Stacey Kigar
@staceykigar.bsky.social
Research Associate, University of Cambridge | Leading Edge fellow | first-gen academic | molecular biologist studying effects of stress across the lifespan 🧠🩸🧬
this is shocking.
“The prohibited activities would include joint research, co-authorship on papers, and advising a foreign graduate student or postdoctoral fellow. The language is retroactive, meaning any interactions during the previous 5 years could make a scientist ineligible for future federal funding.”
U.S. Congress considers sweeping ban on Chinese collaborations
Researchers speak out against proposal that would bar funding for U.S. scientists working with Chinese partners or training Chinese students
www.science.org
November 14, 2025 at 7:00 AM
this is shocking.
Reposted by Stacey Kigar
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/
Reposted by Stacey Kigar
thank you for all the support; the statement from our union is now live here with some more reporting.
now that this is public I can confirm that the majority of today’s layoffs were women of color. there are no longer any Black women working at Teen Vogue.
now that this is public I can confirm that the majority of today’s layoffs were women of color. there are no longer any Black women working at Teen Vogue.
November 3, 2025 at 11:25 PM
thank you for all the support; the statement from our union is now live here with some more reporting.
now that this is public I can confirm that the majority of today’s layoffs were women of color. there are no longer any Black women working at Teen Vogue.
now that this is public I can confirm that the majority of today’s layoffs were women of color. there are no longer any Black women working at Teen Vogue.
not taking #caturday for granted as our super senior (i.e., nearly 20y old) lady gave us a proper health scare this week. (thankfully she seems to be on the mend)
November 1, 2025 at 11:22 PM
not taking #caturday for granted as our super senior (i.e., nearly 20y old) lady gave us a proper health scare this week. (thankfully she seems to be on the mend)
Zara was an incredibly inspiring scientist, activist, and leader within our community of Leading Edge Fellows. She will be deeply missed by all those who had the pleasure of interacting with her.
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.
November 1, 2025 at 12:01 PM
Zara was an incredibly inspiring scientist, activist, and leader within our community of Leading Edge Fellows. She will be deeply missed by all those who had the pleasure of interacting with her.
Incredible new work from the McKinley Lab @karalmckinley.bsky.social describing menstruating mice and stem cell renewal in the uterus! Congrats to an amazing team 🐭🧬🔬
I’m thrilled to share my postdoc work and the first paper from the McKinley Lab! 🎉
@karalmckinley.bsky.social
We built the first transgenic model of menstruation in mice.
We used it to uncover how the endometrium organizes and sheds during menstruation. 🧪
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
🧵
@karalmckinley.bsky.social
We built the first transgenic model of menstruation in mice.
We used it to uncover how the endometrium organizes and sheds during menstruation. 🧪
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
🧵
Induction of menstruation in mice reveals the regulation of menstrual shedding
During menstruation, an inner layer of the endometrium is selectively shed, while an outer, progenitor-containing layer is preserved to support repeated regeneration. Progress in understanding this co...
www.biorxiv.org
October 13, 2025 at 5:26 AM
Incredible new work from the McKinley Lab @karalmckinley.bsky.social describing menstruating mice and stem cell renewal in the uterus! Congrats to an amazing team 🐭🧬🔬
Reposted by Stacey Kigar
📣📣We're seeking a postdoc to join us at the @mrclmb.bsky.social to investigate neuroimmune interactomes in tumour & viral immunity.
If you find fascinating & want to learn about #neuroscience & #immunology, tracing neurons, molecular biology & #flowcytometry, apply!
🧠🫁👀🩸🔬
mrc.tal.net/vx/mobile-0/...
If you find fascinating & want to learn about #neuroscience & #immunology, tracing neurons, molecular biology & #flowcytometry, apply!
🧠🫁👀🩸🔬
mrc.tal.net/vx/mobile-0/...
October 1, 2025 at 11:26 AM
📣📣We're seeking a postdoc to join us at the @mrclmb.bsky.social to investigate neuroimmune interactomes in tumour & viral immunity.
If you find fascinating & want to learn about #neuroscience & #immunology, tracing neurons, molecular biology & #flowcytometry, apply!
🧠🫁👀🩸🔬
mrc.tal.net/vx/mobile-0/...
