iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Romi Burks @profromi.bsky.social · 01/03/2025

Next round of #BurksLab #undergraduateresearchers @txacsci.bsky.social #TAS2025 - good work from only bring in the lab since August! My first #TAS was 20+ yrs ago! Crazy how long I’ve been doing this!

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Romi Burks @profromi.bsky.social · 01/03/2025

Nice big group of young scientists from #SouthwesternU attending @txacsci.bsky.social 2025 - molecular ecologists, physiologists, neurobiologists, chemists, engineers, computer scientists. It’s good to #celebratescience

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Reposted by Romi Burks

Texas Academy of Science @txacsci.bsky.social · 28/02/2025

Next up in the science education section, @profromi.bsky.social discusses a CURE based on micro plastic study in freshwater systems #TAS128

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Reposted by Romi Burks

George Takei @georgetakei.bsky.social · 26/02/2025

The BBC is quite correct.

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Romi Burks @profromi.bsky.social · 27/02/2025

9 pm - Just drove to & from Austin airport down Tollway 130. Passed “Tesla” Dr. and office building monstrosity lit up enough to see from space! This is a reflection of who is improving efficiency? #dogeisBS #turnthelightsoff #focusonyourworld

Matthew Herron @matthewherron.bsky.social · 25/02/2025

Reposted by Romi Burks

"Undermining the NSF is not just a threat to universities and researchers — it is a threat to the well-being of every American." www.chronicle.com/article/the-...

chronicle.com

The Rise (and Fall?) of the National Science Foundation

In the ’50s, America declared science an “endless frontier.” We may be reaching the end of it.

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Romi Burks @profromi.bsky.social · 20/02/2025

couldn’t imagine a better colleague - would be lucky to work w @jolatimore.bsky.social

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100% this. No words to thank staffers enough - Except there are other words to describe the situation w science & treatment of #NSF & #NIH in general that I’m no longer allowed to use in social media. Here I provide some alternatives: #tragic #criminal #shortsighted #dystopic #heartbreaking

None of the research I do now would occur if not for past opportunities provided by #NSF #IRES expanded my thinking and scientific toolkit. Transformative is not just an adjective - it’s actionable. 2014: apple snails from #Uruguay. 2024-2025: now able to explore diversity in #Belize.

Dr. Rebecca Barnes (she/her) @waterbarnes.bsky.social · 18/02/2025

Not the way to tighten the belt of the federal government. Even if, any short term gain will be exponentially lost by the long term cost of devaluation of the scientific process. #leaveNSFalone #letsciencework #protectpotential #fostercuriosity #valuediveristy

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Reposted by Romi Burks

nearly 11% of the NSF workforce was fired today. this WILL slow scientific progress. this is hurting families. we need to educate folks about all the GOOD that the gov't can do! To help @500womensci.bsky.social has made social media cards for what #NSF funds in each state: bit.ly/NSF_bystate

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Romi Burks @profromi.bsky.social · 08/02/2025

Nice to get a little good science news - '24 graduate Esme Rosas - now MS student @utrgv.bsky.social @utrgvnewsroom.bsky.social just had her #SouthwesternUniv #capstone accepted for publication. #eDNA monitoring success story #snailing #winningtheshellgame Honored 2 collaborate w @drbarnes.org

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unprecedented…uninformed…unscrupulous…undermining…unwise…unsubstantiated…unreal

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Romi Burks @profromi.bsky.social · 07/02/2025

This is insane. Disgusting is another word. Really wish it was a post from The Onion. WTF? C’mon….Let’s not just let the gov’t disrupt science now when we [the other ppl w $$$] can dismantle the future. Who thinks all the medical ills will just vanish?

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Romi Burks @profromi.bsky.social · 06/02/2025

Note - need to send out to students researchers

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Romi Burks @profromi.bsky.social · 06/02/2025

Yep…crazy amounts. Just shared this w my methods class

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Romi Burks @profromi.bsky.social · 05/02/2025

Got a cool & super appropriately timed thing in the mail today. My gift for renewing my @aaas.bsky.social membership - Yes #inclusion is both elemental and Fund-amental. yes, literally warranting funding. Think I’ll wear it tomorrow. #scienceadvocate #dei

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Reposted by Romi Burks

Katie Mack @astrokatie.com · 04/02/2025

“Since 1980, Congress has mandated that the agency seek to broaden participation of underrepresented groups […] The NSF spokesperson did not respond to a query about concerns that Trump’s executive orders are at odds with the agency’s responsibilities, as codified in law.”

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Reposted by Romi Burks

David Ho @davidho.bsky.social · 03/02/2025

“Now is the time for science, not silence”

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Romi Burks @profromi.bsky.social · 02/02/2025

If the administration had not already screwed enough w science, now the policies pertain to #chocolate - I need to investigate more how to support #craftchocolatemakers in #Canada & #Mexico!

