iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Romi Burks @profromi.bsky.social · 07/03/2025

what a clever, sad & on point cartoon satire…

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Romi Burks @profromi.bsky.social · 07/03/2025

Nancy Tuchman is the absolute best! My undergraduate mentor. Enjoy your visit to my alma mater.

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Ethan White @ethanwhite.weecology.org · 06/03/2025

Every US scientist needs to 100% clear that this is a fundamental attack on the process of science itself. If allowed to stand it will be the end of US science as we know it. Staying quiet because it does not (yet) target your work is not an option. www.nature.com/articles/d41...

nature.com

Exclusive: NIH to terminate hundreds of active research grants

Studies that touch on LGBT+ health, gender identity and DEI in the biomedical workforce could be terminated, according to documents obtained by Nature.

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

So nice to see some good news on the feed. Congratulations!

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Romi Burks @profromi.bsky.social · 02/03/2025

Agreed. Lots of premature cancellations

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

who knew there were that many freshwater jellyfish?? Cool topic & poster!

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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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Romi Burks @profromi.bsky.social · 28/02/2025

There’s so many REU programs that are cancelling “prematurely” or in anticipation of budget cuts. It’s criminal and demoralizing all around.

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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

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

"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 · 26/02/2025

This would be devastating to a lot of endowments inc Southwestern

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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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Romi Burks @profromi.bsky.social · 19/02/2025

Just reaching out w-o a personal connection. Wish it was easy to say “it’s their loss” & better things will come, but empty platitudes don’t help. I only hope 4 reversals of fortune in your future & stitching back together of shattered dreams. At least file for unemployment & wrongful termination.

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Romi Burks @profromi.bsky.social · 19/02/2025

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

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Romi Burks @profromi.bsky.social · 19/02/2025

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.

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Romi Burks @profromi.bsky.social · 19/02/2025

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

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 · 19/02/2025

I'm thankful for all the NSF staff still trying to push science through despite the circumstances.

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Romi Burks @profromi.bsky.social · 19/02/2025

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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Romi Burks @profromi.bsky.social · 09/02/2025

1) My puppers 2) My village (friends & fam) 3) Tea & chocolate 4) My relatively secure job 5) Book & Netflix escapes Good exercise.

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

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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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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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!

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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

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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

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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.

media.tenor.com

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

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

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

How hard is it to see? Not issuing in the first place could have helped counter that review of wasteful gov’t spending! Guess the lesson is hopefully be patient…reversals will come.

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

Glad to see this - now ask how much “egregious waste of federal resources” was spent on this diversion!

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