If you find fascinating & want to learn about #neuroscience & #immunology, tracing neurons, molecular biology & #flowcytometry, apply!
🧠🫁👀🩸🔬
mrc.tal.net/vx/mobile-0/...
Congrats to Varun, Xinhe, and the team on this very important work
It is now clear that more people are being diagnosed as autistic in their teens and as adults than in childhood. A prevailing theory is that those diagnosed later have "milder" form of autism, and later diagnosis entirely due to social factors.
October 1, 2025 at 9:39 PM
Congrats to Varun, Xinhe, and the team on this very important work
Reposted by Stacey Kigar
JUST IN: Jane Goodall, primatologist who transformed our understanding of the lives of apes, has died, according to an announcement from the Jane Goodall Institute.
Jane Goodall, legendary primatologist, has died at age 91
Jane Goodall, primatologist who transformed our understanding of the lives of apes, has died, according to an announcement from the Jane Goodall Institute.
n.pr
October 1, 2025 at 6:34 PM
JUST IN: Jane Goodall, primatologist who transformed our understanding of the lives of apes, has died, according to an announcement from the Jane Goodall Institute.
Reposted by Stacey Kigar
Upcoming seminar:
🎓Dr Stacey Kigar @staceykigar.bsky.social @medcambridge.bsky.social
📢"Chronic stress-mediated effects on the immune system: links to mental health"
📅 1-2PM, Thur 2 October
📍JCBC @cambridgebiocampus.bsky.social
buff.ly/ggnAwDO
#CITIID #MedSky #ImmunoSky 🧪
🎓Dr Stacey Kigar @staceykigar.bsky.social @medcambridge.bsky.social
📢"Chronic stress-mediated effects on the immune system: links to mental health"
📅 1-2PM, Thur 2 October
📍JCBC @cambridgebiocampus.bsky.social
buff.ly/ggnAwDO
#CITIID #MedSky #ImmunoSky 🧪
September 29, 2025 at 12:30 PM
Upcoming seminar:
🎓Dr Stacey Kigar @staceykigar.bsky.social @medcambridge.bsky.social
📢"Chronic stress-mediated effects on the immune system: links to mental health"
📅 1-2PM, Thur 2 October
📍JCBC @cambridgebiocampus.bsky.social
buff.ly/ggnAwDO
#CITIID #MedSky #ImmunoSky 🧪
🎓Dr Stacey Kigar @staceykigar.bsky.social @medcambridge.bsky.social
📢"Chronic stress-mediated effects on the immune system: links to mental health"
📅 1-2PM, Thur 2 October
📍JCBC @cambridgebiocampus.bsky.social
buff.ly/ggnAwDO
#CITIID #MedSky #ImmunoSky 🧪
Reposted by Stacey Kigar
Happy to share our new preprint on BBB mechanobiology on bioRxiv:
www.biorxiv.org/cgi/content/...
We describe an exciting new link between tight junctions and cell-matrix adhesions during BBB maturation and in epileptic BBB dysfunction.
www.biorxiv.org/cgi/content/...
We describe an exciting new link between tight junctions and cell-matrix adhesions during BBB maturation and in epileptic BBB dysfunction.
Endothelial tight junctions and cell-matrix adhesions reciprocally control blood-brain barrier integrity
Brain endothelial cells (ECs) rely on mechanical cues to provide a physical barrier that protects the brain. Yet how ECs integrate forces to establish and maintain the blood-brain barrier (BBB) remain...
www.biorxiv.org
September 12, 2025 at 10:43 AM
Happy to share our new preprint on BBB mechanobiology on bioRxiv:
www.biorxiv.org/cgi/content/...
We describe an exciting new link between tight junctions and cell-matrix adhesions during BBB maturation and in epileptic BBB dysfunction.
www.biorxiv.org/cgi/content/...
We describe an exciting new link between tight junctions and cell-matrix adhesions during BBB maturation and in epileptic BBB dysfunction.
Reposted by Stacey Kigar
There are a lot more people than one might think who refuse this tech but are shamed by users. Once the space for their opinions and voices opens up, the scene will change. These stats, 18k views, are not a coincidence for example on this preprint. People want to not, yup.
zenodo.org/records/1706...
zenodo.org/records/1706...
