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Sonya Neal

@neal-lab.bsky.social
4.9K followers 1.1K following 123 posts

Associate Professor @UCSD| HHMI Freeman Hrabowski Scholar| Research on rhomboid proteins| Proud mom| Proud PI of a very demure & mindful lab|co-founder of BUMMP |1st Gen & Black in STEM

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Reposted by Sonya Neal
Journal of Cell Biology @jcb.org · 18/09/2026
Rhomboid protease Rhbdl2 influences #macrophage recruitment and wound repair in #zebrafish. New study from Saroj Gourkanti, Sonya E. Neal @neal-lab.bsky.social @ucsdhealthsci.bsky.social and colleagues: rupress.org/jcb/article/... #Migration #motility #Immunology
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Sonya Neal @neal-lab.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
So exciting to see our work featured by @jcb.org ! 🎉 This study brings together proteomics, zebrafish & rhomboid biology. New in the final paper: Dr. Kvido Strisovsky Rhbdl2 inhibitor beautifully phenocopied the R2 KO. So proud of Saroj and grateful to co-authors and collaborators! 💕
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Reposted by Sonya Neal
Journal of Cell Biology @jcb.org · 11/09/2026
Gourkanti et al. @neal-lab.bsky.social show that the rhomboid protease Rhbdl2 restrains #macrophage recruitment & wound repair in #zebrafish, positioning Rhbdl2 as a potential brake on macrophage-driven repair rupress.org/jcb/article/... #Migration #motility #Immunology
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Sonya Neal @neal-lab.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
The Neal lab is hiring a postdoctoral fellow to lead exciting structural and biophysical studies of membrane protein quality control! Competitive HHMI-scale salary + cutting-edge science + a genuinely wonderful and supportive lab culture. Please share widely with anyone who might be interested!
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Sonya Neal @neal-lab.bsky.social · 05/09/2026
Another wonderful opportunity where UCSD School of Biological Sciences is hiring! We’re looking for an outstanding colleague to join our vibrant scientific community. Come do exciting science with us in beautiful San Diego! apol-recruit.ucsd.edu/JPF04607 Please share widely!
apol-recruit.ucsd.edu
Assistant, Associate, or Full Professor of Transformational Biological Technologies
University of California, San Diego is hiring. Apply now!
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Sonya Neal @neal-lab.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
Come be my colleague!! 🎉 We’re hiring an Assistant Professor in Developmental Biology at UCSD! If you’re doing exciting work in development or regeneration, come join us!! Please spread the word and apply! apol-recruit.ucsd.edu/JPF04591
apol-recruit.ucsd.edu
Assistant Professor of Developmental Biology
University of California, San Diego is hiring. Apply now!
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Reposted by Sonya Neal
Dr. Raven the Science Maven @ravenscimaven.bsky.social · 23/07/2026
Both of my mentees got into their dream PhD programs. Both in biology, one at Stanford and the other at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Being a mentor is so rewarding. People look up to you and trust you to take all of your experience and wisdom and pour into them. Then you watch them soar!
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Sonya Neal @neal-lab.bsky.social · 16/07/2026
Loved welcoming Miramar Community College students to the Neal Lab for a research overview, lab Q&A, and tour! Educational outreach is at the heart of what we do, and it’s always inspiring to share science with the next generation of researchers. 🧬🔬 #
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Sonya Neal @neal-lab.bsky.social · 02/07/2026
New review out in Chem Rev: "Navigating Misfolded Terrain: ER-Associated Degradation of Membrane Proteins." We loved pulling together the whole story of ERAD, from the discovery of ubiquitin to today's cryo-EM structures of ERAD machineries. (1/3) doi.org/10.1021/acs....
pubs.acs.org
Navigating Misfolded Terrain: ER-Associated Degradation of Membrane Proteins
Integral membrane proteins face unique folding challenges in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) due to their hydrophobic transmembrane domains and complex topologies. Membrane protein misfolding disrupts ...
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Sonya Neal @neal-lab.bsky.social · 12/05/2026
To my colleagues at UC San Diego, the BUMMP Annual Symposium is happening today, May 12, at Price Center! Please stop by and check out the incredible research our mentees have been working on over the past year 💕💕 @bummpatucsd.bsky.social @ucsandiego.bsky.social
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Sonya Neal @neal-lab.bsky.social · 01/04/2026
Double announcement I'm excited to share🩷 So proud to share a new paper led by my incredible graduate student @dagarwal.bsky.social. We highlight the real experiences of mothers in academia and the structural & cultural changes needed to retain them. febs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...
febs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com
FEBS Press
In this qualitative study, we interviewed nine mothers across various levels of life sciences academia to understand their challenges in balancing academia with motherhood: dependence on supervisors,....
