iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Reposted by Valerie Benti

(aka)Matsu lab @matsulab.com · 19/09/2026

We just spent two days talking science, building lab culture, tie-dying t-shirts, telling spooky stories, making smores, and stargazing! #LabRetreat #MatsuLab @mattakamatsu.bsky.social @minismk.bsky.social @atsushimatsuda.bsky.social @valeriebenti.com

Atsushi, Matt, Semin, Abhi and Valerie pose with their custom tie-dye t-shirts on a beach during the lab retreat.

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Meghan Cherry @ Seattle's Funniest FINALS on Oct 4! @meghancherry25.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

City Of Seattle In Shambles As Population Prepares To Respect Macklemore Again

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Valerie Benti @valeriebenti.com · 11/09/2026

"Every time someone says you can't do something, they're just afraid that you will." @murray.senate.gov

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Reposted by Valerie Benti

Micah @rincewind.run · 10/09/2026

Discworld QOTD, from The Light Fantastic “Unseen University had never admitted women, muttering something about problems with the plumbing, but the real reason was an unspoken dread that if women were allowed to mess around with magic they would probably be embarrassingly good at it…”

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Valerie Benti @valeriebenti.com · 28/08/2026

All because I complained that there told us about an inspection, and then they never came to do the inspection...

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Valerie Benti @valeriebenti.com · 28/08/2026

When your #SeattleLandLord is very clear about their political leanings... "Here is the solution: Be careful how you vote!! Our city government is staffed by idiots who make work for all of us." 🙃

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Valerie Benti @valeriebenti.com · 24/08/2026

One of the most fun but also cringiest things I've ever done: have an improv troupe lovingly do a scene loosely based on my diary reading 😳

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(aka)Matsu lab @matsulab.com · 20/08/2026

Congratulations to our own @atsushimatsuda.bsky.social on a fabulous new method accurately measuring 3D cellular membrane curvature from cryo-electron tomograms! @minismk.bsky.social, @ctleelab.bsky.social Interactive explainer: matsulabuw.github.io/mem-pinn/ reader.openrxivlabs.org/content/10.6...

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Valerie Benti @valeriebenti.com · 15/08/2026

Even before starting The Fifth Season, I'm all in.

Photo of the dedication page of a book that says: "For all those who have to fight for the respect that everyone else is given without question"

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Valerie Benti @valeriebenti.com · 15/08/2026

Using my PhD to feed the trolls today, what have you been up to?

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Valerie Benti @valeriebenti.com · 04/08/2026

Would a ferret with short spine syndrome just kind of look normally proportioned?

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Valerie Benti @valeriebenti.com · 04/08/2026

I hadn't seen the show and the movie got curious enough to go watch the show and absolutely love it. So, I kind of love it for that. Haven't and will not watch the live action series though.

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Reposted by Valerie Benti

Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal @jayapal.house.gov · 04/08/2026

Washington state: Today is Election Day! Drop off your ballot in an official drop box by 8 PM today to be sure it’s counted. To track your ballot, locate drop boxes, and find out how to register to vote today, visit VoteWA.gov!

votewa.gov

VoteWA Voter Portal

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Valerie Benti @valeriebenti.com · 04/08/2026

Getting my babies* pulled today. (* Baby teeth. You'd think my mouth finally caught up with my age, but no, I'll still have two baby teeth left after today.)

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Valerie Benti @valeriebenti.com · 04/08/2026

"(cells go both ways)" Even the cells I study are bisexual.

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Valerie Benti @valeriebenti.com · 29/07/2026

Anyone else ever have incredibly inconvenient bouts of being calendrically challenged?

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Disco Elysium Quotes @discoelysiumbot.bsky.social · 06/07/2026

I'm a deeply flawed individual, but I bring joy to the world.

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Valerie Benti @valeriebenti.com · 03/07/2026

I'm writing a video-game parody of the Dumb ways to Die for a convention and could use your help! What are 1) some really dumb video game deaths or 2) the dumbest ways you've died in a game.

