Eric J. Perkins, PhD (he/him) @allostericsite.bsky.social · 28/09/2026I bike to work 3-4 days a week and have a close call nearly *every day*. Last week, the closest call was a car that drifted into the bike lane directly in front of me while the driver obliviously texted on her phone. Sure hope that text was important enough to almost kill me. 151
Eric J. Perkins, PhD (he/him) @allostericsite.bsky.social · 28/09/2026A few chapters into @heatherchristle.bsky.social’s “In The Rhododendrons” and it’s already speaking my language: “In groups of people…my mind can sometimes feel like a garden wilting in relentless sun. I need solitude, or movement, or ideally both to restore my thoughts to their unshriveled state.” 110
Eric J. Perkins, PhD (he/him) @allostericsite.bsky.social · 26/09/2026Now that I’m 50 it’s so hard to resist a Werther’s sale! 140
Eric J. Perkins, PhD (he/him) @allostericsite.bsky.social · 26/09/2026My 13yo asked me what that “three letter thing” I mentioned at dinner that I had to do for work was and I replied “Which thing? Because right now I have to think about KPIs for the CRM and QMS sections of our AOP.” And a little bit of my soul died as the words left my mouth…🫠 020
Eric J. Perkins, PhD (he/him) @allostericsite.bsky.social · 22/09/2026I turned 50 this past weekend! And thanks to my column gig in my local paper, I got to write about this milestone birthday: belmontvoice.org/generations-...belmontvoice.orgGenerations: Accepting Life’s Milestone BirthdaysBelmont columnist Eric Perkins reflects on turning 50 and embracing milestone birthdays - balancing Gen X nostalgia with new habits and gratitude. 130
Eric J. Perkins, PhD (he/him) @allostericsite.bsky.social · 15/09/2026An AI cautionary tale told through some Claude screen shots and a few Slack messages, with some political editorializing on my part. 020
Reposted by Eric J. Perkins, PhD (he/him)Addgene @addgene.bsky.social · 15/09/2026Excited to announce the launch of Transfection-Ready DNA — giving academic and industry researchers access to 27,000+ plasmids from Addgene's trusted repository as high-purity, NGS sequence-verified DNA. Read the press release: twp.ai/4hvlXn #Plasmids #Transfection 0116
Eric J. Perkins, PhD (he/him) @allostericsite.bsky.social · 28/08/2026Lesson learned yesterday as a PTO president. When recruiting volunteers through the PTO Facebook account for Belmont Middle School in Belmont, MA, you might accidentally recruit a parent at Belmont Middle School in Belmont, NC. 🤦 That was a very confusing phone call. 020
Eric J. Perkins, PhD (he/him) @allostericsite.bsky.social · 25/08/2026I hope my donation is part of a bajillion dollars donated to the Imagination Library in her memory today. 050
Eric J. Perkins, PhD (he/him) @allostericsite.bsky.social · 25/08/2026If you are starting an email or PSA with "Just a friendly reminder...", consider calling it what it actually is, a P.A.R. (Passive Aggressive Reminder). 220
Eric J. Perkins, PhD (he/him) @allostericsite.bsky.social · 13/08/2026Was at a board meeting for the small local library I work with and mentioned that my other volunteer obligations are a little overwhelming right now. "Well you could step back from here if you needed to" said the president. Me: "No! This is my refuge!" belmontvoice.org/generations-...belmontvoice.orgGenerations: Calm and Purpose Among the Benton StacksVolunteer at the historic E.C. Benton Library in Belmont, MA, and discover books, events, and community near Cushing Square. 020
Eric J. Perkins, PhD (he/him) @allostericsite.bsky.social · 06/08/2026The most important skill I will teach Claude today. 010
Eric J. Perkins, PhD (he/him) @allostericsite.bsky.social · 31/07/2026Enjoying seeing some familiar faces while representing @addgene.bsky.social at the 2026 United States Culture Collection Network! #USCCN 140
Eric J. Perkins, PhD (he/him) @allostericsite.bsky.social · 19/07/2026Whether Argentina wins or not, at least Messi got a LEGO kit out of it. 100
Eric J. Perkins, PhD (he/him) @allostericsite.bsky.social · 18/07/2026The most entertaining urinal I’ve ever used. GOOOOAAAAL!!!! 050
Eric J. Perkins, PhD (he/him) @allostericsite.bsky.social · 13/07/2026This year’s sand sculpture in Sankt Peter-Ording. Real crab on top for scale. 020
Eric J. Perkins, PhD (he/him) @allostericsite.bsky.social · 06/07/2026I was initially annoyed when I realized I couldn’t watch World Cup games from our vacation apartment in Germany, but now that I know what happened with the US red card, I have no desire watch any FIFA event again. What an atrocious precedent (and president). 020
Eric J. Perkins, PhD (he/him) @allostericsite.bsky.social · 30/06/2026Oh my god, Tah is going to be reliving that kick for the rest of his life😩 020