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Reposted by Sonya Neal
Zebrafish Rock! @zebrafishrock.bsky.social · 11/03/2026
Woohoo! Congrats, Dr. Gourkanti 🎉 #PhDone
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Sonya Neal @neal-lab.bsky.social · 11/03/2026
What a glorious day🎉 🎉🎉 Inaugural PhD from the Fish team in the Neal lab! Congratulations to Dr. Saroj Gourkanti on a successful PhD defense. These are the moments that make this job worthwhile💕💕💕
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Sonya Neal @neal-lab.bsky.social · 04/03/2026
Another preprint is out from the Neal Lab! 🎉 Excited to share the first systematic side-by-side comparison of ERAD Derlin paralogs, revealing distinct cellular functions for Derlin-1, Derlin-2, and Derlin-3. www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...
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Sonya Neal @neal-lab.bsky.social · 17/02/2026
We deleted a rhomboid protease… and regeneration went into overdrive. New preprint from the Neal Lab! Rhbdl2 restrains macrophage-driven regeneration in zebrafish. 🐟🔥 #Regeneration #InnateImmunity www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...
biorxiv.org
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Reposted by Sonya Neal
Zebrafish Rock! @zebrafishrock.bsky.social · 16/02/2026
“[We] found that [rhbdl2] does not affect normal development, but triggers enhanced regenerative growth following injury, accompanied by increased macrophage accumulation at the wound site, which is accompanied by increased early apoptosis and proliferation.” New work from @neal-lab.bsky.social 🐟
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Reposted by Sonya Neal
Chrystal Starbird @drstarbird.bsky.social · 05/02/2026
I am SO incredibly excited to announce the launch of a global list of Inspiring Black Scientists. You can use this list to nominate and connect with researchers. Please share and join us in highlighting these outstanding scientists for #BlackHistoryMonth and beyond! www.wiley.com/en-us/resear...
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Sonya Neal @neal-lab.bsky.social · 13/12/2025
Happy Holidays from @neal-lab.bsky.social and @bummpatucsd.bsky.social friends!
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Sonya Neal @neal-lab.bsky.social · 04/12/2025
What an incredible moment celebrating UC LEADS’ 25th anniversary! This program opened doors for me and so many others pursuing academic careers. Hearing alumni share how transformative it has been is living proof that access, mentorship, and opportunity work. This is impact.
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Sonya Neal @neal-lab.bsky.social · 24/11/2025
The #ABRCMS2025 conference was my first scientific meeting as an undergrad, and it was the experience that propelled me into science. Being back this week, surrounded by brilliant, aspiring young scientists, has been incredible. #seeingisbelieving
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Reposted by Sonya Neal
Molly Schumer @mollyschumer.bsky.social · 01/11/2025
Does anyone have examples of F32 supporting documents in the new format (starting August of this year) they'd be willing to share? We're specifically looking for goals, preparedness, training activities and timeline for an F32 resubmission for the December deadline. Any help very much appreciated! 🙏
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Sonya Neal @neal-lab.bsky.social · 27/10/2025
Amazing turn out for @bummpatucsd.bsky.social Welcome Lunch♥️♥️♥️
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Sonya Neal @neal-lab.bsky.social · 19/10/2025
Another Neal lab retreat in the books. We mapped our yearly goals, came up with collaborative big picture ideas for future projects and most importantly, strengthened our team bond 💪🏽we are all in this together💪🏽
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Reposted by Sonya Neal
Ardem Patapoutian @ardemp.bskyverified.social · 14/10/2025
During these uncertain times, I’m very happy to see that my institution, @scripps.edu has an open tenure-track Assistant Professor position. Any field in Chemistry or Biology is welcome. I’d especially love to see fellow neuroscientists apply. Please repost! apply.interfolio.com/174756
apply.interfolio.com
Apply - Interfolio {{$ctrl.$state.data.pageTitle}} - Apply - Interfolio
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Sonya Neal @neal-lab.bsky.social · 13/10/2025
Thrilled to share that our review, “Holding Out for a Model: Rhomboid Superfamily in Vertebrate Development and Disease,” is now published in Journal of Cellular Physiology! onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...
onlinelibrary.wiley.com
Holding Out for a Model: Rhomboid Superfamily in Vertebrate Development and Disease
The rhomboid superfamily, comprising both proteases and pseudoproteases, has emerged as a central regulator of membrane biology, mediating diverse functions including protein quality control, signal ...
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Sonya Neal @neal-lab.bsky.social · 16/09/2025
Got my run in earlier at School of Biological Sciences retreat in Lake Arrowhead. Now indulging in amazing science from our PhD program!
