Nicole Rust
@nicolecrust.bsky.social
Mood & Memory researcher with a computational bent. https://www.nicolecrust.com. Science advocate. Prof (UPenn Psych) - on leave as a Simons Pivot Fellow. Author: Elusive Cures. https://press.princeton.edu/books/hardcover/9780691243054/elusive-cures
Pinned
Nicole Rust
@nicolecrust.bsky.social
· May 10
Just look what was waiting for me when I came back from my run. Elusive Cures is now a REAL BOOK!!
press.princeton.edu/books/hardco...
press.princeton.edu/books/hardco...
Reposted by Nicole Rust
A remarkable journey of resilience and transformation, from the chaotic corridors of group homes to the halls of Columbia and Stanford, EMERGENCE is a coming-of-age tale where heartbreak and humor meet the scientific wonder of modern artificial intelligence.
🔗 Preorder: tinyurl.com/fzcxb5ea
🔗 Preorder: tinyurl.com/fzcxb5ea
November 17, 2025 at 6:08 PM
A remarkable journey of resilience and transformation, from the chaotic corridors of group homes to the halls of Columbia and Stanford, EMERGENCE is a coming-of-age tale where heartbreak and humor meet the scientific wonder of modern artificial intelligence.
🔗 Preorder: tinyurl.com/fzcxb5ea
🔗 Preorder: tinyurl.com/fzcxb5ea
Reposted by Nicole Rust
Where do you think this is *not* the case? (i.e. what parts of theoretical neuro today are truly new?)
Where do you think this will not be the case in 20 years? (i.e if research progresses in a direction you think it should, what will be the new stuff we’re not talking about today?)
Where do you think this will not be the case in 20 years? (i.e if research progresses in a direction you think it should, what will be the new stuff we’re not talking about today?)
I think it's a problem for neuroscience, particularly theoretical neuroscience. I was watching a talk with someone the other day and said to them "I feel like I could have been listening to this same talk when I started in neuro almost 20 years ago". Turns out they were thinking the same thing.
November 29, 2025 at 11:41 PM
Where do you think this is *not* the case? (i.e. what parts of theoretical neuro today are truly new?)
Where do you think this will not be the case in 20 years? (i.e if research progresses in a direction you think it should, what will be the new stuff we’re not talking about today?)
Where do you think this will not be the case in 20 years? (i.e if research progresses in a direction you think it should, what will be the new stuff we’re not talking about today?)
This piece was seemingly about the words we use to describe emotions but behind it is a discussion about what makes them harder to study than other brain functions. From a philosophy of science perspective, it's a fascinating (measurement) problem!
www.thetransmitter.org/the-big-pict...
www.thetransmitter.org/the-big-pict...
November 29, 2025 at 12:22 PM
This piece was seemingly about the words we use to describe emotions but behind it is a discussion about what makes them harder to study than other brain functions. From a philosophy of science perspective, it's a fascinating (measurement) problem!
www.thetransmitter.org/the-big-pict...
www.thetransmitter.org/the-big-pict...
Reposted by Nicole Rust
Can’t tell you how often I’ve had to ask critics what measure they think is better than self-report to know how someone subjectively feels
recently reviewers even asked us how people could possibly rate how good they felt 🤪
As if other a pulse measure or something would be better 😜
recently reviewers even asked us how people could possibly rate how good they felt 🤪
As if other a pulse measure or something would be better 😜
November 29, 2025 at 11:30 AM
Can’t tell you how often I’ve had to ask critics what measure they think is better than self-report to know how someone subjectively feels
recently reviewers even asked us how people could possibly rate how good they felt 🤪
As if other a pulse measure or something would be better 😜
recently reviewers even asked us how people could possibly rate how good they felt 🤪
As if other a pulse measure or something would be better 😜
Aspiring scientist communicators: this! It speaks to changing the narrative that scientists only engage in scicomm as emeritus professors, as well as how to seize your own way of doing it.
