcampubs
November 10, 2025 at 4:33 PM
Facilitation-competition tradeoffs structure microbial niches and nitrogen cycling www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1... #jcampubs
First preprint as a professor and it’s… not wastewater but bees?!?!??
Lovely collab with my colleague Dr. Jennifer VanWyk. the middle authors are all the undergrads who took my bioinformatics course last spring and analyzed novel data www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Lovely collab with my colleague Dr. Jennifer VanWyk. the middle authors are all the undergrads who took my bioinformatics course last spring and analyzed novel data www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Hot and Bothered, Bees’ Gut Microbiome Shifts Under Thermal Stress and Pathogen Infection.
Understanding bumble bee gut health is imperative as these vital pollinators are subjected to pathogenic infections and thermal stress from climate change. The gut microbiome serves as an indicator fo...
www.biorxiv.org
November 9, 2025 at 4:32 PM
First preprint as a professor and it’s… not wastewater but bees?!?!??
Lovely collab with my colleague Dr. Jennifer VanWyk. the middle authors are all the undergrads who took my bioinformatics course last spring and analyzed novel data www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Lovely collab with my colleague Dr. Jennifer VanWyk. the middle authors are all the undergrads who took my bioinformatics course last spring and analyzed novel data www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Seeing Hamilton in Hartford with my niece and nephew!
We got the extra interactive version where the British set fire to the stage and force everyone to evacuate (we are all fine and the show quickly resumed)
We got the extra interactive version where the British set fire to the stage and force everyone to evacuate (we are all fine and the show quickly resumed)
November 8, 2025 at 9:03 PM
Seeing Hamilton in Hartford with my niece and nephew!
We got the extra interactive version where the British set fire to the stage and force everyone to evacuate (we are all fine and the show quickly resumed)
We got the extra interactive version where the British set fire to the stage and force everyone to evacuate (we are all fine and the show quickly resumed)
Reposted by Julie Johnston
Zara Weinberg passed away earlier this week. She joined my lab earlier this year when her postdoc lab formally closed.
She was a brilliant scientist, supportive mentor, dear friend, avid music fan, rabid believer in public transit, open science champion, and above all just an amazing human.
She was a brilliant scientist, supportive mentor, dear friend, avid music fan, rabid believer in public transit, open science champion, and above all just an amazing human.
October 31, 2025 at 1:18 PM
Zara Weinberg passed away earlier this week. She joined my lab earlier this year when her postdoc lab formally closed.
She was a brilliant scientist, supportive mentor, dear friend, avid music fan, rabid believer in public transit, open science champion, and above all just an amazing human.
She was a brilliant scientist, supportive mentor, dear friend, avid music fan, rabid believer in public transit, open science champion, and above all just an amazing human.
Reposted by Julie Johnston
Yes, some people's legacies are complicated. For example, Watson. After all, though he was racist, don't forget his other traits. For example, he was also sexist. And also anti-semitic. And a data / idea thief. So let's not forget all the different facets.
November 8, 2025 at 12:52 AM
Yes, some people's legacies are complicated. For example, Watson. After all, though he was racist, don't forget his other traits. For example, he was also sexist. And also anti-semitic. And a data / idea thief. So let's not forget all the different facets.
Reposted by Julie Johnston
Zara Weinberg was a brilliant, loving, and beautiful woman. She inspired everyone who she interacted with, and always strived to make the world a better place for everyone. Tho the world is a little less bright today without her, her memory will always be a blessing.
She was truly one of the best.
She was truly one of the best.
October 30, 2025 at 8:55 PM
Zara Weinberg was a brilliant, loving, and beautiful woman. She inspired everyone who she interacted with, and always strived to make the world a better place for everyone. Tho the world is a little less bright today without her, her memory will always be a blessing.
She was truly one of the best.
She was truly one of the best.
Reposted by Julie Johnston
The Leading Edge Fellows gathered this week to celebrate Zara Weinberg, a beloved member of our community. Our 7th cohort of Leading Edge Fellows (2026) will be named in her honor.
