iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Ruth Isenberg, PhD @ruthlessruth15.bsky.social · 09/10/2026

Big thanks to @jlewillett.bsky.social for letting me start my lab while I was still in hers!

Ruth Isenberg, PhD @ruthlessruth15.bsky.social · 09/10/2026

My first two research students as a PI presented their summer research today at the @macalestercollege.bsky.social Summer Showcase! #ProudPI 🥹

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Ruth Isenberg, PhD @ruthlessruth15.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

My postdoc work is now published! 🥳 Huge thanks to @jlewillett.bsky.social for her mentorship and to my wonderful undergrads @celinesackih.bsky.social (see Fig. 2A) and Fatimah (see Fig. 7) for their hard work on this project 💖

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

No trouble at all, happy to do it for you 🙂 I'll let you know if there is a way to ship directly to you though!

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

Happy to grab your shirt for you at the conference and send it to you!

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

Thanks Vaughn! Glad to have the MMPC representation at Pitt!

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

Another fun fact: my partner is a very talented graphic designer and did a great job bringing my vision to life!

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

Threat level: Ope is my favorite part of the design

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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.

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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

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Ruth Isenberg, PhD @ruthlessruth15.bsky.social · 20/07/2026

Thanks, Mark! Looking forward to getting some research going 😄

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Ruth Isenberg, PhD @ruthlessruth15.bsky.social · 18/07/2026

I'm thinking about getting a Polaroid camera for the lab and making it a tradition! And yes, the plastic beakers have come in handy 😂

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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.

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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 🤗🦠🔬🧫

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

Thanks so much, Julia! I'm excited to take what I've learned in your lab and from IRACDA to Macalester 😊

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Ruth Isenberg, PhD @ruthlessruth15.bsky.social · 16/07/2026

Thank you! I'm honored to be in a position to impact student lives, just like you do.

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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.

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Ruth Isenberg, PhD @ruthlessruth15.bsky.social · 21/02/2026

Thank you, I'll pass on the info! She's certainly open to exploring different pathogens and getting experience with new things.

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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!

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Ruth Isenberg, PhD @ruthlessruth15.bsky.social · 20/01/2026

Happy to share my experience negotiating a startup at an SLAC and my spreadsheet with your friend!

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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.

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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

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

Thank you! And yes, definitely planning to move up from FuturePI Slack to NewPI Slack!

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

Wow what a throw back! Happy to do good by the DocMartian name 🫡

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

Thanks Julia! 😊 Also looking forward to collaborating with you!!

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

My lab did a little signing ceremony to celebrate!

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

Huge thanks to all my mentors who have helped me along this path: @markowenmartin.bsky.social @napaaqtuk.bsky.social @markjmandel.bsky.social @jlewillett.bsky.social. I wouldn't have gotten here without their guidance and mentorship.

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

I am also equally looking forward to starting up my own independent research lab studying the genetics underlying bacterial interactions!

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

It has been my dream for so long to be a professor at a primarily undergraduate liberal arts school, and I finally get to fulfil that dream. I'm so excited for this next step in my career and look forward to working with the wonderful students at Macalester.

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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

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Ruth Isenberg, PhD @ruthlessruth15.bsky.social · 04/12/2025

Thanks for telling me about the series and encouraging me to submit my info!

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Ruth Isenberg, PhD @ruthlessruth15.bsky.social · 07/11/2025

Thanks, Mark! I hadn't realized this came out today!

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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

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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!!!

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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...

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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.

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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...

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