Isabel
@isabelott.bsky.social
Evolutionary & population biology of vector-borne viral disease systems. 🦟 genetics PhD student in NC.
Arbovirologist, orthobunyavirus wonk, feral reference librarian, & public health advocate. 80s mosquito. Coaster-sized earrings. (she/her) 🏳️🌈
Arbovirologist, orthobunyavirus wonk, feral reference librarian, & public health advocate. 80s mosquito. Coaster-sized earrings. (she/her) 🏳️🌈
Pinned
Isabel
@isabelott.bsky.social
· Jun 11
The Athens (GA) Immigrants Rights Coalition, which I volunteered with for several years, is currently fundraising for their Support for Immigrant Families in Crisis fund. 98.5% of donations go straight to families in need. Please boost & contribute if you can!
www.athensimmigrantrights.org/donate
www.athensimmigrantrights.org/donate
Reposted by Isabel
DOJ apologized in court for ICE wrongfully deporting her but DHS still refuses to bring her back. www.statesman.com/news/local/a...
U.S. says ICE wrongly deported Austin-raised college student
The U.S. apologized after ICE deported an Austin-raised student despite a court order. Her lawyer called the apology "hollow."
www.statesman.com
January 15, 2026 at 2:29 PM
DOJ apologized in court for ICE wrongfully deporting her but DHS still refuses to bring her back. www.statesman.com/news/local/a...
Reposted by Isabel
"Talking straight here, the big problem in this case is that the cabinet secretaries and, ostensibly, the president of the United States are not honoring the First Amendment,” Judge William G. Young said.
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/15/u...
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/15/u...
Judge Proposes Restricting Deportation of Scores of Noncitizen Academics
www.nytimes.com
January 15, 2026 at 11:58 PM
"Talking straight here, the big problem in this case is that the cabinet secretaries and, ostensibly, the president of the United States are not honoring the First Amendment,” Judge William G. Young said.
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/15/u...
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/15/u...
Reposted by Isabel
New paper out: “allopatric” Drosophila species aren’t so allopatric after all. We show that most currently allopatric species pairs probably overlapped in the past and exchanged genes at levels similar to sympatric pairs. @evolletters.bsky.social
doi.org/10.1093/evle... [1/6]
doi.org/10.1093/evle... [1/6]
Genomic analyses in Drosophila do not support the classic allopatric model of speciation
Abstract. The allopatric model of speciation has dominated our understanding of speciation biology and biogeography since the Modern Synthesis. It is uncon
doi.org
January 15, 2026 at 11:58 AM
New paper out: “allopatric” Drosophila species aren’t so allopatric after all. We show that most currently allopatric species pairs probably overlapped in the past and exchanged genes at levels similar to sympatric pairs. @evolletters.bsky.social
doi.org/10.1093/evle... [1/6]
doi.org/10.1093/evle... [1/6]
Reposted by Isabel
"If, as Noem said on Thursday, the administration’s view is that anyone 'surrounding' any person involved in a Kavanaugh stop can have their citizenship questioned — a Kavanaugh stop once removed, if you will — then virtually anyone in the U.S. could find themselves subject to a Kavanaugh stop."
Noem says that virtually anyone could face a Kavanaugh stop
Trump started off the day with an Insurrection Act threat. DHS Sec. Noem followed up by saying that anyone "surrounding" any DHS target has to prove their legal status.
www.lawdork.com
January 16, 2026 at 4:23 AM
"If, as Noem said on Thursday, the administration’s view is that anyone 'surrounding' any person involved in a Kavanaugh stop can have their citizenship questioned — a Kavanaugh stop once removed, if you will — then virtually anyone in the U.S. could find themselves subject to a Kavanaugh stop."
Reposted by Isabel
I've been warning and predicting this for some time. Journalists - and I rep many - do not have 1st Amendment protections from Espionage Act investigations/prosecutions. These are all norms & this Administration does not care to follow them.
Expect more actions like this.
Expect more actions like this.
