iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Carissa Birznieks @c-birznieks.bsky.social · 04/02/2026

It's been a crazy start to the year, but I'm excited to celebrate the first big win of 2026 today: my 1st first-author manuscript of grad school has been accepted 🎉 Proud of this paper, grateful for the mentor who made it possible, and eager to keep doing cool and exciting science!🔬

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Carissa Birznieks @c-birznieks.bsky.social · 05/01/2026

With the start of the new year, I’m excited to set some big/ambitious academic goals, but I had to add a fun one, too! Introducing... Bread Quest 2026 🍞. Goal: Learn how to make 50 new kinds of bread. 1 down, 49 to go! ✅

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Science Magazine @science.org · 21/11/2025

"In the end, I have come to realize that being authentic at work is not a weakness, but rather a strength." #ScienceWorkingLife scim.ag/49B7hRv

An illustration of a woman wearing an axolotl costume in front of an audience, with text: Embracing my silly side makes me a better scientist. I wish I’d done it sooner

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Squee @shessquee.bsky.social · 14/11/2025

On November 14, 1891, Sir Frederick Banting was born. He discovered insulin in 1921 and effectively made diabetes a treatable disease, when it was previously a death sentence. He sold the patent for insulin for $3 saying "insulin does not belong to me, it belongs to the world."

White background with light blue and black text that says "world diabetes day. 14 November." In the center of the picture is a light blue ring representing world diabetes day.

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Carissa Birznieks @c-birznieks.bsky.social · 15/11/2025

Today in lab I said, “Don’t worry, I never worry about things that are out of my control ever” and then we all laughed and laughed.

Carissa Birznieks @c-birznieks.bsky.social · 11/11/2025

The paranoid urge to remake every single reagent fresh and from scratch right before doing a big giant important experiment. Just in case.

Carissa Birznieks @c-birznieks.bsky.social · 09/11/2025

Science runs on data, caffeine, and lab buddies who bring you food during your experiments on a Saturday night. Feeling extra thankful for the amazing humans I work with today 😭🍝

Carissa Birznieks @c-birznieks.bsky.social · 31/10/2025

When your team takes “sugar science” a little too literally… Happy Halloween from the Ben&Ms! Studying diabetes with this crew is such a treat. 🍬

Carissa Birznieks @c-birznieks.bsky.social · 13/10/2025

Honored to share that I’ve been awarded an NIH T32 Predoctoral Research Fellowship! As I start my 3rd year of PhD training, I’m incredibly thankful for the mentorship, encouragement, and community that make this work possible. I'm excited and humbled by the opportunity to keep learning and growing.

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Carissa Birznieks @c-birznieks.bsky.social · 07/10/2025

So excited to see Children's Hospital Colorado ranked #3 in the US for Pediatric Endocrinology this year! I'm incredibly proud of this institution and thrilled to work with physicians, nurses, and researchers transforming diabetes care every day. 🥳🔬💉 health.usnews.com/best-hospita...

health.usnews.com

Carissa Birznieks @c-birznieks.bsky.social · 28/09/2025

Annual Benninger/Hughes lab Grad Student meet-up — equal parts friendship and science! Whether in Madrid or the Midwest, always grateful for time spent talking science (and life) with this islet biology buddy 🧫🔬☕️

Carissa Birznieks @c-birznieks.bsky.social · 16/07/2025

Told my brother I was struggling to come up with a list of my strengths for a fellowship application, and he recommended that I just list my 1 rep max weight for bench, deadlift, and back squat...which is honestly the funniest advice I've ever received 😂

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Carissa Birznieks @c-birznieks.bsky.social · 05/07/2025

If I ever say “I’m going to go clear my head”, what I really mean is “I’m going to go eat Uncrustables on top of a mountain”.

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edgarsrinkevics.bsky.social @edgarsrinkevics.bsky.social · 23/06/2025

Lai Jāņos izdodas smelties spēku un gaišumu visam gadam! Līksmu un drošu līgošanu tautiešiem Latvijā un plašajā pasaulē!

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Carissa Birznieks @c-birznieks.bsky.social · 19/06/2025

Anyone trying to talk to a second-year PhD student the week before comps...

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Carissa Birznieks @c-birznieks.bsky.social · 03/06/2025

Comp Exam stress hits different, but so does having lab mates who constantly support, encourage, and cheer you on. Forever grateful for my people.

Chronomagistrate / Anil @chronomagistrate.bsky.social · 15/05/2025

Reposted by Carissa Birznieks

Congratulations LATVIA for making it through with that excellent performance tonight!! BALTIC SEA REPRESENT! 😄 #ESC For the very first time we have all 5 Nordics and all 3 Baltics into the Grand Final (and the first time all Nordics since 2014).

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Carissa Birznieks @c-birznieks.bsky.social · 11/05/2025

Thank you St. George for an unforgettable weekend! Between the brutal course and racing in 96 degree heat, this was definitely the hardest thing I’ve ever done - mentally and physically. Loved the opportunity to do something so amazing and challenging in such a beautiful place!

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Carissa Birznieks @c-birznieks.bsky.social · 16/04/2025

Few lessons in research have stuck with me as much as the post-doc who told me (during my second week in the lab, during my sophomore year of college) “If you drink the ethidium bromide, you will definitely die.”

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Carissa Birznieks @c-birznieks.bsky.social · 07/04/2025

Reason 1,547 to get your PhD in Colorado: Sunday morning tree runs 🏂🏔️ ➡️ Sunday afternoon long runs 🏃🏽‍♀️‍➡️🌞.

