Nikki Maphis, PhD
@neuronikki.bsky.social
Neuro nerd, current postdoctoral fellow trying to navigate the new abnormal, advocate for all, looking to change the face of science for good! How does alcohol use throughout the lifespan impact Alzheimer's disease risk? I'm trying to find out!
Pinned
Nikki Maphis, PhD
@neuronikki.bsky.social
· Sep 10
I’m always inspired by the work of my colleagues @dangaristo.bsky.social @maxkozlov.bsky.social and @heidiledford.bsky.social But I’ve got to say that this one is special. 🧪🧵6/6 www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Scientists take on Trump: these researchers are fighting back
Through lawsuits, grant tracking, whistle-blowing and more, resistance to the US war on science is growing.
www.nature.com
Thanks to the team @nature.com for telling our stories and amplifying our experiences. Science and scientists are still very much under attack! #standupforscience #neuroscience #postdoc
I have been a passionate researcher from the first time I touched a pipette, but my work and the work of hundreds of other scientists is at risk of ending because of the anti-DEI and anti-science rhetoric of the current administration. #neuroscience #postdoc 🧠
How does drinking alcohol shape the aging brain? @neuronikki.bsky.social studies how heavy drinking impacts neurons as we age.
Research has shown that alcohol use disorder (AUD) in middle age increases the risk for developing Alzheimer's disease or other types of dementia - but how?
Research has shown that alcohol use disorder (AUD) in middle age increases the risk for developing Alzheimer's disease or other types of dementia - but how?
November 2, 2025 at 3:43 PM
I have been a passionate researcher from the first time I touched a pipette, but my work and the work of hundreds of other scientists is at risk of ending because of the anti-DEI and anti-science rhetoric of the current administration. #neuroscience #postdoc 🧠
New pub alert: If alcohol is bad news for P301S (tauopathy mice) mice by accelerating gait impairments, spreading pathological tau and altering microglia morphology, what else is it doing to the adult brain? #postdoc 🧠 #neuroscience #alcoholresearch
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
Alcohol consumption in P301S mice accelerates gait impairments, modifies aggregation of pathological tau and alters microglia within the hippocampus
Excessive alcohol use is a major modifiable risk factor for Alzheimer's disease (AD), yet its impact on tau pathology remains poorly understood. Using a voluntary drinking-in-the-dark (DID) paradigm,...
onlinelibrary.wiley.com
September 10, 2025 at 8:42 PM
New pub alert: If alcohol is bad news for P301S (tauopathy mice) mice by accelerating gait impairments, spreading pathological tau and altering microglia morphology, what else is it doing to the adult brain? #postdoc 🧠 #neuroscience #alcoholresearch
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
Thanks to the team @nature.com for telling our stories and amplifying our experiences. Science and scientists are still very much under attack! #standupforscience #neuroscience #postdoc
I’m always inspired by the work of my colleagues @dangaristo.bsky.social @maxkozlov.bsky.social and @heidiledford.bsky.social But I’ve got to say that this one is special. 🧪🧵6/6 www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Scientists take on Trump: these researchers are fighting back
Through lawsuits, grant tracking, whistle-blowing and more, resistance to the US war on science is growing.
www.nature.com
September 10, 2025 at 2:31 PM
Thanks to the team @nature.com for telling our stories and amplifying our experiences. Science and scientists are still very much under attack! #standupforscience #neuroscience #postdoc
Thanks to @acerjournal.bsky.social for publishing my recent article pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40755227/
Alcohol altera gait and accelerates pathological tau spread in a tauopathy model. Wait until you see what I did with the other half of the brain. More to come soon... 🧠 #neuro #postdoc
Alcohol altera gait and accelerates pathological tau spread in a tauopathy model. Wait until you see what I did with the other half of the brain. More to come soon... 🧠 #neuro #postdoc
August 8, 2025 at 3:47 PM
Thanks to @acerjournal.bsky.social for publishing my recent article pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40755227/
Alcohol altera gait and accelerates pathological tau spread in a tauopathy model. Wait until you see what I did with the other half of the brain. More to come soon... 🧠 #neuro #postdoc
Alcohol altera gait and accelerates pathological tau spread in a tauopathy model. Wait until you see what I did with the other half of the brain. More to come soon... 🧠 #neuro #postdoc
@ticketmaster.com was OOPS ALL Bots this morning. You're telling me 200,000 people were online trying to get Tix to see Sir Paul McCartney in ABQ, NM. What about the people that live here and are big Beatles fans? No we cannot afford $1,200 tickets. We spent an HOUR waiting for nothing. #robbery
July 15, 2025 at 9:23 PM
@ticketmaster.com was OOPS ALL Bots this morning. You're telling me 200,000 people were online trying to get Tix to see Sir Paul McCartney in ABQ, NM. What about the people that live here and are big Beatles fans? No we cannot afford $1,200 tickets. We spent an HOUR waiting for nothing. #robbery
Ashamed of #NIAAA for holding up these training grants across the country (it's not just ours). I thought training scientists to study #alcoholusedisorder and develop treatments and meaningful interventions is something the government actually wanted to fund? #postdoc
Today our @unm.edu @casaa.bsky.social T32 training grant is no longer funded. We are waiting for our renewal that is pending. I spent most of yesterday crying with worry about how I will support our amazing trainees. Today I celebrate them and the joy of seeing them present at CPDD and RSA. 🧵
July 2, 2025 at 4:06 PM
Ashamed of #NIAAA for holding up these training grants across the country (it's not just ours). I thought training scientists to study #alcoholusedisorder and develop treatments and meaningful interventions is something the government actually wanted to fund? #postdoc
I just found out my funding ends today. It is such a sad day. #NIAAA how many more programs and people will lose their jobs?
