Laura Lopez
@ohdearz.bsky.social
Professor of astronomy 🔭 at Ohio State. Co-chair of @aascsma.bsky.social. Alum of UCSC and MIT. She/her 🇲🇽
Reposted by Laura Lopez
You've heard of the Friday night news dump. Here's the Friday night of Thanksgiving wknd dump. For special circumstances, like when the faculty assembly votes 595-4 against paying to end a shakedown and you do it anyway. Link to agreement here: bulkmail.northwestern.edu/trk/click?re...
BREAKING: Northwestern University has agreed to pay the U.S. Treasury $75 million, over the course of three years as part of an agreement with the federal government to restore funding and end investigations into the university
Full statement from NU below:
Full statement from NU below:
November 29, 2025 at 12:34 AM
You've heard of the Friday night news dump. Here's the Friday night of Thanksgiving wknd dump. For special circumstances, like when the faculty assembly votes 595-4 against paying to end a shakedown and you do it anyway. Link to agreement here: bulkmail.northwestern.edu/trk/click?re...
Reposted by Laura Lopez
The between-instituion differences in these "deals" are interesting.
At some point it might be useful to code these and do side-by-side comparisons.
At some point it might be useful to code these and do side-by-side comparisons.
Fuck, Northwestern just caved. Reading the deal now. ( www.northwestern.edu/president/do... )
www.northwestern.edu
November 29, 2025 at 1:30 AM
The between-instituion differences in these "deals" are interesting.
At some point it might be useful to code these and do side-by-side comparisons.
At some point it might be useful to code these and do side-by-side comparisons.
Reposted by Laura Lopez
A *huge* vaccine victory. I've been writing on this for years; Australia has seen remarkable progress in cervical cancer prevention with the HPV vaccine. I love seeing science triumph like this.
Australia recorded ZERO cases of cervical cancer in women under 25 for the first time since they started tracking the cancer in the 80s.
This is the power of vaccines.
The HPV vaccine is extremely effective at preventing cancer.
Viruses can be oncogenic. Get your vaccines and protect yourself!
This is the power of vaccines.
The HPV vaccine is extremely effective at preventing cancer.
Viruses can be oncogenic. Get your vaccines and protect yourself!
newsGP - Australia set for world-first cervical cancer elimination
Vaccination programs have played a key role, and GPs remain ‘instrumental’ in boosting screening rates to reach the 2035 target.
www1.racgp.org.au
November 27, 2025 at 6:12 PM
A *huge* vaccine victory. I've been writing on this for years; Australia has seen remarkable progress in cervical cancer prevention with the HPV vaccine. I love seeing science triumph like this.
Great article by @alexwitze.bsky.social on hurdles to attend SACNAS and NSBP/NSHP this year, with quotes from me & @astrojennifer.bsky.social: "even with all the barriers and uncertainties, people showed up, supported one another, and shared their science and stories with honesty and resilience". 👏
Following Trump's DEI cuts, attendance has plunged at some conferences for scientists from underrepresented groups. The loss of federal support means fewer chances for people to network, share science, and develop new career paths.
Still, attendees say "the sense of solidarity remains strong".
Still, attendees say "the sense of solidarity remains strong".
‘Anti-woke’ policies blamed for falling attendance at some US conferences
Scientific meetings that support Black, Latino and Indigenous researchers are grappling with funding cuts and other restrictions.
www.nature.com
November 26, 2025 at 8:35 PM
Great article by @alexwitze.bsky.social on hurdles to attend SACNAS and NSBP/NSHP this year, with quotes from me & @astrojennifer.bsky.social: "even with all the barriers and uncertainties, people showed up, supported one another, and shared their science and stories with honesty and resilience". 👏
Reposted by Laura Lopez
That's my former office-mate!!! I taught him how to say "potato" in Russian!
Astrophysics PhD Chris Williams is going to the ISS for eight months on November 27!! 🔭 physics.mit.edu/news/bound-f...
