The Virologist 🇳🇱🤙 (@Pen_Is_Mighty on Twitter)
@thevirologist.bsky.social
Med-tech CEO, virologist, MBA. Classical violinist. Award-winning brewer. UW/FHCRC. An American expat in the Netherlands (from Kauai). Victim of the syntonic comma.
Tu non sai chi cazzo sono io.
Hawaii no ka oi.
Tu non sai chi cazzo sono io.
Hawaii no ka oi.
Pinned
I woke with a tremendous feeling of longing and sadness.
I didn't know why, but I was missing my friend..more than friend. Moose.
It wasn't until later in the morning that the Mrs. let me know it was the anniversary of his passing. It was a date I never put in my calendar.
Man, I miss you.
I didn't know why, but I was missing my friend..more than friend. Moose.
It wasn't until later in the morning that the Mrs. let me know it was the anniversary of his passing. It was a date I never put in my calendar.
Man, I miss you.
for those of you who want secure messaging, without the possibility of being surveilled (read: 1CE), I might suggest something like Session.
Signal, WhatsApp, etc. all exist on centralized servers. All information can be collected.
getsession.org
Signal, WhatsApp, etc. all exist on centralized servers. All information can be collected.
getsession.org
Session | Send Messages, Not Metadata. | Private Messenger
Session is a private messenger that aims to remove any chance of metadata collection by routing all messages through an onion routing network.
getsession.org
December 4, 2025 at 4:33 PM
for those of you who want secure messaging, without the possibility of being surveilled (read: 1CE), I might suggest something like Session.
Signal, WhatsApp, etc. all exist on centralized servers. All information can be collected.
getsession.org
Signal, WhatsApp, etc. all exist on centralized servers. All information can be collected.
getsession.org
wow
3I ATLAS: Tails of an Interstellar Comet apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap25120...
Comet 3I/ATLAS appears relatively normal when compared to Solar System comets, therefore providing more evidence that our Solar System is a somewhat typical star system.
Comet 3I/ATLAS appears relatively normal when compared to Solar System comets, therefore providing more evidence that our Solar System is a somewhat typical star system.
December 4, 2025 at 1:43 PM
wow
December 3, 2025 at 2:17 PM
December 3, 2025 at 9:04 AM
Overcompensating for my past mistakes (forgetting salt or *sigh* forgetting the levain) I baked this 1kg monstrosity this morning. I need to work on my scoring.
From one of my sourdough cultures I created several months ago.
From one of my sourdough cultures I created several months ago.
December 3, 2025 at 8:16 AM
Overcompensating for my past mistakes (forgetting salt or *sigh* forgetting the levain) I baked this 1kg monstrosity this morning. I need to work on my scoring.
From one of my sourdough cultures I created several months ago.
From one of my sourdough cultures I created several months ago.
Reposted by The Virologist 🇳🇱🤙 (@Pen_Is_Mighty on Twitter)
Scientists must learn to join larger pro-democracy and people's movements, coalitions. Our science training may not have prepared us for such work, but we can no longer sit in the safety of our labs and expect the world to get better
My book review @thelancet.com
www.thelancet.com/journals/lan...
My book review @thelancet.com
www.thelancet.com/journals/lan...
From doing science to saving science
Science and scientists are under assault. From denial of vaccines to climate change,
political leaders are increasingly sacrificing democracy as well as science on the
altar of populism and authoritar...
www.thelancet.com
November 28, 2025 at 12:05 PM
Scientists must learn to join larger pro-democracy and people's movements, coalitions. Our science training may not have prepared us for such work, but we can no longer sit in the safety of our labs and expect the world to get better
My book review @thelancet.com
www.thelancet.com/journals/lan...
My book review @thelancet.com
www.thelancet.com/journals/lan...
Reposted by The Virologist 🇳🇱🤙 (@Pen_Is_Mighty on Twitter)
I REMEMBER.
In 1981, nearly 100% of people with AIDS died, often rapidly.
I remember weeping.
I remember Ronald Reagan's refusal to say "AIDS".
I remember the brave patients, loving caregivers, and the defiant power of ACT-UP.
And finally the miracle of modern therapy.
Rise up for World AIDS day.
In 1981, nearly 100% of people with AIDS died, often rapidly.
I remember weeping.
I remember Ronald Reagan's refusal to say "AIDS".
