Sheril Kirshenbaum
@sheril.bsky.social
Scientist. Author. Host of PBS Serving Up Science. www.sherilkirshenbaum.com
The government shutdown is now the longest in U.S. history. sheril.substack.com/p/shutdown-b...
Shutdown Before the Fall?
Why this routine "crisis" should serve as a warning.
sheril.substack.com
November 5, 2025 at 7:20 PM
The government shutdown is now the longest in U.S. history. sheril.substack.com/p/shutdown-b...
🔴 Funding opportunity! 🔴
science-foundation.org/what-ifs-2025/
What if… you had 10K in a gift fund at your institution for curiosity-driven #science?
Apply to “What Ifs…?” @sciencefoundation.bsky.social
Applications open 11/10, close 12/1
science-foundation.org/what-ifs-2025/
What if… you had 10K in a gift fund at your institution for curiosity-driven #science?
Apply to “What Ifs…?” @sciencefoundation.bsky.social
Applications open 11/10, close 12/1
What Ifs 2025 – Public Science, Public Good
science-foundation.org
November 3, 2025 at 9:58 PM
🔴 Funding opportunity! 🔴
science-foundation.org/what-ifs-2025/
What if… you had 10K in a gift fund at your institution for curiosity-driven #science?
Apply to “What Ifs…?” @sciencefoundation.bsky.social
Applications open 11/10, close 12/1
science-foundation.org/what-ifs-2025/
What if… you had 10K in a gift fund at your institution for curiosity-driven #science?
Apply to “What Ifs…?” @sciencefoundation.bsky.social
Applications open 11/10, close 12/1
Of all the Serving Up Science episodes, this is my favorite. wkar.pbslearningmedia.org/resource/can...
It’s also our least popular & least viewed. But for 7 mins, I got to talk about how amazing & essential soil really is @pbs.org. And that’s a win! 👩🏻🌾🪴
It’s also our least popular & least viewed. But for 7 mins, I got to talk about how amazing & essential soil really is @pbs.org. And that’s a win! 👩🏻🌾🪴
Can Soil Make or Break Our Food Future? | Serving Up Science | PBS LearningMedia
Unearth the world beneath our feet and soil's vital role in our food system, as host Sheril digs into the dirt on dirt. Discover the rich tapestry of soil types, the microorganisms that enable its vit...
wkar.pbslearningmedia.org
November 3, 2025 at 1:01 PM
Of all the Serving Up Science episodes, this is my favorite. wkar.pbslearningmedia.org/resource/can...
It’s also our least popular & least viewed. But for 7 mins, I got to talk about how amazing & essential soil really is @pbs.org. And that’s a win! 👩🏻🌾🪴
It’s also our least popular & least viewed. But for 7 mins, I got to talk about how amazing & essential soil really is @pbs.org. And that’s a win! 👩🏻🌾🪴
Delighted to be at @nationalacademies.org exploring the future of the U.S. research enterprise during this period of transition.
3 takeaways:
• Forge partnerships that blend public purpose & research w private innovation.
• Rebuild trust across sectors.
• Tell the story of science & innovation.
3 takeaways:
• Forge partnerships that blend public purpose & research w private innovation.
• Rebuild trust across sectors.
• Tell the story of science & innovation.
October 30, 2025 at 5:24 PM
Delighted to be at @nationalacademies.org exploring the future of the U.S. research enterprise during this period of transition.
3 takeaways:
• Forge partnerships that blend public purpose & research w private innovation.
• Rebuild trust across sectors.
• Tell the story of science & innovation.
3 takeaways:
• Forge partnerships that blend public purpose & research w private innovation.
• Rebuild trust across sectors.
• Tell the story of science & innovation.
My thoughts are with the people in Hurricane Melissa’s path.
Climate change makes the ocean warmer, fueling stronger, more intense storms.
It’s not about politics. I hope we can come together to help the communities impacted by this extremely dangerous Category 5 hurricane.
Climate change makes the ocean warmer, fueling stronger, more intense storms.
It’s not about politics. I hope we can come together to help the communities impacted by this extremely dangerous Category 5 hurricane.