The FBI searched a Washington Post reporter’s home as part of an investigation into classified material, people familiar with the matter said. It is exceedingly rare for federal agents to search a journalist’s home. trib.al/tKsg85n
January 14, 2026 at 11:32 PM
I've been warning and predicting this for some time. Journalists - and I rep many - do not have 1st Amendment protections from Espionage Act investigations/prosecutions. These are all norms & this Administration does not care to follow them.
Expect more actions like this.
Expect more actions like this.
Reposted by Isabel
They're also famous these days for refusing to accept Indian tribal IDs. Indigenous actor Elaine Miles of Northern Exposure says a masked agent dismissed her Umatilla tribe ID as "fake" and that both her uncle and her son had also been stopped by agents who refused to accept their tribal ID. /4
Indigenous Actor Elaine Miles Reports Detention by Alleged ICE Agents
Indigenous actor Elaine Miles says she was walking to a bus stop in Redmond, Wash. when four men wearing masks and vests labeled “U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement” stepped out of two unmarked ...
nativenewsonline.net
January 15, 2026 at 11:30 PM
They're also famous these days for refusing to accept Indian tribal IDs. Indigenous actor Elaine Miles of Northern Exposure says a masked agent dismissed her Umatilla tribe ID as "fake" and that both her uncle and her son had also been stopped by agents who refused to accept their tribal ID. /4
Reposted by Isabel
When they finally do look at your papers, ICE agents can refuse to accept your Real ID drivers' license as adequate proof of citizenship, even though their own agency was involved in its adoption. /3
January 15, 2026 at 11:26 PM
When they finally do look at your papers, ICE agents can refuse to accept your Real ID drivers' license as adequate proof of citizenship, even though their own agency was involved in its adoption. /3
Reposted by Isabel
You might have heard the study is still on. But an HHS official told me they were still working on the design - an unusual move, after the award was already granted - and Africa CDC said it would only move forward if it's changed to be ethical, essentially making it a different study.
Update: An HHS official told me after publication that the protocol is still being updated. “This study is going to proceed as planned,” the official said. But major changes would mean the trial would not proceed as it has been described so far. www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...
Controversial US study on hepatitis B vaccines in Africa is cancelled
$1.6m project drew outrage over ethical questions about withholding vaccines proven to prevent disease
www.theguardian.com
January 15, 2026 at 10:27 PM
You might have heard the study is still on. But an HHS official told me they were still working on the design - an unusual move, after the award was already granted - and Africa CDC said it would only move forward if it's changed to be ethical, essentially making it a different study.
Reposted by Isabel
At one point today, there were 283 Minnesota attorneys doing a training on how to file emergency habeas petitions to keep our neighbors from being shipped out of state and held indefinitely.
That would be the second largest law firm in the state. And that training was just put together this week.
That would be the second largest law firm in the state. And that training was just put together this week.
January 15, 2026 at 11:48 PM
At one point today, there were 283 Minnesota attorneys doing a training on how to file emergency habeas petitions to keep our neighbors from being shipped out of state and held indefinitely.
That would be the second largest law firm in the state. And that training was just put together this week.
That would be the second largest law firm in the state. And that training was just put together this week.
Reposted by Isabel
I’m seeing posts from people (outside of MN) about how US citizens should carry their passports.
And let me say that *inside* MN, we are calmly responding to requests with: “No, I don’t have to show you any documentation.”
Because that’s how you protect everyone, regardless of immigration status.
And let me say that *inside* MN, we are calmly responding to requests with: “No, I don’t have to show you any documentation.”
Because that’s how you protect everyone, regardless of immigration status.
January 16, 2026 at 12:17 AM
I’m seeing posts from people (outside of MN) about how US citizens should carry their passports.
And let me say that *inside* MN, we are calmly responding to requests with: “No, I don’t have to show you any documentation.”
Because that’s how you protect everyone, regardless of immigration status.
And let me say that *inside* MN, we are calmly responding to requests with: “No, I don’t have to show you any documentation.”
Because that’s how you protect everyone, regardless of immigration status.
