iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Ruth Isenberg, PhD @ruthlessruth15.bsky.social · 04/08/2026

Headed to #mmpc2026 in Minneapolis this year? Order your MMPC t-shirt before Septemeber 4th! Fun fact: I went through a previous MMPC abstract book and counted all the unique microbes. Can you see your favorite microbe in the shirt design?

A design for a t-shirt reading "Minneapolis, Minnesota Midwest Microbial Pathogenesis Conference. Threat level: Ope. 70 estimated microbes represented. 500 estimated attendees. 2026 September 25-27." The shape of the state of Minnesota is included filled with assorted microbes.

6134

Reposted by Ruth Isenberg, PhD

Midwest Microbial Pathogenesis Conference @mmpconference.bsky.social · 04/08/2026

New for #mmpc2026 this year: T-SHIRTS!! Designed by @ruthlessruth15.bsky.social & featuring your favorite microbes! Shirts must be ordered by Sept 4 & can be picked up at the conference. Get your official 2026 Midwest Microbial Pathogenesis Conference swag here: mmpc2026.umn.edu/more/2026-mm...

mmpc2026.umn.edu

2026 MMPC T-shirts | Midwest Microbial Pathogenesis Conference 2026

047

Ruth Isenberg, PhD @ruthlessruth15.bsky.social · 17/07/2026

Officially Assistant Professor of Biology at @macalestercollege.bsky.social! It's been an exciting first (half) week getting my lab set up with the help of my research students Amy and Ivana. We may even get an experiment in next week!

Three smiling women standing in a research lab.

Three Polaroid photos featuring the same three women in a research lab.

3573

Reposted by Ruth Isenberg, PhD

Julia Willett @jlewillett.bsky.social · 16/07/2026

Wishing the stellar @ruthlessruth15.bsky.social the best as she starts her new position as an Assistant Professor at Macalester College! I'm very thankful for all of Ruth's contributions to my lab as an IRACDA postdoc over the last 3 years & am excited to see what comes next 🤗🦠🔬🧫

191

Ruth Isenberg, PhD @ruthlessruth15.bsky.social · 15/07/2026

My postdoc is officially a wrap! So grateful to have worked with @jlewillett.bsky.social these last 3 years. I got to mentor 4 fabulous undergrad researchers, teach at local community colleges, and do some fun research with Enterococcus! Sad to say goodbye, but looking forward to the future ❤️

8 smiling people seated around a large table with beverages in a room with brick walls.

1193

Ruth Isenberg, PhD @ruthlessruth15.bsky.social · 20/02/2026

A fabulous undergraduate researcher I mentor is graduating this spring and is looking for a job as a lab technician! She's interested in bacterial pathogenesis and is planning to go to grad school after getting more research experience. Please let me know if you or anyone you know is hiring!

185

Reposted by Ruth Isenberg, PhD

Elinne Becket, PhD @bielleogy.bsky.social · 20/01/2026

Help requested: my friend is interviewing for TTF positions at private SLACs in the US, and wants to prepare a startup package list that is fitting. Can anyone share startup $ ranges at their SLACs, so it's a reasonable number? Please RT.

447

Reposted by Ruth Isenberg, PhD

Dave Baltrus 🦦 @surtlab.bsky.social · 01/01/2026

I know many of you know Joe James (of Binning Singletons) Joe and his family had a terrible tragedy occur on Christmas. If you can give, this is a good family to help out gofund.me/5cbfe22fe

gofund.me

Donate to Honoring Sarah James Through Education, organized by Joe James

Honoring Sarah James & Supporting Her Children’s Future On Christmas, our com… Joe James needs your support for Honoring Sarah James Through Education

01324

Ruth Isenberg, PhD @ruthlessruth15.bsky.social · 19/12/2025

Professor Ruth: Coming Fall 2026! I'm thrilled to announce that I have officially accepted a tenure-track faculty position in the Biology Department at @macalestercollege.bsky.social! #HeyMac #NewProfessor #WomanInSTEM

171089

Reposted by Ruth Isenberg, PhD

Midwest Microbial Pathogenesis Conference @mmpconference.bsky.social · 23/10/2025

Mark your calendars! #mmpc2026 The 2026 Midwest Microbial Pathogenesis Conference will be take place September 25-27, 2026 at the University of Minnesota! We are excited to welcome keynote speaker Dr. Andy Camilli. Give us a follow and watch for important information here ➡️ mmpc2026.umn.edu

mmpc2026.umn.edu

Midwest Microbial Pathogenesis Conference | Midwest Microbial Pathogenesis Conference 2026

01113

Reposted by Ruth Isenberg, PhD

Tung Le @tunglejic.bsky.social · 03/10/2025

Independent research fellowships leading to tenured positions at the John Innes Centre. Repost = nice. Thank you very much!!!

