iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Brian Helsel @bchelsel.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

I just finished my first paper written entirely in Quarto, and it has changed how I think about the manuscript-writing process. If you’re not an #RStats or #Quarto user, the biggest benefit is that you can automate repetitive workflows. Here are 5 things that made my writing process more efficient.

3465

Brian Helsel @bchelsel.bsky.social · 22/08/2026

I recently got a Rocketbook that lets you transcribe handwritten notes. It turns out you can write your notes using Markdown and then render it with #RStats. A customized script can also be set up to organize notes into folders and name the document using the first level-one heading and date.

010

Brian Helsel @bchelsel.bsky.social · 07/08/2026

What if creating a manuscript title page took less than a minute? Here is a small web app that allows you to: + Store collaborators and their affiliations + Add guest authors not in your saved list. + Rearrange authors by dragging the "sticky notes" + Automatically generate numbered affiliations

000

Brian Helsel @bchelsel.bsky.social · 05/06/2026

A development milestone that I'm proud to share is that we've now generated over 200 research disclosure reports for individuals with Down syndrome and their families! Each report is automatically generated through an R package (with Quarto) I've been developing over the past few years. #RStats

192

Reposted by Brian Helsel

Jan Broder Engler @jbengler.de · 31/05/2026

In case you ever wondered about the differences between magrittr pipe and base pipe 🤔 This table is taken from a great stackoverflow answer by @GeorgKindermann stackoverflow.com/questions/6763302… #rstats #dataviz #phd

0357

Brian Helsel @bchelsel.bsky.social · 21/05/2026

I’m excited to meet this cohort of scientists committed to learning R. I’m especially looking forward to the diverse research interests this group will bring and seeing how participants use R to solve real-world problems in lifestyle and brain health research. #RStats

021

Brian Helsel @bchelsel.bsky.social · 11/05/2026

Dreaming of a #Shiny app that turns report building into an interactive experience. Imagine being able to choose variables interactively, apply custom filters, edit variable labels, and then render the tables in a #Quarto report. #RStats

010

Brian Helsel @bchelsel.bsky.social · 28/04/2026

I’ve been experimenting with embedding a Shiny app directly inside my Quarto presentations. Instead of moving through static slides, the audience can now actively engage with data in real time. It changes the dynamic from “here’s what I found” to “let’s explore this together.” #RStats #Quarto

15312

Brian Helsel @bchelsel.bsky.social · 25/04/2026

Are you an early-career scientist working in lifestyle and brain health research? Learning R has helped me build practical, career-advancing programming skills that have strengthened my research. I'm leading a small group through the R for Data Science and Advanced R books this summer. Come join us!

000

Brian Helsel @bchelsel.bsky.social · 06/03/2026

Recently had a great experience using {rlang} in #RStats. I had over 50 equations for scoring cognitive tests that needed checking across hundreds of participants. Instead of writing checks for each one, parse_expr + eval_tidy let me map through equations and flag discrepancies. A simple example:

380

Brian Helsel @bchelsel.bsky.social · 05/02/2026

Counting as high as you can in 10 seconds: Me: 41 R: 1,152,791 C++: 448,971,124 Same task. Very different speeds. Programming is fun. #RStats

2111

Reposted by Brian Helsel

Federica Gazzelloni @fgazzelloni.bsky.social · 20/01/2026

I’ve just published {typeR}, a small R package that lets you simulate live typing. It prints code To install: devtools::install_github("fgazzelloni/typeR") If you teach or demo R, I’d love your feedback on how it works for you. #rstats #rpackages

26112

Reposted by Brian Helsel

tj mahr 🤘 @tjmahr.com · 03/02/2026

# tweak to avoid running both branches `%?%` <- function(test, yes) { t <- function() test y <- function() yes list(test = t, yes = y) } `%:%` <- function(lhs, no) { if (lhs$t()) lhs$y() else no } if (TRUE) 1 else 0 if (FALSE) stop() else 0 TRUE %?% 1 %:% stop() FALSE %?% stop() %:% 0

1121

Brian Helsel @bchelsel.bsky.social · 03/02/2026

R is a flexible programming language. You can even shape function syntax to resemble other languages. Here is an example of a ternary style operator with infix functions—the same logic as ifelse. Is this something you need? Probably not. But it is fun to explore these ideas within your code. #RStats

1211

Brian Helsel @bchelsel.bsky.social · 31/01/2026

One of my favorite parts of R is that there are many paths to the same result. A simple task can be written with a for loop, the apply family, purrr, vectorized base R, or even Rcpp. The real skill isn’t memorizing syntax—it’s knowing when to choose each option. #RStats

An image of R code that shows different ways to the mean of a squared vector. The code uses a for loop, the apply family, purrr package, vectorized base R and a C++ function.

