Bri Barbu
@bribarbu.bsky.social
science reporter @ Chemical & Engineering News | please talk to me about carbon-based molecules | she/her | views mine | @bribarbu.95 on signal
Pinned
Nominate an early-career chemist for the Talented 12 Class of 2026. Submissions are open until January 20. Celebrate innovation and excellence in chemistry: cen.acs.org/sections/tal...
#CENT12 #chemsky 🧪
#CENT12 #chemsky 🧪
Not sure what to get your superstar junior colleague for the holidays? How about a T12 nomination? We'll be accepting nominations through January 20, 2026!
For this organic charge carrier, conductivity is more than just a phase! @paul-mcgonigal.bsky.social and team devised a clever new material that keeps ions flowing in more-ordered states of matter, thanks to diffused charges and a lil ordered chaos:
cen.acs.org/materials/el...
cen.acs.org/materials/el...
This molecule conducts charge like a liquid, even when it’s a solid
Loose ion pairing helps this organic electrolyte maintain conductivity through phase changes
cen.acs.org
December 18, 2025 at 9:12 PM
For this organic charge carrier, conductivity is more than just a phase! @paul-mcgonigal.bsky.social and team devised a clever new material that keeps ions flowing in more-ordered states of matter, thanks to diffused charges and a lil ordered chaos:
cen.acs.org/materials/el...
cen.acs.org/materials/el...
Reposted by Bri Barbu
Well, it's finally up. Thanks @sarahbraner.bsky.social @cenmag.bsky.social for profiling me and my journey from @cmu.edu to @ucddublin.bsky.social. It's been a hell of a ride. I'm glad I'm here safe, at least.
⚗️ #newpi #disabledinstem #lgbtqinstem #transinstem #leavingus #howtoleave #ireland
⚗️ #newpi #disabledinstem #lgbtqinstem #transinstem #leavingus #howtoleave #ireland
This chemist had a tenure-track job offer in the US when they decided to leave the country
Why Evan Spotte-Smith made that choice, and how they are finding the experience
cen.acs.org
December 18, 2025 at 2:34 PM
Well, it's finally up. Thanks @sarahbraner.bsky.social @cenmag.bsky.social for profiling me and my journey from @cmu.edu to @ucddublin.bsky.social. It's been a hell of a ride. I'm glad I'm here safe, at least.
⚗️ #newpi #disabledinstem #lgbtqinstem #transinstem #leavingus #howtoleave #ireland
⚗️ #newpi #disabledinstem #lgbtqinstem #transinstem #leavingus #howtoleave #ireland
This is one of the best things I've read in a long while. It has everything: tenacious journalists! Inept chatbots! An "ultra-capitalist free-for-all!" A live fish!
(the gift link seems to have stopped gifting tho)
(the gift link seems to have stopped gifting tho)
Gift link, probably the funniest thing the Wall Street Journal has done this year.
We Let AI Run Our Office Vending Machine. It Lost Hundreds of Dollars.
An AI agent ran a snack operation in the WSJ newsroom. It gave away a free PlayStation, ordered a live fish—and taught us lessons about the future of AI.
www.wsj.com
December 18, 2025 at 5:10 PM
This is one of the best things I've read in a long while. It has everything: tenacious journalists! Inept chatbots! An "ultra-capitalist free-for-all!" A live fish!
(the gift link seems to have stopped gifting tho)
(the gift link seems to have stopped gifting tho)
Not sure what to get your superstar junior colleague for the holidays? How about a T12 nomination? We'll be accepting nominations through January 20, 2026!
Nominate an early-career chemist for the Talented 12 Class of 2026. Submissions are open until January 20. Celebrate innovation and excellence in chemistry: cen.acs.org/sections/tal...
#CENT12 #chemsky 🧪
#CENT12 #chemsky 🧪
December 18, 2025 at 4:21 PM
Not sure what to get your superstar junior colleague for the holidays? How about a T12 nomination? We'll be accepting nominations through January 20, 2026!
This was a surprising result, but I wrote the original post so I'm not at all mad about it! 💀🎉
And the 2025 Chemistry in Pictures champion is . . .
After a long month of unlikely match-ups and tens of thousands of your votes, Gustavo Porrata Caraballo has been chosen as the Chemistry in Pictures contest winner for 2025: cen.acs.org/education/sc...
#CENChemPics #chemsky 🧪
After a long month of unlikely match-ups and tens of thousands of your votes, Gustavo Porrata Caraballo has been chosen as the Chemistry in Pictures contest winner for 2025: cen.acs.org/education/sc...
