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Elysse

@elyssegs.bsky.social
971 followers 853 following 215 posts

Postdoc studying pathogenesis and evolution of RNA viruses ORCID iD: 0000-0002-2719-1973 STEM outreach nonprofit: STEMOutreachCollective.org (They/them or none)

PostsRepliesMedia
Elysse @elyssegs.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
Dear fellow #microbiologists, I am currently in a debate over whether or not it is required to validate differential gene expression findings from RNAseq by qPCR. People have very strong opinions about this, and whether it’s required for publication. Care to weigh in? #RNAsky #academiasky
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jessamyn @librarian.bsky.social · 31/07/2026
I work at a public library. People who want to use AI seem to have no trouble doing so. People who don't want to use AI have a harder time. I crowdsourced and then finalized this document "How to disable or avoid intrusive AI" and then gave it a short URL: notoai.org Please pass along if it's useful
An aircraft passenger oxygen mask: a drop down passenger mask with air bag and yellow plastic mouth and nose cover, oxygen tube has been cut; Demonstration model used by flight attendant crew for passenger instruction. Has text on the side indicating that it's non-functional.
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Sheryl Weikal says Prosecute ICE @leftistlawyer.com · 11/08/2026
Dear cis people, Please, for the love of G-d, stop using the terms "biological male" and "biological female." They're scientifically meaningless. Sex is a bimodal cluster categorization. The brain is biological, no? There is no one factor that's universally determinative of sex and gender.
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Brooke Fitzwater, PhD (she/her) 🐟🪱🏳️‍🌈♾️ @oceanfilly.bsky.social · 30/07/2026
Finally, I want to say: If you are neurodivergent in biology, you are not alone. You are not "a problem," "less of a scientist," or a "burden" because you are neurodivergent. You just operate differently and may need support, and that is ok.
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Brooke Fitzwater, PhD (she/her) 🐟🪱🏳️‍🌈♾️ @oceanfilly.bsky.social · 30/07/2026
I am beyond excited to share that our paper, "Neurodivergent Perceptions, Experiences, and Perspectives in Academic Biological Sciences Spaces" has been published! A 🧵incoming because this paper is so special to me and the co-authors. doi.org/10.1093/icb/...
doi.org
Neurodivergent Perceptions, Experiences, and Perspectives in Academic Biological Sciences Spaces
Abstract. Neurodiversity has received considerable attention recently from the general population and academic researchers, coinciding with an increase in
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Elysse @elyssegs.bsky.social · 29/07/2026
“Young people need to see a future in science” - Richard Kuhn on the Presidential Panel at #ASV2026. Outreach is CRITICAL. Want to talk about how to get involved? Send me a message. I have a nonprofit organization that has been engaging middle & high school students across the US for 11+ years.
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Elysse @elyssegs.bsky.social · 24/07/2026
Heading to #ASV2026 next week? I’ll be standing by poster P32-21 on Wednesday! Come say hi.
An image advertising poster number P32-21, entitled “Novel, reference-free approaches to identifying genotypic diversity” by Elysse Grossi-Soyster. This poster is being presented on Wednesday, July 29th from 1-2:30pm at the American Society for Virology annual meeting in Minneapolis, MN. A small photo of the presenter, with orange hair and glasses, posing with their dog, is in the bottom left corner.
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Elysse @elyssegs.bsky.social · 29/04/2026
Hi, I spent 5+ years of my life on this work and it’s finally out (and under review), so I’d appreciate it if you’d feign excitement or at least pretend to read it. Thanks! #RNAsky #COVID #AcademiaSky 🧪 🦠 ⭕️
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Elysse @elyssegs.bsky.social · 15/03/2026
That feeling when you get the go-ahead to finally send the manuscript of your PhD work to your co-authors
media.tenor.com
a bob 's burgers cartoon shows a family sitting around a table
