Mariel Vazquez
@mariel-interlinked.bsky.social
Mathematician, scientist working on topology and geometry of nucleic acids, and DNA packing esp. in bacteriophages. Cancer patient. Art and photography lover. Incessantly working towards a better world for all.
Our new paper in Discrete and Applied Mathematics gives a first proof of a Knot Entropy Conjecture.
Highlight: linked regions in polymers occur in a localized way, like pearls on a string.
doi.org/10.1016/j.da...
#latticeknots #patterntheorems #statisticalphysics #randomknotting #nanochannels
Highlight: linked regions in polymers occur in a localized way, like pearls on a string.
doi.org/10.1016/j.da...
#latticeknots #patterntheorems #statisticalphysics #randomknotting #nanochannels
Redirecting
doi.org
September 4, 2025 at 1:26 AM
Our new paper in Discrete and Applied Mathematics gives a first proof of a Knot Entropy Conjecture.
Highlight: linked regions in polymers occur in a localized way, like pearls on a string.
doi.org/10.1016/j.da...
#latticeknots #patterntheorems #statisticalphysics #randomknotting #nanochannels
Highlight: linked regions in polymers occur in a localized way, like pearls on a string.
doi.org/10.1016/j.da...
#latticeknots #patterntheorems #statisticalphysics #randomknotting #nanochannels
Our new paper in PLOS CompBio introduces the R-loop grammar—a formal-language model that predicts R-loop formation across different DNA topologies from SMRF-seq data alone. It captures topology outperforming other methods
journals.plos.org/ploscompbiol...
#ComputationalBiology #Rloops #DNAtopology
journals.plos.org/ploscompbiol...
#ComputationalBiology #Rloops #DNAtopology
The R-loop grammar predicts R-loop formation under different topological constraints
Author summary R-loops are transient three-stranded helical structures that form when newly synthesized RNA binds back to the DNA template strand during transcription, displacing the non-template stra...
journals.plos.org
September 1, 2025 at 9:17 PM
Our new paper in PLOS CompBio introduces the R-loop grammar—a formal-language model that predicts R-loop formation across different DNA topologies from SMRF-seq data alone. It captures topology outperforming other methods
journals.plos.org/ploscompbiol...
#ComputationalBiology #Rloops #DNAtopology
journals.plos.org/ploscompbiol...
#ComputationalBiology #Rloops #DNAtopology
Today is International Women's Day. If you are an American citizen, and especially if you are a scientist, let's take it as a call to action.
Yesterday I attended the Stand for Science rally and it was so inspiring. I dropping a few of pictures for you.
Yesterday I attended the Stand for Science rally and it was so inspiring. I dropping a few of pictures for you.
March 8, 2025 at 6:15 PM
Today is International Women's Day. If you are an American citizen, and especially if you are a scientist, let's take it as a call to action.
Yesterday I attended the Stand for Science rally and it was so inspiring. I dropping a few of pictures for you.
Yesterday I attended the Stand for Science rally and it was so inspiring. I dropping a few of pictures for you.
Reposted by Mariel Vazquez
Have you been asked, as a federal worker, to do something you don't want to do? But they won't put it in writing?
DON'T DO IT.
If they're going to punish you? MAKE THEM PUT IT IN WRITING. ALL OF IT.
Document, document, document.
Act confused. Be confused! Go slow. Require clarity. Lots. Document
DON'T DO IT.
If they're going to punish you? MAKE THEM PUT IT IN WRITING. ALL OF IT.
Document, document, document.
Act confused. Be confused! Go slow. Require clarity. Lots. Document
February 6, 2025 at 5:37 PM
Have you been asked, as a federal worker, to do something you don't want to do? But they won't put it in writing?
DON'T DO IT.
If they're going to punish you? MAKE THEM PUT IT IN WRITING. ALL OF IT.
Document, document, document.
Act confused. Be confused! Go slow. Require clarity. Lots. Document
DON'T DO IT.
If they're going to punish you? MAKE THEM PUT IT IN WRITING. ALL OF IT.
Document, document, document.
Act confused. Be confused! Go slow. Require clarity. Lots. Document
Reposted by Mariel Vazquez
If you're an NSF PI like me, you might be wondering: Will my grant be suspended or terminated next week?
A few key things to know: First off, remember that NSF is **congressionally mandated** to evaluate broader impacts. And laws like CHIPS and Science supersede EOs.
But also... 🧵 thread
A few key things to know: First off, remember that NSF is **congressionally mandated** to evaluate broader impacts. And laws like CHIPS and Science supersede EOs.
But also... 🧵 thread
Found this gem in an arcane NSF doc...key to know:
The Constitution and law SUPERSEDES exec orders!
"In the event of a conflict between policies issued at a lower tier versus policies issued at a higher tier, the higher tier policy will take precedence"
nsf-gov-resources.nsf.gov/files/Resear...
