iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Scott Rich, Ph.D. @richcompneuro.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

If this is what precedes a nor’easter it can’t really be that bad, can it?

A beautiful (double) rainbow against a bright sunset.

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Scott Rich, Ph.D. @richcompneuro.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

There’s a Futurama bit for everything… and this classic one feels particularly apt for the current moment.

You can’t give up hope just because it’s hopeless. You gotta hope even more and cover your ears and go “blah blah a blah”

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Reposted by Scott Rich, Ph.D.

Natale R. Sciolino, PhD @sciolinolab.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

Our paper has been accepted at Cell Reports (@cp-cellreports.bsky.social). Huge thanks to Will Fan, who spearheaded this work, and to Paula To for her contributions. See the graphical abstract below, and thread for the story behind the figures: doi.org/10.1016/j.ce...

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Scott Rich, Ph.D. @richcompneuro.bsky.social · 06/09/2026

Yeah I’m a mature enough Michigan fan to still be insanely embarrassed by allllll this

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Scott Rich, Ph.D. @richcompneuro.bsky.social · 24/08/2026

Context for my 🇺🇸 friends for this nuts subplot: -Doug Ford being premier of Ontario as a conservative is like if New York had a Republican governor -Ford has his own scandals over benefiting rich benefactors over voters -EVEN FORD knows standing up to the orange one is a winning 🇨🇦 issue

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Scott Rich, Ph.D. @richcompneuro.bsky.social · 24/08/2026

Some big news: I received my first NoA!!! This R03 funding supports the lab's computational modeling of vagus nerve stimulation's effect on brainstem activity and neuromodulator output in the context of stroke recovery. I will now proceed to release the biggest sigh of relief of my career 😮‍💨

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Scott Rich, Ph.D. @richcompneuro.bsky.social · 13/08/2026

Hooooooly crap. Good news coming soon 😀

A screenshot stating:
Status
Award prepared: refer questions to Grants Management Specialist.

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Reposted by Scott Rich, Ph.D.

Jonathan A. Michaels @jonathanamichaels.bsky.social · 10/08/2026

The generic prospective student emails are getting out of hand. I just received virtually identical emails from the first and second author of a paper. One genuine email is worth 1000 generic ones. If you can convince me you're a real human I will very likely want to talk to you.

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Scott Rich, Ph.D. @richcompneuro.bsky.social · 08/08/2026

This is all the more jarring when you remember Vonnegut’s first (and criminally underrated) novel “Player Piano” satirizes a future society in which only a handful of elite engineers work because automation has rendered most other professions obsolete.

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Dan Feldman @danfeldman.bsky.social · 31/07/2026

The Neuroscience Department at UC Berkeley is hiring an Asst Professor in Computational Neuro. All areas of computational/theoretical neuro are welcome. Deadline Oct 30. Join our neuroscience community! aprecruit.berkeley.edu/JPF05446 #AcademicJobs #Neuroscience #NeuroJobs

aprecruit.berkeley.edu

Assistant Professor - Computational Neuroscience - Department of Neuroscience

University of California, Berkeley is hiring. Apply now!

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Andrew Pruszynski @andpru.bsky.social · 22/07/2026

Official job posting coming when I get back from the cottage but if you're interested in a post-doc doing multi-area high-density electrophysiology in the cortico-thalamic circuit during reaching, feel free to reach out!

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Natale R. Sciolino, PhD @sciolinolab.bsky.social · 07/07/2026

Looking for a postdoc? The @sciolinolab.bsky.social at UConn is hiring! We investigate how neuromodulatory systems interact with central taste processing regions to regulate behavior using in vivo recordings, optogenetics & mouse behavior. Apply: jobs.hr.uconn.edu/en-us/job/49...

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Scott Rich, Ph.D. @richcompneuro.bsky.social · 13/07/2026

Our voices matter—the media is noticing. That means (some) people are noticing. Keep it up!!!

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Scott Rich, Ph.D. @richcompneuro.bsky.social · 12/07/2026

Also, in a time of declining journalism quality I’m super impressed @washingtonpost.com included a detailed description of the methodology by which they assessed the comments… and the fact that, if anything, they’re underestimating the opposition to the rule!