a man in a white shirt is sitting on the floor and says not like this .
ALT: a man in a white shirt is sitting on the floor and says not like this .
media.tenor.com
June 30, 2025 at 10:32 PM
I just found out my funding ends today. It is such a sad day. #NIAAA how many more programs and people will lose their jobs?
First @southwestair.bsky.social flight couldn't land and then had to do a quick pull up and circle. Now the second plane has driven around the airport sat for 20 min and now driven back to the gate. What is going on?
June 26, 2025 at 7:07 PM
First @southwestair.bsky.social flight couldn't land and then had to do a quick pull up and circle. Now the second plane has driven around the airport sat for 20 min and now driven back to the gate. What is going on?
Yesterday's bench ruling by Judge Young feels like a dream, even though I know there is still so much to do, and we aren't done, yet. #resist #postdoc #scienceisforeveryone
Thank you @aclu.org and @protectdemocracy.org and all of my co-plaintiffs for your support!
www.aclu.org/press-releas...
Thank you @aclu.org and @protectdemocracy.org and all of my co-plaintiffs for your support!
www.aclu.org/press-releas...
Federal District Court Strikes Down NIH’s Unlawful Directives That Led to the Elimination of Critical Research | American Civil Liberties Union
BOSTON — In a major victory for public health, the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts today struck down the National Institutes of...
www.aclu.org
June 17, 2025 at 9:59 PM
Yesterday's bench ruling by Judge Young feels like a dream, even though I know there is still so much to do, and we aren't done, yet. #resist #postdoc #scienceisforeveryone
Thank you @aclu.org and @protectdemocracy.org and all of my co-plaintiffs for your support!
www.aclu.org/press-releas...
Thank you @aclu.org and @protectdemocracy.org and all of my co-plaintiffs for your support!
www.aclu.org/press-releas...
Reposted by Nikki Maphis, PhD
Part the Cloud and the Association have just announced $5 million in new funding to support four cutting-edge studies focused on gene targeting therapies for Alzheimer’s. bit.ly/4l8yEVx
Alzheimer's Association Part the Cloud Grants $5 Million to Develop Gene Targeting Treatments
Through the Alzheimer's Association, the Part the Cloud grants support development of innovative gene targeting treatments for Alzheimer's and dementia.
bit.ly
June 13, 2025 at 3:05 PM
Part the Cloud and the Association have just announced $5 million in new funding to support four cutting-edge studies focused on gene targeting therapies for Alzheimer’s. bit.ly/4l8yEVx
Can you prevent Alzheimer's disease with our VLP immunotherapy? With the support of @alzassociation.bsky.social and the #PartTheCloudinititatve we will soon find out! www.alz.org/news/2025/al...
Humbled and excited to witness my science baby grow up!
Humbled and excited to witness my science baby grow up!
Alzheimer's Association Part the Cloud Grants $5 Million to Develop Gene Targeting Treatments
Through the Alzheimer's Association, the Part the Cloud grants support development of innovative gene targeting treatments for Alzheimer's and dementia.
www.alz.org
June 13, 2025 at 7:14 PM
Can you prevent Alzheimer's disease with our VLP immunotherapy? With the support of @alzassociation.bsky.social and the #PartTheCloudinititatve we will soon find out! www.alz.org/news/2025/al...
Humbled and excited to witness my science baby grow up!
Humbled and excited to witness my science baby grow up!
Happy grant submission day to those who celebrate!
