Shiba Esfand
@shibaesfand.bsky.social
Clinical Psychology PhD @UCLA. NSF Graduate Research Fellow. She/her. Studying the impact of gut-brain axis on mental health in youth 🧠
Grateful to be apart of this project! Read more below 👇
New paper out in Stigma & Health! ✨
We investigated how discrimination relates to anxiety in women — and found that difficulties identifying emotions (alexithymia) may help explain the link.
🔗 [https://doi.org/10.1037/sah0000664]
We investigated how discrimination relates to anxiety in women — and found that difficulties identifying emotions (alexithymia) may help explain the link.
🔗 [https://doi.org/10.1037/sah0000664]
November 14, 2025 at 1:40 PM
Grateful to be apart of this project! Read more below 👇
Reposted by Shiba Esfand
New paper out in Stigma & Health! ✨
We investigated how discrimination relates to anxiety in women — and found that difficulties identifying emotions (alexithymia) may help explain the link.
🔗 [https://doi.org/10.1037/sah0000664]
We investigated how discrimination relates to anxiety in women — and found that difficulties identifying emotions (alexithymia) may help explain the link.
🔗 [https://doi.org/10.1037/sah0000664]
November 13, 2025 at 9:51 PM
New paper out in Stigma & Health! ✨
We investigated how discrimination relates to anxiety in women — and found that difficulties identifying emotions (alexithymia) may help explain the link.
🔗 [https://doi.org/10.1037/sah0000664]
We investigated how discrimination relates to anxiety in women — and found that difficulties identifying emotions (alexithymia) may help explain the link.
🔗 [https://doi.org/10.1037/sah0000664]
Had the incredible opportunity to discuss impacts of federal research funding cuts on @fluxsociety.bsky.social Sensitive Periods podcast with @tcheng.bsky.social @scott-delaney.bsky.social and Gabriel León. Listen and share! sensitiveperiods.buzzsprout.com/2024695/epis...
#sciencecuts #NIH #NSF
#sciencecuts #NIH #NSF
S4E2 US Funding Cuts - Sensitive Periods: A Flux Society Podcast
In this episode, we take a closer look at the devastating impacts of federal funding cuts across the United States on developmental science and its trainees. We discuss how cuts are destabilizing trai...
sensitiveperiods.buzzsprout.com
November 4, 2025 at 7:11 PM
Had the incredible opportunity to discuss impacts of federal research funding cuts on @fluxsociety.bsky.social Sensitive Periods podcast with @tcheng.bsky.social @scott-delaney.bsky.social and Gabriel León. Listen and share! sensitiveperiods.buzzsprout.com/2024695/epis...
#sciencecuts #NIH #NSF
#sciencecuts #NIH #NSF
Reposted by Shiba Esfand
🧪 Were you one of the many thousands of STEM students (and mentors) impacted by the sudden change in #NSF #GRFP eligibility last week?
We created a petition to NSF leadership and Congress to reverse the changes - please sign and share your stories here!!
laurenkuehne.github.io/grfpChanges/
We created a petition to NSF leadership and Congress to reverse the changes - please sign and share your stories here!!
laurenkuehne.github.io/grfpChanges/
Petition to NSF to Restore Eligibility for the 2026 Graduate Research Fellowship Program Competition
laurenkuehne.github.io
September 29, 2025 at 5:02 PM
🧪 Were you one of the many thousands of STEM students (and mentors) impacted by the sudden change in #NSF #GRFP eligibility last week?
We created a petition to NSF leadership and Congress to reverse the changes - please sign and share your stories here!!
laurenkuehne.github.io/grfpChanges/
We created a petition to NSF leadership and Congress to reverse the changes - please sign and share your stories here!!
laurenkuehne.github.io/grfpChanges/
Everyone deserves to have a @levelsof.bsky.social in their corner. That’s it, that’s all 🥹
August 18, 2025 at 5:51 PM
Everyone deserves to have a @levelsof.bsky.social in their corner. That’s it, that’s all 🥹
Reposted by Shiba Esfand
The Brain & Body Lab at UCLA is hiring a Staff Research Associate to work on a productive and dedicated team under the NIMH funded Teen Bugs study - investigating brain-gut communication in teens. Send your best and brightest! jobs.ucla.edu/jobs/8072
Staff Research Associate in Los Angeles, California | The Regents of the University of California on behalf of their Los Angeles Campus
UCLA is hiring a Staff Research Associate in Los Angeles, California. Review all of the job details and apply today!
