Giorgio Gilestro
@giorgio.gilest.ro
Associate Professor at Imperial College London. Geek. Curious. Opinionated.
https://lab.gilest.ro | lab website, science blog
https://giorgio.gilest.ro | politics and science comms
https://drosophila.social/@giorgiogilestro | mastodon
https://lab.gilest.ro | lab website, science blog
https://giorgio.gilest.ro | politics and science comms
https://drosophila.social/@giorgiogilestro | mastodon
Pinned
Giorgio Gilestro
@giorgio.gilest.ro
· Feb 26
Why do we need to sleep?
Humans spend one-third of their life sleeping, yet the purpose and function behind this regular state of unconsciousness remains a biological mystery. Sleep researcher Giorgio Gilestro is trying to un...
www.kcur.org
Wanna learn what we know about why we need to sleep? Here's a fun podcast I recorded for the excellent @npr.org "Seeking a scientist" show, conducted by Kate the Chemist. Enjoy!
@imperiallifesci.bsky.social @imperialcollegeldn.bsky.social
www.kcur.org/podcast/seek...
@imperiallifesci.bsky.social @imperialcollegeldn.bsky.social
www.kcur.org/podcast/seek...
Reposted by Giorgio Gilestro
Richly perceptive analysis of UKRI’s funding ‘strategy’ by @ersatzben.com raises 2 questions: why do we still not understand how best to manage the interfaces between research & societal needs? And why doesn’t UKRI give Ben a job? open.substack.com/pub/johnsonb...
The Bucket Stops Here
UKRI’s new funding framework takes a stab at classifying budgets – but doesn’t yet govern research
open.substack.com
February 15, 2026 at 2:30 PM
Richly perceptive analysis of UKRI’s funding ‘strategy’ by @ersatzben.com raises 2 questions: why do we still not understand how best to manage the interfaces between research & societal needs? And why doesn’t UKRI give Ben a job? open.substack.com/pub/johnsonb...
Reposted by Giorgio Gilestro
Someone has sure already made this observation but the fact they can convert all those empty warehouses into prison camps means they could have converted them into housing, community centers, job training centers or, hell, libraries or schools all along. It’s always a matter of will not resources.
February 15, 2026 at 5:30 PM
Someone has sure already made this observation but the fact they can convert all those empty warehouses into prison camps means they could have converted them into housing, community centers, job training centers or, hell, libraries or schools all along. It’s always a matter of will not resources.
Reposted by Giorgio Gilestro
There were 36 votes between the Green Party and Reform.
36 votes.
Reform are absolutely stoppable - and the Green Party can win with our message to lower bills, protect the NHS and rebuild public services.
Join.greenparty.org.uk
36 votes.
Reform are absolutely stoppable - and the Green Party can win with our message to lower bills, protect the NHS and rebuild public services.
Join.greenparty.org.uk
February 13, 2026 at 8:01 AM
There were 36 votes between the Green Party and Reform.
36 votes.
Reform are absolutely stoppable - and the Green Party can win with our message to lower bills, protect the NHS and rebuild public services.
Join.greenparty.org.uk
36 votes.
Reform are absolutely stoppable - and the Green Party can win with our message to lower bills, protect the NHS and rebuild public services.
Join.greenparty.org.uk
Reposted by Giorgio Gilestro
Labour’s vote is collapsing everywhere.
In Peterborough last night, as in Gorton and Denton, voting Green is the only way to stop Reform.
In Peterborough last night, as in Gorton and Denton, voting Green is the only way to stop Reform.
Fletton & Woodston (Peterborough) Council By-Election Result:
➡️ RFM: 29.4% (New)
🌍 GRN: 27.6% (+16.2)
🌳 CON: 21.8% (-11.8)
🌹 LAB: 16.8% (-31.2)
🔶 LDM: 4.4% (-0.7)
No TUSC (-1.9) as previous.
Reform GAIN from Labour.
Changes w/ 2024.
➡️ RFM: 29.4% (New)
🌍 GRN: 27.6% (+16.2)
🌳 CON: 21.8% (-11.8)
🌹 LAB: 16.8% (-31.2)
🔶 LDM: 4.4% (-0.7)
No TUSC (-1.9) as previous.
Reform GAIN from Labour.
Changes w/ 2024.