Jenna Levin interviewed &
@seanmcarroll.bsky.social
www.preposterousuniverse.com/podcast/2018...
Jenna Levin interviewed &
@seanmcarroll.bsky.social
www.preposterousuniverse.com/podcast/2018...
Episode 27: Janna Levin on Black Holes, Chaos, and the Narrative of Science – Sean Carroll
www.preposterousuniverse.com
November 28, 2025 at 1:37 PM
Aspiring scientist communicators: this! It speaks to changing the narrative that scientists only engage in scicomm as emeritus professors, as well as how to seize your own way of doing it.
Jenna Levin interviewed &
@seanmcarroll.bsky.social
www.preposterousuniverse.com/podcast/2018...
Jenna Levin interviewed &
@seanmcarroll.bsky.social
www.preposterousuniverse.com/podcast/2018...
My second year in college, I read a book subtitled “The Scientific Search for the Soul” and I realized, for the first time, that you can get paid to do that. I enlisted.
www.thetransmitter.org/summer-readi...
www.thetransmitter.org/summer-readi...
November 28, 2025 at 2:51 AM
My second year in college, I read a book subtitled “The Scientific Search for the Soul” and I realized, for the first time, that you can get paid to do that. I enlisted.
www.thetransmitter.org/summer-readi...
www.thetransmitter.org/summer-readi...
Reposted by Nicole Rust
Our latest profile is here! Dr. Zoe Donaldson (@neurozoe.bsky.social) studies the neural circuits that govern social bonding & social loss, and how variations in these circuits shape emotional outcomes.
Follow the link to listen! #StoriesOfWiN #WomenInNeuroscience
storiesofwin.org/profiles/202...
Follow the link to listen! #StoriesOfWiN #WomenInNeuroscience
storiesofwin.org/profiles/202...
Dr. Zoe Donaldson — Stories of WiN
studies the neural circuits that govern social bonding and social loss, and how variations in these circuits shape emotional outcomes
storiesofwin.org
November 27, 2025 at 12:55 AM
Our latest profile is here! Dr. Zoe Donaldson (@neurozoe.bsky.social) studies the neural circuits that govern social bonding & social loss, and how variations in these circuits shape emotional outcomes.
Follow the link to listen! #StoriesOfWiN #WomenInNeuroscience
storiesofwin.org/profiles/202...
Follow the link to listen! #StoriesOfWiN #WomenInNeuroscience
storiesofwin.org/profiles/202...
Reposted by Nicole Rust
All new ideas necessarily emerge ill-formed and less polished than pre-established ideas. That’s no surprise. Pre-established ideas often had a 20-30yr head start!
Another of Charlie Gross’s passions was history of neuroscience. He wrote excellent books. This gave him a wide-angle view. He taught us that dogma exists to be challenged, we haven’t figured things out, and being a stepping stone is inevitable and perfectly fine.
direct.mit.edu/books/book/2...
direct.mit.edu/books/book/2...
Brain, Vision, Memory: Tales in the History of Neuroscience
In these engaging tales describing the growth of knowledge about the brain—from the early Egyptians and Greeks to the Dark Ages and the Renaissance to the
direct.mit.edu
November 26, 2025 at 10:51 PM
All new ideas necessarily emerge ill-formed and less polished than pre-established ideas. That’s no surprise. Pre-established ideas often had a 20-30yr head start!
This! I endorse It all - from the historical perspective to the wide angle view illuminating the big gaps in the field. If you’re feeling up to it, take a few steps back for a good dose of humility but also inspiration.
Another of Charlie Gross’s passions was history of neuroscience. He wrote excellent books. This gave him a wide-angle view. He taught us that dogma exists to be challenged, we haven’t figured things out, and being a stepping stone is inevitable and perfectly fine.
direct.mit.edu/books/book/2...
direct.mit.edu/books/book/2...
