Zach Bennett
@zbennett.bsky.social
Bioinorganic chemist in the Brunold lab interested in protein engineering, genetic code expansion, biocatalysis, spectroscopy, and metalloenzymes :)
UW-Madison Chemistry PhD candidate
💙🦋
UW-Madison Chemistry PhD candidate
💙🦋
Reposted by Zach Bennett
The W-S lab is seeking to hire a research scientist!
This person will lead wet-lab innovations in our team as we combine AI and experiments to understand and design dynamics!
Thanks for sharing/RTs!
jobs.wisc.edu/jobs/scienti...
This person will lead wet-lab innovations in our team as we combine AI and experiments to understand and design dynamics!
Thanks for sharing/RTs!
jobs.wisc.edu/jobs/scienti...
Scientist and Lab Operations Coordinator - Madison, Wisconsin, United States
Job Summary:
The Wayment-Steele Lab seeks a Research Scientist to lead experimental operations within our highly interdisciplinary team, integrating both computational "dry" and experimental "wet" l...
jobs.wisc.edu
May 23, 2025 at 2:44 PM
The W-S lab is seeking to hire a research scientist!
This person will lead wet-lab innovations in our team as we combine AI and experiments to understand and design dynamics!
Thanks for sharing/RTs!
jobs.wisc.edu/jobs/scienti...
This person will lead wet-lab innovations in our team as we combine AI and experiments to understand and design dynamics!
Thanks for sharing/RTs!
jobs.wisc.edu/jobs/scienti...
Reposted by Zach Bennett
The loss data (~$10B) support and N of grants terminated is updated below, but this op-ed by @euanashley.bsky.social hits all the important points @latimes.com @stanfordmedicine.bsky.social
www.latimes.com/opinion/stor...
www.latimes.com/opinion/stor...
May 28, 2025 at 2:27 PM
The loss data (~$10B) support and N of grants terminated is updated below, but this op-ed by @euanashley.bsky.social hits all the important points @latimes.com @stanfordmedicine.bsky.social
www.latimes.com/opinion/stor...
www.latimes.com/opinion/stor...
Reposted by Zach Bennett
I cannot believe this shit. www.reuters.com/business/hea...
Moderna withdraws application for COVID-flu combination vaccine
Moderna said on Wednesday it has withdrawn an application seeking approval for its flu and COVID combination vaccine candidate after discussions with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
www.reuters.com
May 22, 2025 at 5:45 AM
I cannot believe this shit. www.reuters.com/business/hea...
Reposted by Zach Bennett
⛔️ UPDATE:
We obtained the full list of NIH terminations at Harvard. Lowlights:
- 659 total grants at Harvard in the NIH-created list
- $2.19 billion in total award value
- $960 million in award remaining
You can view them all using the "Harvard" tab on the airtable
grant-watch.us/nih-data.html
We obtained the full list of NIH terminations at Harvard. Lowlights:
- 659 total grants at Harvard in the NIH-created list
- $2.19 billion in total award value
- $960 million in award remaining
You can view them all using the "Harvard" tab on the airtable
grant-watch.us/nih-data.html
nih-data – Grant Watch
grant-watch.us
May 22, 2025 at 12:33 PM
⛔️ UPDATE:
We obtained the full list of NIH terminations at Harvard. Lowlights:
- 659 total grants at Harvard in the NIH-created list
- $2.19 billion in total award value
- $960 million in award remaining
You can view them all using the "Harvard" tab on the airtable
grant-watch.us/nih-data.html
We obtained the full list of NIH terminations at Harvard. Lowlights:
- 659 total grants at Harvard in the NIH-created list
- $2.19 billion in total award value
- $960 million in award remaining
You can view them all using the "Harvard" tab on the airtable
grant-watch.us/nih-data.html
Reposted by Zach Bennett
Internal records show that the NIH axed grants for research about transgender people despite a court order barring the cuts.
Agency officials also testified that DOGE was involved in directing grant terminations.
By @anniewaldman.bsky.social
Agency officials also testified that DOGE was involved in directing grant terminations.