February 13, 2026 at 7:59 AM
Labour’s vote is collapsing everywhere.
In Peterborough last night, as in Gorton and Denton, voting Green is the only way to stop Reform.
In Peterborough last night, as in Gorton and Denton, voting Green is the only way to stop Reform.
Reposted by Giorgio Gilestro
If the PM reckons Jim Ratcliffe should apologise for spreading this exact same lie, should the Home Office apologise too, or? 🤨
February 12, 2026 at 9:29 AM
If the PM reckons Jim Ratcliffe should apologise for spreading this exact same lie, should the Home Office apologise too, or? 🤨
Reposted by Giorgio Gilestro
A Reuters photographer captured this image of a page from Pam Bondi's "burn book," which she used to counter any questions from Democratic lawmakers during an unhinged hearing today.
It looks like the DOJ monitored members of Congress’s searches of the unredacted Epstein files.
Just wow.
It looks like the DOJ monitored members of Congress’s searches of the unredacted Epstein files.
Just wow.
February 11, 2026 at 11:06 PM
A Reuters photographer captured this image of a page from Pam Bondi's "burn book," which she used to counter any questions from Democratic lawmakers during an unhinged hearing today.
It looks like the DOJ monitored members of Congress’s searches of the unredacted Epstein files.
Just wow.
It looks like the DOJ monitored members of Congress’s searches of the unredacted Epstein files.
Just wow.
Reposted by Giorgio Gilestro
So now we have it- not only the reduction from 12-13 to 3 grants from each board recommended for funding but the budget for applicant-led research to be reduced from £200 million to £113 million per year. This is appalling, Especially given all that is happening with medical research in the US.
Medical Research Council ‘will fund fewer applicant-led grants’.
Confirmation from deputy leader comes as council restructures investments, with calls on hold until summer.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
Confirmation from deputy leader comes as council restructures investments, with calls on hold until summer.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
Medical Research Council ‘will fund fewer applicant-led grants’ - Research Professional News
Confirmation from deputy leader comes as council restructures investments, with calls on hold until summer
www.researchprofessionalnews.com
February 6, 2026 at 10:04 AM
So now we have it- not only the reduction from 12-13 to 3 grants from each board recommended for funding but the budget for applicant-led research to be reduced from £200 million to £113 million per year. This is appalling, Especially given all that is happening with medical research in the US.
Reposted by Giorgio Gilestro
Paywalled but visible to many uni-based people
Apparently...
Much reduced MRC success rate for grants now in pipeline
Reduced MRC future funding for 'applicant-led' research
But 'life sciences remain a priority'....
Lot of room for more clarity (and recognition of effects on ECRs)
Apparently...
Much reduced MRC success rate for grants now in pipeline
Reduced MRC future funding for 'applicant-led' research
But 'life sciences remain a priority'....
Lot of room for more clarity (and recognition of effects on ECRs)
Four senior UKRI leaders appeared at a press briefing this morning in the wake of RPN stories over the last week about a shake-up to research council funding
Our story that the MRC is expecting to fund fewer grants through applicant-led calls that closed in September last year was confirmed
...
Our story that the MRC is expecting to fund fewer grants through applicant-led calls that closed in September last year was confirmed
...
Medical Research Council ‘will fund fewer applicant-led grants’.
Confirmation from deputy leader comes as council restructures investments, with calls on hold until summer.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
Confirmation from deputy leader comes as council restructures investments, with calls on hold until summer.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
February 5, 2026 at 4:56 PM
Paywalled but visible to many uni-based people
Apparently...
Much reduced MRC success rate for grants now in pipeline
Reduced MRC future funding for 'applicant-led' research
But 'life sciences remain a priority'....
Lot of room for more clarity (and recognition of effects on ECRs)
Apparently...
Much reduced MRC success rate for grants now in pipeline
Reduced MRC future funding for 'applicant-led' research
But 'life sciences remain a priority'....
Lot of room for more clarity (and recognition of effects on ECRs)
Interesting discussions on this topic (here and on other socials) made me realise that English provides an interesting peculiarity that other languages do not have. A distinction between intelligent and smart.
Q. for skeptics and everyone: would you say that LLMs are smart but not intelligent?
Q. for skeptics and everyone: would you say that LLMs are smart but not intelligent?
🧵 Why do we keep moving the goalposts on intelligence?