Alt: an animated image from the tv show bob's burgers, which shows the Belcher family sitting around a table as Tina, the eldest child, drops to the floor and states “if you need me I’ll be down here on the floor, dying.”
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Erin Grievances @erinbartram.bsky.social · 09/03/2026
The danger to my job from AI isn't that AI can do my job, it's that my job is made even more precarious by the way AI is shaping ideas of the value of work. It can't do my job, but it can be part of convincing people (incorrectly) that my job isn't necessary.
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Elysse @elyssegs.bsky.social · 28/02/2026
Come work with us (or tell your graduating undergrads to do so)! 🧪🦠 #virology
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Elysse @elyssegs.bsky.social · 24/01/2026
Which means it’s extra important for those of us with knowledge in applicable fields to be out in the community having conversations and giving people the information they need to advocate for themselves and the health of their communities. “Optional” does not mean banned.
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Elysse @elyssegs.bsky.social · 17/10/2025
media.tenor.com
a group of people playing instruments on a stage with marshall amps in the background
Alt: a gif from the movie/mockumentary Spinal Tap in a scene with the band performing on a stage as a comically small, faux Stonehenge is lowered onto the stage
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Black Microbiologists Assoc (Black In Micro) @blackinmicro.bsky.social · 16/10/2025
Welcome to Day 3 of Black In Micro Week! 🎉 Don't miss today's free events - simply click the linktr.ee/BlackInMicro to 1) Register and 2) Login. Everyone is welcome to join! Show your support by donating at tinyurl.com/GiveBiM (all links in bio). #BlackInMicro #BiM2025
The summarised schedule of Black in Micro Week 2025, October 14-16. All times are in Eastern Standard Time. Mon 14: Pathways for Change. Welcome and Keynote Address 12pm. Marian Johnson-Thompson, PhD. Panel Discussion: Finding Black Spaces in STEM, 1:15-2:15 PM. Weds 15, Careers & Research: ECR Symposium 9-12 PM. Panel discussion: Navigating Careers in Microbiology 2-3 PM. Thurs 16, Community: Panel Discussion - Empowering Your Science 12-1:15 PM. Workshop: Science in Action, Zine Creation 1:30-2:30. Social hour: networking and community building 2:45-3:45. Register to take part!
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Elysse @elyssegs.bsky.social · 11/09/2025
Since they just announced their annual international scientific meeting will be held in Florida in 2026, here’s hoping the @globalvirusnews.bsky.social incorporates some free outreach programs for the public. Hold some accessible talks at a library or school. Encourage conversations Anything! 🦠🧪
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Elysse @elyssegs.bsky.social · 24/07/2025
This is absolute perfection. Thank you John Darnielle for finding the words and stringing them together so beautifully.
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Elysse @elyssegs.bsky.social · 19/06/2025
Thinking about the FDA approval of Lenacapavir today, during #pride month. I wonder what pride month, & our society as a whole, would look like today if the millions that have died were still alive today? 🦠🧪🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️ www.gilead.com/news/news-de...
gilead.com
Yeztugo Lenacapavir Is Now the First and Only FDA Approved HIV Prevention Option Offering 6 Months of Protection
Yeztugo Lenacapavir Is Now the First and Only FDA Approved HIV Prevention Option Offering 6 Months of Protection
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Elysse @elyssegs.bsky.social · 15/06/2025
23 years ago, I dropped out of high school after sophomore year because I was bullied for being queer, & was suicidal. Yesterday, I served as the 2025 PhD speaker for the Stanford School of Medicine graduation. This was not my dream, because I had no dreams. Now I’m almost 40 & full of hope. 🎓 🦠🧪🔬🧬
A smiling nonbinary person, wearing a leopard print jumpsuit under doctoral regalia (graduation tam and gown), stands in front of a lawn with the Stanford University oval (main campus) in the background.
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Elysse @elyssegs.bsky.social · 09/06/2025