The Zara Weinberg Leading Edge Cohort application is now open! Due Feb 2.
www.leadingedgesymposium.org/apply/
The Zara Weinberg Leading Edge Cohort application is now open! Due Feb 2.
www.leadingedgesymposium.org/apply/
November 5, 2025 at 5:48 PM
The Leading Edge Fellows gathered this week to celebrate Zara Weinberg, a beloved member of our community. Our 7th cohort of Leading Edge Fellows (2026) will be named in her honor.
The Zara Weinberg Leading Edge Cohort application is now open! Due Feb 2.
www.leadingedgesymposium.org/apply/
The Zara Weinberg Leading Edge Cohort application is now open! Due Feb 2.
www.leadingedgesymposium.org/apply/
Trying to explain daylight saving to a hungry dog who doesn’t know why it’s not dinner time.
November 3, 2025 at 9:56 PM
Trying to explain daylight saving to a hungry dog who doesn’t know why it’s not dinner time.
Reposted by Julie Johnston
We have to absolutely hammer this home: Science suffers without the values embedded in DEI 🧪
The Python Software Foundation was recommended for a $1.5M grant from the National Science Foundation. The terms of the award said PSF could not work on DEI, whether or not the grant funding was used for it.
PSF therefore declined the funding.
Science suffers, but commitment to core values remains
PSF therefore declined the funding.
Science suffers, but commitment to core values remains
TLDR; The PSF has made the decision to put our community and our shared diversity, equity, and inclusion values ahead of seeking $1.5M in new revenue. Please read and share. pyfound.blogspot.com/2025/10/NSF-...
🧵
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October 28, 2025 at 3:09 PM
We have to absolutely hammer this home: Science suffers without the values embedded in DEI 🧪
Reposted by Julie Johnston
Your ability to eat should not depend on your productivity
Your ability to get healthcare should not depend on your productivity
Your ability to get housing should not depend on your productivity
Saying “be more productive!” To those who are struggling devalues human life.
It aids fascism.
Your ability to get healthcare should not depend on your productivity
Your ability to get housing should not depend on your productivity
Saying “be more productive!” To those who are struggling devalues human life.
It aids fascism.
October 28, 2025 at 4:29 AM
Your ability to eat should not depend on your productivity
Your ability to get healthcare should not depend on your productivity
Your ability to get housing should not depend on your productivity
Saying “be more productive!” To those who are struggling devalues human life.
It aids fascism.
Your ability to get healthcare should not depend on your productivity
Your ability to get housing should not depend on your productivity
Saying “be more productive!” To those who are struggling devalues human life.
It aids fascism.
Last week was water quality sampling but one overly enthusiastic member of the team kept messing up our turbidity measurements by splashing everywhere.
October 27, 2025 at 10:45 PM
Last week was water quality sampling but one overly enthusiastic member of the team kept messing up our turbidity measurements by splashing everywhere.
Reposted by Julie Johnston
It's that time of year again... time for #DisabledInSTEM 2026 Mentorship applications! I'm so excited to be running this program for the sixth year and seeing the growth over the years!
Mentee form: forms.gle/um5DvYnBi3tn...
Mentor form: forms.gle/BvaxnQm8uhUR...
Applications due December 5th!
Mentee form: forms.gle/um5DvYnBi3tn...
Mentor form: forms.gle/BvaxnQm8uhUR...
Applications due December 5th!
October 20, 2025 at 4:44 PM
It's that time of year again... time for #DisabledInSTEM 2026 Mentorship applications! I'm so excited to be running this program for the sixth year and seeing the growth over the years!
Mentee form: forms.gle/um5DvYnBi3tn...
Mentor form: forms.gle/BvaxnQm8uhUR...
Applications due December 5th!
Mentee form: forms.gle/um5DvYnBi3tn...
Mentor form: forms.gle/BvaxnQm8uhUR...
Applications due December 5th!
One of these things is not like the others... I just wanted to be included in Farm Fest.
October 17, 2025 at 1:38 PM
One of these things is not like the others... I just wanted to be included in Farm Fest.
“were testing ammonia concentrations next week! samples will be from the campus reservoir and throughout the farm unless someone is brave enough to get us our nitrogen source from animal fertilizer aka urine!”