The Constitution and law SUPERSEDES exec orders!
"In the event of a conflict between policies issued at a lower tier versus policies issued at a higher tier, the higher tier policy will take precedence"
nsf-gov-resources.nsf.gov/files/Resear...
February 5, 2025 at 11:53 PM
If you're an NSF PI like me, you might be wondering: Will my grant be suspended or terminated next week?
A few key things to know: First off, remember that NSF is **congressionally mandated** to evaluate broader impacts. And laws like CHIPS and Science supersede EOs.
But also... 🧵 thread
A few key things to know: First off, remember that NSF is **congressionally mandated** to evaluate broader impacts. And laws like CHIPS and Science supersede EOs.
But also... 🧵 thread
This weekend Elon Musk took over the computers that control the Treasury of the United States states.
Those of you who live in Republican areas, have Republican friends or family, please be brave and convey this information to them:
Those of you who live in Republican areas, have Republican friends or family, please be brave and convey this information to them:
February 3, 2025 at 7:03 PM
This weekend Elon Musk took over the computers that control the Treasury of the United States states.
Those of you who live in Republican areas, have Republican friends or family, please be brave and convey this information to them:
Those of you who live in Republican areas, have Republican friends or family, please be brave and convey this information to them:
The age of Big Brother is here
"...some employees who criticized the company or questioned Mr. Zuckerberg’s changes in a way that broke Meta’s “Community Engagement Expectations” policy had their posts removed, two people said.
"...some employees who criticized the company or questioned Mr. Zuckerberg’s changes in a way that broke Meta’s “Community Engagement Expectations” policy had their posts removed, two people said.
January 30, 2025 at 1:02 AM
The age of Big Brother is here
"...some employees who criticized the company or questioned Mr. Zuckerberg’s changes in a way that broke Meta’s “Community Engagement Expectations” policy had their posts removed, two people said.
"...some employees who criticized the company or questioned Mr. Zuckerberg’s changes in a way that broke Meta’s “Community Engagement Expectations” policy had their posts removed, two people said.
January 25, 2025 at 9:49 PM
January 25, 2025 at 7:33 PM
Reposted by Mariel Vazquez
Trump Pauses Disbursements to Program Supplying H.I.V. Treatment Worldwide
@apoorvanyt.bsky.social
www.nytimes.com/2025/01/24/u...
@apoorvanyt.bsky.social
www.nytimes.com/2025/01/24/u...
Trump Pauses Disbursements to Program Supplying H.I.V. Treatment Worldwide
Pepfar, which is estimated to have delivered lifesaving treatment to as many as 25 million people in 54 countries, faces a funding delay of as long as 180 days.
www.nytimes.com
January 25, 2025 at 4:18 AM
Trump Pauses Disbursements to Program Supplying H.I.V. Treatment Worldwide
@apoorvanyt.bsky.social
www.nytimes.com/2025/01/24/u...
@apoorvanyt.bsky.social
www.nytimes.com/2025/01/24/u...
Reposted by Mariel Vazquez
More from inside NIH:
Per a source with knowledge, for all internal research (of which there is like $10 billion worth or so), ALL purchasing shut down as of yesterday.
That means gloves, reagents, anything involved with lab work, which means a lot of that work will stop.
Per a source with knowledge, for all internal research (of which there is like $10 billion worth or so), ALL purchasing shut down as of yesterday.
That means gloves, reagents, anything involved with lab work, which means a lot of that work will stop.
January 24, 2025 at 4:24 PM
More from inside NIH:
Per a source with knowledge, for all internal research (of which there is like $10 billion worth or so), ALL purchasing shut down as of yesterday.
That means gloves, reagents, anything involved with lab work, which means a lot of that work will stop.
Per a source with knowledge, for all internal research (of which there is like $10 billion worth or so), ALL purchasing shut down as of yesterday.
That means gloves, reagents, anything involved with lab work, which means a lot of that work will stop.
Reposted by Mariel Vazquez
We're Making Fox Great Again
The only Fox News you should be listening to.
"If they pounced to the north-east, they killed on 73% of their attacks; if they jumped in the opposite direction,,,, 60%. In all other directions, only 18% of their pounces were successful".
Nat Geo
The only Fox News you should be listening to.
"If they pounced to the north-east, they killed on 73% of their attacks; if they jumped in the opposite direction,,,, 60%. In all other directions, only 18% of their pounces were successful".
Nat Geo
January 24, 2025 at 5:00 PM
We're Making Fox Great Again
The only Fox News you should be listening to.
"If they pounced to the north-east, they killed on 73% of their attacks; if they jumped in the opposite direction,,,, 60%. In all other directions, only 18% of their pounces were successful".
Nat Geo
The only Fox News you should be listening to.
"If they pounced to the north-east, they killed on 73% of their attacks; if they jumped in the opposite direction,,,, 60%. In all other directions, only 18% of their pounces were successful".