Bound for the Stars: Chris Williams PhD ’12 Set for ISS Launch on November 27, 2025
On November 27, 2025, Christopher L. Williams PhD ’12 will begin an approximately eight-month stay aboard the International Space Station. He joined NASA’s Astronaut Candidate Class in December 2021 a...
physics.mit.edu
November 26, 2025 at 3:02 AM
That's my former office-mate!!! I taught him how to say "potato" in Russian!
Astrophysics PhD Chris Williams is going to the ISS for eight months on November 27!! 🔭 physics.mit.edu/news/bound-f...
Bound for the Stars: Chris Williams PhD ’12 Set for ISS Launch on November 27, 2025
On November 27, 2025, Christopher L. Williams PhD ’12 will begin an approximately eight-month stay aboard the International Space Station. He joined NASA’s Astronaut Candidate Class in December 2021 a...
physics.mit.edu
November 25, 2025 at 5:20 PM
Astrophysics PhD Chris Williams is going to the ISS for eight months on November 27!! 🔭 physics.mit.edu/news/bound-f...
Reposted by Laura Lopez
Trump has brought a national chill to U.S. science. But what about state actions? 🚩🏛️
For @science.org, I spoke with researchers across disciplines, career stages, and geography to find out how being a red state researcher can stoke fear, and acts of resistance 🔬🏳️🌈: tinyurl.com/4yf8pf62
For @science.org, I spoke with researchers across disciplines, career stages, and geography to find out how being a red state researcher can stoke fear, and acts of resistance 🔬🏳️🌈: tinyurl.com/4yf8pf62
In red states, many academic researchers feel fear–and resolve
State-level mandates prompt changes and small acts of resistance at universities
www.science.org
November 21, 2025 at 5:38 AM
Trump has brought a national chill to U.S. science. But what about state actions? 🚩🏛️
For @science.org, I spoke with researchers across disciplines, career stages, and geography to find out how being a red state researcher can stoke fear, and acts of resistance 🔬🏳️🌈: tinyurl.com/4yf8pf62
For @science.org, I spoke with researchers across disciplines, career stages, and geography to find out how being a red state researcher can stoke fear, and acts of resistance 🔬🏳️🌈: tinyurl.com/4yf8pf62
Great
@astrobites.bsky.social article by @skylargrayson.bsky.social
on OSU astronomy PhD student Sebastian Lopez's paper showing how PAHs (polycyclic aromatric hydrocarbons) follow cold gas in the outflows of M82, with a great classic rock-inspired title! 🔭 astrobites.org/2025/11/20/m...
@astrobites.bsky.social article by @skylargrayson.bsky.social
on OSU astronomy PhD student Sebastian Lopez's paper showing how PAHs (polycyclic aromatric hydrocarbons) follow cold gas in the outflows of M82, with a great classic rock-inspired title! 🔭 astrobites.org/2025/11/20/m...
Dust in the Wind: A New Tool for Understanding Galactic Outflows
The galaxy M82 is host to an extended multiphase wind driven by star formation. Today's paper attempts to use JWST observations of dust in the wind to understand the structure of its cooler gas.
astrobites.org
November 20, 2025 at 5:27 PM
Great
@astrobites.bsky.social article by @skylargrayson.bsky.social
on OSU astronomy PhD student Sebastian Lopez's paper showing how PAHs (polycyclic aromatric hydrocarbons) follow cold gas in the outflows of M82, with a great classic rock-inspired title! 🔭 astrobites.org/2025/11/20/m...
@astrobites.bsky.social article by @skylargrayson.bsky.social
on OSU astronomy PhD student Sebastian Lopez's paper showing how PAHs (polycyclic aromatric hydrocarbons) follow cold gas in the outflows of M82, with a great classic rock-inspired title! 🔭 astrobites.org/2025/11/20/m...
Glad to read the announcement that the UC President's Postdoctoral Fellowship Program will continue!!
WE JUST KEEP WINNING. (UC President's Postdoctoral Fellowship Program RESTORED!!!!)
