catie profaci, phd
@cprofaci.bsky.social
postdoc @ scripps research | phd @ UCSD NGP | fan of brains & blood vessels 🧠 | aspiring academic | co-founder @StoriesOfWiN 💜 | 2024 L’Oréal For Women in Science awardee | she/her
Pinned
catie profaci, phd
@cprofaci.bsky.social
· Nov 16
https://www.loreal.com/en/usa/video-category-page/fwis/catie-profaci/#main-content
t.co
Thrilled to share that I was selected as a 2024 L’Oréal USA For Women In Science awardee! So grateful to L’Oréal & AAAS for the research & @storiesofwin.bsky.social funding 🧠💜 & for the opportunity to meet women leaders in sci/gov/business in DC last week!
t.co/E0M8Qj4HlD
t.co/E0M8Qj4HlD
Reposted by catie profaci, phd
Applications are open for the 2026 Zara Weinberg cohort of Leading Edge, named in honor of the incredible, brilliant, fearless @weinberz.witchlab.org.
The LE community has been truly transformative for my scientific journey and my happiness. Please apply!! www.leadingedgesymposium.org/apply/
The LE community has been truly transformative for my scientific journey and my happiness. Please apply!! www.leadingedgesymposium.org/apply/
Apply | leadingedgesymposium
Apply. The 2026 Leading Edge cohort application is now open! This cohort is named the Zara Weinberg Cohort, in honor of 2021 Leading Edge Fellow, Zara Weinberg. Applications are due February 2, 2026.
www.leadingedgesymposium.org
November 6, 2025 at 3:23 AM
Applications are open for the 2026 Zara Weinberg cohort of Leading Edge, named in honor of the incredible, brilliant, fearless @weinberz.witchlab.org.
The LE community has been truly transformative for my scientific journey and my happiness. Please apply!! www.leadingedgesymposium.org/apply/
The LE community has been truly transformative for my scientific journey and my happiness. Please apply!! www.leadingedgesymposium.org/apply/
I have been blown away by the level of support (both practical and emotional support!) from the #LeadingEdge community. I feel so grateful to be a part of this group. Consider applying!!
www.leadingedgesymposium.org/apply/
www.leadingedgesymposium.org/apply/
Apply | leadingedgesymposium
Apply. The 2026 Leading Edge cohort application is now open! This cohort is named the Zara Weinberg Cohort, in honor of 2021 Leading Edge Fellow, Zara Weinberg. Applications are due February 2, 2026.
www.leadingedgesymposium.org
November 6, 2025 at 3:12 AM
I have been blown away by the level of support (both practical and emotional support!) from the #LeadingEdge community. I feel so grateful to be a part of this group. Consider applying!!
www.leadingedgesymposium.org/apply/
www.leadingedgesymposium.org/apply/
Reposted by catie profaci, phd
Tomorrow is the last day to register for our in-person event!
Join us, and our incredible lineup of speakers, on the UCSD campus Nov 15 from 9am-1pm. Registration is free!
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
Join us, and our incredible lineup of speakers, on the UCSD campus Nov 15 from 9am-1pm. Registration is free!
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
October 31, 2025 at 7:26 PM
Tomorrow is the last day to register for our in-person event!
Join us, and our incredible lineup of speakers, on the UCSD campus Nov 15 from 9am-1pm. Registration is free!
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
Join us, and our incredible lineup of speakers, on the UCSD campus Nov 15 from 9am-1pm. Registration is free!
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
Reposted by catie profaci, phd
Applying for faculty jobs this cycle? Check out our latest special episode! @moeneuro.bsky.social and @drnancypadilla.bsky.social discuss when to apply, important considerations when preparing applications, and more! Listen below!
www.storiesofwin.org/profiles/202...
#AcademicBluesky #NeuroJobs
www.storiesofwin.org/profiles/202...
#AcademicBluesky #NeuroJobs
Applying to faculty jobs 101 — Stories of WiN
This episode features Dr. Monique Smith (Assistant Professor, UCSD) discussing faculty job applications with host Dr. Nancy Padilla-Coreano.
www.storiesofwin.org
October 17, 2025 at 2:38 PM
Applying for faculty jobs this cycle? Check out our latest special episode! @moeneuro.bsky.social and @drnancypadilla.bsky.social discuss when to apply, important considerations when preparing applications, and more! Listen below!
www.storiesofwin.org/profiles/202...
