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Melissa Herman

@melissaherman.bsky.social
3.2K followers 543 following 109 posts

Scientist, dog-lover, mom. Whiskey lover. Research on alcohol, nicotine, and psychedelics. Stubborn optimist, even now.

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Reposted by Melissa Herman
Julia Mitchell, PhD @juliamitchell.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
really very extremely excited (and proud!!) of my first postdoc paper officially out TODAY!! I’ve been investigating how simultaneous alcohol and nicotine exposure alter PL activity and anxiety-like behavior, and love the direction the work is taking us. www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
sciencedirect.com
Alcohol and nicotine vapor co-exposure differentially engages prelimbic prefrontal cortex activity and decreases anxiety-like behavior in rats
Alcohol and nicotine are two leading causes of preventable deaths in the United States. Simultaneous co-use of alcohol and nicotine is rising, as is t…
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Melissa Herman @melissaherman.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
Check out our latest work from shining star (and amazing physiologist) postdoc @juliamitchell.bsky.social investigating the effects of alcohol and nicotine polysubstance use on prelimbic cortex activity and behavior 🧠🍸🚭 www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
sciencedirect.com
Alcohol and nicotine vapor co-exposure differentially engages prelimbic prefrontal cortex activity and decreases anxiety-like behavior in rats
Alcohol and nicotine are two leading causes of preventable deaths in the United States. Simultaneous co-use of alcohol and nicotine is rising, as is t…
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Mark Peifer (He, him) @peiferlabunc.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
Please share--2 tenure track positions!
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David Yaden @existwell.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
New paper led by Dr. Praachi Tiwari, a former postdoc in Yaden Lab at @jhpsychedelics.bsky.social, now faculty at Div of Behavioral Bio (also w/ @cassiemoorephd.bsky.social, Brian Jenkins, me, @eliseweerts.bsky.social). How psilocybin affects a set of spontaneous behaviors in rats beyond HTR...
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Melissa Herman @melissaherman.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
Kicking off National Postdoc Appreciation week celebrating our very own @juliamitchell.bsky.social with a Diet Dr. Pepper toast in her honor 🧠
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Melissa Herman @melissaherman.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
Fridays in lab be like.... 🧠🧠🧠
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Melissa Herman @melissaherman.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
#twinning with BCAS grad student Sam at the BCAS retreat. Art direction and photo credit to BCAS colleague Laura Rupprecht 🧠🤓
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Neuropsychopharmacology @npp-journal.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
Mott et al. identify the lateral habenula as a neural correlate of competitive social behavior @melissaherman.bsky.social www.nature.com/articles/s41...
nature.com
Complex social dominance behavior using a novel platform test is associated with lateral habenula activation in male and female mice - Neuropsychopharmacology
Neuropsychopharmacology - Complex social dominance behavior using a novel platform test is associated with lateral habenula activation in male and female mice
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Neuropsychopharmacology @npp-journal.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
Fall is here, and there's no better way to celebrate than with this week's edition of #ThisWeekInNPP! 🍁
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Zoe McElligott @nanopharmnc.bsky.social · 05/09/2026
What is that you say!? You're dreaming of frosty slopes when the weather in Durham, NC (or insert your location here) is currently 89F at 7:16pm (which is better than last night!)....well my friends....spend this #LaborDayWeekend putting together a panel for #WCBR2027 !
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Melissa Herman @melissaherman.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
So excited to share our latest lab pub led by superstar grad student Sarah Mott. Interested in social competition/dominance? Check out this new work that explores hierarchy in BOTH females and males with bonus sharing/cooperation and featuring the Lateral Habenula🧠 www.nature.com/articles/s41...
nature.com
Complex social dominance behavior using a novel platform test is associated with lateral habenula activation in male and female mice - Neuropsychopharmacology
Neuropsychopharmacology - Complex social dominance behavior using a novel platform test is associated with lateral habenula activation in male and female mice
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Melissa Herman @melissaherman.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
Outstanding start to our @bcas-outreach.bsky.social seminar series with talks from superstar postdocs @cmodrak.bsky.social and @juliamitchell.bsky.social
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Fred Barrett @fredbarrettphd.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
Excited to share our new paper in Psychopharmacology: A pilot study comparing high-dose oral Δ9-THC, psilocybin, and placebo under the same set and setting used in psychedelic clinical trials. @jhpsychedelics.bsky.social 🧵 link.springer.com/article/10.1... 1/n
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Alex Kwan @alexkwan.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
Two large-scale electrophysiologyical studies of psilocybin's effects in mice, from @alleninstitute.org @torbenott.bsky.social and others. Should be a treasure trove of data for those interested in perceptual effects of #psychedelics www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6... www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...
