Dr. Roberta Dollinger
@robertadolling1.bsky.social
PhD in biochemistry and molecular biology. Postdoc at UW-SMPH | Formerly: PhD at Penn State.| Interests: transcription, epigenetics, promoter proximal pausing, cancer, languages, travel. Opinions are my own.
This is super important because trainees also have to make life choices in this current environment and providing them with a realistic assessment of where things stand helps them do that. Many of these trainees have families that will be affected by the choices they make. Science is done by people!
I don’t have the answer to the larger question posed by the OP but I do recommend honesty. Trainees in academic science are adults. They can handle the truth. There is no point to pretending everything is/will be fine and just doing the science will see them through.
January 19, 2026 at 1:35 AM
This is super important because trainees also have to make life choices in this current environment and providing them with a realistic assessment of where things stand helps them do that. Many of these trainees have families that will be affected by the choices they make. Science is done by people!
Check on your scientist friends. They’re probably doing something really stupid like setting up an experiment that requires them to travel to lab on a Sunday in a snowstorm in order to collect/record a (negative 😩) time point.
January 18, 2026 at 8:46 PM
Check on your scientist friends. They’re probably doing something really stupid like setting up an experiment that requires them to travel to lab on a Sunday in a snowstorm in order to collect/record a (negative 😩) time point.
Oh, god. Oh, no. Not this again. I forgot the year had turned over onto a brand new one.
January 16, 2026 at 6:06 PM
Oh, god. Oh, no. Not this again. I forgot the year had turned over onto a brand new one.
Reposted by Dr. Roberta Dollinger
I have been modeling the impact of multi-year funding.
Based on fairly reasonable assumptions, 50% multi-year funding, the number of new and competing awards is anticipated to drop to approximately 6000 compared to 10,000 had there been no multi-year funding above the historical background rate.
Based on fairly reasonable assumptions, 50% multi-year funding, the number of new and competing awards is anticipated to drop to approximately 6000 compared to 10,000 had there been no multi-year funding above the historical background rate.
January 13, 2026 at 1:51 PM
I have been modeling the impact of multi-year funding.
Based on fairly reasonable assumptions, 50% multi-year funding, the number of new and competing awards is anticipated to drop to approximately 6000 compared to 10,000 had there been no multi-year funding above the historical background rate.
Based on fairly reasonable assumptions, 50% multi-year funding, the number of new and competing awards is anticipated to drop to approximately 6000 compared to 10,000 had there been no multi-year funding above the historical background rate.
Oh, this is bad.
Clarification: Volkow was confirming the demand to fund half of their awards as multi-year funded continues in this Fiscal Year.
January 13, 2026 at 1:43 PM
Oh, this is bad.
This is dressing up “better than what we feared” as “things are fine.” Things are not fine. Single-digit budget cuts are still a huge strain on programs that have been underfunded for years.
Congress released reconciled versions of three appropriations bills that will set funding levels for key federal science agencies. Despite minor cuts, Senate Appropriations Committee chair Susan Collins (R-ME) says the bills will “spur scientific research.” cen.acs.org/policy/resea...
#chemsky 🧪
#chemsky 🧪
Federal science agencies dodge big funding cuts for 2026
Recently released appropriations language spares NSF, EPA, and other agencies from Trump’s proposed budget reductions
cen.acs.org
January 7, 2026 at 3:25 PM
This is dressing up “better than what we feared” as “things are fine.” Things are not fine. Single-digit budget cuts are still a huge strain on programs that have been underfunded for years.
Reposted by Dr. Roberta Dollinger
If you are submitting an NIH grant in February, you will be required to use SciENcv to prepare you biosketch.
IT IS MUCH WORSE THAN YOU CAN POSSIBLY IMAGINE.
Set aside *at least* 4 hours just to transfer an existing an biosketch into SciENcv.
IT IS MUCH WORSE THAN YOU CAN POSSIBLY IMAGINE.
Set aside *at least* 4 hours just to transfer an existing an biosketch into SciENcv.
January 6, 2026 at 11:29 PM
If you are submitting an NIH grant in February, you will be required to use SciENcv to prepare you biosketch.
IT IS MUCH WORSE THAN YOU CAN POSSIBLY IMAGINE.
Set aside *at least* 4 hours just to transfer an existing an biosketch into SciENcv.
IT IS MUCH WORSE THAN YOU CAN POSSIBLY IMAGINE.
Set aside *at least* 4 hours just to transfer an existing an biosketch into SciENcv.
Reposted by Dr. Roberta Dollinger
The first two hours this morning
January 5, 2026 at 11:21 AM
The first two hours this morning
Reposted by Dr. Roberta Dollinger
When I explain to people what is involved with writing a successful grant, they simply don’t believe me.