::unflinching student who takes care of our pigs”
“Yup.”
The dedication ::chefs kiss::
::unflinching student who takes care of our pigs”
“Yup.”
The dedication ::chefs kiss::
September 30, 2025 at 1:07 AM
“were testing ammonia concentrations next week! samples will be from the campus reservoir and throughout the farm unless someone is brave enough to get us our nitrogen source from animal fertilizer aka urine!”
::unflinching student who takes care of our pigs”
“Yup.”
The dedication ::chefs kiss::
::unflinching student who takes care of our pigs”
“Yup.”
The dedication ::chefs kiss::
My student helped me modify Harpers urn!
Now she can continue to growl at me!
Now she can continue to growl at me!
September 19, 2025 at 8:56 PM
My student helped me modify Harpers urn!
Now she can continue to growl at me!
Now she can continue to growl at me!
first day of the semester. two classes and too many student project.
What fun.
What fun.
three men in armor are standing next to each other with the words so it begins written on the bottom
ALT: three men in armor are standing next to each other with the words so it begins written on the bottom
media.tenor.com
September 3, 2025 at 1:42 PM
first day of the semester. two classes and too many student project.
What fun.
What fun.
Finally got my dissertation artwork tattooed (art by @fsantoriello.bsky.social)
They're super adorable, based on the Ramones and the colors are the seasons since my work was seasonal changed in wastewater microbiome (red-summer, orange-fall, blue-winter spring-green)
They're super adorable, based on the Ramones and the colors are the seasons since my work was seasonal changed in wastewater microbiome (red-summer, orange-fall, blue-winter spring-green)
August 21, 2025 at 2:30 PM
Finally got my dissertation artwork tattooed (art by @fsantoriello.bsky.social)
They're super adorable, based on the Ramones and the colors are the seasons since my work was seasonal changed in wastewater microbiome (red-summer, orange-fall, blue-winter spring-green)
They're super adorable, based on the Ramones and the colors are the seasons since my work was seasonal changed in wastewater microbiome (red-summer, orange-fall, blue-winter spring-green)
Reposted by Julie Johnston
Is there another way to BLAST the entire NCBI-nr database using a server other than NCBI?
I tried ENA browser SSS & it’s taking hours for a single protein.
Broader question: are there contingency plans being made by international bioinformatics community in case NCBI is no longer supported?
I tried ENA browser SSS & it’s taking hours for a single protein.
Broader question: are there contingency plans being made by international bioinformatics community in case NCBI is no longer supported?
July 16, 2025 at 6:32 PM
Is there another way to BLAST the entire NCBI-nr database using a server other than NCBI?
I tried ENA browser SSS & it’s taking hours for a single protein.
Broader question: are there contingency plans being made by international bioinformatics community in case NCBI is no longer supported?
I tried ENA browser SSS & it’s taking hours for a single protein.
Broader question: are there contingency plans being made by international bioinformatics community in case NCBI is no longer supported?
Reposted by Julie Johnston
Six 6️⃣ tips on communicating effectively with politicians.
From @jacquelyngill.bsky.social some time ago.
From @jacquelyngill.bsky.social some time ago.
July 3, 2025 at 12:50 PM
Six 6️⃣ tips on communicating effectively with politicians.
From @jacquelyngill.bsky.social some time ago.
From @jacquelyngill.bsky.social some time ago.
Reposted by Julie Johnston
$53.5M for Connecticut
The Trump administration is currently holding hostage nearly $7B in federal funding for K-12 schools--funding that was supposed to be distributed yesterday.
They've stolen $80M from Wisconsin students and teachers alone. How much have they stolen from your state?
www.edweek.org/policy-polit...
They've stolen $80M from Wisconsin students and teachers alone. How much have they stolen from your state?
www.edweek.org/policy-polit...
See How Much School Funding Trump Is Holding Back From Your State
The administration is holding back nearly $7 billion for English learners, after-school programs, professional development, and more.
www.edweek.org
July 2, 2025 at 1:17 PM
$53.5M for Connecticut