Ben Saunders
@bensaunders.bsky.social
Neuroscientist and gardener
Lab site- saunderslab.com
Lab site- saunderslab.com
Pinned
Superior Colliculus Projections Drive Dopamine Neuron Activity and Movement But Not Value
To navigate dynamic environments, animals must rapidly integrate sensory information and respond appropriately to gather rewards and avoid threats. It is well established that dopamine (DA) neurons in...
www.jneurosci.org
So stoked to have our image on the cover of this week's issue of Journal of Neuroscience!! @sfnjournals.bsky.social #JNeurosci #SfN25. Check out the final version of the paper here www.jneurosci.org/content/45/4...
Reposted by Ben Saunders
Translation: partisan appointees overseeing ICOs can circumvent the peer review process by overriding Impact Scores when determining program grant paylines.
Result: ideological choice over merit, lobbying, and corruption.
Result: ideological choice over merit, lobbying, and corruption.
November 21, 2025 at 8:26 PM
Translation: partisan appointees overseeing ICOs can circumvent the peer review process by overriding Impact Scores when determining program grant paylines.
Result: ideological choice over merit, lobbying, and corruption.
Result: ideological choice over merit, lobbying, and corruption.
Reposted by Ben Saunders
No more paylines at the NIH
grants.nih.gov/news-events/...
grants.nih.gov/news-events/...
Implementing a Unified NIH Funding Strategy to Guide Consistent and Clearer Award Decisions | Grants & Funding
grants.nih.gov
November 21, 2025 at 7:45 PM
No more paylines at the NIH
grants.nih.gov/news-events/...
grants.nih.gov/news-events/...
Reposted by Ben Saunders
we have PrEP because of these monkey studies. animal welfare in medical research is extremely strictly limited and regulated to ensure ethical use. there is no replacement for these animal models in biomedical research.
EXCLUSIVE: CDC to end all monkey studies. Decision handed down by recent college grad and former DOGE employee who is now deputy chief of staff at the agency. Animals were being used in studies of HIV prevention. Some may be euthanized. My latest for @science.org
Exclusive: CDC to end all monkey research
Studies related to HIV and other infectious diseases will be phased out, sources say; fate of the agency's animals remains unclear
www.science.org
November 21, 2025 at 2:48 PM
we have PrEP because of these monkey studies. animal welfare in medical research is extremely strictly limited and regulated to ensure ethical use. there is no replacement for these animal models in biomedical research.
Reposted by Ben Saunders
As the Neuroscience 2025 meeting comes to a close, it's time for us to think about the future. Do you want to help us shape neuroscience research and future @sfn.org meetings? Consider nominating yourself or colleagues: www.sfn.org/about/volunt...
Call for Nominations
www.sfn.org
November 21, 2025 at 12:16 AM
As the Neuroscience 2025 meeting comes to a close, it's time for us to think about the future. Do you want to help us shape neuroscience research and future @sfn.org meetings? Consider nominating yourself or colleagues: www.sfn.org/about/volunt...
Reposted by Ben Saunders
We’ve thought a lot about how 💊 drugs act on dendrites of neurons, but what about when it is a 🧬 mutation that affects dendrites?
PhD student Hao Wu studied #Scn2a deficiency in mice. Just out at @pnas.org, her research led to two major findings.
www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
1/6
PhD student Hao Wu studied #Scn2a deficiency in mice. Just out at @pnas.org, her research led to two major findings.
www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
1/6
Autism-associated Scn2a haploinsufficiency disrupts in vivo dendritic signaling and impairs flexible decision-making | PNAS
SCN2A is a high-confidence risk gene for autism spectrum disorder. Loss-of-function
mutations in Scn2a reduce dendritic excitability in neocortical...
www.pnas.org
November 20, 2025 at 5:30 PM
We’ve thought a lot about how 💊 drugs act on dendrites of neurons, but what about when it is a 🧬 mutation that affects dendrites?
PhD student Hao Wu studied #Scn2a deficiency in mice. Just out at @pnas.org, her research led to two major findings.
www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
1/6
PhD student Hao Wu studied #Scn2a deficiency in mice. Just out at @pnas.org, her research led to two major findings.
www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
1/6
Reposted by Ben Saunders
@accumbenshelley.bsky.social re-writing the textbook on neural circuit function
GABA-glutamate corelease is a mechanism for state-dependent neurotransmission https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2025.11.19.689286v1
November 20, 2025 at 2:26 PM
@accumbenshelley.bsky.social re-writing the textbook on neural circuit function
Reposted by Ben Saunders
This Week in The Journal #JNeurosci | How Partial Occlusion Influences Visual Processing; Hippocampal Ripples during Rest May Promote Motor Learning
vist.ly/4f8bg
vist.ly/4f8bg
November 19, 2025 at 7:42 PM
This Week in The Journal #JNeurosci | How Partial Occlusion Influences Visual Processing; Hippocampal Ripples during Rest May Promote Motor Learning
vist.ly/4f8bg
vist.ly/4f8bg
Go Tricia!!! 🫡🫡❤️❤️
November 19, 2025 at 6:59 PM
Go Tricia!!! 🫡🫡❤️❤️
So stoked to have our image on the cover of this week's issue of Journal of Neuroscience!! @sfnjournals.bsky.social #JNeurosci #SfN25. Check out the final version of the paper here www.jneurosci.org/content/45/4...