Nat Geo
From NYT
Following the broader move to eliminate D.E.I. from the federal government, the Education Department said in a statement that it had removed or archived “hundreds of guidance documents, reports, and training materials that include mentions of D.E.I.” from its public resources. ...
Following the broader move to eliminate D.E.I. from the federal government, the Education Department said in a statement that it had removed or archived “hundreds of guidance documents, reports, and training materials that include mentions of D.E.I.” from its public resources. ...
January 24, 2025 at 1:31 AM
From NYT
Following the broader move to eliminate D.E.I. from the federal government, the Education Department said in a statement that it had removed or archived “hundreds of guidance documents, reports, and training materials that include mentions of D.E.I.” from its public resources. ...
Following the broader move to eliminate D.E.I. from the federal government, the Education Department said in a statement that it had removed or archived “hundreds of guidance documents, reports, and training materials that include mentions of D.E.I.” from its public resources. ...
Reposted by Mariel Vazquez
🚨 The indefinite pause on NIH study sections & CDC public communication updates is devastating for science, public health, and our future. These decisions will have long-term consequences for research, disease prevention, and lives if they are prolonged.
A 🧵
A 🧵
January 23, 2025 at 7:32 PM
🚨 The indefinite pause on NIH study sections & CDC public communication updates is devastating for science, public health, and our future. These decisions will have long-term consequences for research, disease prevention, and lives if they are prolonged.
A 🧵
A 🧵
Reposted by Mariel Vazquez
The price of eggs in the US is spiking, mostly due to #H5N1 bird flu. Solving the problem requires urgent, important communications from the CDC & FDA* and rapid development of research by the NIH**
* Currently paused by Executive Order
** Grant reviews now all canceled
www.kcur.org/news/2025-01...
* Currently paused by Executive Order
** Grant reviews now all canceled
www.kcur.org/news/2025-01...
Egg prices are soaring again. Here’s why and what to expect
Bird flu has killed millions of hens in recent weeks, shrinking the supply of eggs and hiking up prices at grocery stores.
www.kcur.org
January 23, 2025 at 5:18 PM
The price of eggs in the US is spiking, mostly due to #H5N1 bird flu. Solving the problem requires urgent, important communications from the CDC & FDA* and rapid development of research by the NIH**
* Currently paused by Executive Order
** Grant reviews now all canceled
www.kcur.org/news/2025-01...
* Currently paused by Executive Order
** Grant reviews now all canceled
www.kcur.org/news/2025-01...
Reposted by Mariel Vazquez
In 2017, I wrote about how the center of gravity for math and science research moved from Germany to the United States under the Nazis and how public funding of science research allowed the US to remain the center of many fields after the war. That is under threat now.
undark.org/2017/02/01/m...
undark.org/2017/02/01/m...
January 23, 2025 at 6:56 PM
In 2017, I wrote about how the center of gravity for math and science research moved from Germany to the United States under the Nazis and how public funding of science research allowed the US to remain the center of many fields after the war. That is under threat now.
undark.org/2017/02/01/m...
undark.org/2017/02/01/m...
Reposted by Mariel Vazquez
Why should the public care about the freeze on the NIH? Aside from the need for scientific pursuits to make our society better…
-For every dollar we invest in NIH research, there is a $2.5 return.
-Research dollars help fund universities that employ non-academics. (1/)
-For every dollar we invest in NIH research, there is a $2.5 return.
-Research dollars help fund universities that employ non-academics. (1/)
January 23, 2025 at 12:46 AM
Why should the public care about the freeze on the NIH? Aside from the need for scientific pursuits to make our society better…
-For every dollar we invest in NIH research, there is a $2.5 return.
-Research dollars help fund universities that employ non-academics. (1/)
-For every dollar we invest in NIH research, there is a $2.5 return.
-Research dollars help fund universities that employ non-academics. (1/)
"The executive actions [..] are attempts to fulfill Mr. Trump’s promise to eradicate “radical” policy and “wasteful” spending on initiatives aimed at combating systemic inequities, ... 1/3
January 23, 2025 at 1:17 AM
"The executive actions [..] are attempts to fulfill Mr. Trump’s promise to eradicate “radical” policy and “wasteful” spending on initiatives aimed at combating systemic inequities, ... 1/3
View from within James Turrell's "Three Gems"
December 29, 2024 at 8:11 AM
View from within James Turrell's "Three Gems"
The holidays are joyful for some and sad for others. Be kind and take care of yourselves.
#selfcare #findingjoy
#selfcare #findingjoy
December 24, 2024 at 1:48 AM
The holidays are joyful for some and sad for others. Be kind and take care of yourselves.
#selfcare #findingjoy
#selfcare #findingjoy
December 22, 2024 at 6:42 PM
December 21, 2024 at 5:13 PM