iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Usha Lee McFarling @usha.bsky.social · 03/04/2026

So honored to host journalist, professor, and maritime explorer Michael Cottman this week @ksjatmit.bsky.social to discuss his work on studying the wreck of the slave ship Henrietta Marie. Powerful to learn about the network of Black scuba divers who continue this critical historical work.

Michael Cottman speaking — slide showing him scuba diving.

Usha McFarling, Michael Cottman, and Ashley Smart in front of KSJ offices at MIT.

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Usha Lee McFarling @usha.bsky.social · 02/04/2026

Powerful to hear Khiara Bridges discuss her new book Expecting Inequity — showing even wealthy Black women experience high rates of #maternalmortality— with Ndidiamaka Amutah-Onukagha. “We cannot purchase our way out of structural racism.”

Khiara Bridges and Ndidiamaka Amutah-Onukagha speaking at Harvard Book Store

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Usha Lee McFarling @usha.bsky.social · 14/02/2026

”The information ecosystem is massively polluted, people are pickled in propaganda.” @laurahelmuth.bsky.social on misinformation and low public trust in science @aaas.org. “We‘re fighting an unfair fight.”

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Usha Lee McFarling @usha.bsky.social · 14/02/2026

“Safe care is equitable care,“ said @shaziamsiddique.bsky.social at our @aaas.org panel on removing harmful racial algorithms from medicine. “Think racism not race,” advised Joseph Wright. “There is complexity and the need for humility here,” said @helenburstinmd.medsky.social

Joe Wright Helen Burstin and Shazia Siddique standing at podium at AAAS meeting.

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Usha Lee McFarling @usha.bsky.social · 14/02/2026

“I was used to being discriminated against on the basis of race … all the sudden I had new ism.” The legend Shirley Malcolm speaks @aaas.org about confronting #sexism and #racism as she left the South for college and made her way through her science education.

Shirley Malcolm, Theresa Maldonado and Holden Thorpe seated on stage at AAAS meeting.

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Usha Lee McFarling @usha.bsky.social · 03/02/2026

We have a VIP (and a VIB!) at the @ksjatmit.bsky.social offices today. @melaniedgkaplan.bsky.social is speaking to Knight fellows about her book Lab Dog.

Lab Dog author Melanie D.G. Kaplan at the KSJ offices with beagle pal Moira Rose.

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Usha Lee McFarling @usha.bsky.social · 13/01/2026

How is AI changing how we communicate and how can we use its tools more ethically? Join us at MIT on Feb. 27 for this important conversation about journalism, free speech, and public discourse -- all currently under threat. Please share; all are welcome.

Poster advertising AI and Journalism/Free Speech/Public Discourse event on 2/27/26 at 4 pm at the MIT Welcome Center.

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Usha Lee McFarling @usha.bsky.social · 06/01/2026

Incredible poetry event Jan. 23 to make visible all the cuts (and trauma) from cutting federal research funding. Register here: luma.com/phmnhtwn

Poster showing the Lost Knowledge Project will meet from 10-3 on Jan. 23 in Cambridge, MA.

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Usha Lee McFarling @usha.bsky.social · 12/12/2025

Chat-GPT: Make me a magazine cover that completely rips off a human artist and looks like it’s been poorly photoshopped. (What an apt metaphor for AI.)

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Usha Lee McFarling @usha.bsky.social · 11/12/2025

Cam McMath told us the lab is growing “Dire Wolf” corals — hardier versions that are more likely to survive the coming heat waves. The 2023 bleaching event killed nearly all of the area’s elkhorn corals; most that survived had been transplanted from labs.

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Usha Lee McFarling @usha.bsky.social · 11/12/2025

Seeing the future: Growing climate and disease-hardy baby corals for outplanting and reef restoration. Thank you Coral Reef Futures Lab at @miamirosenstiel.bsky.social for hosting @ksjatmit.bsky.social and for your work.

