Alexandra Velian

Time to Save the National Science Foundation, 75 Years and Thriving The National Science Foundation marks its 75th anniversary today, May 10th 2025. Rather than celebrate, it's time to save it.

On the NSF's 75th:

“‘NSF investments have driven groundbreaking innovations, from the internet and LASIK eye surgery to the first image of a black hole... The foundation has also played a key role in the work of 268 Nobel Prize laureates, helping to shape many of their landmark achievements.’”

NSF at 75 years, image of planetary shapes and starlight

The National Science Foundation marks its 75th anniversary this week.

Rather than celebrate, it's time to save it.

www.savensf.com/nsf-at-75-to...

Congratulations!!

Exclusive: NSF faces radical shake-up as officials abolish its 37 divisions Changes seen as a response to presidential directives on what research to fund

Exclusive: National Science Foundation staff were told today that the agency’s 37 divisions—across all eight directorates—are being abolished and the number of programs within those divisions will be drastically reduced.

Exclusive: NSF faces radical shake-up as officials abolish its 37 divisions Changes seen as a response to presidential directives on what research to fund

Exclusive: NSF faces radical shake-up as officials abolish its 37 divisions | Science | AAAS www.science.org/content/arti...

A 1 year postdoc position to work on surface organometallic chemistry and catalysis is now open in my group. To apply :
emploi.cnrs.fr/Offres/CDD/U...

The president is recommending a 40% cut to next year’s NIH budget. This would be disastrous for our nation’s health and economy. Please contact your representatives, especially if they are Republicans, and tell them why this cannot happen. An easy option: 5calls.org

Rapid Response Bridge Funding Program In the face of recent abrupt shifts in federal funding for education research, including large-scale terminations of National Science Foundation (NSF) research grant awards, we have developed a rap...

I’m generally a cynic. Glass half empty kind of guy. But then I see something like this and think…there are good people out there. be positive and have hope. There is light in darkness. Early career scientists are being prioritized. Take a look! 🧪

www.spencer.org/grant_types/...

Save the date: Come and join the first Global Inorganic Virtual Seminar with Suzanna Bart and @harder-research.bsky.social!
riceuniversity.zoom.us/webinar/regi...

I am excited to announce that the ACS Division of Inorganic Chemistry, in collaboration with the German Chemical Society Wöhlervereinigung für Anorganische Chemie, will host the first Global Inorganic Virtual Seminar. Register here: tinyurl.com/2t58tv84.

TOMORROW: the first Global Inorganic Virtual Seminar with @TheBartLab and @harder_research riceuniversity.zoom.us/webinar/regi...

Exclusive: NSF director to resign amid grant terminations, job cuts, and controversy “I have done all I can,” says Sethuraman Panchanathan, a Trump appointee who has led agency since 2020

Exclusive: NSF director to resign amid grant terminations, job cuts, and controversy | Science | AAAS www.science.org/content/arti...

A Career in Catalysis: Daniel Resasco Daniel Resasco is widely recognized for his significant contributions to the science and application of heterogeneous catalysis. In this Account, we highlight key points along his career path, demonstrating how fundamental insights─drawn from rigorous kinetic analysis, precise materials synthesis, and in situ characterization─enabled breakthroughs in areas ranging from strong metal–support interactions to biomass upgrading. Daniel’s work on selective ring opening of hydrocarbons influenced the production of cleaner diesel fuels, while his innovative methods for synthesizing single-walled carbon nanotubes accelerated progress in nanomaterial applications. He later pioneered the use of Pickering emulsions in catalysis, employing amphiphilic materials to control selectivity and facilitate product separation at water–oil interfaces. Throughout these varied application areas, Daniel consistently blended a rigorous mechanistic approach with pragmatic goals, ensuring that the concepts he uncovered could be translated across topics and have practical impact. Beyond his scientific contributions, we highlight Daniel’s commitment to supporting the next generation of researchers in catalysis science.

Check out our most recent Account–and kudos to the beautiful clear TOC!
A Career in Catalysis: Daniel Resasco | ACS Catalysis pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/...

Cottrell Scholar Applicants! Attend Virtual Office Hours

RCSA is offering two online sessions to help potential #CottrellScholar Award applicants prepare their proposals for submission by July 1, 2025. Please share this opportunity with eligible faculty in your department or professional circles. Thank you!

