Sign in

SF Karel

@karelsf.bsky.social
90 followers 188 following 39 posts

biochemical engineer, scientist, IT guru, university admin, soccer referee, dog walker. Currently Vice Provost for Research at Brandeis University. Opinions expressed on this account are my own, not those of my employer.

PostsRepliesMedia
Reposted by SF Karel
Randall Munroe @xkcd.com · 02/09/2026
Trade xkcd.com/3290/
Comic. [Person standing holding hammer above raised knee.] PERSON: Listen up, leg. I’ve been sending you rich, oxygenated blood for years, while you send me worthless used-up blood with no oxygen. Time to teach you a lesson about not ripping me off! [caption] Tariffs
56113662491
Reposted by SF Karel
Lurie Institute for Disability Policy @lurieinstitute.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
An Update on the Future of the National Research Center for Parents with Disabilities August 27, 2026 Read statement here: heller.brandeis.edu/parents-with...
heller.brandeis.edu
National Research Center for Parents with Disabilities Funding 2026 - National Research Center for Parents with Disabilities
001
Reposted by SF Karel
Jenna Norton @jenna-m-norton.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
Insights from inside NIH on the proposal to hide scores and instead bin applications into broad score categories. Please read and comment on the RFI. 27unihted.substack.com/p/nih-wants-... Link to RFI: rfi.grants.nih.gov?s=6a2b1c22c3...
27unihted.substack.com
NIH wants to shroud peer review scores. Here’s what you can do about it.
Authored by anonymous current and former NIH workers with experience in peer review
12627
Reposted by SF Karel
Lurie Institute for Disability Policy @lurieinstitute.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
From The New York Times: "Federal Funding for Research on Parents With Disabilities Vanishes" The government gave no explanation for terminating the funding, which for decades has supported the only national center focused on the issue. Read the article: www.nytimes.com/2026/08/26/w...
nytimes.com
Federal Funding for Research on Parents With Disabilities Vanishes
The government gave no explanation for terminating the funding, which for decades has supported the only national center focused on the issue.
013
Reposted by SF Karel
Harmit Singh Malik @harmitmalik.bsky.social · 21/08/2026
@hhmi-science.bsky.social has several upcoming competitions for scientists at various career stages. Here is a list (pl share whatever you feel will be useful): 1) Rising college juniors & seniors in summer 2027 can apply to the Cech Fellows program (www.hhmi.org/programs/cec...) Deadline: Nov 10
hhmi.org
Summer Undergraduate Research Experience (REU) | Cech Fellows | HHMI
The Cech Fellows Program is a paid, nine-week summer research experience empowering the next generation of scientific leaders.
22326
Reposted by SF Karel
Science Magazine @science.org · 06/08/2026
More evidence is emerging that the U.S. National Institutes of Health has launched a new wave of grant terminations, as Director Jay Bhattacharya ends two more grants—both for health disparities research at the University of Pittsburgh. scim.ag/4gfsD9J
scim.ag
NIH Director Bhattacharya kills more health disparities grants
Letter says agency is “adjusting its extramural research portfolio, which includes terminating grant awards”
12322
Reposted by SF Karel
Christine Grienberger @cgrienberger.bsky.social · 05/08/2026
🎉 this paper is now out - we show how subicular plateaus are linked to reward locations. Congratulations to the whole team! www.cell.com/cell-reports...
cell.com
Subicular plateaus signal reward locations during goal-directed behavior
Using in vivo whole-cell recordings during goal-directed navigation, Bhatia, Adel, and Grienberger identify plateaus as a prominent feature of subiculum activity. These events preferentially occur nea...
14615
Reposted by SF Karel
Kaushik Ragunathan @kaushikr.bsky.social · 03/08/2026
Our new study shows a CHD-family remodeler can nucleate and spread H3K9 methylation de novo, inverting the canonical hierarchy between writers and remodelers. www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...
biorxiv.org
Nucleosome remodeling by a CHD enzyme promotes H3K9 methylation establishment and spreading via remodeler-writer feedback
In Schizosaccharomyces pombe , the conserved CHD remodeler Mit1 function within the SHREC remodeler-deacetylase complex (a homolog of the metazoan Mi-2/NuRD complex), which is essential for H3K9 methy...
