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Caitlyn Sebastian

@csebastianbio.bsky.social

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Caitlyn Sebastian @csebastianbio.bsky.social · Nov 4

I guess it’s time for me to introduce who I am and what I do!!

I am a 4th PhD candidate at UAB in the GBS Program (Microbiology theme) in the Kiedrowski lab. I specifically look at interactions between Staphylococcus aureus and Haemophilus influenzae in the cystic fibrosis respiratory tract.

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Caitlyn Sebastian @csebastianbio.bsky.social · 12d

Long time, no post, but I had a great time presenting at #nacfc2025 over the weekend! It was amazing giving my first talk at a national conference!

Caitlyn is in a striped shirt and their brownish-blonde hair is down. They are taking a selfie in front of their scientific poster which is blurred.

Caitlyn is standing on a stage in front of a podium, smiling. They just finished giving their scientific talk.

Reposted by Caitlyn Sebastian

American Library Association @amlibraryassoc.bsky.social · Mar 15

🚨NEW🚨: Donald Trump is attempting to strip away federal support for libraries. We will NOT let that happen.

Last night the President signed an order to gut the Institute of Museum & Library Services. But together, we know we can show up & defeat it.

Full EO: www.whitehouse.gov/presidential...

Show Up For Our Libraries! By eliminating the only federal agency dedicated to funding library services, the Trump administration's Executive Order is cutting off at the knees the most beloved and trusted of American institutions and the staff and services they offer. ALA American Library Association. #ForOurLibraries

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Caitlyn Sebastian @csebastianbio.bsky.social · Mar 9

Proud to have been a part of #standupforscience2025 in Birmingham, AL!! Even prouder to be a part of the Mad Scientist shirt group! Ready for the next steps for us to take!

Seven people stand in a row holding up various signs advocating for science. Each person is wearing a blue shirt that reads “I’m a MAD scientist” with a red line under it. Below the red line it reads “Science is for everyone”.

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Caitlyn Sebastian @csebastianbio.bsky.social · Mar 7

I’m so ready to @standupforscience.bsky.social today!!

A sign reads Diverse People Lead to Diverse Ideas. Next to it is a pride flag drawing

A sign reads Powered by Science Strengthened by Diversity

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Reposted by Caitlyn Sebastian

Stand Up for Science! @standupforscience.bsky.social · Feb 24

🚨 Many NSF-funded Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REUs) are being cancelled for Summer 2025.

www.reddit.com/r/REU/commen...

Cancellation megathread

www.reddit.com

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Reposted by Caitlyn Sebastian

Madison Pauly @msjpauly.bsky.social · Feb 24

LGBTQ federal workers say they're terrified they're about to be fired for their gender identity, sexual orientation, or past efforts to support other queer and trans employees—in other words, a second Lavender Scare.

Honored to have their trust with this story: www.motherjones.com/politics/202...

LGBTQ federal workers brace for a McCarthyist purge

"They’re not asking people ‘Are you gay? Are you lesbian?’ They’re asking, ‘Who is participating in DEI?'"

www.motherjones.com

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Caitlyn Sebastian @csebastianbio.bsky.social · Feb 24

Professional Pressure Cooker Specialist (idk I just always visualize an autoclave as a big pressure cooker after seeing someone pop a turkey in one of them)

alternatively

Sterilization Equipment Manager?

Caitlyn Sebastian @csebastianbio.bsky.social · Feb 23

Despite everything going on, I try to still enjoy the little things in life such as spending time with the family chickens! This is Nugget and is probably our most human inclined one and loves to be picked up and held.

Caitlyn is wearing a green UAB shirt and black glasses. Their hair is down with some tucked behind their ear. On their left arm, a white hen is sitting looking at Caitlyn.

Caitlyn Sebastian @csebastianbio.bsky.social · Feb 22

The pausing of this program is limiting the potential of so many young researchers. And this pause is directly attributed to the current events in science. I will always be a IRTA fellow, and I will always be an advocate for young researchers like myself. Don’t stop fighting now. (7/7)

An image of the Barry lab at a hot pot restaurant in 2021. 19 lab members are present with 8 being NIH Postbac trainees and 3 as NIH Postdoc trainees.