jobs.ucla.edu
June 27, 2025 at 8:45 PM
The Brain & Body Lab at UCLA is hiring a Staff Research Associate to work on a productive and dedicated team under the NIMH funded Teen Bugs study - investigating brain-gut communication in teens. Send your best and brightest! jobs.ucla.edu/jobs/8072
Reposted by Shiba Esfand
So proud of @shibaesfand.bsky.social for this amazing achievement. Very well deserved. What a 🪨 ⭐️
Very honored to have recieved the NSF GRFP
amidst all the current budget cuts toward research. Feeling immense gratitude to everyone who supported me, including current @drbcallaghan.bsky.social and past @levelsof.bsky.social @diegopizzagalli.bsky.social mentors! (1/3)
amidst all the current budget cuts toward research. Feeling immense gratitude to everyone who supported me, including current @drbcallaghan.bsky.social and past @levelsof.bsky.social @diegopizzagalli.bsky.social mentors! (1/3)
June 17, 2025 at 2:29 PM
So proud of @shibaesfand.bsky.social for this amazing achievement. Very well deserved. What a 🪨 ⭐️
Very honored to have recieved the NSF GRFP
amidst all the current budget cuts toward research. Feeling immense gratitude to everyone who supported me, including current @drbcallaghan.bsky.social and past @levelsof.bsky.social @diegopizzagalli.bsky.social mentors! (1/3)
amidst all the current budget cuts toward research. Feeling immense gratitude to everyone who supported me, including current @drbcallaghan.bsky.social and past @levelsof.bsky.social @diegopizzagalli.bsky.social mentors! (1/3)
June 16, 2025 at 8:14 PM
Very honored to have recieved the NSF GRFP
amidst all the current budget cuts toward research. Feeling immense gratitude to everyone who supported me, including current @drbcallaghan.bsky.social and past @levelsof.bsky.social @diegopizzagalli.bsky.social mentors! (1/3)
amidst all the current budget cuts toward research. Feeling immense gratitude to everyone who supported me, including current @drbcallaghan.bsky.social and past @levelsof.bsky.social @diegopizzagalli.bsky.social mentors! (1/3)
Reposted by Shiba Esfand
Early career folks, please consider taking *1 minute* to sign our open letter for the future of U.S. science ✍️
@snapcoalition.bsky.social
@snapcoalition.bsky.social
EARLY CAREER RESEARCHERS - Sign on to the @snapcoalition.bsky.social open letter calling to preserve the future of the American scientific enterprise. Can sign anonymously: forms.gle/JD2iHyuyWndD...
#DefendResearch #StandUpForScience #McClintockLetters
#DefendResearch #StandUpForScience #McClintockLetters
Open Letter: A Call to Preserve the Future of American Science
The Scientist Network for Advancing Policy (SNAP) invites early-career scientists (e.g., student, post-bacc, PhD candidate, post-doctoral researcher, early-career faculty) in the United States to join...
forms.gle
June 16, 2025 at 5:33 AM
Early career folks, please consider taking *1 minute* to sign our open letter for the future of U.S. science ✍️
@snapcoalition.bsky.social
@snapcoalition.bsky.social
And I’m one of them 🥹
June 13, 2025 at 4:43 PM
And I’m one of them 🥹
Reposted by Shiba Esfand
Please consider donating to Rumeysa Ozturk's legal defense, living costs and medical care fund #Academicsky chuffed.org/project/just...
Justice for Rumeysa Ozturk
Dear Friends, Allies, and Supporters,
chuffed.org
March 31, 2025 at 12:31 AM
Please consider donating to Rumeysa Ozturk's legal defense, living costs and medical care fund #Academicsky chuffed.org/project/just...