14719
Reposted by SF Karel
tony romm @tonyromm.bsky.social · 24/07/2026
NEW: In a stunning admission, the Trump administration admitted in court documents that it canceled billions in energy grants to states "based solely" on politics -- and whether that state was represented by Democrats and backed Harris in 2024. www.nytimes.com/2026/07/24/b...
nytimes.com
Trump Administration Admits Canceling Grants to States That Did Not Vote for Him
Federal officials said in court documents that they halted billions of dollars in funding for energy projects to states “based solely” on whether they backed President Trump in the 2024 election.
28961212933
Reposted by SF Karel
turrigiano.bsky.social @turrigiano.bsky.social · 21/07/2026
If you like ethological learning, structural plasticity, and the idea that homeostatic setpoints are malleable, this paper is for you! Congrats to Diane and the whole team on the culmination of a long and fascinating journey #dianebissen.bsky.social, #neuroskyance
0257
Reposted by SF Karel
Compound Interest | Chemistry infographics @compoundchem.com · 20/07/2026
Spain are the winners of the 2026 World Cup 🏆 Here's a look at how the materials that make up the shirts help them stand up to all the shirt-pulling and rough-housing in a typical Argentina match ⚽ #ChemSky 🧪
Infographic titled "The chemistry of football shirt materials" by Compound Interest features two jerseys alongside polymer structures. Polyester (Polyethylene terephthalate) forms durable, lightweight, water-wicking shirt fabric absorbing just 0.4% water. Elastane (spandex or lycra) adds elasticity and strength, enduring 600% elongation before rupturing, though it is less breathable. Polyurethane is thermally bonded to print player names, numbers, and sponsor logos onto the shirts.
13214
Reposted by SF Karel
Lurie Institute for Disability Policy @lurieinstitute.bsky.social · 15/07/2026
Our research center for #ParentsWithDisabilities faces closure after federal funding opportunity withdrawn Learn more: TinyUrl.com/ParentingCenterFunding Press release: tinyurl.com/PressReleaseFunding Toolkit: tinyurl.com/AdvocacyToolkitFolder
Flyer from the National Center for Parents with Disabilities with the organization's green spiral logo at the top left. The headline reads: "National Center for Parents with Disabilities Loses Critical Funding Opportunity."
Below the headline is the statement: "If action is not taken within the next 6 weeks to reinstate this grant opportunity, the nation's only research center for parents with disabilities will disappear." The final clause is emphasized in red.
The flyer is divided into two sections. On the left is a section titled "What's happening," illustrated with a vertical timeline made up of four connected green icons: a calendar, a clock, an X, and a warning symbol. The timeline reads: "Every 5 years, organizations compete for federal grants that fund their work.", "This year, funding has been delayed. The Center has successfully received this grant for 10 years.", "The grant that typically funds our Center was removed entirely from grant.gov last week.", and "Without new funding by August 31, our Center's work will end." The phrase "our Center's work will end" is highlighted in green.
On the right is a section titled "Why this matters," featuring three illustrated icons separated by horizontal lines. A house with a family icon accompanies the text, "Disabled parents deserve equal opportunity to have kids and build families." A document with a magnifying glass icon accompanies the text, "The Center drives research and national expertise on disability, parenting, and family support." Hands supporting a family icon accompanies the text, "Strong families strengthen communities. The work we do supports inclusion, independence, and community living."
