Chrystal Starbird
@drstarbird.bsky.social
7.2K followers 590 following 950 posts
Scientist, mother, perpetual learner. Assistant Professor, Structural Biologist, Advocate, and Speaker. Views my own. signal @starbic.01 www.starbirdlab.com
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drstarbird.bsky.social
Hi All! I’m a structural biologist who studies the structural basis of signaling via RTKs. I’m a new Assistant Professor at UNC and a #firstgen scholar who fights to make science accessible! I’m a bit spicy 😁, but try my best to lead with kindness. A recent lab outing:
Reposted by Chrystal Starbird
tlowepower.bsky.social
Please repost -- The Univ. California Davis dept of Plant Pathology is hiring a Fungal biologist / Mycologist

Applications due Dec 1

Application portal: recruit.ucdavis.edu/JPF07339

Screenshot shows part of the job posting (with alt-text of the same text)
he Department of Plant Pathology at the University of California, Davis is seeking applications for a fulltime, tenure-track Assistant Professor position in Mycology, with a focus on plant pathogenic, symbiotic, 
or mycotoxigenic fungi and fungal-like organisms (e.g., oomycetes). We are looking for a highly 
motivated and creative scientist with a strong background in mycology and/or the biology of fungi and 
fungal-like organisms that interact with plants. The successful candidate will be expected to develop a 
world-class, externally funded research program that integrates both fundamental and applied aspects 
of fungal biology within the context of plant pathology. We welcome applicants pursuing a wide range 
of research topics related to plant-associated fungi, including but not limited to mechanisms of fungal 
pathogenesis or symbiosis with plants, population genomics and evolution of fungal plant pathogens, 
plant-associated fungal microbiomes and plant-microbe interactions, and/or one health approaches to 
fungal diseases and antifungal resistance. Applicants working in other relevant research areas involving 
pathogenic, symbiotic, or mycotoxigenic fungi or fungal-like organisms that affect plant health are also 
encouraged to apply. The successful candidate will have significant opportunities for collaboration with 
faculty in plant pathology, microbiology, genomics, and agricultural sciences, and to contribute to 
addressing issues of importance to California’s agricultural and natural ecosystems.
The appointee primary teaching responsibilities will be teaching Introductory Mycology, an upperdivision lab class, and SAS 30, Mushroom, Molds & Society, a general education class for non-majors. 
Additional graduate and undergraduate teaching responsibilities may be assigned based on 
departmental needs and the candidate’s expertise. The department offers modern instructional 
facilities, including a newly renovated teaching laboratory.
Reposted by Chrystal Starbird
abbycheru.bsky.social
We’re so excited for our 5th annual HBPA symposium, Friday December 12th at HMS

We are now accepting abstracts for:
-Oral Presentations
-Poster
Registration Link: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...

Abstract Submission Link: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...

Deadline for Abstract Submission: 10/31/25
Reposted by Chrystal Starbird
sherylnyt.bsky.social
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:
Reposted by Chrystal Starbird
turrigiano.bsky.social
Thank You MIT. Now who's next?

Explore this gift article from The New York Times. You can read it for free without a subscription. www.nytimes.com/2025/10/10/u...
M.I.T. Rejects a White House Offer for Special Funding Treatment
www.nytimes.com
Reposted by Chrystal Starbird
kateholterhoff.com
We are all Dr. Brunkow 😴
“Dr. Brunkow said she did not expect to win a Nobel Prize. ‘My phone rang, and I saw a number from Sweden and thought, well that’s just spam of some sort, so I disabled the phone and went back to sleep,’“ www.nytimes.com/2025/10/06/h...
Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine Is Awarded for Work on Immune Systems
www.nytimes.com
drstarbird.bsky.social
I have had such a wonderful and helpful experience as a Keystone Fellow. Interested early career scientists should definitely apply!
keystonesymposia.bsky.social
🚀 Early-career scientists: Apply for the 2026 Keystone Symposia Fellows! Gain mentorship, career guidance & join a global network of scientific leaders. 🧬

