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Michelle Brann

@michellebrann.bsky.social
195 followers 220 following 31 posts

Astrochemistry, Postdoctoral Fellow at the Harvard & Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics | University of Chicago Chemistry PhD | Wellesley College Alumna she/her MichelleBrann.com

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Reposted by Michelle Brann
AAS Committee on the Status of Minorities in Astronomy @aascsma.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
We have a new minigrants program for early-career astronomers for professional expenses (e.g., travel, grad app fees) that can't be covered through other funds. The deadline is Oct 9! The app asks professional goals, description of financial need, & an itemized list of expenses. Please share! 🔭
AAS CSMA Minigrants Program. The Committee on the Status of Minorities in Astronomy is happy to announce the 2026 minigrants program. Open to all early career stage (undergrad, grad, postbac) astronomers for any professional-related expenses. Individual grants from $400 to $1000. Apply now! Due October 9 (or until funds are all expended). QR code links to https://aas.secure-platform.com/a/solicitations/228/home
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Michelle Brann @michellebrann.bsky.social · 30/06/2026
I attended the annual RCSA Fellows Conference in Tucson, AZ, a bittersweet end to my 3 years in the program. Thanks to @eileenms.bsky.social for her leadership, and to my fellow 2024 RCSA Fellows for the encouragement, with support from @rescorp.org . Can't wait to see where our paths cross next!
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Michelle Brann @michellebrann.bsky.social · 29/05/2026
Awesome to see this published after years of hard work. Proud twin moment! 🤩🥳 www.cell.com/cell/fulltex...
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Michelle Brann @michellebrann.bsky.social · 13/04/2026
I’m thrilled to share that I’ll be joining Bryn Mawr College as a tenure-track Assistant Professor of Chemistry in January 2027! I’m excited to teach Bryn Mawr students, build the Brann Astrochemistry Group, and continue mentoring and empowering women and gender-diverse students in STEM. 🚀🌟
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Michelle Brann @michellebrann.bsky.social · 08/04/2026
Congratulations to the 2026 Fellows! 🥳 RCSA’s support was truly invaluable during my time on the job market, and I’m excited to meet everyone in Tucson this June and welcome a new cohort into this community. #RCSAFellows
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Reposted by Michelle Brann
Astrochem Coffee @astrochemcoffee.bsky.social · 06/04/2026
CO and N2 Produced from H2O, CO2, and NH3 Cometary Ice Analogs McKinnon et al. arXiv (ApJ) arxiv.org/abs/2604.03207
arxiv.org
CO and N2 Produced from H2O, CO2, and NH3 Cometary Ice Analogs
Hypervolatile species such as carbon monoxide (CO) and molecular nitrogen (N2) have been detected in comets, and could be used to constrain comet formation temperature conditions if their presence is…
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Reposted by Michelle Brann
Minas Karamanis @minaskar.bsky.social · 30/03/2026
Hey, I wrote a thing about AI in astrophysics ergosphere.blog/posts/the-ma...
ergosphere.blog
The machines are fine. I'm worried about us.
On AI agents, grunt work, and the part of science that isn't replaceable.
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Michelle Brann @michellebrann.bsky.social · 28/03/2026
Successful #ACSSpring2026! I had my first meeting as a member of the Committee on Economic and Professional Affairs (CEPA), received my plaque for the 2025 ACS Astrochemistry Subdivision Outstanding Dissertation Award, and enjoyed catching up with friends and colleagues!
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Reposted by Michelle Brann
American Astronomical Society (AAS) @aas.org · 25/03/2026
The AAS Laboratory Astrophysics Division (LAD) is honoring Julia Santos for her PhD thesis at Leiden University, "Transformation and sublimation of interstellar ices: insights from laboratory experiments and astronomical observations." 🔭 aas.org/posts/news/2...
Portrait of Julia Santos, smiling in a lab setting, wearing glasses and a gray sweater, with scientific equipment in the background.
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Ilsa Cooke @ilsastellar.bsky.social · 13/02/2026
Really honoured to be a part of this cohort!! This is such a unique award that helps early career faculty enhance their research programs but innovate in teaching and learning!
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AAS Press Office @press.aas.org · 23/12/2025
NASA: Hubble Reveals Largest Found Chaotic Birthplace of Planets science.nasa.gov/missions/hub...
science.nasa.gov
NASA's Hubble Reveals Largest Found Chaotic Birthplace of Planets - NASA Science
