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Abby Polter

@ampolter.bsky.social
3K followers 411 following 1.4K posts

Associate professor in Washington DC. Neuroscientist/mouse psychiatrist

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Reposted by Abby Polter
Henry Farrell @himself.bsky.social · 7h
www.programmablemutter.com/p/in-praise-... Like O'Brien, the prospect of being completely forgotten gives me hope and a sense of peace.
Striving to be a Dorothea is a noble vocation, and likely the best we can hope for in any event; sooner or later, we will all be forgotten. In the long course of time, all of our arguments and ideas will be broken down and decomposed. At best we may hope, if we are very lucky, that they will contribute in some minute way to a rich humus, from which plants that we will never see or understand might spring.
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Hannah Vardit @hannahvardit.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
you will encounter more opportunities in life to change the batteries on a smoke alarm than you will to run into a burning building and no one gives a shit you changed those batteries but it is still very important and why are you waiting on a burning building, know what i’m saying, it’s a metaphor
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Anne Helen Petersen @annehelen.bsky.social · 20h
This is *the* piece. Kate Manne, professor of philosophy at Cornell, speaks truth to the totality of failures at the university — and why students protesting the war in Gaza have faced far harsher consequences than any of the Cornell 7: www.thecut.com/article/what...
thecut.com
What It Feels Like at Cornell Right Now
As a professor at the Ivy League school, Kate Manne has known many, many victims. There’s a palpable feeling on campus, she writes, that this is big.
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Meghan Flanigan @meghanflanigan.bsky.social · 22h
The Flanigan Lab at MUSC is looking for a new laboratory manager! If you're interested in stress, social behaviors, and/or serotonin, want to work in a scientific team, and are looking for a long-term lab position, this is the opportunity for you!
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Anna O. Law @unlawfulentries.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Painting at the Guggenheim aka my department meeting
Painting of four men sitting looking completely forlorn and depressed
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Needhi Bhalla 💅🏽 @needhibhalla.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
ABSOLUTELY WILD THE LEVELS of incompetence on display here Meanwhile I lost sleep for several days from a reviewer pointing out a paper I should have referenced in a manuscript 🫠
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Abby Polter @ampolter.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
look I am a native Ohioan and know more than one boomer woman who fits the profile of Bush voter/loves Sherrod/70+ year track record of abhoring the f-word/has dropped it casually in reference to Republicans at least twice so far this week so this...fits
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Mike Boylan-Kolchin @mbkplus.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Russ Vought's attack on the scientific apparatus is snowballing. Much stronger restrictions on the grant application process for the one (1) NSF call for basic astronomy research are going to be in place this year. www.nsf.gov/funding/oppo...
The MPS Astronomical Sciences Core Research program (Astro-Core) supports foundational research in the astronomical sciences. The program provides individual investigator and collaborative research grants for observational, theoretical, computational, artificial intelligence/machine learning (AI/ML), laboratory, and archival data studies in astronomy and astrophysics. The program also considers proposals for projects and tools that enable or enhance astronomical research. Proposals may span multiple disciplines and/or areas of study and may utilize multiple techniques. This program was formerly known as Astronomy and Astrophysics Research Grants (AAG). 

Important Considerations: The Astro-Core program is anticipated to be especially competitive in Fiscal Year 2027. For this reason, please note the following:

    Multiple submissions by the same lead principal investigator (PI), whether as part of a collaborative project or not, are strongly discouraged. 

    PIs who already have an active MPS Astronomical Sciences award that is not set to expire in the upcoming fiscal year should contact their cognizant Program Officer before considering submitting a proposal for another concurrent award. 

    As stated in the Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (Chapter IV.E), previously declined proposals may be resubmitted only after substantial revisions to take into account major comments or concerns from the prior review. Resubmissions that have not been sufficiently revised may be returned without review. 

    NSF recognizes that some research projects within this program may require more than three years to realize transformative research outcomes. Such proposals should include strong justification for the longer duration and the associated resources needed to undertake the project. 