October 27, 2025 at 3:43 PM
My thoughts are with the people in Hurricane Melissa’s path.
Climate change makes the ocean warmer, fueling stronger, more intense storms.
It’s not about politics. I hope we can come together to help the communities impacted by this extremely dangerous Category 5 hurricane.
Climate change makes the ocean warmer, fueling stronger, more intense storms.
It’s not about politics. I hope we can come together to help the communities impacted by this extremely dangerous Category 5 hurricane.
Can We Rebuild Trust in Congress? sheril.substack.com/p/can-we-reb...
Can We Rebuild Trust in Congress?
How Congressional Dysfunction Paved the Road to Political Violence
sheril.substack.com
October 15, 2025 at 4:44 PM
Can We Rebuild Trust in Congress? sheril.substack.com/p/can-we-reb...
As the #shutdown drags on & political violence ⬆️, the question isn’t whether we can return to some imagined golden age of bipartisanship.
It’s whether we can rebuild the relationships that make democratic governance possible.
My new op-ed in @thehill.com: thehill.com/opinion/cong... #uspol
It’s whether we can rebuild the relationships that make democratic governance possible.
My new op-ed in @thehill.com: thehill.com/opinion/cong... #uspol
thehill.com
October 9, 2025 at 5:16 PM
As the #shutdown drags on & political violence ⬆️, the question isn’t whether we can return to some imagined golden age of bipartisanship.
It’s whether we can rebuild the relationships that make democratic governance possible.
My new op-ed in @thehill.com: thehill.com/opinion/cong... #uspol
It’s whether we can rebuild the relationships that make democratic governance possible.
My new op-ed in @thehill.com: thehill.com/opinion/cong... #uspol
Jane Goodall, one of my greatest heroes, has passed away. How lucky we were to read her books and learn from her wisdom about our place on Earth. She was an inspiration to me and countless others. And her memory is a blessing.
October 1, 2025 at 6:25 PM
Jane Goodall, one of my greatest heroes, has passed away. How lucky we were to read her books and learn from her wisdom about our place on Earth. She was an inspiration to me and countless others. And her memory is a blessing.
The federal government has shut down. So why does the 21st disruption of federal funding since 1976 feel... normal?
We've spent decades dismantling the norms that made compromise possible in Congress.
This routine "crisis" should serve as a warning. sheril.substack.com/p/shutdown-b...
We've spent decades dismantling the norms that made compromise possible in Congress.
This routine "crisis" should serve as a warning. sheril.substack.com/p/shutdown-b...
Shutdown Before the Fall?
Why this routine "crisis" should serve as a warning.
sheril.substack.com
October 1, 2025 at 4:58 PM
The federal government has shut down. So why does the 21st disruption of federal funding since 1976 feel... normal?
We've spent decades dismantling the norms that made compromise possible in Congress.
This routine "crisis" should serve as a warning. sheril.substack.com/p/shutdown-b...
We've spent decades dismantling the norms that made compromise possible in Congress.
This routine "crisis" should serve as a warning. sheril.substack.com/p/shutdown-b...
Ebola outbreak in DR Congo rages, w 61% death rate & lack of $
“In the past, USAID provided critical support to respond to such outbreaks. But, w funding cuts & a dismantling of the agency the US is notably absent.. it will be difficult to compensate for the loss.” arstechnica.com/health/2025/...
“In the past, USAID provided critical support to respond to such outbreaks. But, w funding cuts & a dismantling of the agency the US is notably absent.. it will be difficult to compensate for the loss.” arstechnica.com/health/2025/...
Ebola outbreak in DR Congo rages, with 61% death rate and funding running dry
Responders ask for $25 million to contain the disease. They have $2.2 million.
arstechnica.com
September 27, 2025 at 3:04 PM
Ebola outbreak in DR Congo rages, w 61% death rate & lack of $
“In the past, USAID provided critical support to respond to such outbreaks. But, w funding cuts & a dismantling of the agency the US is notably absent.. it will be difficult to compensate for the loss.” arstechnica.com/health/2025/...