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Scott Rich, Ph.D. @richcompneuro.bsky.social · 12/07/2026

👀 @standupforscience.net “The Post analyzed more than 50,000 public comments… and at least 88 percent opposed [the rule]... Roughly 6 percent expressed support, though the overwhelming majority of that came from a single form letter submitted more than 2,300 times.” apple.news/AzdL2L3t_TMu...

apple.news

Researchers worry a Trump rule could end U.S. scientific dominance — The Washington Post

Research organizations warn a proposed rule for federal grants would upend the medical and technological advances that set U.S. science apart.

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Scott Rich, Ph.D. @richcompneuro.bsky.social · 11/07/2026

Heading to Halifax for the @cnsorg.bsky.social meeting? Make sure to plan to attend the workshop organized by @rgast.bsky.social and myself on "Neuronal heterogeneity’s role in network dynamics and computation." The (hopefully) final schedule is linked below! richlab.pnb.uconn.edu/cns2026/

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Harrison Ritz @hritz.bsky.social · 09/07/2026

The worst is “I’m also curious about x” The authors already removed Interesting Stuff from the paper to focus on their research question. You should prioritize how the research q informs theory and the strength of evidence / alternatives. Cool ideas can be offered as gifts for future projects.

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Scott Rich, Ph.D. @richcompneuro.bsky.social · 06/07/2026

I'm so proud that part of my lab @uconn.bsky.social @uconnresearch.bsky.social is collaborating with Dr. Conner on the research arm of this project: not just showing vagus nerve stimulation improves stroke rehabilitation, but understanding specifically WHY. today.uconn.edu/2026/07/vete...

today.uconn.edu

Veterans and UConn Work for Access to Advanced Stroke Rehab - UConn Today

'As our country approaches its 250th birthday, it is fitting to give quality care to the vets who struggled and sacrificed'

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Scott Rich, Ph.D. @richcompneuro.bsky.social · 04/07/2026

Happy July 4th. Go Canada! A great day for a dual citizen 😂

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Laura Medlock @lauramedlock.bsky.social · 03/07/2026

Excited to be part of this 🤘

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Scott Rich, Ph.D. @richcompneuro.bsky.social · 02/07/2026

I forget where but I read an article about someone who did exactly that. The meeting existed but it was basically a dozen people in an airport hotel ballroom. I’ll have to see if I can find it…

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Scott Rich, Ph.D. @richcompneuro.bsky.social · 29/06/2026

Going to be in Nova Scotia for #CNS2026? Make sure you swing by the workshop I've organized with @rgast.bsky.social entitled "Neuronal heterogeneity's role in network dynamics and computation." The preliminary schedule and talk abstracts are now available! richlab.pnb.uconn.edu/cns2026/

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Scott Rich, Ph.D. @richcompneuro.bsky.social · 28/06/2026

Once again going to scream into the void that For All Mankind is actually a stealth prequel to The Expanse (and also you should watch/read both immediately).

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Scott Rich, Ph.D. @richcompneuro.bsky.social · 23/06/2026

I'm glad my main scientific society just sent out a notice about the OMB Guidance and how to leave a comment. But, WHAT THE HECK TOOK SO LONG? I can't imagine what about this situation required nearly four weeks to craft a response to. It's pretty cut and dry. Also, I left my comment long ago 🤷‍♂️

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Scott Rich, Ph.D. @richcompneuro.bsky.social · 14/06/2026

How about the Lions MAKING a Super Bowl? Just MAKING one.

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Scott Rich, Ph.D. @richcompneuro.bsky.social · 13/06/2026

I miss a lot about North Carolina, but the hot muggy summers aren’t one of them 😅😅😅

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Michael Okun @michael-okun.bsky.social · 10/06/2026

I’ve officially resigned as Associate Editor for Frontiers in Systems Neuroscience. It used to be a reputable journal, but became a case study in how forced automation destroys academic integrity. 👇

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Scott Rich, Ph.D. @richcompneuro.bsky.social · 04/06/2026

This summer I plan to codify a lab AI policy. As an exercise, I FINALLY used AI to help code... and it was scary helpful. I've been overcome with guilt since then for breaking the seal. I couldn't quite articulate why until I remembered The Good Place always has the answer. youtu.be/Lci6P1-jMV8

youtu.be

Judge Gen visits earth for the first time | The Good Place

YouTube video by The Good Place

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Andrew Hardaway @andrewhardaway.bsky.social · 03/06/2026

If you have not left a public comment on the draconian OMB-2026-0034, here's a quick thread to make it easy. #standupforscience #neuroskyence Click here: www.regulations.gov/document/OMB...

regulations.gov

Regulations.gov

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Scott Rich, Ph.D. @richcompneuro.bsky.social · 02/06/2026

Top story on the @nytimes.com app. A big sign that this all-important story is breaking into mainstream consciousness.