This is exactly why I made a campy horror inspired movie trailer/preview short film about my thesis and sent it out to my entire department before my defense last week. It’s so stupid and fun. More silliness in #science and #academia, please!
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Elysse @elyssegs.bsky.social · 06/06/2025
It’s thesis defense day!!!
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Elysse @elyssegs.bsky.social · 01/06/2025
Another thing: take pronoun usage in reference letters from mentors with a grain of salt. Always default to what the applicant says. If a mentor misgenders them in a letter, it could be a mistake, or it could show that the trainee was in an unsafe environment where they felt they couldn’t be out.
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Elysse @elyssegs.bsky.social · 01/06/2025
Happy pride month, #AcademiaSky! If you are interviewing a trans or nonbinary person for a position in your lab or group, don’t stop at pronouns. I had an interview recently where I was addressed correctly, but shown to the wrong bathroom. I was uncomfortable for the rest of the day. 1/n
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Elysse @elyssegs.bsky.social · 27/05/2025
Important thesis defense prep:
A photo of a laptop with the screen open to PowerPoint. The slide has a photo of Dolly Parton’s head surrounded my magenta, because the user is using the “remove background” function.
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Elysse @elyssegs.bsky.social · 23/05/2025
I watched this and cried the entire time.
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Elysse @elyssegs.bsky.social · 21/05/2025
For someone who has dedicated their career to health equity, I’m shocked to see another shortsighted thread from @peterhotezmdphd.bsky.social. TX has also been absolutely vile to & unsafe for LGBTQ+, immigrants, abortion access, etc. So again, who is this for? Also, where is the alt text?
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Elysse @elyssegs.bsky.social · 19/05/2025
Is there anything more heartwarming than receiving email updates from past students? Got this today from a student who took my Intro to Biology class at a local community college while looking for a new career. The power of accessible education is truly incredible. #academicsky #academiasky
A screenshot of an email in white text on a black background that reads “hi professor elysse! Hope you are doing well!! I wanted to share some exciting news with you. I got my RN license and today is my first day as a NICU nurse! Thank you for your support and being a great role model!” The sender’s name has been removed to protect their privacy.
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Elysse @elyssegs.bsky.social · 10/05/2025
It’s FISH Friday over here… 🧪🧫🧬🦠
Human lung epithelial cells showing nuclei stained blue (with DAPI) with RNA in the cytoplasm (showing as fluorescent magenta thanks to a special Alexa Fluor 546 probe).
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Elysse @elyssegs.bsky.social · 07/05/2025
This paper deserves more attention: www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
biorxiv.org
An immunologist, ecologist and clinician walk into Plato’s cave to discuss infections
If the immune system is an interconnected network, then the evolution of an archetype that is ideal for fighting one pathogen should result in tradeoffs decreasing its ability to fight others. How many archetypes are there in an immune system? We infected diverse mice with Plasmodium chabaudi, and identified five distinct archetypes of responses based on the host’s position in microbial load, immune activity, and host damage space. To better understand the nature of these archetypes, we developed a mathematical model of a generalized host-pathogen system. This model explains the number, and distribution of archetypes across a population of diverse hosts. Mice resilient to P. chabaudi exhibited poor outcomes when challenged with influenza, SARS-CoV-1, or Mycobacterium tuberculosis , and vice versa, supporting our tradeoff hypothesis. ### Competing Interest Statement The authors have declared no competing interest.
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Ryan Marino, MD @ryanmarino.bsky.social · 30/04/2025
