Thalia, PhD

Escherichia coli transcription factors RapA and SspA play opposing roles in tolerance to replication/transcription conflicts after DNA damage https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.01.23.701399v1

An “I voted” sticker in front of polling place

Ballot #92 submitted for my local elections in Massachusetts today! Please go vote for your community 🗳️

But really check out @punkrocksaveslives.bsky.social and the great stuff they do in the music community (also someone give me a faculty job).

"Punk Rock Saves Lives" over a skull punk character. Below " x Rules of the Pit x If someone falls down we pick them back up"

Faculty Applications: Describe your teaching pedagogy

Me: Well, from what I have learned in the punk rock pit.... I meet every student where they are and pick them back up so they can achieve their career or personal goals
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YouTube video by NPR Music The Beaches: Tiny Desk Concert

An aside from the typical scientific programming. *record scratch*

@thebeaches.bsky.social did the @npr.org tiny desk concert!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=fOmP...

I've totally obsessed over last couple years with this awesome girly pop punk group for Toronto!

We now resume with microbiology...

@lisasass.bsky.social

These women, and the value they put on the self-determination of education, were a driving force for my PhD. They of course got the last word in the acknowledgements.

Happy Birthday to our Halcyon Matriarch

Everything bagel. Scallion cream cheese. Lox, onion, extra capers. 🥯✡️

Sometimes I forget to type "coli" when googling genes.

This time instead of finding search results for the transcription factor yidZ, I got a kosher B&B in Illinois and a "Judean Drip" instagram.

Shalomie my prokaryotie homies
✡️ 🧫 🧬

Thanks for the highlight, @genetics-gsa.bsky.social!

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This sounds like it could be his montage of the happenings of the backyard. Squirrels, birdies, and bunnies, oh my! Exciting and resolved with confidence 😆

As national medical, scientific, public health and patient organizations, we call for the resignation of HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to ensure the health of the American people. Read our statement: asm.org/press-releas...

Hey! The driving wasn’t that bad when we took it downtown 😆

Always happy to chat about microbiology, the development of bacterial genetics, and any hockey game (from the NHL to my silly rec team)! 🏒🧬🧫🧪

doi.org/10.1093/gene...

He was perfect ❤️

They are elegant organisms that I feel privileged to work with - many more questions to ask to appreciate all of their tricks!

Thank you -
There are still many more questions to be asked of these beautiful cells (using some elegant mathematics too)!

Thanks, @genetics-gsa.bsky.social for the opportunity to publish in #GENETICS for the Genetics of Bacteria series

The nature of mutation: a legacy of bacterial genetics Abstract. A central question in the fields of genetics and evolution was the nature and origin of spontaneous mutation. Bacterial genetic experiments throu

I cannot fully put into words what publishing this Review has meant to me, so I leave you with how we closed the paper.

"The humble bacterium is still a relevant tool for the study of the underlying mechanisms that are conserved throughout life."

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doi.org/10.1093/gene...

@thalia.bsky.social

coli chromosome
damaged unleashes stressed pol
activate self-care

#sciku 🧪🧬🔬🧫🦠 #Phages2025
doi.org/10.1073/pnas...

@thalia.bsky.social: the transcription factor “stringent starvation protein” SspA is an important regulator of AZT(DNA damage)-induced genes #phages2025 🦠

www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...

Welcome to the (Lysogeny) Broth Parade 🖤🧪

Cartoon bacteria with black side swept bangs, converse, black square glasses to look “emo” with the caption “SspA wasn’t just a stationary phase, Mom”

A conference requested an image that represents my work for an invited talk…. I give you Emo. coli.

Also check out the paper: doi.org/10.1073/pnas...

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BU professor finds extensive effects of Trump-era policies in Massachusetts In a new report, a professor at Boston University warns that the Trump administration's policies threaten the Massachusetts economy.

cool cool cool cool cool cool cool cool cool cool 🫠
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"'I call it a wrecking ball,' he said. 'It is a gigantic wrecking ball that’s hit Massachusetts.'"

www.boston.com/news/local-n...

Having a great day? Go play hockey
Shitty day? Better go play hockey
Want to scream at the world? Take it out on the puck.
Not enough steps for the day? Go skating
Need an expensive coping mechanism? Try adult rec hockey
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Michele is wonderful! During my PhD I commissioned this piece that eventually became a figure in my dissertation
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You have a bed (and desk set up) here anytime you feel the craving for lobster rolls and chimichangas!

Someone didn't get the joke 🍫

Cardboard box filled with chocolate Cadbury Crème Eggs

With the rising price of eggs these days, I’m so glad my partner had the sense to buy in bulk

Not sure about grounded, but I love Kate Quinn for historical fiction (esp her WWII novels). I've been going through the Outlander series for fun - bit of time travel fantasy / historical fiction massive books (and spin off stories too).