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Reposted by Sonya Neal
Eric Jordahl @ericjordahl.bsky.social · 11/09/2025
I could not be luckier to have such an amazing mentor behind me as I develop myself both personally and professionally. Thank you @neal-lab.bsky.social for standing behind and with me in this journey and @hhmi.org for this opportunity!
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Sonya Neal @neal-lab.bsky.social · 11/09/2025
Scientific pursuit is a team effort, built on mutual trust, respect and collaboration from mentor & mentee. Grateful every day for this journey, and so proud of my mentee @ericjordahl.bsky.social for being selected as @HHMINEWS Gilliam fellow! biology.ucsd.edu/about/news/2...
biology.ucsd.edu
HHMI Gilliam Fellowship Awarded to Eric Jordahl and Sonya Neal
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Sonya Neal @neal-lab.bsky.social · 15/08/2025
Grateful to share my academic journey & our lab’s research in the School of Bio.Science lecture series which build a bridge between our amazing administrative staff and faculty, further strengthening the bonds that make our community so special. Thankful to be part of it! @ucsandiego.bsky.social
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Sonya Neal @neal-lab.bsky.social · 15/08/2025
Look what came in today! @jenheemstra.bsky.social can’t wait to learn your ways. You have paved the way for so many of us 🙏🏽
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Reposted by Sonya Neal
Denis Wirtz @deniswirtz.bsky.social · 11/08/2025
These are the most challenging times for early-career scientists and engineers. My team is doing its bit to help by maintaining and even expanding our database of funding opportunities for early-career researchers. We found 437 of them. Download it freely here: research.jhu.edu/rdt/funding-...
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Reposted by Sonya Neal
American Society for Cell Biology @ascbiology.bsky.social · 11/08/2025
STEM isn’t a pipeline—it’s a braided river. Verónica Segarra offers a new model to support inclusion and rethink how we view scientific careers. www.molbiolcell.org/doi/10.1091/... #ASCB #CellBiology
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Sonya Neal @neal-lab.bsky.social · 08/08/2025
So proud of my trainee, @ericjordahl.bsky.social , for being selected as an HHMI Gilliam Fellow! Your dedication to outreach and your relentless pursuit of inclusive excellence are unmatched! You are so deserving of this honor!!!!!!! www.hhmi.org/programs/gil...
hhmi.org
The 2025 Gilliam Fellows & Advisors | HHMI
The Gilliam Fellows Program launches promising PhD students into impactful scientific research careers while fostering inclusive training environments.
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Reposted by Sonya Neal
HHMI @hhmi-science.bsky.social · 07/08/2025
Congratulations 2025 Gilliam Fellows and Advisors! 🎉 The Gilliam Fellows Program launches promising PhD students into impactful scientific research careers while fostering inclusive training environments. Through this program, HHMI supports both graduate students and their faculty thesis advisors.
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Reposted by Sonya Neal
American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology @asbmb.bsky.social · 02/08/2025
$400M more for the NIH in FY26 is a win for all Americans. Read our full statement thanking the Senate Appropriations Committee for their bipartisan support of scientific research: ow.ly/gtMv50WyRza.
Text reads advocacy. The background image is a 3D illustration of the calcitonin gene related peptide (yellow) binding to its receptor (blue) on neurons and smooth muscle cells of cerebral blood vessels.
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Sonya Neal @neal-lab.bsky.social · 02/08/2025
Keep an eye out for this rising star on the faculty job market. Elizabeth is truly remarkable. Her resilience and determination continue to inspire me, especially in the face of setbacks during these times. #proudMOSAICcoach
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Reposted by Sonya Neal
American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology @asbmb.bsky.social · 31/07/2025
Elizabeth Kaweesa was recently featured in ASBMB Today. Here's the link! ow.ly/k7EF50WykAJ
ow.ly
From dust to discovery
From makeshift classrooms in Uganda to postdoctoral research in Chicago, MOSAIC scholar Elizabeth Kaweesa builds a legacy in women’s health.
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Reposted by Sonya Neal
Needhi Bhalla 💅🏽 @needhibhalla.bsky.social · 17/07/2025
"To retreat from [diversity, equity and inclusion] is to close the door to possibilities for better science and a better future. This is not the time to step back. It’s unquestionably the time to step forward." @anthrofuentes.bsky.social www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
science.org
This is not the time to step back from diversity, equity, and inclusion
Recently, I exchanged views with a prominent Ivy League scientist who was complaining about the minority students and junior faculty applying to his program. He claimed that the university, through di...
