Melissa Ertl
@melissaertl.bsky.social
Assistant Professor • Counseling psychologist studying health • mental health, substance use, sexual health, HIV • Proud #firstgen #UWBadger • she/her
Apropos of nothing, consider reading my new paper published with @lydiaharimahn.bsky.social in Journal of Counseling Psychology on internalized misogyny in women and its associated decrements to well-being! psycnet.apa.org/fulltext/202...
bsky.app/profile/jess...
bsky.app/profile/jess...
November 6, 2025 at 4:54 PM
Apropos of nothing, consider reading my new paper published with @lydiaharimahn.bsky.social in Journal of Counseling Psychology on internalized misogyny in women and its associated decrements to well-being! psycnet.apa.org/fulltext/202...
bsky.app/profile/jess...
bsky.app/profile/jess...
Reposted by Melissa Ertl
the question nobody with a soul is asking, answered by people nobody wants to hear from
November 6, 2025 at 12:58 PM
the question nobody with a soul is asking, answered by people nobody wants to hear from
Reposted by Melissa Ertl
Absolutely chilling story by @aniloza.bsky.social on censorship in grant titles at NIH and how researchers are complying and sometimes fighting back. "They are trying to make people afraid to use the word equity," said one program officer. "It's highly effective." www.statnews.com/2025/10/29/n...
Scientists had to change more than 700 grant titles to receive NIH funding. Health disparities researchers fear what’s next
The titles of more than 700 multi-year NIH grants have been changed this year, according to an analysis by Jeremy Berg, a former agency official
www.statnews.com
October 29, 2025 at 1:35 PM
Absolutely chilling story by @aniloza.bsky.social on censorship in grant titles at NIH and how researchers are complying and sometimes fighting back. "They are trying to make people afraid to use the word equity," said one program officer. "It's highly effective." www.statnews.com/2025/10/29/n...
Reposted by Melissa Ertl
New story up on the non-existent banned words from NIH grants (based on my grant title, word cloud analysis)
www.statnews.com/2025/10/29/n...
1/3
www.statnews.com/2025/10/29/n...
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Scientists had to change more than 700 grant titles to receive NIH funding. Health disparities researchers fear what’s next
The titles of more than 700 multi-year NIH grants have been changed this year, according to an analysis by Jeremy Berg, a former agency official
www.statnews.com
October 29, 2025 at 12:07 PM
New story up on the non-existent banned words from NIH grants (based on my grant title, word cloud analysis)
www.statnews.com/2025/10/29/n...
1/3
www.statnews.com/2025/10/29/n...
1/3
Reposted by Melissa Ertl
Announcing such a major change to NSF GRFP this late in the cycle is incredibly cruel. 2nd yr students (mine included) have been working so hard on their proposals despite ongoing uncertainty. They are driven and passionate about being outstanding scientists and helping those coming up behind them.
September 26, 2025 at 5:46 PM
Announcing such a major change to NSF GRFP this late in the cycle is incredibly cruel. 2nd yr students (mine included) have been working so hard on their proposals despite ongoing uncertainty. They are driven and passionate about being outstanding scientists and helping those coming up behind them.
Reposted by Melissa Ertl
A Senate investigation has so far found 510 human rights abuses in ICE detention centers since Jan 20, including deaths, physical & sexual abuse, inadequate medical care, overcrowding & unsanitary conditions, inadequate food & water, extreme temperatures, denial of legal access, & child separation
‘Horrific’: report reveals abuse of pregnant women and children at US Ice facilities
Report from senator Jon Ossoff’s office found 510 credible reports of human rights abuses since Trump’s inauguration
www.theguardian.com
August 8, 2025 at 4:13 AM
A Senate investigation has so far found 510 human rights abuses in ICE detention centers since Jan 20, including deaths, physical & sexual abuse, inadequate medical care, overcrowding & unsanitary conditions, inadequate food & water, extreme temperatures, denial of legal access, & child separation
Reposted by Melissa Ertl
“Perhaps no one was more proud than the graduates themselves. Michael Broadway, who is also the author of the book “One Foot In,” tearfully addressed his mother, flinging his arms wide and asking, “So I ask you, Mama, how did I do?” He had not seen her in person in nearly two decades.”
