andy alexander
@andyalexander.bsky.social
asst prof in psychological + brain sciences at ucsb
Reposted by andy alexander
I love that the Boston cop slide never got fixed and now people just willingly go down it in tribute. It’s basically a national landmark at this point
November 8, 2025 at 6:15 AM
I love that the Boston cop slide never got fixed and now people just willingly go down it in tribute. It’s basically a national landmark at this point
Absolutely unacceptable
I heard rumors about this but devastating to see it happening.. “the PPFP faculty hiring incentive is sunsetting as of fall 2025” 💔 www.insidehighered.com/news/faculty...
UC to Stop Funding Systemwide Postdoc Program
Established in 1984 to encourage women and minority Ph.D.s to pursue academia, the program has attracted right-wing criticism for prioritizing diverse candidates.
www.insidehighered.com
November 6, 2025 at 6:40 AM
Absolutely unacceptable
Reposted by andy alexander
The more I think about this, the more frustrated I get with our leadership. It is hard to see this decision as anything but preemptive compliance.
The President’s Postdoctoral Fellowship Program, PPFP, has been a jewel in the crown for faculty development and recruitment at the University of California for years and the results have been an expanded faculty with almost 100% tenure rates — unprecedented success.
November 5, 2025 at 8:12 PM
The more I think about this, the more frustrated I get with our leadership. It is hard to see this decision as anything but preemptive compliance.
Reposted by andy alexander
The President’s Postdoctoral Fellowship Program, PPFP, has been a jewel in the crown for faculty development and recruitment at the University of California for years and the results have been an expanded faculty with almost 100% tenure rates — unprecedented success.
November 2, 2025 at 11:01 AM
The President’s Postdoctoral Fellowship Program, PPFP, has been a jewel in the crown for faculty development and recruitment at the University of California for years and the results have been an expanded faculty with almost 100% tenure rates — unprecedented success.
Most things are a bummer right now but at least if you want to listen to All Hallows EP 5x before work today you are totally justified.
music.apple.com/us/album/all...
music.apple.com/us/album/all...
All Hallow's E.P. by AFI on Apple Music
Album · 1999 · 4 Songs
music.apple.com
October 31, 2025 at 5:14 PM
Most things are a bummer right now but at least if you want to listen to All Hallows EP 5x before work today you are totally justified.
music.apple.com/us/album/all...
music.apple.com/us/album/all...
Reposted by andy alexander
#EPFL has an open faculty position - tenure track or tenured!! - in AI driven biophysics. Deadline is Nov 15th. Please spread the word!
www.epfl.ch/about/workin...
www.epfl.ch/about/workin...
Assistant/associate Professor of AI-assisted Biophysics at the Ecole polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) and Group Leader at the Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI)
The School of Basic Sciences (Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics) at EPFL and the Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI) jointly seek to appoint a Tenure Track Assistant or tenured Associate Professor in AI-As...
www.epfl.ch
October 28, 2025 at 2:56 AM
#EPFL has an open faculty position - tenure track or tenured!! - in AI driven biophysics. Deadline is Nov 15th. Please spread the word!
www.epfl.ch/about/workin...
www.epfl.ch/about/workin...
Reposted by andy alexander
I’m recruiting #PhD students to join my Lab for Infant Learning and Cognition (LILAC) at @ucsantabarbara.bsky.social! We study how infants learn about the natural world from others 🌱 If you’re interested in #devpsych, #EvPsych, and #infantstudies, please reach out and apply! More info below (1/2)
October 27, 2025 at 4:22 PM
I’m recruiting #PhD students to join my Lab for Infant Learning and Cognition (LILAC) at @ucsantabarbara.bsky.social! We study how infants learn about the natural world from others 🌱 If you’re interested in #devpsych, #EvPsych, and #infantstudies, please reach out and apply! More info below (1/2)
Reposted by andy alexander
"In February 2024, then–UC President Michael Drake announced all employee computers connected to university networks would be required to install Trellix by May 2025. Campuses failing to comply would face penalties of up to $500,000 per ... incident."
www.science.org/content/arti...
www.science.org/content/arti...