Reposted by Shiba Esfand
The last chapter of my dissertation is out now in Child Development! 🎉 OA: srcd.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/share/KEAHK8...
April 8, 2025 at 4:22 PM
The last chapter of my dissertation is out now in Child Development! 🎉 OA: srcd.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/share/KEAHK8...
Few things feel as rewarding as your mentee telling you they got into grad school :’) I feel more emotional about this than I did about my own acceptance lol
March 13, 2025 at 7:30 PM
Few things feel as rewarding as your mentee telling you they got into grad school :’) I feel more emotional about this than I did about my own acceptance lol
GETTING READY FOR #standupforscienceLA
#standupforscience @standupforscience.bsky.social
#girlsjustwanttohavefunding
@erinmorrow.bsky.social
#standupforscience @standupforscience.bsky.social
#girlsjustwanttohavefunding
@erinmorrow.bsky.social
March 7, 2025 at 5:50 PM
Reposted by Shiba Esfand
Quick shoutout to the labs, departments, and scientists cancelling / rescheduling lab meetings, seminars and more to give students and others the chance to defend science for @standupforscience.bsky.social
March 5, 2025 at 11:21 PM
Quick shoutout to the labs, departments, and scientists cancelling / rescheduling lab meetings, seminars and more to give students and others the chance to defend science for @standupforscience.bsky.social
Reposted by Shiba Esfand
Good idea to refresh on your rights as a protester in prep for this Friday's @standupforscience.bsky.social
h/t to @jacasiegel.bsky.social for sharing this
#academicsky #psychscisky
www.aclu.org/know-your-ri...
h/t to @jacasiegel.bsky.social for sharing this
#academicsky #psychscisky
www.aclu.org/know-your-ri...
Know Your Rights | Protesters’ Rights | ACLU
The First Amendment protects your right to assemble and express your views through protest. However, police and other government officials are allowed to place certain narrow restrictions on the exerc...
www.aclu.org
March 4, 2025 at 7:28 PM
Good idea to refresh on your rights as a protester in prep for this Friday's @standupforscience.bsky.social
h/t to @jacasiegel.bsky.social for sharing this
#academicsky #psychscisky
www.aclu.org/know-your-ri...
h/t to @jacasiegel.bsky.social for sharing this
#academicsky #psychscisky
www.aclu.org/know-your-ri...
Reposted by Shiba Esfand
If these terms or concepts are present, especially in the grant title but also in the body of the grant, the POs must negotiate with the PIs to remove the “offensive” materials.
If this is successful, then the award may be issued (perhaps in an amended form).
If not, then no award.
4/n
If this is successful, then the award may be issued (perhaps in an amended form).
If not, then no award.
4/n
March 2, 2025 at 2:02 PM
If these terms or concepts are present, especially in the grant title but also in the body of the grant, the POs must negotiate with the PIs to remove the “offensive” materials.
If this is successful, then the award may be issued (perhaps in an amended form).
If not, then no award.
4/n
If this is successful, then the award may be issued (perhaps in an amended form).
If not, then no award.
4/n
Reposted by Shiba Esfand
Apparently, program officers (POs) must evaluate each grant and confirm that it complies with the Exec Orders. The objectionable topics include workforce DEIA, gender identity, environ. justice, foreign sites, and Plans for Enhancing Diverse Perspectives)
commonfund.nih.gov/humanvirome/...
3/n
commonfund.nih.gov/humanvirome/...
3/n
Plans for Enhancing Diverse Perspectives (PEDPs) | NIH Common FundLock
Plans for Enhancing Diverse Perspectives (PEDPs)To fulfill its goal of characterizing the many viruses that reside inside us without causing disease and to improve our understanding of how they impact...
commonfund.nih.gov
March 2, 2025 at 2:01 PM
Apparently, program officers (POs) must evaluate each grant and confirm that it complies with the Exec Orders. The objectionable topics include workforce DEIA, gender identity, environ. justice, foreign sites, and Plans for Enhancing Diverse Perspectives)
commonfund.nih.gov/humanvirome/...
3/n
commonfund.nih.gov/humanvirome/...