04987

Reposted by Ruth Isenberg, PhD

Rupinder Kaur, PhD @kaurr.bsky.social · 03/10/2025

#Wolbachia has puzzled scientists with its power to rewire insect reproduction. What if I tell you that we found one of the keys Wolbachia use to rewire its host AND a small molecule inhibitor uses this key to mimic what this microbe has mastered for millions of years. www.cell.com/cell-reports...

cell.com

Beyond Wolbachia—Can a small molecule control insect reproduction?

Kaur et al. demonstrate reduced histone acetylation as a key mechanism underpinning Wolbachia’s paternal-effect embryonic lethality trait in Drosophila melanogaster. Recapitulation of this trait by in...

26425

Reposted by Ruth Isenberg, PhD

Erica D. Pratt @pratted.bsky.social · 26/09/2025

Announcing such a major change to NSF GRFP this late in the cycle is incredibly cruel. 2nd yr students (mine included) have been working so hard on their proposals despite ongoing uncertainty. They are driven and passionate about being outstanding scientists and helping those coming up behind them.

This means individuals in the following statuses at the time of application are eligible:

Undergraduate in the final (senior) year of a bachelor’s degree program
Bachelor’s degree-holder with NO enrollment in a graduate degree program (non-degree graduate coursework allowed)
Individual enrolled in a joint bachelor’s-master’s degree program with at least three undergraduate years completed
First-year graduate student in their first graduate degree program with less than one academic year completed in the degree program (according to institution’s academic calendar)
Individuals enrolled in joint bachelor’s-master’s degree programs are considered graduate students. For GRFP, joint bachelor’s-master’s degrees are defined as degrees concurrently pursued and awarded.
Not be a current NSF employee.

Applications that do not meet eligibility requirements will be returned without review as being ineligible for a fellowship.

716377

Reposted by Ruth Isenberg, PhD

Jason “Obstacle to Progress” Williams @jasonwilliamsny.bsky.social · 25/09/2025

Please share with anyone who cares about NSF support for graduate students and take 30 seconds to sign and leave a comment. The deadline for the 2025 Graduate Research Fellowship Program is about one month away and literally no one can apply. #NSFGRFP jasonjwilliamsny.github.io/grfp2025/

jasonjwilliamsny.github.io

An Open Letter to U.S. STEM Leadership on the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program

12225273

Reposted by Ruth Isenberg, PhD

Elinne Becket, PhD @bielleogy.bsky.social · 22/09/2025

Giving a webinar on #BlueSoup this Friday, in case anyone wants to pop in during their lunch!

A promotional flyer for a webinar in the CSU Bioinformatics Webinar Series. On the left side, it shows the date and time: “26 Sep | 12 PM PST.” It includes instructions to join via Zoom with Meeting ID: 886 2442 3158 and a QR code above. On the right, there is a photo of Dr. Elinne Becket, Associate Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at California State University San Marcos, sitting outdoors with plants and trees in the background. Below, the title of the talk is displayed: “The Soup that Blue up Twitter.” The description explains that Dr. Becket will discuss the shared curiosity of science, open science, and a story from February 2023 when leftover beef soup prepared by her mom turned bright blue. Scientists and people on Twitter collaborated to investigate, leading to a global effort among microbiologists and chemists. At the bottom, there are links to learn more about upcoming webinars at www.informatics.sdsu.edu and Dr. Becket’s website: https://elinneb.wixsite.com/becketlab

109628

Reposted by Ruth Isenberg, PhD

George O'Toole (he/him/his) @geiselbiofilm.bsky.social · 05/09/2025

Job opening - pls share: The Biology Department at Worcester State University has been approved to hire TWO new tenure-track faculty members to begin September 1, 2026! Here is a link to the job ad and application site: worcester.interviewexchange.com/jobofferdeta... .

