Mel Ortiz-Alvarez

Monthly SciComm WrapUp: July 2025 A brief summary of what fun sci-comm things I did in the month of July!

July is almost over, and that means it's time for a scicomm wrap-up!! I got some much done this month, including an exciting announcement 👀

Read more here: microbephd.substack.com/p/monthly-sc...

#scicomm #stem #gradschool #academicsky #blackinmicro #latine #teaching

High-Dose Probiotics Improve Mood in Stress Model Combined treatment with Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium improved stress-related depression and anxiety in mice.

I wrote about a really interesting #probiotic paper from Ghana! They saw that combining probiotics improved #mood symptoms in mice just as well or even better than antidepressants 👏🏾 Read more over on #MicroBites!

micro-bites.org/2025/07/25/h...

#stress #blackinmicro #scicomm #sciencewriting

Science behind Bad Bunny's DTMF A short dive into some of the scientific concepts present in his latest album

New #Substack today in honor of #BadBunny's concert in #PuertoRico 🎓🇵🇷🔥😎 microbephd.substack.com/p/science-be...

#sciencewriting #stem #science #gradschool #scicomm

I just taught high schoolers in a course I designed!

We discussed misinformation & transforming science into accessible media + guest lectures from #GeoLchat & #CienciaPaTodes

In 4 days, they made comics, infographics, blogs, videos & websites! ¡Seguimos! 🔥👏🏾🇵🇷 #scicomm #stem #teaching #gradschool

July Opportunities for Aspiring MD/PhDs & PhDs! Are you an undergrad or grad student interested in STEM careers? Check out these opportunities!

July will have some very cool opportunities for folks interested in #STEM! Check out some of them on my #Substack newsletter.

For more updates and regular opportunities in your inbox, subscribe for free ☺️❤️ microbephd.substack.com/p/july-oppor...

#scicomm #academicsky #academia #research

Monthly SciComm WrapUp: June 2025 A brief summary of what fun sci-comm things I did in the month of June!

Celebrating the last day of #pridemonth with a wrap-up of all the wonderful #scicomm activities I was able to do this month.

Take a gander over on #Substack if you are looking for inspiration in volunteering opportunities within science 🦠🔬

microbephd.substack.com/p/monthly-sc...

A Brief History of the NSF & Why We Need It My thoughts on why the National Science Foundation matters, as a GRFP fellow

As an #NSFGRFP fellow, it's been really concerning to see comments from people on social media saying that public funding of science is "wasteful".

When we protect science, we protect our future! Get involved now 👏🏾
#nsf #nih #science #substack #scicomm

microbephd.substack.com/p/a-brief-hi...

What the Gut’s First Residents Say About Baby’s Brain Health Newborns’ first gut microbes may predict social development at 6 months, revealing early links between microbiome and brain health.

I love writing about new studies looking at the gut brain connection! 🧠 🦠 The article I wrote for MicroBites this month is precisely about that, this time about a clinical study with infants Rio 👶

Read it here:
micro-bites.org/2025/05/23/w...

#scicomm #stem #gradschool #microbiome #sciencewriting

Reader's Digestion: "Parable of the Sower" What I am reading/listening to as a PhD candidate working on the neuromicrobiome.

Time for another #bookreview! This time it's a timeless classic: #ParableoftheSower

It was tough to read this considering current events, but I felt it was better now than never.

Butler is a masterclass in dystopia. Read more on #Substack

microbephd.substack.com/p/readers-di...

Full circle. Last night, I talked about my PhD journey with #LeadershipAlliance students at #BrownU!

7 years ago, I was exactly where they are now. I'm happy to give back to the program that introduced me to #microbiology & my PhD advisor. 🙏💐🦠

#outreach #stem #scicomm #gradschool

I had a wonderful time helping to organize this year's @samuelnabritcon.bsky.social at #BrownU! We heard many great talks, had 39 posters and lively discussions about community and mentorship. I'm grateful for the opportunity to participate in this wonderful #scicomm event! 🙏👏🏾 #smnc2025

June Opportunities for Aspiring MD/PhDs & PhDs! Are you an undergrad or grad student interested in STEM careers? Check out these opportunities!

June is full of great opportunities for incoming #PhDs and #MD/PhDs. See a list of my favorites in my latest #Substack

microbephd.substack.com/p/june-oppor...