The alternative to naloxone (Narcan) for a fentanyl overdose outside a healthcare facility - where almost all of them in this country occur - is death. Dead people don’t recover. Fentanyl overdose is the leading cause of death for Americans 18-44. Every single fentanyl overdose death is preventable.
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oSTEM, Inc @ostem.org · 14/04/2025
oSTEM's 2025 Scholarship Program is offering $183k in scholarships for LGBTQ+ students in STEM. 41 scholarships ($2,500-$5,000) available for community college, undergrad, and grad students. Applications open April 14, 2025 - May 18, 2025, 11:59 PM EDT. Learn more at bit.ly/oSTEM-Scholarship
A pink background with a black texture overlay and a large white square with rounded edges in the middle. At the top of the white square is the oSTEM logo with the word “scholarships” below it. Below are four circles in pink, yellow, green, and blue with black numbers in each to make “2025.” Below, in italicized text, it says “$183k in Scholarships Available!” Below is a purple and yellow graphic of a diploma. Below, in more italicized text, it says “41 Scholarships to be Awarded!” Below is a link to ostem.awardspring.com, which is underlined. Below the white square is a black arrow pointing right with yellow text in it that says “Learn More!”A pink background with a black texture overlay and a large white square with rounded edges in the middle. At the top of the white square is the oSTEM logo with the word “scholarships” below it. Below are four circles in pink, yellow, green, and blue with black numbers in each to make “2025.” Below, in italicized text, it says “Applications open Monday, April 14th.” Below is a black, pink, and yellow graphic of a graduation cap. Below is italicized text that says “Applications due by Sunday, May 18th, 11:59 PM EDT.” The date is bolded. Below is a link to ostem.awardspring.com, which is underlined. Below the white square is a black arrow pointing right with yellow text in it that says “Learn More!”A pink background with a black texture overlay and a large white square with rounded edges in the middle. At the top of the white square is the oSTEM logo with the word “scholarships” below it. Below are four circles in pink, yellow, green, and blue with black numbers in each to make “2025.” Below is a bulleted list of the available scholarships: “1 $2,500 oSTEM Community College Scholarship; 2 $5,000 oSTEM Undergrad Scholarships; 2 $5,000 oSTEM Graduate Scholarships; 18 $5,000 Veralto Scholarships for LGBTQ+ Excellence in STEM; 8 $5,000 Actalent Engineering: Queer Excellence Scholarships; 3 $4,500 Ansys Scholarships; 4 $2,500 #SemiconductorPRIDE Scholarships; 1 $2,500 Arup Scholarship; 1 $2,500 Novelis oSTEM Scholarship; 1 $2,500 Tighe & Bond Scholarship.” At the bottom is a link to ostem.awardspring.com, which is underlined.
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Elysse @elyssegs.bsky.social · 14/04/2025
I have so many thoughts about this piece by Peter Hotez regarding the choices early career scientists currently face in the current climate of dissolving scientific stability in the US. While I agree with the advice, I’m going to “yes, and…” here 🧵 🧪 1/?
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Elysse @elyssegs.bsky.social · 12/04/2025
Hell yeah, this is awesome. Thank you for battling the gate keeping @jrossibarra.bsky.social and everyone who has contributed!
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Elysse @elyssegs.bsky.social · 14/03/2025
The emails from Penzey’s Spices are really my only source of hope at this point.
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Elysse @elyssegs.bsky.social · 11/03/2025
Every time I read a paper that has red/green figures, I wonder why journals aren’t adamant about standards for colorblind, low vision, or visually impaired readers. It would take *zero* effort on their part to say “follow these standards and make your paper inclusive or we won’t publish it.” 🧪
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Jane Waters 🏳️‍⚧️🐜🇵🇸 @lovetheants.bsky.social · 16/01/2025
Collaborating with @rin-krichilsky.bsky.social and Kanako Shimizu, we put together what's basically a top-ten list of ways to help foster trans inclusivity and awareness within our scientific and academic communities and would love if you could help share the guide!
How to Support Trans Colleagues