By @anniewaldman.bsky.social
Trump’s NIH Axed Research Grants Even After a Judge Blocked the Cuts, Internal Records Show
A lawsuit led by the Washington state attorney general offers an unprecedented view of the termination of more than 600 NIH grants, including transgender research grants threatened by Trump’s…
www.propublica.org
May 10, 2025 at 3:30 PM
Internal records show that the NIH axed grants for research about transgender people despite a court order barring the cuts.
Agency officials also testified that DOGE was involved in directing grant terminations.
By @anniewaldman.bsky.social
Agency officials also testified that DOGE was involved in directing grant terminations.
By @anniewaldman.bsky.social
Reposted by Zach Bennett
As we point out in Science, the Trump proposal to convert NIH program officer jobs into political appointments (Schedule F) will mean, that instead of actual scientific experts, people like "Big Balls" will choose how to direct NIH funds. www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
May 10, 2025 at 4:00 PM
As we point out in Science, the Trump proposal to convert NIH program officer jobs into political appointments (Schedule F) will mean, that instead of actual scientific experts, people like "Big Balls" will choose how to direct NIH funds. www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
Reposted by Zach Bennett
Economists warn: Trump’s science cuts threaten the U.S. economy.
Slashing funding for NIH, NSF, and NASA hurts every American. These cuts are killing jobs, stalling innovation, and shrinking our economic future.
We all pay the price when science is defunded.
www.npr.org/2025/05/08/n...
Slashing funding for NIH, NSF, and NASA hurts every American. These cuts are killing jobs, stalling innovation, and shrinking our economic future.
We all pay the price when science is defunded.
www.npr.org/2025/05/08/n...
Economists warn Trump's research cuts could have dire consequences for GDP
President Trump has proposed slashing federal scientific funding. Economists say the long-term consequences could be dire.
www.npr.org
May 8, 2025 at 1:34 PM
Economists warn: Trump’s science cuts threaten the U.S. economy.
Slashing funding for NIH, NSF, and NASA hurts every American. These cuts are killing jobs, stalling innovation, and shrinking our economic future.
We all pay the price when science is defunded.
www.npr.org/2025/05/08/n...
Slashing funding for NIH, NSF, and NASA hurts every American. These cuts are killing jobs, stalling innovation, and shrinking our economic future.
We all pay the price when science is defunded.
www.npr.org/2025/05/08/n...
Reposted by Zach Bennett
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 Zach Bennett
🚨New preprint alert!🚨
We mapped Mo-dependent pathways across microbes and show this reliance emerged before oxygen showed up. Our results challenge assumptions about Mo scarcity on early Earth. Study led by Aya Klos!
Biology’s been metal since the very beginning🤘
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
We mapped Mo-dependent pathways across microbes and show this reliance emerged before oxygen showed up. Our results challenge assumptions about Mo scarcity on early Earth. Study led by Aya Klos!
Biology’s been metal since the very beginning🤘
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
April 7, 2025 at 6:25 PM
🚨New preprint alert!🚨
We mapped Mo-dependent pathways across microbes and show this reliance emerged before oxygen showed up. Our results challenge assumptions about Mo scarcity on early Earth. Study led by Aya Klos!
Biology’s been metal since the very beginning🤘
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
We mapped Mo-dependent pathways across microbes and show this reliance emerged before oxygen showed up. Our results challenge assumptions about Mo scarcity on early Earth. Study led by Aya Klos!
Biology’s been metal since the very beginning🤘
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Reposted by Zach Bennett
Taking inspiration from the US government/university/industry partnership model (including @stanfordmedicine.bsky.social SPARK program), Taiwan invested in early stage research-to-translation infrastructure, boosted biotech sector and economy. A timely message wrt current US science/univ defunding.
SPARK Taiwan: a decade of insights in adapting US translational medicine and commercialization methods go.nature.com/449WGdn
SPARK Taiwan: a decade of insights in adapting US translational medicine and commercialization methods - Nature Biotechnology
SPARK Taiwan has strengthened the country’s biotech sector, encouraged scientists to start businesses and fostered cross-disciplinary collaboration.
go.nature.com
April 25, 2025 at 4:08 PM
Taking inspiration from the US government/university/industry partnership model (including @stanfordmedicine.bsky.social SPARK program), Taiwan invested in early stage research-to-translation infrastructure, boosted biotech sector and economy. A timely message wrt current US science/univ defunding.
