Melissa Burt
@melissaburt.bsky.social
PhD candidate at Virginia Tech
Global Change | Community Ecology | Species Interactions | Fragmentation | Climate Change | Ants | Seed Dispersal | Plant Ecology
Global Change | Community Ecology | Species Interactions | Fragmentation | Climate Change | Ants | Seed Dispersal | Plant Ecology
Reposted by Melissa Burt
Science People: We at NSF are still recovering/catching up/getting our lives together. But the agency posted these FAQs about post-shutdown resumption of operations which might answer a lot of Qs for you: www.nsf.gov/resumption-o...
Resumption of Operations at NSF
Information for NSF staff and the research community regarding the agency's resumption of operations after a lapse in appropriations.
www.nsf.gov
November 18, 2025 at 6:08 PM
Science People: We at NSF are still recovering/catching up/getting our lives together. But the agency posted these FAQs about post-shutdown resumption of operations which might answer a lot of Qs for you: www.nsf.gov/resumption-o...
Reposted by Melissa Burt
Hey folks, as news of Watson's demise spreads, please don't set aside his weighty legacy of misogyny and racism. He was truly among the worst of us. www.vox.com/2019/1/15/18...
DNA scientist James Watson has a remarkably long history of sexist, racist public comments
“People say it would be terrible if we made all girls pretty,” he said in 2003. “I think it would be great.”
www.vox.com
November 7, 2025 at 7:45 PM
Hey folks, as news of Watson's demise spreads, please don't set aside his weighty legacy of misogyny and racism. He was truly among the worst of us. www.vox.com/2019/1/15/18...
Reposted by Melissa Burt
🚨GRFP DEADLINE ALERT!🚨 I missed this in my original solicitation read-through, so FYI 📣LETTERS ARE DUE BEFORE PROPOSALS📣 this year!
"Reference letters are due Friday, November 7 at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time (ET)."
www.nsf.gov/funding/oppo...
"Reference letters are due Friday, November 7 at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time (ET)."
www.nsf.gov/funding/oppo...
NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP)
www.nsf.gov
October 3, 2025 at 10:36 PM
🚨GRFP DEADLINE ALERT!🚨 I missed this in my original solicitation read-through, so FYI 📣LETTERS ARE DUE BEFORE PROPOSALS📣 this year!
"Reference letters are due Friday, November 7 at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time (ET)."
www.nsf.gov/funding/oppo...
"Reference letters are due Friday, November 7 at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time (ET)."
www.nsf.gov/funding/oppo...
Reposted by Melissa Burt
Reposted by Melissa Burt
Job alert! Please share.
We're looking for an urban ecologist (PhD) to join the research team at the Holden Arboretum.
Develop an active research program while supporting stakeholders. 🌳
I'll be at #ESA2025 and happy to chat.
#AltAc #HoldenScience #UrbanEcology
holdenfg.org/career-and-i...
We're looking for an urban ecologist (PhD) to join the research team at the Holden Arboretum.
Develop an active research program while supporting stakeholders. 🌳
I'll be at #ESA2025 and happy to chat.
#AltAc #HoldenScience #UrbanEcology
holdenfg.org/career-and-i...
Career & Internships » HF&G
Holden Forests & Gardens is not just a great place to visit, it’s a wonderful place to work. Discover the opportunities now available for potential
holdenfg.org
August 8, 2025 at 5:47 PM
Job alert! Please share.
We're looking for an urban ecologist (PhD) to join the research team at the Holden Arboretum.
Develop an active research program while supporting stakeholders. 🌳
I'll be at #ESA2025 and happy to chat.
#AltAc #HoldenScience #UrbanEcology
holdenfg.org/career-and-i...
We're looking for an urban ecologist (PhD) to join the research team at the Holden Arboretum.
Develop an active research program while supporting stakeholders. 🌳
I'll be at #ESA2025 and happy to chat.
#AltAc #HoldenScience #UrbanEcology
holdenfg.org/career-and-i...
Reposted by Melissa Burt
If you are having trouble finding National Climate Assessment reports, they are here.
www.realclimate.org/index.php/ar...
www.realclimate.org/index.php/ar...