Reposted by Isabel
🎶 spider butt spider butt
makes a door to their spider hut 🎶
makes a door to their spider hut 🎶
January 15, 2026 at 2:14 AM
🎶 spider butt spider butt
makes a door to their spider hut 🎶
makes a door to their spider hut 🎶
Reposted by Isabel
Twin Cities Leather (and adult toy store Smitten Kitten) have stopped regular operations to become a staging and delivery space for food and supply donations- they are requesting monetary donations to keep them afloat without any income
www.paypal.com/paypalme/kpa...
www.paypal.com/paypalme/kpa...
Pay Kurt Kopatich using PayPal.Me
Go to paypal.me/kpattonleather and type in the amount. Since it’s PayPal, it's easy and secure. Don’t have a PayPal account? No worries.
www.paypal.com
January 16, 2026 at 12:30 AM
Twin Cities Leather (and adult toy store Smitten Kitten) have stopped regular operations to become a staging and delivery space for food and supply donations- they are requesting monetary donations to keep them afloat without any income
www.paypal.com/paypalme/kpa...
www.paypal.com/paypalme/kpa...
Reposted by Isabel
Reposted by Isabel
I thought, this sounds more like an NIH study. Sure enough, nothing related in NSF but I found this after a 2-second search in NIH Reporter, so he's not even referring to right agency. It's a typical 5 year R01 at $175k a year, with a 2-year R21 before that. reporter.nih.gov/search/QwFmT...
RePORT ⟩ RePORTER
reporter.nih.gov
January 15, 2026 at 9:33 PM
I thought, this sounds more like an NIH study. Sure enough, nothing related in NSF but I found this after a 2-second search in NIH Reporter, so he's not even referring to right agency. It's a typical 5 year R01 at $175k a year, with a 2-year R21 before that. reporter.nih.gov/search/QwFmT...
Reposted by Isabel
hey, man-sized quail don't come cheap (cheep?)
The total NSF budget was 9 billion. I doubt they spend 89% of it on quail.
January 16, 2026 at 12:17 AM
hey, man-sized quail don't come cheap (cheep?)
Reposted by Isabel
Standing outside 26 Federal Plaza this morning to call out a quiet injustice: asylum seekers facing pretermission without a fair hearing.
This is the federal government denying due process. We must organize and pursue legal avenues to stop it.
This is the federal government denying due process. We must organize and pursue legal avenues to stop it.
January 16, 2026 at 12:31 AM
Standing outside 26 Federal Plaza this morning to call out a quiet injustice: asylum seekers facing pretermission without a fair hearing.
This is the federal government denying due process. We must organize and pursue legal avenues to stop it.
This is the federal government denying due process. We must organize and pursue legal avenues to stop it.
Reposted by Isabel
Ever wondered if diverse plant species respond similarly when infected by the same exact pathogen? Infect different asterids and rosids with the same Botrytis genotypes and teh short answer, quite differently.
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...
@annajomu.bsky.social @ccaseys.bsky.social
(1/3)
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...
@annajomu.bsky.social @ccaseys.bsky.social
(1/3)
A multi-plant transcriptomic atlas reveals conserved and lineage specific defense architectures in response to Botrytis cinerea
Generalist pathogens pose a challenge to plant immunity by infecting diverse hosts while harboring extensive intraspecific genetic variation. Whether evolutionary distant plant lineages rely on a shar...
www.biorxiv.org
January 15, 2026 at 10:52 PM
Ever wondered if diverse plant species respond similarly when infected by the same exact pathogen? Infect different asterids and rosids with the same Botrytis genotypes and teh short answer, quite differently.
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...
@annajomu.bsky.social @ccaseys.bsky.social
(1/3)
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...
@annajomu.bsky.social @ccaseys.bsky.social
(1/3)
Reposted by Isabel
SCOOP from Douglas Macmillan
Medical examiner believes death of man in ICE custody was homicide, recording says
www.washingtonpost.com/immigration/...
Medical examiner believes death of man in ICE custody was homicide, recording says
www.washingtonpost.com/immigration/...