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Reposted by Valerie Benti

ian @ahandleforian.bsky.social · 15/06/2026

Lukaku coming on and scoring with his first touch (that he didn't even touch really let's be honest) is the most quintessential Lukaku outcome one could hope to Lukaku

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50 Plus Döner @50plusdoner.bsky.social · 15/06/2026

Lukaku causing an own goal by aura farming 3 seconds in to getting subbed in lol

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No Score Draws ✍🏻⚽ @noscoredraws.com · 15/06/2026

Lukaku in his absolute unit-ness just bullied that guy into scoring an own goal

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Will Harris @sandwichpick.bsky.social · 15/06/2026

lukaku coming into the game

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Valerie Benti @valeriebenti.com · 15/06/2026

Not even 30s on the field and he causes a goal. LUKAKUUUUUU! #OléOléOléOlé #RodeDuivels

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Valerie Benti @valeriebenti.com · 15/06/2026

Join us for a bubbly variety show that puts everyone's favorite four-stringed mini instrument front and center! Live music, comedy, and burlesque! www.eventbookings.com/b/event/oops...

An array of colorful ukuleles on a light blue background. Text says: Oops All Ukuleles! an all-ukulelel variety show. July 9 at 7:30 at Theatre Off Jackson

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Valerie Benti @valeriebenti.com · 13/06/2026

Another year ending and undergraduates going out into the real world 😢 (Part 2)

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Valerie Benti @valeriebenti.com · 13/06/2026

Another year ending and undergraduates going out into the real world 😢 (Part 1)

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Valerie Benti @valeriebenti.com · 01/06/2026

The only people allowed to call me "dear" are elderly Scottish teashop owners, thank you very much.

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Reposted by Valerie Benti

(aka)Matsu lab @matsulab.com · 13/05/2026

Grad student Maggie gave an excellent flash talk today about how failure is an essential part of learning and becoming a well-rounded scientist. How can we create a classroom and lab culture that helps students acknowledge and learn through failure?

Maggie presents a slide with the text:
How can we productively acknowledge failure in the classroom? What would it look like if students learned...
... that rewards can come from mistakes?
... that failure is not only inevitable but essential?
... that mistakes are made by everyone?

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Valerie Benti @valeriebenti.com · 12/05/2026

I've been doing a lot of rubbings (is that what they are called) lately, and it's amazing how many signs and plaques are out there that I've just never noticed!

bronze rubbing of the Sound Transit lighrail train

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Reposted by Valerie Benti

Valerie Benti @valeriebenti.com · 06/05/2026

Treat yourself to an evening of funny, queer, inclusive, amazing, sexy, entertainment! #SexEd! is all about the stuff you wish you learned in school! 🗓️ Thursday, May 28th 📍Seattle Open Arts Place 🎫 soap.thundertix.com/events/263734

Flyer for "Sex Ed, a variety show about the things you wish you learned in school" with the information in the post on a background of historical inter-uterine devices.

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Valerie Benti @valeriebenti.com · 06/05/2026

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Valerie Benti @valeriebenti.com · 08/04/2026

TIL the first paragraph of Lorem Ipsum is 69 words long, and that's just, you know, nice.

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Valerie Benti @valeriebenti.com · 03/04/2026

One of my favorite cell lines to work with, it's so pretty! Also what a coincidence because I'm thawing some ZO-1 cells today 😊

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Valerie Benti @valeriebenti.com · 02/04/2026

#SciTalk2026 was, as usual, an amazing whirlwind of reconnecting with old and meeting new friends, talking about creative #SciComm, optimism for the future, and facilitating "Learn, Laugh, Shimmy" with some of my absolute favorite people. Not to mention the SOLD OUT #ChiasmCabaret show!