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Melissa Herman @melissaherman.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
Impossible. She is immortal 💔
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Melissa Herman @melissaherman.bsky.social · 26/07/2026
I was interviewed for a podcast. Check it out to hear me chat about science, mentorship, and challenges past and present: You can listen to the episode here: spotifycreators-web.app.link/e/vP9S1vT3l4b
spotifycreators-web.app.link
Advancing Neuroscience Through Research and Mentorship with Dr. Melissa Herman by Her Path to Success
In this episode of Her Path to Success, I sit down with Dr. Melissa Herman, a neuroscientist dedicated to advancing our understanding of the brain while mentoring the next generation of researchers. W...
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Melissa Herman @melissaherman.bsky.social · 25/07/2026
Bring your kid to work 🧠
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Matt Hill @cannabrain.bsky.social · 23/07/2026
Interesting article in @washingtonpost.com today on cannabis and sleep that I was interviewed for along with friends and colleagues Nicole Bowles and Ryan Vandrey. www.washingtonpost.com/health/2026/...
washingtonpost.com
The new science of cannabis and sleep
Research suggests cannabis suppresses REM sleep, raising questions about memory, emotion and the purpose of dreams.
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Neuropsychopharmacology @npp-journal.bsky.social · 23/07/2026
Hot off the press [release] 🔥 This recently published @npp-journal.bsky.social paper explored the impact of synthetic cooling agents on nicotine reinforcement and mesolimbic dopamine signaling www.nature.com/articles/s41...
nature.com
Synthetic cooling agents enhance nicotine reinforcement and mesolimbic dopamine signaling - Neuropsychopharmacology
Neuropsychopharmacology - Synthetic cooling agents enhance nicotine reinforcement and mesolimbic dopamine signaling
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Melissa Herman @melissaherman.bsky.social · 07/07/2026
Fun time celebrating Herman and Rupprecht lab student Ericka's bday with wisdom and sugar 🧁🧁🧁🧁
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Dr. Stephanie @punkrockscience.bsky.social · 23/06/2026
Dying. DYING.
inpreparation.substack.com
Opinion: I Was Not Allowed To Type Prompts Into ChatGPT During My Chalk Talk And This Is Discrimination
By Dr. Rachel Simmons, Postdoctoral Fellow, Stanford University
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Melissa Herman @melissaherman.bsky.social · 21/06/2026
Hey #RSA2026 come check out @juliamitchell.bsky.social 's poster tonight to see cool data on the effects of alcohol and nicotine 🧠🍸🚭
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Mark Peifer (He, him) @peiferlabunc.bsky.social · 02/05/2026
Thousands of NC teachers from around the state and their allies marched in Raleigh to demand that the NC Republican leaders stop blocking a budget with increased teacher salaries. Invest in education and invest in our future. www.newsobserver.com/news/politic...
newsobserver.com
Thousands from across NC join teachers protest in Raleigh. Catch up on Friday’s rally
NCAE said thousands of educators and public education supporters joined Friday’s “Kids Over Corporations” march in Raleigh.
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Zoe McElligott @nanopharmnc.bsky.social · 01/05/2026
I am looking for a new reserach technician. This is an entry level position ideal for a graudating senior. Please re-post and send candidates my way! zoemce@email.unc.edu
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Melissa Herman @melissaherman.bsky.social · 01/05/2026
So fun to be part of such a rockstar panel with @rcbagot.bsky.social @mayoonthebrain.bsky.social and Friede Holze. If you look carefully you can see @deffinger.bsky.social 👀 whose beautiful work is now in press at Nature Communications 🧠
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The Onion @theonion.com · 29/04/2026
Supreme Court Overturns ‘Right v. Wrong’ theonion.com/supreme-court-overturn…
Supreme Court Overturns ‘Right v. Wrong’
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Melissa Herman @melissaherman.bsky.social · 12/04/2026
So excited to see this out! More evidence of sex-specific effects of psychedelics 🧠🧠🧠
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Melissa Herman @melissaherman.bsky.social · 10/04/2026
The lab decided to do some cloning for my birthday 🤣🤣🤣 Getting older can be rough, but getting to do it surrounded by such fun, kind, and hilarious people makes it all worth it
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Melissa Herman @melissaherman.bsky.social · 27/03/2026
Fun lab hang to celebrate an outstanding senior honor's thesis defense by superstar undergrad Arushi🧠
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Vinny Costa @vincentcostaphd.bsky.social · 27/03/2026
I’m just frustrated with how cog neuro loves to move fast and break things while standing on the shoulders of preclinical animal work, while in parallel also saying look we don’t need preclinical animal work anymore because in cog neuro we can move fast and break things.
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EARA @eara.eu · 26/03/2026
In a @fens.org article, based on an interview with @tvvde.bsky.social, neuroscientists Michelle Monje and Frank Winkler, the 2025 Brain Prize winners, made clear that animal research remains essential to their work. 🔗 www.eara.eu/news/brain-p... #AnimalResearch #Brain #BrainPrize #neuroscience #mice
eara.eu
EARA | News - Brain Prize winners assert animal research as irreplaceable
2025 Brain Prize winners, Michelle Monje of Stanford Medicine and Frank Winkler of Heidelberg University Hospital, made clear that animal research remains essential to their work.  In an FENS…
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Mariko Bennett @nachoriko.bsky.social · 24/03/2026
I defended my PhD 10 years ago today. That was the least remarkable thing that happened that day. Sharing something I wrote about it last year. Since then "the horrors persist but so do we." And with dignity.
