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Rebecca Pollet

@rmpollet.bsky.social

Vassar Assistant Prof - interested in protein crystallography and the gut microbiome. Oklahoman at heart, UNC grad. Citizen of Cherokee Nation. She/her

327 Followers  |  287 Following  |  34 Posts  |  Joined: 18.08.2023  |  1.8017

Latest posts by rmpollet.bsky.social on Bluesky

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Diversify Microbiology This is a self-nomination form, entries submitted on behalf of someone else will be deleted. This list is intended for individuals who have completed a PhD or otherwise are employed in a professional ...

We just launched an updated version of DiversifyMicrobiology! Please update your entry at docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...

23.07.2025 19:53 β€” πŸ‘ 2    πŸ” 3    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

I should say, I got almost all (maybe all?) of these from Bryan Thurtle-Schmidt at Davidson College! And I am happy to share my reaching questions if you decide to use any of them!

23.07.2025 19:50 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0

5. Noji et al, Direct observation of the rotation of F1-ATPase, from lab of Kazuhiko Kinosita. This one is really difficult for students but makes them really understand ATP synthase

23.07.2025 19:50 β€” πŸ‘ 2    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 2    πŸ“Œ 0

I've also looked at the newer Fiedorczuk and Chen, Mechanism of CFTR correction by type I folding correctors. I haven't taught it yet but I like using these CFTR papers to talk about drug discovery

23.07.2025 19:50 β€” πŸ‘ 2    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0

3. Zaug and Cech, The Intervening Sequence RNA of Tetrahymenta Is an Enzyme, a little weird because it is a ribozyme but really nice classic enzyme characterization
4. Liu et al, Structural identification of a hotspot on CFTR for potentiation, from Jue Chen's lab - nice structure and transport data

23.07.2025 19:50 β€” πŸ‘ 2    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0

Super interested in others thoughts but here are some I use:
1. Watson and Crick's Molecular Structure of Nucleic Acids (with lots of context)
2. Steitz and Steitz, A general two-metal-ion mechanism for catalytic RNA, to get them comfortable with mechanisms

23.07.2025 19:50 β€” πŸ‘ 3    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0
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Assistant Professor of Biology, Tenure Track Department Biology Vassar College is dedicated to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees and welcomes applications from individuals of all backgrounds. Decisions conc...

Vassar College is seeking a biologist with a focus on Developmental Neurobiology on the tenure-track. Please spread widely!

vassar.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/Vassar...

17.07.2025 20:01 β€” πŸ‘ 25    πŸ” 40    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

NSURP is looking for mentors for this summer! We had over 200 applications for about 10 spots. Please sign up if you are interested in being a mentor this year or in the future as it is helpful to show interest. Please share this! uarizona.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_...

22.04.2025 01:56 β€” πŸ‘ 21    πŸ” 27    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
A flyer for information about how to participate in the STEM faculty survey.

A flyer for information about how to participate in the STEM faculty survey.

πŸ”­ Seeking STEM faculty teaching undergraduates this spring to complete a survey about their beliefs and teaching practices! Please share out widely and with anyone you know who is eligible. THANK YOU! #HigherEd #AcademicSky #EduSky #STEM #SciSky #PhDSky utexas.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_...

10.04.2025 14:58 β€” πŸ‘ 15    πŸ” 25    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 2

Hello #NativesBlueSky… my students are asking for a list of your favorite Indigenous STEM books… so I’m trying to crowd source to add to my own list. I am not sure how many are out here, but I thought I’d ask! I’ll compile the list and share when done!

04.04.2025 21:14 β€” πŸ‘ 16    πŸ” 7    πŸ’¬ 3    πŸ“Œ 0

Especially in this time of funding cuts and wondering if programs to support students are going to survive, this community provided hope that we can continue to support each other because in fact we have been doing this for millenia. 5/5

05.04.2025 00:08 β€” πŸ‘ 8    πŸ” 2    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

Given my beginnings inviting just one Native person to a symposium, I am so thankful to @willowcoyote.bsky.social for his vision and the entire organizing team for making this happen. Being able to talk deeply about science while bringing our full selves was the refocusing I needed. 4/5

05.04.2025 00:08 β€” πŸ‘ 6    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0

Since then I have kept a running list of Native scientists I would like to meet. I have been fortunate enough to connect with many amazing Native and Indigenous biochemists and microbiologists but this symposium was by far the largest number of Native scientists I have ever been in a room with. 3/5

05.04.2025 00:08 β€” πŸ‘ 5    πŸ” 2    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0

This experience was so fulfilling because I have spent so much of my career looking for and thinking about this exact community. When I was a graduate student, I invited a Native scientist to speak at a campus symposium because I had never met an established Native researcher. 2/5

05.04.2025 00:08 β€” πŸ‘ 5    πŸ” 2    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0
QBI | Full Circle of Native and Indigenous Scientists in Biology

Wrapping up my time at the Full Circle of Native and Indigenous Scientists in Biology Symposium and I want to reflect on some thoughts mentioned today qbi.ucsf.edu/full-circle-... 1/5

05.04.2025 00:08 β€” πŸ‘ 13    πŸ” 3    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0
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Fresh Banana Leaves by Jessica Hernandez, Ph.D.: 9781623176051 | PenguinRandomHouse.com: Books A 2022 Los Angeles Times Book Prize Finalist in Science & Technology An Indigenous environmental scientist breaks down why western conservationism isn't working--and offers Indigenous models informed...