Reposted by Zach Bennett
The notice and COMMENT PERIOD OPENED TODAY AND CLOSES MAY 23.
Anyone who would like to register an objection or comment should go to this page and click on the green “public comment” button at the top:
www.federalregister.gov/documents/20...
6/n
Anyone who would like to register an objection or comment should go to this page and click on the green “public comment” button at the top:
www.federalregister.gov/documents/20...
6/n
Improving Performance, Accountability and Responsiveness in the Civil Service
The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) is proposing a rule to increase career employee accountability. Agency supervisors report great difficulty removing employees for poor performance or misconduc...
www.federalregister.gov
April 23, 2025 at 6:17 PM
The notice and COMMENT PERIOD OPENED TODAY AND CLOSES MAY 23.
Anyone who would like to register an objection or comment should go to this page and click on the green “public comment” button at the top:
www.federalregister.gov/documents/20...
6/n
Anyone who would like to register an objection or comment should go to this page and click on the green “public comment” button at the top:
www.federalregister.gov/documents/20...
6/n
Reposted by Zach Bennett
In order words, grant funding is policy making so those who are involved in grant making are policy makers and, therefore, should be political appointees.
But, while policy should be informed by good science, science should not be driven by policy goals.
5/n
But, while policy should be informed by good science, science should not be driven by policy goals.
5/n
April 23, 2025 at 6:14 PM
In order words, grant funding is policy making so those who are involved in grant making are policy makers and, therefore, should be political appointees.
But, while policy should be informed by good science, science should not be driven by policy goals.
5/n
But, while policy should be informed by good science, science should not be driven by policy goals.
5/n
Reposted by Zach Bennett
ACTION ITEM-----ACTION ITEM
Implementation of Schedule F
This is what a lot of us have been worried about.
This allows for many civil service positions to replaced with political appointees. This could include NIH institute directors and even POs.
BUT THERE IS A COMMENT PERIOD...
1/n
Implementation of Schedule F
This is what a lot of us have been worried about.
This allows for many civil service positions to replaced with political appointees. This could include NIH institute directors and even POs.
BUT THERE IS A COMMENT PERIOD...
1/n
the word alert is in a purple circle
ALT: the word alert is in a purple circle
media.tenor.com
April 23, 2025 at 6:03 PM
ACTION ITEM-----ACTION ITEM
Implementation of Schedule F
This is what a lot of us have been worried about.
This allows for many civil service positions to replaced with political appointees. This could include NIH institute directors and even POs.
BUT THERE IS A COMMENT PERIOD...
1/n
Implementation of Schedule F
This is what a lot of us have been worried about.
This allows for many civil service positions to replaced with political appointees. This could include NIH institute directors and even POs.
BUT THERE IS A COMMENT PERIOD...
1/n
Reposted by Zach Bennett
You don’t negotiate with terrorists. Hopefully universities figure this out.
Exclusive: Weeks after President Donald Trump’s administration ordered NIH to pull $250 million in biomedical research grants to Columbia University, the agency is freezing all remaining grant money owed to the university until further notice. scim.ag/4if5Rg1
NIH freezes all research grants to Columbia University
Amid negotiations with Trump, the university could risk losing nearly $700 million
scim.ag
April 9, 2025 at 8:06 PM
You don’t negotiate with terrorists. Hopefully universities figure this out.
Reposted by Zach Bennett
Great article by @nobelprize.bsky.social laureate @ardemp.bskyverified.social outlining the health, economic and national security benefits of US biomedical research, and the devastation of government efforts to destroy our leading edge.
www.cnn.com/2025/04/09/h...
www.cnn.com/2025/04/09/h...
Nobel laureate: I owe America my success. Today, its scientific future is in danger | CNN
Dr. Ardem Patapoutian says he watches “with deep sadness as the United States’ remarkable scientific enterprise, which took generations of hard work and national investment to build, faces a concerted...
www.cnn.com
April 9, 2025 at 2:30 PM
Great article by @nobelprize.bsky.social laureate @ardemp.bskyverified.social outlining the health, economic and national security benefits of US biomedical research, and the devastation of government efforts to destroy our leading edge.
www.cnn.com/2025/04/09/h...
www.cnn.com/2025/04/09/h...
