Ken Stedman
@xtremevirusprof.bsky.social
Professor of Biology at Portland State U.
Extreme Virologist - Astrovirologist
Opinions, Posts, Reposts and Privilege my own.
(he/him/his).
eXtreme Virus Lab - PI
Extreme Virologist - Astrovirologist
Opinions, Posts, Reposts and Privilege my own.
(he/him/his).
eXtreme Virus Lab - PI
Reposted by Ken Stedman
🧪
In our new poll with the Boston Globe of NIH funded scientists in Mass ...
- 72% say they have delayed or cancelled projects
- 66% reduced research scope
- 56% paused experiments or students.
www.bostonglobe.com/2026/02/09/m...
- 72% say they have delayed or cancelled projects
- 66% reduced research scope
- 56% paused experiments or students.
www.bostonglobe.com/2026/02/09/m...
February 11, 2026 at 12:57 PM
🧪
Reposted by Ken Stedman
To celebrate #IDWGS2026, we're highlighting women who shaped microbiology but never got their flowers, starting with Fanny Hesse.
We're not stopping there; help us continue the work. Nominate a female microbiologist you know for a feature on our blog: buff.ly/kk7Ieye
#IDWGS #WomenInSTEM
We're not stopping there; help us continue the work. Nominate a female microbiologist you know for a feature on our blog: buff.ly/kk7Ieye
#IDWGS #WomenInSTEM
February 11, 2026 at 2:42 PM
To celebrate #IDWGS2026, we're highlighting women who shaped microbiology but never got their flowers, starting with Fanny Hesse.
We're not stopping there; help us continue the work. Nominate a female microbiologist you know for a feature on our blog: buff.ly/kk7Ieye
#IDWGS #WomenInSTEM
We're not stopping there; help us continue the work. Nominate a female microbiologist you know for a feature on our blog: buff.ly/kk7Ieye
#IDWGS #WomenInSTEM
Reposted by Ken Stedman
Job opportunities...
Newly launched Quantitative Biology Initiative in the Department of Biology at the University of Maryland, College Park seeks applications for three collaborative postdoctoral fellowships. Best consideration date 3/14.
Full Details:
umd.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/UMCP/j...
Newly launched Quantitative Biology Initiative in the Department of Biology at the University of Maryland, College Park seeks applications for three collaborative postdoctoral fellowships. Best consideration date 3/14.
Full Details:
umd.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/UMCP/j...
February 11, 2026 at 8:13 PM
Job opportunities...
Newly launched Quantitative Biology Initiative in the Department of Biology at the University of Maryland, College Park seeks applications for three collaborative postdoctoral fellowships. Best consideration date 3/14.
Full Details:
umd.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/UMCP/j...
Newly launched Quantitative Biology Initiative in the Department of Biology at the University of Maryland, College Park seeks applications for three collaborative postdoctoral fellowships. Best consideration date 3/14.
Full Details:
umd.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/UMCP/j...
Reposted by Ken Stedman
Please share!
PhD position at the University of Copenhagen. Start date: 1st of June!
The project integrates field work, RNAseq, MALDI-MSI & FISH to explore composition, regulation, and resilience of termite host-gut symbiont metabolism.
👉 employment.ku.dk/phd?show=156...
⏳ Deadline 23/2/26
PhD position at the University of Copenhagen. Start date: 1st of June!
The project integrates field work, RNAseq, MALDI-MSI & FISH to explore composition, regulation, and resilience of termite host-gut symbiont metabolism.
👉 employment.ku.dk/phd?show=156...
⏳ Deadline 23/2/26
February 11, 2026 at 7:39 PM
Please share!
PhD position at the University of Copenhagen. Start date: 1st of June!
The project integrates field work, RNAseq, MALDI-MSI & FISH to explore composition, regulation, and resilience of termite host-gut symbiont metabolism.
👉 employment.ku.dk/phd?show=156...
⏳ Deadline 23/2/26
PhD position at the University of Copenhagen. Start date: 1st of June!