![On official UC letterhead:
UNIVERSITY
OF
CALIFORNIA
James B. Milliken President
Office of the President
1111 Franklin Street Oakland, CA 94607
universityofcalifornia.edu
CAMPUSES Berkeley
Davis
Irvine
UCLA
Merced
Riverside San Diego San Francisco
Santa Barbara Santa Cruz
MEDICAL CENTERS
Davis
Irvine
UCLA
San Diego
San Francisco
NATIONAL LABORATORIES Lawrence Berkeley Lawrence Livermore Los Alamos
DIVISION OF AGRICULTURE AND NATURAL RESOURCES
November 18, 2025
Dear Chancellors:
I'm writing with regard to the President's Postdoctoral Fellowship Program (PPFP) and the program's associated faculty hiring incentive.
As you know, for more than 40 years, PPFP has provided postdoctoral research fellowships, professional development, and faculty mentoring to scholars in all fields whose research, teaching, and service advance the academic and research missions of the University of California.
Since 2003, UC campuses that hire current and former PPFP fellows into ladder-rank positions have been eligible for a hiring incentive funded by the University that provides support for newly hired fellows for five years. Since the creation of the incentive, more than $162 million has been invested by the University to support PPFP faculty hires. This commitment has enabled our campuses to successfully recruit and retain outstanding faculty across a range of disciplines.
Given the myriad challenges currently facing UC - including disruptions to billions of dollars in annual federal support, as well as uncertainty around the state budget- reasonable questions were raised in recent months about whether the University could maintain the commitment to current levels of incentive funding. After considering a recommendation to sunset the incentive program due to these significant fiscal constraints, I consulted with all of you as well as faculty and campus academic administrators and systemwide Academic Senate leadership.
[continued on next image]](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:rzn6yramffebefeitqifiqqz/bafkreigiwq5ongzwpj4wqmgjam3yfvhyjnv5e3dbq6cnrrbwblqvs624gq@jpeg)
November 19, 2025 at 3:23 PM
Glad to read the announcement that the UC President's Postdoctoral Fellowship Program will continue!!
Reposted by Laura Lopez
Today is #LGBTQinSTEMDay 🌈
ESA proudly joins the STEM community in celebrating the unique contributions of LGBTQ+ individuals.
The Pride Flag will fly across ESA sites as a reminder of how far we’ve come, and how much more there is to do.
#SpaceForAll
ESA proudly joins the STEM community in celebrating the unique contributions of LGBTQ+ individuals.
The Pride Flag will fly across ESA sites as a reminder of how far we’ve come, and how much more there is to do.
#SpaceForAll
November 18, 2025 at 12:45 PM
Today is #LGBTQinSTEMDay 🌈
ESA proudly joins the STEM community in celebrating the unique contributions of LGBTQ+ individuals.
The Pride Flag will fly across ESA sites as a reminder of how far we’ve come, and how much more there is to do.
#SpaceForAll
ESA proudly joins the STEM community in celebrating the unique contributions of LGBTQ+ individuals.
The Pride Flag will fly across ESA sites as a reminder of how far we’ve come, and how much more there is to do.
#SpaceForAll
Nope nope nope 🚫
Abstracts submitted to LPSC 2026 are required to comply with White House (non-legally binding) executive orders forbidding mention of topics related to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
At least USRA/LPI isn't hiding it.
But is this what our community wants? Or deserves? I don't think so.
At least USRA/LPI isn't hiding it.
But is this what our community wants? Or deserves? I don't think so.
November 17, 2025 at 9:36 PM
Nope nope nope 🚫
Reposted by Laura Lopez
Maryland Congressional Delegation Letter Regarding Goddard Issues
nasawatch.com/congress/mar...
The following letter was sent by the Maryland Congressional delegation to Acting NASA Administrator Duffy with regard to a variety of issues raised about actions being taken at NASA Goddard. #NASA
nasawatch.com/congress/mar...
The following letter was sent by the Maryland Congressional delegation to Acting NASA Administrator Duffy with regard to a variety of issues raised about actions being taken at NASA Goddard. #NASA
Maryland Congressional Delegation Letter Regarding Goddard Issues
the following letter was sent by the Maryland Congressional delegation to Acting AASA Administrator Duffy on 13 November 2025
nasawatch.com
November 17, 2025 at 6:03 PM
Maryland Congressional Delegation Letter Regarding Goddard Issues
nasawatch.com/congress/mar...
