I’m excited to share the first publication from my lab on the unexpected strategy that MCPyV, a cancer-causing virus, uses to enter cells. This was truly a team effort and I am so grateful for each of the brilliant women who contributed to this research project. journals.plos.org/plospathogen...

I work in grants. From my POV, the solution is not to compete for crumbs, but to put that effort into banding together across institutions to stand up for research. We need to yell at politicians and make sure Americans know what they’ll lose if university research ends.

Earlier today, ASBMB joined three other scientific societies in leading a substantial, 22-page amicus curiae brief in support of the plaintiffs in American Public Health Association v. NIH. This is a formal public submission to the court. ➡️Read our full message: bit.ly/3RJnWbp.

My department (Biology) at Duke University is seeking applicants for the position of Instructor B for the Microbiology (212L) lab sections. This course introduces major concepts in biology through the lens of microbiology! Share it with your network! academicjobsonline.org/ajo/jobs/29941

Breaking News: Harvard sued the Trump administration, fighting back against its threats to slash billions of dollars from the school’s research funding. www.nytimes.com/2025/04/21/u...

Just back from #ASBMB2025 and it was exactly what I needed. Being surrounded by my fellow MOSAIC scholars and coaches reminded me that they can terminate our funding but not the community that we’ve created and community is everything in times like this 💕

Many brilliant scientists are now being punished by having our funding terminated because we are from underrepresented groups. We did everything right and we EARNED these awards. Remember us when you’re making decisions on whether DEI should be sacrificed to “protect” research funding. #InMyFeelings

Our lab is excited to hire a postdoctoral researcher to study the mechanisms that viruses use to ‘hijack’ TAM receptors in viral spread. We are looking for someone who is excited to learn new techniques and work in a highly collaborative team! Please share! unc.peopleadmin.com/postings/298...

So proud of my first graduate student for successfully defending her thesis yesterday! Karen is an incredible scientist with a ton of consulting experience. If you know of any life science industry/consulting agencies in the LA area who are hiring, let me know 🤗

👇🏽👇🏽👇🏽

The measles stuff isn’t a medical mystery. You don’t need to interview experts who unpack the complexities of measles transmission. You do need to hammer politicians who have undermined successful vaccination programs and put children at risk.

Finally a Friday evening with GOOD news 🙌🏽 So grateful for people who are willing to stand up and fight for what’s right instead of prematurely bowing to injustice.

In today's episode of doomerism isn't a strategy, here's a list of things you can do today to make the world around you suck a little bit less: Pick ONE thing and do it. bsky.app/profile/itsa...

As a leader in my lab & various initiatives, I’ve made my stance clear....my commitment to DEI is unwavering. I won’t back down or shy away, even as others do. I’ll continue to uphold and advocate for these values.

On International Day of Women and Girls in Science, ASV highlights Dr. A. Oveta Fuller, a trailblazer whose work on viral entry mechanisms and advocacy for HIV/AIDS and COVID-19 education made indelible contributions to human health.

Everything feels weird and uncertain, and I can only imagine how trainees feel right now… so are some things mentors can do to support mentees during these challenging times: 🧵

I have not seen a crisis of this magnitude since yesterday

A statement from the BMA Board Members to the BMA Community and Beyond. Additional alt text to follow due to the character limit.

Shoutout to all of the exceptional Black scientists who have contributed to and are currently contributing to virology research! Your work is vitally important to understanding basic virology controlling viral diseases worldwide! #BlackHistoryMonth

ASM did a spotlight article on me last February and it has also been taken down as “under review”. Other spotlight articles are still up so not sure how else to interpret this besides the obvious. It feels pretty crappy to have been singled out and I won’t be engaging with them in the future.

And the plan cannot be: "Lay low and carry on" "Remove DEIA themes from your research" "Edit your biosketch to make more DEIA agnostic" Telling people to not pursue research they are passionate about or to erase parts of their identities and be more docile will be just as or even more harmful.

