iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Reposted by Danielle Adank, PhD

Talia Lerner @talialerner.bsky.social · 03/08/2026

And a second new preprint from Lerner Lab on the same day! 👀 🎉 Led by graduate student Nkatha Mwenda! “Dopamine dips during unrewarded actions promote punishment-resistant reward seeking” #neuroskyence🧪

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Danielle Adank, PhD @femmeinstem.bsky.social · 23/07/2026

🚨🚨ATTENTION NEUROSCIENCE POSTDOCS!!🚨🚨 UMass Chan’s Department of Neurobiology is searching for applicants for our inaugural UMass ChanNELS series! For more information and to apply: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...

UMass Chan’s Department of Neurobiology is searching for applicants for our inaugural UMass ChanNELS series!

The purpose of this series is to give postdoctoral researchers experience giving a 50 minute presentation in an exciting and professional setting.

This seminar series will include:
A 50 minute presentation in front of the department Meetings with faculty Lunch with trainees One night hotel stay in Worcester, MA. **DISCLOSURE**
Hotel accommodation and on-campus hospitality are provided. Please note that travel to Worcester, MA is not funded at this time. Applicants should confirm they are able to arrange and cover their own transportation before applying.

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Danielle Adank, PhD @femmeinstem.bsky.social · 23/06/2026

Special thanks to my co-authors, NIAAA for funding and support, and VCAR/VAREC for resources!

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Danielle Adank, PhD @femmeinstem.bsky.social · 23/06/2026

Huge thanks to Dr. Max Joffe for writing such a thoughtful commentary on our paper — connecting our findings to PFC SST biology, ketamine/rapid-acting antidepressant mechanisms, and alcohol's effects on insular circuits. Great context for where this work goes next.

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Danielle Adank, PhD @femmeinstem.bsky.social · 23/06/2026

This points to mIC SST interneurons as a possible target for stress & anxiety-related conditions, and hints at why staying physically active might be protective for mental health. 🧠 🏃 🏃🏾🏃🏽‍♀️🏃🏻🏃🏻‍♀️

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Danielle Adank, PhD @femmeinstem.bsky.social · 23/06/2026

Bottom line: Motor cortex efferents recruit a specific inhibitory cell type in the insula that puts the brakes on negative affect circuitry, and this brake doesn't fade with repeated stress.

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Danielle Adank, PhD @femmeinstem.bsky.social · 23/06/2026

If SST-INs are a brake on negative affect, stepping on it should help. We chemogenetically activated mIC SST neurons and tested mice across 3 independent behavioral tasks Result: less anxiety-like avoidance, less despair-like immobility, faster approach to food across the board

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Danielle Adank, PhD @femmeinstem.bsky.social · 23/06/2026

A brake that doesn't wear out. We recorded mIC SST activity across 5 days of repeated restraint stress. These neurons reliably fired every time a mouse physically struggled and that response did NOT habituate over the 5 days. Most stress circuits adapt with repetition. Not here

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Danielle Adank, PhD @femmeinstem.bsky.social · 23/06/2026

Does real stress engage this circuit? During restraint stress, inhibitory input onto BNST-projecting mIC neurons went up compared to controls — consistent with the SST brake getting pressed harder under stress.

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Danielle Adank, PhD @femmeinstem.bsky.social · 23/06/2026

We discovered this motor-related feed-forward inhibitor circuit! We can simply refer to this a brake. 🚫✋

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Danielle Adank, PhD @femmeinstem.bsky.social · 23/06/2026

Anatomy isn't function. So we tested it directly Light-activating MOp terminals excited mIC SST neurons. Light activation of those same SST neurons inhibited the mIC neurons that project to the BNST (a stress/anxiety hub) MOp excites mIC SST-IN → inhibits BNST-projecting cells

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Danielle Adank, PhD @femmeinstem.bsky.social · 23/06/2026

Confirm it from the other direction. We started in mIC SST neurons and traced backward with rabies virus and it lit up MOp neurons, concentrated in layer 2/3, the classic cortico-cortical output layer. Two independent tracing methods. Same circuit. 🔁

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Danielle Adank, PhD @femmeinstem.bsky.social · 23/06/2026

Does motor cortex (MOp) talk to inhibitory neurons in the insula? We traced MOp axons into the mid-insular cortex (mIC) and checked which interneuron type they contact. Answer: overwhelmingly SST+ interneurons (36%) -almost none of the other three types. MOp picked a favorite.

