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Lindsey Burbank

@lindseyburbank.bsky.social
610 followers 752 following 28 posts

Agriculture, plants, and microbiology in California

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Reposted by Lindsey Burbank
elizabethginexi.bsky.social @elizabethginexi.bsky.social · 29/05/2026
Calling all Scientists! Research Administrators! Deans! Fans of Science! No one is coming to save us. Here is your assignment. I have written a step by step, easy to understand "how-to" document to help you comment on the proposed OMB rule. elizabethginexi.substack.com/p/what-we-ne...
elizabethginexi.substack.com
What We Need to do NEXT: OMB’s Proposed Federal Financial Assistance Rule (OMB 2026-10817)
What OMB’s Proposed Federal Financial Assistance Rule Means in Practice
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Reposted by Lindsey Burbank
Jeffrey Ross-Ibarra @jrossibarra.bsky.social · 22/05/2026
USDA has been doing a version of this for months.
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Lindsey Burbank @lindseyburbank.bsky.social · 13/05/2026
We are hiring plant breeders at over 20 USDA research locations. These positions are a priority as we try to rebuild after losing significant numbers of scientists and staff over the past year. Many different locations and crops to choose from. www.usajobs.gov/job/868877900
usajobs.gov
Research Geneticist (Plants)
Many Research Geneticist (Plants) positions will be filled at different locations within the Agricultural Research Service. Research projects focus on plant improvements, which may include agronomic q...
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Sharon Lerner @fastlerner.bsky.social · 16/01/2026
NEW from @lisalsong.bsky.social and me: The Trump administration is now asking USDA workers to check the backgrounds of foreign nationals collaborating with the department’s scientists for evidence of “subversive or criminal activity.” www.propublica.org/article/trum...
propublica.org
Trump Administration Orders USDA Employees to Investigate Foreign Researchers They Work With
The new directive asks workers to check the backgrounds of foreign nationals collaborating with the department’s scientists for evidence of “subversive or criminal activity.” Their names are being sen...
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Dave Baltrus 🦦 @surtlab.bsky.social · 01/01/2026
I know many of you know Joe James (of Binning Singletons) Joe and his family had a terrible tragedy occur on Christmas. If you can give, this is a good family to help out gofund.me/5cbfe22fe
gofund.me
Donate to Honoring Sarah James Through Education, organized by Joe James
Honoring Sarah James & Supporting Her Children’s Future On Christmas, our com… Joe James needs your support for Honoring Sarah James Through Education
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Tiffany Lowe-Power stands with Minnesota @tlowepower.bsky.social · 11/12/2025
Please repost: Undergraduates (globally) can receive free membership in the professional scientific society for plant pathogens, the American Phytopathological Society (APS). This society provides excellent professional development. www.apsnet.org/members/comm...
apsnet.org
Borlaug’s Army: an undergraduate membership initiative of the American Phytopathology
Borlaug’s Army: an undergraduate membership initiative of APS....Welcome to Borlaug’s Army —a recruitment, engagement, and outreach initiative of the American Phytopathological Society.  Free membersh...
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C. Brandon Ogbunu @cbo.bsky.social · 04/12/2025
On scientific "style" for @undark.org: "[Style] is a positive feature of science that facilitates different routes to solving problems.....We can embrace differences in our approaches while still promoting rigor and clarity." undark.org/2025/12/04/o...
undark.org
Science Needs to Embrace the Idea of Style
How do individual scientists approach their work? These stylistic differences can influence the process of discovery.
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Dr. Michael D. L. Johnson @copperbae.bsky.social · 23/11/2025
A timely article asm.org/articles/202...
asm.org
Linguistic Bias and the Science Lost in Translation | ASM.org
Explore how linguistic bias subtly reinforces privilege in science by constraining scientific dissemination.
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Lindsey Burbank @lindseyburbank.bsky.social · 27/08/2025
If anyone wants some plant pathogens in fun colors let me know 🌈🧫 #Xylella #Pseudomonas #Pantoea Shoutout to @atinygreencell.bsky.social for inspiration and high quality source material www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
biorxiv.org
Chromoprotein-modified plant pathogenic bacteria: tools for experimental tracking and visualization
Microbiology research often requires tracking of specific bacterial strains within a host infection system or in the environment, as well as differentiation of strains in a co-infection or microbe-mic...
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Reposted by Lindsey Burbank
Dr. Michael D. L. Johnson @copperbae.bsky.social · 22/04/2025
NSURP is looking for mentors for this summer! We had over 200 applications for about 10 spots. Please sign up if you are interested in being a mentor this year or in the future as it is helpful to show interest. Please share this! uarizona.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_...
uarizona.co1.qualtrics.com
Online Survey Software | Qualtrics Survey Solutions
The most powerful, simple and trusted way to gather experience data. Start your journey to experience management and try a free account today.
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KneeDeep Times Magazine @kneedeeptimes.bsky.social · 19/03/2025
Plant tissue culture can help endangered species survive and adapt to climate change. Amateur plant biologist Jasmine Neal’s community lab could make this tech more accessible. 📷: Jasmine Neal buff.ly/8VZqZMb #plantscience #openscience
kneedeeptimes.org
Jasmine Neal Wants to Bring Plant Science to Everyone
Plant tissue culture can help endangered species adapt to climate change. Jasmine Neal’s community lab could make this tech more accessible.
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Reposted by Lindsey Burbank
Harmit Singh Malik @harmitmalik.bsky.social · 02/03/2025
The overwhelming sentiment of the past few weeks is that the US Government is no longer a good faith employer. In a global marketplace with competition from both private companies and state actors, this is going to prove much more costly to the US taxpayer than any savings, which they will never see
