Marie Will, MD, PhD

But… hear me out… how much of this damage was just from the last few weeks of excessive grinding for all of us?

Yup….

Today, we are one step closer to the next pandemic, just as the people in charge proudly proclaim that they don’t believe in either vaccines or infectious diseases. Without public health communication, we are flying blind.

If I haven’t been posting, it’s because I am literally at a loss for words.

Picture of white, fluffy, homemade marshmallow on a plate.

So much is happening so fast that it’s easy to be on outrage overload. But as you pick your battles (and there are so many!), also remember to take care of yourself.

For me, I made my own marshmallow so I could eat my feelings in fluffy, cloud-like, sugar-pillow form.

#medfoodsky
#doctorswhocook

If COVID-19 taught us anything, it’s that diseases don’t respect borders. We are all in this together.

Withdrawing from a global public health organization - while under new pandemic threats - will not only limit our own access to data/resources but also weaken the global response. 🤦🏻‍♀️

Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) is branded as a “liquid biopsy” - a simple blood test that can detect cancer, bypassing invasive biopsy procedures. Problem is it lacks sensitivity in the early stage. Here, a new ultra-sensitive ctDNA assay that improves early detection and enables outcome prediction.

I would still say that’s making them! Knowing the right shortcuts is a sign of expertise!

Let’s! lol

Of all the things I have ever made, my nyc-native kids were most impressed by this one 🤣

A stack of everything bagels on a wooden cutting board.

6 months after leaving NYC, I have arrived at the stage of making my own bagels at home.

If that catches your attention, please consider donating to the real chefs at World Central Kitchen, who are helping with the California fires, here:
wck.org/relief/calif...

#doctorswhocook
#ChefsForCalifornia

Many people who undergo genetic testing for cancer risks will find themselves with a “variant of uncertain significance.” Even when the risk is unclear (as the term implies), seeing a gene like BRCA2 on your report is understandably unnerving. Functional studies like this are so needed for clarity.

So sorry to hear this - hope you all stay safe!

If you, like me, are getting that deja vu feeling reading this news, try not to panic (yet). Instead, tune into the influenza experts. @colincarlson.bsky.social has kindly made a starter pack of people who have had long term research interests in influenza, including H5N1, here:

go.bsky.app/L1vwJPS

I promise it tastes almost as good as it looks! 😂

So this may be a good time to admit that I have a sourdough starter? 😅😂

And you have a super super cool display name!

I too am obsessed with my cat. She’s like a solid part of my personality 🤣

@thanhneville.bsky.social thank you! I was inspired by you and all the deliciousness you always serve up. I thought I was supposed to stick with medicine content, but then you made me feel like we can be a WHOLE person with all our dimensions!

It was definitely that!!

Photo of a grey and white long hair cat sitting on a winter-theme blanket on a recliner chair.

I feel like I have been on Bluesky long enough to confess to my obsession with cats, specifically this cat, who is constantly claiming all my chairs. Say hello to Thea, the queen cat.

Happy New Year, Bluesky. May we all be such fierce defenders of our territories. We are gonna need it this year.

Back from holidays, and I am still thinking about this discovery of ALAS1 as a global repressor of miRNA and its potential to improve siRNA therapy.

RNA-targeting drugs (including for cancer) has always held huge promise but sluggish progress. These mechanistic studies are crucial for improvement.

I feel pretty good about my obsession with Costco today, so I will share an oncologist’s secret: I buy my sunscreens from them so I always have enough of it to slather all over myself and my family in thick, protective layers. Cancer prevention aside, it really helps with the forever-young look.

Just through the new year!

It did help occupy them for a few hours - a necessity when school is out 😂.

I made a Yule Log cake but let my kids help decorate… and now it has not just flowers and mushrooms, but also black ants and insects because “they are important parts of fallen logs!” 🤦🏻‍♀️

Merry Christmas, Bluesky. May we all be such staunch defenders of the ecosystem.

#medfoodsky, #doctorswhocook

Will need a lot of tips for teenage years!

Asked my 9yo why his room was a disastrous mess.

Him, straight faced: “Welcome to the new America, Mama. Everything is a mess - it’s not my room. Are you sure this is your priority thing to tackle right now?”

Is sarcasm how teenage years begin?

I remember those days. The last few miles are always the hardest. Keep going, AND give yourself a break, you are almost there!

To all the grad students and postdocs spending their weekends studying YFP (Your Favorite Protein) and mulling over scientific problems about which nobody else gives a damn, you are doing important work.

Progress is not often a straight line, but knowledge is always a permanent gain.

Thank you - I love your username and page!