Top story on the NYT app regarding science funding.

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Scott Rich, Ph.D. @richcompneuro.bsky.social · 02/06/2026

It’s mind blowing to me that I haven’t seen this noted in AI journalism until today. When I was in grad school less than 20 years ago, “computer vision” was struggling to differentiate dogs and cats. What would be different had stuck with this less loaded terminology? apple.news/ANaZ8795iTaq...

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Scott Rich, Ph.D. @richcompneuro.bsky.social · 01/06/2026

With help from @standupforscience.net, @jeremymberg.bsky.social, and @elizabethginexi.bsky.social, I just submitted comments to the OMB. I have no idea what it will accomplish. But trading 15 minutes for regaining a modicum of agency was well worth it. www.regulations.gov/document/OMB...

regulations.gov

Regulations.gov

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Scott Rich, Ph.D. @richcompneuro.bsky.social · 25/05/2026

Rooster is a great show (Bill Lawrence doesn’t miss), so I can ignore most of the usual misrepresentations of professor life. BUT... Why is the university president, who is apparently a historian, “advising” a STEM grad student? And why does that just amount to “finding her an internship?” 🤦‍♂️

static.klipy.com

Harrison Ford: Woof Shrinking

ALT: Harrison Ford: Woof Shrinking

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Scott Rich, Ph.D. @richcompneuro.bsky.social · 24/05/2026

And, despite how crazy this has gotten (and I’ve heard INSANE stories from my side gig covering college sports)… I’m still going to be living and dying with my teams again this fall. We all need our guilty pleasures to survive this insane world.

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Scott Rich, Ph.D. @richcompneuro.bsky.social · 24/05/2026

Never forget that Kurt Vonnegut predicted this (and a heck of a lot else) in Player Piano in 1952. “I'm prepared to offer you thirty thousand, Buck.” … “You can't play college football, and go to school. They tried that once, and you know what a silly mess that was."

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Scott Rich, Ph.D. @richcompneuro.bsky.social · 24/05/2026

Inject this Michigan pride straight into my veins. Also I hope this means Colbert’s plan post Late Show is just to do lots of hillarious weird random stuff.

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Scott Rich, Ph.D. @richcompneuro.bsky.social · 22/05/2026

P.S. If you loved The Boys go read and watch Preacher, now!

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Scott Rich, Ph.D. @richcompneuro.bsky.social · 22/05/2026

The Boys was great TV because it was flexible in adapting the source material to a new medium. That they made the core of the (awesome/earned) ending from the comics work was a huge bonus. But man, it was still SO much better in its original form, developed over time and even harder hitting.

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mark cembrowski @markcembrowski.bsky.social · 11/05/2026

Lineup, including trainee talks, is all set for this year's Neural Circuits and Behaviour Satellite at @canacn.bsky.social, co-hosted with @franklandlab.bsky.social . One week away, with a few tickets remaining for anyone interested! www.eventbrite.com/e/neural-cir...

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Jess Cardin @jess-cardin.bsky.social · 13/05/2026

Do brain circuits really sit in a 'soup' of neuromodulators? Are neurons like soggy bits of bread soaked in signaling factors? Is the whole brain just squelching around in one big pool of warm modulators?

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Scott Rich, Ph.D. @richcompneuro.bsky.social · 13/05/2026

The harder question is how we as neuroscientists would test this. There are studies of non-human primates interacting with computers. Would they use AI in any way similar to how humans are using AI? Not sure. If only we had non-partisan government agencies to support such important research 🤷‍♂️😡🫠

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Scott Rich, Ph.D. @richcompneuro.bsky.social · 13/05/2026

Our brains are plastic. When you lose a limb, some of the brain space devoted to sensing and moving that limb is repurposed. It’s a reasonable hypothesis that if we outsource critical thinking/attention to external systems, our brain would repurpose the internal systems designed for those tasks.

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