September 8, 2025 at 5:13 AM
There are a lot more people than one might think who refuse this tech but are shamed by users. Once the space for their opinions and voices opens up, the scene will change. These stats, 18k views, are not a coincidence for example on this preprint. People want to not, yup.
zenodo.org/records/1706...
zenodo.org/records/1706...
Check out this nice write-up of our work, out today in @natcomms.nature.com! 🧠🐁💉
Can mood disorders be driven by inflammation?
Published today in @natcomms.nature.com, @staceykigar.bsky.social & colleagues found that chronic stress may release immune cells from bone marrow in the skull, potentially contributing to depression.
buff.ly/xAz0oiS
@cam.ac.uk
Published today in @natcomms.nature.com, @staceykigar.bsky.social & colleagues found that chronic stress may release immune cells from bone marrow in the skull, potentially contributing to depression.
buff.ly/xAz0oiS
@cam.ac.uk
Depression linked to presence of immune cells in the brain’s protective layer
Immune cells released from bone marrow in the skull in response to chronic stress and adversity could play a key role in symptoms of depression and anxiety,
buff.ly
September 1, 2025 at 5:27 PM
Check out this nice write-up of our work, out today in @natcomms.nature.com! 🧠🐁💉
Reposted by Stacey Kigar
If you’ve ever compared unvaccinated kids to vaccinated kids, you’ve seen the former are more likely to die.
September 1, 2025 at 4:37 PM
If you’ve ever compared unvaccinated kids to vaccinated kids, you’ve seen the former are more likely to die.
Reposted by Stacey Kigar
One of my former students sent me an update letting me know she got into medical school and included a picture of her white coat ceremony. It made my day! Send your professors updates on what you're doing, it's a real highlight in this job.
September 1, 2025 at 4:55 PM
One of my former students sent me an update letting me know she got into medical school and included a picture of her white coat ceremony. It made my day! Send your professors updates on what you're doing, it's a real highlight in this job.
‼️ New manuscript alert ‼️ I’m thrilled to share this work examining chronic stress-related “depression” and immune cells at the blood brain barrier: www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Chronic social defeat stress induces meningeal neutrophilia via type I interferon signaling in male mice
Nature Communications - Chronic stress is a risk factor for depression, yet the mechanisms are unclear. Here, the authors show in mice that stress drives interferon-mediated neutrophil recruitment...
www.nature.com
September 1, 2025 at 10:21 AM
‼️ New manuscript alert ‼️ I’m thrilled to share this work examining chronic stress-related “depression” and immune cells at the blood brain barrier: www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Reposted by Stacey Kigar
Associate Professor position in animal physiology at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology
(to replace me basically). An amazing permanent position at a great university!
Please spread widely 🙏
www.jobbnorge.no/en/available...
(to replace me basically). An amazing permanent position at a great university!
Please spread widely 🙏
www.jobbnorge.no/en/available...
Associate Professor in molecular/cellular animal physiology (281754) | NTNU - Norwegian University of Science and Technology
Job title: Associate Professor in molecular/cellular animal physiology (281754), Employer: NTNU - Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Deadline: Monday, September 1, 2025
www.jobbnorge.no
August 18, 2025 at 11:51 AM
Associate Professor position in animal physiology at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology
(to replace me basically). An amazing permanent position at a great university!
Please spread widely 🙏
www.jobbnorge.no/en/available...
(to replace me basically). An amazing permanent position at a great university!
Please spread widely 🙏
www.jobbnorge.no/en/available...
Reposted by Stacey Kigar
Not sure how many scientists here have tried Claude Code or similar command line coding assistants. I had a complicated family property tax problem that was best solved by a brute force Monte Carlo simulation approach, so I spent a few days coding up and analyzing a model with Claude Code.
August 12, 2025 at 12:47 PM
Not sure how many scientists here have tried Claude Code or similar command line coding assistants. I had a complicated family property tax problem that was best solved by a brute force Monte Carlo simulation approach, so I spent a few days coding up and analyzing a model with Claude Code.
this is so beautifully done 👀🧬
New little mitosis watercolor #sciart artologica.etsy.com/listing/4346...
