Minerva (Mini) Contreras
@minicontreras.bsky.social
Neuroscience PhD candidate at Salk Institute. Mentorship, SciComm, Astrocytes, Plasticity. D-SPAN F99 Fellow
Reposted by Minerva (Mini) Contreras
See what @fernjuarez95.bsky.social's thoughts are on what these changes mean for @neurolatine.bsky.social: www.thetransmitter.org/qa/we-still-...
May 19, 2025 at 4:16 PM
See what @fernjuarez95.bsky.social's thoughts are on what these changes mean for @neurolatine.bsky.social: www.thetransmitter.org/qa/we-still-...
Reposted by Minerva (Mini) Contreras
See what @fleabrained.bsky.social's thoughts are on what these changes mean for @colorsofthebrain.bsky.social: www.thetransmitter.org/qa/we-still-...
May 19, 2025 at 4:09 PM
See what @fleabrained.bsky.social's thoughts are on what these changes mean for @colorsofthebrain.bsky.social: www.thetransmitter.org/qa/we-still-...
Reposted by Minerva (Mini) Contreras
See what @maribel-patino.bsky.social's thoughts are on what these changes mean for @colorsofthebrain.bsky.social: www.thetransmitter.org/qa/we-still-...
May 19, 2025 at 4:10 PM
See what @maribel-patino.bsky.social's thoughts are on what these changes mean for @colorsofthebrain.bsky.social: www.thetransmitter.org/qa/we-still-...
Reposted by Minerva (Mini) Contreras
See what @minicontreras.bsky.social's thoughts are on what these changes mean for @neurolatine.bsky.social: www.thetransmitter.org/qa/we-still-...
May 19, 2025 at 4:15 PM
See what @minicontreras.bsky.social's thoughts are on what these changes mean for @neurolatine.bsky.social: www.thetransmitter.org/qa/we-still-...
Reposted by Minerva (Mini) Contreras
Our communities have always been and will continue to be strong
Thank you fr this piece @thetransmitter.bsky.social and Paige Miranda
Thank you fr this piece @thetransmitter.bsky.social and Paige Miranda
Amid DEI funding cuts, trainees are losing pillars of support. Grassroots mentorship organizations are stepping in to continue championing young researchers.
@blackinneuro.bsky.social @colorsofthebrain.bsky.social @neurolatine.bsky.social
By Paige Miranda
www.thetransmitter.org/qa/we-still-...
@blackinneuro.bsky.social @colorsofthebrain.bsky.social @neurolatine.bsky.social
By Paige Miranda
www.thetransmitter.org/qa/we-still-...
Neuroscience advocacy groups on navigating DEI funding cuts
Minority trainees are losing pillars of support, but grassroots organizations are stepping in to continue championing these early-career researchers.
www.thetransmitter.org
May 14, 2025 at 3:55 PM
Our communities have always been and will continue to be strong
Thank you fr this piece @thetransmitter.bsky.social and Paige Miranda
Thank you fr this piece @thetransmitter.bsky.social and Paige Miranda
Reposted by Minerva (Mini) Contreras
Is it too early to be excited about this workshop and panel at SfN 2025?!
DM if you'd like to be part of our panel! Looking for a few more, if you have experience in communicating science in Spanish or other languages for your community, and believe you have lessons learned that you'd like to share to the audience, let me know!
SfN reversed their decision, THE WORKSHOP IS ON, it will center around communicating neuroscience to non-English speaking communities, see you at SfN 2025!!!!
April 23, 2025 at 6:44 PM
Is it too early to be excited about this workshop and panel at SfN 2025?!
Reposted by Minerva (Mini) Contreras
DM if you'd like to be part of our panel! Looking for a few more, if you have experience in communicating science in Spanish or other languages for your community, and believe you have lessons learned that you'd like to share to the audience, let me know!
SfN reversed their decision, THE WORKSHOP IS ON, it will center around communicating neuroscience to non-English speaking communities, see you at SfN 2025!!!!
Hi everyone, we are petitioning them to reconsider, if you are willing to co-sign our rebuttal because you or your trainees are personally interested in attending such a workshop, please add your name and professional affiliation to the end of the following document! docs.google.com/document/d/1...
April 23, 2025 at 4:24 PM
DM if you'd like to be part of our panel! Looking for a few more, if you have experience in communicating science in Spanish or other languages for your community, and believe you have lessons learned that you'd like to share to the audience, let me know!
Reposted by Minerva (Mini) Contreras
Are you in the know!? Sabes lo que hay?!
Recientemente, compartimos nuestra newsletter. Un par de updates y noticias sobre nuestras metas a corto plazo.
Si aún no estás en la lista, puedes unirte aquí www.neurolatine.org/get-involved
Recientemente, compartimos nuestra newsletter. Un par de updates y noticias sobre nuestras metas a corto plazo.
Si aún no estás en la lista, puedes unirte aquí www.neurolatine.org/get-involved
Get Involved — Neuro Latine
www.neurolatine.org
April 16, 2025 at 8:20 PM
Are you in the know!? Sabes lo que hay?!