<alt-text truncated but continues to note that collaborative proposals must be well justified>
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In Medias Malone @professormusgrave.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
As a professor, most of what I do is log in to things
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Shannon Mattern @shannonmattern.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Lookin' at ur department website, noticin' that 80% are men over 60, knowin' that you just denied tenure to four young non-white scholars. Meanwhile, you're *all* burning out your mid-career women.
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Mark Histed @markhisted.org · 26/09/2026
Science world (and everyone who knows someone with cancer or dementia): Keep an eye on this! It looks like another try at the pocket rescission gambit.
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Tressie McMillan Cottom @tressiemcphd.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
Please try to reclaim your precious precious attention, at all costs. Do puzzles. Take walks without a phone. Dear god, try to read, almost anything that isn’t a manifesto will really do. You are going to need your brain.
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NPR @npr.org · 24/09/2026
Stories of science funding being cut, labs shutting down and scientists losing jobs have flooded the media under Trump's administration. These six graphics show how those changes have affected U.S. biomedical research. n.pr/4ycseLJ
n.pr
Under Trump, NIH funding disruptions have evolved. Here's what the numbers show
Stories of science funding being cut, labs shutting down and scientists losing jobs have flooded the media under Trump's administration. These six graphics show how those changes have affected U.S. biomedical research.
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Suzan the chalant goth @sillysyntax.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Good for her!
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Abby Polter @ampolter.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
dario you can't just declare a discovery like Michael Scott yelling bankruptcy. Show your work.
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Dr. Katja Thieme (she/they) @katjathieme.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
Who are the scientists, what are their names, and what have they published on this topic. 🤦🏻‍♀️
Dario Amodei:
Today we announced the Claude-led discovery of a molecular machine that we suspect could represent a new gene editing mechanism. Its precise function, biotechnological utility (if any), or level of significance is not yet clear, but at minimum it is work I would have been proud to do as a PhD student. The work was done mostly, though not entirely, by Claude: our life sciences team suggested a broad area of research, Claude read through the literature and a bunch of genome data and discovered something interesting, then Claude proposed experiments to verify the discovery and our team carried them out.
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Ran Blekhman @blekhman.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
The real “brain drain” is not the handful of high-profile scientists taking a top position abroad. It's the international scholars who have to leave the US halfway through their postdoc, or the international students who never apply for grad school in the US because of visa policies
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Mark Histed @markhisted.org · 22/09/2026
The idea of AI curing all diseases is, IMO, silly. Biomedical research is mostly limited by data, not ideas. Imagine saying AI will build a world-champion basketball team by replacing basketball coaches with hyperintelligent AI. You see the problem. Someone still needs to dribble and make shots.
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jamelle @jamellebouie.net · 21/09/2026
one thing that is worth remember apropos this useful piece is that novel technologies do not necessarily require novel political solutions. americans have had to deal with fast-moving, disruptive technological change in the past, and they did so through collective, democratic action.
nytimes.com
Opinion | Bernie Sanders, Steve Case and Others on What Washington Should Do Now on A.I.
How can the government reel in the technology? Here are six ideas.
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Kathleen Lenihan @kathleenlenihan.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
The entire article is fantastic, but the writer's definition of a trad wife is *chef's kiss* perfection. "Those are conservative women who dress like the women in The Sound of Music, but without the opposition to the Anschluss."
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Holly Anderson 🍇 @hollyanderson.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
“Hey coach, says here you won the Lottery ….?”
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Standplaats Kraków could really use some cash! @standplaatskrk.pl · 06/09/2026
[Text is overlaid on a stylized, melting blue brain floating in a speckled void.]
"Are you suffering from Brain?
You may be owed compensation."
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Micah @rincewind.run · 17/09/2026
some of them will but the unfortunate fact of the matter is that nothing really gets close to matching the United States for science funding - the rest of the world doesn’t have the capacity to just freely absorb what we’re losing here a lot of folks will leave the profession entirely
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Abby Polter @ampolter.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
awww yeah back on top
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Michael Baym @baym.lol · 13/09/2026
Ten years ago Tami, Roy, and I released a movie we made of antibiotic resistance evolving in real time. I thought maybe a couple thousand people tops would see it. I couldn't have imagined it would be seen millions of times, and be taught from middle school through the graduate level worldwide
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Mike Masnick @masnick.com · 13/09/2026
This is going to do so much damage.
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Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences @pnas.org · 11/09/2026
The 2026 Lasker~Bloomberg Public Service Award honors Michael J. Fox for advancing Parkinson’s research through his foundation. Randy Schekman reflects on his impact in a PNAS Perspective: ow.ly/TLef50ZMCu5 #LaskerLaureate Albert and Mary Lasker Foundation
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Chise @sailorrooscout.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
GOOD NEWS! A personalized mRNA vaccine has SUCCEEDED in keeping melanoma, a deadly skin cancer, from returning. Phase III trial results in MORE THAN 1,100 patients shows the vaccine SIGNIFICANTLY extended the time patients lived without their melanoma returning AND reduced the risk of metastasis.
statnews.com
Moderna and Merck say mRNA cancer vaccine succeeded in late-stage melanoma trial
A personalized mRNA cancer vaccine succeeded in a late-stage melanoma study, results that could herald a new, powerful approach in oncology.
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BeijingPalmer @beijingpalmer.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
real friendships involve the other person pushing back against you, having needs, being busy, not being able to devote themselves to you. we know from the experience of the powerful that having somebody at your literal beck and call is a factor in driving people mad.
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JP @jpbrammer.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
so I'm in Lisbon right now and I have a very honest question: why don't other cities just cover their buildings in decorative tiles? it works
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Gabe Ortíz @tusk81.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
Ohio’s Haitian Community Network “is also distributing groceries and bus passes to those no longer allowed to drive or who are afraid to leave their homes.” “We want Haitians to know that we are here for them,” said board member Louis Dumay. "Whatever way we can help, we will try to help.”
haitiantimes.com
Where Ohio Haitians can find legal help, food and other support
Find legal help, food, bus passes and other resources available to Haitian families in Springfield and across Ohio.
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Abby Polter @ampolter.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
of course the changes in the brain are distinctive, this is when we come into our Full Powers
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Mike Feigin 🥯 @mikefeigin.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
Science fucking rules. I’m sorry.
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Blue sky nice ghost @rajandelman.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
Stacey's mom Has too much going on They canceled all her funding and she's been unemployed so long Stacey, can't you see? Grants don't grow on trees I know it might be wrong, but I feel anxiety for Stacey's mom
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Pam Herd @pamherd.bsky.social · 05/09/2026
DoD has its own research agency DARPA, which receives -5 billion in funding. A ten year contract to shift NIH funds to DoD is simply a budget cut to NIH. It’s also another example of how this Admin does policymaking by other means.
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Djinn & Tonic @djinnandtonic.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
So all the improper helicopter rides weren't budgeted, then?
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post malone ergo propter malone @proptermalone.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
“following orders” isn’t exactly a perfect defense anywhere but it’s especially not a defense in a civilian job you could just quit any time
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Micah @rincewind.run · 01/09/2026
washington dc is owed both statehood and reparations for what trump has done to them
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Abby Polter @ampolter.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
I try to think of everyone as a beloved child of God, created in his image but look that does not apply to Pete.
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Abby Polter @ampolter.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
Manifesto, Wendell Berry. Practice Resurrection
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Dr. Becca @docbecca.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
My lab is ALSO recruiting a new postdoc to work on an exciting NIH-funded project. Start date ideally by early 2027. Please share with any recent or soon-to-defend neuro/psych PhDs with experience in rodent labs. northeastern.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/careers/job/...
northeastern.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com
Postdoctoral Research Associate
About the Opportunity Job Summary The Shansky Lab is seeking a full-time postdoc to conduct National Institutes of Health (NIH)-funded behavioral neuroscience research investigating sex differences in...
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Aaron Reichlin-Melnick @reichlinmelnick.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
We are a broken nation. Hundreds of thousands of Haitians were living and working legally, paying taxes, and contributing. Haiti remains wholly unsafe. But Trump hates Haitians, and the White House wanted videos of Black people in chains, so they stripped them of status and turned on the cameras.
Homeland Security 7
@DHSgov
X.com
Haiti TPS has been TERMINATED.
Those with terminated TPS are in our nation Illegally. They have two options: LEAVE IMMEDIATELY or be DEPORTED.
DHS.GOV/CBРНОМЕ