University of California faculty push back against Big Brother cybersecurity mandate
School officials defend software as bulwark against ransomware, but professors fear potential surveillance of their devices
www.science.org
October 25, 2025 at 1:21 AM
"In February 2024, then–UC President Michael Drake announced all employee computers connected to university networks would be required to install Trellix by May 2025. Campuses failing to comply would face penalties of up to $500,000 per ... incident."
www.science.org/content/arti...
www.science.org/content/arti...
Reposted by andy alexander
The Trump Administration is demanding/stealing California taxpayer dollars through extorting UCLA, & top-level UC officials were trying to hide details from us all.
Massive kudos to the UCLA faculty for fighting for transparency. The UC system belongs to ALL the people of CA, not the UC Regents.
Massive kudos to the UCLA faculty for fighting for transparency. The UC system belongs to ALL the people of CA, not the UC Regents.
BREAKING: The California Supreme Court has DENIED the University of California's request that it block the release of a 28-page, $1.2-billion fine Trump administration UCLA settlement offer. UC is required to give a faculty group the document today. www.latimes.com/california/s...
UC must publicly release Trump administration's $1.2-billion settlement proposal
The California Supreme Court on Friday declined a request from the University of California to block the release of a roughly $1.2-billion Trump UCLA settlement. UCLA is required to share the document...
www.latimes.com
October 25, 2025 at 2:59 AM
The Trump Administration is demanding/stealing California taxpayer dollars through extorting UCLA, & top-level UC officials were trying to hide details from us all.
Massive kudos to the UCLA faculty for fighting for transparency. The UC system belongs to ALL the people of CA, not the UC Regents.
Massive kudos to the UCLA faculty for fighting for transparency. The UC system belongs to ALL the people of CA, not the UC Regents.
Reposted by andy alexander
Can you tell what the mouse is thinking? (imaging and processing by Filip Tomaska) #FluorescenceFriday
October 24, 2025 at 1:47 PM
Can you tell what the mouse is thinking? (imaging and processing by Filip Tomaska) #FluorescenceFriday
Reposted by andy alexander
Thrilled to announce I'll be joining the Division of Neuroscience at @manchester.ac.uk as a Lecturer in Feb '26!
The DuLab will explore how the brain integrates sensory streams into internal maps 🌐 using the rodent head-direction circuit, the 'neural compass', as a starting point for the journey 🧭
The DuLab will explore how the brain integrates sensory streams into internal maps 🌐 using the rodent head-direction circuit, the 'neural compass', as a starting point for the journey 🧭
October 20, 2025 at 8:20 PM
Thrilled to announce I'll be joining the Division of Neuroscience at @manchester.ac.uk as a Lecturer in Feb '26!
The DuLab will explore how the brain integrates sensory streams into internal maps 🌐 using the rodent head-direction circuit, the 'neural compass', as a starting point for the journey 🧭
The DuLab will explore how the brain integrates sensory streams into internal maps 🌐 using the rodent head-direction circuit, the 'neural compass', as a starting point for the journey 🧭
Reposted by andy alexander
Meanwhile, on campus @ucsantabarbara.bsky.social
October 20, 2025 at 9:05 PM
Meanwhile, on campus @ucsantabarbara.bsky.social
Reposted by andy alexander
I actually had heard the the potential NIEHS appointment 2 days ago and broke the news about it at the STAT Summit. I did not share any details since I did not have confirmation.
Eric Green shared his views about the importance of process and applicant quality.
1/5
Eric Green shared his views about the importance of process and applicant quality.
1/5
October 18, 2025 at 12:55 AM
I actually had heard the the potential NIEHS appointment 2 days ago and broke the news about it at the STAT Summit. I did not share any details since I did not have confirmation.
Eric Green shared his views about the importance of process and applicant quality.
1/5
Eric Green shared his views about the importance of process and applicant quality.