The project integrates field work, RNAseq, MALDI-MSI & FISH to explore composition, regulation, and resilience of termite host-gut symbiont metabolism.
👉 employment.ku.dk/phd?show=156...
⏳ Deadline 23/2/26
Reposted by Ken Stedman
On International Day of Women and Girls in Science 🔬👩🔬
We’re launching the Women Microbiologists Network: a member-led networking and discussions event for women in microbiology by Dr. Enas Newire.
Read the news story and join:
🔗 https://microb.io/4ax5M5I
We’re launching the Women Microbiologists Network: a member-led networking and discussions event for women in microbiology by Dr. Enas Newire.
Read the news story and join:
🔗 https://microb.io/4ax5M5I
February 11, 2026 at 9:00 AM
On International Day of Women and Girls in Science 🔬👩🔬
We’re launching the Women Microbiologists Network: a member-led networking and discussions event for women in microbiology by Dr. Enas Newire.
Read the news story and join:
🔗 https://microb.io/4ax5M5I
We’re launching the Women Microbiologists Network: a member-led networking and discussions event for women in microbiology by Dr. Enas Newire.
Read the news story and join:
🔗 https://microb.io/4ax5M5I
Reposted by Ken Stedman
The HPV vaccine is eliminating cervical cancer in a generation of women. Why would anyone be against that?
CIDRAP Op-Ed: The HPV vaccine prevents cancer. The new ACIP wants to re-examine that.
@jakescottMD
The vaccine has reduced cervical cancer by nearly 90% in women vaccinated as teens and has been studied in >70 randomized controlled trials
www.cidrap.umn.edu/h...
Photo: PAHO
@jakescottMD
The vaccine has reduced cervical cancer by nearly 90% in women vaccinated as teens and has been studied in >70 randomized controlled trials
www.cidrap.umn.edu/h...
Photo: PAHO
February 11, 2026 at 2:27 AM
The HPV vaccine is eliminating cervical cancer in a generation of women. Why would anyone be against that?
Reposted by Ken Stedman
New review of Hep B vaccination at birth finds no evidence to support a change in vaccine recommendations but identifies potential health consequences. 🛟medsky health policy 😷idsky
Hepatitis B Vaccination at Birth: Safety, Effectiveness, and Public Health Benefit
Since 1991, the CDC has recommended screening for hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in pregnancy and universal hepatitis B vaccination of all medically stable infants at birth, serving as a core strat...
publications.aap.org
February 11, 2026 at 12:58 AM
New review of Hep B vaccination at birth finds no evidence to support a change in vaccine recommendations but identifies potential health consequences. 🛟medsky health policy 😷idsky
Reposted by Ken Stedman
STEM Black History Fact 9/28
Dr. Jane Cooke Wright pioneered chemotherapy techniques and helped establish personalized cancer treatment as a scientific discipline.
Dr. Jane Cooke Wright pioneered chemotherapy techniques and helped establish personalized cancer treatment as a scientific discipline.
Ten Black Scientists That Science Teachers Should Know About
Help your students see the possibilities of careers in STEM fields by providing them with diverse role models.
www.pbs.org
February 10, 2026 at 2:44 AM
STEM Black History Fact 9/28
Dr. Jane Cooke Wright pioneered chemotherapy techniques and helped establish personalized cancer treatment as a scientific discipline.
Dr. Jane Cooke Wright pioneered chemotherapy techniques and helped establish personalized cancer treatment as a scientific discipline.
Reposted by Ken Stedman
Professorship in Early Hominin Evolution at the University of Tübingen:
uni-tuebingen.de/universitaet...
Application deadline: 11/03/2026
uni-tuebingen.de/universitaet...
Application deadline: 11/03/2026
February 7, 2026 at 10:12 PM
Professorship in Early Hominin Evolution at the University of Tübingen:
uni-tuebingen.de/universitaet...
Application deadline: 11/03/2026
uni-tuebingen.de/universitaet...