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Usha Lee McFarling @usha.bsky.social · 04/12/2025

I haven’t found every @ksjatmit.bsky.social fellow here at #WCSJ25 but here’s a start. Rosalia Omungo, Fabio Turone, and our inaugural Africa/Middle East fellow @sharonmuzaki.bsky.social

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Usha Lee McFarling @usha.bsky.social · 04/12/2025

The energy at #WCSJ25 in vibrant beautiful Pretoria is astounding. So much energy and excitement around science writing!

Attendees at WCSJ25 taking photos together

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Usha Lee McFarling @usha.bsky.social · 03/12/2025

“If I’m not getting attacked…I would have felt I failed.” @charlespiller.bsky.social at #WCSJ25 on how his work exposing fraud in Alzheimer’s research was attacked and called misinformation and how he responded. “Ignoring scientific misconduct invites public distrust.”

Journalist Charles Piller speaking at podium at WCSJ conference in Pretoria.

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Usha Lee McFarling @usha.bsky.social · 02/12/2025

So excited to be at the World Conference of Science Journalists ’25 in Pretoria. First meeting held on the African continent and session topics are 🔥! if you’re here please find me to say hello. #WCSJ

Panel Session on including social justice in ocean reporting at WCSJ25 Conference in Pretoria.

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Usha Lee McFarling @usha.bsky.social · 19/11/2025

The bookshelf in our beautiful seminar room @ksjatmit.bsky.social is filled with books by former fellows. Want to be next? Applications to our fellowship are open and on our website. @annaleen.bsky.social @ferrisjabr.bsky.social @tomzellerjr.com @s-r-m.bsky.social and Melanie Kaplan. Please share.

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Usha Lee McFarling @usha.bsky.social · 13/11/2025

Many causes for Black maternal mortality crisis, but depression is one factor and not being able to afford diapers can contribute to depression. 💔 Dr. Wendy Wilcox of @nychealthsystem.bsky.social says NYC is handing out "baby boxes" to help. Solutions can be so simple. And so cheap. #ACHJSummit

Dr. Wendy Wilcox of NYC Health+Hospitals in front of a picture of city officials handing out baby boxes with diapers in effort to stem maternal mortality.

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Usha Lee McFarling @usha.bsky.social · 13/11/2025

Hearing about improving health care from Terence Muhammad of the Greensboro Disparities Collaborative which is doing amazing anti-racism work in medicine. He urges journalists to include community members in stories. “If you don’t listen you won’t be able to get the story right.” #AHCJSummit

Poster of Ms. Nettie Coad who founded Greensboro Health Disparities Collective

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Usha Lee McFarling @usha.bsky.social · 09/11/2025

When I say we need to take care of science writers I mean it. @ksjatmit.bsky.social cookies from Levain bakery for #SciWri25 attendees. 😍

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Usha Lee McFarling @usha.bsky.social · 09/11/2025

I know we’re all political reporters now 😢but incredible to hear Nobelist and UChicago chemist Jack Szostak tell us about the rna world and origin of life at #SciWri25. Remember to nerd out. 🤓🤓🤓

Jack Szostsk speaking with a slide showing protocells.

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Usha Lee McFarling @usha.bsky.social · 09/11/2025

How are science writers coping with the unprecedented assault on science and what is the path ahead? Was honored to discuss this at #SciWri25 plenary with @shiplives.bsky.social @jeanna.bsky.social and Erin Podolak. Missed @michellejewell.bsky.social who still contributed much from afar.

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Usha Lee McFarling @usha.bsky.social · 29/10/2025

This graphic from the story says it all:

Graphic showing grant titles revised to remove words such as equity, racism, and disparities.

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Usha Lee McFarling @usha.bsky.social · 29/10/2025

Let's talk about how science journalism and writing can keep us sane and in the ✨ light ✨right now. I'm excited to have this conversation with @ferrisjabr.bsky.social whose writing I have long admired. We need these conversations rnow more than ever. Please join us. Register👇

Flyer describing event "Lighting the Way" to be held 11/5 6 pm at Tufts in Olin 012 with speakers Ferris Jabr and Usha Lee McFarling.

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Usha Lee McFarling @usha.bsky.social · 15/10/2025

So happy to be back with former colleagues at #STATSummit. First session on CRISPR gene editing featured adorable Baby KJ who received life saving treatment in Pennsylvania.