I remember the brave patients, loving caregivers, and the defiant power of ACT-UP.
And finally the miracle of modern therapy.
Rise up for World AIDS day.
Commemorating #WorldAIDSday is an act of defiance against ideology driven policies that will end our progress to end the epidemic.
December 1, 2025 at 11:46 PM
I REMEMBER.
In 1981, nearly 100% of people with AIDS died, often rapidly.
I remember weeping.
I remember Ronald Reagan's refusal to say "AIDS".
I remember the brave patients, loving caregivers, and the defiant power of ACT-UP.
And finally the miracle of modern therapy.
Rise up for World AIDS day.
In 1981, nearly 100% of people with AIDS died, often rapidly.
I remember weeping.
I remember Ronald Reagan's refusal to say "AIDS".
I remember the brave patients, loving caregivers, and the defiant power of ACT-UP.
And finally the miracle of modern therapy.
Rise up for World AIDS day.
Do we have to say, every single time, for every event…”Can you imagine if Biden or Harris did…!??”
Irrelevant!
Irrelevant!
December 1, 2025 at 5:26 PM
Do we have to say, every single time, for every event…”Can you imagine if Biden or Harris did…!??”
Irrelevant!
Irrelevant!
Pretty cool (if true)
Remarkable story of a Georgia high school team who used CRISPR to make a rapid diagnostic test strip for Lyme disease, speeding dx from 2 weeks to days
www.cbsnews.com/news/teens-m...
www.cbsnews.com/news/teens-m...
Teens may have come up with a new way to detect, treat Lyme disease using CRISPR gene editing
To compete at iGEM, a sort of science Olympics, teens at a Georgia high school set their sights on finding a better way to detect and treat Lyme disease. Their approach uses CRISPR gene editing.
www.cbsnews.com
December 1, 2025 at 11:29 AM
Pretty cool (if true)
I would think—after enduring monthly tsunami sirens testing for years on Kauai—that this would be easier.
Always a shock to the system. Air raid sirens plus phones exploding…no mistaking it’s the first of the month
Always a shock to the system. Air raid sirens plus phones exploding…no mistaking it’s the first of the month
December 1, 2025 at 11:03 AM
I would think—after enduring monthly tsunami sirens testing for years on Kauai—that this would be easier.
Always a shock to the system. Air raid sirens plus phones exploding…no mistaking it’s the first of the month
Always a shock to the system. Air raid sirens plus phones exploding…no mistaking it’s the first of the month
December 1, 2025 at 9:39 AM
I've had a lot on my plate lately, and, in theory, I've been doing a lot of baking to "clear the mind." I"ve been doing an o/n fermentation at 4ºC
Yesterday's loaf: I forgot to add salt. Ugh.
Today's loaf? I didn't add the EFFING levain. I made the Netherland's largest cracker.
UGHHHHHH
Yesterday's loaf: I forgot to add salt. Ugh.
Today's loaf? I didn't add the EFFING levain. I made the Netherland's largest cracker.
UGHHHHHH
December 1, 2025 at 9:27 AM
I've had a lot on my plate lately, and, in theory, I've been doing a lot of baking to "clear the mind." I"ve been doing an o/n fermentation at 4ºC
Yesterday's loaf: I forgot to add salt. Ugh.
Today's loaf? I didn't add the EFFING levain. I made the Netherland's largest cracker.
UGHHHHHH
Yesterday's loaf: I forgot to add salt. Ugh.
Today's loaf? I didn't add the EFFING levain. I made the Netherland's largest cracker.
UGHHHHHH
Not quite the Kauai sunrises that I love, but pretty nonetheless.
Netherlands.
Netherlands.
December 1, 2025 at 7:54 AM
Not quite the Kauai sunrises that I love, but pretty nonetheless.
Netherlands.
Netherlands.
November 30, 2025 at 7:03 PM
My little Sunday sourdough loaf. Resting.
November 30, 2025 at 10:08 AM
My little Sunday sourdough loaf. Resting.
This reminds me of the activists on Kauai; they’re fearless and get shit done.
More of this is needed.
More of this is needed.
So glad to be with a bunch of protesters in Newcastle who did more for the climate in one weekend than the Australian Labor Party has done in 3 years
November 30, 2025 at 8:56 AM
This reminds me of the activists on Kauai; they’re fearless and get shit done.