Recientemente, compartimos nuestra newsletter. Un par de updates y noticias sobre nuestras metas a corto plazo.
Si aún no estás en la lista, puedes unirte aquí www.neurolatine.org/get-involved
Recientemente, compartimos nuestra newsletter. Un par de updates y noticias sobre nuestras metas a corto plazo.
Si aún no estás en la lista, puedes unirte aquí www.neurolatine.org/get-involved
Reposted by Minerva (Mini) Contreras
In our first “Postdoc perspectives” essay, @fleabrained.bsky.social and @maribel-patino.bsky.social explain how grassroots organizations led by trainees are stepping up to provide career and mentorship guidance for neuroscience students from marginalized backgrounds.
#neuroskyence
bit.ly/4csFx0B
#neuroskyence
bit.ly/4csFx0B
As federal funders desert mentorship programs for marginalized students, trainee-led initiatives fill the gap
Grassroots organizations, led by graduate students and postdoctoral researchers, are stepping up to provide neuroscience career training and guidance for students from marginalized backgrounds—and…
bit.ly
April 11, 2025 at 1:26 PM
In our first “Postdoc perspectives” essay, @fleabrained.bsky.social and @maribel-patino.bsky.social explain how grassroots organizations led by trainees are stepping up to provide career and mentorship guidance for neuroscience students from marginalized backgrounds.
#neuroskyence
bit.ly/4csFx0B
#neuroskyence
bit.ly/4csFx0B
Reposted by Minerva (Mini) Contreras
An important point getting overlooked:
When NIH cancels "diversity" grants (e.g., diversity supplements, Fs, Ks, etc), they aren't canceling the grants based on *what* the grant studies.
They're cancelling them based on *who* is doing the research. And that disallowed "who" is anyone not white.
When NIH cancels "diversity" grants (e.g., diversity supplements, Fs, Ks, etc), they aren't canceling the grants based on *what* the grant studies.
They're cancelling them based on *who* is doing the research. And that disallowed "who" is anyone not white.
April 4, 2025 at 1:24 PM
An important point getting overlooked:
When NIH cancels "diversity" grants (e.g., diversity supplements, Fs, Ks, etc), they aren't canceling the grants based on *what* the grant studies.
They're cancelling them based on *who* is doing the research. And that disallowed "who" is anyone not white.
When NIH cancels "diversity" grants (e.g., diversity supplements, Fs, Ks, etc), they aren't canceling the grants based on *what* the grant studies.
They're cancelling them based on *who* is doing the research. And that disallowed "who" is anyone not white.
Reposted by Minerva (Mini) Contreras
Over the past few weeks, science funding in the U.S. has become shrouded in uncertainty. Ten trainees with diversity-based funding share how the changes are affecting their research and career plans.
By @avaskham.bsky.social @claudia-lopez.bsky.social @callimcflurry.bsky.social
bit.ly/42Wifxr
By @avaskham.bsky.social @claudia-lopez.bsky.social @callimcflurry.bsky.social
bit.ly/42Wifxr
‘A gut punch:’ How U.S. neuroscience trainees are grappling with diversity-based funding flux
Ten trainees spoke with The Transmitter about how the precarious state of U.S. federal funding is affecting their research and career plans.
bit.ly
February 14, 2025 at 8:46 PM
Over the past few weeks, science funding in the U.S. has become shrouded in uncertainty. Ten trainees with diversity-based funding share how the changes are affecting their research and career plans.
By @avaskham.bsky.social @claudia-lopez.bsky.social @callimcflurry.bsky.social
bit.ly/42Wifxr
By @avaskham.bsky.social @claudia-lopez.bsky.social @callimcflurry.bsky.social
bit.ly/42Wifxr
Thank you @thetransmitter.bsky.social for bringing attention to this.
Read @minicontreras.bsky.social's full interview: www.thetransmitter.org/funding/a-gu...
#neuroskyence
#neuroskyence
February 14, 2025 at 9:01 PM
Thank you @thetransmitter.bsky.social for bringing attention to this.
Reposted by Minerva (Mini) Contreras
Reposted by Minerva (Mini) Contreras
Thank you to the UC San Diego Mentoring for All initiative for the Mentorship Program Award!
January 16, 2025 at 5:24 AM
Thank you to the UC San Diego Mentoring for All initiative for the Mentorship Program Award!
Reposted by Minerva (Mini) Contreras
Our global study on the state of trust in scientists is now out in Nature Human Behaviour! 🥳
With a team of 241 researchers, we surveyed 71,922 people in 68 countries, providing the largest dataset on trust in scientists post-pandemic 👇🧵https://www.nature.com/articles/s41562-024-02090-5
With a team of 241 researchers, we surveyed 71,922 people in 68 countries, providing the largest dataset on trust in scientists post-pandemic 👇🧵https://www.nature.com/articles/s41562-024-02090-5
January 20, 2025 at 10:16 AM
Our global study on the state of trust in scientists is now out in Nature Human Behaviour! 🥳
With a team of 241 researchers, we surveyed 71,922 people in 68 countries, providing the largest dataset on trust in scientists post-pandemic 👇🧵https://www.nature.com/articles/s41562-024-02090-5
With a team of 241 researchers, we surveyed 71,922 people in 68 countries, providing the largest dataset on trust in scientists post-pandemic 👇🧵https://www.nature.com/articles/s41562-024-02090-5
This is why I want my Academia career to involve policy and advocacy efforts.