Brain, Vision, Memory: Tales in the History of Neuroscience
In these engaging tales describing the growth of knowledge about the brain—from the early Egyptians and Greeks to the Dark Ages and the Renaissance to the
direct.mit.edu
November 26, 2025 at 9:41 PM
This! I endorse It all - from the historical perspective to the wide angle view illuminating the big gaps in the field. If you’re feeling up to it, take a few steps back for a good dose of humility but also inspiration.
Friends at Stanford (and anywhere): Join me for the Wasow Scholar Lecture next Tuesday at 5p PT (Zoom link available).
I am very excited that the emphasis of this event (and my time at Stanford) is focused on interacting with students.
symsys.stanford.edu/events/wasow...
I am very excited that the emphasis of this event (and my time at Stanford) is focused on interacting with students.
symsys.stanford.edu/events/wasow...
November 26, 2025 at 1:21 PM
Friends at Stanford (and anywhere): Join me for the Wasow Scholar Lecture next Tuesday at 5p PT (Zoom link available).
I am very excited that the emphasis of this event (and my time at Stanford) is focused on interacting with students.
symsys.stanford.edu/events/wasow...
I am very excited that the emphasis of this event (and my time at Stanford) is focused on interacting with students.
symsys.stanford.edu/events/wasow...
Reposted by Nicole Rust
Every year around Thanksgiving, I see tons of grad students post heartbreaking messages on social media about how their loved ones don’t understand or support their decision to study what seems like something pointless or silly.
Perhaps my American Scientist essay can help!
🧪🌎🦑 #SciComm
Perhaps my American Scientist essay can help!
🧪🌎🦑 #SciComm
“Why Are We Funding This?”
Long-standing myths about “silly science” have contributed to the reckless slashing of government-supported research.
www.americanscientist.org
November 25, 2025 at 6:42 PM
Every year around Thanksgiving, I see tons of grad students post heartbreaking messages on social media about how their loved ones don’t understand or support their decision to study what seems like something pointless or silly.
Perhaps my American Scientist essay can help!
🧪🌎🦑 #SciComm
Perhaps my American Scientist essay can help!
🧪🌎🦑 #SciComm
Reposted by Nicole Rust
Learn more about the origins of Neurotree and how you can use it to explore trends in neuroscience.
By mapping connections among researchers, Neurotree makes it possible to trace how the field has evolved and to visualize how shifts in lab size, training and other factors can shape its direction, writes founder @stephenvdavid.bsky.social.
bit.ly/4od0SiL
#neuroskyence #StateOfNeuroscience
bit.ly/4od0SiL
#neuroskyence #StateOfNeuroscience
Tracing neuroscience’s family tree to track its growth
By mapping connections among researchers, Neurotree makes it possible to see how the field has evolved and what factors shape its direction.
www.thetransmitter.org
November 25, 2025 at 9:26 PM
Learn more about the origins of Neurotree and how you can use it to explore trends in neuroscience.
Reposted by Nicole Rust
starting fall 2026 i'll be an assistant professor at @upenn.edu 🥳
my lab will develop scalable models/theories of human behavior, focused on memory and perception
currently recruiting PhD students in psychology, neuroscience, & computer science!
reach out if you're interested 😊
my lab will develop scalable models/theories of human behavior, focused on memory and perception
currently recruiting PhD students in psychology, neuroscience, & computer science!
reach out if you're interested 😊
November 25, 2025 at 9:36 PM
starting fall 2026 i'll be an assistant professor at @upenn.edu 🥳
my lab will develop scalable models/theories of human behavior, focused on memory and perception
currently recruiting PhD students in psychology, neuroscience, & computer science!
reach out if you're interested 😊
my lab will develop scalable models/theories of human behavior, focused on memory and perception
currently recruiting PhD students in psychology, neuroscience, & computer science!
reach out if you're interested 😊
Reposted by Nicole Rust
After having another run on our archaeologists, we put out calls on social media and emails, and once again, against all odds, got every damn LEGO team matched with an archaeologist.
This brings us to 803 teams/classes matched with an archaeologist this semester. That is absolutely bananas.
This brings us to 803 teams/classes matched with an archaeologist this semester. That is absolutely bananas.