Group photo of the participants of the Live, Laugh, Shimmy workshop on using performance as a scicomm tool

Photo of the facilitators of the Live, Laugh, Shimmy workshop on using performance as a scicomm tool. The four facilitators are posing with colored boas. They are standing in front of a projection screen, showing the flyer for Chiasm Cabaret, a sexy science variety show.

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Valerie Benti @valeriebenti.com · 02/04/2026

Last week, I had the honor to sit on a panel talking about Kickstarting a Scicomm career at ComSciCon-PNW 2026. There were some hot takes, fruitful discussions, and amazing questions. I'm excited to see the next generation of science communicators take the spotlight and do amazing things! #SciComm

A panelist of four sits in front of a projection screen in a conference room, with the moderator off to the right.

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Reposted by Valerie Benti

Valerie Benti @valeriebenti.com · 23/03/2026

Can't wait to see "Bards and Jesters and (Drag) Queens, Oh My!" take the stage @norwescon.org There will be comedy! There will be drag! There will be dancing! There will be singing! There will be entertainment galore! See you there?

Flyer for the nerdy variety show showing photos of all the performers

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Valerie Benti @valeriebenti.com · 23/03/2026

Say what? a gaggle of geeks is BACK at @norwescon.org! If you're at the con, I hope you'll join the nerdiest comedians of the region bringing their deepest cuts and geekiest jokes! Singalong optional 😉

Flyer for the event at Norwescon showing the six performers that will be in the show!

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Reposted by Valerie Benti

Valerie Benti @valeriebenti.com · 23/03/2026

While I'm at it, let me share that I'll be part of this panel at @sakuraconofficial.bsky.social next week! We've brought together the nerdiest of nerds to talk about how their work and side projects intersect! #NerdsDoingNerdyThings!

Screenshot of the panel description:
Nerds doing science
Have you ever realized that a lot of people with nerdy hobbies also happen to have nerdy jobs? Join our panel of scientists, engineers, and other STEM professionals who also happen to do cosplay, comedy, or nerdy art! Learn how they combine their professional life with their side-gigs or hobbies, how those two sometimes intersect, and leave inspired to use your creativity across all aspects of your life!
Date & time
Friday, April 3, 2026, 2:30 PM - 3:30 PM
Location
Guest/Industry Panels/Premiers - Ballroom 2

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Valerie Benti @valeriebenti.com · 23/03/2026

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Valerie Benti @valeriebenti.com · 23/03/2026

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Valerie Benti @valeriebenti.com · 23/03/2026

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Valerie Benti @valeriebenti.com · 23/03/2026

Hey Portland, what are you up to on Friday? Want to come see some nerdy burlesque, drag and comedy? Tickets & Info: www.mcmenamins.com/venueevent.a...

Flyer for Chiasm Cabaret: A Sexy Science Variety Show showing all the performers.

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Valerie Benti @valeriebenti.com · 23/03/2026

Will you be at #SciTalk2026? Want to learn more about putting together a scicom variety show? We got you! Join us for the workshop “Laugh, Learn, and Shimmy: Science Communication with a Tease”

Graphic promoting the workshop at Science Talk '26. The four people shown are the workshop facilitators, each in their entertainment alter ego!

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Valerie Benti @valeriebenti.com · 11/03/2026

Come see me sing some of my origin songs! Grad school trauma. That's my origin... Info and tickets: www.eventbrite.com/e/the-left-b...

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Valerie Benti @valeriebenti.com · 13/03/2026

If you can tell me what my earrings are, I'll send you a sticker! 😉

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(aka)Matsu lab @matsulab.com · 13/03/2026

Wondering what the role of actin in CLIC/GEEC endocytic scission is? Well, Maggie is here to tell you how we're going to find out! #NWDB2026

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Reposted by Valerie Benti

The Needling @theneedling.com · 10/03/2026

“I’ve actually been enjoying walking and using public transit more instead, all thanks to legendary environmental activist Donald J. Trump.”

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