Astronomers using Hubble imaged the largest protoplanetary disk ever observed circling a young star. The disk is nicknamed “Dracula’s Chivito.”
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Reposted by Michelle Brann
Peter Carlton @petercarlton.bsky.social · 01/12/2025
Are you an early-career scientist ready to take the next steps in your leadership journey? The 2026 #CASFutureLeaders program is now accepting applications! Learn more and apply by Sunday, January 25, 2026. www.cas.org/about/future...
CAS Future Leaders, Learn, Engage, Connect on a blue background with the CAS logo
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Michelle Brann @michellebrann.bsky.social · 05/12/2025
Happy to share that I’ve been appointed as a member of the American Chemical Society Committee on Economic and Professional Affairs for the next three years! Looking forward to continuing my volunteer work to support ACS members in their career journeys. @acs.org
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Michelle Brann @michellebrann.bsky.social · 22/09/2025
My first paper with the Öberg astrochemistry group! In laboratory ice experiments, we find that oxygen atoms react with methyl cyanide to form methyl isocyanate. This work sheds light on chemical evolution in space & the origins of life’s building blocks. doi.org/10.3847/1538...
doi.org
Methyl Isocyanate Formation from Oxygen Insertion in Methyl Cyanide Ices - IOPscience
Methyl Isocyanate Formation from Oxygen Insertion in Methyl Cyanide Ices, Brann, Michelle R., Rajappan, Mahesh, Öberg, Karin I.
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Reposted by Michelle Brann
Krystal Vasquez @kvasquez.bsky.social · 15/09/2025
"When we design tools that welcome different ways of sensing and thinking, we open new reaction pathways for discovery. Inclusive design doesn’t just widen participation; it expands the very structure-function relationship of science itself." cen.acs.org/careers/dive...
cen.acs.org
The tools we build become the questions we ask
Why inclusive design is good for more than access—it expands the boundaries of discovery
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Reposted by Michelle Brann
ACS Division of Professional Relations @acsprof.bsky.social · 13/09/2025
Are you an early career chemical scientist ready to kickstart or hone your leadership skills? Apply to PROF's Leadership Development Award! held in Altanta GA, January 31 - February 2, 2026 - Learn more and apply at tinyurl.com/ACS-PROF-LDI. Questions can be directed to awards@acsprof.org.
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Michelle Brann @michellebrann.bsky.social · 09/09/2025
Huge thank you to @rescorp.org and @jenheemstra.bsky.social for the signed copy of Labwork to Leadership! Perfect timing as I head into the chemistry faculty job market this year. 👀 #chemsky
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C&EN (Chemical & Engineering News) @cenmag.bsky.social · 19/08/2025
The American Chemical Society announced that the ACS Board of Directors has approved $2.5 million to be granted to graduate students who have been impacted by the termination or cancellation of their adviser’s research grant(s) cen.acs.org/acs-news/acs... #chemsky
cen.acs.org
ACS announces millions in funding for students affected by terminated grants
The grants will help students within 1 year of completion of their degree
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Michelle Brann @michellebrann.bsky.social · 18/08/2025
For those at #ACSFall2025, stop by the Committee Row at Sci-Mix tonight from 8-10 PM to learn more about how the ACS Economic and Professional Affairs Committee (CEPA) oversees initiatives that improve members’ economic opportunity and professional growth www.acs.org/about/govern...
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Reposted by Michelle Brann
Dr. Suchitra Narayanan @suchitra.bsky.social · 14/08/2025
My advisor, Karin Öberg, says you’re ready to graduate once you start dressing like your advisor. It’s therefore fitting that yesterday we matched (unplanned) during my dissertation talk :) Excited to share I defended my PhD & will be going to @mpe-garching.bsky.social to work with Paola Caselli!
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Michelle Brann @michellebrann.bsky.social · 25/07/2025
At #LINO25 I shared my research, got thoughtful advice from Nobel Laureates, and joined Frances Arnold for a science walk. I’m feeling inspired, energized, and excited to stay connected with this international community. Thank you @tamu.bsky.social and @nationalacademies.org for sponsoring!
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Research Corporation for Science Advancement @rescorp.org · 24/07/2025
Attention, #CottrellScholar, #Scialog & #RCSAFellows communities! RCSA is now accepting nominations for the 2026 class of RCSA Fellows, as well as applications to volunteer as host institution for their mock interviews. Details here: bit.ly/4m9iKus