November 24, 2025 at 11:57 PM
After having another run on our archaeologists, we put out calls on social media and emails, and once again, against all odds, got every damn LEGO team matched with an archaeologist.
This brings us to 803 teams/classes matched with an archaeologist this semester. That is absolutely bananas.
This brings us to 803 teams/classes matched with an archaeologist this semester. That is absolutely bananas.
Terrific experience!!
#PenNLINC is recruiting a clinical coordinator / lab manager!!! Looking for someone who is good with both people + code, wants to learn to acquire + analyze imaging data. Alumni in this role have written 1st author papers + gone to top grad programs.
Website: www.pennlinc.io
Job: bit.ly/4ojvCir
Website: www.pennlinc.io
Job: bit.ly/4ojvCir
neuroimaging | Satterthwaite Lab | UPenn
www.satterthwaitelab.com
Homepage for Satterthwaite lab
neuroimaging | neurodevelopment | adolescence | psychiatry | machine learning | network science
www.pennlinc.io
November 24, 2025 at 10:38 PM
Terrific experience!!
Video of this event now up. One of my favorite Qs: "Is there scientific value to confrontational discourse on Bluesky and other platforms?" (50:05)
The event included a short talk by me, a Q&A with a fabulous moderator (Kellianne Kornick) and Q&A with the audience.
www.youtube.com/watch?app=de...
The event included a short talk by me, a Q&A with a fabulous moderator (Kellianne Kornick) and Q&A with the audience.
www.youtube.com/watch?app=de...
November 23, 2025 at 2:12 PM
Video of this event now up. One of my favorite Qs: "Is there scientific value to confrontational discourse on Bluesky and other platforms?" (50:05)
The event included a short talk by me, a Q&A with a fabulous moderator (Kellianne Kornick) and Q&A with the audience.
www.youtube.com/watch?app=de...
The event included a short talk by me, a Q&A with a fabulous moderator (Kellianne Kornick) and Q&A with the audience.
www.youtube.com/watch?app=de...
Signed. Please join me.
November 22, 2025 at 4:48 PM
Signed. Please join me.
Reposted by Nicole Rust
this is really cool...
It’s been amazing to see so many of us get more involved in scicomm. I was just exchanging notes with @srheilbronner.bsky.social at SFN, hearing about what has led to the tremendous success of the Science Homecoming effort.
sciencehomecoming.com
sciencehomecoming.com
Science Homecoming
sciencehomecoming.com
November 22, 2025 at 2:36 PM
this is really cool...
Reflecting on what a year it’s been … One year ago(ish) I approached @emilysingerneuro.bsky.social at @thetransmitter.bsky.social with a pitch for this piece as well as @stellatecomms.bsky.social with a proposal to partner on a website to go along with it.
www.thetransmitter.org/craft-and-ca...
www.thetransmitter.org/craft-and-ca...
In your New Year’s resolutions for 2025, consider public outreach
If every person in the neuroscience community committed to doing one thing, imagine the cumulative difference it would make.
www.thetransmitter.org
November 22, 2025 at 1:42 PM
Reflecting on what a year it’s been … One year ago(ish) I approached @emilysingerneuro.bsky.social at @thetransmitter.bsky.social with a pitch for this piece as well as @stellatecomms.bsky.social with a proposal to partner on a website to go along with it.
www.thetransmitter.org/craft-and-ca...
www.thetransmitter.org/craft-and-ca...
Reposted by Nicole Rust
I think I have a new favorite textbook. Cool to see.
November 21, 2025 at 9:28 PM
I think I have a new favorite textbook. Cool to see.
Excited to settle in to watch this talk by @sarahmackattack.bsky.social. The @pennmindcore.bsky.social seminars are always delivered by highly respected scientists and they are typically research talks. I'm so happy to see one devoted to scicomm (and learn from this guru).
