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Thalia, PhD

@thalia.bsky.social
266 followers 168 following 120 posts

Microbiologist. Bibliophile. Hockey fan. PhD -> Postdoc @ Brandeis University ✡️ she / they / Dr ✌🏼 researchgate.net/profile/Thalia-Sass

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Reposted by Thalia, PhD
bioRxivpreprint @biorxivpreprint.bsky.social · 25/01/2026
Escherichia coli transcription factors RapA and SspA play opposing roles in tolerance to replication/transcription conflicts after DNA damage www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/20…
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Thalia, PhD @thalia.bsky.social · 04/11/2025
Ballot #92 submitted for my local elections in Massachusetts today! Please go vote for your community 🗳️
An “I voted” sticker in front of polling place
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Thalia, PhD @thalia.bsky.social · 31/10/2025
But really check out @punkrocksaveslives.bsky.social and the great stuff they do in the music community (also someone give me a faculty job).
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Thalia, PhD @thalia.bsky.social · 31/10/2025
Faculty Applications: Describe your teaching pedagogy Me: Well, from what I have learned in the punk rock pit.... I meet every student where they are and pick them back up so they can achieve their career or personal goals 🧪 🧫 ✏️
"Punk Rock Saves Lives" over a skull punk character.
Below " x Rules of the Pit x If someone falls down we pick them back up"
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Thalia, PhD @thalia.bsky.social · 27/10/2025
An aside from the typical scientific programming. *record scratch* @thebeaches.bsky.social did the @npr.org tiny desk concert! www.youtube.com/watch?v=fOmP... I've totally obsessed over last couple years with this awesome girly pop punk group for Toronto! We now resume with microbiology...
youtube.com
The Beaches: Tiny Desk Concert
YouTube video by NPR Music
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Thalia, PhD @thalia.bsky.social · 16/10/2025
@lisasass.bsky.social
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Thalia, PhD @thalia.bsky.social · 13/10/2025
These women, and the value they put on the self-determination of education, were a driving force for my PhD. They of course got the last word in the acknowledgements. Happy Birthday to our Halcyon Matriarch
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Thalia, PhD @thalia.bsky.social · 10/10/2025
Everything bagel. Scallion cream cheese. Lox, onion, extra capers. 🥯✡️
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Thalia, PhD @thalia.bsky.social · 10/10/2025
Sometimes I forget to type "coli" when googling genes. This time instead of finding search results for the transcription factor yidZ, I got a kosher B&B in Illinois and a "Judean Drip" instagram. Shalomie my prokaryotie homies ✡️ 🧫 🧬
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Thalia, PhD @thalia.bsky.social · 07/10/2025
Thanks for the highlight, @genetics-gsa.bsky.social! 🧫🧬🧪
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Thalia, PhD @thalia.bsky.social · 04/09/2025
This sounds like it could be his montage of the happenings of the backyard. Squirrels, birdies, and bunnies, oh my! Exciting and resolved with confidence 😆
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Reposted by Thalia, PhD
ASM @asm.org · 04/09/2025
As national medical, scientific, public health and patient organizations, we call for the resignation of HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to ensure the health of the American people. Read our statement: asm.org/press-releas...
asm.org
Joint Statement Calling for Secretary Kennedy Resignation
The American Society for Microbiology released a joint statement calling for the resignation of HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
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Thalia, PhD @thalia.bsky.social · 01/09/2025
Hey! The driving wasn’t that bad when we took it downtown 😆
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Thalia, PhD @thalia.bsky.social · 28/08/2025
Always happy to chat about microbiology, the development of bacterial genetics, and any hockey game (from the NHL to my silly rec team)! 🏒🧬🧫🧪 doi.org/10.1093/gene...
doi.org
The nature of mutation: a legacy of bacterial genetics
Abstract. A central question in the fields of genetics and evolution was the nature and origin of spontaneous mutation. Bacterial genetic experiments throu
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Thalia, PhD @thalia.bsky.social · 26/08/2025
He was perfect ❤️
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Thalia, PhD @thalia.bsky.social · 26/08/2025
They are elegant organisms that I feel privileged to work with - many more questions to ask to appreciate all of their tricks!
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Thalia, PhD @thalia.bsky.social · 26/08/2025
Thank you - There are still many more questions to be asked of these beautiful cells (using some elegant mathematics too)!