Application deadline: 11/03/2026
Reposted by Ken Stedman
STEM Black History Fact 7/28
Dr. Rebecca Lee Crumpler was the first Black woman physician in the U.S., providing medical care to newly freed enslaved people after the Civil War.
Dr. Rebecca Lee Crumpler was the first Black woman physician in the U.S., providing medical care to newly freed enslaved people after the Civil War.
Ten Black Scientists That Science Teachers Should Know About
Help your students see the possibilities of careers in STEM fields by providing them with diverse role models.
www.pbs.org
February 8, 2026 at 12:39 AM
STEM Black History Fact 7/28
Dr. Rebecca Lee Crumpler was the first Black woman physician in the U.S., providing medical care to newly freed enslaved people after the Civil War.
Dr. Rebecca Lee Crumpler was the first Black woman physician in the U.S., providing medical care to newly freed enslaved people after the Civil War.
Reposted by Ken Stedman
New round of PhD studentships in microbial engineering, including one with me on engineering non-canonical DNA mismatch repair into E. coli 🦠🧬
www.findaphd.com/phds/project...
www.findaphd.com/phds/project...
February 6, 2026 at 6:50 PM
New round of PhD studentships in microbial engineering, including one with me on engineering non-canonical DNA mismatch repair into E. coli 🦠🧬
www.findaphd.com/phds/project...
www.findaphd.com/phds/project...
Reposted by Ken Stedman
If you're afraid to ask someone for a recommendation, please don't be. It's part of the job of being a mentor, editor, teacher, advisor, former boss, etc. to write recommendations or politely decline.
(I wish I could go back in time and tell my former self this.)
(I wish I could go back in time and tell my former self this.)
February 5, 2026 at 2:44 PM
If you're afraid to ask someone for a recommendation, please don't be. It's part of the job of being a mentor, editor, teacher, advisor, former boss, etc. to write recommendations or politely decline.
(I wish I could go back in time and tell my former self this.)
(I wish I could go back in time and tell my former self this.)
Reposted by Ken Stedman
Representation Matters, ESPECIALLY now. Huge shoutouts to Gelila Petros & Alex Washington (UNC PREP alumni), @drstarbird.bsky.social, Wiley, Hutch, and the entire committee! We did it!
(Yes, there’s actually a couple more Atlas projects in progress 🤪🤭🤫)
(Yes, there’s actually a couple more Atlas projects in progress 🤪🤭🤫)
I am SO incredibly excited to announce the launch of a global list of Inspiring Black Scientists. You can use this list to nominate and connect with researchers. Please share and join us in highlighting these outstanding scientists for #BlackHistoryMonth and beyond!
www.wiley.com/en-us/resear...
www.wiley.com/en-us/resear...
February 5, 2026 at 6:33 PM
Representation Matters, ESPECIALLY now. Huge shoutouts to Gelila Petros & Alex Washington (UNC PREP alumni), @drstarbird.bsky.social, Wiley, Hutch, and the entire committee! We did it!
(Yes, there’s actually a couple more Atlas projects in progress 🤪🤭🤫)
(Yes, there’s actually a couple more Atlas projects in progress 🤪🤭🤫)
Reposted by Ken Stedman
We're Hiring! We're looking for a postdoc with bioinformatics/modelling skills to join us in an exciting microbiome ecology project in Manchester (deadline 1st March) www.jobs.manchester.ac.uk/Job/JobDetai...
'Research Associate in Microbiome Ecology:Manchester
We wish to appoint a PostDoctoral Research Associate to an exciting project exploring the assembly, stability and function of microbial decomposer communities.
www.jobs.manchester.ac.uk
February 2, 2026 at 4:16 PM
We're Hiring! We're looking for a postdoc with bioinformatics/modelling skills to join us in an exciting microbiome ecology project in Manchester (deadline 1st March) www.jobs.manchester.ac.uk/Job/JobDetai...