1184

Reposted by Brian Helsel

Ondrej Mottl 🌿💻📈🌍⏳ @ondrejmottl.bsky.social · 31/01/2026

I am always amazed by the amount of useful tools that R can provide. Truly a multipurpose programming language! #RStats

0227

Brian Helsel @bchelsel.bsky.social · 30/01/2026

I’ve been experimenting with tidyverse and the idea of an interactive console for data exploration. This would let you quickly explore, filter, and summarize data without writing code. The idea is to support a fast, conversational-style data workflow, especially useful for early exploration. #RStats

141

Reposted by Brian Helsel

Jan Broder Engler @jbengler.de · 24/01/2026

tidyheatmaps.org just got a hex logo refresh 🤩 Happy heatmapping! #rstats #dataviz #phd

0383

Brian Helsel @bchelsel.bsky.social · 18/01/2026

I found that I was rewriting the same R function to read in data for a research study. A function factory returns a function and allows you to reuse logic, creating consistent readers that still allow custom processing. Less duplication, clearer intent, and much easier to extend. #rstats

R Code Illustrating a Function Factory Example

081

Reposted by Brian Helsel

David Conroy @conroylab.bsky.social · 24/11/2025

We're hiring @umkines.bsky.social - two open searches for new faculty with expertise in the Social and Behavioral Science of Physical Activity (one open-rank tenure-line, one academic clinical asst/assoc). Details at myumi.ch/A1DDM

myumi.ch

021

Brian Helsel @bchelsel.bsky.social · 27/11/2025

Truly a unique and innovative position! I don’t think I’ve seen a Data Science & AI focus within a Kinesiology program but it will be interesting to read the research that results from these hires.

000

Brian Helsel @bchelsel.bsky.social · 26/11/2025

I’m always amazed by what you can do with maps in R. They’re not part of my everyday workflow, but I’ve started learning more and want to dive deeper.

010

Brian Helsel @bchelsel.bsky.social · 16/10/2025

Dr. Amy Bodde, PhD, MPH and I were recently awarded the Frontiers CTSI Integrating Special Populations Trailblazer Award to support our team’s work with the Community Health Improvement Program for Intellectual Disabilities (CHIP-ID). Through this project, we will translate evidence from clinical…

100

Brian Helsel @bchelsel.bsky.social · 27/07/2025

I enjoyed presenting at the 2025 annual meeting for the National Down Syndrome Congress this year. The energy and excitement at this conference is unmatched! Presenting for families and self-advocates was an honor.

110

Brian Helsel @bchelsel.bsky.social · 30/06/2025

New research published in the past month by team on physical activity, Alzheimer's, and Down syndrome: 1. A 12-month remote group exercise trial increased physical activity and fitness and showed promise for Alzheimer’s prevention in adults with Down syndrome. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40520478/

120

Brian Helsel @bchelsel.bsky.social · 11/02/2025

New pubication! Resting metabolic rate (RMR) equations often overestimate energy needs in adults with #DownSyndrome. Our study found that most equations over-predicted RMR, except the Bernstein fat-free mass equation, which showed statistical equivalency. onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...

onlinelibrary.wiley.com

A Comparison of Commonly Used Prediction Equations for Estimating Resting Metabolic Rate in Adults With Down Syndrome

Background Resting metabolic rate (RMR), the energy required by the body at rest, is the largest part of total daily energy expenditure. Commonly used prediction equations may overestimate RMR in ad.....

011

Brian Helsel @bchelsel.bsky.social · 03/02/2025

New research from our team! Adults with Down syndrome (DS) who had congenital heart disease (CHD) may have low activity levels but not impaired cardiovascular fitness. Thus, we need for inclusive programs promoting movement regardless of CHD status! www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...

110

Brian Helsel @bchelsel.bsky.social · 02/01/2025

✨ Exciting December publications! Our team published 3 studies exploring how diet, physical activity, and fitness impact the health of adults with intellectual disabilities and their caregivers. Read on for highlights and links! 🌟 #Inclusion #HealthResearch

130

Reposted by Brian Helsel

Paige L @paigeonthebrain.bsky.social · 15/11/2024

I made one earlier. Feel free to combine! go.bsky.app/91HPwva

0146

Reposted by Brian Helsel

Bryan D. James, PhD @bryandjames.bsky.social · 15/11/2024

Someone had to do it! I created a starter pack for #Alzheimer’s #dementia #ADRD researchers on Bluesky. Please let me know who I left out! Hoping more and more of us will join Bluesky go.bsky.app/22DpUEy

7313164