I remain steadfast and resilient while submitting this K99/R00 for the 3rd time. I can barely process, let alone explain the emotions, the doubt, the devastating grief, and the hope I've experienced throughout this entire process. #Neuro
I remain steadfast and resilient while submitting this K99/R00 for the 3rd time. I can barely process, let alone explain the emotions, the doubt, the devastating grief, and the hope I've experienced throughout this entire process. #Neuro
a man in a fur hooded jacket talks to a woman with the words rebellions are built on hope
ALT: a man in a fur hooded jacket talks to a woman with the words rebellions are built on hope
media.tenor.com
June 12, 2025 at 5:26 PM
Happy grant submission day to those who celebrate!
I remain steadfast and resilient while submitting this K99/R00 for the 3rd time. I can barely process, let alone explain the emotions, the doubt, the devastating grief, and the hope I've experienced throughout this entire process. #Neuro
I remain steadfast and resilient while submitting this K99/R00 for the 3rd time. I can barely process, let alone explain the emotions, the doubt, the devastating grief, and the hope I've experienced throughout this entire process. #Neuro
The coolest stuff coming out of the LinsenLab, as per usual. Great work @neuromorning.bsky.social !!!!
Unsupervised Phenotyping Reveals Disrupted Neural Firing Characteristics in the Anterior Thalamus and Surrounding Brain Regions Following Third-Trimester Equivalent Alcohol Exposure in Mice https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2025.06.02.657410v1
June 10, 2025 at 10:47 PM
The coolest stuff coming out of the LinsenLab, as per usual. Great work @neuromorning.bsky.social !!!!
Amazing work being done by our amazing postdoc! Check it out!
New preprint in which we utilize UMAP to functionally cluster thalamic neurons to determine what, if any, firing rate and waveform properties are disrupted by third-trimester alcohol exposure
Unsupervised Phenotyping Reveals Disrupted Neural Firing Characteristics in the Anterior Thalamus and Surrounding Brain Regions Following Third-Trimester Equivalent Alcohol Exposure in Mice https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2025.06.02.657410v1
June 10, 2025 at 10:46 PM
Amazing work being done by our amazing postdoc! Check it out!
Cutting funding for research will have devastating consequences, unrealized for decades. The amount of talented and motivated early career scientists who really want these careers will not receive the training and/or financial support needed to get them there. #postdoc #standupforscience
May 13, 2025 at 3:14 PM
Cutting funding for research will have devastating consequences, unrealized for decades. The amount of talented and motivated early career scientists who really want these careers will not receive the training and/or financial support needed to get them there. #postdoc #standupforscience
Trump’s ‘fear factor’: Scientists go silent as funding cuts escalate | Science | AAAS
We cannot and should not stay silent. Keep sharing your stories. #neuroscience #postdoc
We cannot and should not stay silent. Keep sharing your stories. #neuroscience #postdoc
Trump’s ‘fear factor’: Scientists go silent as funding cuts escalate
Many worry about retribution. But for others, speaking out is worth the risk
www.science.org
May 13, 2025 at 1:28 PM
Trump’s ‘fear factor’: Scientists go silent as funding cuts escalate | Science | AAAS
We cannot and should not stay silent. Keep sharing your stories. #neuroscience #postdoc
We cannot and should not stay silent. Keep sharing your stories. #neuroscience #postdoc
Reposted by Nikki Maphis, PhD
What a heart-rending, beautiful, enraging piece by #KseniiaPetrova as told to #AlexEllerbeck at the @nytimes.com. www.nytimes.com/2025/05/13/o...
Opinion | The Science I Would Be Doing if I Weren’t in ICE Detention
www.nytimes.com
May 13, 2025 at 11:50 AM
What a heart-rending, beautiful, enraging piece by #KseniiaPetrova as told to #AlexEllerbeck at the @nytimes.com. www.nytimes.com/2025/05/13/o...
On speaking about universities essentially bending the knee to the king he said, "and I think eventually they will..."
If that doesn't sound like authoritarianism....yeesh. Nothing he says in this interview makes sense and in essence he attacks his interviewer. Everyone should read this.
If that doesn't sound like authoritarianism....yeesh. Nothing he says in this interview makes sense and in essence he attacks his interviewer. Everyone should read this.
In which the Senate-confirmed director of the National Institutes of Health
- talks down to the highly experienced @jocelynkaiser.bsky.social
- says "it's not me personally" who cancels agency grants
- claims @nature.com is spreading rumors, hours before he confirms said rumors
- talks down to the highly experienced @jocelynkaiser.bsky.social
- says "it's not me personally" who cancels agency grants
- claims @nature.com is spreading rumors, hours before he confirms said rumors
‘It’s been a tough period’: NIH’s new director speaks with Science
Jay Bhattacharya discusses staff morale, grant cuts, and “rumors”
www.science.org
May 6, 2025 at 12:51 AM
On speaking about universities essentially bending the knee to the king he said, "and I think eventually they will..."