Reposted by Ken Stedman
And to those looking to see what NSF is doing and why, this call is a key place to start.
As noted: 'Solicitation coming soon':
www.nsf.gov/funding/oppo...
/🧵
As noted: 'Solicitation coming soon':
www.nsf.gov/funding/oppo...
/🧵
Postdoctoral Research Fellowships in Biology (PRFB)
www.nsf.gov
February 6, 2026 at 12:43 AM
And to those looking to see what NSF is doing and why, this call is a key place to start.
As noted: 'Solicitation coming soon':
www.nsf.gov/funding/oppo...
/🧵
As noted: 'Solicitation coming soon':
www.nsf.gov/funding/oppo...
/🧵
Reposted by Ken Stedman
If I were on the postdoc market now I’d apply for an NSF to work with Britt
Me three
February 6, 2026 at 1:22 AM
If I were on the postdoc market now I’d apply for an NSF to work with Britt
Reposted by Ken Stedman
Honestly, yeah, LFG. Maybe this is meant to feed biotech AI slop but we can outcompete them with good scientific proposals. If you’re interested in a post-doc applying neural networks to better integrate ancient DNA to demographic models reach out to me. I’ll help you tool the application for “AI”.
Holy shit: it's an RFP for the NSF Postdoctoral Research Fellowship in Biology (PRFB). Hello old friend www.nsf.gov/funding/oppo...
Postdoctoral Research Fellowships in Biology (PRFB)
www.nsf.gov
February 6, 2026 at 2:49 AM
Honestly, yeah, LFG. Maybe this is meant to feed biotech AI slop but we can outcompete them with good scientific proposals. If you’re interested in a post-doc applying neural networks to better integrate ancient DNA to demographic models reach out to me. I’ll help you tool the application for “AI”.
Reposted by Ken Stedman
Come work with us on #darkoxygen as part of the NASA Postdoctoral Fellowship Program. It is an amazing opportunity to get up to 3 years of funding. Deadlines are March 1. and November 1. Happy to discuss your ideas! Details here: zintellect.com/Opportunity/...
@mblscience.bsky.social #astrobiology
@mblscience.bsky.social #astrobiology
Zintellect - National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) - ICAR - OxyMoRon: Understanding dioxygen production and consumption in apparently anoxic environments - 0042-NPP-MAR26-ABProg-Astrobi...
About the NASA Postdoctoral Program The NASA Postdoctoral Program (NPP) offers unique research opportunities to highly-talented scientists to engage in ong
zintellect.com
February 3, 2026 at 9:20 PM
Come work with us on #darkoxygen as part of the NASA Postdoctoral Fellowship Program. It is an amazing opportunity to get up to 3 years of funding. Deadlines are March 1. and November 1. Happy to discuss your ideas! Details here: zintellect.com/Opportunity/...
@mblscience.bsky.social #astrobiology
@mblscience.bsky.social #astrobiology
Reposted by Ken Stedman
Want to ride the front of the wave of all-things-microbiology; field work, cultivation, microscopy, molecular, bioinformatics and AI tools? Me too!
Please join us @mblscience.bsky.social for the 2026 Summer Microbial Diversity Course!
Applications due soon.
www.mbl.edu/education/ad...
Please join us @mblscience.bsky.social for the 2026 Summer Microbial Diversity Course!
Applications due soon.
www.mbl.edu/education/ad...
Microbial Diversity | Marine Biological Laboratory
The goal of the course is to teach professors, postdocs and advanced graduate students how to discover, cultivate, and isolate diverse microorganisms catalyzing a breadth of chemical transformations, ...
www.mbl.edu
February 2, 2026 at 9:58 PM
Want to ride the front of the wave of all-things-microbiology; field work, cultivation, microscopy, molecular, bioinformatics and AI tools? Me too!
Please join us @mblscience.bsky.social for the 2026 Summer Microbial Diversity Course!
Applications due soon.
www.mbl.edu/education/ad...
Please join us @mblscience.bsky.social for the 2026 Summer Microbial Diversity Course!