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Carissa Birznieks @c-birznieks.bsky.social · 04/04/2025

You spill something ONE time and this is what greets you in lab the very next day 😒

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Carissa Birznieks @c-birznieks.bsky.social · 19/03/2025

Told my labmates I was a little nervous about an upcoming research talk, and they were kind enough to remind me that all I have to lose is “my dignity” and “my entire scientific reputation” so…I feel much better now (🥲)

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Carissa Birznieks @c-birznieks.bsky.social · 16/03/2025

Playing a new game I've just invented called "write an entire manuscript in a weekend", and I'm playing against myself, and it's not very fun, and also there's not really a prize (except finally getting it done). Stay tuned to see if I win!

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Carissa Birznieks @c-birznieks.bsky.social · 08/03/2025

One thing about our lab is we will take any excuse to be silly and run with it (literally). First Annual Lab Onesie 5K was a great success🦒

Carissa Birznieks @c-birznieks.bsky.social · 28/02/2025

How it feels trying to force myself to become a “morning workout” person m.youtube.com/watch?v=SgC2...

m.youtube.com

Rise and shine

YouTube video by jung_asia

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Carissa Birznieks @c-birznieks.bsky.social · 27/02/2025

As someone who got into research by way of an miRNA lab, can confirm this is accurate.

CU Anschutz Department of Pediatrics @cupediatrics.bsky.social · 14/02/2025

Reposted by Carissa Birznieks

✨Congrats ✨ to the winners of 🔬 2025 #CUAnschutzResearchAwards from the DOP! Richard Benninger, PhD: Research Mentor Award | Kelly Sullivan, PhD + Angela Rachubinski, PhD – Research Collaboration Team Award: @crnicinstitute.bsky.social @cumedicalschool.bsky.social @cuanschutz.bsky.social

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WHO @who.int · 11/02/2025

"I have a message for the next generation. They have to do something that they enjoy. If they like to solve puzzles, science is for them." Katalin Karikó’s journey in #mRNA research shows that persistence and belief in one’s work can change the world. 🔬 #WomenInScience

Women are important for science and science needs more women

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Carissa Birznieks @c-birznieks.bsky.social · 09/02/2025

“Training for a marathon is so much fun,” I say to myself while my toenails start falling off and I ice my knee every single day. “I am having such a great time,” I say, while puking in a King Sooper’s parking lot.

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Usha Lee McFarling @usha.bsky.social · 08/02/2025

“This is a blatant attempt to gut the universities and health research that have saved so many lives and given economic opportunity to so many people.” @iwashyna.bsky.social on impact of new NIh order to cut research indirect costs. www.statnews.com/2025/02/07/n...

statnews.com

NIH plans to slash support for indirect research costs, sending shockwaves through science

The NIH said Friday night that it would slash support for indirect costs on all existing and future grants to 15%

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Carissa Birznieks @c-birznieks.bsky.social · 22/01/2025

Happy birthday, little one. Life is so much better with your endless joy, constant snuggles, and daily bodyslams. Here’s to another year filled with lots of cheese, long walks, and amazing sunsets together 🖤🤍🤎

Carissa Birznieks @c-birznieks.bsky.social · 09/01/2025

I’m giving a BDC Research In Progress talk on Monday! Come hang out and learn about the importance of gap junction coupling in pancreatic delta cells! 🥳🧫🔬

Carissa Birznieks @c-birznieks.bsky.social · 04/01/2025

I have been waiting 6 months for this PLEASE NOBODY TALK TO ME OR INTERRUPT ME FOR THE NEXT 79 MINUTES THANK YOU.

Carissa Birznieks @c-birznieks.bsky.social · 02/01/2025

Trying to bring Mel Giedroyc energy into this year (no matter what 2025 may throw at me 😅). youtu.be/RAVMRqWVFnM

youtu.be

Mel Giedroyc Really Is That Nice | Taskmaster

YouTube video by Taskmaster

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Christos Karampelias @ckarampelias.bsky.social · 02/01/2025

I tried to make a feed for news and discussions on all things pancreas biology (exocrine and endocrine!). You can post with the hashtags #PancSky #BetaCellSky #EndocrineSky . Let me know if it is useful and how to modify to make it better! bsky.app/profile/did:...

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Carissa Birznieks @c-birznieks.bsky.social · 02/01/2025

Uncertain what 2-weeks-ago me was thinking or why I thought I would have the physical, mental, or emotional capacity to handle an entire day of multiple experiments on the first full day back in the lab, but 2024 me is really setting 2025 me up for failure.

media.tenor.com

a man in a suit says " great example of a horrible idea " in front of plaques on a wall

ALT: a man in a suit says " great example of a horrible idea " in front of plaques on a wall

Carissa Birznieks @c-birznieks.bsky.social · 31/12/2024

In 2024, we skied in Switzerland and danced in Canada. I competed my first 70.3 Ironman, joined my thesis lab and presented my research in Spain. I spent as much time as possible in the mountains, and was surrounded by the best humans every step of the way 🥰 Here’s to an amazing 2025!

Carissa Birznieks @c-birznieks.bsky.social · 30/12/2024

“I’m really looking forward to taking some time off over the holidays”, I said, right before a 10 day roadtrip that included 5 days with my in-laws, driving through 7 states, and visiting 3 national parks. “It will be nice to relax”, I said (🤦🏽‍♀️).

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Carissa Birznieks @c-birznieks.bsky.social · 24/12/2024

Excited to share this new study from the Bjørnstad lab now published in @jclinical-invest.bsky.social - this project was a HUGE collective undertaking with a lot of amazing collaborators - so excited this paper is finally out!