Dr. Karen Muller Smith (She/Her)
@karenmullersmith.bsky.social
Neuroscientist, Geneticist, Educator, and Mama Bear. German-Chilean. My Lab studies Astrocytes, FGF Receptors, the Neurobiology of Self Injurious Behaviors. Ally for LGBTQ rights. Opinions are my own.
Tee-hee, lost and found booth has pictures of the hippocampus. I found them @daniellebeckman.bsky.social !
November 19, 2025 at 5:21 AM
Tee-hee, lost and found booth has pictures of the hippocampus. I found them @daniellebeckman.bsky.social !
I love all the birds of paradise in San Diego.I also caught a glimpse (and sound) of a Kingfisher (real bird) near the bay!!
November 19, 2025 at 12:10 AM
I love all the birds of paradise in San Diego.I also caught a glimpse (and sound) of a Kingfisher (real bird) near the bay!!
Ready for day 3 and wearing my glia necklace that was beautifully crafted by @laurabundesen.bsky.social, go check out her booth of original artwork at the Art of Neuroscience near the food court on the 2nd floor. #sfn2025
November 17, 2025 at 3:48 PM
Ready for day 3 and wearing my glia necklace that was beautifully crafted by @laurabundesen.bsky.social, go check out her booth of original artwork at the Art of Neuroscience near the food court on the 2nd floor. #sfn2025
A little foggy and rainy on the way in, but I am excited for #sfn25 and presenting the work of a MS Student, Tasnima Supty, who graduated last summer and is unable to travel due to her health.
November 15, 2025 at 5:18 PM
A little foggy and rainy on the way in, but I am excited for #sfn25 and presenting the work of a MS Student, Tasnima Supty, who graduated last summer and is unable to travel due to her health.
I'm a bit scary for the little ones getting candy.
October 31, 2025 at 11:41 PM
I'm a bit scary for the little ones getting candy.
Interview Day for the Director of the School of Biological Sciences at UL Lafayette (I am currently interim director). Eep! Deseame Suerte!
October 23, 2025 at 1:59 PM
Interview Day for the Director of the School of Biological Sciences at UL Lafayette (I am currently interim director). Eep! Deseame Suerte!
I got to visit my Mom this weekend. It was very emotional, as her brain is deteriorating from Alzheimers Disease, and she can barely move or speak. But she liked the bouquet of flowers and called them "bonitos" (pretty), and smiled and giggled when I kissed her.
October 16, 2025 at 12:48 AM
I got to visit my Mom this weekend. It was very emotional, as her brain is deteriorating from Alzheimers Disease, and she can barely move or speak. But she liked the bouquet of flowers and called them "bonitos" (pretty), and smiled and giggled when I kissed her.
My husband holding up "The Boys" this morning.
October 15, 2025 at 8:41 PM
My husband holding up "The Boys" this morning.
I gave my lecture on the Neurobiology of the eye today. I brought some gummy eye ball candies to give out for fun. Hats off to all the Neurobiology peeps working on the visual system, it's mind bending and awesome.
October 7, 2025 at 5:31 PM
I gave my lecture on the Neurobiology of the eye today. I brought some gummy eye ball candies to give out for fun. Hats off to all the Neurobiology peeps working on the visual system, it's mind bending and awesome.
Cooking up some new experiments 🤣
October 6, 2025 at 4:26 AM
Cooking up some new experiments 🤣
Our Gulf Frittilary has emerged from its chrysalis 😀 we gave it some strawberries and a paper towel soaked in sugar water (1/3 parts).
October 4, 2025 at 1:10 AM
Our Gulf Frittilary has emerged from its chrysalis 😀 we gave it some strawberries and a paper towel soaked in sugar water (1/3 parts).
Baked apple cider donuts. A little taste of New England on a beautiful fall day in Louisiana.
September 28, 2025 at 5:28 PM
Baked apple cider donuts. A little taste of New England on a beautiful fall day in Louisiana.
I love the beautiful color changing mug that I bought from the @sfn.org store. I also love having my old Krupps cappuccino maker at work 😁 ☕️.
September 22, 2025 at 6:57 PM
I love the beautiful color changing mug that I bought from the @sfn.org store. I also love having my old Krupps cappuccino maker at work 😁 ☕️.
Silly kitty likes the new box that was delivered, he had to squeeze in and take a nap.
September 21, 2025 at 12:02 AM
Silly kitty likes the new box that was delivered, he had to squeeze in and take a nap.
Truffle and Sammy love the new couch
September 13, 2025 at 10:12 PM
Truffle and Sammy love the new couch
Can't keep the Neurons away, at least, not when I am walking around the pharmacy with squishy brains in my pocket 😆
September 9, 2025 at 11:59 PM
Can't keep the Neurons away, at least, not when I am walking around the pharmacy with squishy brains in my pocket 😆
My kiddos long awaited Silk Song game came out. Now, if only I could get Winds of Winter.
September 6, 2025 at 6:59 PM
My kiddos long awaited Silk Song game came out. Now, if only I could get Winds of Winter.
Truffle decided to nap between our desks.
September 1, 2025 at 2:50 PM
Truffle decided to nap between our desks.
Frodo likes to hang out and take a ride on @calicoyankee.bsky.social
August 31, 2025 at 3:06 AM
Frodo likes to hang out and take a ride on @calicoyankee.bsky.social
My plate of fluorescent stained GFAP+ cultured astrocytes! I painted a blank plate at clayfish bisque, a store where you pick a piece of pottery, glaze it, and they fired it for you. I used an old GFAP picture of culture astrocytes for inspiration. I LOVE how it came out #astrocytes
August 31, 2025 at 3:03 AM
My plate of fluorescent stained GFAP+ cultured astrocytes! I painted a blank plate at clayfish bisque, a store where you pick a piece of pottery, glaze it, and they fired it for you. I used an old GFAP picture of culture astrocytes for inspiration. I LOVE how it came out #astrocytes
Gulf Frittilary butterfly I saw today. I get to see these butterflies almost every morning on the passion flower vine next to my driveway. It doesn't get old, and I miss them when winter arrives.
August 29, 2025 at 3:49 AM
Gulf Frittilary butterfly I saw today. I get to see these butterflies almost every morning on the passion flower vine next to my driveway. It doesn't get old, and I miss them when winter arrives.
Bought an orchid, and within two minutes of me walking through the door, Frodo wanted to rip into it.
August 23, 2025 at 9:16 PM
Bought an orchid, and within two minutes of me walking through the door, Frodo wanted to rip into it.
Gulf Fritillary Butterfly in my garden this morning 😍
August 20, 2025 at 4:34 AM
Gulf Fritillary Butterfly in my garden this morning 😍