Mark your calendars for a thought provoking Solid-State Periodic TableTalks (Wednesday 4/16 at 12 pm PST/ 3pm EST) featuring Maxx Arguilla (@maxxsolidchem.bsky.social, UCIrvine) and Susan Kauzlarich (UCDavis). Register here:
unr.zoom.us/meeting/regi... @acs.org

Energy Department cuts university overhead rates to 15% on research grants Sudden move mirrors NIH cap on “indirect” costs that was ruled illegal

DOE goes full NIH.

awesome seminar & thanks for visiting!!

Mark your calendars for a thought provoking Solid-State Periodic TableTalks (Wednesday 4/16 at 12 pm PST/ 3pm EST) featuring Maxx Arguilla (@maxxsolidchem.bsky.social, UCIrvine) and Susan Kauzlarich (UCDavis). Register here:
unr.zoom.us/meeting/regi... @acs.org

Nobel laureate: I owe America my success. Today, its scientific future is in danger | CNN Dr. Ardem Patapoutian says he watches “with deep sadness as the United States’ remarkable scientific enterprise, which took generations of hard work and national investment to build, faces a concerted...

Published an op-ed for @cnn.com: “Nobel laureate: I owe America my success. Today, its scientific future is in danger.”
A personal reflection on what’s at stake as science funding gets slashed. I’d be grateful if you could amplify both in and beyond the science world.
www.cnn.com/2025/04/09/h...

A red and blue flyer with a drawn depiction of the statue of liberty on the left. Starting at the top next to the statue's torch is the word "Seattle". Underneath is a red banner with the bold words "STAND UP FOR SCIENCE 2025". Underneath the banner are details about the event: "March 7, 2025; Seattle Center; 12 PM - 3 PM." Halfway down, to the right of the Statue of Liberty's head is a smaller red banner with the bold words "SCIENCE IS FOR EVERYONE." Underneath the banner and leading to the bottom of the poster are the words "Find your local rally site and other ways to get involved: standupforscience2025.org"

Because of the attacks on science in the US from recent executive orders, I'm working with other early-career scientists to host a local Stand Up For Science rally at Seattle Center on March 7th.

Find more info and RSVP here:
www.eventbrite.com/e/stand-up-f...

DM me to get involved!

Diversity is our greatest asset, even if the government disagrees… They not like us! POC in STEM are here to stay.

They tried to rig the game but you can’t fake influence!
Mustard on the [Be][At] bro.

Happy Black History Month!

Mark your calendars and register for an outstanding lineup at the Organometallic Periodic Table Talks, on 2/19, 12 pm PST: Eva Nichols (UBC) and Theo Agapie (Caltech) unr.zoom.us/meeting/regi...

Mark your calendars and register for an outstanding lineup at the Organometallic Periodic Table Talks, on 2/19, 12 pm PST: Eva Nichols (UBC) and Theo Agapie (Caltech) unr.zoom.us/meeting/regi...

NIH cuts billions of dollars in biomedical funding, effective immediately The move halts a large slice of money for most universities and research institutions virtually overnight, imperiling vital research in everything from cancer to heart disease.

Another assault on US competitiveness at a time when biomedicine is roaring with innovation, an own-goal in a high-stakes international tournament. Of course the real losers are American people needing medicines and cures.

www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/...

The NIH overhead cut doesn't just hurt universities.

It's deadly to the US economy.

The US is a world leader in tech due to the ecosystem that NIH and NSF propel. It drives innovation for tech transfer, creates a highly-skilled sci/tech workforce, and fosters academic/industry crossfertilization.

NIH slashes overhead payments for research, sparking outrage Move to cut indirect cost rate to 15% could cost universities billions of dollars

The National Institutes of Health plans to severely cut the percentage of its grant money that can be used for overhead costs rather than research.

It is indeed my understanding that most research institutions won't survive if this is implemented. I know I will contact my congress and senate members.

5calls.org

White House budget proposal could shatter the National Science Foundation “This kind of cut would kill American science and boost China.”…

Anyone doing basics science knows that we're barely making ends meet with the grants, particularly if your primarily nsf funded. The budget hasn't increased with student and postdoc salary (primarily cost of grants). Meeting it 1/3 kills all science everywhere

arstechnica.com/science/2025...

Los Angeles fires hit area chemists Hundreds associated with nearby universities and government labs have lost homes

These chemists are among the more than 100,000 people displaced by multiple fires that erupted across Los Angeles County on Jan. 7. The Palisades and Eaton fires have burned over 15,000 hectares and damaged or destroyed more than 12,000 structures. cen.acs.org/people/Los-A... #chemsky🧪 #scinews