RealClimate: National Climate Assessment links
RealClimate: For some reason, it has become hard to locate the various National Climate Assessments (NCAs) that have been produced by the USGCRP over the decades (and it's pretty hard to find the USGR...
www.realclimate.org
July 26, 2025 at 5:50 PM
If you are having trouble finding National Climate Assessment reports, they are here.
www.realclimate.org/index.php/ar...
www.realclimate.org/index.php/ar...
Reposted by Melissa Burt
Do you know a young person with an interest in insects? 🦋
The Douglas Boyes Fund aims to provide people aged 14-18 with access to entomology equipment, fostering their passion for insects and inspiring them to engage and share their interest with other young individuals 🔽
The Douglas Boyes Fund aims to provide people aged 14-18 with access to entomology equipment, fostering their passion for insects and inspiring them to engage and share their interest with other young individuals 🔽
Douglas Boyes Fund - Royal Entomological Society
The Douglas Boyes Fund has been established in honour of Douglas Boyes (1996-2021), an esteemed entomologist specialising in Lepidoptera. The Fund aims to provide young people aged 14-18 with access…
buff.ly
June 24, 2025 at 9:02 AM
Do you know a young person with an interest in insects? 🦋
The Douglas Boyes Fund aims to provide people aged 14-18 with access to entomology equipment, fostering their passion for insects and inspiring them to engage and share their interest with other young individuals 🔽
The Douglas Boyes Fund aims to provide people aged 14-18 with access to entomology equipment, fostering their passion for insects and inspiring them to engage and share their interest with other young individuals 🔽
Reposted by Melissa Burt
Today is the day to #ShowYourStripes. Here's what the show looks like @agu.org headquarters in downtown DC.
More on what people are doing about the climate crisis. eos.org/tag/climate-...
More on what people are doing about the climate crisis. eos.org/tag/climate-...
Show Your Stripes
Visualising how the climate has changed for every country across the globe
showyourstripes.info
June 21, 2025 at 12:10 PM
Today is the day to #ShowYourStripes. Here's what the show looks like @agu.org headquarters in downtown DC.
More on what people are doing about the climate crisis. eos.org/tag/climate-...
More on what people are doing about the climate crisis. eos.org/tag/climate-...
Reposted by Melissa Burt
If you’re wondering if US climate researchers are freaking out, yeah they’re freaking out.
June 2, 2025 at 1:04 PM
If you’re wondering if US climate researchers are freaking out, yeah they’re freaking out.
Reposted by Melissa Burt
All NSF GRFPs to students choosing to attend Harvard in the Fall were just terminated
May 22, 2025 at 7:38 PM
All NSF GRFPs to students choosing to attend Harvard in the Fall were just terminated
Reposted by Melissa Burt
NSF Physics was cut by 85%, basically wiping out most of its capacity for supporting research.
NSF Astronomy was cut by 53%
Undergrad education was cut by 71% and research on learning by 79%
Graduate education was cut by 100% to ZERO.
#GiftLink ⚛️🔭
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
NSF Astronomy was cut by 53%
Undergrad education was cut by 71% and research on learning by 79%
Graduate education was cut by 100% to ZERO.
#GiftLink ⚛️🔭
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
Trump Has Cut Science Funding to Its Lowest Level in Decades (Gift Article)
The lag in funding extends far beyond D.E.I. initiatives, affecting almost every area of science: chemistry, computing, engineering, materials and more.
www.nytimes.com
May 22, 2025 at 3:34 PM
NSF Physics was cut by 85%, basically wiping out most of its capacity for supporting research.
NSF Astronomy was cut by 53%
Undergrad education was cut by 71% and research on learning by 79%
Graduate education was cut by 100% to ZERO.
#GiftLink ⚛️🔭
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
NSF Astronomy was cut by 53%
Undergrad education was cut by 71% and research on learning by 79%
Graduate education was cut by 100% to ZERO.
#GiftLink ⚛️🔭
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
Reposted by Melissa Burt
NSF’s entire Division of Equity for Excellence in STEM (EDU/EES), which “aims to provide opportunities for individuals from all backgrounds to actively participate and excel in STEM disciplines” and some of it congressionally mandated, was just notified they will be RIFed. www.nsf.gov/edu/ees/about
About EES
The NSF Division of Equity for Excellence in STEM (EES) aims to provide opportunities for individuals from all backgrounds, especially those historically underrepresented in science and engineering.
www.nsf.gov
May 9, 2025 at 3:14 PM
NSF’s entire Division of Equity for Excellence in STEM (EDU/EES), which “aims to provide opportunities for individuals from all backgrounds to actively participate and excel in STEM disciplines” and some of it congressionally mandated, was just notified they will be RIFed. www.nsf.gov/edu/ees/about
Reposted by Melissa Burt
Exclusive: National Science Foundation staff were told today that the agency’s 37 divisions—across all eight directorates—are being abolished and the number of programs within those divisions will be drastically reduced.