Create a Gender-Inclusive Environment

Research institutional, governmental, local, and other bureaucratic procedures and policies that recognize and support gender transition. 

Support training and advocacy for colleagues’ personal/professional safety (ex. in fieldwork, lab work, conferences, institution visits, affinity groups). 

Establish and/or identify gender-neutral bathrooms throughout your building. Implement trans-inclusive recruitment and hiring procedures. 

Acknowledge intersectionality and the unique needs and barriers that someone with multiple marginalized identities may face.

Consider the importance of representation in your field.

Advocate for Name Changes

Research institutional, governmental, local, and other bureaucratic procedures and policy to recognize and support an individual’s name change.

Identify journals in your field that allow authors to change their names post- publication.

Improve Information Accessibility

Publicly share information on inclusive practices throughout your departments and institution. (Ensure the content centers and is created by trans people.)

Consider Daily Language & Use

Decrease use of gendered terms to avoid exclusionary language.

Ask for personal pronouns. 

List on all public-facing directories, and consider including them in email signatures and on professional websites.

Practice discretion. Don’t out your colleagues without their consent.
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Anne Simon 🧪🌱🐴🦠🍊🇨🇦🇺🇦 @annealiz1.bsky.social · 22/01/2025
Here is some helpful advice (sent to me by my university) on how faculty can support undocumented students during these difficult times
Help for undocumented students
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Elysse @elyssegs.bsky.social · 07/12/2024
As a trainee, it’s so easy to forget that interviews are a two-way assessment. I’ve been connecting with PIs about postdoc positions & one just made the wonderfully inclusive gesture of making sure the admin booking my travel addressed me with the right pronouns/labels (Mx., as I’m not Dr. yet).
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United Farm Workers @ufw.bsky.social · 27/11/2024
Much of the food you eat this holiday season comes to your table from the hard-working hands of farm workers who harvest our food. #WeFeedYou
A farm worker'w hand holding up strawberries just harvested
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Dichromat Chloe (4% of scientists) @dichromat-chloe.bsky.social · 25/11/2024
(please amplify) 4% of scientists face an important barrier to an the ENTIRE FIELD of single-cell genomics and here is why
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Ashley Cooper @ashleycooper.bsky.social · 20/11/2024
This Trans Day of Remembrance, the only message I have is: It's not enough to remember us, you need to support us while we're still here.
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Alejandra Caraballo @esqueer.net · 20/11/2024
It's trans day of remembrance where we remember all of our siblings we've lost this year to violence and hate. We know we've lost at least 350 trans and nonbinary people have been murdered in the last year. We honor the dead and fight like hell for the living.
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Denis Wirtz @deniswirtz.bsky.social · 17/11/2024
Download our database of 492 (!) funding opportunities for EARLY-CAREER FACULTY AND RESEARCHERS. For each entry, we provide link to funder, description, amount, deadline, and eligibility criteria (e.g. citizenship). Download freely here: research.jhu.edu/rdt/funding-...
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Elysse @elyssegs.bsky.social · 23/10/2024
At a #KSRNAVIRUS24 panel with journal editors, I asked what journals are doing to navigate equity in publishing so scientists who have access to fewer/limited experimental resources can still have their work amplified, and was told “we don’t have a good answer yet”. We need all voices present! 🧪
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Elysse @elyssegs.bsky.social · 13/10/2024
Anyone else going to the keystone positive sense RNA virus meeting next week?
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Emmy Cumslutress @coyotegirl.online · 26/09/2024
there was a new study published *today* in Nature showing that state-level anti-trans laws increase suicide among trans kids up to 72%. when we say that the New York Times (and other rags of equal repute) is killing us, that's because *IT IS LITERALLY KILLING US*
nature.com
State-level anti-transgender laws increase past-year suicide attempts among transgender and non-binary young people in the USA
Nature Human Behaviour - From 2018 to 2022, 48 anti-transgender laws were enacted in the USA across 19 states. This study shows that these anti-transgender laws increased past-year suicide attempts...
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Elysse @elyssegs.bsky.social · 02/09/2024
Went to see Alien: Romulus today with a bunch of fellow biologists and we all left talking about what the xenomorph’s genome must look like, and what was conserved in the hybrid. Nerds nerding in the wild.
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Elysse @elyssegs.bsky.social · 26/08/2024
The fact that many are not familiar with independent postdoc programs is an issue of equity. If only certain folks know about these opportunities, then only certain folks will get those fellowships & advantages. If we want to diversify STEM, everyone needs to know all their options at every stage.
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Saeed Jones @theferocity.bsky.social · 17/08/2024
If I could make a plea for BlueSky, it’s this: Please make a point of sharing links to articles, essays and more that you LOVE, that you enjoyed, that expanded you in some way. I’m always surprised by the dominance of hate-shares, complaint shares on here. And I think it has a riptide effect.
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Elysse @elyssegs.bsky.social · 15/08/2024
So insanely proud of my 2nd summer intern, Gabby, who completed the Stanford Summer Research Program today with her final seminar talk. She is incredible! She’s a rising junior at Johns Hopkins, studying abroad at Oxford this Fall, and a future MD/PhD! Cannot wait to witness what she ends up doing!
A young scientist stands at a lectern giving a talk about SARS-CoV-2 (on the left of the image), in front of a projected slide of the viral structure (on the right of the image).
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