worcester.interviewexchange.com

Worcester State University Job Posting: Assistant/Associate Professor, Biology

0812

Reposted by Ruth Isenberg, PhD

Paulyn Cartwright @pcart.bsky.social · 30/08/2025

Good news! KU's IRACDA program was reinstated! We are now taking applications for postdocs. Please spread the word. sjobs.brassring.com/TGnewUI/Sear...

sjobs.brassring.com

Postdoctoral Researcher - University of Kansas - Job Details

Job Details: The IRACDA Program at the University of Kansas (KU) is accepting applications for postdoctoral scholarships. W

15034

Ruth Isenberg, PhD @ruthlessruth15.bsky.social · 20/08/2025

The best part of getting a PhD alongside your sister is you get to send silly emails like this to each other

281

Reposted by Ruth Isenberg, PhD

Midwest Microbial Pathogenesis Conference @mmpconference.bsky.social · 19/08/2025

Did you miss the opportunity to submit an abstract to MMPC? We have extended the deadline to August 25! Please consider sharing your latest and greatest research! www.mmpconference2025.com/submit-an-ab...

mmpconference2025.com

MMPC 2025 - Submit an Abstract

Submission Dates Abstract submission will open on May 1, 2025 Oral abstract submission deadline: July 15, 2025 Poster abstract submission deadline: Extended to August 25! Instructions for abstract s...

0612

Ruth Isenberg, PhD @ruthlessruth15.bsky.social · 07/08/2025

I suppose this is a good time to let y'all know @jlewillett.bsky.social and I have a new preprint out! I had a lot of fun giving a talk about this work at #Phages25 🧬🦠

1267

Reposted by Ruth Isenberg, PhD

Ben Parker @ben-parker.bsky.social · 01/08/2025

The Parker Lab at UNC Biology is hiring a postdoc to work on insect–microbe interactions. Support available for multiple years from startup; we are open to a range of project ideas. Come join us to study symbiosis in a supportive, collaborative environment! unc.peopleadmin.com/postings/303...

unc.peopleadmin.com

Post-Doc Research Associate

The researcher will be primarily responsible for carrying out investigations related to our lab's research, using an insect model system (aphids) to address mechanistic and evolutionary genetic questi...

21113

Reposted by Ruth Isenberg, PhD

Natalie Wright, Ph.D. @coereba.bsky.social · 25/07/2025

Kenyon is hiring a TT microbiologist! Please share widely. I’m the search chair & am happy to answer any questions. careers.pageuppeople.com/695/cw/en-us...

careers.pageuppeople.com

Kenyon College - Details - Assistant Professor of Biology (Tenure-Track)

02158

Reposted by Ruth Isenberg, PhD

Mark O. Martin @markowenmartin.bsky.social · 10/07/2025

One of the first #LuxSelfies (people illuminated by bacterial bioluminescence) I successfully photographed. #Micronaut and #DocMartian Ruth Isenberg...and I did not retouch her eyes. So: camera glitch or demonic entity? You decide. @ruthlessruth15.bsky.social

1105

Ruth Isenberg, PhD @ruthlessruth15.bsky.social · 21/05/2025

Okay but for real, what are people actually looking for when they ask you to identify your ethnicity/race? Whenever I can only select one (which is silly) I at least want to select the option that is closest to what the asker is looking for.

111

Reposted by Ruth Isenberg, PhD

Knut Drescher @knutdrescher.bsky.social · 06/01/2025

We found that many bacterial species use exogenous peptidoglycan fragments - released by lysis of neighboring cells - as a general danger signal, triggering a danger response that protects bacteria against many dangers: biofilm formation. Details here 👇 www.nature.com/articles/s41...

nature.com

Bacteria use exogenous peptidoglycan as a danger signal to trigger biofilm formation - Nature Microbiology

Peptidoglycan released by neighbouring kin or non-kin cell lysis induces physiological changes that protect from a range of stresses, including phage predation.

014256

Ruth Isenberg, PhD @ruthlessruth15.bsky.social · 06/12/2024

Today I learned how to wrangle C. elegans! I can confirm that they do a lot of wiggling back and forth. But I love them ❤️🪱

060

Reposted by Ruth Isenberg, PhD

Alexis Rohou @alexisrohou.bsky.social · 18/11/2024

🚨 Attention #teamtomo PhD students! 🚨 12-week paid internship opportunity at Genentech. Want to see how we use cryoET in pharma? And spend the summer 2025 in the Bay Area? Details and application link here: roche.wd3.myworkdayjobs.com/ROG-A2O-GENE...

roche.wd3.myworkdayjobs.com

2025 Summer Intern - Department of Structural Biology

Department Summary The CryoEM Group in the Department of Structural Biology is dedicated to providing high-resolution structural insights into biological macromolecules involved in health and disease....