Eric J. Perkins, PhD (he/him) @allostericsite.bsky.social · 28/06/2026Yesterday, a group of fellow middle-aged friends (aka The Dad Bod Squad) and I finished a Spartan Super 10K. I ended up running well over 10K due to a few penalty loops for obstacles I couldn't quite finish. This is how my mid-life crisis is manifesting, and I'm okay with that😅 080
Eric J. Perkins, PhD (he/him) @allostericsite.bsky.social · 24/06/2026You may have to zoom in a bit to see it, but on my morning walk to work I discovered a scenario that perfectly embodies a pessimist’s view on life. 021
Eric J. Perkins, PhD (he/him) @allostericsite.bsky.social · 20/06/2026Today my poem-a-day poem was Robert Frost’s “Build Soil”, first published in 1939. It features this line: “Bounds should be set To ingenuity for being so cruel In bringing change unheralded on the unready.” Whoo boy, if you only knew, Robert. 000
Eric J. Perkins, PhD (he/him) @allostericsite.bsky.social · 13/06/2026Whoa…you can get a yellow card for flopping now? Or sorry, “simulating”? 110
Eric J. Perkins, PhD (he/him) @allostericsite.bsky.social · 12/06/2026I asked a ~12yo kid in my parkour class how doing parkour in Crocs was working out for him. He answered “Crocs are life, and life is parkour.” I…didn’t know what to do with that. 140
Eric J. Perkins, PhD (he/him) @allostericsite.bsky.social · 07/05/2026Who can guess what science concept I was trying to convey to my daughter with this hastily drawn sketch? 310
Eric J. Perkins, PhD (he/him) @allostericsite.bsky.social · 07/05/2026Trying to make plans with a friend for a weekend fishing trip when I realized my weekends were booked from now (early May) until late July. What am I doing to myself... 010
Eric J. Perkins, PhD (he/him) @allostericsite.bsky.social · 06/05/2026All of my work notebooks for the last several years have been science-themed (from Cognitive Surplus), but only this one has caused a kerfuffle with a few arachnophobic colleagues 😬. 140
Eric J. Perkins, PhD (he/him) @allostericsite.bsky.social · 28/04/2026Read the intro to @chanda.blacksky.app’s new book while waiting for her to speak at Harvard last night, and these two paragraphs alone should convince you that this is a book you need to read. 1137
Eric J. Perkins, PhD (he/him) @allostericsite.bsky.social · 27/04/2026In my most recent Belmont Voice column, I write about the importance of keeping some blank squares on your calendar. Though I will confess, I've completely failed to do that this week 😬. belmontvoice.org/generations-...belmontvoice.orgGenerations: The Benefits of Keeping Empty SquaresI have a precarious relationship with my calendar. I keep a digital calendar, of course, but our family also has an old-school paper calendar hanging on the wall (this year it features photos from the... 120
Reposted by Eric J. Perkins, PhD (he/him)Addgene @addgene.bsky.social · 27/04/2026Addgene is a nonprofit plasmid repository. Plus so much more. We’re thrilled to debut a refreshed brand that reflects the expanded tools in our library, and our unchanged mission to empower scientists. Check out the new twp.ai/9OUZXL! Read our press release: twp.ai/4hpKLH 0157
Eric J. Perkins, PhD (he/him) @allostericsite.bsky.social · 25/04/2026My 13yo is currently at a Model UN summit at the actual UN in NYC with other 6th-8th graders and these are the subtopics for discussion in one session 😲. If she understands what all (or any?) of these things mean, she is way more politically savvy than I am. 270
Eric J. Perkins, PhD (he/him) @allostericsite.bsky.social · 24/04/2026This week, I celebrate 18 years at @addgene.bsky.social. My tenure is an adult! It's rare for someone in biotech to stay at the same place for so long, but my role at Addgene has changed many times over the years and Addgene itself continues to grow and evolve. Grateful for this org and its mission! 4210
Eric J. Perkins, PhD (he/him) @allostericsite.bsky.social · 17/04/2026Dogma Schmogma! My son is a Physics major because they say that Biology is too messy and doesn't follow rules. And my response to that is "Yes, exactly! That's why Biology is amaaaaaazing!" 030
Eric J. Perkins, PhD (he/him) @allostericsite.bsky.social · 05/04/2026I’m sure I’m not the first to say something about this here, but did anyone else on science Bluesky snort laugh at the egregiously unbalanced centrifuge in Project Hail Mary? 030
Eric J. Perkins, PhD (he/him) @allostericsite.bsky.social · 03/04/2026Clearly they're not driving in Boston. 010
Reposted by Eric J. Perkins, PhD (he/him)Luke O'Neil @lukeoneil47.bsky.social · 02/04/2026 1025854996
