Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Reposted by Dr. Gita Gnanadesikan ❌👑

Dr. Gita Gnanadesikan ❌👑 @ggnanadesikan.bsky.social · 18h

Hey Atlanta! Next weekend, Saturday 10/18, is our next NO KINGS rally ❌👑

And I'll be speaking! #StandUpForScience

This is a peaceful protest, coordinated with #NoKings protests around the country, together expected to be the largest in American history.

Join us! www.mobilize.us/nokings/even...

NO KINGS in Atlanta · No Kings

Our peaceful movement is only getting bigger and stronger. “NO KINGS” is more than just a slogan—it’s the foundation our nation was built upon. Born in the streets, carried by millions in chants and o...

www.mobilize.us

3 1

Reposted by Dr. Gita Gnanadesikan ❌👑

Ron Filipkowski @ronfilipkowski.bsky.social · 5h

Today, House Republicans will take their 70th day off with pay in the last 82 days.

120 1.3K 3.1K

Reposted by Dr. Gita Gnanadesikan ❌👑

Dr. Kat Napaaqtuk❄️ @napaaqtuk.bsky.social · 4h

Most of rural Alaska is Alaska Native. Bonus donating to support Alaska Native people on Indigenous Peoples Day.

Dr. Kat Napaaqtuk❄️ @napaaqtuk.bsky.social · 4h

Western Alaska was hit hard by the recent storms. Houses floated away in Kipnuk, houses flipped over, people lost everything from the flooding that came with the storms. Please donate if you can. This group has a long history of supporting AK communities.

alaskacf.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/c...

3 91 95

Dr. Gita Gnanadesikan ❌👑 @ggnanadesikan.bsky.social · 18h

Hey Atlanta! Next weekend, Saturday 10/18, is our next NO KINGS rally ❌👑

And I'll be speaking! #StandUpForScience

This is a peaceful protest, coordinated with #NoKings protests around the country, together expected to be the largest in American history.

Join us! www.mobilize.us/nokings/even...

NO KINGS in Atlanta · No Kings

Our peaceful movement is only getting bigger and stronger. “NO KINGS” is more than just a slogan—it’s the foundation our nation was built upon. Born in the streets, carried by millions in chants and o...

www.mobilize.us

3 1

Reposted by Dr. Gita Gnanadesikan ❌👑

Mark Hamill @markhamillofficial.bsky.social · 1d

ONE WEEK FROM TODAY: Make your voices heard. Join us in a peaceful protest across our country against the most corrupt, deceitful & criminal Administration in U.S. History. We say NO KINGS, NO CROOKS, NO SPRAY-TAN CONMAN! 👎

Check for a location near you at: www.nokings.org

#BeThere 👍

No Kings

As the president escalates his authoritarian power grab, the NO KINGS non-violent movement continues to rise stronger. We are united once again to remind the world: America has No Kings and the power ...

www.nokings.org

310 3.1K 11K

Reposted by Dr. Gita Gnanadesikan ❌👑

Kingfisher & Wombat @tkingfisher.com · 19h

So my buddy Carlota, who is taking over Dogskull Patch, has a group of feral cats to deal. She’s been trapping and neutering as possible, but one sweetheart named Big Daddy showed up on the porch limping. Some asshole shot him. She’s raising money for his amputation and care. gofund.me/3b6cf293e

Donate to Help Big Daddy Recover from being Shot, organized by Carrie Sykes

There's a colony of lovely cats living in a rural neighborhood in Goldston, NC. Fr… Carrie Sykes needs your support for Help Big Daddy Recover from being Shot

gofund.me

7 130 250

Dr. Gita Gnanadesikan ❌👑 @ggnanadesikan.bsky.social · 18h

I just wrote my postcard! 📫

Join me in helping to demonstrate that scientists, doctors, and others across the country do NOT support RFK Jr., his policies, his actions, or his "leadership" of HHS.

#StandUpForScience

Elizabeth Jacobs, PhD @elizabethjacobs.bsky.social · 9d

Defend Public Health has already gotten thousands of responses to our postcard campaign to prove RFK Jr. wrong about the size of his…umm…mailbag.

It’s easy peasy to send a postcard to Senator Wyden and air your grievances about RFK Jr.

More information below.

Help Prove RFK Jr. is Wrong | Defend Public Health

When Senator Wyden stated he’d heard from thousands of doctors and scientists concerned by RFK Jr’s policies, Kennedy responded "I'll put my mailbag against your mailbag any day.” Let's prove Kennedy ...

www.defendpublichealth.org

Reposted by Dr. Gita Gnanadesikan ❌👑

Colette Delawalla @cdelawalla.bsky.social · 1d

✊🏼✊🏼✊🏼You can help save science and democracy by making a donation to @standupforscience.bsky.social!

act.standupforscience.net/fundraising/...

If you’re sitting there doomscrolling, wishing there was a group that was:

🥊 Fighting to take back science
📣 Supporting public servants speaking out against policies that will harm the public
😈 Reaching MILLIONS with fresh, edgy, pro-science messaging
❌Working on the ground in DC to remove The Quacks from power
✊🏼Leading pro-science direct actions, like rallies, across the nation
👷Building a vibrant, pro-science grassroots army who are ready to Stand Up for Science
🛠️ Engineering the political machinery necessary to protect, maintain, and cultivate the American scientific ecosystem for generations to come

I’ve got great news. Stand Up for Science exists. We are doing all of these things as a 501c3 and 501c4 non-profit.