23432

Reposted by Ruth Isenberg, PhD

Gina Lewin @ginalewin.bsky.social · 25/10/2024

Hi BlueSky friends! Postdoc(s) available in my lab! Multiple projects on how bacterial genomic and functional diversity impacts microbial interactions & disease. 🦠🧫 See www.thelewinlab.com/join-us/post... for more information. Please RT & share. #Postdoc #Microbiology #OralMicro #VaginalMicro

12441

Ruth Isenberg, PhD @ruthlessruth15.bsky.social · 22/10/2024

I'm so happy that this paper is finally published! This one was a long time coming: 9 years, 3 pairs of hands, 270 strains, 93 plasmids, and a lot of hard work. It started as a side project that eventually led to my entire dissertation, and I'm glad it did.

12212

Ruth Isenberg, PhD @ruthlessruth15.bsky.social · 04/08/2024

Thank you Delta for canceling my flight 3 hours before take-off and having no alternatives. Guess I'm driving to Madion! See y'all at #Phages2024 😅

000

Reposted by Ruth Isenberg, PhD

Mark O. Martin @markowenmartin.bsky.social · 18/07/2024

Thursday: another episode of #MattersMicrobial! Episode #48 is with the great Mark Mandel. He discusses the work he and his colleagues do with the beautiful squid-Vibrio sysmbiosis. Please spread the #GoodMicrobialWord! @microbe.tv @univpugetsound @asmicrobiology youtu.be/6V61a92LoGs?...

youtu.be

Matters Microbial #48: Many are bright but few are chosen

Today, Dr. Mark Mandel, Professor of Medical Microbiology & Immunology at University of Wisconsin-Madison, joins the #QualityQuorum to discuss the research h...

045

Reposted by Ruth Isenberg, PhD

Ákos T Kovács @evolvedbiofilm.bsky.social · 17/05/2024

A Label-Free Approach for Relative Spatial Quantitation of c-di-GMP in Microbial Biofilms Anal Chem from Laura Sanchez with @ruthlessruth15.bsky.social @markjmandel.bsky.social, Fitnat Yildiz and more pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/...

054

Reposted by Ruth Isenberg, PhD

Julia Willett @jlewillett.bsky.social · 30/01/2024

Coming to the Minnesota State Fair this year? Stop by the UMN Driven 2 Discover tent & help my lab collect Enterococcus isolates from the oral cavity! Very excited our proposal for this great outreach opportunity was just approved! 🧪🧫🧬👩‍🔬 Big thanks to @ruthlessruth15.bsky.social & Amanda Haeberle!

051

Ruth Isenberg, PhD @ruthlessruth15.bsky.social · 26/01/2024

Surprised the lab with pre-lab meeting brunch 👩‍🍳

020

Reposted by Ruth Isenberg, PhD

Julia Willett @jlewillett.bsky.social · 28/10/2023

Come be my colleague! UMN Micro & Immuno is hiring 2 faculty with broad interests in bacteriology and antimicrobial resistance/drug discovery. Great campus, awesome colleagues & collaborators, lovely cities, reasonable cost of living!

01423

Reposted by Ruth Isenberg, PhD

Tiffany Lowe-Power stands with Minnesota @tlowepower.bsky.social · 01/10/2023

Please RT, to support #BLACKandSTEM scientists. 🧪 One of the Fall #CrowdfundUCDavis projects is a fellowship for HBCU students to participate in mentored summer research @ucdavis and build a peer cohort through @CaroleHom's professional dev workshops. crowdfund.ucdavis.edu/project/38402

11011

Reposted by Ruth Isenberg, PhD

Sarah McAnulty, Ph.D. @sarahmackattack.bsky.social · 20/09/2023

Ok @skypeascientist.bsky.social is doing alright. 1,130 classrooms signed up this fall. That's...ok! Buuuut we have so many scientists twiddling their thumbs waiting to get matched. SO! Do the thing humans are built to do. Connect with people! Tell an educator you know we exist! Tag 'em!

69182