#CENChemPics #chemsky 🧪
December 18, 2025 at 2:17 PM
This was a surprising result, but I wrote the original post so I'm not at all mad about it! 💀🎉
Reposted by Bri Barbu
Nominate an early-career chemist for the Talented 12 Class of 2026. Submissions are open until January 20. Celebrate innovation and excellence in chemistry: cen.acs.org/sections/tal...
#CENT12 #chemsky 🧪
#CENT12 #chemsky 🧪
December 16, 2025 at 11:38 AM
Nominate an early-career chemist for the Talented 12 Class of 2026. Submissions are open until January 20. Celebrate innovation and excellence in chemistry: cen.acs.org/sections/tal...
#CENT12 #chemsky 🧪
#CENT12 #chemsky 🧪
I'm so jealous of everyone at pacifichem right now. 😭🌴
December 15, 2025 at 7:09 PM
I'm so jealous of everyone at pacifichem right now. 😭🌴
Did someone say "more chemistry brackets?" #ACSOrganic has you covered! #Chemsky
Round 1 of the 2025 Organic Reaction Championship ends today at midnight!
Will the Diels–Alder Reaction maintain its legacy dominance?
Can the Grignard Reaction overcome its temperament?
Vote for your favorite reaction!
#ACSOrganic #amplifyorganic
zurl.co/DTEvX
Will the Diels–Alder Reaction maintain its legacy dominance?
Can the Grignard Reaction overcome its temperament?
Vote for your favorite reaction!
#ACSOrganic #amplifyorganic
zurl.co/DTEvX
December 12, 2025 at 8:20 PM
Did someone say "more chemistry brackets?" #ACSOrganic has you covered! #Chemsky
Reposted by Bri Barbu
#Microscope images are dominating the Chempics Bracket, and it's down to the final. #chemsky, y'all have legit surprised the @cenmag.bsky.social staff with this.
cen.acs.org/education/sc...
cen.acs.org/education/sc...
Our first-ever Chempics Bracket is here. Vote for your favorite science photo
Only one photo will emerge victorious
cen.acs.org
December 12, 2025 at 7:12 PM
#Microscope images are dominating the Chempics Bracket, and it's down to the final. #chemsky, y'all have legit surprised the @cenmag.bsky.social staff with this.
cen.acs.org/education/sc...
cen.acs.org/education/sc...
I think it says a lot about the current moment that we chose molecule that is surprisingly holding itself together despite a thermodynamic incentive to break down...
We asked, you voted! Hexanitrogen is your 2025 Molecule of the Year! To get all the details on the spectacular finalists, check out our full coverage at cen.acs.org/synthesis/Mo...
#chemsky 🧪
#chemsky 🧪
December 10, 2025 at 9:00 PM
I think it says a lot about the current moment that we chose molecule that is surprisingly holding itself together despite a thermodynamic incentive to break down...
Reposted by Bri Barbu
While the financial landscape didn’t change much for biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies this year, the geopolitical forces shaping the industry did. So did the technological ones. Here is C&EN’s look back at the past year. cen.acs.org/pharmaceutic... #chemsky 🧪
C&EN’s Year in Pharma 2025
In some ways, the pharmaceutical world simply plodded along this year. In others, it was stood on its head
cen.acs.org
December 9, 2025 at 1:27 PM
While the financial landscape didn’t change much for biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies this year, the geopolitical forces shaping the industry did. So did the technological ones. Here is C&EN’s look back at the past year. cen.acs.org/pharmaceutic... #chemsky 🧪
Reposted by Bri Barbu
once again made the mistake of scrolling on the various social media sites i have to use for work; exposed to the fresh horrors
December 8, 2025 at 8:12 PM
once again made the mistake of scrolling on the various social media sites i have to use for work; exposed to the fresh horrors
Also, the #chempics bracket is down to a lone pair!
💀 vs. 💠 who will win??
Get your votes in now!
cen.acs.org/education/sc...
💀 vs. 💠 who will win??
Get your votes in now!
cen.acs.org/education/sc...
Our first-ever Chempics Bracket is here. Vote for your favorite science photo
Only one photo will emerge victorious
cen.acs.org
December 8, 2025 at 7:12 PM
Also, the #chempics bracket is down to a lone pair!
💀 vs. 💠 who will win??
Get your votes in now!
cen.acs.org/education/sc...
💀 vs. 💠 who will win??
Get your votes in now!
cen.acs.org/education/sc...
And the molecule of the year for 2025 is...🥁...