When GPT-4 passed the bar exam, critics didn't dispute the score—they disputed whether it was "real" reasoning. When AI solved olympiad math problems, they questioned "genuine" understanding.
This pattern has a history. (1/5)
When GPT-4 passed the bar exam, critics didn't dispute the score—they disputed whether it was "real" reasoning. When AI solved olympiad math problems, they questioned "genuine" understanding.
This pattern has a history. (1/5)
New on the Archive:
Gilestro, Giorgio F. (2026) The Mimicry Trap How We Define Intelligence to Exclude Inconvenient Minds. [Preprint]
https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/28098/
Gilestro, Giorgio F. (2026) The Mimicry Trap How We Define Intelligence to Exclude Inconvenient Minds. [Preprint]
https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/28098/
February 5, 2026 at 8:37 AM
Interesting discussions on this topic (here and on other socials) made me realise that English provides an interesting peculiarity that other languages do not have. A distinction between intelligent and smart.
Q. for skeptics and everyone: would you say that LLMs are smart but not intelligent?
Q. for skeptics and everyone: would you say that LLMs are smart but not intelligent?
🧵 Why do we keep moving the goalposts on intelligence?
When GPT-4 passed the bar exam, critics didn't dispute the score—they disputed whether it was "real" reasoning. When AI solved olympiad math problems, they questioned "genuine" understanding.
This pattern has a history. (1/5)
When GPT-4 passed the bar exam, critics didn't dispute the score—they disputed whether it was "real" reasoning. When AI solved olympiad math problems, they questioned "genuine" understanding.
This pattern has a history. (1/5)
New on the Archive:
Gilestro, Giorgio F. (2026) The Mimicry Trap How We Define Intelligence to Exclude Inconvenient Minds. [Preprint]
https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/28098/
Gilestro, Giorgio F. (2026) The Mimicry Trap How We Define Intelligence to Exclude Inconvenient Minds. [Preprint]
https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/28098/
February 4, 2026 at 8:56 PM
🧵 Why do we keep moving the goalposts on intelligence?
When GPT-4 passed the bar exam, critics didn't dispute the score—they disputed whether it was "real" reasoning. When AI solved olympiad math problems, they questioned "genuine" understanding.
This pattern has a history. (1/5)
When GPT-4 passed the bar exam, critics didn't dispute the score—they disputed whether it was "real" reasoning. When AI solved olympiad math problems, they questioned "genuine" understanding.
This pattern has a history. (1/5)
Reposted by Giorgio Gilestro
Pleased to see the jury make this decision.
We need to have eyes wide open this is exactly why the Government wants to abolish juries.
People protesting against a genocide are not the criminals here - it's the politicians who continue to provide cover.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
We need to have eyes wide open this is exactly why the Government wants to abolish juries.
People protesting against a genocide are not the criminals here - it's the politicians who continue to provide cover.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Palestine Action protesters not guilty of defence firm burglary
The group are cleared of aggravated burglary over the alleged raid at an Elbit Systems warehouse.
www.bbc.co.uk
February 4, 2026 at 12:54 PM
Pleased to see the jury make this decision.
We need to have eyes wide open this is exactly why the Government wants to abolish juries.
People protesting against a genocide are not the criminals here - it's the politicians who continue to provide cover.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
We need to have eyes wide open this is exactly why the Government wants to abolish juries.
People protesting against a genocide are not the criminals here - it's the politicians who continue to provide cover.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Giorgio Gilestro
I watched much of Ian Chapman's (Head of @ukri.org) appearance this morning at @ukparliament.parliament.uk Science, Innovation and Technology Committee..
A few points and new information that bioscientists may find interesting...
A 🧵
A few points and new information that bioscientists may find interesting...
A 🧵
February 3, 2026 at 1:57 PM
I watched much of Ian Chapman's (Head of @ukri.org) appearance this morning at @ukparliament.parliament.uk Science, Innovation and Technology Committee..
A few points and new information that bioscientists may find interesting...
A 🧵
A few points and new information that bioscientists may find interesting...
