Rosa Lafer-Sousa
@rosalafersousa.bsky.social
🧠 Scientist | UW-Madison Asst. Prof 🦡 |
| Former NIH Postdoc |
Organizer & Advocate for Science, Democracy, and Labor 🧪🇺🇸✊
(opinions are my own)
| Former NIH Postdoc |
Organizer & Advocate for Science, Democracy, and Labor 🧪🇺🇸✊
(opinions are my own)
Pinned
Federal workers are speaking out on how the Trump regime is harming Americans:
"We stand here today at a moment of the greatest assault of our lifetimes on our freedoms. The US Constitution is being shredded... We are here to call on Congress to stand up and stop it."
youtu.be/uw1KwIBgrCw?...
"We stand here today at a moment of the greatest assault of our lifetimes on our freedoms. The US Constitution is being shredded... We are here to call on Congress to stand up and stop it."
youtu.be/uw1KwIBgrCw?...
Mark Histed, NIH Scientist *speaking in personal capacity
YouTube video by Civil Servants Coalition
youtu.be
🇺🇸 These dedicated public servants risked their careers to deliver an urgent message. 🚨
While the 1st amendment grants them the right to speak on matters of public concern, their protection is not guaranteed under an administration hostile to free speech.
Please take the time to listen and boost 🔥
While the 1st amendment grants them the right to speak on matters of public concern, their protection is not guaranteed under an administration hostile to free speech.
Please take the time to listen and boost 🔥
Reposted by Rosa Lafer-Sousa
Please click through and read this post and the compiled quotes. Thanks to @lpachter.bsky.social for compiling them.
This isn’t harmless; making the scientific community welcoming for everyone is part of finding the best ideas and doing the best work.
And Pachter is right about uniqueness.
This isn’t harmless; making the scientific community welcoming for everyone is part of finding the best ideas and doing the best work.
And Pachter is right about uniqueness.
Scientific breakthroughs are rarely unique; someone else would’ve made them soon enough. But when prominent scientists cause harm, that harm isn’t inevitable; the world might simply have been better had the harm not been inflicted.
liorpachter.wordpress.com/2018/05/18/j...
liorpachter.wordpress.com/2018/05/18/j...
James Watson in his own words
“Some anti-Semitism is justified” “Whenever you interview fat people, you feel bad, because you know you’re not going to hire them” “Japan should be bombed for d…
liorpachter.wordpress.com
November 8, 2025 at 2:38 PM
Please click through and read this post and the compiled quotes. Thanks to @lpachter.bsky.social for compiling them.
This isn’t harmless; making the scientific community welcoming for everyone is part of finding the best ideas and doing the best work.
And Pachter is right about uniqueness.
This isn’t harmless; making the scientific community welcoming for everyone is part of finding the best ideas and doing the best work.
And Pachter is right about uniqueness.
Reposted by Rosa Lafer-Sousa
Like you I am celebrating Tuesday's victories. However, my job is not to sugarcoat things and tell you it's all fixed. It is to warning about what to expect next and fight back.
That is why I wrote this and why I hope you read and share. www.democracydocket.com/opinion/what...
That is why I wrote this and why I hope you read and share. www.democracydocket.com/opinion/what...
What Comes Next After the 2025 Elections
Read more here.
www.democracydocket.com
November 6, 2025 at 2:43 AM
Like you I am celebrating Tuesday's victories. However, my job is not to sugarcoat things and tell you it's all fixed. It is to warning about what to expect next and fight back.
That is why I wrote this and why I hope you read and share. www.democracydocket.com/opinion/what...
That is why I wrote this and why I hope you read and share. www.democracydocket.com/opinion/what...
“Rebellions are built on hope” - Cassian Andor 💫
November 5, 2025 at 1:58 PM
“Rebellions are built on hope” - Cassian Andor 💫
Reposted by Rosa Lafer-Sousa
Some charts for those who don't know the extent of the US public (and private) investment in research (particularly in biomedical research) compared to other countries and institutions. The destruction of the US' scientific institutions has global implications.
November 2, 2025 at 10:52 AM
Some charts for those who don't know the extent of the US public (and private) investment in research (particularly in biomedical research) compared to other countries and institutions. The destruction of the US' scientific institutions has global implications.
