iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Sarah Cook, PhD @scquack.bsky.social · 04/08/2026

Wanted to share this information from Duke Visa Services for anyone that is on a #visa in the US - #J1 or #F1 visas in particular #USVisa #Immigration

Dear Colleagues,

Many of you may have seen the final rule eliminating duration of status for F-1 and J-1 visa holders. Our Duke Visa Services team has updated their website to provide detailed information for this rule.

The biggest takeaway is that we will likely need to file extensions for our F-1, J-1 and OPT populations which we haven’t had to do in the past. This step will require you to engage with our visa specialists earlier in order to maintain compliance for your visa holder.

When visa expiration reports come out this month, please pay close attention to anyone in J-1 status and encourage your departments to get any necessary J-1 extensions processed ASAP. After September 15th, J-1 scholars will need to either apply for an extension of stay through USCIS, or will need to travel and re-enter the U.S.

Below is a list of some of the most impactful changes for our PhD and Postdoc population since that constitutes the majority of our F-1 and J-1 employees within the SOM. Implications for other categories of F-1 and J-1 holders can be found on the Visa Services website.

For international PhD students (F-1) and postdoctoral associates/scholars (often J-1), the most significant changes in the DHS final rule are:
• F-1 and J-1 visa holders will no longer be admitted for "Duration of Status (D/S)." Instead, they will receive an I-94 with a specific end date and must either leave the U.S., obtain a new admission, or apply for an extension of stay before that date
• The maximum initial admission period will generally be the program length, up to 4 years. If a PhD program or research appointment is expected to last longer than 4 years, the individual will need to apply for an Extension of Stay (EOS) with USCIS
o DHS specifically acknowledged that doctoral programs commonly exceed 4 years, yet there is no special exemption for PhD students
o PhD students can continue beyond 4 years if needed, but they must file an EOS application
• Postdoctoral scholars in J-1 status may also be affected. J-1 exchange visitors will be admitted for a fixed period tied to their program, not to exceed 4 years, and will need an EOS if their program extends beyond the admission period
• Timely-filed EOS applications provide protection. DHS states that individuals who file an EOS on time will have their stay automatically extended while the application is pending
• Failure to maintain status, or remaining beyond the authorized period could have more immediate consequences. Overstays can result in the accrual of unlawful presence, which may affect future visa applications, re-entry to the U.S., or adjustment of status
• Current students and scholars already in the U.S. with a valid F-1 or J-1 status on the rule's effective date generally may remain under the existing D/S framework until their current program end date or up to 4 years after the rule takes effect, whichever comes first
• The rule takes effect September 15, 2026, subject to congressional review. DHS has established a 4-year transition period for many currently enrolled F-1 and J-1 individuals

Overall, current PhD students already enrolled and in the US before the effective date may see little immediate impact because of the transition provisions. However, new PhD students entering after September 15, 2026, should expect to file at least one EOS application if their degree extends beyond 4 years.

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Sarah Cook, PhD @scquack.bsky.social · 18/05/2026

@dn35.bsky.social thanks for the great episode (made me feel much better) and the podcast over the last year. Enjoy your Summer break (AKA looking forward to listening next Monday because you're already bored 😅)

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Sarah Cook, PhD @scquack.bsky.social · 17/04/2026

I've never had such an intense desire to boop a plane before

Blue plane with a yellow circle containing a red star on its nose tip

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Prof. Shane Crotty @profshanecrotty.bsky.social · 14/04/2026

Thanks Eric! I worked to make this review of human immune memory to vaccines comprehensive and accessible. And I made an accompanying video lecture for those desiring a different format: www.youtube.com/watch?v=8DeZ...

youtube.com

Review: Immunological memory to vaccines

YouTube video by Cell Press

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Sarah Cook, PhD @scquack.bsky.social · 14/04/2026

Looking forward to hearing all about Young's life outside of the podcast @dn35.bsky.social

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Katherine Aird @airdlab.bsky.social · 11/04/2026

Looking for a postdoc position and attending AACR in San Diego? I'll be there, too, and the lab is actively recruiting! Send me an email with your CV and cover letter, and I’ll follow up if there is a mutual fit. See more about our research at airdlab.com.