“In the past, USAID provided critical support to respond to such outbreaks. But, w funding cuts & a dismantling of the agency the US is notably absent.. it will be difficult to compensate for the loss.” arstechnica.com/health/2025/...
Meet our new English budgie! Like his brother Kiwi, he has a few unusual quirks, but we think he’s perfect!
Now this little peanut needs a name… He arrived as “Moe” so that’s a possibility, but what would you name this sweet boy?
Now this little peanut needs a name… He arrived as “Moe” so that’s a possibility, but what would you name this sweet boy?
September 20, 2025 at 12:45 AM
Meet our new English budgie! Like his brother Kiwi, he has a few unusual quirks, but we think he’s perfect!
Now this little peanut needs a name… He arrived as “Moe” so that’s a possibility, but what would you name this sweet boy?
Now this little peanut needs a name… He arrived as “Moe” so that’s a possibility, but what would you name this sweet boy?
"Amid massive cuts to US scientific research, the Science Foundation will raise public funds for transdisciplinary, discovery-based research!" www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Congratulations Maren Friesen, Venkatesh Srinivas & @sciencefoundation.bsky.social! Donate at science-foundation.org/donate/
Congratulations Maren Friesen, Venkatesh Srinivas & @sciencefoundation.bsky.social! Donate at science-foundation.org/donate/
Will the public support basic science? A new non-profit aims to find out
The Science Foundation seeks donations to fund ten $10,000 ‘what if’ seed grants.
www.nature.com
September 17, 2025 at 6:24 PM
"Amid massive cuts to US scientific research, the Science Foundation will raise public funds for transdisciplinary, discovery-based research!" www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Congratulations Maren Friesen, Venkatesh Srinivas & @sciencefoundation.bsky.social! Donate at science-foundation.org/donate/
Congratulations Maren Friesen, Venkatesh Srinivas & @sciencefoundation.bsky.social! Donate at science-foundation.org/donate/
“One of the best-known anchors on Fox News has suggested killing people as a way to end the country’s homelessness crisis.” 👀
www.thedailybeast.com/fox-news-hos...
www.thedailybeast.com/fox-news-hos...
Fox News Host Offers Bloodthirsty Fix to Homeless Crisis
Brian Kilmeade has a truly outrageous proposal for addressing what he considers one of the root causes of violence in public places.
www.thedailybeast.com
September 14, 2025 at 2:46 PM
“One of the best-known anchors on Fox News has suggested killing people as a way to end the country’s homelessness crisis.” 👀
www.thedailybeast.com/fox-news-hos...
www.thedailybeast.com/fox-news-hos...
Good.
Details at: www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Details at: www.nature.com/articles/d41...
August 28, 2025 at 1:58 PM
Good.
Details at: www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Details at: www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Pretty sure the vast majority of people don’t want to get sick regardless of their party affiliation. 🤔
August 27, 2025 at 11:41 AM
Pretty sure the vast majority of people don’t want to get sick regardless of their party affiliation. 🤔
As I conclude my Senate fellowship, I’m deeply grateful to Senator Gary Peters of Michigan and his brilliant, thoughtful team. I will miss working with them tremendously. 1/3
August 26, 2025 at 1:34 AM
As I conclude my Senate fellowship, I’m deeply grateful to Senator Gary Peters of Michigan and his brilliant, thoughtful team. I will miss working with them tremendously. 1/3
When I co-created Serving Up Science with the wonderful people at WKAR, we never imagined the reach our little show about food and science would have. We connected with classrooms, rural towns, big cities, and curious minds across the country - all bc of public media. cpb.org/pressroom/Co... 1/3
Corporation for Public Broadcasting Addresses Operations Following Loss of Federal Funding
WASHINGTON, D.C. (August 1, 2025) – The Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) announced today that it will begin an orderly wind-down of its operations following the passage of a federal rescissio...
cpb.org
August 1, 2025 at 10:27 PM
When I co-created Serving Up Science with the wonderful people at WKAR, we never imagined the reach our little show about food and science would have. We connected with classrooms, rural towns, big cities, and curious minds across the country - all bc of public media. cpb.org/pressroom/Co... 1/3
Reposted by Sheril Kirshenbaum
The NIH budget will INCREASE by $400 million — not slashed by 40%, as Trump proposed — according to a proposal by Senate appropriators, says Sen Murray.