Panelists at STAT Summit — physicians and parents of Baby KJ.

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Usha Lee McFarling @usha.bsky.social · 07/10/2025

My first post as head of KSJ! Our first public event. This Thursday. Cambridge. Science journalism in a time of crisis. It's going to be 🔥. Join me and @katherinejwu.com @aniloza.bsky.social @sarareardon.bsky.social @akuchment.bsky.social @jeremyfaust.bsky.social and @edenmedina.bsky.social

A flyer showing speakers and describing a panel discussion "Confronting Crisis" to be held 10.9.25 from 4:15-6:15 at 101 Rogers Street in Cambridge.

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Usha Lee McFarling @usha.bsky.social · 05/10/2025

Had an amazing time at the incredible NMF gala with absolute legends @mclemoremr.bsky.social @ucheblackstockmd.bsky.social @joelbervell.bsky.social Aletha Maybank Nick St. Fleur Micheleen Davis and fellow awardee Toyin Ajayi. So inspired by your work. Thank you for recognizing mine. ♥️

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Usha Lee McFarling @usha.bsky.social · 03/10/2025

I'm truly humbled to be honored tonight by @nmfonline.bsky.social with the Truth to Power Award for amplifying marginalized voices and exposing inequality through storytelling. Other incredible honorees include @richbesser.bsky.social @jbetancourtpr.bsky.social and -- not lying -- Ben Vereen.

Front of New York's plaza hotel -- lit up for the evening.

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Usha Lee McFarling @usha.bsky.social · 05/04/2025

Elementary school principals going where university presidents fear to tread...

New York Times headline reading "New York says it does not intend to comply with D.E.I. order on schools"

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Usha Lee McFarling @usha.bsky.social · 02/03/2025

impossibly round! photo from GattGatt

A VERY round blue bird with a blue head and red tail.

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Usha Lee McFarling @usha.bsky.social · 09/02/2025

APOD (animal photo of day) courtesy Memphis Zoo.

A baby giraffes sitting with legs tucked under.

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Usha Lee McFarling @usha.bsky.social · 06/02/2025

Science journalists waiting for MMWR tomorrow

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Usha Lee McFarling @usha.bsky.social · 30/01/2025

So @holdenthorp.bsky.social thinking this was some eerie good timing on your cover choice.

The current (Jan. 24) cover of Science titled "Manifold Males" showing a very puffed up male bird in impressive breeding plumage.

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Usha Lee McFarling @usha.bsky.social · 28/01/2025

Regarding the new executive orders, I have been told the lawyers have entered the room. Stay tuned to @statnews.com for more coverage as this unfolds.

First page of lawsuit filed against new executive orders showing plaintiffs and defendants.

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Usha Lee McFarling @usha.bsky.social · 10/01/2025

The LA Fires continue to be devastating and heartbreaking, especially the pieces of people's lives and homes still drifting through the air, like this charred page of a medical textbook.

Charred book page on ground found near Eaton Fire.

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Usha Lee McFarling @usha.bsky.social · 09/01/2025

Last night’s eerie smoky sunset in Pasadena. Please keep everyone here in your thoughts. #eatonfire

Orange sky and smoke at sunset over palm trees.

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Usha Lee McFarling @usha.bsky.social · 09/01/2025

@kevinmgill.bsky.social Is this true? I hope not. This is the latest fire map. It shows the fire is still quite far from JPL. I would think @latimes.com @sherlyholmes.bsky.social @nohaggerty.bsky.social who are doing incredible work with their coverage would be on top of this if true.

Map showing extent of Eaton Fire and evacuation zones as of 1/9/25 12:20 pm

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Usha Lee McFarling @usha.bsky.social · 10/12/2024

This chart by @jaspar.bsky.social shows just how much of an outlier the U.S. is when it comes to per capita spending on health care. And how little bang we get for our buck.

A chart showing the United States with high health care spending and low life expectancy, compared with Portugal (and nearly all other nations) with much lower spending and often much higher life expectancy.

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