airdlab.com

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Sarah Cook, PhD @scquack.bsky.social · 03/04/2026

I've been in the US for 11 years and today, finally, I've seen a raccoon! I'm so thrilled! What an incredible little dude 🦝

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Sarah Cook, PhD @scquack.bsky.social · 05/03/2026

This is a very good point ⬇️⬇️

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Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute @cruk-mi.bsky.social · 05/03/2026

We have three exciting opportunities for you to join us for a fully-funded 4-year #PhD project here in #Manchester starting in October 2026 Find full details of all the projects on our website: www.cruk.manchester.ac.uk/phd-student-... Applications close 3rd April 2026

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Sarah Cook, PhD @scquack.bsky.social · 27/02/2026

My favourite thing about this is that if you combine Tory + Reform votes they still don't beat the Greens. Just excellent all round. What lovely news to wake up to this morning ☀️🍃💚

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Esther Krook-Magnuson @kmlab.bsky.social · 21/02/2026

The KM Lab is hiring! We're looking for both a new technician (makes a great post-bac like experience) and a post-doc. Come do fun science. Come join an amazing community. Learn more: sites.google.com/site/krookma...

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Dr Jamie Gallagher @jamiebgall.co.uk · 19/02/2026

Remember this, our constitutional monarchy does not allow for the arrest of the monarch, they are immune from all criminal prosecution. Andrew was born second in line to the throne. He was a hair’s breadth from ultimate immunity. The system cannot hold.

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Sarah Cook, PhD @scquack.bsky.social · 19/02/2026

Thank you, Virginia Giuffre. What an incredibly brave woman.

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Valentine Barker @valentinebarker.com · 16/02/2026

I'm sure we've all seen the graphic that lays out the United States ' relationship with slavery. It's good, but I never thought it was quite impactful enough. So I made my own. I've used a few key events, including my birth, to highlight how recent these events are in history. 1 square = 1 year.

A graphic in pink, blue, and green that illustrates how recent many Black History events are to the current day -- ranging from 1619 to 2024.

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Sarah Cook, PhD @scquack.bsky.social · 15/02/2026

3 giant killings in a season would have been greedy. Proud of them this year already - now let's get that promotion train on the tracks! #GTFC #ChooChoo 🚂🤍🖤

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Durham County Department of Public Health (DCoDPH) @durhamhealthnc.bsky.social · 11/02/2026

An individual with measles visited 3 Durham locations on February 6. Learn more here: dconc.gov/DurhamCo-New.... If you were in one of these locations during the affected time frames, get vaccinated if you are unvaccinated, monitor your symptoms for 21 days, & call your doctor symptoms develop.

Measles exposure in Durham February 6 Exposición al sarampión en Durham, 6 de febrero. An individual with measles visited the following locations on Friday, February 6: Goodwill, 4318 Garret Rd., Durham, NC
February 6, 2026, 10:20AM. to 1:10PM

Chubby’s Tacos, 4711 Hope Valley Road., Durham, NC
February 6, 2026, 11:45AM to 2:30PM

Plato’s Closet, 8128 Renaissance Pkwy #110, Durham, NC
February 6, 12:45PM to 4:00PM
If you visited one of these locations during these time frames, check your vaccination status and get vaccinated as soon as possible if you are unvaccinated; monitor your symptoms for 21 days; and call your doctor if symptoms develop. Learn more: https://tinyurl.com/2rabwb5t

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Tristan Lee @tristanl.ee · 10/02/2026

People on Reddit are getting Amazon to refund their Ring products because of their partnership with Flock and that creepy Super Bowl ad www.reddit.com/r/FlockSurve...