Academic institutions in the US need to seriously consider how they will support and protect their minority faculty during this time. The conditions we face are already hostile for most - targeted attacks and added barriers to advancement will push many to simply walk away.

This is where collective action is needed if we all include diversity and its relevance to are research in grants& biosketches will they defend all of us? Complying in advance is harmful. Some people can delete diversity from biosketches and grants I can't delete that I'm a black woman scientist.

Gentle reminder that if you truly value diversity in the workforce, top down executive orders may/will change implementation but it shouldn’t change your dedication to building the best possible team/group/cohort/generation of researchers

Happy end of the semester to everyone who celebrates 🥳

I was missing these!! Was going to ask you about them yesterday in fact :) Virus snowflakes 😍😍

Forever grateful for the support that NIGMS has given me through their MOSAIC K99/R00 grant mechanism. It was fun to reflect on my scientific journey for their biomedical beat blog: biobeat.nigms.nih.gov/2024/12/from...

🧪Dear Grad student, Are you overdue for a thesis committee meeting but feel like you have nothing to show since your last meeting? I'm begging you to schedule that meeting now! 1/🧵

Many people take "non-traditional" career paths in academia. My Leading Edge colleagues and I did! We wrote for PLOS Biology about how non-linear careers are increasingly common, but funding agencies and search committees penalize these paths. journals.plos.org/plosbiology/...

Awesome session this morning on what faculty can do to support student mental health and well-being. The event was packed too which was a nice surprise 🥰

Ah, here it is! A Starter Pack of faculty and staff at primarily undergraduate institutions: go.bsky.app/Sj5dQdC

Just made it ABRCMS! Excited to connect with everyone who is here. If you see me, say hi 👋🏽

Here's a starter pack of Black Microbiologists. A work in progress as people are migrating over from other platforms. Let me know if you want to be added! go.bsky.app/EcYiqNV

Hi Everyone! I’m an assistant professor at UMich studying the relationship between viruses and cancer 🦠🧫🔬. I’m also a co-founder of #BlackInMicro and remain ever committed to creating inclusive spaces both in my lab and within the greater scientific community ✊🏽 It’s so nice over here 🤗🩵☁️

If you want to follow awesome women and non-binary early career scientists, the starter pack of Leading Edge Fellows is here! go.bsky.app/He3EAcq

Couldn’t find a virology starter pack so here’s one to get the ball rolling. Repost/reply if you are a virologist so I can find and add you to the list! go.bsky.app/SinqoJU

Congratulations, @BlackInMicro for winning the 2025 @MicrobioSoc EDI award! We are truly honored and proud of this achievement. Learn more about our exceptional Award Winners at tinyurl.com/WinBMA and come celebrate with us! 🎉

Happy Halloween from the Spriggs Lab! 👻 Who is your favorite Sponge Bob character? For some reason they assigned me Mr. Krabs 🦀😂

Why does my brain find it so difficult to write the MIRA R35 style grant vs traditional formats with specific aims?! Please send tips for getting out of my head. I’ve been stuck on the first page for a month 😩

Another #BlackInMicroWeek completed! Planning these is a lot of work, but seeing the payoff makes it all worthwhile 🥰

It's time to recruit for the 2024 #DisabledInSTEM Mentorship Program, which is our fourth year! Mentee form: forms.gle/tryM66LaKGM5... Mentor form: forms.gle/ncCcoNxYkJhN... Applications are due December and placements will occur by mid-January! Reach out with any questions!

@samlewis.bsky.social nice meeting you today!

If you’re at the Midwest Microbial Pathogenesis Conference, let’s hang out 🔬🦠💜

📢 Don't miss out on BlackInMicro Week (Oct 23-26) – a celebration of brilliance & diversity! Register now (free, online events!): bit.ly/46CONLW We offer ASL interpretation & closed captioning for our events, open to everyone. Thanks Vidman Barber for providing your services!