1/5
Reposted by andy alexander
Just to be super clear, if you’re phoning in your peer review to ai you should quit your job so someone else who actually likes science can have it.
October 16, 2025 at 11:37 PM
Just to be super clear, if you’re phoning in your peer review to ai you should quit your job so someone else who actually likes science can have it.
Reposted by andy alexander
$40 billion dollars is the size of the entire NIH budget.
Trump says his $40B bailout for Argentina's failing libertarian economy is "not gonna make a big difference for our country."
Really?
Imagine if we invested those billions on healthcare and housing for Americans, instead of bailing out Trump's pals abroad.
Really?
Imagine if we invested those billions on healthcare and housing for Americans, instead of bailing out Trump's pals abroad.
October 16, 2025 at 8:10 PM
$40 billion dollars is the size of the entire NIH budget.
Reposted by andy alexander
We’re having lots of fun designing tasks to study neural circuits of spatial orientation in mice, and we’re looking for PhD candidates to join the adventure!
Email me to learn more or apply for a PhD with us: www.keshavarzilab.com
🗓️ Deadline for expressions of interest: 30 October.
Email me to learn more or apply for a PhD with us: www.keshavarzilab.com
🗓️ Deadline for expressions of interest: 30 October.
October 16, 2025 at 11:31 PM
We’re having lots of fun designing tasks to study neural circuits of spatial orientation in mice, and we’re looking for PhD candidates to join the adventure!
Email me to learn more or apply for a PhD with us: www.keshavarzilab.com
🗓️ Deadline for expressions of interest: 30 October.
Email me to learn more or apply for a PhD with us: www.keshavarzilab.com
🗓️ Deadline for expressions of interest: 30 October.
Reposted by andy alexander
Really excited to share this Opinion piece we've been working on with fellow head-direction cell geeks @apeyrache.bsky.social @desdemonafricker.bsky.social and (bsky-less?) Andrea Burgalossi! While head-direction cells pop up in many cortical regions, we think that one of them is quite unique (1/8)
The postsubiculum as a head-direction cortex
The organisation of thalamocortical networks follows a conserved structure. Traditionally, these are divided into primary sensory systems that receive…
www.sciencedirect.com
October 15, 2025 at 8:10 PM
Really excited to share this Opinion piece we've been working on with fellow head-direction cell geeks @apeyrache.bsky.social @desdemonafricker.bsky.social and (bsky-less?) Andrea Burgalossi! While head-direction cells pop up in many cortical regions, we think that one of them is quite unique (1/8)
Reposted by andy alexander
The WH budget for FY26 includes a proposed $18B cut to NIH, a $5B cut to NASA, a $5B cut to NSF, a $5B cut to CDC, and a $5B cut to EPA. You don't need a math/econ PhD to see that a $40B bailout to Argentina covers this and more right here in the USA.
www.politico.com/news/2025/10...
www.politico.com/news/2025/10...
Bessent says US considers doubling aid to Argentina to $40B
The assistance is aimed at bolstering the country's collapsing currency and calming economic unrest before Oct. 26 midterm elections.
www.politico.com
October 15, 2025 at 7:28 PM
The WH budget for FY26 includes a proposed $18B cut to NIH, a $5B cut to NASA, a $5B cut to NSF, a $5B cut to CDC, and a $5B cut to EPA. You don't need a math/econ PhD to see that a $40B bailout to Argentina covers this and more right here in the USA.
www.politico.com/news/2025/10...
www.politico.com/news/2025/10...
Reposted by andy alexander
HerBrain, the first digital twin of the maternal brain, has been named one of TIME Magazine's Best Inventions of 2025! 👏
Led by @ninamiolane.bsky.social the HerBrain app illustrates how brain structures change across the pregnancy and postpartum periods, so a woman can predict her weekly shifts.
Led by @ninamiolane.bsky.social the HerBrain app illustrates how brain structures change across the pregnancy and postpartum periods, so a woman can predict her weekly shifts.