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Danielle Adank, PhD @femmeinstem.bsky.social · 23/06/2026

New paper alert 📝🥳🧠: Your motor cortex isn't just moving your body… it's quietly telling your brain how to feel about it. We found a circuit in which physical struggle under stress translates into a brake on negative affect. 🧵 @dgordonwinder.bsky.social @mariedoyle.bsky.social

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Danielle Adank, PhD @femmeinstem.bsky.social · 17/06/2026

Today the Carmona Lab gained its first Ph.D. candidate! Congratulations Tenzin! 🥳🤗👏 Honestly, such a wonderful way to start the summer!

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Danielle Adank, PhD @femmeinstem.bsky.social · 26/04/2026

Did anyone go watch Project Hail Mary and go “oh ya, biologists totally do that glove thing” or “Wait. Why didn’t he balance the centrifuge?” 😂 I am open to being a science advisor to any book or movie productions in the future.

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Danielle Adank, PhD @femmeinstem.bsky.social · 02/03/2026

A student in the lab mentioned they have a committee meeting this week and I said “Oh ya. Me too.” Feel free to log into my defense on Wednesday to see all the work I have been doing the last few years!

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Reposted by Danielle Adank, PhD

Moira Donegan @moiradonegan.bsky.social · 23/02/2026

Why do I have to pretend that I'm going to print something in order to save it as a PDF. Why do I have to engage in a little ruse.

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Danielle Adank, PhD @femmeinstem.bsky.social · 20/02/2026

Loki is ready to go to the GRC with me!

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Danielle Adank, PhD @femmeinstem.bsky.social · 20/01/2026

The world is grim but I have some exciting news! 1. I am speaking at the #AlcoholGRC next month. So if you are going, keep your eyes pealed. 👀 2. I am defending my dissertation on March 4th (2pm EST)! Feel free to message me if you want a Zoom link as we get closer. Love ya’ll. Keep fighting. ✌🏼

media.tenor.com

two men are making a heart shape with their arms

ALT: two men are making a heart shape with their arms

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Reposted by Danielle Adank, PhD

Kendra "Gloom is My Beat" Pierre-Louis @kendrawrites.com · 20/01/2026

I'm so tired of working through the apocalypse.

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Reposted by Danielle Adank, PhD

Kris Brown | President, @BradyUnited.org @krisbrown.bradyunited.org · 14/12/2025

The horrific tragedy at Brown University is the 389th mass shooting this year and the 230th gun incident on school grounds so far this year. This is not normal and we don't have to live this way. bradyunited.org @bradyunited.org

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Reposted by Danielle Adank, PhD

Nathan Chomilo, MD FACP @chomilomd.com · 15/12/2025

Just a heads up, every patient I tested in clinic last week has been positive for influenza A. Please take appropriate precautions so you can have a healthy time together with friends & fam this holiday season😷 And if you haven't had a flu shot yet... this week is a great time to get one!💪🏾💉

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Danielle Adank, PhD @femmeinstem.bsky.social · 04/11/2025

A belated Happy Halloween from the Winder Lab! 🎨 🌲😂

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Reposted by Danielle Adank, PhD

Emily L. Hauser (she/her) ❌👑 @emilylhauser.bsky.social · 31/10/2025

Please understand that people will not be "going without SNAP/EBT/food stamps" - people will be going without FOOD. Actually and literally.