The following letter was sent by the Maryland Congressional delegation to Acting NASA Administrator Duffy with regard to a variety of issues raised about actions being taken at NASA Goddard. #NASA
nasawatch.com/congress/mar...
The following letter was sent by the Maryland Congressional delegation to Acting NASA Administrator Duffy with regard to a variety of issues raised about actions being taken at NASA Goddard. #NASA
Reposted by Laura Lopez
How. Does. This. Story. Keep. Getting. Worse.
Also ANYONE can report this to the Harvard Title IX office
Also ANYONE can report this to the Harvard Title IX office
The emails have Summers reporting to Epstein about his attempts to date a Harvard economics student & to hit on her during a seminar she was giving.
November 16, 2025 at 12:36 AM
How. Does. This. Story. Keep. Getting. Worse.
Also ANYONE can report this to the Harvard Title IX office
Also ANYONE can report this to the Harvard Title IX office
Honored to receive the 2026 American Physical Society Edward A. Bouchet Award!
To see how the DEI ban in Ohio influences our university, please see the OSU announcement of the award (left) vs the actual APS citation for the award (right).
To see how the DEI ban in Ohio influences our university, please see the OSU announcement of the award (left) vs the actual APS citation for the award (right).
November 13, 2025 at 8:59 PM
Honored to receive the 2026 American Physical Society Edward A. Bouchet Award!
To see how the DEI ban in Ohio influences our university, please see the OSU announcement of the award (left) vs the actual APS citation for the award (right).
To see how the DEI ban in Ohio influences our university, please see the OSU announcement of the award (left) vs the actual APS citation for the award (right).
Reposted by Laura Lopez
A new #letter from Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), the ranking Democrat on the Committee on #Science, #Space, and #Technology, demands #NASA stop any closures of the #Goddard #spaceflight Center in #Maryland. The letter references our own Space.com #investigation done by spaceflight #writer @joshdinner.bky
November 11, 2025 at 9:01 PM
A new #letter from Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), the ranking Democrat on the Committee on #Science, #Space, and #Technology, demands #NASA stop any closures of the #Goddard #spaceflight Center in #Maryland. The letter references our own Space.com #investigation done by spaceflight #writer @joshdinner.bky
Yaaay! #SaveChandra
Heading to the airport now after the annual Chandra users committee meeting! For those interested- I think the telescope is legitimately in a better position now than it was a year or two ago, minus the *broad gestures affecting all US science*. Like obv no promises until the gov’t reopens, but…
November 11, 2025 at 8:26 PM
Yaaay! #SaveChandra
So much astronomical excellence in this picture from @astrosociety.org gala! 🔭 L to R: Kate Daniel (Arizona prof), Angela Twum, @astrolatinaa.bsky.social, Alejandra Rosselli-Calderon (UCSC grads), @katycosmiq.bsky.social (CSUSB prof), @capricephillips.bsky.social (Sagan Fellow at UCSC), and me.
November 10, 2025 at 9:44 PM
So much astronomical excellence in this picture from @astrosociety.org gala! 🔭 L to R: Kate Daniel (Arizona prof), Angela Twum, @astrolatinaa.bsky.social, Alejandra Rosselli-Calderon (UCSC grads), @katycosmiq.bsky.social (CSUSB prof), @capricephillips.bsky.social (Sagan Fellow at UCSC), and me.
For the record, I'm in hour 28 of air travel from SFO to Columbus, and I would take this any/every day(s) over Democrats agreeing to take away healthcare. What was the point of all this just to be complicit with the same terrible outcome?
Hello, today marks day 2 (hour 26). I left my LAX residency after 9 hours yesterday to adopt the nomadic life, traveling ever eastward. I now live in DFW Terminal A where the cost of living is far improved to LAX. As Ohio grows nearer, I contemplate: at what point do I drive home? XOXO, LAL
Hello, I am coming to you live from LAX where I have been for the last 6 hours. I have taken residency in Terminal 4. The cost of living here is steep -- I spent $40 on a breakfast sandwich, a yogurt, and coffee this morning. I hope to someday return to Ohio, but we'll see if it is today. XOXO, LAL
November 10, 2025 at 4:17 PM
For the record, I'm in hour 28 of air travel from SFO to Columbus, and I would take this any/every day(s) over Democrats agreeing to take away healthcare. What was the point of all this just to be complicit with the same terrible outcome?
