Jeff Bourgeois, PhD
@bourgeoisjs.bsky.social
Assistant Professor @ WPI Dept. of Biology and Biotechnology. Studies how host & bacterial diversity impact Borrelia burgdorferi spread and Lyme disease severity.
Kickball Captain | Dog Dad | He/Him | 🏳️🌈
https://bourgeoislabworcester.wordpress.com
Kickball Captain | Dog Dad | He/Him | 🏳️🌈
https://bourgeoislabworcester.wordpress.com
Reposted by Jeff Bourgeois, PhD
"Nice" NIH study sections screw their applicants because of the way NIH calculates percentile. drugmonkey.wordpress.com/2025/11/20/n...
“Nice” NIH study sections screw their applicants because of the way NIH calculates percentile.
I often write blog comments about NIH grant review matters that exist in an uncomfortable tension between what NIH wants us to do on study section and what I see as our professional obligation to t…
drugmonkey.wordpress.com
November 21, 2025 at 1:50 AM
"Nice" NIH study sections screw their applicants because of the way NIH calculates percentile. drugmonkey.wordpress.com/2025/11/20/n...
Reposted by Jeff Bourgeois, PhD
“Overly honest methods”
November 10, 2025 at 7:33 PM
“Overly honest methods”
Reposted by Jeff Bourgeois, PhD
Breaking News: The Supreme Court denied a request to consider overturning its landmark decision to legalize same-sex marriage a decade ago. nyti.ms/3Ju2Ayd
November 10, 2025 at 2:51 PM
Breaking News: The Supreme Court denied a request to consider overturning its landmark decision to legalize same-sex marriage a decade ago. nyti.ms/3Ju2Ayd
Reposted by Jeff Bourgeois, PhD
Yes, some people's legacies are complicated. For example, Watson. After all, though he was racist, don't forget his other traits. For example, he was also sexist. And also anti-semitic. And a data / idea thief. So let's not forget all the different facets.
November 8, 2025 at 12:52 AM
Yes, some people's legacies are complicated. For example, Watson. After all, though he was racist, don't forget his other traits. For example, he was also sexist. And also anti-semitic. And a data / idea thief. So let's not forget all the different facets.
Reposted by Jeff Bourgeois, PhD
As a PI I am like a dilettante hobbyist of cell culture
Once in a while I like to glance at some cells
I use the hemocytometer to manually count cells just to show my lab members it’s possible
I walk through and give the incubators a nice pat daily
Once in a while I like to glance at some cells
I use the hemocytometer to manually count cells just to show my lab members it’s possible
I walk through and give the incubators a nice pat daily
November 5, 2025 at 1:59 AM
As a PI I am like a dilettante hobbyist of cell culture
Once in a while I like to glance at some cells
I use the hemocytometer to manually count cells just to show my lab members it’s possible
I walk through and give the incubators a nice pat daily
Once in a while I like to glance at some cells
I use the hemocytometer to manually count cells just to show my lab members it’s possible
I walk through and give the incubators a nice pat daily
Reposted by Jeff Bourgeois, PhD
Excited to share my latest postdoctoral work in the Shen Lab at Tufts! In this study, we follow up on an exciting finding by former grad student @shailab.bsky.social that C diff uses its Class A PBP (PBP1) to drive cell division (unlike previously studied bacteria)! journals.plos.org/plosgenetics...
Molecular dissection of Class A PBP function uncovers novel features of the non-canonical Clostridioides difficile divisome complex
Author summary Bacterial cell division is an ancient and essential process, but our molecular understanding of this process is primarily based on studies in a select few model systems. Recent work fou...
journals.plos.org
October 28, 2025 at 1:25 AM
Excited to share my latest postdoctoral work in the Shen Lab at Tufts! In this study, we follow up on an exciting finding by former grad student @shailab.bsky.social that C diff uses its Class A PBP (PBP1) to drive cell division (unlike previously studied bacteria)! journals.plos.org/plosgenetics...
Excited to announce that The Bourgeois Lab and our WPI collaborators are officially funded by @bayarealyme.bsky.social to investigate treatments for Lyme disease. We are immensely grateful and humbled to be funded through donations made by the Lyme disease community for the Lyme disease community.
October 22, 2025 at 5:30 PM
Excited to announce that The Bourgeois Lab and our WPI collaborators are officially funded by @bayarealyme.bsky.social to investigate treatments for Lyme disease. We are immensely grateful and humbled to be funded through donations made by the Lyme disease community for the Lyme disease community.
Reposted by Jeff Bourgeois, PhD
The O'Neal Lab in @johnshopkinssph.bsky.social is hiring a Lab Manager to work on ticks and tick-borne diseases! You can apply here: jobs.jhu.edu/job-invite/1...