August 4, 2025 at 3:35 PM
this is so beautifully done 👀🧬
Reposted by Stacey Kigar
I spoke to Renaud Pourpe (of @lonelypipette.bsky.social fame with @epigenetique.bsky.social) about the unique challenges faced by postdocs and early-career PIs worldwide on the transition from postdoc to PI.
Lots of useful advice shared (by others):
www.alba.network/diversity-po...
Check it out.
Lots of useful advice shared (by others):
www.alba.network/diversity-po...
Check it out.
ALBA-IBRO Diversity Podcast - Season 2
Episode 4 is out. In season 2, we focus on the transition from postdoc to PI, highlighting the unique challenges faced by postdocs and early-career PIs worldwide. Hosted by the Lonely Pipette.
www.alba.network
August 2, 2025 at 11:01 PM
I spoke to Renaud Pourpe (of @lonelypipette.bsky.social fame with @epigenetique.bsky.social) about the unique challenges faced by postdocs and early-career PIs worldwide on the transition from postdoc to PI.
Lots of useful advice shared (by others):
www.alba.network/diversity-po...
Check it out.
Lots of useful advice shared (by others):
www.alba.network/diversity-po...
Check it out.
Reposted by Stacey Kigar
one cool thing about Scandinavian countries with comprehensive public health insurance is places like Denmark can do a study on… everybody and conclude that yes COVID vaccines are safe
1.6 million people showed no statistical increase in 29 adverse events after mRNA covid vax
jamanetwork.com/journals/jam... #MedSky
jamanetwork.com/journals/jam... #MedSky
Safety of JN.1-Updated mRNA COVID-19 Vaccines
This cohort study investigates the association between booster vaccinations containing the JN.1 lineage and 29 serious adverse events in Denmark.
jamanetwork.com
July 31, 2025 at 1:49 AM
one cool thing about Scandinavian countries with comprehensive public health insurance is places like Denmark can do a study on… everybody and conclude that yes COVID vaccines are safe
Reposted by Stacey Kigar
is your workplace trying to force ai on you? is a family member giving ai too much power in their life? are you sick of billionaires destroying the environment and making life worse for everyone? here's a list of resources 10+ pages long to help you fight back: docs.google.com/document/d/1...
Questioning AI Resource List
Excellent summary of major problems with companies’ focus on AI written by expert in machine learning: https://ludic.mataroa.blog/blog/i-will-fucking-piledrive-you-if-you-mention-ai-again/ Another g...
docs.google.com
July 21, 2025 at 2:18 PM
is your workplace trying to force ai on you? is a family member giving ai too much power in their life? are you sick of billionaires destroying the environment and making life worse for everyone? here's a list of resources 10+ pages long to help you fight back: docs.google.com/document/d/1...
Reposted by Stacey Kigar
I've wanted to write this article for years. About my and other's struggles to even survive sometime in #academia. Thank you to the amazing editors at @plosbiology.org that gave me the forum to write this piece. #science
Too poor to science: How wealth determines who succeeds in STEM
From student to researcher, a career in science can come with a high price tag. This Perspective explores how persistent financial barriers limit who can succeed in science, revealing how wealth shape...
journals.plos.org
June 24, 2025 at 6:09 PM
I've wanted to write this article for years. About my and other's struggles to even survive sometime in #academia. Thank you to the amazing editors at @plosbiology.org that gave me the forum to write this piece. #science
Reposted by Stacey Kigar
the thing that *really* gets me about the pivot penalty is that pivoting is one of the easiest ways to escape a toxic supervisor by fleeing the "area", at least temporarily. academia is so relational and trainees have few options if their supervisors become hostile. adding costs to this one sucks.
In my latest (the start of my 2nd year as author of @undark.org's 'Selective Pressure' column), I examine the "Pivot penalty," where new data suggest that scientists are penalized when they move into a research area outside of their home area.
undark.org/2025/07/03/o...
undark.org/2025/07/03/o...
July 7, 2025 at 2:04 PM
the thing that *really* gets me about the pivot penalty is that pivoting is one of the easiest ways to escape a toxic supervisor by fleeing the "area", at least temporarily. academia is so relational and trainees have few options if their supervisors become hostile. adding costs to this one sucks.