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Lindsey Burbank @lindseyburbank.bsky.social · 28/02/2025
I know funding is very uncertain right now, but if anyone at UC Merced wants to hire an excellent undergraduate with several years experience in microbiology/molecular biology let me know!
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Lindsey Burbank @lindseyburbank.bsky.social · 27/02/2025
The idea that government credit cards are a free for all of inappropriate spending is complete insanity for anyone who has dealt with the many layers of approval, documentation, and oversight that comes with a gov credit card. Nothing is easier to track than then credit card records…
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Reposted by Lindsey Burbank
Dr. Michael D. L. Johnson @copperbae.bsky.social · 24/02/2025
Although we are not federally funded for this summer, WE WILL STILL RUN The National Summer Undergraduate Research Project (NSURP) in 2025. We remain committed to the work that needs to be done and will continue to meet people where they are. 1/4 nsurp.org
nsurp.org
NSURP.org
National Summer Undergraduate Research Project
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Lindsey Burbank @lindseyburbank.bsky.social · 20/02/2025
www.ypradio.org/npr-news/202...
ypradio.org
A military vet and a scientist were securing America's food system. Trump fired them
More than 10,000 federal employees who had yet to complete their probationary periods have been fired by the Trump administration, including those who work to protect American agriculture.
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Lindsey Burbank @lindseyburbank.bsky.social · 18/02/2025
“Like all federal employees in the US, I took an oath to the Constitution, not to a president or political party” www.bmj.com/content/388/...
bmj.com
Anger, despair, and defiance from a voice within the US federal research system
People around the world are watching with disbelief as the new US government closes down its aid programme, withdraws from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Paris agreement on climate change...
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Reposted by Lindsey Burbank
David Shiffman, Ph.D. 🦈 @whysharksmatter.bsky.social · 16/02/2025
To probationary federal employees who have been terminated: Democracy Forward has filed a first-of-its-kind class-wide complaint with the Office of Special Counsel. If civil servants want to join in the complaint, you can email info@civilservicestrong.org
civilservicestrong.org
Civil Service Strong: Resources for Civil Servants
Effective. Impartial. Resilient. The civil service comprises dedicated, nonpartisan federal employees who work tirelessly across the country and around the world to ensure the effective delivery of go...
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Lindsey Burbank @lindseyburbank.bsky.social · 15/02/2025
Not wrong 🫣
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Reposted by Lindsey Burbank
Isako Di Tomassi @isakoditomassi.bsky.social · 14/02/2025
Many people from the #USDA were terminated yesterday/today. A place where agricultural research is done to support agricultural production. Scientists, research assistants, custodians. This is unacceptable. #PlantPathology #PlantScience #USDA-ARS #AttackOnScience
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Ben Zipperer @benzipperer.org · 14/02/2025
Federal employee terminations will cause widespread economic damage even beyond the hardships for specific employees How many federal workers live in your state or county or congressional district? I made an little interactive site to tell you economic.github.io/federal_work...
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Reposted by Lindsey Burbank
ASM @asm.org · 15/02/2025
ASM stands firm in its commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, as such efforts are critical to advancing the microbial sciences for everyone. Read our statement: asm.org/Press-Releas...
asm.org
ASM’s Commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
The American Society for Microbiology stands firm in its commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, as such efforts are critical to advancing the microbial sciences for everyone.
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Lindsey Burbank @lindseyburbank.bsky.social · 15/02/2025
AGU was clearly not paying attention to what happened with ASM if they think this will end well for them……
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Reposted by Lindsey Burbank
Allison Gill @muellershewrote.com · 14/02/2025
ATTN FEDERAL WORKERS: I’ll say this again: download all your SF-50s, performance evals, and your eOPF. Now. Print hard copies. And make sure you file an informal grievance with your supervisor within 15 days of any adverse action. Here is a template: www.muellershewrote.com/p/informal-g...
muellershewrote.com
Informal Grievance Template for Adverse Personnel Actions
There is a limited amount of time to oppose personnel actions. Time is short.
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Reposted by Lindsey Burbank
Jeffrey M @jeffreymphd.bsky.social · 14/02/2025
Mass firing a generation of new scientists is lazy, stupid, & counterproductive. I've been a fed. researcher. Sure, there's 'waste' in these systems. Some programs should be sunsetted. But figuring out what should go takes smart and energetic management. Not this. www.statnews.com/2025/02/14/f...
statnews.com
Trump administration to fire thousands at health agencies
The Trump administration is set to eliminate thousands of federal health care jobs Friday, targeting employees across agencies who were hired in the past one to two years.
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Lindsey Burbank @lindseyburbank.bsky.social · 14/02/2025
www.afge.org/publication/...
afge.org
AFGE President Everett Kelley Condemns Trump Administration's Mass Firing of Federal Employees
The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) is the largest federal employee union representing 800,000 federal and D.C. government workers nationwide and overseas.
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Reposted by Lindsey Burbank
Brad Johnson @climatebrad.hillheat.com · 14/02/2025
The #BloodyThursday attempted firings are illegal. No reporters should be describing them in any other way than "attempted." 🥄🥄🥄
Other than unsatisfactory performance or conduct (315.804) or pre-appointment conditions (315.805), no additional conditions, whether explicitly stated or implied, justify termination. Nowhere in these regulations does it state, nor even suggest, that an agency may discharge a probationary employee for “any reason.”