Underneath is a screenshot of a video showing two Haitian men in chains being led to the aircraft. I didn’t post the video, but it’s vile.
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Zen Faulkes @doctorzen.net · 27/08/2026
The real American 🇺🇸 “brain drain” isn’t that a few established scholars might get new jobs outside the US, it’s the enormous number of grad students - particularly international grad students - who can’t or won’t study in the US now or in years to come. That’s the body blow.
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Abby Polter @ampolter.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
I did an AMA type lab meeting today because my lab has new/ young people and most questions were expected "why are some mice cre and some flp" etc but one was "What happens to a project when the funding for it ends" and 😭😭😭😭😭😭
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elizabethcooney.bsky.social @elizabethcooney.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
Still early days, but “If confirmed, Shingrix could prevent hundreds of thousands of cardiovascular events in the USA alone, and may be the first vaccine that protects the heart and the brain,” study author Maxime Taquet said. www.statnews.com/2026/08/26/s...
statnews.com
Newer shingles vaccine linked to lower heart disease risk, ‘natural experiment’ shows
Oxford researchers call shingles shot first vaccine protecting both heart and brain. Lower heart disease risk follows study showing reduced dementia risk.
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Danielle Ryan (Lestat Era) @danirat.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
I think another lesson to take from the loss of both Dolly and Tim Curry is that neither of them took themselves seriously but they took the work dead serious that's the most important thing pour all of yourself into the craft but have fun and don't get an ego.
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The Editorial Board @editorialboard.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
Video thread featuring @tressiemcphd.bsky.social grieving the loss of Dolly Parton but also grieving the loss of the civic and cultural structures that made it possible for a genius like her to rise. Ditto for Prince and Michael Jackson.
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Dr. Becca @docbecca.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
My behavioral neuroscience lab at Northeastern is looking to recruit two new research techs! Job description and link to apply is here: northeastern.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/careers/job/...
northeastern.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com
Laboratory Technician - The Shansky Lab
About the Opportunity Job Summary The Shansky Lab is seeking a full-time technician to conduct National Institutes of Health (NIH)-funded behavioral neuroscience research. The position includes lab ma...
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Dara Lind @daralind.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
BE THE CANONIZATION YOU WISH TO SEE IN THE WORLD
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Vinny Costa @vincentcostaphd.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
RIP Dolly Parton. Here is link to donate to the Imagination Library: donate.imaginationlibrary.com
donate.imaginationlibrary.com
Home
Make a donation and support Dolly Parton's Imagination Library in communities around the world and help put more books into the hands of more children.
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