#AcademicBluesky #NeuroJobs
www.storiesofwin.org/profiles/202...
#AcademicBluesky #NeuroJobs
Reposted by catie profaci, phd
Congratulations @karalmckinley.bsky.social & lab on their groundbreaking recent preprint establishing + characterizing a chemically inducible model of menstruation in mouse:
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
My jaw dropped when I heard this presented earlier this year. Incredible.
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
My jaw dropped when I heard this presented earlier this year. Incredible.
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 9, 2025 at 10:59 PM
Congratulations @karalmckinley.bsky.social & lab on their groundbreaking recent preprint establishing + characterizing a chemically inducible model of menstruation in mouse:
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
My jaw dropped when I heard this presented earlier this year. Incredible.
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
My jaw dropped when I heard this presented earlier this year. Incredible.
Coming to SD 🌴 for #SfN25 🧠?! Join @storiesofwin.bsky.social for our first in-person event 🤩. We’ll have a keynote, panels, & time for networking! Won’t be in SD? You can still register to receive a recording! Speaker/panelist announcements coming soon 👀
Register by Nov 1: forms.gle/CJPcKZNZY7uU...
Register by Nov 1: forms.gle/CJPcKZNZY7uU...
October 9, 2025 at 11:57 PM
Coming to SD 🌴 for #SfN25 🧠?! Join @storiesofwin.bsky.social for our first in-person event 🤩. We’ll have a keynote, panels, & time for networking! Won’t be in SD? You can still register to receive a recording! Speaker/panelist announcements coming soon 👀
Register by Nov 1: forms.gle/CJPcKZNZY7uU...
Register by Nov 1: forms.gle/CJPcKZNZY7uU...
Rocío is an amazing scientist, mentor, and person in general!!! Please share this job opening with anyone who might be interested 🤩🤩
We’re hiring!
My new Gut–Brain Axis Lab at Northwestern is looking for a Research Technologist 2 to help build the lab and explore how the nervous system shapes gut health and disease.
🔬 Apply here: myhr.northwestern.edu/psp/hrnu/EMP...
My new Gut–Brain Axis Lab at Northwestern is looking for a Research Technologist 2 to help build the lab and explore how the nervous system shapes gut health and disease.
🔬 Apply here: myhr.northwestern.edu/psp/hrnu/EMP...
Sign In
JavaScript is required. This web browser does not support JavaScript or JavaScript in this web browser is not enabled.
myhr.northwestern.edu
October 1, 2025 at 1:18 AM
Rocío is an amazing scientist, mentor, and person in general!!! Please share this job opening with anyone who might be interested 🤩🤩
Reposted by catie profaci, phd
New preprint alert! The uterus expands ~500-fold in pregnancy, yet we know little about how pressures are sensed. Led by @yunxiao-dr.bsky.social, we show PIEZOs are required for contractions and birth in mice, with dual roles of PIEZO1 in muscle and PIEZO2 in neurons
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
PIEZO channels link mechanical forces to uterine contractions in parturition
Mechanical forces are extensively involved in pregnancy and parturition, but their precise roles and mechanisms remain poorly understood. Here, we identify mechanically activated ion channels PIEZO1 a...
www.biorxiv.org
September 18, 2025 at 3:23 PM
New preprint alert! The uterus expands ~500-fold in pregnancy, yet we know little about how pressures are sensed. Led by @yunxiao-dr.bsky.social, we show PIEZOs are required for contractions and birth in mice, with dual roles of PIEZO1 in muscle and PIEZO2 in neurons
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
My duck is on its way!
🚨ACTION OF THE DAY🚨
@standupforscience.bsky.social
Day 21! QUACK-O-GRAM THURSDAY!
For $3 we will hand deliver an "IMPEACH THE QUACK" rubber ducky to your House Representative! (By one of our team members in a duck suit!)
DO IT (AND TELL YOUR FRIENDS)
act.standupforscience.net/fundraising/...
@standupforscience.bsky.social
Day 21! QUACK-O-GRAM THURSDAY!