Screenshot of Amazon customer support chat getting refund for a Ring Floodlight Cam

https://www.reddit.com/r/FlockSurveillance/comments/1r0m509/comment/o4jc9xz/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button

Screenshot of chat with Amazon customer support getting refund for a Ring product bought in October 2020

https://www.reddit.com/r/FlockSurveillance/comments/1r0m509/comment/o4k6nqk/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button

Infographic telling Ring customers they can get refunds for their purchases through Amazon

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Matthias Trost @mtrost.bsky.social · 02/02/2026

I have a 3-year postdoc position available at University of Manchester for a mass spec expert in proteomics. The person will be involved in exciting projects in single cell proteomics, drug discovery and innate immunity - on timsTOF Ultra AIP & HF & Astral Zoom. www.jobs.ac.uk/job/DQJ093/r...

trostlab.org

Home - Trost Lab

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BK. Titanji @boghuma.bsky.social · 29/01/2026

Important study in @nature.com how climate change could impact malaria transmission in coming decades. An increase in malaria cases of over 100 million by 2050. The authors emphasize a need for climate resilient malaria countering measure. Climate change is real. www.nature.com/articles/s41...

nature.com

Projected impacts of climate change on malaria in Africa - Nature

Projected impacts of climate change on malaria burden in Africa by 2050 highlight the urgent need for climate-resilient malaria control strategies and robust emergency response systems to safeguard pr...

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Adam Bienkov @adambienkov.bsky.social · 26/01/2026

The defection of Suella Braverman, who was sacked twice from Government in disgrace, spent £700m of taxpayers' money to send four volunteers to Rwanda on a deportation scheme that was then scrapped and has a public approval rating of minus 32 is currently being described as a "major coup" for Reform

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Michelle Linterman @linterman.bsky.social · 26/01/2026

Ever wondered what happens if you remove Tfh cells from established germinal centres?

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Sarah Cook, PhD @scquack.bsky.social · 21/01/2026

Thank you @theguardian.com for your little snide comments on Trump's speech in square brackets because it's the only thing keeping me sane right now www.theguardian.com/business/liv...

"Trump then claims that the US has got "nothing out of Nato" apart from protecting Europe from Russia. [This is, frankly, offensive. Nato's collective defence pledge, Article 5, has only been activated once, after 9/11]"

"And he questions the commitment of fellow Nato members to the alliance, saying: "We're there for Nato 100%, I'm not sure if they'd be there for us." [except they were after 9/11, Donald]."

"Trump then turns to Emmanuel Macron, questioning why the French president gave a speech yesterday in some rather natty sunglasses. [reportedly, Macon has an eye infection] ..... And in a painful moment, Trump says you can say he's brought don drug prices by 2000%. The fake news, he says, might only call it a 90% reduction, but that sounds "much worse". [Although more accurate]."

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Sarah Cook, PhD @scquack.bsky.social · 20/01/2026

Move over Simon Armitage and Carol Ann Duffy. There's a new Poet Laureate in Town, and it's beautiful @dn35.bsky.social #GTFC

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Scary Tea Lady @sassytealady.bsky.social · 17/01/2026

Here's a block list everyone can use. bsky.app/profile/did:...

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Mark A. Hanson @hansonmark.bsky.social · 13/01/2026

We've got ISSUES. Literally. We scraped >100k special issues & over 1 million articles to bring you a PISS-poor paper. We quantify just how many excess papers are published by guest editors abusing special issues to boost their CVs. How bad is it & what can we do? arxiv.org/abs/2601.07563 A 🧵 1/n

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Sarah Cook, PhD @scquack.bsky.social · 12/01/2026

Fyi for everyone so you can all block it

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Sarah Cook, PhD @scquack.bsky.social · 12/01/2026

Hey #medsky community, I have a quick question for you. I gave birth in September & had a weird/less than pleasant interaction with one of the medical staff members. I brushed it off at the time but it's clearly still on my mind. 1/2

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Katherine Derbyshire @kderbyshire.bsky.social · 11/01/2026

Feels like a good time to repost this. Rabbi Danya Ruttenberg's checklist of things to do that aren't protesting or voting.

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Chanda Prescod-Weinstein 🌌 @chanda.blacksky.app · 09/01/2026

Reminder that “Say her name” was developed specifically to call attention to murders of Black women

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Sarah Cook, PhD @scquack.bsky.social · 10/01/2026

God I love the #FACup - well done Macclesfield!

