Julia Willett
@jlewillett.bsky.social
#newPI in Micro & Immuno at U Minnesota. Bacterial interactions/biofilms/uncharacterized genes/T7SS. I like wine, traveling, and the LA Kings. She/her.
Pinned
Julia Willett
@jlewillett.bsky.social
· Feb 5
How it feels as an Assistant Professor being told to just keep submitting NIH grants because at least ASSIST and eEA Commons are still functioning
Reposted by Julia Willett
The shutdown put incredible strain on so many families and dedicated civil servants, but at least it was all for fucking nothing.
November 10, 2025 at 5:02 AM
The shutdown put incredible strain on so many families and dedicated civil servants, but at least it was all for fucking nothing.
Reposted by Julia Willett
How about we shut down the government for this very popular and specific goal and then, hear me out, we hold out for like a month and a half and then, ok this part is important, after a watershed election where we ran the table, ONLY THEN, fold and don't get the one thing we said we wanted.
November 10, 2025 at 2:31 AM
How about we shut down the government for this very popular and specific goal and then, hear me out, we hold out for like a month and a half and then, ok this part is important, after a watershed election where we ran the table, ONLY THEN, fold and don't get the one thing we said we wanted.
Reposted by Julia Willett
Delighted that our review on resistance to last-resort antibiotics in Enterococci has been published in FEMS Microbiology Reviews
academic.oup.com/femsre/advan... (accepted manuscript version)
TL;DR: the Enterococci are really good at evolving resistance to antibiotics in new and creative ways.
academic.oup.com/femsre/advan... (accepted manuscript version)
TL;DR: the Enterococci are really good at evolving resistance to antibiotics in new and creative ways.
Resistance to last-resort antibiotics in enterococci
Abstract. The genus Enterococcus comprises a diverse group of species, many of which are commensal members of the gut microbiota of humans and animals. The
academic.oup.com
November 8, 2025 at 5:41 PM
Delighted that our review on resistance to last-resort antibiotics in Enterococci has been published in FEMS Microbiology Reviews
academic.oup.com/femsre/advan... (accepted manuscript version)
TL;DR: the Enterococci are really good at evolving resistance to antibiotics in new and creative ways.
academic.oup.com/femsre/advan... (accepted manuscript version)
TL;DR: the Enterococci are really good at evolving resistance to antibiotics in new and creative ways.
Reposted by Julia Willett
A Sharon Begley byline, almost 5 years after her death.
Upon hearing the news James Watson had died, a STAT reporter said in our Slack, "I wish I could read what Sharon would have written."
Incredible news: Sharon in fact did pre-write a Watson obit. And it is masterful and excoriating.
🧪🧬🧫
Upon hearing the news James Watson had died, a STAT reporter said in our Slack, "I wish I could read what Sharon would have written."
Incredible news: Sharon in fact did pre-write a Watson obit. And it is masterful and excoriating.
🧪🧬🧫
James Watson, dead at 97, was a scientific legend and a pariah among his peers
James Watson, the co-discoverer of the structure of DNA who died Thursday at 97, was a scientific legend and a pariah among his peers.
www.statnews.com
November 8, 2025 at 1:39 PM
A Sharon Begley byline, almost 5 years after her death.
Upon hearing the news James Watson had died, a STAT reporter said in our Slack, "I wish I could read what Sharon would have written."
Incredible news: Sharon in fact did pre-write a Watson obit. And it is masterful and excoriating.
🧪🧬🧫
Upon hearing the news James Watson had died, a STAT reporter said in our Slack, "I wish I could read what Sharon would have written."
Incredible news: Sharon in fact did pre-write a Watson obit. And it is masterful and excoriating.
🧪🧬🧫
Reposted by Julia Willett
Raise a glass for Rosalind Franklin tonight and honor her memory and scientific contributions
NYT obituary of Jim Watson.
A long and fairly balanced view of a complicated man who participated in one of the greatest discoveries in biology.
[Gift Link]
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/07/s...
A long and fairly balanced view of a complicated man who participated in one of the greatest discoveries in biology.
[Gift Link]
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/07/s...
James Watson, Co-Discoverer of the Structure of DNA, Is Dead at 97
www.nytimes.com
November 7, 2025 at 9:12 PM
Raise a glass for Rosalind Franklin tonight and honor her memory and scientific contributions
Reposted by Julia Willett
Director Bhattacharya "Let's fund emerging investigators"
Yeah, who's the idiot running NIH who allowed 15% or few fewer early stage investigators be funded in FY2025 compared to FY2024?