Reposted by Rosa Lafer-Sousa
Ahead of the 1st shutdown of US food aid to hungry Americans in 60 years, some of the 200,000 Little Free Library locations are converting into food pantries. Thanks @littlefreelibrary.bsky.social
October 30, 2025 at 8:31 PM
Ahead of the 1st shutdown of US food aid to hungry Americans in 60 years, some of the 200,000 Little Free Library locations are converting into food pantries. Thanks @littlefreelibrary.bsky.social
Reposted by Rosa Lafer-Sousa
Speaker Johnson needs to stop being on vacation, admit that Americans need healthcare assistance, strike the draconian health cuts from the ugly budget bill, and get back to work so he can swear in Arizona's newly elected Representative-elect Adelita Grijalva.
October 30, 2025 at 4:55 PM
Speaker Johnson needs to stop being on vacation, admit that Americans need healthcare assistance, strike the draconian health cuts from the ugly budget bill, and get back to work so he can swear in Arizona's newly elected Representative-elect Adelita Grijalva.
Reposted by Rosa Lafer-Sousa
It is now clear that there was no real intent/strategy for reform. Kennedy's actions do not reflect what he outlined in his speeches. It will take a catastrophic event to realize what has been lost. The CDC has been crippled to a point where it is non-functional.
🧪🎁🔗 www.nytimes.com/2025/10/27/h...
🧪🎁🔗 www.nytimes.com/2025/10/27/h...
Behind the Dismantling of the C.D.C.: Reform or ‘Humiliation’?
www.nytimes.com
October 31, 2025 at 12:33 AM
It is now clear that there was no real intent/strategy for reform. Kennedy's actions do not reflect what he outlined in his speeches. It will take a catastrophic event to realize what has been lost. The CDC has been crippled to a point where it is non-functional.
🧪🎁🔗 www.nytimes.com/2025/10/27/h...
🧪🎁🔗 www.nytimes.com/2025/10/27/h...
Reposted by Rosa Lafer-Sousa
Who would've thought building a $300 million gold-plated ballroom as kids go hungry and health care costs soar would be unpopular?
Most Americans oppose East Wing demolition for Trump ballroom, poll finds
Fifty-six percent say they oppose President Donald Trump’s decision to tear down part of the White House to build a 90,000-square-foot ballroom building.
www.washingtonpost.com
October 31, 2025 at 12:09 AM
Who would've thought building a $300 million gold-plated ballroom as kids go hungry and health care costs soar would be unpopular?
Reposted by Rosa Lafer-Sousa
Someone asked me the other day*:
How do we replace all the science that’s being lost across the US as NIH, NSF etc are being lawlessly destroyed?
The answer is: we cannot. It is impossible.
The task now is to defend #NIH and public funding for medical research.
1/ 🧪 #neuroscience
How do we replace all the science that’s being lost across the US as NIH, NSF etc are being lawlessly destroyed?
The answer is: we cannot. It is impossible.
The task now is to defend #NIH and public funding for medical research.
1/ 🧪 #neuroscience
October 29, 2025 at 11:35 PM
Someone asked me the other day*:
How do we replace all the science that’s being lost across the US as NIH, NSF etc are being lawlessly destroyed?
The answer is: we cannot. It is impossible.
The task now is to defend #NIH and public funding for medical research.
1/ 🧪 #neuroscience
How do we replace all the science that’s being lost across the US as NIH, NSF etc are being lawlessly destroyed?
The answer is: we cannot. It is impossible.
The task now is to defend #NIH and public funding for medical research.
1/ 🧪 #neuroscience
Reposted by Rosa Lafer-Sousa
I wrote an explainer about the mass firings—the RIFs.
The RIFs all year have been clearly illegal. Russell Vought is using them to lawlessly clean out federal agencies. Lower court judges have said so. But the Calvinball Supreme Court has allowed them. 1/
The RIFs all year have been clearly illegal. Russell Vought is using them to lawlessly clean out federal agencies. Lower court judges have said so. But the Calvinball Supreme Court has allowed them. 1/
The mass firings have been lawless: now and all year
The first step in stopping a lawless Supreme Court is being clear about what it’s doing
scienceandfreedomalliance.substack.com
October 29, 2025 at 12:02 PM
I wrote an explainer about the mass firings—the RIFs.
