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disabledinstem.bsky.social
DisabledInSTEM
@disabledinstem.bsky.social
3.3K followers 450 following 910 posts
We are here to affirm that you DO belong in STEM! This is a safe space for people with disabilities in STEM to connect. Contact: disabledinstem@gmail.com
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disabledinstem.bsky.social
It's that time of year again... time for #DisabledInSTEM 2026 Mentorship applications! I'm so excited to be running this program for the sixth year and seeing the growth over the years!

Mentee form: forms.gle/um5DvYnBi3tn...
Mentor form: forms.gle/BvaxnQm8uhUR...

Applications due December 5th!
Promotional graphic for the DisabledInSTEM 2026 Mentorship Program. The background is a dark blue gradient with flowing wave-like patterns in blue and gold. At the top, white text reads: “DisabledInSTEM 2026 Mentorship Applications Now Open.” Below, a yellow box with black text says: “Seeking Disabled Mentees and Dedicated Mentors to Champion Inclusion in STEM.” At the bottom, white text states: “Applications due December 5th.” In the lower right corner, there is the DisabledInSTEM logo.
October 20, 2025 at 4:44 PM
disabledinstem.bsky.social
Why does the #DisabledInSTEM Mentorship Program matter? It matters because it builds confidence in identity and capabilities to help recognize that everyone belongs in STEM!

I love when previous mentees decide to come back as mentors as it really shows how the program helps to empower!
The image has a purple background with floral decorations at the top and bottom. In the center, there is a block of text that reads: "Being a DiStem mentee was so helpful to me. I had never talked about my disability diagnosis before and it gave me the courage and confidence to be more open about it. And hearing other people's journeys and seeing the similarities was amazing, I felt like I had people who understood the career-side of what I'd been through for the first time. I want to keep having this peer group, but this year since I'm more comfortable sharing, I think I can be a mentor instead of a mentee." There is a logo of a colorful laboratory flask with interconnected circles and the text "DISABLED IN STEM" underneath
March 31, 2025 at 6:57 PM
disabledinstem.bsky.social
I feel honored that I’m able to connect those #DisabledInSTEM because it can be extremely isolating until you realize there’s a community willing to support you 💜
A tweet from Giulianna Calia that reads Today's convos with in @DisabledStem pods felt really empowering. Every day, chronic pain and head trauma act as barriers for me to do science. Yet today, I heard from many brilliant scientists who face similar struggles and find creative ways to show up to lab. #disabledinstem 6:30 PM • 3/18/25 from Earth • 55 Views
March 19, 2025 at 5:15 AM
disabledinstem.bsky.social
Snow day fun!! ❄️
A 13 year old blonde and white puppy stands in the snow with her blue jacket on.
December 20, 2024 at 7:49 PM
disabledinstem.bsky.social
Hi! I’m Alyssa (she/her) and I started this platform in 2020 to raise awareness and create representation for #DisabledInSTEM

I’m currently a 5th year PhD Candidate and #HHMI Gilliam Fellow! I study mutations in histones and tubulin via mass spectrometry and molecular biology! 💜
Alyssa smiles at the camera while in a lab. She has on a white lab coat and a pink sweater that says DisabledInSTEM
November 27, 2024 at 8:28 PM
disabledinstem.bsky.social
There's two weeks left to apply for the 2024 #DisabledInSTEM Mentorship Program!