(Estimate: The official numbers are not yet available (at least publicly)
Yeah, who's the idiot running NIH who allowed 15% or few fewer early stage investigators be funded in FY2025 compared to FY2024?
(Estimate: The official numbers are not yet available (at least publicly)
November 6, 2025 at 12:01 PM
Director Bhattacharya "Let's fund emerging investigators"
Yeah, who's the idiot running NIH who allowed 15% or few fewer early stage investigators be funded in FY2025 compared to FY2024?
(Estimate: The official numbers are not yet available (at least publicly)
Yeah, who's the idiot running NIH who allowed 15% or few fewer early stage investigators be funded in FY2025 compared to FY2024?
(Estimate: The official numbers are not yet available (at least publicly)
Reposted by Julia Willett
Zara Weinberg passed away earlier this week. She joined my lab earlier this year when her postdoc lab formally closed.
She was a brilliant scientist, supportive mentor, dear friend, avid music fan, rabid believer in public transit, open science champion, and above all just an amazing human.
She was a brilliant scientist, supportive mentor, dear friend, avid music fan, rabid believer in public transit, open science champion, and above all just an amazing human.
October 31, 2025 at 1:18 PM
Zara Weinberg passed away earlier this week. She joined my lab earlier this year when her postdoc lab formally closed.
She was a brilliant scientist, supportive mentor, dear friend, avid music fan, rabid believer in public transit, open science champion, and above all just an amazing human.
She was a brilliant scientist, supportive mentor, dear friend, avid music fan, rabid believer in public transit, open science champion, and above all just an amazing human.
Reposted by Julia Willett
The #FindThatLizard Scholarship is accepting applications until 12/10.
We fund girls, women, and gender non conforming persons pursuing herpetology🦎🐍🐸🐢
I can’t wait to read your application! earynmcgee.com/findthatliza...
We fund girls, women, and gender non conforming persons pursuing herpetology🦎🐍🐸🐢
I can’t wait to read your application! earynmcgee.com/findthatliza...
November 5, 2025 at 2:37 PM
The #FindThatLizard Scholarship is accepting applications until 12/10.
We fund girls, women, and gender non conforming persons pursuing herpetology🦎🐍🐸🐢
I can’t wait to read your application! earynmcgee.com/findthatliza...
We fund girls, women, and gender non conforming persons pursuing herpetology🦎🐍🐸🐢
I can’t wait to read your application! earynmcgee.com/findthatliza...
Reposted by Julia Willett
New week, new episode of #MattersMicrobial. This time, Dr. Jessica Mark Welch of the Forsyth Institute joins the #QualityQuorum to discuss the microbiogeography of the human tongue and related issues. Please spread the #GoodMicrobialWord!
youtu.be/VGD8jkNJHKo?...
youtu.be/VGD8jkNJHKo?...
October 31, 2025 at 9:15 PM
New week, new episode of #MattersMicrobial. This time, Dr. Jessica Mark Welch of the Forsyth Institute joins the #QualityQuorum to discuss the microbiogeography of the human tongue and related issues. Please spread the #GoodMicrobialWord!
youtu.be/VGD8jkNJHKo?...
youtu.be/VGD8jkNJHKo?...
Reposted by Julia Willett
Doing RNAseq analysis on Halloween
October 30, 2025 at 11:18 AM
Doing RNAseq analysis on Halloween
Reposted by Julia Willett
While the feds continue to play stupid games, SNAP recipients are set to lose food aid for the next month. In the Bay Area, a growing number of restaurants are stepping up to help, and we're maintaining the list. Share with anyone who needs it. www.coyotemedia.org/these-bay-ar...
These Bay Area Restaurants Are Offering Free Food to SNAP Recipients
Amid a government shutdown that will cut off aid for 42 million Americans, local food scene folks plan to pick up the slack.
www.coyotemedia.org
October 27, 2025 at 11:52 PM
While the feds continue to play stupid games, SNAP recipients are set to lose food aid for the next month. In the Bay Area, a growing number of restaurants are stepping up to help, and we're maintaining the list. Share with anyone who needs it. www.coyotemedia.org/these-bay-ar...
Reposted by Julia Willett
Walz: "They are paying contractors to pay down the East Wing but they're not putting money into the food bank. So if there's a sense of frustration in America, it's very real ... when the White House press secretary said their top priority is the ballroom, we could not disagree more."