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Melissa Herman @melissaherman.bsky.social · 24/03/2026
Amazing visit to @uthsc.bsky.social packed full of great people, great science, and some really inspiring conversations. Thanks so much to @mhpatton.bsky.social for the invite!! So happy you have such an excellent home for your lab and excited to see what comes next🧠🧠🧠
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Research Society on Alcohol @rsaofficial.bsky.social · 12/03/2026
In celebration of Women’s History Month, RSA proudly recognizes the leadership and contributions of Rajita Sinha, PhD, who served as RSA President from 2024–2025. We are proud to celebrate her impact and contributions to the field and to RSA. #WomensHistoryMonth #RSACommunity #RSA
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Jeremy Day @daylab.bsky.social · 03/03/2026
UAB is recruiting neuroscience faculty at two different levels - come join our vibrant neuroscience community!
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Melissa Herman @melissaherman.bsky.social · 03/03/2026
Amazing visit to UCLA to share some new and evolving science. So great to get to catch up and chat with old f ie ds and new ones. Thank you @massalyniko.bsky.social and Catherine cahill for the kind invitation and excellent hosting!
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Tom Kash @superkash.bsky.social · 13/02/2026
Nice article on how alcohol impacts your body. I spoke to author about alcohol and brain. www.nytimes.com/2026/02/12/w...
nytimes.com
What Alcohol Does to the Body
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Princess Vimentin PhD | Cancer Biologist @princess-vimentin.bsky.social · 03/01/2026
A history of how the #NIH came to be. The purpose of the NIH is to support science innovation. Government support of science grows the economy, brings power and prosperity to the country. This was part of the budget increase after WWI. It became our backbone. 🧪 theconversation.com/how-the-nih-...
theconversation.com
How the NIH became the backbone of American medical research and a major driver of innovation and economic growth
The agency’s budget has grown steadily since the 1960s, fueling an industry that creates lifesaving medicines and attracts billions of dollars in investment.
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Lizzie Manning @drlizziemanning.bsky.social · 04/02/2026
I was just watching this online last night (I was registered online) and it was such a good session. Anyone who hasn't watched it yet and had access to the recordings should make sure they watch it while they still have access (before Feb 16 ) Thanks to the speakers for sharing their experiences
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Saeed Jones @theferocity.bsky.social · 05/02/2026
They brought “The Muppets Show” back and it’s a certified HOOT. Sabrina Carpenter is a great first guest.
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Melissa Herman @melissaherman.bsky.social · 05/02/2026
So grateful that have heard these impactful researchers offer their perspectives at #ACNP2026 . These are some of the unique voices that NIH should be supporting
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Sofiya Hupalo @sofiyahupalo.bsky.social · 05/02/2026
Diversity supplements weren’t just for folks from underrepresented racial/ethnic backgrounds. Eligibility extended to first gen college students and researchers with disabilities, among others Cancelling these supplements limits opportunities for the next generation of scientists, as explained here
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Johns Hopkins Psychedelic Research Center @jhpsychedelics.bsky.social · 30/01/2026
Ongoing debate about psychological support versus psychotherapy in psychedelic trials often stems from vague definitions. Clarifying these constructs is essential for rigorous study of safety and efficacy.
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Melissa Herman @melissaherman.bsky.social · 31/01/2026
If you haven't seen the judge's order grants by the release of the 5 yr old and his father that were detained in Minnesota it is WELL worth the read ... It's only 3 pages (linked and screenshots below) STOP 🧊🧊🧊🧊 storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
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Melissa Herman @melissaherman.bsky.social · 31/01/2026
Sadie Blue hopes all our NC neighbors stay warm ❄️🥶
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Jonathan W. Gray @elmcitytree.blacksky.app · 27/01/2026
BARS!!
The secret fear of the morally depraved is that virtue is actually common, and that they're the ones who are alone. In Minnesota, all of the ideological cornerstones of MAGA have been proved false at once. Minnesotans, not the armed thugs of ICE and the Border Patrol, are brave. Minnesotans have shown that their community is socially cohesive-because of its diversity and not in spite of it.
Minnesotans have found and loved one another in a world atomized by social media, where empty men have tried to fill their lonely soul with lies about their own inherent superiority. Minnesotans have preserved everything worthwhile about
"Western civilization," while armed brutes try to tear it down by force.
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Dr. Becca @docbecca.bsky.social · 20/01/2026
Just spoke to The Hill about how the dismantling of the NIH is impacting science in America. We still face a cliff of unfathomable heights, w easily 1000+ labs poised to close in the next year due to funding ending. A generation of young scientists lost because there is nowhere for them to train.
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