Appeal Rights for Probationary Employees

If you are terminated under 315.804 or 315.805, you have appeal rights under 5 CFR 315.806:

Partisan Political Reasons – You may appeal your termination to the MSPB if you allege it was based on partisan political reasons (315.806(b)). (HINT: It will be.)

Failure to Follow Procedure – If your termination was based on 315.805 (pre-appointment conditions) but the agency failed to follow the required procedures, you also have appeal rights under 315.806(c).

Discrimination – You may appeal if your termination was based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, or disability (315.806(d)).

If an agency attempts to justify your termination on politically motivated grounds, such as budget shifts, downsizing, presidential policy changes, or political retaliation, they are acting outside the authority granted by regulation. You have the right to appeal to the MSPB under 5 CFR 315.806. Reorganization and downsizing efforts are not “pre-appointment conditions,” so be prepared to challenge this aggressively.you do have rights!
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Lindsey Burbank @lindseyburbank.bsky.social · 14/02/2025
For those working in federal public service, today was dark. We serve in many capacities and for many reasons, but what we have in common is working every day for the public of the United States. And this is what we get.
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Reposted by Lindsey Burbank
Beronda L. Montgomery @berondam.bsky.social · 04/02/2025
There's a lot of organizations declaring "we're doing this based on legal advice about EOs" going around. As an administrator I always knew that advice is not a mandate. It takes a leader's directive to convert advice to action. Leaders need to be prepared to own that directive AND its consequences.
mandate.it
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Dave Baltrus 🦦 @surtlab.bsky.social · 03/02/2025
asm.org/press-releas...
asm.org
ASM Responds to Member Questions About Executive Orders
Our modified pages are back up or in the process of being restored. ASM has not retracted or altered any research articles, scientific papers or peer reviewed articles on our website.
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DEI Virologist @kyt-thatsme.bsky.social · 03/02/2025
Ok this is not ok. ASM actively sought out BMA and its members for Juneteenth and Black History month content for the last 4 years. Actively asked for black labor and then takes it down?! @asm.org this is unacceptable. You should be standing up for marginalized microbiologists not erasing them.
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Lindsey Burbank @lindseyburbank.bsky.social · 03/02/2025
Very disappointing…..I serve in many volunteer positions with ASM. One of the main reasons I cite often for supporting professional societies is the collective political power they can hold and use for good. If they are not going to use that power for good that changes the equation. @asm.org
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Ryan J Hollister @phaneritic.bsky.social · 01/02/2025
For all the non-central valley folks, here’s some geographic context to highlight the absurdity of Trump’s Flows to Nowhere. Highlighted Kaweah and Tule rivers illustrate just how far removed they are from LA, w/ no connection to CA aqueduct that lifts water 1900’ over Tehachapi mtns.
Map showing the Tulare Lake Basin in Central California, USA. Shaded relief data from USGS. Tule and Kaweah rivers highlighted in green.Google earth screenshot of central and Southern California with a line the is drawn from Tulare Lake to LA… a distance of 159 straight line miles.
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Dr. Michelle A. Rodrigues 🐒 @marspidermonkey.bsky.social · 01/02/2025
Writing is thinking. If you outsource that, your are shortcuts by the actual meaningful work of reading and reflecting and using your brain to synthesize. Anyone that thinks AI can shortcut this doesn’t understand that the process is the meaningful work.
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Jeremy Yoder says no war @jbyoder.org · 29/01/2025
Make them tell you, specifically, what you're not allowed to do. Don't make changes you guess that they want. Don't offer them a menu of things that you infer they might be telling you not to do. Do the work you proposed, and received funding to do, unless instructed otherwise in specific detail.
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Lindsey Burbank @lindseyburbank.bsky.social · 09/01/2025
Does anyone know of good studies on topic bias in scientific funding and literature? Bias towards pathogens in microbiology, crop plants in plant science etc. These biases clearly exist, but I would be interested to see some attempt to quantify how much.
