Moriah Szpara
@szparalab.bsky.social
Studying comparative genomics & evolution of neurotropic viruses & chronic infections, at Penn State U. We value diversity in STEM & beyond. she/her
Thanks for a fabulous visit & inspiring science and ideas, Harmit! 🍃🧫 🧬
Day 2 of Marker lectures visit to @pennstateuniv.bsky.social with some amazing meetings (including with @szparalab.bsky.social)
and yummy food
Plus I also gave a seminar.
and yummy food
Plus I also gave a seminar.
October 17, 2025 at 1:02 PM
Thanks for a fabulous visit & inspiring science and ideas, Harmit! 🍃🧫 🧬
Reposted by Moriah Szpara
Welcome to Black In Micro Week! 🎉 Don't miss today's free events - simply click the linktr.ee/BlackInMicro to 1) Register and 2) Login. Everyone is welcome to join! Show your support by donating at tinyurl.com/GiveBiM (all links in bio). #BlackInMicro #BiM2025
October 14, 2025 at 11:55 AM
Welcome to Black In Micro Week! 🎉 Don't miss today's free events - simply click the linktr.ee/BlackInMicro to 1) Register and 2) Login. Everyone is welcome to join! Show your support by donating at tinyurl.com/GiveBiM (all links in bio). #BlackInMicro #BiM2025
Reposted by Moriah Szpara
Excellent first day at @pennstateuniv.bsky.social for the Marker lectures hanging out with science celebrities @nicoleacrowley.bsky.social @drohsopretty.bsky.social @symbionticism.bsky.social
plus several more folks I was too shy to ask for selfies
plus several more folks I was too shy to ask for selfies
October 15, 2025 at 2:20 AM
Excellent first day at @pennstateuniv.bsky.social for the Marker lectures hanging out with science celebrities @nicoleacrowley.bsky.social @drohsopretty.bsky.social @symbionticism.bsky.social
plus several more folks I was too shy to ask for selfies
plus several more folks I was too shy to ask for selfies
Reposted by Moriah Szpara
This year's Trainee Satellite Symposium at #ASV2025 is a trainee-only session "Exploring the Intersection of Culture, Communication, And Mentorship in Science". It will feature speakers Beronda Montgomery, Robert Fernandez, and Olivia Goldman. Find out more here: asv.org/2025/06/19/t...
Trainee Satellite Workshop | American Society for Virology
ORGANIZERS: Roberto Miguel Alers-Velazquez, Dartmouth College, Councilor For Virology Trainees Laura St. Clair, Johns Hopkins University, Councilor For Virology Trainees This satellite symposium…
asv.org
June 19, 2025 at 5:48 PM
This year's Trainee Satellite Symposium at #ASV2025 is a trainee-only session "Exploring the Intersection of Culture, Communication, And Mentorship in Science". It will feature speakers Beronda Montgomery, Robert Fernandez, and Olivia Goldman. Find out more here: asv.org/2025/06/19/t...
Reposted by Moriah Szpara
NEW: Entire scientific fields have been wiped out by the nearly 800 grants cancelled at NIH, finds a @nature.com analysis of the unprecedented cuts.
About half of all 2024 NIH projects related to LGBT+ health or vaccine hesitancy — gone.
See the other topics and US states hardest hit here:
About half of all 2024 NIH projects related to LGBT+ health or vaccine hesitancy — gone.
See the other topics and US states hardest hit here:
How Trump 2.0 is slashing NIH-backed research — in charts
Nature analyses which fields of science and US states are being hit hardest by grant terminations.
www.nature.com
April 10, 2025 at 8:36 PM
NEW: Entire scientific fields have been wiped out by the nearly 800 grants cancelled at NIH, finds a @nature.com analysis of the unprecedented cuts.
About half of all 2024 NIH projects related to LGBT+ health or vaccine hesitancy — gone.
See the other topics and US states hardest hit here:
About half of all 2024 NIH projects related to LGBT+ health or vaccine hesitancy — gone.
See the other topics and US states hardest hit here:
Reposted by Moriah Szpara
Vaccines work! As measles cases have recently been reported in Alaska, Georgia, New York, Rhode Island and Texas, it's important to remember that prior to the introduction of the measles vaccine in 1963, measles killed 400-500 people and resulted in ~48,000 hospitalizations per year.
February 13, 2025 at 3:10 PM
Vaccines work! As measles cases have recently been reported in Alaska, Georgia, New York, Rhode Island and Texas, it's important to remember that prior to the introduction of the measles vaccine in 1963, measles killed 400-500 people and resulted in ~48,000 hospitalizations per year.
Reposted by Moriah Szpara
1. Today the NIH director issued a new directive slashing overhead rates to 15%.
I want to provide some context on what that means and why it matters.
grants.nih.gov/grants/guide...
I want to provide some context on what that means and why it matters.
grants.nih.gov/grants/guide...