“My pessimism is not for you,” Ta-Nehisi Coates said. “My pessimism is for me, my pessimism is for this side of the audience, and my pessimism is for everybody that I’m on stage with. The fact of the matter is this is your success. But it’s our failure.”
First Class of Incarcerated Students Earn Degrees From Northwestern University
Dignitaries turned out for the commencement ceremony honoring 16 men who earned bachelor’s degrees from Northwestern University through the Northwestern Prison Education Program.
prisonjournalismproject.org
July 18, 2025 at 6:51 PM
“Perhaps no one was more proud than the graduates themselves. Michael Broadway, who is also the author of the book “One Foot In,” tearfully addressed his mother, flinging his arms wide and asking, “So I ask you, Mama, how did I do?” He had not seen her in person in nearly two decades.”
Reposted by Melissa Ertl
BREAKING: A federal judge reversed National Institutes of Health's terminations of hundreds of critical research grants that were canceled because of their alleged connection to disfavored topics, including diversity, equity, inclusion, and gender identity.
This is a major win for public health.
This is a major win for public health.
June 16, 2025 at 9:46 PM
BREAKING: A federal judge reversed National Institutes of Health's terminations of hundreds of critical research grants that were canceled because of their alleged connection to disfavored topics, including diversity, equity, inclusion, and gender identity.
This is a major win for public health.
This is a major win for public health.
Reposted by Melissa Ertl
🚨 BREAKING: Nearly 4 months the NIH cut its first grants, a judge has ruled that the directives and process that led to cuts are arbitrary and capricious.
"The explanations are bereft of reasoning — virtually in their entirety... unsupported by [facts]."
Each of them are VOID and ILLEGAL, he says.
"The explanations are bereft of reasoning — virtually in their entirety... unsupported by [facts]."
Each of them are VOID and ILLEGAL, he says.
June 16, 2025 at 6:16 PM
🚨 BREAKING: Nearly 4 months the NIH cut its first grants, a judge has ruled that the directives and process that led to cuts are arbitrary and capricious.
"The explanations are bereft of reasoning — virtually in their entirety... unsupported by [facts]."
Each of them are VOID and ILLEGAL, he says.
"The explanations are bereft of reasoning — virtually in their entirety... unsupported by [facts]."
Each of them are VOID and ILLEGAL, he says.
Reposted by Melissa Ertl
Two Harvard economists forecast the impact of the administration’s proposed NIH budget cuts- stunning losses in new therapies, life expectancy, and economic output with a “social cost 16 times greater than the savings the administration is attempting to achieve."
jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
Cutting the NIH—The $8 Trillion Health Care Catastrophe
This JAMA Forum discusses the recent budget cuts to National Institutes of Health (NIH), the effects of these cuts on scientific research and health of individuals in the US, and the prospects for cha...
jamanetwork.com
May 29, 2025 at 9:20 PM
Two Harvard economists forecast the impact of the administration’s proposed NIH budget cuts- stunning losses in new therapies, life expectancy, and economic output with a “social cost 16 times greater than the savings the administration is attempting to achieve."
jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
Congrats to all of our amazing University of Minnesota graduates today! So proud of all you accomplished. And go Goldy! #gogophers
May 19, 2025 at 12:40 AM
Congrats to all of our amazing University of Minnesota graduates today! So proud of all you accomplished. And go Goldy! #gogophers
Reposted by Melissa Ertl
Curious about why "Women's Health" needs explicit focus in clinical research?
Because most historical clinical trials are composed of ONLY men because the (male) scientists thought women's hormones would "mess up" the data.
We encourage reading the book, but this is a nice intro.
Because most historical clinical trials are composed of ONLY men because the (male) scientists thought women's hormones would "mess up" the data.
We encourage reading the book, but this is a nice intro.
Invisible Women
YouTube video by 99% Invisible
www.youtube.com
May 14, 2025 at 3:59 PM
Curious about why "Women's Health" needs explicit focus in clinical research?
Because most historical clinical trials are composed of ONLY men because the (male) scientists thought women's hormones would "mess up" the data.
We encourage reading the book, but this is a nice intro.