Laboratory Manager (Molecular Microbiology & Immunology)
Laboratory Manager (Molecular Microbiology & Immunology)
jobs.jhu.edu
October 2, 2025 at 3:37 PM
The O'Neal Lab in @johnshopkinssph.bsky.social is hiring a Lab Manager to work on ticks and tick-borne diseases! You can apply here: jobs.jhu.edu/job-invite/1...
Reposted by Jeff Bourgeois, PhD
I hate that the em dash has become a sign of using generative AI. I've known how to use them since forever! It's stolen valour!
October 6, 2025 at 7:17 PM
I hate that the em dash has become a sign of using generative AI. I've known how to use them since forever! It's stolen valour!
Reposted by Jeff Bourgeois, PhD
UMass Amherst Microbiology is hiring a tenure-track virologist. Come work with me! 🦠🧪
careers.umass.edu/amherst/en-u...
careers.umass.edu/amherst/en-u...
Details - Assistant Professor - Virology | Human Resources | UMass Amherst
careers.umass.edu
October 2, 2025 at 2:51 PM
UMass Amherst Microbiology is hiring a tenure-track virologist. Come work with me! 🦠🧪
careers.umass.edu/amherst/en-u...
careers.umass.edu/amherst/en-u...
Watching this unfold in real time across our department has been incredibly sad to watch. Encouraging any second year students who had been working on their GRFP to focus on self-care this weekend…
Announcing such a major change to NSF GRFP this late in the cycle is incredibly cruel. 2nd yr students (mine included) have been working so hard on their proposals despite ongoing uncertainty. They are driven and passionate about being outstanding scientists and helping those coming up behind them.
September 26, 2025 at 8:10 PM
Watching this unfold in real time across our department has been incredibly sad to watch. Encouraging any second year students who had been working on their GRFP to focus on self-care this weekend…
First undergrad experiment in the lab worked, meaning our graduate students, undergrads, and technicians are all producing data three months in! So proud of them 🤩
September 22, 2025 at 3:30 PM
First undergrad experiment in the lab worked, meaning our graduate students, undergrads, and technicians are all producing data three months in! So proud of them 🤩
Reposted by Jeff Bourgeois, PhD
🎉ASM is pleased to launch ASM Animal Microbiology🎉 Submit your original research & reviews now! The journal's EiC is José Vázquez-Boland, DVM, Ph.D., Chair of Infectious Diseases at the University of Edinburgh! @edinuni-irr.bsky.social
➡️ Read PR: brnw.ch/21wVUHf
➡️ Submit Now! brnw.ch/21wVUHe
➡️ Read PR: brnw.ch/21wVUHf
➡️ Submit Now! brnw.ch/21wVUHe
September 19, 2025 at 12:19 PM
🎉ASM is pleased to launch ASM Animal Microbiology🎉 Submit your original research & reviews now! The journal's EiC is José Vázquez-Boland, DVM, Ph.D., Chair of Infectious Diseases at the University of Edinburgh! @edinuni-irr.bsky.social
➡️ Read PR: brnw.ch/21wVUHf
➡️ Submit Now! brnw.ch/21wVUHe
➡️ Read PR: brnw.ch/21wVUHf
➡️ Submit Now! brnw.ch/21wVUHe
Reposted by Jeff Bourgeois, PhD
Happy to share the latest pub from our lab!
journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/...
We found that reservoir host species, Peromyscus leucopus, develop acquired tick resistance against larval Ixodes scapularis, which reduces tick feeding success and affects pathogen ingestion by larvae.
journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/...
We found that reservoir host species, Peromyscus leucopus, develop acquired tick resistance against larval Ixodes scapularis, which reduces tick feeding success and affects pathogen ingestion by larvae.
Acquired tick resistance in Peromyscus leucopus alters Ixodes scapularis infection | Infection and Immunity
The incidence of tick-borne disease in the United States has been on the rise over
the last decade, with 50,865 cases reported in 2019 increasing to 73,384 cases in
2022 (1). However, passive surveill...
journals.asm.org
September 4, 2025 at 10:33 PM
Happy to share the latest pub from our lab!
journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/...
We found that reservoir host species, Peromyscus leucopus, develop acquired tick resistance against larval Ixodes scapularis, which reduces tick feeding success and affects pathogen ingestion by larvae.
journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/...
We found that reservoir host species, Peromyscus leucopus, develop acquired tick resistance against larval Ixodes scapularis, which reduces tick feeding success and affects pathogen ingestion by larvae.
Update: The inverted microscope is dead.
Me two months ago: Buying used equipment is great! I have a fancier lab than Linden and have barely touched my startup package!
Me now: Okay so none of my incubators hold temperature and two of them think atmospheric air is 5% CO2. Also why is the water bath smoking?
Me now: Okay so none of my incubators hold temperature and two of them think atmospheric air is 5% CO2. Also why is the water bath smoking?
August 27, 2025 at 3:47 PM
Update: The inverted microscope is dead.
Happy last new piece of equipment day to those who celebrate!!
August 25, 2025 at 4:21 PM
Happy last new piece of equipment day to those who celebrate!!