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Durham County Department of Public Health (DCoDPH) @durhamhealthnc.bsky.social · 08/01/2026

We don’t know who needs to hear this, but the flu is getting out of hand. And we needed to make a post about it. Here are our pretty direct thoughts, because sometimes our social media manager/infographic designer is tired & can’t think of a way to put it more gently. Please make good choices. (1/2)

Here’s the thing: Ridiculous numbers of people are getting the flu right now. Cases, hospitalizations, and deaths are reaching or have already reached record-breaking numbers. People of all ages are getting sick, being hospitalized, and dying, even if they had no other health conditions. And lots of people who are “ok” and don’t require hospitalization are feeling terrible and probably wish they were not sick.

You should really be trying not to get the flu (and
COVID-19 and RSV and more). This means, yes, you should really get vaccinated….Vaccines teach your body how to recognize and respond to the particular viruses they were created for. No amount of washing your hands, eating healthy, sleeping, or exercising can do this for you. Sorry. These are all important for your immune system and other reasons, but they cannot replace the work of vaccines. People of all ages, with or without other health issues, should get vaccinated. Vaccines help prevent infection and severe illness in people of all ages (yes, even kids. Healthy children can and do die from the flu. And most children who die are unvaccinated*). *Sources if you don’t believe us: bit.ly/428YhOU, tinyurl.com/4tmv8km8, bit.ly/mm7241a2. ... and you should wear masks.

If you don’t want to get or spread the flu (or COVID-19 or other things) you should really wear masks. Seriously, people. Yes, we know, some of you love them and some of you hate them. But we’re a health agency so we’re here to share the things that work to protect your health. Masks keep you from breathing in, or breathing out into the air, virus particles that make you and others sick, even if you don’t know you or the people around you are sick (and honestly you often won’t know). You should wash your hands frequently, eat healthy foods, and get plenty of sleep, but no amount of any of this is going to keep you from breathing in virus particles in the air. Definitely wash your hands. Please. Viruses can spread in multiple ways, and handwashing helps prevent some of those ways. But you can’t wash away a virus you’ve breathed in. There’s a reason masks often become required again at doctors’ offices and hospitals whenever virus spread gets bad (like now). It’s because they work.

Also, it’s very unkind to choose to be unmasked around others if you know you’re sick (and if there’s no reason you can’t wear a mask). For you, maybe it’s “just” the flu or a mild case of another illness, and you don’t care if you’re sick. But for the person you pass it to, it could be: Too much for their body to handle in addition to their chronic illness | The illness they pass to a loved one who has cancer | The reason they are sick on the day of an important life event | A hospital stay for a child | The infection that leads to a disability | Their cause of death. If you are sick, please be kind and stay away from others as much as possible, and wear a mask if you have to spend time away from home. PS: A lot of cases of illness spread by people who don’t have symptoms, so if you want to be even more considerate, it’s a good idea to mask around other people even if you don’t think you’re sick.

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Quinn Ostrom @qostrom.bsky.social · 09/01/2026

I am recruiting a postdoc focused on analysis of 'omic' data with the goal of identifying cell types that modulate GBM predisposition. An ideal candidate would have expertise in analysis of: • Single cell/spatial sequencing. • Bulk RNA • WXS • Genotyping array. careers.duke.edu/job/Durham-P...

careers.duke.edu

POSTDOCTORAL ASSOCIATE

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Sarah Cook, PhD @scquack.bsky.social · 04/01/2026

This is awesome. I was told often (& not as a joke) that: "No one can understand you" "Everyone from the North is on benefits" "You've taken the place of someone who deserves it" "Do you even have cars up there?" I love that these students are finding each other www.theguardian.com/education/20...

theguardian.com

‘Oh my gosh, they’re all from London and Cambridge’: York University’s northerners fight back

Lucy Morville, from Burnley, thought most students would be from the north and felt ‘culture shock’ surrounded by southerners

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Sarah Cook, PhD @scquack.bsky.social · 03/01/2026

Love it when experts in a field break it down for everyone to understand. Thank you Dr. Agro for this really interesting video on "The War on Drugs" and what it actually means geopolitically

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Zach Weinersmith @zachweinersmith.bsky.social · 02/01/2026

If you're not aware, essentially the deal is that the twitter AI, Grok, has a pretty good image model. So, someone posts a photo, and you can say "Grok, show this person in a bikini" and get realistic results. I don't think actual nudity, but certainly highly sexualized clothing.