Because most historical clinical trials are composed of ONLY men because the (male) scientists thought women's hormones would "mess up" the data.
We encourage reading the book, but this is a nice intro.
Reposted by Melissa Ertl
NEW: The rate of sepsis in Houston surged 63% after Texas banned abortion.
In the Dallas-Fort Worth area, where hospital leaders empowered doctors to intervene before patients’ conditions worsened, it rose just 29%.
In the Dallas-Fort Worth area, where hospital leaders empowered doctors to intervene before patients’ conditions worsened, it rose just 29%.
Under Texas’ Abortion Ban, Where a Woman Lives Can Determine Her Risk of Developing Sepsis
While the rates of dangerous infections spiked across the state after it banned abortion in 2021, women in Houston fared far worse than those in Dallas, according to ProPublica’s first-of-its-kind ana...
www.propublica.org
May 7, 2025 at 8:31 PM
NEW: The rate of sepsis in Houston surged 63% after Texas banned abortion.
In the Dallas-Fort Worth area, where hospital leaders empowered doctors to intervene before patients’ conditions worsened, it rose just 29%.
In the Dallas-Fort Worth area, where hospital leaders empowered doctors to intervene before patients’ conditions worsened, it rose just 29%.
Reposted by Melissa Ertl
Most Americans frequently use federal science information. But few are concerned that cuts to federal science spending could affect their access to such information, a new poll finds.
Most Americans use federal science information on a weekly basis, a new poll finds
Most Americans frequently use federal science information. But few are concerned that cuts to federal science spending could affect their access to such information, a new poll finds.
www.npr.org
May 6, 2025 at 10:46 AM
Most Americans frequently use federal science information. But few are concerned that cuts to federal science spending could affect their access to such information, a new poll finds.
Reposted by Melissa Ertl
In terminating hundreds of NIH grants, the Trump administration dumped years of investment down the drain. In my latest @opinion.bloomberg.com column, we analyzed the cancelled projects & talked to scientists to understand just how much the public loses out. It's a lot: tinyurl.com/bdey86su
April 17, 2025 at 3:19 PM
In terminating hundreds of NIH grants, the Trump administration dumped years of investment down the drain. In my latest @opinion.bloomberg.com column, we analyzed the cancelled projects & talked to scientists to understand just how much the public loses out. It's a lot: tinyurl.com/bdey86su
Reposted by Melissa Ertl
The U.S. maternal mortality rate increased 27% between 2018 and 2022, a new NIH study finds.
U.S. maternal mortality rate increased 27% over five years, NIH study finds
The U.S. maternal mortality rate increased 27% between 2018 and 2022, a new NIH study finds.
buff.ly
April 9, 2025 at 10:49 PM
The U.S. maternal mortality rate increased 27% between 2018 and 2022, a new NIH study finds.
Reposted by Melissa Ertl
"If I could have one winter item from the outside, it would be a heavy-duty blanket. It would make a difference because you wouldn’t get sick and you would be warm. This changes one’s attitude," says Jachin.
What Extreme Cold Feels Like in Prison
Prison writers from across the U.S. describe how cold their prisons get in the winter — and what small dignities could make it more bearable.
prisonjournalismproject.org
April 10, 2025 at 10:17 PM
"If I could have one winter item from the outside, it would be a heavy-duty blanket. It would make a difference because you wouldn’t get sick and you would be warm. This changes one’s attitude," says Jachin.
Reposted by Melissa Ertl
Calling on All Silent Minorities by June Jordan
HEY
C’MON
COME OUT
WHEREVER YOU ARE
WE NEED TO HAVE THIS MEETING
AT THIS TREE
AIN’ EVEN BEEN
PLANTED
YET
HEY
C’MON
COME OUT
WHEREVER YOU ARE
WE NEED TO HAVE THIS MEETING
AT THIS TREE
AIN’ EVEN BEEN
PLANTED
YET
Share with us short (fits-in-one-skeet short) poems you love?
(Any language, but if you want to be kind to unilingual me, then a rough translation if the poem’s not in English, please?)
I’ll add some in this thread to start off.
(Any language, but if you want to be kind to unilingual me, then a rough translation if the poem’s not in English, please?)
I’ll add some in this thread to start off.