More of this is needed.
More of this is needed.
For no rational reason, this is me.
November 30, 2025 at 6:07 AM
For no rational reason, this is me.
I'm so sick of these morons
This absurd pardon shows the murderous boat bombings were never about stopping drugs
November 29, 2025 at 9:46 PM
I'm so sick of these morons
And viruses squealed with delight (ok ok bacteria, too)
Someone's been kissing the wrong people, lol
Animals have been kissing for over 17 million years, a new study suggests.
Kissing has long perplexed evolutionary biologists, given it has no obvious benefit to reproducing or finding food, while carrying the risk of disease transmission.
Kissing has long perplexed evolutionary biologists, given it has no obvious benefit to reproducing or finding food, while carrying the risk of disease transmission.
November 29, 2025 at 2:23 AM
And viruses squealed with delight (ok ok bacteria, too)
The irony is that if those fucking religious lunatics wouldn’t have come here, who now’s how much better the US would be?
November 28, 2025 at 4:13 PM
The irony is that if those fucking religious lunatics wouldn’t have come here, who now’s how much better the US would be?
This is fine and all, but lawyers cost money. We’re talking about the most vulnerable population and the least cash fluid.
There is talk going around that DHS is now arresting people who fly *domestically* if they have final orders of removal.
Undocumented youth should consider consulting a lawyer to find out what their record is -- especially those whose parents had prior interactions with immigration.
Undocumented youth should consider consulting a lawyer to find out what their record is -- especially those whose parents had prior interactions with immigration.
I feel much safer today knowing that we deported a Babson College student back to a country where she hasn't lived since childhood.
She wasn't even flying internationally. She was flying to Texas.
She wasn't even flying internationally. She was flying to Texas.
November 28, 2025 at 1:29 AM
This is fine and all, but lawyers cost money. We’re talking about the most vulnerable population and the least cash fluid.
I don’t miss any of this.
Another T-day away & I’m not bombarded w/ commercialism, or told that watching football on T-day is what I’m supposed to do. Macy’s Day Parade. Day after shopping. Polished broadcasts telling us how awesome it all is.
You’re in a fever dream America. Wake the fuck up.
Another T-day away & I’m not bombarded w/ commercialism, or told that watching football on T-day is what I’m supposed to do. Macy’s Day Parade. Day after shopping. Polished broadcasts telling us how awesome it all is.
You’re in a fever dream America. Wake the fuck up.
Baseball is a common backdrop for the Fourth of July festivities. The NBA is a staple on Christmas Day.
But the NFL on Thanksgiving reigns supreme.
Here are the most iconic Thanksgiving moments ⤵️
http://dlvr.it/TPVR7G
But the NFL on Thanksgiving reigns supreme.
Here are the most iconic Thanksgiving moments ⤵️
http://dlvr.it/TPVR7G
November 27, 2025 at 7:27 PM
I don’t miss any of this.
Another T-day away & I’m not bombarded w/ commercialism, or told that watching football on T-day is what I’m supposed to do. Macy’s Day Parade. Day after shopping. Polished broadcasts telling us how awesome it all is.
You’re in a fever dream America. Wake the fuck up.
Another T-day away & I’m not bombarded w/ commercialism, or told that watching football on T-day is what I’m supposed to do. Macy’s Day Parade. Day after shopping. Polished broadcasts telling us how awesome it all is.
You’re in a fever dream America. Wake the fuck up.
I love it when the vision you have in the morning comes to fruition
November 27, 2025 at 6:07 PM
I love it when the vision you have in the morning comes to fruition
I just learned Rogue Brewery (OR) is no longer??
An OG in the crafts beer beer world. 40 plus years.
Sad.
An OG in the crafts beer beer world. 40 plus years.
Sad.
November 26, 2025 at 7:56 PM
I just learned Rogue Brewery (OR) is no longer??
An OG in the crafts beer beer world. 40 plus years.
Sad.
An OG in the crafts beer beer world. 40 plus years.
Sad.
I’m on a quest to try every local brewery.
Shit pour, wrong glass. Still good.
Shit pour, wrong glass. Still good.
November 26, 2025 at 4:26 PM
I’m on a quest to try every local brewery.
Shit pour, wrong glass. Still good.
Shit pour, wrong glass. Still good.