012
Reposted by SF Karel
Randall Munroe @xkcd.com · 16/07/2026
Time Change xkcd.com/3272/
3-panel comic. (1) PERSON 1 behind podium on stage: We all hate springing forward. But we love falling back. (2) [Audience pictured listening] PERSON 1: Therefore, we are abolishing the *spring* time change *only*. We’ll gain an hour every year, but never lose one. (3) PERSON OFF-PANEL: Won’t that cause the clocks to spiral out of sync with the sun? PERSON 1 holding up a fist: *Then we will meet the chaos clear-eyed and well-rested!*
543738711
Reposted by SF Karel
Piali Sengupta @senguptalab.bsky.social · 11/07/2026
🎉 New/updated preprint! From 🌟 GS Kirsten Judge + Most neuronal cilia form during development. Can adult neurons rebuild damaged cilia? Are functions restored? Does regrowth use different pathways from ciliogenesis? Answers (in C. elegans): Yes, yes, and partly. 1/6 www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...
biorxiv.org
Neuron-intrinsic and glial pathways regulate sensory cilia regeneration in adult C. elegans
Primary cilia are microtubule-based organelles that mediate cellular responses to environmental cues. Although cilia disassemble and reassemble upon cell cycle entry and exit, respectively, in dividin...
23415
Reposted by SF Karel
The Transmitter @thetransmitter.bsky.social · 08/07/2026
Explore @thetransmitter.bsky.social 's newest tool, Neuro Funding Finder. Discover grants, fellowships and funding opportunities for neuroscience research at all career stages, powered by @scientifyresearch.org. #neuroskyence thetransmitter.org/neuroscience...
thetransmitter.org
Neuroscience Grants Funding Finder
Discover grants, fellowships and funding opportunities for neuroscience research at all career stages.
03317
Reposted by SF Karel
Margie Lachman @margielachman.bsky.social · 03/06/2026
Happy to announce that my book will be published June 9 Primetime: A New Vision for Midlife www.simonandschuster.com/books/Primet...
simonandschuster.com
Primetime
Leading lifespan psychologist Margie Lachman creates an inspiring new framework for midlife, based on her landmark thirty years of research and wor...
063
Reposted by SF Karel
turrigiano.bsky.social @turrigiano.bsky.social · 29/05/2026
new kick in the teeth for US science. These are PROPOSED new rules that just dropped in the federal register. TLDR: would effectively allow political appointees to direct the $ where ever they want. Comments open until July 13.
1910
Reposted by SF Karel
Piali Sengupta @senguptalab.bsky.social · 26/05/2026
Are you fascinated by microscopy? Love beautiful images? Enjoy image analyses and quantification? Like working with a great group of people? Then please apply for the position of Manager of our fantastic Light Microscopy Facility. brandeis.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/Jobs/j...
brandeis.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com
Light Microscopy Facility Manager
The main purpose of this job is to bring cutting-edge light microscopy research approaches to Brandeis researchers and oversee the day-to-day operations of the Brandeis light microscopy facility. The ...
065
Reposted by SF Karel
Amit Basu @aetoumos.bsky.social · 10/04/2026
Mark the date - the 10th New England Glycochemistry meeting @ Brandeis is happening June 13! Register at negcmu.sites.northeastern.edu # glycotime #chemsky #chemchat
154
Reposted by SF Karel
Shicheng Guo @shihcheng.bsky.social · 22/02/2026
Breakthrough in solar energy: Dewar pyrimidone stores sunlight as thermal energy at 1.6 MJ/kg, activated at 300 nm. A nod to DNA design! PMID:41678586, Science 2026, @ScienceMagazine doi.org/10.1126/science.aec6413 #Medsky #Pharmsky #RNA #ASHG #ESHG 🧪
doi.org
https://doi.org/10.1126/science.aec6413
No description available
0116
Reposted by SF Karel
Scott Delaney @scott-delaney.bsky.social · 03/04/2026
Some science cuts in Trump's proposed FY27 budget ❌ NIH: -$5B, including all of NIEHS, NIMHD, FIC & NCCIH. ❌ EPA: -4.6B ❌ NSF: -3.8B ❌ NASA Science: -3.4 Billion ❌ NOAA: -1.8B, including the entire Oceanic and Atmospheric Research budget ($605M) ❌ AHRQ: All of it. -$296M, 100% And there's more.
8145127
SF Karel @karelsf.bsky.social · 03/04/2026
Let your representatives know what you think about proposed cuts to science (54% cut to NSF!) in the presidential budget request. Science makes America great.