3/n
Reposted by Shiba Esfand
LA is standing up!
February 28, 2025 at 9:35 PM
LA is standing up!
Calling all my LA/SOCAL friends & colleagues please consider showing up to this amazing event and also sharing this post to help get the word out!
UCLA’s BABLAB will be showing up 💙💛
UCLA’s BABLAB will be showing up 💙💛
LA is holding a Stand Up For Science solidarity event! Join us to amplify our voices and our values at the Federal Building in Westwood at the corner of Wilshire and Veteran at 12 PM! If you’re looking for an event in your city, see standupforscience2025.org/local-events/
March 1, 2025 at 6:08 AM
Calling all my LA/SOCAL friends & colleagues please consider showing up to this amazing event and also sharing this post to help get the word out!
UCLA’s BABLAB will be showing up 💙💛
UCLA’s BABLAB will be showing up 💙💛
Reposted by Shiba Esfand
Post thanksgiving - day 4 of appreciating my BABLab peeps. Today is a highlight of our newest lab member @genesisflores.bsky.social who has more than hit the ground running, starting with an NSF GRFP, and working on a protocol paper for our new NIMH funded Teen Bugs study.
flores.bsky.social
Flores.bsky.social
November 30, 2024 at 8:00 PM
Post thanksgiving - day 4 of appreciating my BABLab peeps. Today is a highlight of our newest lab member @genesisflores.bsky.social who has more than hit the ground running, starting with an NSF GRFP, and working on a protocol paper for our new NIMH funded Teen Bugs study.
Incredibly thankful to be apart of the BABLAB, be mentored by Bridget, and to be able to talk about my science and book related interests in our meetings ❤️
Continuing our theme of giving thanks to the graduate students who make the research happen, next up for Black Friday we have a Shiba Shoutout @shibaesfand.bsky.social. Shiba joined the lab last year and has been a delight to have on our team.
November 30, 2024 at 12:41 AM
Incredibly thankful to be apart of the BABLAB, be mentored by Bridget, and to be able to talk about my science and book related interests in our meetings ❤️
Reposted by Shiba Esfand
Shiba has a great clinical mind and deep knowledge about reward circuit involvement in mental health. I appreciate the way she openly contributes this knowledge to the lab and am excited for more to come. Gratitude to Shiba for being an awesome student (& one who shares my love of #ACOTAR). 🤠🥳🧠❤️
November 29, 2024 at 9:35 PM
Shiba has a great clinical mind and deep knowledge about reward circuit involvement in mental health. I appreciate the way she openly contributes this knowledge to the lab and am excited for more to come. Gratitude to Shiba for being an awesome student (& one who shares my love of #ACOTAR). 🤠🥳🧠❤️
Reposted by Shiba Esfand
Shiba's research focus is to understand the effects of adversity on the development of reward networks, and what role the microbiome plays in the development of these circuits. She is also heavily involved in our new NIMH funded study - Teen Bugs - where we are directly addressing that question.
November 29, 2024 at 9:35 PM
Shiba's research focus is to understand the effects of adversity on the development of reward networks, and what role the microbiome plays in the development of these circuits. She is also heavily involved in our new NIMH funded study - Teen Bugs - where we are directly addressing that question.
Reposted by Shiba Esfand
She hit the ground running by organizing the lab to do a Paper in a Day #PiaD early in the summer to write up the protocol for our Mind, Brain, Body (MBB) study, which is now finished enrollment! The protocol is now published in Brain, Behavior, Immunity: Health www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
The mind, brain, and body study: A protocol for examining the effects of the gut-brain-immune axis on internalizing symptoms in youth exposed to caregiving-related early adversity
Experiences of caregiving-related adversity are common and one of the strongest predictors of internalizing psychopathology (i.e., anxiety and depress…
www.sciencedirect.com
November 29, 2024 at 9:35 PM
She hit the ground running by organizing the lab to do a Paper in a Day #PiaD early in the summer to write up the protocol for our Mind, Brain, Body (MBB) study, which is now finished enrollment! The protocol is now published in Brain, Behavior, Immunity: Health www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...