I explained it once to a famous person from Pixar, and he looked me square in the eye and said: You mean all the cancer and Alzheimer’s grants work that way? You’ve gotta be &$%#ing kidding me!
I explained it once to a famous person from Pixar, and he looked me square in the eye and said: You mean all the cancer and Alzheimer’s grants work that way? You’ve gotta be &$%#ing kidding me!
I don't think you non-science people realize what it takes to get a grant funded by NIH. Started experiments in Sept 2021 to generate 3 new mouse mutants to model human disease. Prelim dara shows they have relevant disease phenotypes worthy of study. Need a small grant first to characterize /1
January 3, 2026 at 1:14 AM
When I explain to people what is involved with writing a successful grant, they simply don’t believe me.
I explained it once to a famous person from Pixar, and he looked me square in the eye and said: You mean all the cancer and Alzheimer’s grants work that way? You’ve gotta be &$%#ing kidding me!
I explained it once to a famous person from Pixar, and he looked me square in the eye and said: You mean all the cancer and Alzheimer’s grants work that way? You’ve gotta be &$%#ing kidding me!
Reposted by Dr. Roberta Dollinger
I don't think you non-science people realize what it takes to get a grant funded by NIH. Started experiments in Sept 2021 to generate 3 new mouse mutants to model human disease. Prelim dara shows they have relevant disease phenotypes worthy of study. Need a small grant first to characterize /1
January 2, 2026 at 3:19 AM
I don't think you non-science people realize what it takes to get a grant funded by NIH. Started experiments in Sept 2021 to generate 3 new mouse mutants to model human disease. Prelim dara shows they have relevant disease phenotypes worthy of study. Need a small grant first to characterize /1
I think everyone in the comments is overlooking an even more basic technical problem with this, which is “How do I find SAT scores from >10+ years ago?” Like…where does one even log in? Genuinely wouldn’t know where to start.
This article advocates for the “Faculty Merit Act” that would — get this — require all faculty applicants to submit their *SAT* scores. 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 Holy shirts that’s hilarious.
January 3, 2026 at 2:29 AM
I think everyone in the comments is overlooking an even more basic technical problem with this, which is “How do I find SAT scores from >10+ years ago?” Like…where does one even log in? Genuinely wouldn’t know where to start.
Reposted by Dr. Roberta Dollinger
Jan 1: this is the year of new Me
Jan 12: [eating shredded cheese directly from the bag] new years resolutions are a bourgeois construct for disciplining bodies into productive units for capital
Jan 12: [eating shredded cheese directly from the bag] new years resolutions are a bourgeois construct for disciplining bodies into productive units for capital
January 1, 2026 at 10:43 PM
Jan 1: this is the year of new Me
Jan 12: [eating shredded cheese directly from the bag] new years resolutions are a bourgeois construct for disciplining bodies into productive units for capital
Jan 12: [eating shredded cheese directly from the bag] new years resolutions are a bourgeois construct for disciplining bodies into productive units for capital
In happy news: it is 4:30 pm and not yet pitch black outside.
January 1, 2026 at 10:30 PM
In happy news: it is 4:30 pm and not yet pitch black outside.
Reposted by Dr. Roberta Dollinger
On delayed application review, the NIH grant terminations lawsuit appears to be headed for a settlement.
Both plaintiffs and defendants have submitted a joint document outlining their agreement. Judge Young must sign off on it before it takes effect.
Here's what it says and what all this means 🧵
Both plaintiffs and defendants have submitted a joint document outlining their agreement. Judge Young must sign off on it before it takes effect.
Here's what it says and what all this means 🧵
December 29, 2025 at 11:49 PM
On delayed application review, the NIH grant terminations lawsuit appears to be headed for a settlement.
Both plaintiffs and defendants have submitted a joint document outlining their agreement. Judge Young must sign off on it before it takes effect.
Here's what it says and what all this means 🧵
Both plaintiffs and defendants have submitted a joint document outlining their agreement. Judge Young must sign off on it before it takes effect.
Here's what it says and what all this means 🧵
Reposted by Dr. Roberta Dollinger
Heads up I will be hiring a postdoc and some techs in the new year! Lots of ephys and fiber photometry. If you've got soon to graduate PhD students or undergrads, send 'em my way!
December 27, 2025 at 4:18 PM
Heads up I will be hiring a postdoc and some techs in the new year! Lots of ephys and fiber photometry. If you've got soon to graduate PhD students or undergrads, send 'em my way!