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Rudbeckia @rudbeckia.bsky.social · 01/01/2026

uh holy SHIT?

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Sarah Cook, PhD @scquack.bsky.social · 02/01/2026

Excellent news! The UK is to start offering the MMRV vaccine on the NHS - protecting children against chicken pox Also, I love that @theguardian.com article hasn't "two sided" it. The evidence is clear: the vaccine is safe and effective. No suggesting otherwise www.theguardian.com/society/2026...

theguardian.com

UK children to get chickenpox vaccine with measles, mumps and rubella jab

NHS to administer combined immunisation in move in line with approach in US, Canada, Australia and Germany

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Catherine Prendergast @badtoss.bsky.social · 25/12/2025

I'm going to tell my favorite story again about reflecting the certainty of beliefs back at people who don't expect it. A friend was one of the few Jews on faculty at a North Dakota University. Every year, his colleague in religious studies would invite him to come to his religious studies class...

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Best for Britain @bestforbritain.org · 24/11/2025

Did you ever racially abuse fellow pupils? It was years ago. Did you ever racially abuse fellow pupils? Not in a hurtful way. Did you ever racially abuse fellow pupils? Not with intent. Did you ever racially abuse fellow pupils? Not genuine abuse. 😮🫣😬😱 ~AA

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Cab Davidson @gnomeicide.bsky.social · 16/11/2025

Oh my gosh. This is... A thing. Please allow a microbiologist who has played with the microbe that makes this to waffle on for a bit in a short thread. (1)

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Sarah Cook, PhD @scquack.bsky.social · 16/11/2025

Reason number 10000000001 that AI is just so dumb. Bearing in mind - I'm posting this at 0-0, 16 minutes into the match. I'm particularly impressed Myles Lewis-Skelly is going to score, considering he's not even in the squad.

Screen shot of a Google AI overview of Albania Vs England football match. The AI says "AI overview: Albania and England recently played a FIFA World Cup Qualifier on November 16, 2025, where England won 2-0. The match was the final group game for both teams and took place in Tirana, Albania. England's goals were sacked by Myles Lewis-Skelly and Harry Kane"

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Sarah Cook, PhD @scquack.bsky.social · 11/11/2025

Finally caught up on @thebhp.bsky.social .. So excited we've got to 1100 because that means world updates! Some of my favourite episodes. I love hearing how everything that happens fit into context of whole world history. Can't wait 🇬🇧🗺️

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Jessica Elgot @jessicaelgot.bsky.social · 10/11/2025

Maybe Keir should demand the heads of major US news networks any time they imply Britain is on the brink of civil war or that we live under sharia law. Or does it not work both ways?

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Chris Toseland @christoseland.bsky.social · 05/11/2025

Please repost - Multiple PhDs available www.findaphd.com/phds/project... www.findaphd.com/phds/project... www.findaphd.com/phds/project...

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Sarah Cook, PhD @scquack.bsky.social · 05/11/2025

Good God this feeling of hope is... So, so needed

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Sarah Cook, PhD @scquack.bsky.social · 19/10/2025

So glad to see my good friend and amazing immunologist @kayasoufi.bsky.social here on bluesky! If you're interested in #TCells #Immunology #Glioblastoma you should definitely give her a follow! Her research is really exciting!

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Sarah Cook, PhD @scquack.bsky.social · 09/10/2025

Happy Phil Jevons day to all who celebrate 🖤🤍⚽ I've said it before, but for my Creative Writing Essay for GCSE English I wrote about attending that match - wonder if this year there'll be someone doing the same for the ManU game... #GTFC youtu.be/kckRb1Vz4hU?...

youtu.be

Jevons v Liverpool

YouTube video by Grimsby Town FC Videos

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Sarah Cook, PhD @scquack.bsky.social · 13/09/2025

Feel like that whole match was pretty forgettable. Onto the next... #GTFC

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