iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Ian Tonks @ianatonks.bsky.social · 09/10/2026

Always special when you have fantastic, successful alumni back to visit!

031

Ian Tonks @ianatonks.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

Could be worse, you could still be in US academic administration! hbd!

000

Ian Tonks @ianatonks.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

But how else would CAS monetize talks then??? C’mon guys. Gotta make a buck somehow.

110

Reposted by Ian Tonks

Prof. Natalie Fey @nataliefeynls.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

Join us at our Faraday Discussion on: Understanding molecular catalysis through computation and experiment where we will explore the latest research in the field. First deadline (oral abstracts) is coming up on 5th October 2026... Find out more (and submit an abstract): invt.io/1bxbzpnohoi

invt.io

I've registered for Understanding molecular catalysis through computation and experiment FD, join me

055

Ian Tonks @ianatonks.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

Proximity to airport is definitely a massive perk of the job, although getting to be your colleague would certainly be a close 2nd!

030

Ian Tonks @ianatonks.bsky.social · 27/08/2026

I was relieved that the computer failed to accurately transcribe “diazatitanacyclohexadiene.” I will still have a job for a bit! It was hilarious to see it transcribe the chatter during coffee breaks.

290

Ian Tonks @ianatonks.bsky.social · 24/08/2026

Don’t worry; this is mostly just the nihilism speaking.

010

Ian Tonks @ianatonks.bsky.social · 24/08/2026

My NSF co-I grant this year was only ranked medium priority, but getting a rejection end of August and reading the news sure makes it sting extra bad. Looking forward to taking the feedback and turning it around on v. short notice for a chance at success that’s prob 50% less likely than historical.

200

Ian Tonks @ianatonks.bsky.social · 18/08/2026

HOW MANY SIGNIFICANT FIGURES THIS IS IMPORTANT FOR DIFFERENTIATING THE QUALITY OF HUMAN.

130

Ian Tonks @ianatonks.bsky.social · 05/08/2026

I thought the new ACS logo was going to be $📚$📚$📚 $📚$

1101

Ian Tonks @ianatonks.bsky.social · 12/07/2026

fwiw, this admin isn’t even focused on making pizzas. More like a Ford Pinto, which they have confused for a food product. Or magic beans.

083

Ian Tonks @ianatonks.bsky.social · 09/07/2026

ACS Always Costs Something I guess. I chose 1 day registration this year because of the generally poor value of the full conference. My students are mostly going to smaller, more bespoke conferences nowadays where they can better network, get better presenting opportunities, and save money.

010

Ian Tonks @ianatonks.bsky.social · 08/07/2026

Aone, one of the postersmith cofounders, is also cofounder of my CO2 polymer startup, LoopCO2! Definitely recommend both wonderful MA-based small businesses! 😎

010

Ian Tonks @ianatonks.bsky.social · 23/06/2026

happy to share our latest in JACS, enabling polymerization of of CO2-derived lactones through contrathermodynamic photoisomerization. Led by our amazing postdoc Arron Deacy, it's the crossover story my lab has been waiting for (Ti catalysis *and* CO2 polymers)! pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/...

pubs.acs.org

Contra-Thermodynamic α,β- to β,γ-Photodeconjugation of an Inert CO2-Derived δ-Lactone Enables Facile Ring-Opening Polymerization

The ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of δ-lactones derived from the telomerization of CO2 and butadiene offers a platform to valorize cheap and abundant waste products into commercially competitive p...

1152

Ian Tonks @ianatonks.bsky.social · 18/06/2026

I don’t think it’s good for the ACS to force people into providing data used for marketing without an opt-out.

010

Ian Tonks @ianatonks.bsky.social · 15/06/2026

HAH! Or, "Struggling with lab funding? We've got the perfect AI consultant to help you refine your pitch to [agency X]!"

110

Ian Tonks @ianatonks.bsky.social · 15/06/2026

Can someone explain to me why @acs.org needs this information when I register for the ACS National Meeting? I feel like half of these (MANDATORY, mind you) checkboxes are just to sell my information to marketers I want nothing of?

Screenshot of mandatory checkboxes asking for annual lab budget for my research group

4120

Ian Tonks @ianatonks.bsky.social · 08/06/2026

It does seem like it's about time for ACS Chemical Education and Education Chemistry Au. Chem Ed is definitely an area where there's more monetization to be had!!

180

Ian Tonks @ianatonks.bsky.social · 06/06/2026

Watching very closely… it’s sad all around.

020

Ian Tonks @ianatonks.bsky.social · 05/06/2026

This job fundamentally changed in 2020 and has been getting progressively harder every year since.

250

Ian Tonks @ianatonks.bsky.social · 28/05/2026

Why support journals that already exist when you can make NEW ones instead!!

060

Ian Tonks @ianatonks.bsky.social · 21/05/2026

Apropos of the grade inflation discussion, let it be known that I EARNED my C- in quantum from my Ivy League alma mater, thank you very much.

061

Ian Tonks @ianatonks.bsky.social · 18/05/2026

Just another day in the kleptocracy... 🤷

020

Ian Tonks @ianatonks.bsky.social · 17/05/2026

SRG 01/26; Council 3/26; NOA 5/26 for us (renewal submitted 5/25). Fingers crossed for you!

130

Ian Tonks @ianatonks.bsky.social · 30/04/2026

Plot twist: it’s called The Nepotist, all the contestants are family members or flunkies, and the prize is $1 billion in cash from the Middle East funneled through Trump’s memecoin. Oh and it’s actually a docuseries.