The RIFs all year have been clearly illegal. Russell Vought is using them to lawlessly clean out federal agencies. Lower court judges have said so. But the Calvinball Supreme Court has allowed them. 1/
The RIFs all year have been clearly illegal. Russell Vought is using them to lawlessly clean out federal agencies. Lower court judges have said so. But the Calvinball Supreme Court has allowed them. 1/
Reposted by Rosa Lafer-Sousa
This was one of my favorite episodes I've recorded recently.
@jenna-m-norton.bsky.social and @markhisted.org are doing very important work raising awareness about science and the public.
@jenna-m-norton.bsky.social and @markhisted.org are doing very important work raising awareness about science and the public.
Science is under attack because it left the public behind.
NIH researchers @markhisted.org and @jenna-m-norton.bsky.social joined Theory of Change for a deep dive on why science has become so vulnerable to far-right attacks, and how to stand up for truth.
NIH researchers @markhisted.org and @jenna-m-norton.bsky.social joined Theory of Change for a deep dive on why science has become so vulnerable to far-right attacks, and how to stand up for truth.
Science is under attack because it left the public behind
NIH scientists Mark Histed and Jenna Norton discuss the deep connection between democratic principles and scientific progress
plus.flux.community
October 28, 2025 at 7:14 PM
This was one of my favorite episodes I've recorded recently.
@jenna-m-norton.bsky.social and @markhisted.org are doing very important work raising awareness about science and the public.
@jenna-m-norton.bsky.social and @markhisted.org are doing very important work raising awareness about science and the public.
Reposted by Rosa Lafer-Sousa
Check this out: After the shutdown, Trump’s approval fell.
The shutdown was and is bad in many ways. But this shows some important upsides.
This seems to validate the “pick big fights” theory of fighting authoritarianism.
The shutdown was and is bad in many ways. But this shows some important upsides.
This seems to validate the “pick big fights” theory of fighting authoritarianism.
Donald Trump's approval rating in our tracker has fallen to -18, the lowest it has ever been (lower than any point in his first term) www.economist.com/interactive/...
October 28, 2025 at 9:03 PM
Check this out: After the shutdown, Trump’s approval fell.
The shutdown was and is bad in many ways. But this shows some important upsides.
This seems to validate the “pick big fights” theory of fighting authoritarianism.
The shutdown was and is bad in many ways. But this shows some important upsides.
This seems to validate the “pick big fights” theory of fighting authoritarianism.
Reposted by Rosa Lafer-Sousa
TELL YOUR DEMOCRATIC SENATORS TO KEEP HOLDING THE LINE IN THE FUNDING FIGHT act.indivisible.org/sign/funding...
TELL YOUR DEMOCRATIC SENATORS TO KEEP HOLDING THE LINE IN THE FUNDING FIGHT
With historic healthcare cuts and cost increases looming, Republicans chose to force a Trump Shutdown rather than address the healthcare crisis and limit Trump’s lawless manipulation of federal funds....
act.indivisible.org
October 27, 2025 at 11:52 PM
TELL YOUR DEMOCRATIC SENATORS TO KEEP HOLDING THE LINE IN THE FUNDING FIGHT act.indivisible.org/sign/funding...
Reposted by Rosa Lafer-Sousa
I just learned about this amazing program that matches high schoolers interested in STEM with mentors, including many past and present NIH trainees. These types of programs are even more important in this day and age. If you're able to help support it, they have a gofundme.
Donate to Support PATHS: Mentorship Program for STEM High Schoolers, organized by PATHS Mentorship
The Program for Advancing The Health Sciences (PATHS) is a Vi… PATHS Mentorship needs your support for Support PATHS: Mentorship Program for STEM High Schoolers
gofund.me
October 25, 2025 at 5:01 PM
I just learned about this amazing program that matches high schoolers interested in STEM with mentors, including many past and present NIH trainees. These types of programs are even more important in this day and age. If you're able to help support it, they have a gofundme.