Today we're bringing advice from one of our wise mentors that is feeling extra poignant these days!
Alt text: Pictured is artwork from Keely Ji, with their signature in the bottom left corner. The text on top reads advice from a DisabledInSTEM Mentor and the background is a light blue color, with blue clouds in the bottom left corner and green leaves. The text reads: Don’t give up. There are people fighting and the fight must be had. In the bottom right corner, there is the twitter bird symbol with text that states @DisabledSTEM
November 24, 2024 at 12:10 AM
disabledinstem.bsky.social
I saw this on Reddit and thought it was important to share the stages of burnout, especially with everything going on #Academia #MentalHealth #DisabledInSTEM
"A graphic titled 'The 12 Stages of Burnout' illustrates burnout progression through 12 stages, each represented by a flame icon with varying colors and intensities. Stage 1: A blue flame with the caption, 'You feel there is a strong need to prove yourself.' Stage 2: A light blue flame with the caption, 'You keep working harder and harder to achieve this.' Stage 3: A teal flame with the caption, 'You begin to neglect your own needs more.' Stage 4: A muted green flame with the caption, 'You are conflicted and blame others or the situation.' Stage 5: A green flame with the caption, 'You change your values to focus on work more.' Stage 6: A yellow-green flame with the caption, 'You deny the problems that arise due to work stress.' Stage 7: A yellow flame with the caption, 'You withdraw from social life and your family as well.' Stage 8: An orange flame with the caption, 'Your behavior changes which upsets your loved ones.' Stage 9: A bright orange flame with the caption, 'Depersonalization happens, you do not feel like yourself.' Stage 10: A dull red-orange flame with the caption, 'You feel empty and numb, substance abuse can occur.' Stage 11: A red flame with the caption, 'You feel depressed, lost, and completely exhausted.' Stage 12: A bright red flame with the caption, 'You mentally and physically collapse, full burnout.' The image uses the progressively intensifying colors of the flames to visually depict the worsening stages of burnout, beginning with a strong need to prove oneself and culminating in physical and mental collapse."
November 22, 2024 at 1:05 AM
disabledinstem.bsky.social
I decided to jump on the bandwagon and do an introduction post!

My name is Alyssa (she/her) and I launched the #DisabledInSTEM platform in 2020 because I wanted to build community and raise awareness! I'm currently a 5th year PhD Candidate studying cancer, but my passion is DEI work!
Alyssa smiles at the camera while in a lab. She has on a white lab coat and a pink sweater that says DisabledInSTEM
November 8, 2024 at 2:07 AM
disabledinstem.bsky.social
It's time to start organizing the 2025 #DisabledInSTEM Mentorship Program! Feel free to reach out with any questions!

Mentee application: forms.gle/Xgha7wf6vrwa...

Mentor application: forms.gle/mc5a8Bc6mXJX...
A graphic made on Canvas stating that the DisabledInSTEM 2025 Mentorship Program is now open and that applications are due December 7th. It also states this is going to be the fifth year of the program. On the pink ombre background, there are colored test tubes and glasses in the corners.
October 20, 2024 at 8:39 PM
disabledinstem.bsky.social
It's time to recruit for the 2024 #DisabledInSTEM Mentorship Program, which is our fourth year!

Mentee form: forms.gle/tryM66LaKGM5...

Mentor form: forms.gle/ncCcoNxYkJhN...

Applications are due December and placements will occur by mid-January!