A 🧵
Reposted by Giorgio Gilestro
every epstein file drop underscores how elite power operates through shared socio-economic networks, regardless of people's ideological differences, populist posturing, or public feuds
January 30, 2026 at 11:58 PM
every epstein file drop underscores how elite power operates through shared socio-economic networks, regardless of people's ideological differences, populist posturing, or public feuds
1 budget for 26-30 is rising 🎉
2 quota for basic research stable 🙂
BUT
3 we're slashing success rate for currently assessed grants 🫠
4 next call hopefully in Apri 2027 (with £s for lucky few going out months later, suppose) 💀
How does this make us more competitive?
www.ukri.org/news/open-le...
2 quota for basic research stable 🙂
BUT
3 we're slashing success rate for currently assessed grants 🫠
4 next call hopefully in Apri 2027 (with £s for lucky few going out months later, suppose) 💀
How does this make us more competitive?
www.ukri.org/news/open-le...
Open letter from Ian Chapman to research and innovation community
UKRI Chief Executive outlines changes to UKRI investment approach, addressing concerns about research funding and the financial position of STFC.
www.ukri.org
February 2, 2026 at 8:49 AM
1 budget for 26-30 is rising 🎉
2 quota for basic research stable 🙂
BUT
3 we're slashing success rate for currently assessed grants 🫠
4 next call hopefully in Apri 2027 (with £s for lucky few going out months later, suppose) 💀
How does this make us more competitive?
www.ukri.org/news/open-le...
2 quota for basic research stable 🙂
BUT
3 we're slashing success rate for currently assessed grants 🫠
4 next call hopefully in Apri 2027 (with £s for lucky few going out months later, suppose) 💀
How does this make us more competitive?
www.ukri.org/news/open-le...
Reposted by Giorgio Gilestro
Leaks everywhere and finally we get an official statement, one that somehow manages to say a lot while; No timelines. No clarity. No acknowledgement of impact on ECRs whose careers depend UKRI funding.
“Later this year” isn’t a plan. And the sector deserves better than reassurance without detail.
“Later this year” isn’t a plan. And the sector deserves better than reassurance without detail.
Today, we're sharing an open letter from our Chief Executive, Professor Sir Ian Chapman, outlining changes to UKRI investment approach, and addressing concerns about research funding and the financial position of STFC. Read his letter here: www.ukri.org/news/open-le...
Open letter from Ian Chapman to research and innovation community
UKRI Chief Executive outlines changes to UKRI investment approach, addressing concerns about research funding and the financial position of STFC.
www.ukri.org
February 1, 2026 at 7:54 PM
Leaks everywhere and finally we get an official statement, one that somehow manages to say a lot while; No timelines. No clarity. No acknowledgement of impact on ECRs whose careers depend UKRI funding.
“Later this year” isn’t a plan. And the sector deserves better than reassurance without detail.
“Later this year” isn’t a plan. And the sector deserves better than reassurance without detail.
Reposted by Giorgio Gilestro
The pause of response mode funding will have a huge impact on ECRs who are not yet fellowship ready.When researchers leave academia they rarely return. Clarity on when RM will reopen is urgently needed & transitions to the new model need to avoid investment gaps that disproportionally affect ECRs
Open letter to the R&I community by @ukri.org CEO Ian Chapman:
www.ukri.org/news/open-le...
Reassuring to know that curiosity-driven research is protected over 4y *but* does not address concerns regarding the huge impact of the current pauses at MRC, BBSRC, EPSRC #UKsciencefundingcrisis
www.ukri.org/news/open-le...
Reassuring to know that curiosity-driven research is protected over 4y *but* does not address concerns regarding the huge impact of the current pauses at MRC, BBSRC, EPSRC #UKsciencefundingcrisis
Open letter from Ian Chapman to research and innovation community
UKRI Chief Executive outlines changes to UKRI investment approach, addressing concerns about research funding and the financial position of STFC.
www.ukri.org
February 1, 2026 at 6:31 PM
The pause of response mode funding will have a huge impact on ECRs who are not yet fellowship ready.When researchers leave academia they rarely return. Clarity on when RM will reopen is urgently needed & transitions to the new model need to avoid investment gaps that disproportionally affect ECRs
I think we should make a bigger fuss about this. It is as existential as Trump's cuts and could not come at a worst moment for UK science, beaten by Brexit through visa costs, fewer students, and inflation.
Plus: these top-down approaches NEVER WORK. NEVER. Haven't they learned anything?
Plus: these top-down approaches NEVER WORK. NEVER. Haven't they learned anything?