Caitlyn Sebastian @csebastianbio.bsky.social · Feb 22

I attribute so much of my scientific training to my two years at the NIH. It even gave me my passion to pursue a career in biosafety/biosecurity. I don’t believe I would have become the even stronger research I am now in @microbiomegan.bsky.social lab without this amazing experience. (6/7)

Caitlyn Sebastian @csebastianbio.bsky.social · Feb 22

A young scientist. After passing immense training and thorough background checks I was permitted to finally work in the BSL-3 space. I loved every bit of it. Over two years I grew tremendously as a research, got more confidence in speaking, and made countless memories with my lab members. (5/7)

Caitlyn Sebastian @csebastianbio.bsky.social · Feb 22

Well known he was in the field of tuberculosis research. After accepting I realized I was making a large jump from no research experience to working in a BSL-3 laboratory. Despite this, Clif along with the rest of the lab, were extremely important in allowing me to grow in confidence as (4/7)

Caitlyn Sebastian @csebastianbio.bsky.social · Feb 22

Due to not having any research experience. I was determined regardless. I was met with many many “Nos” along with encouraging words from PIs who did not have room in their lab but recognized my drive. I finally received a positive from Dr. Clifton E Barry, who at the time I did not realize how (3/7)

Caitlyn Sebastian @csebastianbio.bsky.social · Feb 22

I did not even know how to use a pipette or what most common lab equipment looked like. I knew I wanted to get a PhD in microbiology. My undergraduate mentor encouraged me to apply to this prestigious program. I spent hours emailing potential PIs knowing I was already behind many other peers (2/7)

Caitlyn Sebastian @csebastianbio.bsky.social · Feb 22

With everything going on I went to check the NIH Postbac Program and was sadden to see this on the main page. For those who don’t know, I was an NIH IRTA Postbac and I attribute so much of my training from this program. I did not get much research experience during my undergraduate. (1/7)

A screenshot of a web page of the NIH Postbac Program. The message on the page reads “The NIH Intramural Program has paused the recruitment of IRTAs, CRTAs, and Visiting Fellows in all training programs pending guidance from Health and Human Services. Check back daily for updates.”

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Reposted by Caitlyn Sebastian

Carolyn Ibberson @cbibberson.bsky.social · Feb 22

I created a brief spreadsheet of reductions I've heard of so far. Any additions you know of (especially if you have the links/receipts) would be great: docs.google.com/spreadsheets...

Graduate Reductions Across Biomedical Sciences (2025)

docs.google.com

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Reposted by Caitlyn Sebastian

Dr. Nikki Crowley @nicoleacrowley.bsky.social · Feb 18

This one absolutely breaks my heart. The NIH post baccalaureate IRTA program lets our youngest and most creative minds come together to understand the potential impact of a career dedicated to scientific discovery. It sets trainees on a future not only of science but of *service*.

Kathleen Bachynski @bachynski.bsky.social · Feb 18

One of the many, many “pauses” and cancellations devastating our next generation of researchers. “The NIH Intramural Program has paused the recruitment of IRTAs, CRTAs, and Visiting Fellows in all training programs pending guidance from Health and Human Services. Check back daily for updates.”

Postbac Program

www.training.nih.gov

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Reposted by Caitlyn Sebastian

Prof Christina Pagel @chrischirp.bsky.social · Feb 21

It matters that scientists speak out against what is being done to US science.

Staying silent is neither "objective" nor "staying out of politics".

Silence now *is* political - it supports the status quo, says "nothing to worry about".

We need to sound the alarm.
www.nature.com/articles/d41...

Trump’s siege of science: how the first 30 days unfolded and what’s next

The breakneck pace and devastating impact of the administration’s policy changes has shocked researchers.

www.nature.com

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Reposted by Caitlyn Sebastian

Sarah Hörst @planetdr.bsky.social · Feb 18

Professors please pull up a chair.

I’ve been talking to my classes about what has been going on. I explained indirect costs to them. I talked to them about what a probationary employee is in the government.

At the end of class they asked if we could talk about it more. (1/)

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Caitlyn Sebastian @csebastianbio.bsky.social · Feb 18

Other students, please get aware, you worked hard and are continuing to work hard. Make sure to do what needs to be done to continue to having something worth working towards.

Caitlyn Sebastian @csebastianbio.bsky.social · Feb 18

I know I’m not the only grad student scared. I’m watching people who I may have interacted with or passed by during my time at the NIH getting fired. Im watching my career dreams get questioned and put under fire. At what point do people realize that this isn’t a “cleaning out” but only a first step

Caitlyn Sebastian @csebastianbio.bsky.social · Feb 18

I’ve done everything to have been “successful”:
-Made good grades in HS to get into college
-Got good grades in college to get into a postbac program
-Networked and worked hard to get into grad school
-Gathered data to get a fellowship

Now, I don’t know what the future in science holds

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Reposted by Caitlyn Sebastian

Pride in Microbiology @prideinmicro.bsky.social · Jan 29

The Pride in Microbiology Network is excited to announce dates and times for Virtual Coffee Hours for the first half of the year! Join our email list to receive the link before each event! 🏳️‍🌈
Our first Coffee Hour is this Friday! ☕ 🔬 🌈
#PrideinMicrobiology #PiM #QueerinSTEM

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Caitlyn Sebastian @csebastianbio.bsky.social · Dec 18

I have been participating in a research trial where I can only eat the food they provide me. I have 2 days left and all I want are carbs. The main thing holding me back is the idea that if I mess up their experiment it’ll mess up mine. So gotta do it for the good experiment luck.