April 8, 2025 at 8:02 PM
Calling on All Silent Minorities by June Jordan
HEY
C’MON
COME OUT
WHEREVER YOU ARE
WE NEED TO HAVE THIS MEETING
AT THIS TREE
AIN’ EVEN BEEN
PLANTED
YET
HEY
C’MON
COME OUT
WHEREVER YOU ARE
WE NEED TO HAVE THIS MEETING
AT THIS TREE
AIN’ EVEN BEEN
PLANTED
YET
Reposted by Melissa Ertl
A phenomenal #CPA2025 @apadivision50.bsky.social! Devastating to hear the tremendous damage inflicted by senseless HHS/NIH/FDA cuts to so many in our community, and also so nourishing to be together and support each other during these times. As promised, a new starter pack: go.bsky.app/SnnMai2
April 5, 2025 at 4:13 PM
A phenomenal #CPA2025 @apadivision50.bsky.social! Devastating to hear the tremendous damage inflicted by senseless HHS/NIH/FDA cuts to so many in our community, and also so nourishing to be together and support each other during these times. As promised, a new starter pack: go.bsky.app/SnnMai2
Reposted by Melissa Ertl
99.4% of new drugs approved by the FDA are the product of NIH funded research.
Remember this every time you see another headline on the NIH funding cuts.
It will directly impact YOU.
#ScienceNOTSilence
Remember this every time you see another headline on the NIH funding cuts.
It will directly impact YOU.
#ScienceNOTSilence
March 23, 2025 at 10:36 PM
99.4% of new drugs approved by the FDA are the product of NIH funded research.
Remember this every time you see another headline on the NIH funding cuts.
It will directly impact YOU.
#ScienceNOTSilence
Remember this every time you see another headline on the NIH funding cuts.
It will directly impact YOU.
#ScienceNOTSilence
Reposted by Melissa Ertl
Thousands of protesters gathered in Washington on Friday for Stand Up for Science, a rally to protest the Trump administration’s drastic cuts to the federal work force and to federally funded science. nyti.ms/3DruZlu
March 8, 2025 at 6:48 PM
Thousands of protesters gathered in Washington on Friday for Stand Up for Science, a rally to protest the Trump administration’s drastic cuts to the federal work force and to federally funded science. nyti.ms/3DruZlu
Reposted by Melissa Ertl
From the American Psychological Association:
March 2, 2025 at 1:35 PM
From the American Psychological Association:
Reposted by Melissa Ertl
Hi all! I will be raising money for the #FloridaAIDSWalk this year! The money that you donate will go towards the #AQUAFoundationforWomen #AFW and benefit the scholarship for LGBTQIA+ women, transmasculine, and gender expansive people in Florida!
www.floridaaidswalk.org/site/TR/Walk...
www.floridaaidswalk.org/site/TR/Walk...
2025 Florida AIDS Walk and Music Festival: Dr. Cho-Hee Hee Shrader - Florida AIDS Walk & Music Festival
www.floridaaidswalk.org
February 26, 2025 at 3:13 PM
Hi all! I will be raising money for the #FloridaAIDSWalk this year! The money that you donate will go towards the #AQUAFoundationforWomen #AFW and benefit the scholarship for LGBTQIA+ women, transmasculine, and gender expansive people in Florida!
www.floridaaidswalk.org/site/TR/Walk...
www.floridaaidswalk.org/site/TR/Walk...
Reposted by Melissa Ertl
NIH cuts are getting the press, but VA research is getting slashed too. What do we lose when VA research goes away? Here's some greatest hits: The nicotine patch, invention of the cardiac pacemaker, first successful liver transplant, development of the CAT/CT scan
prospect.org/health/2025-...
prospect.org/health/2025-...
VA Research Funding Slashed
Though not as prominent as the NIH, VA researchers play a major role in advancing basic health science. Hundreds of projects have been cut.
prospect.org
February 25, 2025 at 10:12 PM
NIH cuts are getting the press, but VA research is getting slashed too. What do we lose when VA research goes away? Here's some greatest hits: The nicotine patch, invention of the cardiac pacemaker, first successful liver transplant, development of the CAT/CT scan
prospect.org/health/2025-...
prospect.org/health/2025-...