Both MRC and BBSRC responsive modes now withdrawn until further notice. Existing applications unlikely to succeed (late 2025 round expecting 1-5% success rate).
Listen, I get that UKRI wants to pivot. But killing both at once is devastating.
Let's hope at least one opens by summer... #AcademicSky
Listen, I get that UKRI wants to pivot. But killing both at once is devastating.
Let's hope at least one opens by summer... #AcademicSky
MRC instructs grant review boards to slash funding rates - Research Professional News
Boards asked to recommend just three applications for funding, as BBSRC also suspends calls
www.researchprofessionalnews.com
February 1, 2026 at 5:00 PM
I think we should make a bigger fuss about this. It is as existential as Trump's cuts and could not come at a worst moment for UK science, beaten by Brexit through visa costs, fewer students, and inflation.
Plus: these top-down approaches NEVER WORK. NEVER. Haven't they learned anything?
Plus: these top-down approaches NEVER WORK. NEVER. Haven't they learned anything?
Reposted by Giorgio Gilestro
friend of mine is an undocumented immigrant and has been hiding in Melania theaters bc he knows people assume no one is in there
January 29, 2026 at 9:34 PM
friend of mine is an undocumented immigrant and has been hiding in Melania theaters bc he knows people assume no one is in there
If it wasn't for the eggs, this would be the anti-me.
January 29, 2026 at 8:53 AM
If it wasn't for the eggs, this would be the anti-me.
Reposted by Giorgio Gilestro
To those American academics out there who have chosen to remain silent/mostly silent about the horror going on in the USA these days at every corner of the federal government, please start speaking out and fighting back.
January 25, 2026 at 4:33 AM
To those American academics out there who have chosen to remain silent/mostly silent about the horror going on in the USA these days at every corner of the federal government, please start speaking out and fighting back.
Reposted by Giorgio Gilestro
If you are a scientist funded by NIH and agree that if the HHS/NIH bill is held hostage by linkage for funding to DHS/ICE, we need to shutdown both and save lives, its time to speak up. Right now, with a few exceptions, the silence is deafening
As a someone with a 33 year NIH-funded lab whose grant is supposed to be reviewed this week, shut NIH down if that is what's needed to end ICE terrorism. Innocent lives are more important 🧪
The Senate may choose to vote together on the DHS and LHHS bills. Thus, a filibuster on DHS may mean no funding for NIH. What my colleagues are saying:
“Shut it down, public health will understand. I’ll work without pay again.”
- anonymous NIHer
“Shut it down, public health will understand. I’ll work without pay again.”
- anonymous NIHer
January 26, 2026 at 1:46 PM
If you are a scientist funded by NIH and agree that if the HHS/NIH bill is held hostage by linkage for funding to DHS/ICE, we need to shutdown both and save lives, its time to speak up. Right now, with a few exceptions, the silence is deafening
Reposted by Giorgio Gilestro
I’m completely fed up with elected Representatives saying shit like, “Republicans will tell you behind closed doors that they don’t agree with what ICE is doing”.
Playtime is over. Professional courtesy no longer exists.
Name them, record them, and make it public.
Playtime is over. Professional courtesy no longer exists.
Name them, record them, and make it public.
January 24, 2026 at 11:01 PM
I’m completely fed up with elected Representatives saying shit like, “Republicans will tell you behind closed doors that they don’t agree with what ICE is doing”.
Playtime is over. Professional courtesy no longer exists.
Name them, record them, and make it public.
Playtime is over. Professional courtesy no longer exists.
Name them, record them, and make it public.
Reposted by Giorgio Gilestro
Call the piece of legislation that ultimately abolishes ICE the Pretti-Good Act
January 25, 2026 at 7:06 AM
Call the piece of legislation that ultimately abolishes ICE the Pretti-Good Act
Reposted by Giorgio Gilestro
Dear UK, please take note when you hear Farage, etc, demonising immigrants:
"This started with a pretext of immigration. It's well beyond that now"
"This started with a pretext of immigration. It's well beyond that now"
The whole interview is worth it
January 25, 2026 at 1:01 AM
Dear UK, please take note when you hear Farage, etc, demonising immigrants:
"This started with a pretext of immigration. It's well beyond that now"
"This started with a pretext of immigration. It's well beyond that now"