November 21, 2025 at 5:08 PM
Excited to settle in to watch this talk by @sarahmackattack.bsky.social. The @pennmindcore.bsky.social seminars are always delivered by highly respected scientists and they are typically research talks. I'm so happy to see one devoted to scicomm (and learn from this guru).
Reposted by Nicole Rust
Besides the awesome neuroscience I learned at HSN and @sfn.org, I was reminded of my incredible support system and the many inspiring women in neuroscience who currently guide and influence me! @nicolecrust.bsky.social @libertysays.bsky.social @storiesofwin.bsky.social to name a few.
November 21, 2025 at 3:41 PM
Besides the awesome neuroscience I learned at HSN and @sfn.org, I was reminded of my incredible support system and the many inspiring women in neuroscience who currently guide and influence me! @nicolecrust.bsky.social @libertysays.bsky.social @storiesofwin.bsky.social to name a few.
Reposted by Nicole Rust
Now that we're all back from SFN, let's chat about @thetransmitter.bsky.social "State of Neuroscience" report. It's huge! So much to discuss!
Let me share what I see. I'd love to hear your thoughts as well.
Let's start with the semantic map /1
www.thetransmitter.org/state-of-neu...
Let me share what I see. I'd love to hear your thoughts as well.
Let's start with the semantic map /1
www.thetransmitter.org/state-of-neu...
The State of Neuroscience 2025
The Transmitter presents a portrait of the field through four lenses: its focus, its output, its people and its funding.
www.thetransmitter.org
November 20, 2025 at 9:29 PM
Now that we're all back from SFN, let's chat about @thetransmitter.bsky.social "State of Neuroscience" report. It's huge! So much to discuss!
Let me share what I see. I'd love to hear your thoughts as well.
Let's start with the semantic map /1
www.thetransmitter.org/state-of-neu...
Let me share what I see. I'd love to hear your thoughts as well.
Let's start with the semantic map /1
www.thetransmitter.org/state-of-neu...
Now that we're all back from SFN, let's chat about @thetransmitter.bsky.social "State of Neuroscience" report. It's huge! So much to discuss!
Let me share what I see. I'd love to hear your thoughts as well.
Let's start with the semantic map /1
www.thetransmitter.org/state-of-neu...
Let me share what I see. I'd love to hear your thoughts as well.
Let's start with the semantic map /1
www.thetransmitter.org/state-of-neu...
The State of Neuroscience 2025
The Transmitter presents a portrait of the field through four lenses: its focus, its output, its people and its funding.
www.thetransmitter.org
November 20, 2025 at 9:29 PM
Now that we're all back from SFN, let's chat about @thetransmitter.bsky.social "State of Neuroscience" report. It's huge! So much to discuss!
Let me share what I see. I'd love to hear your thoughts as well.
Let's start with the semantic map /1
www.thetransmitter.org/state-of-neu...
Let me share what I see. I'd love to hear your thoughts as well.
Let's start with the semantic map /1
www.thetransmitter.org/state-of-neu...
Friends in all places! Join @lucinauddin.bsky.social and I for a conversation about the next steps for brain and mind research.
Where? Online.
When? December 16 5-6p PT
Who? Sponsored by the UCLA Semel Institute.
How? Free to register; link here.
www.friendsofsemelinstitute.org/events-reser...
Where? Online.
When? December 16 5-6p PT
Who? Sponsored by the UCLA Semel Institute.
How? Free to register; link here.
www.friendsofsemelinstitute.org/events-reser...
Elusive Cures
www.friendsofsemelinstitute.org
November 20, 2025 at 9:01 PM
Friends in all places! Join @lucinauddin.bsky.social and I for a conversation about the next steps for brain and mind research.
Where? Online.
When? December 16 5-6p PT
Who? Sponsored by the UCLA Semel Institute.
How? Free to register; link here.
www.friendsofsemelinstitute.org/events-reser...
Where? Online.
When? December 16 5-6p PT
Who? Sponsored by the UCLA Semel Institute.
How? Free to register; link here.
www.friendsofsemelinstitute.org/events-reser...