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Lindsey Burbank @lindseyburbank.bsky.social · 09/12/2024
👇 who does all the work that needs to be done, and why?
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Lindsey Burbank @lindseyburbank.bsky.social · 28/11/2024
The skills and speed are crazy! Very important part of our food system. 🍽️
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Drug Monkey @drugmonkey.bsky.social · 15/11/2024
drugmonkey.scientopia.org/2021/11/02/p...
drugmonkey.scientopia.org
Peer review is merely advisory to the decision maker
How many times have you heard another academic scientist say “I rejected that manuscript…”. Or, “I accepted that manuscript….”? This is usually followed by some …
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Tara C. Smith @aetiology.bsky.social · 14/11/2024
#Microsky and specifically ASM members--looking for a volunteer opportunity? Abstract reviewers for ASM Microbe are responsible for looking at ~50 abstracts. If you're interested, sign up here by Nov 27. Abstract review takes place Jan 28-Feb 4, 2025. asm.org/Microbe2025-Abstract-Reviewer
asm.org
ASM Single Sign On
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Needhi Bhalla 💅🏽 @needhibhalla.bsky.social · 04/10/2024
I recently expressed a desire to shift the culture in academic research to one that values scientists as much as the science they produce. This article does a really good job of that in the context of scientific fraud 🧪: www.thetransmitter.org/science-and-...
thetransmitter.org
A scientific fraud. An investigation. A lab in recovery.
Science is built on trust. What happens when someone destroys it?
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Laura Williams @laurawilliams.bsky.social · 21/09/2024
NSURP T-shirts! Buy a shirt and support this awesome program! I had a great time mentoring an NSURP scholar over the summer. She is headed to ABRCMS this fall to present her research. Fundraisers like this support these young scientists. www.customink.com/fundraising/...
customink.com
Support National Summer Undergraduate Research Project Fundraiser 2024 for program costs
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Lindsey Burbank @lindseyburbank.bsky.social · 20/06/2024
#ASMicrobe 2025 in LA wants more #plant content!Proposals due Aug 1, send us your plant pathogen, microbial ecology, and microbiology education topics! As a program committee member I’m happy to answer questions about submissions. ://asm.org/Events/ASM-Microbe/Session-Proposals?_zs=eKArl&_zl=Vjsx2
asm.org
ASM Microbe | Session Proposals
ASM Microbe 2024 showcases the best microbial sciences in the world, and provides a one-of-a-kind forum to explore everything from basic microbiology to translation and application.
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Reposted by Lindsey Burbank
Julie Maresca @micromaresca.bsky.social · 19/06/2024
I heard that at #ASMicrobe this year, AES had the biggest crowds! Submit proposals for next year’s Applied & Environmental Sciences sessions here: asm.org/Events/ASM-M...
asm.org
ASM Microbe | Session Proposals
ASM Microbe 2024 showcases the best microbial sciences in the world, and provides a one-of-a-kind forum to explore everything from basic microbiology to translation and application.
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Vaughn Cooper @vscooper.micropopbio.org · 19/06/2024
Support @binningsingletons.com and get your own awesome 🔥 #swiftie #Microbe shirt! www.customink.com/fundraising/...
customink.com
Binning Singletons - The Microbe Era, Supporting Binning Singletons Inc
Binning Singletons helps first-time and solo attendees have a great meeting through community and mentorship. Large meetings can be difficult if you don’t know anyone or you’ve never been before. Help...
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Lindsey Burbank @lindseyburbank.bsky.social · 06/04/2024
Never thought I would see this weather in Fresno!🥶
Snow on the streets in CaliforniaSnow a patio and garden
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Lindsey Burbank @lindseyburbank.bsky.social · 13/03/2024
Microbiologists - what’s an explanation for why increasing DNA methylation would increase expression of lacZ/lacI in E. coli? Anyone studied this in depth?
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National Summer Undergraduate Research Project @nsurp.bsky.social · 13/02/2024
Applications for 2024 are now OPEN! Please share widely amongst your networks! Mentee (undergrad) app: etap.nsf.gov/award/407/op... Mentor (grad student/post doc/faculty) app: uarizona.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_...
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Lindsey Burbank @lindseyburbank.bsky.social · 14/12/2023
🧫❄️
Petri dishes wish bacteria in snowflake design hanging on the wall
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