Reposted by Dr. Roberta Dollinger
Cat Clinging To Side Of Christmas Tree Admits That Was Extent Of Plan https://theonion.com/cat-clinging-to-side-of-christmas-tree-admits-that-was-1849899567/
December 26, 2025 at 3:00 PM
Cat Clinging To Side Of Christmas Tree Admits That Was Extent Of Plan https://theonion.com/cat-clinging-to-side-of-christmas-tree-admits-that-was-1849899567/
For me it’s whoever keeps moving the milk from the door of the fridge. 😒
I am locked in an epic battle with someone in this house who keeps turning the toilet paper the wrong way. Christmas is about to get violent.
December 26, 2025 at 12:22 AM
For me it’s whoever keeps moving the milk from the door of the fridge. 😒
Reposted by Dr. Roberta Dollinger
(please share) Immediate #postdoc job opening in the Millman lab at WashU Med (St. Louis, MO).
Want to develop next-generation pancreatic islets for the study and treatment of diabetes? Email your CV to apply
sites.wustl.edu/millmanlab/
Want to develop next-generation pancreatic islets for the study and treatment of diabetes? Email your CV to apply
sites.wustl.edu/millmanlab/
December 19, 2025 at 8:25 PM
(please share) Immediate #postdoc job opening in the Millman lab at WashU Med (St. Louis, MO).
Want to develop next-generation pancreatic islets for the study and treatment of diabetes? Email your CV to apply
sites.wustl.edu/millmanlab/
Want to develop next-generation pancreatic islets for the study and treatment of diabetes? Email your CV to apply
sites.wustl.edu/millmanlab/
Reposted by Dr. Roberta Dollinger
Ahem. There are immense benefits (both personal and societal) to having a broad education, so I’m going to be That Guy™️ and say that yes, you and everyone else SHOULD learn about iambic pentameter.
College is not vocational school. Being college-educated should mean more than "trained to do a job." There is joy in living a full intellectual life. If you don't want that, vocational programs are available for a fraction of the cost
If you are providing me with an education that is low utility in the world then it’s a disservice. My composition class spent four weeks on poetry. I’m sorry, but that only would’ve been useful if I wanted to be a poet. I don’t need to know iambic pentameter in order to be a victim advocate.
December 18, 2025 at 9:51 PM
Ahem. There are immense benefits (both personal and societal) to having a broad education, so I’m going to be That Guy™️ and say that yes, you and everyone else SHOULD learn about iambic pentameter.
Re-upping this in the hopes it reaches some blood people?
Shot in the dark, but has anyone tried transfecting EOL-1 cells (using lentiviruses, electroporation, or otherwise) and succeeded? We’re having some issues with these cells but it seems to be very vector-specific. Would appreciate any insight/reposts.
December 18, 2025 at 12:21 AM
Re-upping this in the hopes it reaches some blood people?
Reposted by Dr. Roberta Dollinger
Psst: Postdocs, figures should not be included in your specific aims page. Now you know for Feb/March submissions.
grants.nih.gov/grants-proce...
grants.nih.gov/grants-proce...
Format Attachments | Grants & Funding
grants.nih.gov
December 16, 2025 at 9:10 PM
Psst: Postdocs, figures should not be included in your specific aims page. Now you know for Feb/March submissions.
grants.nih.gov/grants-proce...
grants.nih.gov/grants-proce...
Shot in the dark, but has anyone tried transfecting EOL-1 cells (using lentiviruses, electroporation, or otherwise) and succeeded? We’re having some issues with these cells but it seems to be very vector-specific. Would appreciate any insight/reposts.
December 16, 2025 at 9:37 PM
Shot in the dark, but has anyone tried transfecting EOL-1 cells (using lentiviruses, electroporation, or otherwise) and succeeded? We’re having some issues with these cells but it seems to be very vector-specific. Would appreciate any insight/reposts.
Reposted by Dr. Roberta Dollinger
This is Pancho. He’s mad because he asked for five more minutes and then you woke him up five minutes later. Unforgivable. 12/10 (IG: panchothediva)
December 13, 2025 at 1:11 PM
This is Pancho. He’s mad because he asked for five more minutes and then you woke him up five minutes later. Unforgivable. 12/10 (IG: panchothediva)
Reposted by Dr. Roberta Dollinger
This is classic scitwitter from the olden times. The fact that the blog post is in Georgia is just icing on the cake.
Important Font News! drugmonkey.wordpress.com/2025/12/10/i...
Important Font News!
As you know, Dear Reader, there are more NIH grants that fund when written in Arial font than any other font. Some crazed font nerds around here assert that Georgia font is the way to go, as it is …
drugmonkey.wordpress.com
December 12, 2025 at 4:33 PM
This is classic scitwitter from the olden times. The fact that the blog post is in Georgia is just icing on the cake.