Reached the “am I crazy or is it just sassy comment time” phase of the manuscript writing process.

There is no Benny, only Zuul.

Spent 10k on custom media from @thermofishersci.bsky.social which kills our neurons, unlike a similar in house made version. Complained to thermo about this, and after a month of “investigation” they refuse to refund or replace it- but will let us have a discount on a replacement. Well done.

Want a change of scenery in these interesting times? Our institute is recruiting a director/head of school. wittkieffer.com/positions/38...

Fluorescence Friday- DIV21 hippocampal neurons imaged with 10x expansion microscopy. Magenta- Bassoon Cyan- PSD95

There’s so much Miller on the timeline, cleansing with Dolly Parton and a cat ✨

Spending the first day of 2026 putting the finishing touches on this work. A few more layers of teal dendrites and axons left to go.

He’s trying to summit the Christmas tree before midnight.

Ongoing holiday break art project. The dendrite and axon induced hand cramping is real.

Christmas Eve tree naps are likely a new tradition.

Winter break art project- full size image will be 36”x36” for my office. Layers upon layers of white dendrites and axons yet to come until little grey remains.

I really wish I could figure out why the lower branches of my new Christmas tree are so deformed. A mystery beyond any sort of comprehension, really.

Less than a month to go before applications close for the Introduction to Image Analysis workshop in Cardiff (deadline 16th January)! @royalmicrosoc.bsky.social www.rms.org.uk/rms-event-ca...

Donlin-Asp lab holiday dinner 2025 edition.

5 minutes getting neutered, 2 hours trying to remove the cone of shame, 1 flipped food bowl, and 2 water fountains turned into feline water parks = one high happy kitten.

“I am so bored by AI. One of the things I love about the theatre is AI can’t do it.” Ethan Hawke is a dude 👌🏻

Ever wanted to smell like a nmdar activation?

Must be a blissful existence when your only expectations are: be cute and cause chaos.

DIV21 hippocampal neurons MAP2 (cyan, ab5392 abcam) SynGAP1a1 (orange, F8I5Q CST) 5 min -20 methanol fixation

2 cats, only 1 brain.

I need to invest in a birdseed subscription service.

Family bonding time in front of the telly.

Trigger warning: a cotton ball growling is a terrifying thing.

Enjoying a morning in York.

Late summer in the burbs of Chicago has its charms.

*Walking around thinking about turning 40 in a few years* The universe:

Horrid awful morning in Central Park

On Wednesday I had to say goodbye to my loving George after 13 years. He was sweet, needy, dumb as a rock, and an all around amazing loaf of orange fur. I’m going to miss this bestest dude.

I’m thrilled to announce that I will start a postdoc at @pdaphd.bsky.social 's Laboratory at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 I’m beyond honored and excited about this opportunity 🙌😊Stay tuned for cool microscopy and data! (pic I took back in 2019 secretly wishing to come back)

DIV21 hippocampal neurons grown on filters (3um pore size) to enrich for dendrites and axons away from cell bodies. Magenta- DAPI. Cyan- MAP2. Orange- PSD95.

My 13 year old chonkmonster has discovered gabapentin makes his 1 year old sister remarkably more tolerable.

Saturday morning Arthur’s Seat views.

Casual morning stroll.

My shadow undersecretary while I’m reading a pile of grant proposals. Her devotion is due to payment in the form of laser pointer chase time each time I read a proposal.

Enjoy the imported, tariff free, Scottish weather- San Diegoburgh.

What an inspiring RNA-packed afternoon! A huge thank you to @pdaphd.bsky.social and @agatsiou.bsky.social for two brilliant talks, and to everyone who joined us for a great session full of science, questions, and RNA excitement. Always a pleasure to spend the afternoon geeking out together!

Sunshine in Holyrood park vibes.

Scottish beach day.

DIV20 hippocampal neuron Cyan- myr mScarlet3 Orange- GFP-SynGAP1

Spent the day in my happy place.

Hard to imagine a more beautiful city to live in during my PI adventure.

Thinking of entering a kitten bowling league.

Thanks to @brennan-lab-ucd.bsky.social for hosting me at UCD. It’s been a fabulous visit to Dublin to chat science and soak up the Irish sun.

A very gay Edinburgh day.

Green- neuron White- mRNA Black- RNA binding proteins Grey- ribosomes Orange- newly synthesized proteins Pink- plasticity Blue/purple- whimsy

Fluorescence Friday double feature: DIV21 hippocampal neurons. Grey-DAPI Cyan- MAP2 Magenta- Beta actin Orange- vGAT

Testing some new antibodies today lead to a bit of a reprieve from the maddening state of the world. DIV21 hippocampal neurons. Grey-DAPI Cyan- MAP2 Magenta- Beta actin Orange- PSD95

Many US students don’t know how to seek opportunities outside the US. With some help from our colleagues in EU and Canada, we could put together a consolidated website of PhD opportunities and scholarships outside the US, organized by field. There might still be time for this year in some places.

Save the date for the next edition of this wonderful meeting. We look forward to seeing you in Portugal!!