NOT-OD-25-068: Supplemental Guidance to the 2024 NIH Grants Policy Statement: Indirect Cost Rates
NIH Funding Opportunities and Notices in the NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts: Supplemental Guidance to the 2024 NIH Grants Policy Statement: Indirect Cost Rates NOT-OD-25-068. OD
grants.nih.gov
February 8, 2025 at 12:18 AM
1. Today the NIH director issued a new directive slashing overhead rates to 15%.
I want to provide some context on what that means and why it matters.
grants.nih.gov/grants/guide...
I want to provide some context on what that means and why it matters.
grants.nih.gov/grants/guide...
Reposted by Moriah Szpara
Shoutout to all of the exceptional Black scientists who have contributed to and are currently contributing to virology research! Your work is vitally important to understanding basic virology controlling viral diseases worldwide! #BlackHistoryMonth
February 3, 2025 at 4:21 PM
Shoutout to all of the exceptional Black scientists who have contributed to and are currently contributing to virology research! Your work is vitally important to understanding basic virology controlling viral diseases worldwide! #BlackHistoryMonth
One last reminder -- tomorrow is the last day to submit an abstract for ASV's annual meeting! We have a new, shorter schedule of just 4 awesome days -- July 14-17, 2025, in Montréal 🇨🇦. The ASV Program Committee is eagerly awaiting your excellent abstracts! ✍️
The ASV 2025 abstract deadline is in less than one week! Monday, February 3, 2025 (11:59 pm./23:59 Eastern time)
asv.org/asv2025/abst...
#ASV2025 #LoveVirology
asv.org/asv2025/abst...
#ASV2025 #LoveVirology
Abstract Submission | American Society for Virology
Abstract submission for the ASV 2025 annual meeting July 14-17, 2025, in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Hosted by McGill University.
asv.org
February 2, 2025 at 11:17 PM
One last reminder -- tomorrow is the last day to submit an abstract for ASV's annual meeting! We have a new, shorter schedule of just 4 awesome days -- July 14-17, 2025, in Montréal 🇨🇦. The ASV Program Committee is eagerly awaiting your excellent abstracts! ✍️
Heads up, virologists! ASV's annual meeting is going to Montréal 🇨🇦 in July 2025, and abstract submission closes in <3 weeks -- Monday Feb. 3rd!!! 🔬 🧬 The ASV Program Committee is eagerly awaiting your excellent abstracts! ✍️
Join us in Montréal for the 2025 ASV Annual Meeting (July 14-17)! Abstract submission closes on February 3rd, 2025 at 11:59 PM (EST). See details here: asv.org/asv2025/
ASV 2025 | American Society for Virology
The website for the 44th Annual Meeting of the American Society for Virology.
asv.org
January 14, 2025 at 7:48 PM
Heads up, virologists! ASV's annual meeting is going to Montréal 🇨🇦 in July 2025, and abstract submission closes in <3 weeks -- Monday Feb. 3rd!!! 🔬 🧬 The ASV Program Committee is eagerly awaiting your excellent abstracts! ✍️
Reposted by Moriah Szpara
Our Big Fantastic Virus Database (BFVD) is now published NAR! It contains protein structure predictions of major viral clades, enhanced by petabase-scale homology search and it's explorable on the web.
🌐 bfvd.foldseek.com
💾 bfvd.steineggerlab.workers.dev
📄 academic.oup.com/nar/advance-...
🌐 bfvd.foldseek.com
💾 bfvd.steineggerlab.workers.dev
📄 academic.oup.com/nar/advance-...
November 23, 2024 at 9:12 PM
Our Big Fantastic Virus Database (BFVD) is now published NAR! It contains protein structure predictions of major viral clades, enhanced by petabase-scale homology search and it's explorable on the web.
🌐 bfvd.foldseek.com
💾 bfvd.steineggerlab.workers.dev
📄 academic.oup.com/nar/advance-...
🌐 bfvd.foldseek.com
💾 bfvd.steineggerlab.workers.dev
📄 academic.oup.com/nar/advance-...
I love that someone left this on my office door board! 😊 🔬🦠 ❤️🩹#LoveVirology
November 23, 2024 at 9:52 PM
I love that someone left this on my office door board! 😊 🔬🦠 ❤️🩹#LoveVirology
Calling all #virology friends who are on the faculty job market: Penn State's Biology department & our Biochemistry & Molecular Biology department have multiple faculty openings! Link #1 of 3 here -- this one's theme is Evolutionary Genomics (open topic):
psu.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/PSU_Ac...
psu.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/PSU_Ac...
Evolutionary Genomics Tenure Track Faculty Position in Biology Department
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS: CURRENT PENN STATE EMPLOYEE (faculty, staff, technical service, or student), please login to Workday to complete the internal application process. Please do not apply here, a...
psu.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com
August 13, 2024 at 8:55 PM
Calling all #virology friends who are on the faculty job market: Penn State's Biology department & our Biochemistry & Molecular Biology department have multiple faculty openings! Link #1 of 3 here -- this one's theme is Evolutionary Genomics (open topic):
psu.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/PSU_Ac...
psu.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/PSU_Ac...