For $3 we will hand deliver an "IMPEACH THE QUACK" rubber ducky to your House Representative! (By one of our team members in a duck suit!)
DO IT (AND TELL YOUR FRIENDS)
act.standupforscience.net/fundraising/...
August 23, 2025 at 6:01 AM
My duck is on its way!
Reposted by catie profaci, phd
Thanks to Nicole for the highlight!! 🥹 this has been such a rewarding a labor of love for the last 6 (!!) years with @cprofaci.bsky.social and @drnancypadilla.bsky.social and our whole team of amazing volunteers!!! Always grateful to hear that it’s reaching a wider audience and having some impact ❤️
Let’s talk @storiesofwin.bsky.social. I’m flattered to be among their profiles (coming soon) & I want to elevate the team behind this terrific effort. /1
www.storiesofwin.org
www.storiesofwin.org
Stories of WiN
www.storiesofwin.org
August 17, 2025 at 4:07 PM
Thanks to Nicole for the highlight!! 🥹 this has been such a rewarding a labor of love for the last 6 (!!) years with @cprofaci.bsky.social and @drnancypadilla.bsky.social and our whole team of amazing volunteers!!! Always grateful to hear that it’s reaching a wider audience and having some impact ❤️
Hard to choose from >150 profiles! One that always sticks out is Huda Akil (ep 19)- www.storiesofwin.org/profiles/202.... & some of my fave interview convos I’ve had are w @osmanaya.bsky.social (ep 58)- www.storiesofwin.org/profiles/202... & Sally Temple (ep 73)- www.storiesofwin.org/profiles/202...
What are your favorite @storiesofwin.bsky.social?
August 17, 2025 at 4:07 PM
Hard to choose from >150 profiles! One that always sticks out is Huda Akil (ep 19)- www.storiesofwin.org/profiles/202.... & some of my fave interview convos I’ve had are w @osmanaya.bsky.social (ep 58)- www.storiesofwin.org/profiles/202... & Sally Temple (ep 73)- www.storiesofwin.org/profiles/202...
Thank you so much to @nicolecrust.bsky.social for taking the time to highlight our team and project on Bluesky!! We are so honored ☺️
Let’s talk @storiesofwin.bsky.social. I’m flattered to be among their profiles (coming soon) & I want to elevate the team behind this terrific effort. /1
www.storiesofwin.org
www.storiesofwin.org
Stories of WiN
www.storiesofwin.org
August 17, 2025 at 3:33 PM
Thank you so much to @nicolecrust.bsky.social for taking the time to highlight our team and project on Bluesky!! We are so honored ☺️
Thrilled to share this amazing work from Marie Blanchette & team in the Daneman Lab!!! We found that differences in the BBB across brain regions help regulate local brain function 🧠 Honored to have contributed to the study & to have had Marie as a mentor during my PhD💕
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Regional heterogeneity of the blood-brain barrier - Nature Communications
The blood-brain barrier (BBB) regulates the extracellular composition of the central nervous system (CNS), but it is not known whether its properties differ across CNS regions. Here, the authors show ...
www.nature.com
August 8, 2025 at 3:57 PM
Thrilled to share this amazing work from Marie Blanchette & team in the Daneman Lab!!! We found that differences in the BBB across brain regions help regulate local brain function 🧠 Honored to have contributed to the study & to have had Marie as a mentor during my PhD💕
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Interested in a neuroscience PhD or postdoc position in Germany? Check out the Brain Algorithms and Circuits Group opening at MPI this Fall!!
And many congrats to my friend Gregor Schuhknecht on opening his lab 🥳
#Neuroscience #Zebrafish #NeuroJobs
brain.mpg.de/schuhknecht
And many congrats to my friend Gregor Schuhknecht on opening his lab 🥳
#Neuroscience #Zebrafish #NeuroJobs
brain.mpg.de/schuhknecht
Gregor Schuhknecht
brain.mpg.de
August 2, 2025 at 11:13 PM
Interested in a neuroscience PhD or postdoc position in Germany? Check out the Brain Algorithms and Circuits Group opening at MPI this Fall!!