Eric J. Perkins, PhD (he/him) @allostericsite.bsky.social · 01/04/2026My 13yo's April Fool's joke this morning was surprising us by getting up when she was actually supposed to without us harassing her every 5 minutes for 45 minutes, as we usually do. Hilarious! Please play this joke on us EVERY DAY. Now we just need the 16yo to prank us by doing her homework. 010
Eric J. Perkins, PhD (he/him) @allostericsite.bsky.social · 01/04/2026Hot tip on Trans Day of Visibility: trans people make some of the best music! Check out, in no particular order of awesomeness: Laura Jane Grace Anjimale jasmine.4.t Grumpster Ezra Furman Noahfinnce Rainbow Kitten Surprise …and many more, but these are some of my favorites! 172
Eric J. Perkins, PhD (he/him) @allostericsite.bsky.social · 18/03/2026At no point in my texting history have I typed something that should train my predictive text to replace the word “Yup” with “Tupac” 🤔 100
Eric J. Perkins, PhD (he/him) @allostericsite.bsky.social · 17/03/2026This piece by David William Silva sums up a lot of my thoughts about AI much better than I ever could have. substack.com/home/post/p-... This section in particular articulates my biggest fear when people tell me they used AI for "creative thinking". It's not brainstorming. It's pattern recognition. 2113
Eric J. Perkins, PhD (he/him) @allostericsite.bsky.social · 13/03/2026I think I *might* have a few science communication followers on here, so you should know that Addgene is hiring for an experienced Senior Science Communications Manager. Spread the word! addgene.applytojob.com/apply/6q7Pr6...addgene.applytojob.comSenior Science Communications Manager - Addgene - Career PageCome find out why Addgene has been recognized as a Top Place to Work by the Boston Globe (8 times), BuiltIn, and NABR! 101
Eric J. Perkins, PhD (he/him) @allostericsite.bsky.social · 11/03/2026I think about think about Wonko the Sane a lot... “It seemed to me,” said Wonko the Sane, “that any civilization that had so far lost its head as to need to include a set of detailed instructions for use in a package of toothpicks, was no longer a civilization in which I could live and stay sane.” 010
Eric J. Perkins, PhD (he/him) @allostericsite.bsky.social · 09/03/2026My fresh new IT hell... Me: This app on my computer says it needs to be updated, but I need an admin to do it. IT: Okay, I've given you admin privileges to update, but first you have to uninstall the app and reinstall. Me: Now it's telling me I need admin privileges to uninstall the app. 😒 040
Eric J. Perkins, PhD (he/him) @allostericsite.bsky.social · 06/03/2026I left my lunch bag in the lunch room and a co-worker brought it to me, saying “I figured you were the only person here who wouldn’t be too embarrassed to bring this to work.” Hell yeah—I’m hungry like the wolf. 111
Eric J. Perkins, PhD (he/him) @allostericsite.bsky.social · 26/02/2026Dear Boston suburbanites: It’s a “Stop” sign, not a “Lightly tap your brakes for a fraction of a second just for show” sign. 120
Eric J. Perkins, PhD (he/him) @allostericsite.bsky.social · 23/02/2026It might be my imagination, but I feel like my phone's predictive text has gotten way, WAY worse since the last iOS update. It is taking me substantially longer to text because the suggestions are so wacky. 010
Eric J. Perkins, PhD (he/him) @allostericsite.bsky.social · 18/02/2026My 16yo and I went on tours of two New England public universities over the past two days. One school mentioned all the support systems for neurodiversity, students of color, and queer students. The other school mentioned NONE of these things. Guess which one my daughter is still considering? 030
Eric J. Perkins, PhD (he/him) @allostericsite.bsky.social · 16/02/2026My sister dropped a bunch of stickers in my Xmas stocking and I confess I had not looked at all of them very closely until now. Anyway, my sister is the best😂 050
Eric J. Perkins, PhD (he/him) @allostericsite.bsky.social · 14/02/2026I can’t stop thinking about this paragraph from Kaveh Akbar’s “Martyr!”, and saddened by the fact that the government can’t even get the “don’t be shitty” part right. 050
Eric J. Perkins, PhD (he/him) @allostericsite.bsky.social · 13/02/2026My latest GenX column in the local paper (I provided multiple titles for this column--this was not one of them😅). Who else will confess to a love-hate relationship with their wearable tech? belmontvoice.org/generations-...belmontvoice.orgGenerations: The Nattering Nabobs Of Modern TechnologyIt was more than a decade ago when I asked a colleague about the story behind her funny-looking watch. “It’s a Fitbit. It keeps track of my steps and exercise.” I’m sure I made a face. Watches were fo... 100