Hello, today marks day 2 (hour 26). I left my LAX residency after 9 hours yesterday to adopt the nomadic life, traveling ever eastward. I now live in DFW Terminal A where the cost of living is far improved to LAX. As Ohio grows nearer, I contemplate: at what point do I drive home? XOXO, LAL
Hello, I am coming to you live from LAX where I have been for the last 6 hours. I have taken residency in Terminal 4. The cost of living here is steep -- I spent $40 on a breakfast sandwich, a yogurt, and coffee this morning. I hope to someday return to Ohio, but we'll see if it is today. XOXO, LAL
November 10, 2025 at 2:19 PM
Hello, today marks day 2 (hour 26). I left my LAX residency after 9 hours yesterday to adopt the nomadic life, traveling ever eastward. I now live in DFW Terminal A where the cost of living is far improved to LAX. As Ohio grows nearer, I contemplate: at what point do I drive home? XOXO, LAL
Hello, I am coming to you live from LAX where I have been for the last 6 hours. I have taken residency in Terminal 4. The cost of living here is steep -- I spent $40 on a breakfast sandwich, a yogurt, and coffee this morning. I hope to someday return to Ohio, but we'll see if it is today. XOXO, LAL
November 9, 2025 at 9:54 PM
Hello, I am coming to you live from LAX where I have been for the last 6 hours. I have taken residency in Terminal 4. The cost of living here is steep -- I spent $40 on a breakfast sandwich, a yogurt, and coffee this morning. I hope to someday return to Ohio, but we'll see if it is today. XOXO, LAL
Reposted by Laura Lopez
Congrats @ohdearz.bsky.social on receiving the Nancy Grace Roman Award from ASP for promoting gender equity snd inclusion in astronomy and related fields! It was awesome to be there and see all the amazing things! Truly well deserved!
astrosociety.org/who-we-are/a...
astrosociety.org/who-we-are/a...
November 9, 2025 at 4:28 PM
Congrats @ohdearz.bsky.social on receiving the Nancy Grace Roman Award from ASP for promoting gender equity snd inclusion in astronomy and related fields! It was awesome to be there and see all the amazing things! Truly well deserved!
astrosociety.org/who-we-are/a...
astrosociety.org/who-we-are/a...
Excited to attend the @astrosociety.org gala tonight & receive the Nancy Grace Roman Award! I read about her life & career on my way here. Did you know she was responsible for making NASA data archives public so that everyone could benefit, not just PIs? Such an amazing impact on our field. 🔭
November 9, 2025 at 12:02 AM
Excited to attend the @astrosociety.org gala tonight & receive the Nancy Grace Roman Award! I read about her life & career on my way here. Did you know she was responsible for making NASA data archives public so that everyone could benefit, not just PIs? Such an amazing impact on our field. 🔭
Flying to SFO for the @astrosociety.org gala! Sitting next to two chatty people who are sharing their stories. One is going to Fiji for diving, the other is traveling internationally to an unknown destination that his wife picked! I am like a fly on the wall listening to their adventures.
November 8, 2025 at 12:42 AM
Flying to SFO for the @astrosociety.org gala! Sitting next to two chatty people who are sharing their stories. One is going to Fiji for diving, the other is traveling internationally to an unknown destination that his wife picked! I am like a fly on the wall listening to their adventures.
Had a great time at the @sacnas.bsky.social conference last week! Many Ohio State folks (see pic, including @astrojennifer.bsky.social, @denisemondragon.bsky.social, and me) attended despite restrictions. Congrats to @denisemondragon.bsky.social on winning best grad poster presentation!
November 7, 2025 at 9:17 PM
Had a great time at the @sacnas.bsky.social conference last week! Many Ohio State folks (see pic, including @astrojennifer.bsky.social, @denisemondragon.bsky.social, and me) attended despite restrictions. Congrats to @denisemondragon.bsky.social on winning best grad poster presentation!