"Some have asked if there will even be an NIH by [2029]. The commmittee's resounding message is yes—Congress has your back", she says.
"Some have asked if there will even be an NIH by [2029]. The commmittee's resounding message is yes—Congress has your back", she says.
July 31, 2025 at 1:53 PM
The NIH budget will INCREASE by $400 million — not slashed by 40%, as Trump proposed — according to a proposal by Senate appropriators, says Sen Murray.
"Some have asked if there will even be an NIH by [2029]. The commmittee's resounding message is yes—Congress has your back", she says.
"Some have asked if there will even be an NIH by [2029]. The commmittee's resounding message is yes—Congress has your back", she says.
Even amid difficult headlines, I take comfort in the resilience of nature.
Trees keep growing. Fungi keep breaking things down. And the world keeps changing.
Our species is just one character in a far older story.
And I hope we have the wisdom (and data) to remain part of it a little longer.
Trees keep growing. Fungi keep breaking things down. And the world keeps changing.
Our species is just one character in a far older story.
And I hope we have the wisdom (and data) to remain part of it a little longer.
July 30, 2025 at 4:28 AM
Even amid difficult headlines, I take comfort in the resilience of nature.
Trees keep growing. Fungi keep breaking things down. And the world keeps changing.
Our species is just one character in a far older story.
And I hope we have the wisdom (and data) to remain part of it a little longer.
Trees keep growing. Fungi keep breaking things down. And the world keeps changing.
Our species is just one character in a far older story.
And I hope we have the wisdom (and data) to remain part of it a little longer.
In every part of the world, “child” and “hunger” should never be part of the same sentence.
July 24, 2025 at 8:10 PM
In every part of the world, “child” and “hunger” should never be part of the same sentence.
On one hand, good.
On another, we shouldn’t need the UN to declare climate change is an existential threat at this point.
It’s here. It’s now.
On another, we shouldn’t need the UN to declare climate change is an existential threat at this point.
It’s here. It’s now.
July 23, 2025 at 7:25 PM
On one hand, good.
On another, we shouldn’t need the UN to declare climate change is an existential threat at this point.
It’s here. It’s now.
On another, we shouldn’t need the UN to declare climate change is an existential threat at this point.
It’s here. It’s now.
Not sure who needs to hear this, but #science cuts don’t just affect researchers.
They ripple out to the food we eat, the air we breathe, the safety of our water, and our health.
This is personal for you. Me. All of us.
They ripple out to the food we eat, the air we breathe, the safety of our water, and our health.
This is personal for you. Me. All of us.
July 18, 2025 at 8:38 PM
Not sure who needs to hear this, but #science cuts don’t just affect researchers.
They ripple out to the food we eat, the air we breathe, the safety of our water, and our health.
This is personal for you. Me. All of us.
They ripple out to the food we eat, the air we breathe, the safety of our water, and our health.
This is personal for you. Me. All of us.
Hi 👋 I was the host of Serving Up Science, a PBS show created by WKAR with some of the kindest people in public media.
We focused on the science of food. Not politics, not controversy.
Now, half the team has been laid off.
It’s a quiet unraveling of something deeply valuable. #uspol
We focused on the science of food. Not politics, not controversy.
Now, half the team has been laid off.
It’s a quiet unraveling of something deeply valuable. #uspol
July 17, 2025 at 6:15 PM
Hi 👋 I was the host of Serving Up Science, a PBS show created by WKAR with some of the kindest people in public media.
We focused on the science of food. Not politics, not controversy.
Now, half the team has been laid off.
It’s a quiet unraveling of something deeply valuable. #uspol
We focused on the science of food. Not politics, not controversy.
Now, half the team has been laid off.
It’s a quiet unraveling of something deeply valuable. #uspol