030

Ian Tonks @ianatonks.bsky.social · 16/04/2026

I’ve heard a few folks from Feb 25 submissions are starting to get NOAs. Sounds like those of us from May 25 might get them soonish, but a couple months delayed from normal.

010

Ian Tonks @ianatonks.bsky.social · 06/04/2026

Back-to-back papers out from postdoc extraordinaire Arron Deacy, demonstrating photochem to drive contrathermodynamic isomerizations of CO2-derived lactones, significantly improving the thermodynamics of ring-opening polymerization! chemrxiv.org/doi/full/10.... chemrxiv.org/doi/full/10....

a,b- to b,g- photoisomerization of CO2-derived lactone EVP results in much more thermodynamically favorable ring-opening polymerization

092

Ian Tonks @ianatonks.bsky.social · 03/04/2026

That’s good. Any insight on funding early 2025 grants? Mine have been sitting in DOE PAMS with zero updates since submission!

110

Ian Tonks @ianatonks.bsky.social · 03/04/2026

Anyone know when SBIR/STTR re-authorization is expected to come through Congress (or if that's even in the cards)? My Feb 2025 grant applications are getting pretty dusty... @jeremymberg.bsky.social

110

Ian Tonks @ianatonks.bsky.social · 02/04/2026

Absolutely thrilled to share that Tonks Group postdoc Dr. Allison Smith has been named an AOB Postdoctoral Fellow--massive congratulations on this well-earned honor, Allison!

091

Ian Tonks @ianatonks.bsky.social · 29/03/2026

I hope they included Euro-clippy

160

Ian Tonks @ianatonks.bsky.social · 14/03/2026

Thanks for publishing with us, Andreu!

040

Ian Tonks @ianatonks.bsky.social · 07/03/2026

One of my least favorite elementary ed trends is watching charter schools promise they can teach/support special needs students, take in the federal $$, then boot the kids around Oct bc they don’t have the infrastructure and expertise to actually support them. $$ stays though…

110

Ian Tonks @ianatonks.bsky.social · 21/02/2026

Research.gov looking *pretty* barebones these days... what a sad state of affairs.

barebones website screenshot showing the NSF is down because they got evicted from their building by Trump sycophants

000

Ian Tonks @ianatonks.bsky.social · 04/02/2026

Oh great. With this latest drawdown, there's only going to be 2000 masked agents terrorizing our city!

141

Ian Tonks @ianatonks.bsky.social · 03/02/2026

Hah, Agreed! I remember back in 2015 I put figures in my biosketch, which I only later realized (at renewal time) was a no-no. Oops...

120

Ian Tonks @ianatonks.bsky.social · 03/02/2026

Agreed. I really appreciated the old biosketch where I could discuss some of my contributions that have been building over the past decade that aren't necessarily "punctuated" by a single high-impact study. This seems/ed especially important/valuable for MIRA applications.

110

Ian Tonks @ianatonks.bsky.social · 03/02/2026

I appreciate how easy it is to use. I also think SciENcv is a great equalizer: it makes everyone's CV look like garbage. Win-win for ease and equity!

3224

Ian Tonks @ianatonks.bsky.social · 30/01/2026

They could really step up by vocally lobbying and teaming up with key industry partners to push the government to stop their insanely damaging policies. I'm sure some of this is happening behind the scenes but I wish they were shouting from the rooftops.

142

Ian Tonks @ianatonks.bsky.social · 29/01/2026

I've made it clear the policy in our group is "no LLM/AI writing ever for anything."

070

Ian Tonks @ianatonks.bsky.social · 28/01/2026

I've also seen these in a few labs in Japan--recycling GPCs, circulating through a column many times to get separation. Beautiful, time consuming, great separation. Wish I had one!

131

Ian Tonks @ianatonks.bsky.social · 24/01/2026

The federal government is murdering our neighbors in broad daylight and carrying out a mission of terror against the Twin Cities. Schools and businesses are closed and people are staying home because they’re afraid of ICE. This is America in 2026: at war against its own people.

02011

Ian Tonks @ianatonks.bsky.social · 19/01/2026

Chalcometallics? Oxymetallics?

020

Ian Tonks @ianatonks.bsky.social · 19/01/2026

Work with everyone’s favorite element!

150

Ian Tonks @ianatonks.bsky.social · 12/01/2026

sorry Kurtis, we live and die by Google Calendars, so you better get ready to eat for 27 h straight.

100

Ian Tonks @ianatonks.bsky.social · 09/01/2026

The deliciousness of a good pea is really forgotten in most American cuisine.

020

Ian Tonks @ianatonks.bsky.social · 07/01/2026

Indeed. I think that picture is very bimodal!

020

Ian Tonks @ianatonks.bsky.social · 06/01/2026

Unfortunately I don't think many departments operate in a "1-for-1" hiring model anymore. I'm sure it'd result in more jobs, but not as many as you think. And, the rest of us left behind get to do more work! 🥳

570

Ian Tonks @ianatonks.bsky.social · 31/12/2025

N-N coupling through Fe-catalyzed N-H dehydrocoupling! Check out our latest V2 on chemrxiv where we show you can catalyze PCET reactions using mild reagents below the thermodynamic limit of initial H• abstraction, make hard-to-access 2H-indazoles, and even skeletal edit! chemrxiv.org/engage/chemr...

Top reaction scheme shows iminoanilines converting to 2H indazoles through FeCl3-catalyzed dehydrocoupling. Bottom scheme shows how N-N coupling can be used as a skeletal editing route to carry out CH for NR swaps in common bioactive indoles.

1285