Reposted by Zach Bennett
The liberal wing of the Wisconsin Supreme Court gets its third straight win as Wisconsin voters elect Susan Crawford in rebuke of Trump, Musk. @henry-redman.bsky.social has the details. wisconsinexaminer.com/2025/04/01/w...
Wisconsin voters elect Susan Crawford in rebuke of Trump, Musk • Wisconsin Examiner
Dane County Judge was elected to the Wisconsin Supreme Court Tuesday, maintaining liberal control of the body for at least three years.
wisconsinexaminer.com
April 2, 2025 at 3:23 AM
The liberal wing of the Wisconsin Supreme Court gets its third straight win as Wisconsin voters elect Susan Crawford in rebuke of Trump, Musk. @henry-redman.bsky.social has the details. wisconsinexaminer.com/2025/04/01/w...
Reposted by Zach Bennett
UW-Madison says ICE barred from classrooms without search warrant
Ava Menkes via @isthmusmadison.bsky.social
isthmus.com/news/news/uw...
Ava Menkes via @isthmusmadison.bsky.social
isthmus.com/news/news/uw...
UW-Madison says ICE barred from classrooms without search warrant
‘The university’s position is that classrooms where instruction is currently taking place are not open to the public, and therefore activity in those spaces would require a search warrant,’ says spoke...
isthmus.com
March 4, 2025 at 5:37 PM
UW-Madison says ICE barred from classrooms without search warrant
Ava Menkes via @isthmusmadison.bsky.social
isthmus.com/news/news/uw...
Ava Menkes via @isthmusmadison.bsky.social
isthmus.com/news/news/uw...
Reposted by Zach Bennett
Tom Maniatis coming in hot in @CellCellPress
to spell out in no uncertain terms what cutting indirect cost rates to 15% will cost science.
And a call to action: "A united front...is essential to preventing this devastating policy from taking effect." 💯
www.cell.com/cell/fulltex...
to spell out in no uncertain terms what cutting indirect cost rates to 15% will cost science.
And a call to action: "A united front...is essential to preventing this devastating policy from taking effect." 💯
www.cell.com/cell/fulltex...
Safeguarding the future of biomedical science in the United States
NIH’s abrupt decision to cap indirect cost reimbursement at 15% threatens the critical
infrastructure supporting groundbreaking biomedical research in the United States.
This policy jeopardizes Americ...
www.cell.com
March 1, 2025 at 9:29 PM
Tom Maniatis coming in hot in @CellCellPress
to spell out in no uncertain terms what cutting indirect cost rates to 15% will cost science.
And a call to action: "A united front...is essential to preventing this devastating policy from taking effect." 💯
www.cell.com/cell/fulltex...
to spell out in no uncertain terms what cutting indirect cost rates to 15% will cost science.
And a call to action: "A united front...is essential to preventing this devastating policy from taking effect." 💯
www.cell.com/cell/fulltex...
Reposted by Zach Bennett
🚨 We're hiring! 🚨
Our lab is looking for a lab technician & a postdoc to study enzyme evolution across geologic time.
Learn more about one of our projects here: ⬇️
🔗 research.wisc.edu/uncategorize...
Folks who recently lost jobs are especially encouraged to apply! #Hiring #ScienceJobs
Our lab is looking for a lab technician & a postdoc to study enzyme evolution across geologic time.
Learn more about one of our projects here: ⬇️
🔗 research.wisc.edu/uncategorize...
Folks who recently lost jobs are especially encouraged to apply! #Hiring #ScienceJobs
Keck Foundation grant funds UW–Madison research to explore an enzyme behind the origins and early evolution of life on Earth | Research | UW–Madison
searchopen menucloseExpandCollapseExpandCollap...
research.wisc.edu
February 15, 2025 at 11:27 PM
🚨 We're hiring! 🚨
Our lab is looking for a lab technician & a postdoc to study enzyme evolution across geologic time.
Learn more about one of our projects here: ⬇️
🔗 research.wisc.edu/uncategorize...
Folks who recently lost jobs are especially encouraged to apply! #Hiring #ScienceJobs
Our lab is looking for a lab technician & a postdoc to study enzyme evolution across geologic time.