Fresh Banana Leaves by Jessica Hernandez! www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/675699...

04.04.2025 23:04 β€” πŸ‘ 2    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0

The rhetorical victory is this: the proposal that we can and will outlast them.

01.04.2025 23:25 β€” πŸ‘ 2921    πŸ” 526    πŸ’¬ 20    πŸ“Œ 13

I've heard from people at several PUIs that they've had very small applicant pools. Our applicant pools have been okay in size but my colleagues said they are much smaller than they were pre-pandemic.

31.03.2025 20:22 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

Just a little over a week out! The symposium is coming together wonderfully. Please join us either in person at UCSF or virtually in a webinar!
Register here :)
qbi.ucsf.edu/full-circle-...

24.03.2025 16:45 β€” πŸ‘ 6    πŸ” 2    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 1

The MacInFac was such a core part of my experience at UNC - it's a great role for anyone passionate about biochem and biophysical techniques.

24.03.2025 11:57 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

One thing I really miss while being on an only undergrad campus is attending PhD thesis defenses. It's great science but also the deep respect shown for other scientists and the absolute joy is unmatched.

14.03.2025 18:07 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

NIH cuts are hitting young scientists the hardest. By David Baker. timmermanreport.com/2025/03/davi...

12.03.2025 12:58 β€” πŸ‘ 22    πŸ” 22    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 1
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β€˜The Interview’: Ed Yong Wants to Show You the Hidden Reality of the World (Gift Article) The Pulitzer Prize-winning science writer talks about burnout from covering the pandemic and how bird-watching gave him a new sense of hope.

Sharing this article about @edyong209.bsky.social in the NY Times "Ed Yong Wants to Show You the Hidden Reality of the World"

Ed Yong in my opinion is the best science journalist of our times - and there are many great ones

www.nytimes.com/2025/02/22/m...

22.02.2025 20:01 β€” πŸ‘ 211    πŸ” 72    πŸ’¬ 5    πŸ“Œ 5
(on left of image) WHAT TO SAY WHEN... everything is on fire. (on right of image, a poem by Nikita Gil. "Everything is on fire, but everyone I love is doing beautiful things / and trying to make life worth living, / and I know I don’t have to believe in everything, / but I believe in that."

(on left of image) WHAT TO SAY WHEN... everything is on fire. (on right of image, a poem by Nikita Gil. "Everything is on fire, but everyone I love is doing beautiful things / and trying to make life worth living, / and I know I don’t have to believe in everything, / but I believe in that."

Caring about or working in science right now is all about answering questions: can we keep going? How do we keep going?

Sometimes our answers need to take the form of speeches.

Instead of certainty and details, we are being asked for direction. For comfort. For courage. For hope.

15.02.2025 15:49 β€” πŸ‘ 99    πŸ” 28    πŸ’¬ 3    πŸ“Œ 3

4/n
But what I told my departmental colleagues today was that I will not agree to do anything that will help re-segregate research or education at this university. Or that is inconsistent with the stated values and mission of this U.
And I won’t quit either; they’ll have to fire me.

07.02.2025 21:14 β€” πŸ‘ 164    πŸ” 19    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 3

Valerie Ashby is currently the President of UMBC but ran a great academic research lab until 2015 when she moved into administration

03.02.2025 03:19 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

Maybe you’re not going to lead. That’s okay! Instead of trying to generate strategy from scratch, listen to what you’re being asked for.

Maybe it’s your professional society, affinity groups on campus, local unions, etc.

Getting behind people you trust is essential & strategic.

29.01.2025 17:14 β€” πŸ‘ 16    πŸ” 4    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0
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White House pauses all federal grants, sparking confusion The Trump administration has put a hold on all federal financial grants and loans, affecting tens of billions of dollars in payments.

I think some people hear β€œgrants” and think that without them, scientists and government workers just have less stuff to play with at work. But grants fund salaries for students, academics, researchers, and people who work in all areas of public service.

β€œPausing” grants means people don’t eat.

28.01.2025 03:03 β€” πŸ‘ 43906    πŸ” 14563    πŸ’¬ 1621    πŸ“Œ 966

We are now accepting applications for speakers from Native American trainees - if you know of someone who would be a good fit, encourage them to apply! More info in the original thread

Apply to be speaker at Full Circle here: forms.gle/dMUtGWvigrNA...
PS: We have travel funds available!
Plz share!

04.12.2024 20:34 β€” πŸ‘ 24    πŸ” 22    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

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