100
Reposted by SF Karel
Randall Munroe @xkcd.com · 02/04/2026
Home Solar xkcd.com/3226/
4-panel comic. (1) [Two people standing next to house with solar panels on roof. Person 2 has a black hat.] PERSON 1: Wait, you got solar panels? I thought you were against renewables. (2) PERSON 2: Oh, definitely. I hate the environment and want to harm it as much as possible. I’d *love* to have an oil furnace. (3) PERSON 2: But the technology just isn’t there and the cost is too high. I despise solar, but it makes more financial sense in my situation. (4) PERSON 2: But with the money I’m saving, I can buy and burn industrial waste in my yard to try to make up for it. PERSON 1: Ah, yeah, carbon onsets.
203249540
SF Karel @karelsf.bsky.social · 29/03/2026
Ribbon cutting for our new imaging facility equipment funded by @malifesciences.bsky.social with special guests Mayor Jeannette McCarthy and Rep Thomas Stanley www.brandeis.edu/stories/2026...
brandeis.edu
Brandeis light microscopy facility marks a new era with ribbon-cutting ceremony
074
Reposted by SF Karel
Liz Neeley @lizneeley.bsky.social · 22/03/2026
The @nationalacademies.org Awards for Excellence in #scicomm have honored some of the best thinkers & creatives I know, like @chanda.blacksky.app @neillewisjr.bsky.social @cbo.bsky.social Top award: $40,000. Deadline: April 3. Explore & apply www.nationalacademies.org/programs/NAE...
nationalacademies.org
National Academies Eric and Wendy Schmidt Awards for Excellence in Science Communications
The National Academies are accepting submissions to an annual award program that aims to recognize and develop excellence in science communication by research scientists, science journalists, and scie...
07743
Reposted by SF Karel
Jeremy Berg @jeremymberg.bsky.social · 13/03/2026
Following @joshuasweitz.bsky.social post and discussions with him and the Vox story, I have estimated R01 success rates for each NIH institute and center with enough awards for this to be meaningful. A long 🧵... 1/25
49962
Reposted by SF Karel
Piali Sengupta @senguptalab.bsky.social · 13/03/2026
Anyone publish NIH-funded work in Nature recently? And what have you done about compliance regarding submission of the AAM to PubMedCentral? Really confusing advice from everyone and on their website. Gold OA is an extortionary $13K. Their website says 6 mo embargo for self depositing the AAM. 🤯🤯🤯
257
SF Karel @karelsf.bsky.social · 12/03/2026
Due to a series of unfortunate events, we have a number of temp positions open on the preaward team in our Research Administration office. Our faculty are nice to work with and it's a great place to learn new things or share your experience. brandeis.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/Jobs/job/Bra...
brandeis.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com
Temporary Pre Award Grant Administrator
The Office of Research Administration is looking for a temporary Pre Award Grant Administrator. The Grant Administrator, DISC Pre-Award supports departmental and institutional efforts in securing exte...
011
Reposted by SF Karel
Simon Delagrave, PhD @delagrave.bsky.social · 04/03/2026
Boston rally: fight2win.standupforscience.net/Boston-March/?
fight2win.standupforscience.net
Stand up for Science
Stand up for Science
0218
Reposted by SF Karel
Christine Grienberger @cgrienberger.bsky.social · 02/03/2026
We’re looking for a new Research Tech! Our research tech is heading to graduate school (very exciting!), which means we’re recruiting someone new to join our team. The position involves hands-on neuroscience research in a collaborative environment. brandeis.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/Jobs/job/Bra...
brandeis.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com
Research Technician
Research Technician position available in the Grienberger lab at Brandeis University. We are a new neuroscience group studying the cellular basis of learning and memory in the mammalian brain. This is...