Learn more about one of our projects here: ⬇️
🔗 research.wisc.edu/uncategorize...
Folks who recently lost jobs are especially encouraged to apply! #Hiring #ScienceJobs
Ran into a hiccup in my selenoprotein purification. Too much protein can be a bad thing!
I have all sorts of ideas of what we can do with Sec. Just need the time to do it! #chemsky #molecularbiology #metalloproteins
I have all sorts of ideas of what we can do with Sec. Just need the time to do it! #chemsky #molecularbiology #metalloproteins
December 18, 2024 at 6:56 PM
Ran into a hiccup in my selenoprotein purification. Too much protein can be a bad thing!
I have all sorts of ideas of what we can do with Sec. Just need the time to do it! #chemsky #molecularbiology #metalloproteins
I have all sorts of ideas of what we can do with Sec. Just need the time to do it! #chemsky #molecularbiology #metalloproteins
Firearms are the leading cause of death among people aged 1 to 19 in the US.
Every day we do nothing is a wasted day and more lives lost. Politicians who were useless after Sandy Hook will act no differently today. It’s disgusting.
Every day we do nothing is a wasted day and more lives lost. Politicians who were useless after Sandy Hook will act no differently today. It’s disgusting.
Minnesota and Wisconsin leaders are reacting to the deadly school shooting at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison.
Minnesota, Wisconsin leaders respond after school shooting in Madison: "It has to stop"
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Minnesota and Wisconsin leaders are reacting to the deadly school shooting at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Wisconsin.
www.channel3000.com
December 17, 2024 at 3:03 AM
Firearms are the leading cause of death among people aged 1 to 19 in the US.
Every day we do nothing is a wasted day and more lives lost. Politicians who were useless after Sandy Hook will act no differently today. It’s disgusting.
Every day we do nothing is a wasted day and more lives lost. Politicians who were useless after Sandy Hook will act no differently today. It’s disgusting.
Reposted by Zach Bennett
Super excited to share our latest review on recent advances in engineered biocatalysts for hydrogen evolution and carbon dioxide reduction doi.org/10.1016/j.cb... by Ryan Kosko, Kaye Lin Kuphal and Alison Salamatian!
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Engineered metallobiocatalysts for energy–relevant reactions
Engineering metallobiocatalysts is a promising approach to addressing challenges in energy-relevant electrocatalysis and photocatalysis. The design fr…
www.sciencedirect.com
December 9, 2024 at 7:26 PM
Super excited to share our latest review on recent advances in engineered biocatalysts for hydrogen evolution and carbon dioxide reduction doi.org/10.1016/j.cb... by Ryan Kosko, Kaye Lin Kuphal and Alison Salamatian!
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Excited to start overexpression and purification this week after I finally was able to make an elusive Sec variant. Learning new PCR methods can be tough when you are set in your ways.
Maybe next time my primers will be right the first time… #PCR #molecularbiology
Maybe next time my primers will be right the first time… #PCR #molecularbiology
December 9, 2024 at 5:44 PM
Excited to start overexpression and purification this week after I finally was able to make an elusive Sec variant. Learning new PCR methods can be tough when you are set in your ways.
Maybe next time my primers will be right the first time… #PCR #molecularbiology
Maybe next time my primers will be right the first time… #PCR #molecularbiology
Reposted by Zach Bennett
"Everything You Need to Know About Donald Trump’s NIH Pick" - @walkerbragman.bsky.social brings receipts. He's bad, really bad:
Everything You Need to Know About Donald Trump’s NIH Pick
Dr. Jay Bhattacharya is a loud voice from the fringes.
www.importantcontext.news
November 27, 2024 at 2:27 AM
"Everything You Need to Know About Donald Trump’s NIH Pick" - @walkerbragman.bsky.social brings receipts. He's bad, really bad:
I'm excited to have a "week off" of TAing this week. How much more will I get done? Who's to say. Will I feel better after this week? Yes. There's so little time left in the semester!!!
November 25, 2024 at 3:08 PM
I'm excited to have a "week off" of TAing this week. How much more will I get done? Who's to say. Will I feel better after this week? Yes. There's so little time left in the semester!!!