Exclusive: NSF faces radical shake-up as officials abolish its 37 divisions
Changes seen as a response to presidential directives on what research to fund
scim.ag
May 8, 2025 at 11:35 PM
Exclusive: National Science Foundation staff were told today that the agency’s 37 divisions—across all eight directorates—are being abolished and the number of programs within those divisions will be drastically reduced.
Reposted by Melissa Burt
Report from @science.org:
• NSF staff told that its 37 divisions are being abolished. Programs within to be drastically reduced.
• Layoffs expected, details via memo Friday 5/9.
• Another round of grant terminations expected. (Already 1400 cancelled ~$1bn)
www.science.org/content/arti...
• NSF staff told that its 37 divisions are being abolished. Programs within to be drastically reduced.
• Layoffs expected, details via memo Friday 5/9.
• Another round of grant terminations expected. (Already 1400 cancelled ~$1bn)
www.science.org/content/arti...
Exclusive: NSF faces radical shake-up as officials abolish its 37 divisions
Changes seen as a response to presidential directives on what research to fund
www.science.org
May 9, 2025 at 1:07 AM
Report from @science.org:
• NSF staff told that its 37 divisions are being abolished. Programs within to be drastically reduced.
• Layoffs expected, details via memo Friday 5/9.
• Another round of grant terminations expected. (Already 1400 cancelled ~$1bn)
www.science.org/content/arti...
• NSF staff told that its 37 divisions are being abolished. Programs within to be drastically reduced.
• Layoffs expected, details via memo Friday 5/9.
• Another round of grant terminations expected. (Already 1400 cancelled ~$1bn)
www.science.org/content/arti...
Reposted by Melissa Burt
🧪 funding alert! www.spencer.org/grant_types/...
Rapid Response Bridge Funding Program
In the face of recent abrupt shifts in federal funding for education research, including large-scale terminations of National Science Foundation (NSF) research grant awards, we have developed a rap...
www.spencer.org
May 3, 2025 at 5:53 PM
🧪 funding alert! www.spencer.org/grant_types/...
Reposted by Melissa Burt
🌎 Stand up for the Endangered Species Act—submit public comments opposing the proposed rule change that would profoundly weaken the law by May 19! Learn how you can help ➡️ bit.ly/standupesa 🪶
Stand Up for the Endangered Species Act - International Crane Foundation
The International Crane Foundation provides critical news and resources in the world of Cranes and Conservation. Stand Up for the Endangered Species Act
bit.ly
April 29, 2025 at 6:36 PM
🌎 Stand up for the Endangered Species Act—submit public comments opposing the proposed rule change that would profoundly weaken the law by May 19! Learn how you can help ➡️ bit.ly/standupesa 🪶
Reposted by Melissa Burt
Great news: NIH postbac program is recruiting again! If your grad school plans were affected by program cutbacks or admissions freezes this year I highly encourage you to apply, this could be a perfect opportunity. Please repost.
www.training.nih.gov/research-tra...
www.training.nih.gov/research-tra...
www.training.nih.gov
April 10, 2025 at 1:22 AM
Great news: NIH postbac program is recruiting again! If your grad school plans were affected by program cutbacks or admissions freezes this year I highly encourage you to apply, this could be a perfect opportunity. Please repost.
www.training.nih.gov/research-tra...
www.training.nih.gov/research-tra...
Reposted by Melissa Burt
The NSF's flagship fellowship program typically gives offers to 2,000+ young scientists. This year, in the face of looming budget cuts, that number was halved: only 1,000 received an offer. Our story on what that means for the science talent pipeline: www.nature.com/articles/d41...