Reposted by Jeff Bourgeois, PhD
I'll admit, I was skeptical when they said Gemini was just like a bunch of PhDs. But I gotta admit they nailed it.
August 17, 2025 at 1:51 PM
I'll admit, I was skeptical when they said Gemini was just like a bunch of PhDs. But I gotta admit they nailed it.
Bourgeois Lab v001
August 14, 2025 at 11:53 PM
Bourgeois Lab v001
Reposted by Jeff Bourgeois, PhD
Those of us in STEM must vocally affirm that the humanities are our allies, and no department is expendable. Arguing we can survive by cutting whole disciplines isn’t just inhumane, it’s nonsensical. The humanities tell us why we’re here in the first place, and what to do about it! This isn’t hard!
Oh good. We've reached the "I don't have to be faster than the bear, I only have to be less woke than you" stage of faculty solidarity. archive.is/wGNDr
August 14, 2025 at 1:01 PM
Those of us in STEM must vocally affirm that the humanities are our allies, and no department is expendable. Arguing we can survive by cutting whole disciplines isn’t just inhumane, it’s nonsensical. The humanities tell us why we’re here in the first place, and what to do about it! This isn’t hard!
Me two months ago: Buying used equipment is great! I have a fancier lab than Linden and have barely touched my startup package!
Me now: Okay so none of my incubators hold temperature and two of them think atmospheric air is 5% CO2. Also why is the water bath smoking?
Me now: Okay so none of my incubators hold temperature and two of them think atmospheric air is 5% CO2. Also why is the water bath smoking?
August 12, 2025 at 9:55 PM
Me two months ago: Buying used equipment is great! I have a fancier lab than Linden and have barely touched my startup package!
Me now: Okay so none of my incubators hold temperature and two of them think atmospheric air is 5% CO2. Also why is the water bath smoking?
Me now: Okay so none of my incubators hold temperature and two of them think atmospheric air is 5% CO2. Also why is the water bath smoking?
Reposted by Jeff Bourgeois, PhD
OpenAI: we’re giving you PhD-level expertise in your pocket!
Everyone with PhDs: I know exactly who you’re automating and I hate him
Everyone with PhDs: I know exactly who you’re automating and I hate him
August 8, 2025 at 6:25 AM
OpenAI: we’re giving you PhD-level expertise in your pocket!
Everyone with PhDs: I know exactly who you’re automating and I hate him
Everyone with PhDs: I know exactly who you’re automating and I hate him
Please don’t use any tool that claims it can accurately predict the IQ of your kid… Trying to do eugenics is a beautiful example of being both morally atrocious and really, really dumb.
It is depressing, but all too predictable, how swiftly we’ve gone from the Social Science Genetic Association Consortium offering reassurances about the uses of behavioural polygenic scores to one of their lead authors marketing embryo selection for IQ
August 3, 2025 at 2:44 PM
Please don’t use any tool that claims it can accurately predict the IQ of your kid… Trying to do eugenics is a beautiful example of being both morally atrocious and really, really dumb.
Reposted by Jeff Bourgeois, PhD
NIH wants to hear from you. No really.
Request for Information on Maximizing Research Funds by Limiting Allowable Publishing Costs
grants.nih.gov/grants/guide...
Request for Information on Maximizing Research Funds by Limiting Allowable Publishing Costs
grants.nih.gov/grants/guide...
NOT-OD-25-138: Request for Information on Maximizing Research Funds by Limiting Allowable Publishing Costs
NIH Funding Opportunities and Notices in the NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts: Request for Information on Maximizing Research Funds by Limiting Allowable Publishing Costs NOT-OD-25-138. NIH
grants.nih.gov
July 31, 2025 at 3:21 AM
NIH wants to hear from you. No really.
Request for Information on Maximizing Research Funds by Limiting Allowable Publishing Costs
grants.nih.gov/grants/guide...
Request for Information on Maximizing Research Funds by Limiting Allowable Publishing Costs
grants.nih.gov/grants/guide...
Reposted by Jeff Bourgeois, PhD
Hygromycin A treatment of Borrelia burgdorferi-infected Peromyscus leucopus suggests potential as a reservoir-targeted antibiotic
✅ Just Accepted
#IDSky
✅ Just Accepted
#IDSky
Hygromycin A treatment of Borrelia burgdorferi-infected Peromyscus leucopus suggests potential as a reservoir-targeted antibiotic
Lyme disease spirochetes are maintained in natural reservoirs before spilling over into human populations.
doi.org
July 10, 2025 at 2:44 PM
Hygromycin A treatment of Borrelia burgdorferi-infected Peromyscus leucopus suggests potential as a reservoir-targeted antibiotic
✅ Just Accepted
#IDSky
✅ Just Accepted
#IDSky
Happy First Deliveries to the Lab Day to those who celebrate!
July 2, 2025 at 10:50 PM
Happy First Deliveries to the Lab Day to those who celebrate!