#academicsky #stem #scicomm #conferences #mentoring #opportunities

So grateful to help organize spaces like this! It's important to have these conversations now more than ever! Can't wait for Day 2 of #smnc2025 👏🏾😍🥳🎉

Monthly SciComm WrapUp: May 2025 A brief summary of what fun sci-comm things I did in the month of May!

This past month was a whirlwind of exciting #scicomm opportunities 🙌 Read more about what I've been up to on my monthly #Substack update!

microbephd.substack.com/p/monthly-sc...

#sciencewriting #academicsky #microbio #gradschool #phd #stem

Ten simple rules for queer data collection and analysis by STEM researchers Queer people are still underrepresented both as STEM researchers and participants, partially due to a dearth of accurate data on this demographic. The lack of consideration for queer identities in dat...

Honored to have illustrated this @plos.org ComBio article published today! This is a guide developed by the #ALBANetwork for how to better work with and collect #LGBTQIA data as #STEM researchers. We need inclusive science now more than ever
#AcademicSky #scicomm

journals.plos.org/ploscompbiol...

Can you really starve the "bad" bacteria in your gut? A short rant about gut health and the "wellness" movement

I've gotten a little peeved with all the "gut wellness" influencers on my page lately.

That's why this week's Substack is my brief thoughts on the matter

microbephd.substack.com/p/can-you-re...

#scicomm #microbiome #Microbes #gut #gutwellness #wellness #substack #probiotic #prebiotic #bacteria

I promise that there are useful things that come from it!! #LinkedIn #linkedintips #PhD #phdcandidate #phdstudent #gradschool #gradstudent #academia #science #research #stem #scicomm #sciencetok #stemtok #jobsearch #career #careeradvice

I can't wait to teach my first class this summer!! 🥺❤️ #summeratbrown #precollege #brown #brownprecollege #stem #scicomm #sciencecommunication #teaching #class #professor #summercourse #microbephd #PhD #phdstudent #phdcandidate #academia #gradstudent #gradschool

The 2024 Calendar was too cute to get rid of!! Wonder if they have any for 2025? 🥺 #phdstudent #phdcandidate #gradschool #gradstudent #academia #science #research #stem #fisher #fisherscientific #biotech #Calendar #gallerywall #decor

Applying to #gradschool?

5 things you should do this summer:

1) Use my free #Excel & #Trello templates that I used to apply to PhDs (microbephd.com/phd-toolkit)

2) Decide what type of program (PhD, Master's)

3) Research locations, Cost of Living, etc

4) Reach out to letter writers

5) Rest ❤️

Gracias 🥺❤️🫂🇵🇷

Oh she's amazing!! I recommend you check out her socials :)

Happening this Thursday! RSVP at: tinyurl.com/BoldPhD

#academicsky #microsky #blackinmicro #phd #gradschool #stem #brownu

May Opportunities for Aspiring MD/PhDs & PhDs! Are you an undergrad or grad student interested in STEM careers? Check out these opportunities!

📢The month of May is going to have lots of great opportunities for those interested in PhD and MD/PhD careers! 🔬👏🏾

See my curated list on Substack:
microbephd.substack.com/p/may-opport...

#scicomm #gradschool #stem #research #academia #PhD #mdphd

Thanks for your support always 🥺

#GradStudentTravel Day 6: My thoughts on Poland 🇵🇱 #Poland #warsaw #vistula #phd #phdcandidate #phdlife #phdstudent #gradschool #gradstudent #gradstudentlife #conference #stem #science #conferencetravel #warsawa #polish #microbephd

#GradStudentTravel Day 5: Royal Castle Warsaw. The music is Chopin too!! #warsaw #tourism #eurosummer #phdstudent #phdcandidate #gradschool #gradstudent #gradstudentlife #microbephd #phd #warsawa #royalcastle #chopin

Monthly SciComm WrapUp: April 2025 A brief summary of what fun sci-comm things I did in the month of April!

April was jam-packed with #SciComm activities for me! Read more about them on my latest #Substack!

microbephd.substack.com/p/monthly-sc...

#GradStudentTravel Day 4: Old Town #phd #phdstudent #phdcandidate #gradschool #gradstudent #academia #science #stem #research #conference #conferencetravel #microbephd #warsaw #tourism #eurosummer #oldtownwarsaw

Sweet baby 🐈 🥺❤️