Romi Burks @profromi.bsky.social · 02/02/2025

This is beyond ridiculous. Seriously revisionist science & history taking place. I feel for all those affected by this nonsense. #politicsnotscience #censorship #downthewrongpath

Romi Burks @profromi.bsky.social · 31/01/2025

I recommend a little #VitaminD + #dogtherapy to get you through the last little bit of the week. #Fridaymorningmetime #chailatte #dogsofbluesky

Romi Burks @profromi.bsky.social · 31/01/2025

Starts w cancelling grant review labels and then a downward spiral! Insipid domino effects…you can’t just reset everything as it was by just “oops, it’s rescinded.” Actions have consequences for real people.

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Romi Burks @profromi.bsky.social · 30/01/2025

Reaffirming science night working on data analysis w 2 of my undergrads. Looks like exciting finds from #applesnails in #Belize. Excited 2 run results by @pomacea.bsky.social soon! Just a note - my current project would not be possible without what I learned from past #NSF collaboration.

a cartoon drawing of a bottle that says science is not cancelled

ALT: a cartoon drawing of a bottle that says science is not cancelled

Dr Craig R McClain @drcraigmc.bsky.social · 29/01/2025

Reposted by Romi Burks

Somewhere in the U.S., there’s a scientist staring at their NSF/NIH grant application wondering why they bother. This post is for you. Science and society both need you. Hang in there and know there is a whole community supporting you.

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Romi Burks @profromi.bsky.social · 29/01/2025

Good to see some checks & balances still exist in our gov’t…I wish I thought “someone” would thing twice about issuing the next poorly conceived order…but alas. Perhaps the message of hope is patience for reversal. #scienceadvocate #newneedforpoliticalawareness

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Dog therapy - Chai & Latte seen happily oblivious. I needed a little distraction #dogs #chailatte

This is fun. I haven’t posted on. #X I joined @bsky.app…quite possibly have been hacked on that platform but the suspension came at an interesting time. I tried again to fully deactivate but I can’t as long as it’s suspended. #aroundincircles #nomoreX

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How was your morning? My word of the day is surreal - for when you wake up and talk w a @nytimes.com reporter about the state of science in the US. If anyone is interested in sharing the impacts of Exec Orders on #reallife, let me know and I’ll put you in touch.

a row of white dominoes falling on a black background .

ALT: a row of white dominoes falling on a black background .

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Romi Burks @profromi.bsky.social · 27/01/2025

Used last 24 hrs as a “teachable moment” w my #SouthwesternU students. I’m not most spot “on time” prof out there - good excuse for few min late today - on the phone with a @nytimes.com reporter. Would beon panel today anyway. Impacts gone way beyond inconvenience at this point. #biggerthanme

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Thanks @npr.org and @jonathanlambert.bsky.social for letting me share my viewpoints on #NSF & what it involves for panel service. Cancellation of #National Science Foundation freezes grant review in response to Trump executive orders www.npr.org/sections/sho...

npr.org

National Science Foundation freezes grant review in response to Trump executive orders

The National Science Foundation has canceled all grant review panels this week. It's unclear how long the pause could last.

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Romi Burks @profromi.bsky.social · 27/01/2025

In good science news for today, our initial sequencing of #applesnails from #Belize looks interesting. Certainly not what everyone thinks they are! Now to be more of a #Geneious and figure it all out.

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Romi Burks @profromi.bsky.social · 27/01/2025

For public consumption - my #NSF review panel just got cancelled 10 min before it was supposed to start “to assess impact of Ex Order on our grant making.” I’ve spent 3 weeks preparing for this. Imagine impacts on others. An affront to taxpayers, a sad day for science & unreal - except it isn’t.

a woman in a store says you have got to be flipping kidding me on netflix

ALT: a woman in a store says you have got to be flipping kidding me on netflix

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Romi Burks @profromi.bsky.social · 05/01/2025

Made a fun/sad reel about finding some apple snail hatchlings alive and well on New Year’s Day! If you don’t know, this is not their normal reproductive season! But really warm #December in TX makes is possible.

Romi Burks @profromi.bsky.social · 05/01/2025

Trying to get ahead of start of the semester = challenge! Trapped behind laptop. Managed to get paperwork mostly done for the 7 students in my lab. A LOT of project development work. You would think it would feel different or easier after 20 years at it. #startofsemesteritis

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Romi Burks @profromi.bsky.social · 02/01/2025

Congrat Reuben Keller on this profile from my alma mater @loyolachicago.bsky.social - Hard to believe I = researchers "20-30 years" ago looking for the native crayfish & documenting the rise of zebra mussels. Started my career with #undergraduateresearch w Dr. Nancy Tuchman youtu.be/Snf8CwITido?...

youtu.be

Restore: Researching Invasive Species

YouTube video by Loyola University Chicago

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Romi Burks @profromi.bsky.social · 10/12/2024

Met w 1 of new #undergrads in lab Sarah to show her how to craft w #applesnails - check out these snail & Operculum earrings! Previous lab creations have included ornaments & S-car-gos! Gave her a small budget to get more supplies! #labfun #artscience #whatsnext #creativity #finalsstressrelease

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Romi Burks @profromi.bsky.social · 08/12/2024

Ever wonder why it takes so long for MS review process? It’s bc of ppl like me that say “yes” in middle of semester thinking there will be time somewhere…& then it’s not until after classes end that there’s any room for thought. Now, in full disclosure, it’s two reviews but I’m only a week late.