Applications due soon.
www.mbl.edu/education/ad...
Reposted by Ken Stedman
Appears I was a bit more fired up than usual in my analysis here.
February 1, 2026 at 2:12 PM
Appears I was a bit more fired up than usual in my analysis here.
Reposted by Ken Stedman
Because I'm talking about measles. It is also A VERY VERY VERY CONTAGIOUS VIRUS. If someone is in a room and has measles and then leaves that room and you enter that room within TWO HOURS (depending on humidity) you can get measles.
And people are contagious for four days before the rash appears.
And people are contagious for four days before the rash appears.
::taps mic::
beyond being an absolutely miserable illness, measles can cause immune amnesia. It wipes out your immune systems memory of how to fight every infection, every vaccine you've ever had.
beyond being an absolutely miserable illness, measles can cause immune amnesia. It wipes out your immune systems memory of how to fight every infection, every vaccine you've ever had.
February 1, 2026 at 1:59 AM
Because I'm talking about measles. It is also A VERY VERY VERY CONTAGIOUS VIRUS. If someone is in a room and has measles and then leaves that room and you enter that room within TWO HOURS (depending on humidity) you can get measles.
And people are contagious for four days before the rash appears.
And people are contagious for four days before the rash appears.
Reposted by Ken Stedman
We are celebrating Black history month, a powerful time to reflect on the profound impact Black individuals have had on art, science, politics, and the very fabric of our culture. Happy Black History Month! Knowing our past to make a better future to lift as we climb!
February 1, 2026 at 9:25 PM
We are celebrating Black history month, a powerful time to reflect on the profound impact Black individuals have had on art, science, politics, and the very fabric of our culture. Happy Black History Month! Knowing our past to make a better future to lift as we climb!
Reposted by Ken Stedman
Measles has one of the highest basic reproduction numbers (R₀) of any disease (12 to 18), meaning one infected person can spread it to 12 to 18 others in a fully susceptible population, making it extremely contagious. Need 95% vaccination status to achieve herd immunity. Get vaccinated!!
February 1, 2026 at 3:19 PM
Measles has one of the highest basic reproduction numbers (R₀) of any disease (12 to 18), meaning one infected person can spread it to 12 to 18 others in a fully susceptible population, making it extremely contagious. Need 95% vaccination status to achieve herd immunity. Get vaccinated!!
Reposted by Ken Stedman
We have an open position for a bioinformatics/theoretical microbial ecology PhD student to study viral strategies in the global Microverse! Join us at the @microverse.bsky.social at @uni-jena.de, please apply through this link:
jobs.uni-jena.de/jobposting/9...
jobs.uni-jena.de/jobposting/9...
PhD student bioinformatics: Viral strategies in the global Microverse
jobs.uni-jena.de
January 29, 2026 at 12:08 PM
We have an open position for a bioinformatics/theoretical microbial ecology PhD student to study viral strategies in the global Microverse! Join us at the @microverse.bsky.social at @uni-jena.de, please apply through this link:
jobs.uni-jena.de/jobposting/9...
jobs.uni-jena.de/jobposting/9...
Reposted by Ken Stedman
Fantastic opportunity - Mari is an exceptional scientist and person and was an outstanding pillar of our lab!
I've started my own lab 🎉
PhD/postdoc positions available - reach out if curious about cerebellum evo-devo and autism spectrum disorders.
We’re based at Uni Tartu, Institute of Genomics (home to Estonian Biobank), and funded by @simonsfoundation.org @embo.org, and the Estonian Research Council.
PhD/postdoc positions available - reach out if curious about cerebellum evo-devo and autism spectrum disorders.
We’re based at Uni Tartu, Institute of Genomics (home to Estonian Biobank), and funded by @simonsfoundation.org @embo.org, and the Estonian Research Council.
January 29, 2026 at 8:42 PM
Fantastic opportunity - Mari is an exceptional scientist and person and was an outstanding pillar of our lab!