And YOU can help us. We are a grassroots organization and we need your support. Donate here:

1 9 16

Reposted by Dr. Gita Gnanadesikan ❌👑

Tom Joscelyn @tomjoscelyn.bsky.social · 1d

“I spent three nights and three days in federal custody. During that time, I was never told what I was charged with, was not allowed to shower despite being covered in tear gas and pepper spray, had no phone call to my family, and no access to an attorney.” - George Retes, U.S. citizen and veteran.

I’m a US citizen and a veteran. ICE arrested me for no reason.

Jailed for three days without an explanation or ability to notify anyone, George Retes argues the only path to healing starts with the government taking accountability for its actions.

newsletter.ofthebrave.org

340 5.9K 11K

Reposted by Dr. Gita Gnanadesikan ❌👑

Mark Peifer (He, him) @peiferlabunc.bsky.social · 1d

I'm very excited to announce that UNC Biology has 6 faculty positions open this year! The first is for an Asst Professor who studies organismal resilience using an integrative approach 1/n
unc.peopleadmin.com/postings/307...

Poster with QR code linking to the position

5 140 130

Reposted by Dr. Gita Gnanadesikan ❌👑

Janire Castellano Bueno, PhD @janirecas.bsky.social · 3d

What do you consider a wild animal? 🐾
If you work with wild species, we’d love your help in exploring this question!

👉 Please take a few minutes to fill out our survey and share it widely.
app.onlinesurveys.jisc.ac.uk/s/chester/wi...

Thank you for your help! 💚

A Quantitative Approach To Understanding Wildness

Online surveys is a powerful, easy to use tool for creating online surveys. Run by Jisc, online surveys is used by over 300 different organisations in the UK...

app.onlinesurveys.jisc.ac.uk

6 5

Reposted by Dr. Gita Gnanadesikan ❌👑

Indivisible ❌👑 @indivisible.org · 2d

One week from right now, millions of Americans will gather in every state for the biggest day of peaceful protest in American history. Join your local No Kings Day event to make it clear that We The People won’t cower in response to Trump’s authoritarian takeover: www.nokings.org?SQF_SOURCE=i...

28 490 1.1K

Reposted by Dr. Gita Gnanadesikan ❌👑

Joshua Weitz @joshuasweitz.bsky.social · 2d

"Roughly 70 Epidemic Intelligence Service officers — the so-called “disease detectives” who respond to outbreaks around the globe — received layoff notices"

There is no 'make healthy' objective here, but there will be costs and consequences, to readiness, safety, and lives.

Sheryl Gay Stolberg @sherylnyt.bsky.social · 2d

FULL STORY HERE: Emails began flooding CDC inboxes late Friday night announcing dozens of layoffs. HR people brought back from furlough to oversee the RIFs. Disease detectives, entire Washington office, global health, injury prevention, MMWR staff among those hit.
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/11/u...

Trump Administration Lays Off Dozens of C.D.C. Officials

www.nytimes.com

4 28 54

Reposted by Dr. Gita Gnanadesikan ❌👑

Sheryl Gay Stolberg @sherylnyt.bsky.social · 2d

BREAKING: Friday night massacre underway at CDC. Doznes of "disease detectives," high-level scientists, entire Washington staff and editors of the MMWR (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report) have all been RIFed and received the following notice:

860 8.5K 15K

Reposted by Dr. Gita Gnanadesikan ❌👑

Kyle Griffin @kylegriffin1.bsky.social · 2d

The Trump administration has been spreading anti-vaccine propaganda for months. Tonight, Trump's physician announced he just received a flu shot and a COVID booster.

150 1.9K 5K

Reposted by Dr. Gita Gnanadesikan ❌👑

Stand Up for Science! @standupforscience.bsky.social · 2d

We will NOT stand for Trump and Vought decimating our health sciences with RFK Jr's permission.

JOIN US FOR A RALLY AT HHS ON FRIDAY 10/17!

WE ARE TAKING BACK SCIENCE.

#ImpeachTheQuack
#GetOutTheVought
#TakeBackScience

Stand Up for Science! @standupforscience.bsky.social · 5d

FIGHT FOR SCIENCE RALLY ✊🌏
⏰ WHEN: October 17th, 2025
📍WHERE: 200 Independence Ave SW, Washington DC!
RSVP to JOIN THE FIGHT IRL: zurl.co/LayiM ‼️

📲 Join us Virtually!: zurl.co/Um47l

5 80 190

Reposted by Dr. Gita Gnanadesikan ❌👑

Liz Neeley @lizneeley.bsky.social · 2d

The specifics of the RIFs I’ve seen in group chats have been staggering. Bracing & reminding myself these are specifically intended to cause fear & distress.

Please share URLs for any good trackers you seen as they emerge. (I want more than OMB’s version) fedscoop.com/trump-federa...