...hexanitrogen! (I had a feeling this one would win 🤭)
Thanks for voting, everyone! #chemsky
cen.acs.org/synthesis/Mo...
...hexanitrogen! (I had a feeling this one would win 🤭)
Thanks for voting, everyone! #chemsky
cen.acs.org/synthesis/Mo...
Meet the molecules of the year 2025
C&EN editors’ annual round-up of spectacular molecules we’ve covered in the past year
cen.acs.org
December 8, 2025 at 7:05 PM
And the molecule of the year for 2025 is...🥁...
...hexanitrogen! (I had a feeling this one would win 🤭)
Thanks for voting, everyone! #chemsky
cen.acs.org/synthesis/Mo...
...hexanitrogen! (I had a feeling this one would win 🤭)
Thanks for voting, everyone! #chemsky
cen.acs.org/synthesis/Mo...
Reposted by Bri Barbu
🎶It's fine, it's cool
You can say the robots got it, but you know the truth
And guess I'm the fool
With her arms out like an angel in a fume hood🎶
You can say the robots got it, but you know the truth
And guess I'm the fool
With her arms out like an angel in a fume hood🎶
the board is a group of very smart people (the presence of Murcko is at least a good sign to me) so ???????? good luck fam
December 4, 2025 at 6:54 PM
🎶It's fine, it's cool
You can say the robots got it, but you know the truth
And guess I'm the fool
With her arms out like an angel in a fume hood🎶
You can say the robots got it, but you know the truth
And guess I'm the fool
With her arms out like an angel in a fume hood🎶
Reposted by Bri Barbu
Looking for a fun read? For the December #Newscripts in @cenmag.bsky.social, Fionna Samuels (@fmorningstar.bsky.social) took a look at the chemistry of two pop culture moments from the past year: An exoplosive scene in 20 Years Later and the GBBO sugar dome disaster
cen.acs.org/education/sc...
cen.acs.org/education/sc...
Molecular moments in pop culture
Chemical quibbles with explosions and sugar domes
cen.acs.org
December 3, 2025 at 3:51 PM
Looking for a fun read? For the December #Newscripts in @cenmag.bsky.social, Fionna Samuels (@fmorningstar.bsky.social) took a look at the chemistry of two pop culture moments from the past year: An exoplosive scene in 20 Years Later and the GBBO sugar dome disaster
cen.acs.org/education/sc...
cen.acs.org/education/sc...
this is now my favorite fake science fact
Marie Curie shot three sexist detractors with polonium-tipped bullets, thus destroying her chances for a second Nobel Prize in Chemistry.
November 25, 2025 at 8:38 PM
this is now my favorite fake science fact
I wrote about new research substantiating the sugar secrets of seal milk--and challenging the assumption that human milk is uniquely complex!
(Did I pitch this just to get a cute baby seal on the @cenmag.bsky.social homepage? mayyyybe...)
cen.acs.org/biological-c...
(Did I pitch this just to get a cute baby seal on the @cenmag.bsky.social homepage? mayyyybe...)
cen.acs.org/biological-c...
Wild seal milk rivals human milk in sugar complexity
Researchers characterized hundreds of unique oligosaccharides in seal milk, shedding light on the biochemical lives of other mammals
cen.acs.org
November 25, 2025 at 7:21 PM
I wrote about new research substantiating the sugar secrets of seal milk--and challenging the assumption that human milk is uniquely complex!
(Did I pitch this just to get a cute baby seal on the @cenmag.bsky.social homepage? mayyyybe...)
cen.acs.org/biological-c...
(Did I pitch this just to get a cute baby seal on the @cenmag.bsky.social homepage? mayyyybe...)
cen.acs.org/biological-c...
CORRECTION the poll closes on Dec. 8, not Dec. 11!
It's that time again: @cenmag.bsky.social 's molecule of the year poll is now OPEN! Check out the contenders, lovingly curated by yours truly from past C&EN stories, and vote for your favorite by Dec. 11
#chemsky #scisky #moty2025
cen.acs.org/synthesis/Mo...
#chemsky #scisky #moty2025
cen.acs.org/synthesis/Mo...
Meet the molecules of the year 2025
C&EN editors’ annual round-up of spectacular molecules we’ve covered in the past year
cen.acs.org
November 21, 2025 at 4:55 PM
CORRECTION the poll closes on Dec. 8, not Dec. 11!
