Sheril Kirshenbaum

Illustration by Shonagh Rae depicting abstracted flows of information channels through a blueprint of the US Capitol building.

Scientific information does not flow into policy the way most scientists think. Twenty years after her jarring first day as a fisheries-biologist-turned-Senate-staffer, @sheril.bsky.social lays out what every scientist hoping to influence policy on the Hill needs to know: issues.org/information-...

A comic of a doctor telling a woman she’s between too young to be taken seriously and too old to be an interesting person

“There’s no wrong age to be powerful, compelling, or taken seriously, there’s only a wrong lens.”

Art by Erika Sjule

Evolution is not a linear process. Image: T. Michael Keesey

Evolution doesn’t look how it’s depicted in pop culture. We often picture the famous “March of Progress” illustration where a series of apes stand in line leading to a modern human.

But evolution is not linear. It branches and divides and recombines.
Image: @tmkeesey.bsky.social

A Battle with My Blood When I was diagnosed with leukemia, my first thought was that this couldn’t be happening to me, to my family.

Powerful. www.newyorker.com/culture/the-...

I saw - they reached out to me ☺️

If it were up to me, we’d have better food distribution & more public libraries.

Shutdown Before the Fall? Why this routine "crisis" should serve as a warning.

The government shutdown is now the longest in U.S. history. sheril.substack.com/p/shutdown-b...

🔴 Funding opportunity! 🔴

science-foundation.org/what-ifs-2025/

What if… you had 10K in a gift fund at your institution for curiosity-driven #science?

Apply to “What Ifs…?” @sciencefoundation.bsky.social
Applications open 11/10, close 12/1

That’s so nice to read! Thank you

YouTube video by PBS Food Can Soil Make or Break Our Food Future? | Serving Up Science

This link should work
youtu.be/FnOHwq6iSpk?...

Can Soil Make or Break Our Food Future? | Serving Up Science | PBS LearningMedia Unearth the world beneath our feet and soil's vital role in our food system, as host Sheril digs into the dirt on dirt. Discover the rich tapestry of soil types, the microorganisms that enable its vit...

Of all the Serving Up Science episodes, this is my favorite. wkar.pbslearningmedia.org/resource/can...

It’s also our least popular & least viewed. But for 7 mins, I got to talk about how amazing & essential soil really is @pbs.org. And that’s a win! 👩🏻‍🌾🪏🪴

Me next the Albert Einstein statue at the National Academies

Delighted to be at @nationalacademies.org exploring the future of the U.S. research enterprise during this period of transition.

3 takeaways:

• Forge partnerships that blend public purpose & research w private innovation.

• Rebuild trust across sectors.

• Tell the story of science & innovation.

Satellite image of Hurricane Melissa

My thoughts are with the people in Hurricane Melissa’s path.

Climate change makes the ocean warmer, fueling stronger, more intense storms.

It’s not about politics. I hope we can come together to help the communities impacted by this extremely dangerous Category 5 hurricane.

Can We Rebuild Trust in Congress? How Congressional Dysfunction Paved the Road to Political Violence

Can We Rebuild Trust in Congress? sheril.substack.com/p/can-we-reb...

As the #shutdown drags on & political violence ⬆️, the question isn’t whether we can return to some imagined golden age of bipartisanship.

It’s whether we can rebuild the relationships that make democratic governance possible.

My new op-ed in @thehill.com: thehill.com/opinion/cong... #uspol

Jane Goodall and a chimpanzee

Jane Goodall, one of my greatest heroes, has passed away. How lucky we were to read her books and learn from her wisdom about our place on Earth. She was an inspiration to me and countless others. And her memory is a blessing.

Shutdown Before the Fall? Why this routine "crisis" should serve as a warning.

The federal government has shut down. So why does the 21st disruption of federal funding since 1976 feel... normal?

We've spent decades dismantling the norms that made compromise possible in Congress.

This routine "crisis" should serve as a warning. sheril.substack.com/p/shutdown-b...

Ebola outbreak in DR Congo rages, with 61% death rate and funding running dry Responders ask for $25 million to contain the disease. They have $2.2 million.

Ebola outbreak in DR Congo rages, w 61% death rate & lack of $

“In the past, USAID provided critical support to respond to such outbreaks. But, w funding cuts & a dismantling of the agency the US is notably absent.. it will be difficult to compensate for the loss.” arstechnica.com/health/2025/...

Two strangers use filters to change their appearance online, and like each other on social media. Later, they scowl at each other on the street, not recognizing they are the same individuals.

Another comic by Chelo caught my eye. How we present ourselves to others on social media vs offline. /2

Two English budgies that are blue and white.

It is settled. “Moe” is now “Mochi,” with his big brother Kiwi!

A blue and white English budgie.

Meet our new English budgie! Like his brother Kiwi, he has a few unusual quirks, but we think he’s perfect!

Now this little peanut needs a name… He arrived as “Moe” so that’s a possibility, but what would you name this sweet boy?

Will the public support basic science? A new non-profit aims to find out The Science Foundation seeks donations to fund ten $10,000 ‘what if’ seed grants.

"Amid massive cuts to US scientific research, the Science Foundation will raise public funds for transdisciplinary, discovery-based research!" www.nature.com/articles/d41...

Congratulations Maren Friesen, Venkatesh Srinivas & @sciencefoundation.bsky.social! Donate at science-foundation.org/donate/

Fox News Host Offers Bloodthirsty Fix to Homeless Crisis Brian Kilmeade has a truly outrageous proposal for addressing what he considers one of the root causes of violence in public places.

“One of the best-known anchors on Fox News has suggested killing people as a way to end the country’s homelessness crisis.” 👀

www.thedailybeast.com/fox-news-hos...

Listening now @michaelemann.bsky.social!

Good.
Details at: www.nature.com/articles/d41...

The CDC quietly scaled back a surveillance program for foodborne illnesses As of July 1, a critical surveillance program is monitoring for only two pathogens instead of the usual eight.

Pretty sure the vast majority of people don’t want to get sick regardless of their party affiliation. 🤔

Despite political uncertainty, I leave D.C. hopeful knowing that so many caring and dedicated colleagues will continue this important work, and I look forward to carrying all I’ve learned into the next chapter of my career. 3/3

Thanks as well to the Council on Foreign Relations for the chance to serve during such a pivotal moment in our nation’s history. It has been a transformative year, for me personally and for democracy. 2/3

As I conclude my Senate fellowship, I’m deeply grateful to Senator Gary Peters of Michigan and his brilliant, thoughtful team. I will miss working with them tremendously. 1/3

Traveling with my 9 & 12 year old boys tomorrow & I’d love your recommendations for kid/teen audiobooks! 📚 #books