Reposted by Rosa Lafer-Sousa
It's hard to overstate how fully engaged Chicago and the surrounding suburbs are in this ICE madness. There are neighborhood watch alerts, spontaneous crowds gathering outside schools at pick up & drop off plus madly blowing whistles and honking car horns, this city is fighting back and hard.
October 25, 2025 at 2:14 PM
It's hard to overstate how fully engaged Chicago and the surrounding suburbs are in this ICE madness. There are neighborhood watch alerts, spontaneous crowds gathering outside schools at pick up & drop off plus madly blowing whistles and honking car horns, this city is fighting back and hard.
Reposted by Rosa Lafer-Sousa
The NIH institute director firing last Friday is very bad.
I made a video explainer about why.
Stay for last post, w link to @science.org story from @jocelynkaiser.bsky.social
1/4
🧪
I made a video explainer about why.
Stay for last post, w link to @science.org story from @jocelynkaiser.bsky.social
1/4
🧪
October 23, 2025 at 4:02 AM
The NIH institute director firing last Friday is very bad.
I made a video explainer about why.
Stay for last post, w link to @science.org story from @jocelynkaiser.bsky.social
1/4
🧪
I made a video explainer about why.
Stay for last post, w link to @science.org story from @jocelynkaiser.bsky.social
1/4
🧪
We have friends everywhere
The Empire is striking back, but we know how this story unfolds.
The Resistance stands firm & grows. Those who were trampled by the powers of darkness joined & fought back.
We are #AltGov, and we are here to help.
The fight has only just begun.
The Resistance stands firm & grows. Those who were trampled by the powers of darkness joined & fought back.
We are #AltGov, and we are here to help.
The fight has only just begun.
October 21, 2025 at 2:57 PM
We have friends everywhere
Reposted by Rosa Lafer-Sousa
“My name is Dr. Sara Teichholtz.
And I’m here because in 2023, NIH saved my life.”
From the NIH #NoKings rally this weekend.
Powerful and honest and brave from Sara. 🧪
And I’m here because in 2023, NIH saved my life.”
From the NIH #NoKings rally this weekend.
Powerful and honest and brave from Sara. 🧪
October 21, 2025 at 3:11 AM
“My name is Dr. Sara Teichholtz.
And I’m here because in 2023, NIH saved my life.”
From the NIH #NoKings rally this weekend.
Powerful and honest and brave from Sara. 🧪
And I’m here because in 2023, NIH saved my life.”
From the NIH #NoKings rally this weekend.
Powerful and honest and brave from Sara. 🧪
Reposted by Rosa Lafer-Sousa
The NIH community says yes to science, yes to democracy, and no to kings! Thank you to everyone who joined us today at the #nihvigils #nokings event! Join us every weekend on Saturdays at 10 am at the NIH Visitor Center.
October 18, 2025 at 9:24 PM
The NIH community says yes to science, yes to democracy, and no to kings! Thank you to everyone who joined us today at the #nihvigils #nokings event! Join us every weekend on Saturdays at 10 am at the NIH Visitor Center.
Reposted by Rosa Lafer-Sousa
A 60 second summary of some of the biggest and best sights from #NoKings Day.
Congratulations to every single organizer, volunteer and attendee👏
History.
Congratulations to every single organizer, volunteer and attendee👏
History.
October 19, 2025 at 12:16 PM
A 60 second summary of some of the biggest and best sights from #NoKings Day.
Congratulations to every single organizer, volunteer and attendee👏
History.
Congratulations to every single organizer, volunteer and attendee👏
History.
Reposted by Rosa Lafer-Sousa
Reposted by Rosa Lafer-Sousa
No Senator has an obligation to vote for a budget that pays the bills for the destruction of our democracy or throws millions off their health care.
This is a moment for Democrats in Congress to draw a moral line in the sand.
This is a moment for Democrats in Congress to draw a moral line in the sand.
October 19, 2025 at 2:14 AM
No Senator has an obligation to vote for a budget that pays the bills for the destruction of our democracy or throws millions off their health care.
This is a moment for Democrats in Congress to draw a moral line in the sand.
This is a moment for Democrats in Congress to draw a moral line in the sand.