And many congrats to my friend Gregor Schuhknecht on opening his lab 🥳
#Neuroscience #Zebrafish #NeuroJobs
brain.mpg.de/schuhknecht
And many congrats to my friend Gregor Schuhknecht on opening his lab 🥳
#Neuroscience #Zebrafish #NeuroJobs
brain.mpg.de/schuhknecht
Reposted by catie profaci, phd
It’s finally happening 🥹 save the date for our very first in-person event!! Fill out our interest form if you’ll be in SD for #sfn25 or otherwise, or fill it out even if you won’t be able to make it - we’re also gathering interest in a virtual streaming option!! Stay tuned for more details to come!!
✨EXCITING NEWS!✨We're hosting our first ever, in-person event! Join us immediately before #SFN for a keynote, panel discussions, networking & more! Interested in attending? Fill out the form below:
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
Nov 15 | 9am-1pm | Tata Hall at UCSD
Help us spread the word!
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
Nov 15 | 9am-1pm | Tata Hall at UCSD
Help us spread the word!
July 29, 2025 at 2:50 AM
It’s finally happening 🥹 save the date for our very first in-person event!! Fill out our interest form if you’ll be in SD for #sfn25 or otherwise, or fill it out even if you won’t be able to make it - we’re also gathering interest in a virtual streaming option!! Stay tuned for more details to come!!
We at @storiesofwin.bsky.social have dreamt of hosting an in-person event for years… and it’s finally happening!!!! 🧠💕
Fill out the interest form even if you won’t be in SD for SfN—we’re gauging interest in a virtual option too!
Fill out the interest form even if you won’t be in SD for SfN—we’re gauging interest in a virtual option too!
✨EXCITING NEWS!✨We're hosting our first ever, in-person event! Join us immediately before #SFN for a keynote, panel discussions, networking & more! Interested in attending? Fill out the form below:
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
Nov 15 | 9am-1pm | Tata Hall at UCSD
Help us spread the word!
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
Nov 15 | 9am-1pm | Tata Hall at UCSD
Help us spread the word!
July 29, 2025 at 2:03 AM
We at @storiesofwin.bsky.social have dreamt of hosting an in-person event for years… and it’s finally happening!!!! 🧠💕
Fill out the interest form even if you won’t be in SD for SfN—we’re gauging interest in a virtual option too!
Fill out the interest form even if you won’t be in SD for SfN—we’re gauging interest in a virtual option too!
Reposted by catie profaci, phd
The NIH is asking scientists and the public to comment on plans to drastically limit animal model research. If you think animal models remain important tools for basic and clinical research tell them! Click the link below and scroll down to send your comments!
www.fda.gov/news-events/...
www.fda.gov/news-events/...
FDA-NIH Workshop: Reducing Animal Testing
The FDA is hosting a workshop on reducing animal testing. The workshop is open to current FDA and NIH employees.
www.fda.gov
July 11, 2025 at 5:17 PM
The NIH is asking scientists and the public to comment on plans to drastically limit animal model research. If you think animal models remain important tools for basic and clinical research tell them! Click the link below and scroll down to send your comments!
www.fda.gov/news-events/...
www.fda.gov/news-events/...
Reposted by catie profaci, phd
BREAKING: A federal judge in Massachusetts (the Reagan-appointed William Young) has declared the Trump administration's cuts to NIH grants — ostensibly over Trump's EOs on gender ideology and DEI — are "illegal" and "void." He's ordering many grants restored.
June 16, 2025 at 6:23 PM
BREAKING: A federal judge in Massachusetts (the Reagan-appointed William Young) has declared the Trump administration's cuts to NIH grants — ostensibly over Trump's EOs on gender ideology and DEI — are "illegal" and "void." He's ordering many grants restored.
Reposted by catie profaci, phd
⚖️ HUGE day today in the NIH terminations cases
There's a trial (of sorts) at 10a ET in Boston today for arguments that NIH unlawfully terminated 100s of grants.
It's a 3 hour hearing and I'll post periodic updates.
Of note: this is the 1st lawsuit filed against the Trump Admin to go to trial.
There's a trial (of sorts) at 10a ET in Boston today for arguments that NIH unlawfully terminated 100s of grants.
It's a 3 hour hearing and I'll post periodic updates.
Of note: this is the 1st lawsuit filed against the Trump Admin to go to trial.