bit.ly
RCSA Fellows
The RCSA Fellows initiative is building building an engaged community of faculty who bring a variety of perspectives, experiences, and backgrounds to teaching and research in the physical scie…
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uchichemistry.bsky.social @uchichemistry.bsky.social · 30/06/2025
Huge congratulations to graduate student Joshua Wagner who has won this year's Hoffman Award from the American Vacuum Society (AVS) for his groundbreaking research on 2D moiré materials and nitrogen reactions on ruthenium. chemistry.uchicago.edu/news/joshua-...
chemistry.uchicago.edu
Joshua Wagner Honored with Prestigious Dorothy M. and Earl S. Hoffman Award
Graduate Researcher Recognized for Innovative Work in 2D Materials and Catalysis
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Reposted by Michelle Brann
Mala Radhakrishnan @atomicromances.bsky.social · 24/06/2025
Want to teach chemistry at @wellesley.edu ? Apply for our visitor position. Join our community as you contribute to our orgo and/or intro curriculum: wd1.myworkdaysite.com/recruiting/w...
wd1.myworkdaysite.com
Visiting Lecturer in Chemistry
Please review the details for the position before applying. Ensure that you have the required documents ready to upload in either PDF (.pdf) or Word document (.doc) format. On the second page, enter y...
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Michelle Brann @michellebrann.bsky.social · 08/06/2025
Grateful to have taken part in the 2nd Annual #RCSAFellows Conference as a 2024 Fellow. Thank you to all the fantastic speakers, mentors, and other fellows for your insights and support!
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Michelle Brann @michellebrann.bsky.social · 29/05/2025
Honored to receive the 2025 American Chemical Society Astrochemistry Outstanding Dissertation Award! 🌌 @uchichemistry.bsky.social astro.phys-acs.org/news.html#20...
astro.phys-acs.org
The Astrochemistry Subdivision of the American Chemical Society
Astrochemistry news, student opportunities, national meeting symposia, and officers related to the ACS Astrochemistry Subdivision are all found here.
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Michelle Brann @michellebrann.bsky.social · 27/04/2025
Just came back from the Lindau Spring Meeting at @tamu.bsky.social and am excited for the Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting in July! Thank you to @nationalacademies.org for the nomination ☺️ #LINO25
Invite email with details about the meeting and a photo of scientists
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Michelle Brann @michellebrann.bsky.social · 11/04/2025
Huge congratulations and looking forward to meeting the new #RCSAFellows at the RCSA conference in June! 🥳
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Reposted by Michelle Brann
Michael Busch @michael-w-busch.bsky.social · 03/04/2025
Today on the #arXiv: Narayanan et al. 2025, "Thermal Desorption Kinetics, Binding Energies, and Entrapment of Methyl Mercaptan Ices" - arxiv.org/abs/2504.01102 If you were wondering what a protoplanetary disc might be said to smell like.
arxiv.org
Thermal Desorption Kinetics, Binding Energies, and Entrapment of Methyl Mercaptan Ices
Organosulfur species are potential major carriers of sulfur in the interstellar medium, as well as interesting ingredients in prebiotic chemistry. The most fundamental question regarding these species...
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Peter Carlton @petercarlton.bsky.social · 28/03/2025
A few photos from my week at #ACSSpring2025. Reconnecting with members of our #CASFutureLeaders community is always so inspiring. Thanks to all who tracked me down (and made me laugh) in San Diego!
Selfie of Peter, Diego, Danielle, and Inès standing in the ACS booth. Peter, Sejun, and Dmitry standing in front of a wall of bottles at a restaurant. Safia and Juliana hugging Peter. Group of early-career scientists posing in front of a wall of bottles.
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Michelle Brann @michellebrann.bsky.social · 21/03/2025
En route to San Diego for #ACSSpring2025. I’m looking forward to attending my first Committee on Economic and Professional Affairs (CEPA) meeting tomorrow. I’m also giving a presentation in the Astrochemistry Symposium in honor of Eric Herbst on Tuesday at 11 AM ☺️
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Reposted by Michelle Brann
Safia | صفية @finetraces786.bsky.social · 03/03/2025
Dear #Chemsky, My team is conducting a research study on invisible work in chemistry academia and how it impacts scientific and professional advancement. I want to invite you to check out our team's study: umn.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_... Please feel free to RT! #InvisibleWorkSTEM #AcademicSky
A flyer for a research study:

Research study on invisible work in chemistry academia

Seeking participants for a research study about invisible work done in U.S. chemistry academia and how that impacts scientific and career advancement. Invisible work is essential to the progress of science but may not be professionally recognized or valued.

Participants will fill out an anonymous survey that takes 15-20 minutes to complete. At the end of the study, participants can enter a raffle for a $50 gift card.

Eligibility:
-current graduate student, postdoc, staff, or faculty in chemistry academia in the US
-recent graduate, postdoc, or departed a PhD program within 5 years in the US
-18+ years old

Interested in participating:
Please check out the QR code
https://umn.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_eyNjWAWlQMilJwa

Questions:
Contact Dr. Safia Jilani at sjilani@umn.edu and/or Dr. Miriam Krause at mkrause@umn.edu
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Michelle Brann @michellebrann.bsky.social · 10/01/2025
One highlight of 2023! Thanks for capturing @miquai.bsky.social 🙃
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Olivia Harper Wilkins, PhD @livwithoutlimit.bsky.social · 12/12/2024
Probably the saddest #MeetTheYCC I've posted. @michellebrann.bsky.social is about to rotate off @yccacs.bsky.social 💔 Thank you, Michelle, for all you've done for YCC!! We will miss you at YCC but look forward to seeing what you do next within @amerchemsociety.bsky.social!
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Michelle Brann @michellebrann.bsky.social · 03/12/2024
If anyone has questions about the application, don't hesitate to reach out! I can endorse the program even though I got Covid and ended up missing #ACSFall2024 and instead had a lengthier stay in Columbus, Ohio 🙃 #CASFutureLeaders
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Sara Cottle @saralea.bsky.social · 26/11/2024
🔷 3 current YCC members share their experiences in getting involved, what supporting younger chemists might look like in the next 50 years, and great nuggets of advice and insight to younger chemists who might be deciding what they want to do with their careers; cen.acs.org/acs-news/You...
cen.acs.org
Younger Chemists Committee celebrates 50 years: Member perspectives
The committee helps younger chemists navigate an ever-evolving workforce and advocates for their interests within the American Chemical Society
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Peter Carlton @petercarlton.bsky.social · 21/11/2024
Thanks to @monicaohnsorg.bsky.social for helping me spin up this #CASFutureLeaders Starter Pack! go.bsky.app/7Vep1QD
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Michelle Brann @michellebrann.bsky.social · 19/11/2024
It was fun to see the new science building and meet with some of my college professors at @wellesleycollege.bsky.social yesterday! Can't believe it will be my ten year reunion next year. #chemsky
A Wellesley lamppost in front a brick and stone building (new Pendleton addition)A flyer with an image of a woman and a graphic describing the experimental steps
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