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Thalia, PhD @thalia.bsky.social · 25/08/2025
Thanks, @genetics-gsa.bsky.social for the opportunity to publish in #GENETICS for the Genetics of Bacteria series
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Thalia, PhD @thalia.bsky.social · 25/08/2025
I cannot fully put into words what publishing this Review has meant to me, so I leave you with how we closed the paper. "The humble bacterium is still a relevant tool for the study of the underlying mechanisms that are conserved throughout life." 🧪🧫🧬📚 doi.org/10.1093/gene...
doi.org
The nature of mutation: a legacy of bacterial genetics
Abstract. A central question in the fields of genetics and evolution was the nature and origin of spontaneous mutation. Bacterial genetic experiments throu
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Reposted by Thalia, PhD
Jolene Ramsey @jrrmicro.bsky.social · 07/08/2025
@thalia.bsky.social coli chromosome damaged unleashes stressed pol activate self-care #sciku 🧪🧬🔬🧫🦠 #Phages2025 doi.org/10.1073/pnas...
doi.org
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Reposted by Thalia, PhD
Amelia Randich @ameliarandich.bsky.social · 07/08/2025
@thalia.bsky.social: the transcription factor “stringent starvation protein” SspA is an important regulator of AZT(DNA damage)-induced genes #phages2025 🦠 www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
pnas.org
PNAS
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), a peer reviewed journal of the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) - an authoritative source of high-impact, original research that broadly spans...
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Thalia, PhD @thalia.bsky.social · 04/08/2025
Welcome to the (Lysogeny) Broth Parade 🖤🧪
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Thalia, PhD @thalia.bsky.social · 04/08/2025
A conference requested an image that represents my work for an invited talk…. I give you Emo. coli. Also check out the paper: doi.org/10.1073/pnas... 🧪🧬🧫🦠
Cartoon bacteria with black side swept bangs, converse, black square glasses to look “emo” with the caption “SspA wasn’t just a stationary phase, Mom”
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Thalia, PhD @thalia.bsky.social · 20/05/2025
cool cool cool cool cool cool cool cool cool cool 🫠 🧪🧫📚 "'I call it a wrecking ball,' he said. 'It is a gigantic wrecking ball that’s hit Massachusetts.'" www.boston.com/news/local-n...
boston.com
BU professor finds extensive effects of Trump-era policies in Massachusetts
In a new report, a professor at Boston University warns that the Trump administration's policies threaten the Massachusetts economy.
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Thalia, PhD @thalia.bsky.social · 15/05/2025
Having a great day? Go play hockey Shitty day? Better go play hockey Want to scream at the world? Take it out on the puck. Not enough steps for the day? Go skating Need an expensive coping mechanism? Try adult rec hockey 🏒
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Thalia, PhD @thalia.bsky.social · 21/04/2025
Michele is wonderful! During my PhD I commissioned this piece that eventually became a figure in my dissertation 🧫🧬🧪
Left image is a purified E. coli chromosome that shows the twisting pattern that folds the circular chromosome into the cell. Right image is a watercolor interpretation, in purples and blues, inspired by the scientific image.
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Thalia, PhD @thalia.bsky.social · 15/04/2025
You have a bed (and desk set up) here anytime you feel the craving for lobster rolls and chimichangas!
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Thalia, PhD @thalia.bsky.social · 02/04/2025
Someone didn't get the joke 🍫
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Thalia, PhD @thalia.bsky.social · 02/04/2025
With the rising price of eggs these days, I’m so glad my partner had the sense to buy in bulk
Cardboard box filled with chocolate Cadbury Crème Eggs
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Thalia, PhD @thalia.bsky.social · 18/03/2025
Not sure about grounded, but I love Kate Quinn for historical fiction (esp her WWII novels). I've been going through the Outlander series for fun - bit of time travel fantasy / historical fiction massive books (and spin off stories too).
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Thalia, PhD @thalia.bsky.social · 18/03/2025
Did I just sign up with an additional library network so I don't have to wait to borrow the next book in a series? Yes. My mental health is fragile and being held up by 40+hr historical fiction audiobooks while pipetting. 🧪📚
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Thalia, PhD @thalia.bsky.social · 13/03/2025
Another friend from college is pregnant. Mazel Tov to her, but I'm staying pretty busy with a few billion children on these assay plates and the imploding world of academic science funding. 🧪🧫
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Reposted by Thalia, PhD
Carl Zimmer @carlzimmer.com · 11/03/2025
NASA Eliminates Chief Scientist and Other Jobs at Its Headquarters nyti.ms/4iFAI5X
nyti.ms
NASA Eliminates Chief Scientist and Other Jobs at Its Headquarters (Gift Article)
About 19 positions will be cut, including those in offices focused on technology policy and diversity, equity and inclusion.