Reach out with any questions!
A graphic created on Canvas that features center text that says disabledInSTEM 2023 Mentorship Program is Live, applications due December 1st, 2023. On the yellow background, there s a DNA helix in the upper left corner. The upper right corner has a globe. On the bottom of the graphic are various cartoons of scientists, holding notebooks, beakers, and a microscope while wearing lab coats.
October 23, 2023 at 7:47 PM
disabledinstem.bsky.social
Nervous to say the least for how much this mandatory procedure will cost me!
A screenshot that says get ready for your visit and requires a payment of $292.36
October 10, 2023 at 7:57 PM
disabledinstem.bsky.social
Love seeing the #DisabledInSTEM #SpookySeason merch!!
A purple tee shirt that features a skeleton in a blue lab coat, using a purple cane and holding an orange bubbling flask. The top reads I feel it in my bones and the bottom says DisabledInSTEM
September 29, 2023 at 6:02 PM
disabledinstem.bsky.social
July is #DisabilityPrideMonth which is a great way to connect with the disability community! Community support is important year-long though! #DiSWeek23
There is a blue/pink ombre background with two gold border trimmings on the upper right edge and bottom left edge. On the bottom right corner is a graphic of an outline shadow of people holding hands, which includes individuals of various ages and sizes, along with someone in a wheelchair. The text reads, “Question #6 for the community: Share a recent accomplishment that we can celebrate as a community!” In the left corner is a graphic of two people giving each other a high-five.
July 17, 2023 at 7:23 PM
disabledinstem.bsky.social
July is #DisabilityPrideMonth which is a great way to connect with the disability community! Community support is important year-long though! #DiSWeek23
There is a blue/pink ombre background with two gold border trimmings on the upper right edge and bottom left edge. On the bottom right corner is a graphic of an outline shadow of people holding hands, which includes individuals of various ages and sizes, along with someone in a wheelchair. The text reads, “Question #5 for the community: How do you find community to support you?” In the bottom left corner there is also a graphic of a globe with three figures representing people holding hands with a heart.
July 17, 2023 at 7:22 PM
disabledinstem.bsky.social
For question #4 of #DiSWeek23 we're asking about self-care! If you haven't thought about self-care for a while, take this as a sign to schedule some into your week! Get inspired by the ideas of others! #DisabledInSTEM #SelfCare
There is a blue/pink ombre background with two gold border trimmings on the upper right edge and bottom left edge. On the bottom right corner is a graphic of an outline shadow of people holding hands, which includes individuals of various ages and sizes, along with someone in a wheelchair. The text reads, “Question #4 for the community: What do you do for self-care?” In the bottom left corner, there is a graphic that says self-care is empowerment and has a pink heart that says self-care.
July 17, 2023 at 7:21 PM
disabledinstem.bsky.social
Question #3 of #DiSWeek23 hopes to highlight the inaccessible barriers that many of us face being #DisabledInSTEM Hopefully this highlights how much we go through for others to learn from!
There is a blue/pink ombre background with two gold border trimmings on the upper right edge and bottom left edge. On the bottom right corner is a graphic of an outline shadow of people holding hands, which includes individuals of various ages and sizes, along with someone in a wheelchair. The text reads, “Question #3 for the community: When was the last time you faced an inaccessible barrier? What can this experience teach others?”
July 17, 2023 at 7:20 PM
disabledinstem.bsky.social
Welcome to the first day of #DiSWeek! Our second question for the community is to dig into knowing about your journey! Please share what you feel comfortable with!
There is a blue/pink ombre background with two gold border trimmings on the upper right edge and bottom left edge. On the bottom right corner is a graphic of an outline shadow of people holding hands, which includes individuals of various ages and sizes, along with someone in a wheelchair. The text reads, “Question #2 for the community: Was your journey to where you are today difficult due to your disability?”
July 17, 2023 at 7:19 PM
disabledinstem.bsky.social
Happy #DisabilityPrideMonth! To fit with the theme of the month, I decided to kick off the inaugural #DisabledInSTEMWeek! Please feel free to introduce yourself to the community here! I'm really looking forward to highlighting the diversity within the community!
There is a blue/pink ombre background with two gold border trimmings on the upper right edge and bottom left edge. On the bottom right corner is a graphic of an outline shadow of people holding hands, which includes individuals of various ages and sizes, along with someone in a wheelchair. The text reads “Happy Disability Pride Month! Welcome to the inaugural DisabilityInSTEM Week! Introduce yourself! Feel free to share whatever information you feel comfortable with and tag #DisabledInSTEM!”
July 17, 2023 at 7:18 PM
disabledinstem.bsky.social
Happy to launch on this platform and introduce the #DisabledInSTEMWeek calendar, which begins on July 17th! #DisabledInSTEM #DisWeek23
Featured is the DisabledInSTEM week calendar, which proudly states DisabledInSTEM Week July 2023 on a black to blue ombre background. Then, each day is listed with the topic. Monday the 17th is introduction to the DisabledInSTEM Community. The 18th is a Dive Into Disabled Scientists. The 19th is Focusing on the T in STEM- Technology Edition. The 20th is Highlighting Disabled Engineers. The 21st is Centering the M in STEM- Math and Medicine Edition. The last day is the 22nd and reads Bonus Day: Disability Trivia Day.
July 6, 2023 at 4:51 PM