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Sonya Neal @neal-lab.bsky.social · 13/07/2025
First run in at GRS/GRC molecular membrane biology conference. GRS has been an amazing start to an exciting week ahead! #GRC #ProctorAcademy
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Needhi Bhalla 💅🏽 @needhibhalla.bsky.social · 10/07/2025
“If you cut out these diversity measures, you're going to make science full of people that are very elite…Full of people who have grown up with a large amount of privilege, who were able to work in a lab in high school because their dad was a prof at Cornell.” 🧪 www.nytimes.com/2025/07/10/u...
nytimes.com
How Trump’s D.E.I. Cuts Are Hurting Rural White Americans Too
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Sonya Neal @neal-lab.bsky.social · 21/06/2025
Reflecting on the resilience of @bummpatucsd.bsky.social community and grateful to the #Wileypress #JCellularPhys for supporting our undergrad & master’s scholars and spotlighting their amazing research. It’s more important than ever to come together to support the future generation of trainees!
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ᐯIᑕTOᖇ ᑎIᘔET, ᗰᗪ @nizet.bsky.social · 19/06/2025
On Juneteenth, and in this era of rising vaccine disinformation, it is useful to contemplate that three centuries ago, the knowledge of an African slave introduced the concept of immunization to America, launching the first successful public inoculation campaign  🧵Thread 1/8 #Juneteenth #Vaccines
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Sonya Neal @neal-lab.bsky.social · 19/06/2025
New @neal-lab.bsky.social team photo! ❤️ Leaning on each other more than ever during these times & grateful for this resilient, inspiring group. #NealLab
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Black In Neuro @blackinneuro.bsky.social · 19/06/2025
🖤 On #Juneteenth, we honor the fight for Black freedom — delayed, but never denied. At #BlackInNeuro, we carry that legacy forward by creating space for Black excellence in neuroscience, year-round. ✨ Freedom is a journey — and we’re not done yet. ✊🏾
A graphic with horizontal red, black, and green stripes—colors of the Pan-African flag. In the center is a cream-colored circular outline featuring the profile of a Black woman wearing a geometric-patterned headwrap and large hoop earring. Arched above the circle is the word “JUNETEENTH” and below it reads “FREEDOM DAY” in curved, playful cream text. The Black In Neuro logo appears in the bottom left corner.A graphic with horizontal blocks of red, black, and green — colors of the Pan-African flag — features a cream-colored box in the center. At the top, bold red text reads “DID YOU KNOW.” Inside the box, brown text states: “Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865, the day enslaved people in Galveston, Texas were finally informed of their freedom—over two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed.” Below a row of green dots, it continues: “It marks the end of slavery in the US and an important celebration of Black freedom, resilience, and joy.” In the bottom left corner is the Black In Neuro logo.A graphic with a red, black, and green striped background features a centered cream-colored box. At the top, bold red text reads: “THE FIGHT IS NOT OVER.” Inside the box, brown text states: “Juneteenth reminds us that freedom is not truly granted until it is realized by all. As we reflect on the delayed liberation of enslaved people in 1865, we’re called to continue the fight for justice, equality, and liberation—everywhere. This history teaches us that no one is free until everyone is free.” In the bottom left corner is the Black In Neuro logo.
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Sonya Neal @neal-lab.bsky.social · 19/06/2025
Huge congratulations to all which include superstars @luisci22.bsky.social and my MOSAIC mentee Elizabeth Kaweesa🎉🎉🎉
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Guillaume Thibault @gthibault.bsky.social · 12/06/2025
Thank you, Sonya ‪@neal-lab.bsky.social‬. It was a real pleasure organizing the meeting with Julie, and we’re thrilled you’ll be co-organizing in 2027. The ER community will be in excellent hands and we already look forward to seeing the direction you and Julie take the next edition.
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Sonya Neal @neal-lab.bsky.social · 12/06/2025
Huge thanks to @gthibault.bsky.social and Julie Hollien for organizing a warm, welcoming FASEB ER meeting filled with incredible science! Excited that I will carry the torch as a co-organizer for the 2027 meeting….can’t wait! @faseborg.bsky.social
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Sonya Neal @neal-lab.bsky.social · 10/06/2025
Top of the morning run in beautiful Melbourne, Florida. Now get to indulge in amazing science at the ER @faseborg.bsky.social meeting!
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Devanshi Agarwal (she/her) @dagarwal.bsky.social · 06/06/2025
All because I have the best mentor!!!
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Sonya Neal @neal-lab.bsky.social · 06/06/2025
Thrilled to share two amazing grad students @dagarwal.bsky.social @ericjordahl.bsky.social have advanced to candidacy! Milking these moment for all they’re worth…pure joy radiating through the Neal lab today🎊🙌🏽
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