Abstract submission for the biggest US-based meeting in virology #ASV2024 closes in under 3 weeks! ASV's Program Committtee is ready & excited to receive your abstracts, due by February 1! asv.org/asv2024/
@amersocvirology.bsky.social
@amersocvirology.bsky.social
January 14, 2024 at 6:26 PM
Abstract submission for the biggest US-based meeting in virology #ASV2024 closes in under 3 weeks! ASV's Program Committtee is ready & excited to receive your abstracts, due by February 1! asv.org/asv2024/
@amersocvirology.bsky.social
@amersocvirology.bsky.social
Reposted by Moriah Szpara
Ancient chicken remains reveal the origins of virulence in Marek’s disease virus
Marek´s disease virus is a herpes virus, the virulence of which has greatly increased
www.science.org/doi/...
1/3
Marek´s disease virus is a herpes virus, the virulence of which has greatly increased
www.science.org/doi/...
1/3
December 20, 2023 at 11:55 AM
Ancient chicken remains reveal the origins of virulence in Marek’s disease virus
Marek´s disease virus is a herpes virus, the virulence of which has greatly increased
www.science.org/doi/...
1/3
Marek´s disease virus is a herpes virus, the virulence of which has greatly increased
www.science.org/doi/...
1/3
Reposted by Moriah Szpara
Very sad to learn about the passing of Dr. Lindenbach - the world has lost an eminent and deeply caring scientist.
www.legacy.com/us/obituarie...
www.legacy.com/us/obituarie...
Brett Lindenbach Obituary (1968 - 2023) - Legacy Remembers
Brett Lindenbach, 55, died on December 16, 2023 after enduring glioblastoma and its treatments (both standard and investigational) for 20 months. He was a loving husband, father, son, and brother and
www.legacy.com
December 17, 2023 at 6:32 PM
Very sad to learn about the passing of Dr. Lindenbach - the world has lost an eminent and deeply caring scientist.
www.legacy.com/us/obituarie...
www.legacy.com/us/obituarie...
Reposted by Moriah Szpara
New paper alert
After more than 15 years in the field this is my first paper in @JVirology
My student Alina Shitrit had led this project as part of Ph.D, with our collaborators @szparalab.bsky.social @nirdrayman.bsky.social @weitzmanlab.bsky.social and more
journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/...
After more than 15 years in the field this is my first paper in @JVirology
My student Alina Shitrit had led this project as part of Ph.D, with our collaborators @szparalab.bsky.social @nirdrayman.bsky.social @weitzmanlab.bsky.social and more
journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/...
Shared sequence characteristics identified in non-canonical rearrangements of HSV-1 genomes | Journa...
Mutations and genetic rearrangements are the primary driving forces of evolution.
Viruses provide valuable model systems for investigating these mechanisms due to their
rapid evolutionary rates and va...
journals.asm.org
November 23, 2023 at 4:18 AM
New paper alert
After more than 15 years in the field this is my first paper in @JVirology
My student Alina Shitrit had led this project as part of Ph.D, with our collaborators @szparalab.bsky.social @nirdrayman.bsky.social @weitzmanlab.bsky.social and more
journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/...
After more than 15 years in the field this is my first paper in @JVirology
My student Alina Shitrit had led this project as part of Ph.D, with our collaborators @szparalab.bsky.social @nirdrayman.bsky.social @weitzmanlab.bsky.social and more
journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/...
In-person visits to share science are the best, especially after years of being zoom-limited for pandemic safety. Thank you to Bill @wtjackson.bsky.social & the faculty & trainees at U. Maryland Baltimore for an awesome visit & great post-seminar questions!
Fantastic to host @szparalab.bsky.social on our campus today!
November 16, 2023 at 4:06 AM
In-person visits to share science are the best, especially after years of being zoom-limited for pandemic safety. Thank you to Bill @wtjackson.bsky.social & the faculty & trainees at U. Maryland Baltimore for an awesome visit & great post-seminar questions!
Reposted by Moriah Szpara
Mark your calendars, virologists! ASV2024 will be held at The Ohio State University in Columbus, OH from June 24-28.
September 10, 2023 at 1:21 PM
Mark your calendars, virologists! ASV2024 will be held at The Ohio State University in Columbus, OH from June 24-28.
In honor of all the new peeps rebuilding science-social over here (thank goodness!), here's a super-cool new preprint from my old labmate Matt Taylor's group -- on single-cell analyses of HSV1, in neurons cultured in little droplets. Check it out! Matt's not yet on bluesky, but we'll get him here!
Single-cell Herpes Simplex Virus type-1 infection of neurons using drop-based microfluidics reveals ...
bioRxiv - the preprint server for biology, operated by Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, a research and educational institution
www.biorxiv.org
September 22, 2023 at 3:46 AM
In honor of all the new peeps rebuilding science-social over here (thank goodness!), here's a super-cool new preprint from my old labmate Matt Taylor's group -- on single-cell analyses of HSV1, in neurons cultured in little droplets. Check it out! Matt's not yet on bluesky, but we'll get him here!
Keen to hear about the new place for science online, from fellow virologists at @amersocvirology.bsky.social! Our pup is listening to the good news too...
September 10, 2023 at 8:11 PM
Keen to hear about the new place for science online, from fellow virologists at @amersocvirology.bsky.social! Our pup is listening to the good news too...