"Non-White scientists appear on fewer editorial boards, spend more time under review, and receive fewer citations"
www.pnas.org/doi/abs/10.1...
www.pnas.org/doi/abs/10.1...
Non-White scientists appear on fewer editorial boards, spend more time under review, and receive fewer citations | PNAS
Disparities continue to pose major challenges in various aspects of science. One such
aspect is editorial board composition, which has been shown t...
www.pnas.org
November 27, 2024 at 5:08 PM
This is why I want my Academia career to involve policy and advocacy efforts.
Reposted by Minerva (Mini) Contreras
November 19, 2024 at 3:52 PM
Reposted by Minerva (Mini) Contreras
Thrilled to share that I was selected as a 2024 L’Oréal USA For Women In Science awardee! So grateful to L’Oréal & AAAS for the research & @storiesofwin.bsky.social funding 🧠💜 & for the opportunity to meet women leaders in sci/gov/business in DC last week!
t.co/E0M8Qj4HlD
t.co/E0M8Qj4HlD
https://www.loreal.com/en/usa/video-category-page/fwis/catie-profaci/#main-content
t.co
November 16, 2024 at 9:04 PM
Thrilled to share that I was selected as a 2024 L’Oréal USA For Women In Science awardee! So grateful to L’Oréal & AAAS for the research & @storiesofwin.bsky.social funding 🧠💜 & for the opportunity to meet women leaders in sci/gov/business in DC last week!
t.co/E0M8Qj4HlD
t.co/E0M8Qj4HlD
Glad to see science bluesky is growing.
Quick intro redo, I’m a #Neuro PhD candidate studying #astrocytes and plasticity in Nicola Allen’s lab at the Salk. #D-SPAN fellow planning to wrap up next summer. Interested in studying cell-cell interaction and plasticity in the context of disease.
Quick intro redo, I’m a #Neuro PhD candidate studying #astrocytes and plasticity in Nicola Allen’s lab at the Salk. #D-SPAN fellow planning to wrap up next summer. Interested in studying cell-cell interaction and plasticity in the context of disease.
November 17, 2024 at 6:25 PM
Glad to see science bluesky is growing.
Quick intro redo, I’m a #Neuro PhD candidate studying #astrocytes and plasticity in Nicola Allen’s lab at the Salk. #D-SPAN fellow planning to wrap up next summer. Interested in studying cell-cell interaction and plasticity in the context of disease.
Quick intro redo, I’m a #Neuro PhD candidate studying #astrocytes and plasticity in Nicola Allen’s lab at the Salk. #D-SPAN fellow planning to wrap up next summer. Interested in studying cell-cell interaction and plasticity in the context of disease.
I had the honor of delivering the opening Keynote for #NSTA National science teaching conference bringing awareness to the unique challenges students from underprivileged backgrounds face in and out of the classroom.
October 26, 2023 at 4:09 PM
I had the honor of delivering the opening Keynote for #NSTA National science teaching conference bringing awareness to the unique challenges students from underprivileged backgrounds face in and out of the classroom.
I had the pleasure of chatting with Eric Cross on Amplify’s podcast Science Connections about my research, the power of storytelling in science, being Crash Course host and more! #SciComm
spotify.link/yAyTQ0W8uDb
spotify.link/yAyTQ0W8uDb
September 30, 2023 at 12:04 AM
I had the pleasure of chatting with Eric Cross on Amplify’s podcast Science Connections about my research, the power of storytelling in science, being Crash Course host and more! #SciComm
spotify.link/yAyTQ0W8uDb
spotify.link/yAyTQ0W8uDb
Nicola Allen’s Lab at the Salk Institute led by Dr. Labarta-Bajo developed a protocol for purification of astrocyte nuclei for tramscriptomics.
It circumvents the limitations of using specific mouse lines or viral manipulation.
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
It circumvents the limitations of using specific mouse lines or viral manipulation.
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
September 27, 2023 at 5:40 PM
Nicola Allen’s Lab at the Salk Institute led by Dr. Labarta-Bajo developed a protocol for purification of astrocyte nuclei for tramscriptomics.
It circumvents the limitations of using specific mouse lines or viral manipulation.
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
It circumvents the limitations of using specific mouse lines or viral manipulation.
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Reposted by Minerva (Mini) Contreras
Picard management tip: If you've recently turned into a monster, go take a vacation.
September 24, 2023 at 6:04 PM
Picard management tip: If you've recently turned into a monster, go take a vacation.