Table of how many federal employees have been laid off in the latest RIF (Reduction in Force). This is from an OMB legal filing from Oct 10. For each agency, it lists number of fired employees, RIF notice date, and whether the administrations has recalled any of those employees to do work. Total headcount is 4,100 across 8 agencies. Treasury (1446) and HHS (1200) are the most affected. EPA (30) had the fewest layoffs this time.

2 54 98

Reposted by Dr. Gita Gnanadesikan ❌👑

Quinn Eastman @qeastman.bsky.social · 3d

Excited to learn that Gita @ggnanadesikan.bsky.social , a talented biology researcher and science advocate, is scheduled to speak at #NoKings rally on Oct 18 @standupforscience.bsky.social #StandUpForScience www.mobilize.us/standupameri...

NO KINGS in Atlanta · Stand Up America

Our peaceful movement is only getting bigger and stronger. “NO KINGS” is more than just a slogan—it’s the foundation our nation was built upon. Born in the streets, carried by millions in chants and o...

www.mobilize.us

12 50

Reposted by Dr. Gita Gnanadesikan ❌👑

Ian L Morgan @ianlmorgan.bsky.social · 3d

My op-ed just came out discussing how NIH leadership is failing early career researchers and, importantly, how we can push back and take our future into our own hands.

NIH Leadership Is Failing Early Career Researchers

Halted training programs, funding chaos, and hiring freezes jeopardize advancement options for early career researchers.

www.the-scientist.com

4 33 83

Reposted by Dr. Gita Gnanadesikan ❌👑

Nic Bennett (they/them) @nicbennett.bsky.social · 3d

During 2025, I've done 100s of 1:1 meetings w/ alarmed US scientists.

They are activated & want to resist but are new to organizing. Let's learn from those w/ experience.

I highly recommend checking out Let This Radicalize You, and you can find a discount at this link.

#scienceAsSolidarity

Preorder Read This When Things Fall Apart @mskellymhayes.bsky.social · 3d

I am currently out of copies to give away, but if you are new to organizing and activism, and you could use some insight and guidance, you can find Let This Radicalize You at a discount here:

Let This Radicalize You

Doing Justice: The Revolution of Rescue and Reciprocal Care is a practical and imaginative resource for activists and organizers building power in an era of destabilization and catastrophe.

www.haymarketbooks.org

1 2

Reposted by Dr. Gita Gnanadesikan ❌👑

Reuters @reuters.com · 3d

'When authoritarians seize power, it is crucial to recognize courageous defenders of freedom who rise and resist,' the Norwegian Nobel Committee said as it announced Maria Corina Machado as the winner of the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize

150 1.9K 5.2K

Dr. Gita Gnanadesikan ❌👑 @ggnanadesikan.bsky.social · 3d

"Due to recent NIH actions, more than four in five early career researchers are considering leaving academia or relocating outside the United States."

#StandUpForScience #FundScience #ScienceIsForEveryone

Jeremy Berg @jeremymberg.bsky.social · 3d

Thoughtful and well-informed op-ed from @ianlmorgan.bsky.social

Definitely worth a read!

www.the-scientist.com/nih-leadersh...

1/2

NIH Leadership Is Failing Early Career Researchers

Halted training programs, funding chaos, and hiring freezes jeopardize advancement options for early career researchers.

www.the-scientist.com

2

Reposted by Dr. Gita Gnanadesikan ❌👑

Jenna Norton @jenna-m-norton.bsky.social · 3d

“What kind of person would I be if I went with what works best for me versus what works best for the collective?”

Spoken like a true civil servant.

www.huffpost.com/entry/govern...

Federal Workers Have A Request Of Democrats As The Shutdown Drags On

Furloughed federal employees are about to start missing paychecks, but they aren't ready to give in yet: "We are willing to take some temporary pain."

www.huffpost.com

2 16 62

Reposted by Dr. Gita Gnanadesikan ❌👑

David Ho @davidho.bsky.social · 4d

Hey US scientists, the NY Times wants to hear from you if you've had your funding cut. 🌊🧪

Has Your Scientific Work Been Cut? We Want to Hear.

www.nytimes.com

2 86 130

Reposted by Dr. Gita Gnanadesikan ❌👑

Animal Behavior Society @animbehsociety.bsky.social · 3d

Hey grad students studying animal behavior! Need a little extra research $$? (Don't we all?)

Apply for an ABS Student Research Grant! We award grants up to $2,000 to grad students & give feedback on the proposals. Deadline Dec 15.

More info here: www.animalbehaviorsociety.org/web/awards-s...

ABS Student Research and Developing Nations Grants! ABS offers the following grants to support graduate student research: Student Research Grants, ABS Conservation Award and Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (JEDI) Awards. The ABS also offers an Early Career Grant in Conservation Behavior and Developing Nations Grant to support students and other researchers from developing nations.

Applicants for student grants must be enrolled in a graduate program and must be active members of ABS (student membership fees cost $17-$34). Research grants range from $500-$2,000 USD, depending on the category of the grant and evaluations. Individuals may receive only one ABS research grant during their lifetime. More details on how the grants and how to apply in the link in the post.

13 11