If that doesn't sound like authoritarianism....yeesh. Nothing he says in this interview makes sense and in essence he attacks his interviewer. Everyone should read this.
If that doesn't sound like authoritarianism....yeesh. Nothing he says in this interview makes sense and in essence he attacks his interviewer. Everyone should read this.
Never stop telling your stories. Science is for everyone. #postdoc #standupforscience #neuroscience
www.abqjournal.com/opinion/arti...
www.abqjournal.com/opinion/arti...
OPINION: Science cuts: The five stages of grief
The five stages of grief — denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance — rarely happen in any specific order.
www.abqjournal.com
May 3, 2025 at 5:25 PM
Never stop telling your stories. Science is for everyone. #postdoc #standupforscience #neuroscience
www.abqjournal.com/opinion/arti...
www.abqjournal.com/opinion/arti...
But this war is impacting ALL universities, especially our smaller hispanic-serving R1s in New Mexico, where dozens of graduate students are struggling with recent stop work orders and loss of funding and where our postdoc training program #IRACDA was also cancelled.
It's not just Columbia, it's not just DEI, and it's not just biomedical research: Trump's war on universities has frozen crucial science at institutions like Princeton, Cornell, Northwestern, and more. Our @nature.com team spoke to some of the affected scientists: www.nature.com/articles/d41...
How Trump’s attack on universities is putting research in peril
Scientists have little information as the US government freezes and cancels their funding.
www.nature.com
April 26, 2025 at 7:53 PM
But this war is impacting ALL universities, especially our smaller hispanic-serving R1s in New Mexico, where dozens of graduate students are struggling with recent stop work orders and loss of funding and where our postdoc training program #IRACDA was also cancelled.
Excited to be highlighted for the tour de force that is this paper from my dissertation work: #postdoc #alzheimers
hscnews.unm.edu/news/unm-res...
hscnews.unm.edu/news/unm-res...
UNM Researchers Plan Clinical Trials to Test Vaccine Against Alzheimer’s-Promoting Tau Protein
University of New Mexico Health Sciences researchers hope to launch human clinical trials in their quest for a vaccine to prevent the buildup of pathological tau – a protein in the brain associated wi...
hscnews.unm.edu
April 24, 2025 at 1:47 AM
Excited to be highlighted for the tour de force that is this paper from my dissertation work: #postdoc #alzheimers
hscnews.unm.edu/news/unm-res...
hscnews.unm.edu/news/unm-res...
Looks like notices of funding opportunities (NOFO) are more like Lack of opportunities (LOO). #postdoc #earlycareer #nocareer
I used to look forward to this NIH TOC of funding opportunities and notices every Friday. It was exciting to see what new directions the NIH was taking science and advancing healthcare. Now it just makes me want to cry. 😔
April 19, 2025 at 7:00 PM
Looks like notices of funding opportunities (NOFO) are more like Lack of opportunities (LOO). #postdoc #earlycareer #nocareer
This needed to be said, and thank you for saying it.
the thing I hate most about that rfk quote is that autistic lives have value and worth and beauty and dignity whether they are able to do the things other people do or not. no one is defined by ability or lack thereof and to frame divergence as lack is monster stuff, utterly godless
April 19, 2025 at 6:55 PM
This needed to be said, and thank you for saying it.
Hoping to see more universities come together to stand up to fight these arbitrary cuts. #scienceisforeveryone #stopthecuts
Breaking News: Harvard rejected the Trump administration’s demands, including that it submit to monitoring and reduce the power of faculty and students.
Harvard Will Not Comply With a List of Trump Administration Demands
Federal officials said Harvard must enact “merit-based reform” in hiring and admissions, among other things. Harvard called the demands unlawful.
www.nytimes.com
April 15, 2025 at 2:11 PM
Hoping to see more universities come together to stand up to fight these arbitrary cuts. #scienceisforeveryone #stopthecuts
Why am I standing up? This movement is about those who are unable to stand up for themselves and for the atrocities happening against our scientists, our science and the community our science serves. #scienceisforeveryone
Read more about our lawsuit on behalf of researchers, public health associations, unions, and a reproductive research organization challenging NIH’s cancellations of research grants, in partnership with @ACLU.org, @aclum.bsky.social, and @cspi.bsky.social. protectdemocracy.org/work/challen...
Challenging politically-driven attacks on science and medical research - Protect Democracy
Protect Democracy is challenging the Trump administration’s unlawful termination of $400 million in federal funding.
protectdemocracy.org
April 14, 2025 at 7:10 PM
Why am I standing up? This movement is about those who are unable to stand up for themselves and for the atrocities happening against our scientists, our science and the community our science serves. #scienceisforeveryone