October 9, 2025 at 8:00 PM
HerBrain, the first digital twin of the maternal brain, has been named one of TIME Magazine's Best Inventions of 2025! 👏
Led by @ninamiolane.bsky.social the HerBrain app illustrates how brain structures change across the pregnancy and postpartum periods, so a woman can predict her weekly shifts.
Led by @ninamiolane.bsky.social the HerBrain app illustrates how brain structures change across the pregnancy and postpartum periods, so a woman can predict her weekly shifts.
Reposted by andy alexander
A Cornell University researcher has been developing an artificial heart for children for more than 20 years. Now, his research is on hold and his lab is shut down.
This 4-year-old's heart is failing. A federal grant that might help him was canceled
A Cornell University researcher has been developing an artificial heart for children for more than 20 years. Now, his research is on hold and his lab is shut down.
n.pr
October 12, 2025 at 9:59 PM
A Cornell University researcher has been developing an artificial heart for children for more than 20 years. Now, his research is on hold and his lab is shut down.
Reposted by andy alexander
A study led by Cina Aghamohammadi is now out in @natcomms.nature.com! We developed a mathematical framework for partitioning spiking variability, which revealed that spiking irregularity is nearly invariant for each neuron and decreases along the cortical hierarchy.
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
October 12, 2025 at 12:42 AM
A study led by Cina Aghamohammadi is now out in @natcomms.nature.com! We developed a mathematical framework for partitioning spiking variability, which revealed that spiking irregularity is nearly invariant for each neuron and decreases along the cortical hierarchy.
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Reposted by andy alexander
🧠 Curious about grad school in Psych & Brain Sciences?
Join UC Santa Barbara’s PBS Department for a virtual open house on Oct 14 — meet faculty, connect with grad students, and learn more about the program!
Join UC Santa Barbara’s PBS Department for a virtual open house on Oct 14 — meet faculty, connect with grad students, and learn more about the program!
October 11, 2025 at 8:28 PM
🧠 Curious about grad school in Psych & Brain Sciences?
Join UC Santa Barbara’s PBS Department for a virtual open house on Oct 14 — meet faculty, connect with grad students, and learn more about the program!
Join UC Santa Barbara’s PBS Department for a virtual open house on Oct 14 — meet faculty, connect with grad students, and learn more about the program!
Reposted by andy alexander
Please also feel free to register for our virtual open house if you are looking for a #phd in #devpsych #devscience #PsychSciSky I'll be there for the faculty meet and greet part
October 9, 2025 at 7:03 PM
Please also feel free to register for our virtual open house if you are looking for a #phd in #devpsych #devscience #PsychSciSky I'll be there for the faculty meet and greet part
First freely moving 2p recording in the lab! It's crazy how hard I fought to record from a few hundred cells across all of my PhD/postdoc experiments. Elise just did that in one mouse.
October 9, 2025 at 6:23 PM
First freely moving 2p recording in the lab! It's crazy how hard I fought to record from a few hundred cells across all of my PhD/postdoc experiments. Elise just did that in one mouse.
Reposted by andy alexander
Still a few weeks left!
🚨Our NeurIPS 2025 competition Mouse vs. AI is LIVE!
We combine a visual navigation task + large-scale mouse neural data to test what makes visual RL agents robust and brain-like.
Top teams: featured at NeurIPS + co-author our summary paper. Join the challenge!
Whitepaper: arxiv.org/abs/2509.14446
We combine a visual navigation task + large-scale mouse neural data to test what makes visual RL agents robust and brain-like.
Top teams: featured at NeurIPS + co-author our summary paper. Join the challenge!
Whitepaper: arxiv.org/abs/2509.14446
Mouse vs. AI: A Neuroethological Benchmark for Visual Robustness and Neural Alignment
Visual robustness under real-world conditions remains a critical bottleneck for modern reinforcement learning agents. In contrast, biological systems such as mice show remarkable resilience to environ...
arxiv.org
October 8, 2025 at 1:02 AM
Still a few weeks left!