01821
Reposted by SF Karel
Science Magazine @science.org · 02/03/2026
"Losing my institutional email address felt like losing a small but vital piece of the scientist I had become." #ScienceWorkingLife scim.ag/3OGpS67
An illustration of a man in the sky above a town with email addresses around him, with text: When I lost my university email, my identity as a scientist took an unexpected hit
05916
Reposted by SF Karel
AAU @aau.edu · 27/02/2026
According to data from NSF, universities contributed $30.2 billion of their own funds to research in FY24 – at least $7.07 billion of which went to cover essential research costs known as F&A. www.aau.edu/newsroom/lea...
031
Reposted by SF Karel
Jeremy Berg @jeremymberg.bsky.social · 27/02/2026
Thanks to the Nature team for digging into this. Apportionment is one of those inside-baseball issues that I hoped never to need to learn about... But here was are.
49941
Reposted by SF Karel
Ya’el Courtney, PhD @scienceyael.bsky.social · 26/02/2026
Wrote up a plain-language guide to the NSF GRFP — eligibility, what it pays, what changed in FY2026, and how the application actually works. Will update when the FY2027 solicitation drops. If you're considering applying this fall, start here: www.yaelcourtney.com/resources-an...
yaelcourtney.com
The NSF GRFP, Explained: What It Is, Who Qualifies, and What Changed in 2026 — Ya'el Courtney
A complete guide to the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship from a coach who's supported 25+ GRFP applicants. Covers eligibility, the application, review criteria, and the major FY2026 changes — includin...
142
Reposted by SF Karel
Piali Sengupta @senguptalab.bsky.social · 17/02/2026
Our second paper of the year is online at @pnas.org. Led by recently graduated PhD student Anjali Pandey, we describe how seemingly symmetric neuronal responses can be mediated by underlying asymmetric molecular mechanisms. Link to longer preprint post below. www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
2226
Reposted by SF Karel
Christine Grienberger @cgrienberger.bsky.social · 17/02/2026
🚀 New preprint from the lab! Our first foray into the subiculum uses in vivo whole-cell recordings to show that dendritic plateaus are a prominent, learning-dependent signaling mode of subicular neurons. Feedback is welcome! www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...
biorxiv.org
24322
Reposted by SF Karel
Piali Sengupta @senguptalab.bsky.social · 28/01/2026
Our first 2026 paper is out @currentbiology.bsky.social! 👏 to @nathancsharris.bsky.social (now Asst Prof, GA State) and PD Priya Dutta. Here we show how transcriptional and trafficking pathways coordinate thermoreceptor levels to precisely modulate response plasticity www.cell.com/current-biol...
cell.com
Experience-dependent reconfiguration of thermoreceptors regulates neuronal response plasticity
Harris, Dutta, et al. find that experience-dependent plasticity in the activation threshold of the AFD thermosensory neurons is mediated by modulating warm and cold thermoreceptor levels at the sensor...
55621
Reposted by SF Karel
I.B.A.N.G.S @ibangs.bsky.social · 13/01/2026
Congratulations IBANGS Investigator Awardees 2026 Distinguished Investigator Award Prof. Leslie Griffith, Brandeis University griffithlabbrandeis.com Early Career Achievment Award Assoc. Prof. Chongyuan Luo, University of California luogenomics.github.io
031
Reposted by SF Karel
Chemical Science @chemicalscience.rsc.org · 09/01/2026
🔥 New and HOT in Chemical Science! “Visible photon energy storage by [2+2] cycloaddition of Pd-oxazolones” by Grace Han et al. from Brandeis University and the University of California, Santa Barbara. Read it for free here: pubs.rsc.org/doi/D5S...
031
Reposted by SF Karel
Jeremy Berg @jeremymberg.bsky.social · 08/01/2026
Fiscal Year 2026 NIH Funding Update The committed funding for fiscal year 2026 is lagging behind all fiscal years from 2015-2025. More details to follow. 1/6
A line grant showing the fraction of the NIH appropriation committed as a function of award date for fiscal years 2015-2026. The fiscal year 2026 is lagging behind all of the earlier years.