June 16, 2025 at 2:00 PM
⚖️ HUGE day today in the NIH terminations cases
There's a trial (of sorts) at 10a ET in Boston today for arguments that NIH unlawfully terminated 100s of grants.
It's a 3 hour hearing and I'll post periodic updates.
Of note: this is the 1st lawsuit filed against the Trump Admin to go to trial.
There's a trial (of sorts) at 10a ET in Boston today for arguments that NIH unlawfully terminated 100s of grants.
It's a 3 hour hearing and I'll post periodic updates.
Of note: this is the 1st lawsuit filed against the Trump Admin to go to trial.
Reposted by catie profaci, phd
Sen. Alex Padilla was just removed from Kristi Noem's press conference in Los Angeles (video: Bill Melugin/Fox News)
June 12, 2025 at 6:09 PM
Sen. Alex Padilla was just removed from Kristi Noem's press conference in Los Angeles (video: Bill Melugin/Fox News)
Happening today!!!
June 6, 2025 at 2:57 PM
Happening today!!!
Reposted by catie profaci, phd
Friends, as much fun as it is to play "Goon, fiend, or wanker? with the Trump regime, the sad reality is that this regime is actively attacking the LGBTQ+ community. Please share this LGBTQ+ friendly one-pager of mental health resources widely #PrideMonth #MentalHealth #AltComms
June 2, 2025 at 9:23 PM
Friends, as much fun as it is to play "Goon, fiend, or wanker? with the Trump regime, the sad reality is that this regime is actively attacking the LGBTQ+ community. Please share this LGBTQ+ friendly one-pager of mental health resources widely #PrideMonth #MentalHealth #AltComms
Reposted by catie profaci, phd
Special Episode! Didn't get into your dream grad program? Don't give up! Colors of the Brain (@colorsofthebrain.bsky.social) co-founder Dr. Maribel Patino (@maribel-patino.bsky.social) shares tips to strengthen your application #AcademicTwitter #GradSchoolTips
www.storiesofwin.org/profiles/202...
www.storiesofwin.org/profiles/202...
Didn't get into grad school, what now? — Stories of WiN
Dr. Maribel Patino, co-Founder of Colors of the Brain, about what to do if you didn’t get into grad school
www.storiesofwin.org
June 2, 2025 at 3:06 PM
Special Episode! Didn't get into your dream grad program? Don't give up! Colors of the Brain (@colorsofthebrain.bsky.social) co-founder Dr. Maribel Patino (@maribel-patino.bsky.social) shares tips to strengthen your application #AcademicTwitter #GradSchoolTips
www.storiesofwin.org/profiles/202...
www.storiesofwin.org/profiles/202...
Reposted by catie profaci, phd
We love to see multiple #StoriesOfWiN team members in the 2025 Leading Edge cohort! 💜 Congratulations to @cprofaci.bsky.social, @megkirch.bsky.social, and @hannahelam.bsky.social!
We are thrilled to announce the 2025 Leading Edge Fellows! 40 outstanding postdoctoral fellows doing pioneering research in a wide range of biological and biomedical disciplines.
Learn more about these exceptional scientists:
www.leadingedgesymposium.org/fellows
Learn more about these exceptional scientists:
www.leadingedgesymposium.org/fellows
May 28, 2025 at 2:05 AM
We love to see multiple #StoriesOfWiN team members in the 2025 Leading Edge cohort! 💜 Congratulations to @cprofaci.bsky.social, @megkirch.bsky.social, and @hannahelam.bsky.social!
Reposted by catie profaci, phd
Every day I am so heartbroken for all the brilliant, curious, and promising young scientists that have passed through my lab and classrooms, now having their futures stolen just to serve some guy’s ego.
Across New England and the country, thousands of budding scientists have awoken to a stark new reality, following funding cuts by the Trump Administration. - via @bostonglobe.com
buff.ly/XYK9bLh
buff.ly/XYK9bLh
Young scientists say they may abandon research as their career options shrink amid Trump cuts
Across New England and the country, thousands of budding scientists have awoken to a stark new reality, following funding cuts by the Trump Administration.
www.statnews.com
May 27, 2025 at 10:02 PM
Every day I am so heartbroken for all the brilliant, curious, and promising young scientists that have passed through my lab and classrooms, now having their futures stolen just to serve some guy’s ego.