October 27, 2025 at 3:22 PM
Walz: "They are paying contractors to pay down the East Wing but they're not putting money into the food bank. So if there's a sense of frustration in America, it's very real ... when the White House press secretary said their top priority is the ballroom, we could not disagree more."
Reposted by Julia Willett
If I were running the DNC, there would be Democratic Party sponsored food relief banks across the country right now that specifically welcomed anyone regardless of party affiliation.
Along with the food, there could be voter registration and links to runforsomething.net
Along with the food, there could be voter registration and links to runforsomething.net
October 26, 2025 at 9:03 PM
If I were running the DNC, there would be Democratic Party sponsored food relief banks across the country right now that specifically welcomed anyone regardless of party affiliation.
Along with the food, there could be voter registration and links to runforsomething.net
Along with the food, there could be voter registration and links to runforsomething.net
Come be my colleague! We have new faculty searches in Virology & Fungal Biology/Medical Mycology. UMN has great people & the Twin Cities are beautiful year-round!
Virology: hr.myu.umn.edu/jobs/ext/365...
Fungal Biology / Medical Mycology: hr.myu.umn.edu/jobs/ext/36547
6
Virology: hr.myu.umn.edu/jobs/ext/365...
Fungal Biology / Medical Mycology: hr.myu.umn.edu/jobs/ext/36547
6
Careers
Minimum qualifications:PhD, MD, or equivalent in a relevant field of study, plus applicable postdoctoral experience.
hr.myu.umn.edu
October 24, 2025 at 6:11 PM
Come be my colleague! We have new faculty searches in Virology & Fungal Biology/Medical Mycology. UMN has great people & the Twin Cities are beautiful year-round!
Virology: hr.myu.umn.edu/jobs/ext/365...
Fungal Biology / Medical Mycology: hr.myu.umn.edu/jobs/ext/36547
6
Virology: hr.myu.umn.edu/jobs/ext/365...
Fungal Biology / Medical Mycology: hr.myu.umn.edu/jobs/ext/36547
6
Reposted by Julia Willett
@joann-trejo.bsky.social, @marymunson4.bsky.social and I have a commentary in @natcellbio.nature.com on recent attacks on DEI in biomedical research: "If scientific research, especially biomedical research, is meant to serve everyone, then it requires that everyone has an opportunity to participate"
Scaling back DEI programmes and the loss of scientific talent
Nature Cell Biology - Programmes that support diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) in science are under attack in the USA. Data indicate that diversity in the scientific workforce increases...
www.nature.com
October 23, 2025 at 4:36 PM
@joann-trejo.bsky.social, @marymunson4.bsky.social and I have a commentary in @natcellbio.nature.com on recent attacks on DEI in biomedical research: "If scientific research, especially biomedical research, is meant to serve everyone, then it requires that everyone has an opportunity to participate"
Reposted by Julia Willett
Postdoc at the Minnesota Population Center, @minnpop.bsky.social
Applications open now and being evaluated on a rolling basis. Pass on to demographers you know!
(This one requires folks to relocate to the Twin Cities, because it involves work in the restricted data center)
Applications open now and being evaluated on a rolling basis. Pass on to demographers you know!
(This one requires folks to relocate to the Twin Cities, because it involves work in the restricted data center)
hr.myu.umn.edu
October 23, 2025 at 2:37 PM
Postdoc at the Minnesota Population Center, @minnpop.bsky.social
Applications open now and being evaluated on a rolling basis. Pass on to demographers you know!
(This one requires folks to relocate to the Twin Cities, because it involves work in the restricted data center)
Applications open now and being evaluated on a rolling basis. Pass on to demographers you know!
(This one requires folks to relocate to the Twin Cities, because it involves work in the restricted data center)
👇👇👇 come to #mmpc2026 for the science, stay for the Minnesota Microbiology shirts (iykyk)
Mark your calendars! #mmpc2026 The 2026 Midwest Microbial Pathogenesis Conference will be take place September 25-27, 2026 at the University of Minnesota! We are excited to welcome keynote speaker Dr. Andy Camilli. Give us a follow and watch for important information here ➡️ mmpc2026.umn.edu
Midwest Microbial Pathogenesis Conference | Midwest Microbial Pathogenesis Conference 2026
mmpc2026.umn.edu
October 23, 2025 at 11:02 PM
👇👇👇 come to #mmpc2026 for the science, stay for the Minnesota Microbiology shirts (iykyk)
Reposted by Julia Willett
I am so proud of @spasqualetti.bsky.social and this BioRxiv paper! I have to prep for class, but later today I'll highlight some of her findings about a stickleback gut isolate that can degrade plastic and other microbes that inhibit it's ability. 🦠🔬
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Cold-water gut isolate from threespine stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus) reveals polypropylene surface oxidation and co-culture inhibition
Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polypropylene (PP), two of the most widely produced plastics in the United States, persist in cold-water environments where plastic-degrading microbes have been po...