35031
Reposted by SF Karel
MA Health Policy Commission @masshpc.bsky.social · 06/01/2026
We mourn the loss of Stuart H. Altman, Ph.D., a leader in health policy and economics and the inaugural chair of the HPC. “Dr. Altman dedicated his life to a health care system that is affordable and accessible for all,” said HPC Executive Director David Seltz.
masshpc.gov
HPC Statement on Stuart H. Altman, Ph.D. | Massachusetts Health Policy Commission
Image BOSTON — Stuart H.
074
Reposted by SF Karel
Sebastian Kadener @skadener.bsky.social · 31/12/2025
Our new paper is out on bioRxiv and we’re really excited about it! www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6... We show that circadian clocks in the fly brain are far more distributed than the classic view. Huge kudos to the authors, especially @inespatop.bsky.social and Anne, and to our collaborators!!
biorxiv.org
“Remote and partial clocks expand the circadian neuronal network, driving widespread molecular rhythmicity in Drosophila”
Circadian clocks orchestrate daily physiology and behavioral rhythms, yet the extent to which cells lacking canonical clock components exhibit robust temporal regulation remains unclear. Here we addre...
082
Reposted by SF Karel
allen institute @alleninstitute.org · 21/12/2025
🚨 Our year-long, post-bacc internship positions are now open for application! 🚨 This new program is designed to provide mentorship and on-the-job experience for recent grads. Full list of open roles: alleninstitute.org/careers/internsh…
034
Reposted by SF Karel
Albion Lawrence @albion.bsky.social · 17/12/2025
Re the PhD program, those interested in soft condensed matter, biological physics, experimental high energy physics, or quantum and gravitational theory, and astrophysics (focus on solar system & exoplanet atmospheres) are also encouraged to apply! www.brandeis.edu/gsas/program...
brandeis.edu
Graduate Programs in Physics
The graduate programs in Physics, in Brandeis University's Graduate School of Arts & Sciences, offer generous scholarships for master's and PhD students.
001
Reposted by SF Karel
Albion Lawrence @albion.bsky.social · 17/12/2025
I have a postdoc position available in physical oceanography. Please pass it along! academicjobsonline.org/ajo/jobs/31407
academicjobsonline.org
Brandeis University, Theoretical and Computational Physics
Job #AJO31407, Postdoc in Physics Oceanography, Theoretical and Computational Physics, Brandeis University, Waltham, Massachusetts, US
033
Reposted by SF Karel
Brandeis MRSEC @brandeismrsec.bsky.social · 08/12/2025
Congrats to recent Brandeis alum Mason Price and co-authors for their publication in PNAS! They developed a strategy for folding, cutting, and coloring crystalline sheets to create complex nanoscale structures. You can read their paper here: www.pnas.org/doi/abs/10.1...
011
Reposted by SF Karel
Broad Institute @broadinstitute.org · 10/12/2025
Broad and @mgbresearch.bsky.social scientists discovered a potential new drug target for Friedreich’s ataxia, a rare but devastating genetic disorder.
broad.io
Findings point to path forward for treatment of rare genetic disease
Researchers from Mass General Brigham and the Broad Institute have discovered a potential drug target for the mitochondrial disorder Friedreich’s ataxia, suggesting a path for the development of new m...
041
SF Karel @karelsf.bsky.social · 26/11/2025
@brandeisuniversity.bsky.social professor Colleen Hitchcock is teaching Biology of Climate Change in a collaboration with @unistrathclyde.bsky.social teaching fellow William Quirke thanks to a U.S.–U.K. Fulbright Commission’s Global Challenges Teaching Award. www.brandeis.edu/stories/2025...
brandeis.edu
Professor Colleen Hitchcock co-leading new educational exchange partnership through Fulbright Teaching Award
000
Reposted by SF Karel
turrigiano.bsky.social @turrigiano.bsky.social · 20/11/2025
Re-upping this - Neuropeeps! We have a TT Job in my wonderful department at Brandeis! First consideration to applications received by Dec 15 (but why wait?) www.nature.com/naturecareer...
nature.com
Assistant Professor in Biology and Neuroscience Program - Waltham, Massachusetts (US) job with Brandeis University | 12848464
The Department of Biology and the Program in Neuroscience at Brandeis University invite applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor positio...
25349