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Thalia, PhD @thalia.bsky.social · 08/03/2025
Going to see incredible women play hockey in Boston with the girlies of my rec league. Hockey women supporting women’s hockey on International Women’s Day. Perfection! 🏒🥅❤️
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Reposted by Thalia, PhD
Nature @nature.com · 24/02/2025
The Trump administration's efforts to slash research funding have US graduate students, postdocs and other early-career scientists fearing for their careers. Some might leave the country -- or abandon research altogether. go.nature.com/43ao2zq
go.nature.com
Postdocs and PhD students hit hard by Trump’s crackdown on science
As US federal grants remain frozen and budget cuts loom, anxiety and fear grip early-career researchers.
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Thalia, PhD @thalia.bsky.social · 21/02/2025
The 4 Nations Face-off is some of the most exciting hockey I’ve seen in a long time! Anytime the USA plays Canada something special will happen on the ice. 🥅🏒 What a treat for Boston to host part of the tournament!
Scene of TD Garden hockey pregame show with red, white, yellow, and blue projected on the ice. Canada and Finland flags on the ice. Flags of US, Sweden, Finland, and Canada hanging from the rafters. Lights glowing in the audience.
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Reposted by Thalia, PhD
Stand Up for Science! @standupforscience.net · 17/02/2025
#standupforscience2025 ❤️
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Thalia, PhD @thalia.bsky.social · 17/02/2025
Sounds like a great place. Always happy to support the local hole in the wall spots. Cheers! 🍻
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Thalia, PhD @thalia.bsky.social · 17/02/2025
The 2nd date with my now spouse was meeting up at the Boston March for Science in 2017. 1. Support STEM 2. Meet the love of your life It’s a win-win 🧪🧫❤️
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Thalia, PhD @thalia.bsky.social · 12/02/2025
Expression of my Jewish identity today was making a dank chicken stock (and schmaltz!) from a Costco chicken carcass and veggies from the back of the fridge. No food waste & bubbe would be proud ✡️
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Reposted by Thalia, PhD
Dr. Becca @docbecca.bsky.social · 11/02/2025
“Your work is your rebellion” 💪 www.reddit.com/r/labrats/co...
reddit.com
To My Fellow Lab Rats: A Letter From a Postdoc Who Survived the Bolsonaro Years
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Thalia, PhD @thalia.bsky.social · 10/02/2025
It helps that the paper is in my field and there is a lot of overlap with the technical jargon. And of course google translate when all else fails!
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Thalia, PhD @thalia.bsky.social · 09/02/2025
Now that’s my kind of Little Free Library! One of the greatest hockey movies of all time and very appropriate for a snowy Boston day 🏒🥅📚
Little free library with a row of books and a DVD for Miracle, the 1980 men’s Olympic hockey team’s story
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Thalia, PhD @thalia.bsky.social · 09/02/2025
Not the most recent paper, but it has basic micro / molecular biology techniques for undergrads. link.springer.com/article/10.1...
link.springer.com
Control of RpoS in global gene expression of Escherichia coli in minimal media - Molecular Genetics and Genomics
RpoS, an alternative sigma factor, is critical for stress response in Escherichia coli. The RpoS regulon expression has been well characterized in rich media that support fast growth and high growth y...
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Thalia, PhD @thalia.bsky.social · 09/02/2025
A formal thank you to my high school French teachers because I can just about translate a bacteriology article published in 1939. Even more of a shout out to the Interlibrary Loan system for getting this obscure article in two days!! ✍️🧫🧪
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Reposted by Thalia, PhD
Katie Mack @astrokatie.com · 06/02/2025
They found a way to litter from space
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Thalia, PhD @thalia.bsky.social · 05/02/2025
Totally! Both are delightful depending on the mood ☕🍻
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Thalia, PhD @thalia.bsky.social · 05/02/2025
The best place to write is a townie pub before 5pm. A+ people watching $4 beers Free Wifi Biggest hits of 1970-00's Awesome fried chicken & no one bothers me or asks wtf I'm doing ✍️🧪🧫
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Thalia, PhD @thalia.bsky.social · 28/01/2025
Hero status^ Food insecurity among grad students & postdocs isn’t talked about enough. Free food keeps the dept going literally and figuratively.
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Thalia, PhD @thalia.bsky.social · 28/01/2025
Not all heroes wear capes. Some leave the extra seminar coffee in the lab hallway. We salute you, Captain Coffee: Savior of the afternoon drowsiness! 🧪 ☕ ✍️
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