NSF slashes prestigious PhD fellowship awards by half
US National Science Foundation announces lowest number of Graduate Research Fellowship Programme recipients in 15 years.
www.nature.com
April 8, 2025 at 10:15 PM
The NSF's flagship fellowship program typically gives offers to 2,000+ young scientists. This year, in the face of looming budget cuts, that number was halved: only 1,000 received an offer. Our story on what that means for the science talent pipeline: www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Reposted by Melissa Burt
Great paper led by Claire Winfrey on edge effects on microbes in fragmented landscapes @julianresasco.bsky.social @noahfierer.bsky.social
Habitat specialization and edge effects of soil microbial communities in a fragmented landscape
Soil microorganisms play outsized roles in nutrient cycling, plant health, and climate regulation. Despite their importance, we have a limited understanding of how soil microbes are affected by habit....
esajournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com
April 4, 2025 at 1:09 AM
Great paper led by Claire Winfrey on edge effects on microbes in fragmented landscapes @julianresasco.bsky.social @noahfierer.bsky.social
Reposted by Melissa Burt
Excellent special issue in @Ecology_Letters featuring decades long studies onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
Insights Into Ecology, Evolution and Global Change Responses From Very Long‐Term Studies
Click on the article title to read more.
onlinelibrary.wiley.com
April 4, 2025 at 1:26 AM
Excellent special issue in @Ecology_Letters featuring decades long studies onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
Reposted by Melissa Burt
Our new paper led by @tysonwepprich.bsky.social is out. When warmer temperatures increase the number of butterfly generations in a year, population growth rates are higher onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
Voltinism Shifts in Response to Climate Warming Generally Benefit Populations of Multivoltine Butterflies
Insects may respond to climate warming by advancing phenology and increasing the number of generations each year (voltinism). However, one concern is that earlier phenology changes cue-response relat...
onlinelibrary.wiley.com
April 4, 2025 at 1:30 AM
Our new paper led by @tysonwepprich.bsky.social is out. When warmer temperatures increase the number of butterfly generations in a year, population growth rates are higher onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
Reposted by Melissa Burt
The Mauna Loa Observatory is the birthplace of the Keeling Curve, our longest continuous record of atmospheric CO2. It provides clear evidence that concentrations have risen since the mid-20th century.
No mystery, then, why POTUS wants to sell it. The data are inconvenient. Measurements must stop.
No mystery, then, why POTUS wants to sell it. The data are inconvenient. Measurements must stop.
March 16, 2025 at 8:31 PM
The Mauna Loa Observatory is the birthplace of the Keeling Curve, our longest continuous record of atmospheric CO2. It provides clear evidence that concentrations have risen since the mid-20th century.
No mystery, then, why POTUS wants to sell it. The data are inconvenient. Measurements must stop.
No mystery, then, why POTUS wants to sell it. The data are inconvenient. Measurements must stop.
Reposted by Melissa Burt
New article out today in @nature.com by Gonçalves-Souza, @nickhaddad.bsky.social, @jon-chase03.bsky.social et al. on forest fragmentation and biodiversity:
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
A must read for anyone interested in this topic. See my summary here:
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
A must read for anyone interested in this topic. See my summary here:
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Biodiversity declines across fragmented forests
Assessing the effect of forest fragmentation on biodiversity.
www.nature.com
March 12, 2025 at 5:13 PM
New article out today in @nature.com by Gonçalves-Souza, @nickhaddad.bsky.social, @jon-chase03.bsky.social et al. on forest fragmentation and biodiversity:
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
A must read for anyone interested in this topic. See my summary here:
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
A must read for anyone interested in this topic. See my summary here:
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Reposted by Melissa Burt
🦋 This is the first study to combine butterfly observations from thousands of surveys across the country to create a complete picture of U.S. butterfly trends.
Of 342 species, 245 suffered declines of at least 10 percent.
Read the story here: www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
2/3
Of 342 species, 245 suffered declines of at least 10 percent.
Read the story here: www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
2/3
March 6, 2025 at 7:11 PM
🦋 This is the first study to combine butterfly observations from thousands of surveys across the country to create a complete picture of U.S. butterfly trends.
Of 342 species, 245 suffered declines of at least 10 percent.
Read the story here: www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
2/3
Of 342 species, 245 suffered declines of at least 10 percent.
Read the story here: www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
2/3
Reposted by Melissa Burt
The National Science Foundation benefits communities in every state.
March 2, 2025 at 11:02 PM
The National Science Foundation benefits communities in every state.