It's that time again: @cenmag.bsky.social 's molecule of the year poll is now OPEN! Check out the contenders, lovingly curated by yours truly from past C&EN stories, and vote for your favorite by Dec. 11
#chemsky #scisky #moty2025
cen.acs.org/synthesis/Mo...
#chemsky #scisky #moty2025
cen.acs.org/synthesis/Mo...
Meet the molecules of the year 2025
C&EN editors’ annual round-up of spectacular molecules we’ve covered in the past year
cen.acs.org
November 19, 2025 at 4:28 PM
It's that time again: @cenmag.bsky.social 's molecule of the year poll is now OPEN! Check out the contenders, lovingly curated by yours truly from past C&EN stories, and vote for your favorite by Dec. 11
#chemsky #scisky #moty2025
cen.acs.org/synthesis/Mo...
#chemsky #scisky #moty2025
cen.acs.org/synthesis/Mo...
Reposted by Bri Barbu
We're doing the chempics contest as a bracket this year, complete with cute chemistry-themed names and logos for all of the rounds (except the first one)!
Check out the contenders and vote for your faves!
Check out the contenders and vote for your faves!
We're getting to the end of 2025, so why not: We made a bracket. VOTE on our best science photos. These scientists ... man, are they doin' some wild stuff! #CENChempics @cenmag.bsky.social cen.acs.org/education/sc...
Our first-ever Chempics Bracket is here. Vote for your favorite science photo
Only one photo will emerge victorious
cen.acs.org
November 18, 2025 at 3:47 PM
We're doing the chempics contest as a bracket this year, complete with cute chemistry-themed names and logos for all of the rounds (except the first one)!
Check out the contenders and vote for your faves!
Check out the contenders and vote for your faves!
Reposted by Bri Barbu
I love a good complex natural product. This one has two α-tropolones, 10 asymmetric stereocenters, and a a labile hemiketal. After a longstanding effort, chemists in Seth Herzon's lab have made (–)-gukulenin A. My latest for @cenmag.bsky.social
cen.acs.org/synthesis/me...
cen.acs.org/synthesis/me...
A guide to making gukulenin A
3-component assembly builds a natural product that could fight cancer
cen.acs.org
November 13, 2025 at 8:27 PM
I love a good complex natural product. This one has two α-tropolones, 10 asymmetric stereocenters, and a a labile hemiketal. After a longstanding effort, chemists in Seth Herzon's lab have made (–)-gukulenin A. My latest for @cenmag.bsky.social
cen.acs.org/synthesis/me...
cen.acs.org/synthesis/me...
There’s a lot of historically and culturally significant stuff captured on audio (and video) tape. But tapes are mass-market items that weren’t made with long-term archiving in mind.
My latest for @cenmag.bsky.social explores the chemistry involved in preserving them:
cen.acs.org/analytical-c...
My latest for @cenmag.bsky.social explores the chemistry involved in preserving them:
cen.acs.org/analytical-c...
How preservation scientists are using chemistry to save sounds of the past
Preservation scientists are using polymer chemistry to help prevent old audio and video tapes from degrading beyond recognition
cen.acs.org
November 13, 2025 at 3:47 PM
There’s a lot of historically and culturally significant stuff captured on audio (and video) tape. But tapes are mass-market items that weren’t made with long-term archiving in mind.
My latest for @cenmag.bsky.social explores the chemistry involved in preserving them:
cen.acs.org/analytical-c...
My latest for @cenmag.bsky.social explores the chemistry involved in preserving them:
cen.acs.org/analytical-c...
Reposted by Bri Barbu
Four years ago, we were @aaasmassmedia.bsky.social fellows, starry-eyed at our first full-time #sciencejournalism gigs.
Now, we're working dream/beyond-dream jobs at the New York Times, @cenmag.bsky.social and @statnews.com. 2021 us could not have imagined 2025 us.
#scicomm #stem #altchemjobs
Now, we're working dream/beyond-dream jobs at the New York Times, @cenmag.bsky.social and @statnews.com. 2021 us could not have imagined 2025 us.
#scicomm #stem #altchemjobs
November 12, 2025 at 1:59 PM
Four years ago, we were @aaasmassmedia.bsky.social fellows, starry-eyed at our first full-time #sciencejournalism gigs.
Now, we're working dream/beyond-dream jobs at the New York Times, @cenmag.bsky.social and @statnews.com. 2021 us could not have imagined 2025 us.
#scicomm #stem #altchemjobs
Now, we're working dream/beyond-dream jobs at the New York Times, @cenmag.bsky.social and @statnews.com. 2021 us could not have imagined 2025 us.
#scicomm #stem #altchemjobs