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Reposted by Danielle Adank, PhD

Marie Doyle @mariedoyle.bsky.social · 10/10/2025

Last day to update those "TBDs"! Abstracts due today for talk consideration at the Alcohol & the Nervous System GRS and GRC! #alcoholGRC2026 #alcoholGRS2026 GRS (Trainee pre-meeting, Feb 21-22, 2026): tinyurl.com/35zf3wte GRC (Main meeting, Feb 22-27, 2026): tinyurl.com/44z957ve

tinyurl.com

2026 Alcohol and the Nervous System (GRS) Seminar GRC

The 2026 Gordon Research Seminar on Alcohol and the Nervous System (GRS) will be held in Ventura, California. Apply today to reserve your spot.

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Reposted by Danielle Adank, PhD

Marie Doyle @mariedoyle.bsky.social · 03/10/2025

One week left for talk consideration at the Alcohol & the Nervous System GRS and GRC! Submit your abstract before October 10th! #alcoholGRC2026 #alcoholGRS2026 GRS (Trainee pre-meeting, Feb 21-22, 2026): tinyurl.com/35zf3wteGRC GRC (Main meeting, Feb 22-27, 2026): tinyurl.com/44z957ve

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Danielle Adank, PhD @femmeinstem.bsky.social · 06/10/2025

Congratulations to @timmyle.bsky.social on a successful defense! You’re a doctor now. 😄

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Danielle Adank, PhD @femmeinstem.bsky.social · 24/07/2025

Does anyone know how to get your Bluesky algorithm to show more science related posts/people? I'm dying over here in political content. While important, I am here for learning and networking.

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Danielle Adank, PhD @femmeinstem.bsky.social · 23/07/2025

We are looking for more trainees to submit abstracts! Please spread the word! #science #addiction #Neuroscience #newengland #NEAN

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Danielle Adank, PhD @femmeinstem.bsky.social · 22/06/2025

If you are at the Research Society on Alcohol 2025 conference, my poster is today at 5! #S14!

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Reposted by Danielle Adank, PhD

ACLU @aclu.org · 16/06/2025

BREAKING: A federal judge reversed National Institutes of Health's terminations of hundreds of critical research grants that were canceled because of their alleged connection to disfavored topics, including diversity, equity, inclusion, and gender identity. This is a major win for public health.

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Danielle Adank, PhD @femmeinstem.bsky.social · 15/06/2025

Hi all. I grew up in the community of the MN legislatures that were attacked yesterday. Both are wonderful families and are well loved by their constituents. Please consider donating to the Hoffman’s gofundme for their medical bills. www.gofundme.com/f/support-yv...

gofundme.com

Donate to Support Yvette and John Hoffman's Recovery, organized by Fernbrook PTO

Dear Flyer Community, Friends, and Supporters, Our hearts are heavy as we… Fernbrook PTO needs your support for Support Yvette and John Hoffman's Recovery

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Reposted by Danielle Adank, PhD

UMass Chan Medical School @umasschan.bsky.social · 10/06/2025

Gilles E. Martin, PhD, identifies a group of 500 neurons associated with the suppression of binge drinking: direc.to/npLM

direc.to

Gilles Martin identifies neurons associated with the suppression of binge drinking

UMass Chan researchers identify neural ensemble that suppresses binge drinking

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Reposted by Danielle Adank, PhD

Ryan Tyler @ryane-tyler.bsky.social · 22/05/2025

Congrats on an amazing thesis defense Dr. Bluitt!! Loved seeing everyone from @jbesheer.bsky.social lab.

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Reposted by Danielle Adank, PhD

The 5th Dentist @walkerwest.bsky.social · 12/03/2025

Sorry grad students mastering life-saving science, crypto bros and oil barons need to get richer, so you’re out.

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Reposted by Danielle Adank, PhD

Joe Allen @joeallenjoe.bsky.social · 12/03/2025

In fiscal year 2024, the report found, NIH awarded more than $36.9 billion to researchers, supporting more than 408,000 jobs and generating over $94.5 billion in new economic activity nationwide. news.harvard.edu/gazette/stor...