Romi Burks

This is one of my favs!

what a clever, sad & on point cartoon satire…

Nancy Tuchman is the absolute best! My undergraduate mentor. Enjoy your visit to my alma mater.

Exclusive: NIH to terminate hundreds of active research grants Studies that touch on LGBT+ health, gender identity and DEI in the biomedical workforce could be terminated, according to documents obtained by Nature.

Every US scientist needs to 100% clear that this is a fundamental attack on the process of science itself. If allowed to stand it will be the end of US science as we know it. Staying quiet because it does not (yet) target your work is not an option.

www.nature.com/articles/d41...

So nice to see some good news on the feed. Congratulations!

It’s a lovely afternoon to soak in some sun #SouthwesternU #dogsoncampus #puppers

Agreed. Lots of premature cancellations

Next round of #BurksLab #undergraduateresearchers @txacsci.bsky.social #TAS2025 - good work from only bring in the lab since August! My first #TAS was 20+ yrs ago! Crazy how long I’ve been doing this!

Nice big group of young scientists from #SouthwesternU attending @txacsci.bsky.social 2025 - molecular ecologists, physiologists, neurobiologists, chemists, engineers, computer scientists. It’s good to #celebratescience

who knew there were that many freshwater jellyfish?? Cool topic & poster!

Next up in the science education section, @profromi.bsky.social discusses a CURE based on micro plastic study in freshwater systems #TAS128

now this is the #truth

There’s so many REU programs that are cancelling “prematurely” or in anticipation of budget cuts. It’s criminal and demoralizing all around.

BBC News report featuring a photo of Elon Musk in a dark suit and white shirt, sitting with his hands clasped, against a blurred background with logos. The headline reads: 'REPORT: Elon Musk is wasting everyone’s time and money, and serves no real purpose,' with the BBC News logo in the top right corner.

The BBC is quite correct.

9 pm - Just drove to & from Austin airport down Tollway 130. Passed “Tesla” Dr. and office building monstrosity lit up enough to see from space! This is a reflection of who is improving efficiency? #dogeisBS #turnthelightsoff #focusonyourworld

The Rise (and Fall?) of the National Science Foundation In the ’50s, America declared science an “endless frontier.” We may be reaching the end of it.

"Undermining the NSF is not just a threat to universities and researchers — it is a threat to the well-being of every American."
www.chronicle.com/article/the-...

This would be devastating to a lot of endowments inc Southwestern

couldn’t imagine a better colleague - would be lucky to work w @jolatimore.bsky.social

#USpolitics #NSF

Just reaching out w-o a personal connection. Wish it was easy to say “it’s their loss” & better things will come, but empty platitudes don’t help. I only hope 4 reversals of fortune in your future & stitching back together of shattered dreams. At least file for unemployment & wrongful termination.

100% this. No words to thank staffers enough - Except there are other words to describe the situation w science & treatment of #NSF & #NIH in general that I’m no longer allowed to use in social media. Here I provide some alternatives:
#tragic #criminal #shortsighted #dystopic #heartbreaking

None of the research I do now would occur if not for past opportunities provided by #NSF #IRES expanded my thinking and scientific toolkit. Transformative is not just an adjective - it’s actionable. 2014: apple snails from #Uruguay. 2024-2025: now able to explore diversity in #Belize.

Not the way to tighten the belt of the federal government. Even if, any short term gain will be exponentially lost by the long term cost of devaluation of the scientific process. #leaveNSFalone #letsciencework #protectpotential #fostercuriosity #valuediveristy

500 Women Scientists logo "Science is under attack. We must fight back. Our lives depend on it" What does NSF do? the National Science Foundation Created by Congress in 1950 as an independent agency to support the US scientific enterprise 93% of $9.06 billion budget went to grants & awards (FY24) NSF supports 353,000 scientist, engineers & students across all 50 state and territories (FY 24) NSF funds $1.4 billion in STEM education (FY 24) NSF has funded 248 Nobel Prize winners source: nsf-gov.resources.nsf.gov/

nearly 11% of the NSF workforce was fired today.
this WILL slow scientific progress.
this is hurting families.

we need to educate folks about all the GOOD that the gov't can do! To help @500womensci.bsky.social has made social media cards for what #NSF funds in each state: bit.ly/NSF_bystate

I'm thankful for all the NSF staff still trying to push science through despite the circumstances.

Nice to get a little good science news - '24 graduate Esme Rosas - now MS student @utrgv.bsky.social @utrgvnewsroom.bsky.social just had her #SouthwesternUniv #capstone accepted for publication. #eDNA monitoring success story #snailing #winningtheshellgame Honored 2 collaborate w @drbarnes.org

I have a Latte.

1) My puppers
2) My village (friends & fam)
3) Tea & chocolate
4) My relatively secure job
5) Book & Netflix escapes

Good exercise.

unprecedented…uninformed…unscrupulous…undermining…unwise…unsubstantiated…unreal