www.biorxiv.org
October 23, 2025 at 1:35 PM
I am so proud of @spasqualetti.bsky.social and this BioRxiv paper! I have to prep for class, but later today I'll highlight some of her findings about a stickleback gut isolate that can degrade plastic and other microbes that inhibit it's ability. 🦠🔬
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Reposted by Julia Willett
Reposted by Julia Willett
41 million people (including 20 million kids) will lose access to food in a few days while a new 90,000 square foot ballroom is being added to the White House.
This political moment is profoundly disgusting.
This political moment is profoundly disgusting.
October 22, 2025 at 12:38 AM
41 million people (including 20 million kids) will lose access to food in a few days while a new 90,000 square foot ballroom is being added to the White House.
This political moment is profoundly disgusting.
This political moment is profoundly disgusting.
Reposted by Julia Willett
Wow. Harvard nuking its PhD programs
- Science PhD admissions reduced by more than 75%
- Arts & Humanities reduced by about 60%
- Social Sciences by 50–70%
- History by 60%
- Biology by 75%
- The German department will lose all PhD seats
- Sociology from six PhD students to zero
- Science PhD admissions reduced by more than 75%
- Arts & Humanities reduced by about 60%
- Social Sciences by 50–70%
- History by 60%
- Biology by 75%
- The German department will lose all PhD seats
- Sociology from six PhD students to zero
Harvard FAS Cuts Ph.D. Seats By More Than Half Across Next Two Admissions Cycles | News | The Harvard Crimson
The Faculty of Arts and Sciences slashed the number of Ph.D. student admissions slots for the Science division by more than 75 percent and for the Arts & Humanities division by about 60 percent for th...
www.thecrimson.com
October 21, 2025 at 5:11 PM
Wow. Harvard nuking its PhD programs
- Science PhD admissions reduced by more than 75%
- Arts & Humanities reduced by about 60%
- Social Sciences by 50–70%
- History by 60%
- Biology by 75%
- The German department will lose all PhD seats
- Sociology from six PhD students to zero
- Science PhD admissions reduced by more than 75%
- Arts & Humanities reduced by about 60%
- Social Sciences by 50–70%
- History by 60%
- Biology by 75%
- The German department will lose all PhD seats
- Sociology from six PhD students to zero
Reposted by Julia Willett
No money for science because….
Construction workers ripped the face off the East Wing to begin building President Trump’s 90,000-square-foot ballroom. nyti.ms/43oS9T1
October 21, 2025 at 3:02 AM
No money for science because….
I feel like maybe a billionaire's Internet company should not be running the global backbone of education
Fun fact (or terrifying one), today’s AWS outage took down Canvas, the #1 learning management system used by 4,000+ U.S. colleges and millions of students worldwide. One data center hiccup and half of higher ed disappears.
October 20, 2025 at 5:45 PM
I feel like maybe a billionaire's Internet company should not be running the global backbone of education
Reposted by Julia Willett
That’s about 45 5-year R01 projects. For Noem to gallivant around the world for cosplay photo shoots.
The Trump administration is spending $172 million on two jets for Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and other senior officials
DHS Purchase Of Business Jets During Shutdown Draws Democrats’ Ire
The department said it would not allow the federal shutdown "to slow down this process" of replacing the jet, but Democrats want to know where the money is coming from.
www.huffpost.com
October 19, 2025 at 11:26 PM
That’s about 45 5-year R01 projects. For Noem to gallivant around the world for cosplay photo shoots.
Reposted by Julia Willett
Dismantling the Institutional Review Board (IRB), that oversees all human subjects research, is bad. Really bad.
The entire HR department at the CDC is gone. Everyone at the IRB, which makes sure studies are conducted ethically and rigorously, and the ethics office, which oversee conflicts of interest for CDC leaders and advisory committee members, were also let go.
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
‘Instability and confusion’ as CDC slashes 1,300 jobs before reinstating half
Trump administration says 700 notices were sent in error, while top CDC officer says ‘they didn’t think through what they were doing’
www.theguardian.com
October 19, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Dismantling the Institutional Review Board (IRB), that oversees all human subjects research, is bad. Really bad.