🗓 Apply by Oct 20, 2025
🔗 www.keystonesymposia.org/program-enri... #KSFellows #KeystoneSymposia #EarlyCareerScientists
drstarbird.bsky.social
Right! I really don’t want to and I’m trying to help you, but I will be if you make it hard to avoid.
drstarbird.bsky.social
You know; with everything going on, I just don’t understand why administrators are working to make our jobs harder and not easier 😤
drstarbird.bsky.social
The title says it all ⬇️
jeremymberg.bsky.social
I have been trying to get this published as an op-ed, but I am going to post it here since I think it is timely in light of the "consent" extortion events.

Deafening Quiet from the Scientific Establishment

jeremymberg.github.io/jeremyberg.g...

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jeremymberg.github.io
Reposted by Chrystal Starbird
npp-journal.bsky.social
Big news at @npp-journal.bsky.social HQ 👇

We are thrilled to welcome @briannaegeorge.bsky.social as our new NPP Editorial Intern 🎉

We are looking forward to working with Dr. George and are excited to have such a fantastic addition to our team 🤩
drstarbird.bsky.social
Why is it so hard for people to understand that I am usually, and prefer to be, understanding and kind, but not when you mess with my kids!?! You will get the other version of me then.
Reposted by Chrystal Starbird
annikabarber.bsky.social
Despite These Times...my department is hiring! I really like my department, we have a good mix of disciplines and organisms and we're really low-drama. We also get pizza at faculty meeting. So if you're a computational and structural biologist, join us! 🧪 jobs.rutgers.edu/postings/260...
Assistant Professor - Tenure Track Faculty
The Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, is inviting applicants for a tenure-track Assistant Professor position. The position requires a doc...
jobs.rutgers.edu
drstarbird.bsky.social
It was a great discussion with amazing peer scientists! Thank you for hosting! 🙌🏾
Reposted by Chrystal Starbird
blackinbiophys.bsky.social
In our #BIBPSWeek 2025 #BIBPSSpotlight Q&A Webinar with Dr. Chrystal Starbird, we learned about her life, career, and STEM advocacy work. We also discussed the barriers that fellow #BlackInBiophysics scholars @jjalston.bsky.social & @stevenssostre.bsky.social faced when pursuing careers in science.👇🏾
drstarbird.bsky.social
We are in this odd climate where people are pretending no barriers exist to careers in science for some groups, but this conversation with 2 outstanding emerging scientists highlights that is just not true.
youtube.com/watch?v=u850...
BIBPSSpotlight - 2025 Black In Biophysics Week
YouTube video by Black In Biophys
youtube.com
drstarbird.bsky.social
That it has! Lots to discuss 😬😁
drstarbird.bsky.social
Nothing has disappointed me more than watching institutions cave to ending programs they KNOW have an impact and bring in talented and qualified scientists from different backgrounds. Someday we will have to face what was done here and what we lost.
drstarbird.bsky.social
I would not be here without the programs (like PREP) and the mentors that cheered for me and helped me to understand the climate. Yes, I was smart, but when you come from places with almost no exposure to STEM careers, that’s just not enough.
drstarbird.bsky.social
We are in this odd climate where people are pretending no barriers exist to careers in science for some groups, but this conversation with 2 outstanding emerging scientists highlights that is just not true.
youtube.com/watch?v=u850...
BIBPSSpotlight - 2025 Black In Biophysics Week
YouTube video by Black In Biophys
youtube.com
drstarbird.bsky.social
Good luck with your submission! Also, I wouldn’t miss it. Which means finding a Philly food spot to catch up is a must 😁
Reposted by Chrystal Starbird
rogerslabucd.bsky.social
Effective and empathetic scientific communication is so critical right now. We had an interactive workshop at the #2025ICDB led by @rebeccacalisi.bsky.social and Dr. Kevin Alicea-Torres and facilitated by @spiraldoc.bsky.social and myself- and we practiced this. Please check out our perspective!