Medical examiner believes death of man in ICE custody was homicide, recording says
A fellow detainee says he witnessed Geraldo Lunas Campos being choked to death by guards at the ICE detention center in Texas on Jan. 3.
www.washingtonpost.com
January 15, 2026 at 10:46 PM
SCOOP from Douglas Macmillan
Medical examiner believes death of man in ICE custody was homicide, recording says
www.washingtonpost.com/immigration/...
Medical examiner believes death of man in ICE custody was homicide, recording says
www.washingtonpost.com/immigration/...
Reposted by Isabel
Holy shit. What a legend.
January 15, 2026 at 6:31 PM
Holy shit. What a legend.
Reposted by Isabel
Imagine doing a PhD in electricity, just so you knew how to blow up nuclear power plants and heavy water-producing facilities.
“I learned from them very early that what one does with Nazis is kill them... I am not a pacifist.”
A profile in absolute courage.
“I learned from them very early that what one does with Nazis is kill them... I am not a pacifist.”
A profile in absolute courage.
January 15, 2026 at 5:59 PM
Imagine doing a PhD in electricity, just so you knew how to blow up nuclear power plants and heavy water-producing facilities.
“I learned from them very early that what one does with Nazis is kill them... I am not a pacifist.”
A profile in absolute courage.
“I learned from them very early that what one does with Nazis is kill them... I am not a pacifist.”
A profile in absolute courage.
Reposted by Isabel
Kennedy, obsessed with vaxxed/unvaxxed studies that would not be approved by US ethical review boards, planned to fund one in West Africa — one that would have caused unnecessary disease and death for extremely vulnerable children. After negative media attention, it was canceled. Coverage matters.
BREAKING: The controversial hepatitis B vaccine trial in Guinea-Bissau has been *cancelled,* I can now report. A senior official with Africa CDC confirmed the cancellation and said GB officials are working to make sure any research is conducted ethically:
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...
Controversial US study on hepatitis B vaccines in Africa is cancelled
$1.6m project drew outrage over ethical questions about withholding vaccines proven to prevent disease
www.theguardian.com
January 15, 2026 at 4:41 PM
Kennedy, obsessed with vaxxed/unvaxxed studies that would not be approved by US ethical review boards, planned to fund one in West Africa — one that would have caused unnecessary disease and death for extremely vulnerable children. After negative media attention, it was canceled. Coverage matters.
Reposted by Isabel
We need Walz to stop saying “don’t give him a reason” and at minimum, switch to “there would never be a legitimate reason to deploy the military against the American people.”
January 15, 2026 at 4:42 PM
We need Walz to stop saying “don’t give him a reason” and at minimum, switch to “there would never be a legitimate reason to deploy the military against the American people.”
Reposted by Isabel
The import of this ruling: Foreign citizens in the United States—including green card holders—can be arrested for political speech and imprisoned for months or even years before being given a meaningful opportunity to challenge the constitutionality of their arrest and imprisonment.
Appeals Court Opens the Door to Mahmoud Khalil’s Rearrest
www.nytimes.com
January 15, 2026 at 4:00 PM
The import of this ruling: Foreign citizens in the United States—including green card holders—can be arrested for political speech and imprisoned for months or even years before being given a meaningful opportunity to challenge the constitutionality of their arrest and imprisonment.
Reposted by Isabel
One of the most valuable lessons my father taught me was to use my voice to speak up whenever I see wrong doing.
Thanks to every researcher who spoke up against this unethical study and for every reporter who amplified. Advocacy matters. @melodyschreiber.com
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...
Thanks to every researcher who spoke up against this unethical study and for every reporter who amplified. Advocacy matters. @melodyschreiber.com
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...
Controversial US study on hepatitis B vaccines in Africa is cancelled
$1.6m project drew outrage over ethical questions about withholding vaccines proven to prevent disease
www.theguardian.com
January 15, 2026 at 3:32 PM
One of the most valuable lessons my father taught me was to use my voice to speak up whenever I see wrong doing.
Thanks to every researcher who spoke up against this unethical study and for every reporter who amplified. Advocacy matters. @melodyschreiber.com
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...
Thanks to every researcher who spoke up against this unethical study and for every reporter who amplified. Advocacy matters. @melodyschreiber.com
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...