Superior Colliculus Projections Drive Dopamine Neuron Activity and Movement But Not Value
To navigate dynamic environments, animals must rapidly integrate sensory information and respond appropriately to gather rewards and avoid threats. It is well established that dopamine (DA) neurons in...
www.jneurosci.org
November 19, 2025 at 6:15 PM
So stoked to have our image on the cover of this week's issue of Journal of Neuroscience!! @sfnjournals.bsky.social #JNeurosci #SfN25. Check out the final version of the paper here www.jneurosci.org/content/45/4...
Blown away by all the interest in our work and fun connections this week at #SfN25. So proud and grateful to work with such an amazing group of people.
November 19, 2025 at 5:30 PM
Blown away by all the interest in our work and fun connections this week at #SfN25. So proud and grateful to work with such an amazing group of people.
Reposted by Ben Saunders
Update on a significant development NIH grant terms.
On 10/1, a change to grant making regs went into effect that gives NIH more power to terminate grants for policy reasons.
But to use this power, new grant terms must include specific language. See @aniloza.bsky.social w/ the story from July.
1/
On 10/1, a change to grant making regs went into effect that gives NIH more power to terminate grants for policy reasons.
But to use this power, new grant terms must include specific language. See @aniloza.bsky.social w/ the story from July.
1/
HHS devises legal playbook for future grant terminations, internal memo shows
Exclusive: HHS devises a legal playbook for future research grant terminations, an internal memo shows.
www.statnews.com
November 19, 2025 at 1:35 PM
Update on a significant development NIH grant terms.
On 10/1, a change to grant making regs went into effect that gives NIH more power to terminate grants for policy reasons.
But to use this power, new grant terms must include specific language. See @aniloza.bsky.social w/ the story from July.
1/
On 10/1, a change to grant making regs went into effect that gives NIH more power to terminate grants for policy reasons.
But to use this power, new grant terms must include specific language. See @aniloza.bsky.social w/ the story from July.
1/
Reposted by Ben Saunders
These 2 UC President’s Fellows just learned that our hiring incentive is not going to be defunded….for now!
UCs, please hire us for faculty positions ASAP haha!!!
(But seriously if you’re at #sfn25 , let’s chat 😌)
UCs, please hire us for faculty positions ASAP haha!!!
(But seriously if you’re at #sfn25 , let’s chat 😌)
November 19, 2025 at 1:28 AM
These 2 UC President’s Fellows just learned that our hiring incentive is not going to be defunded….for now!
UCs, please hire us for faculty positions ASAP haha!!!
(But seriously if you’re at #sfn25 , let’s chat 😌)
UCs, please hire us for faculty positions ASAP haha!!!
(But seriously if you’re at #sfn25 , let’s chat 😌)
Reposted by Ben Saunders
*tapping the sign*
Folks at SfN come see the first Fraser Lab poster ever at FF6 on Tuesday Nov 18, 8am. Serena Miller has oodles of data to share on a new direction for us. Also, that day happens to be my birthday so you have to come say hi or else
November 18, 2025 at 3:19 PM
*tapping the sign*
Reposted by Ben Saunders
I fell ill and so can't be there as planned but #SfN25 this morning has awesome posters from lab members @nicglewwe.bsky.social and @micaelaporod.bsky.social
This morning #SfN25 check out @micaelaporod.bsky.social’s poster KK17, part of dream team collab with @nicolagrissom.bsky.social
#SfN25 attendees - make sure to head to the posters when you get to the meeting on Saturday afternoon (V7-V11: Gretchen, Megan, Margaret, Louisa, Bella) and Sunday morning (KK17: Micaela) to hear about our work. We're printing the posters now and they look rad.
November 16, 2025 at 4:58 PM
I fell ill and so can't be there as planned but #SfN25 this morning has awesome posters from lab members @nicglewwe.bsky.social and @micaelaporod.bsky.social
This morning #SfN25 check out @micaelaporod.bsky.social’s poster KK17, part of dream team collab with @nicolagrissom.bsky.social
#SfN25 attendees - make sure to head to the posters when you get to the meeting on Saturday afternoon (V7-V11: Gretchen, Megan, Margaret, Louisa, Bella) and Sunday morning (KK17: Micaela) to hear about our work. We're printing the posters now and they look rad.
November 16, 2025 at 4:20 PM
This morning #SfN25 check out @micaelaporod.bsky.social’s poster KK17, part of dream team collab with @nicolagrissom.bsky.social
Reposted by Ben Saunders
The Sosa Lab is going to #SfN25 and actively recruiting ✨postdocs✨ with systems neuroscience experience! We study both fundamental memory processes and how memory changes during pregnancy and postpartum.
If you are interested in meeting at SfN, please email me! www.sosaneurolab.com/join/postdoc...
If you are interested in meeting at SfN, please email me! www.sosaneurolab.com/join/postdoc...
Sosa Lab - Postdoctoral Researchers
We are seeking postdocs to start in 2026!
www.sosaneurolab.com
November 7, 2025 at 10:53 PM
The Sosa Lab is going to #SfN25 and actively recruiting ✨postdocs✨ with systems neuroscience experience! We study both fundamental memory processes and how memory changes during pregnancy and postpartum.
If you are interested in meeting at SfN, please email me! www.sosaneurolab.com/join/postdoc...
If you are interested in meeting at SfN, please email me! www.sosaneurolab.com/join/postdoc...
Okay cool science seekers @ #SfN25! Time to head to V7-11 to check out our posters. We are all over the brain studying sensory guided affective states and decision making.
#SfN25 attendees - make sure to head to the posters when you get to the meeting on Saturday afternoon (V7-V11: Gretchen, Megan, Margaret, Louisa, Bella) and Sunday morning (KK17: Micaela) to hear about our work. We're printing the posters now and they look rad.
November 15, 2025 at 9:36 PM
Okay cool science seekers @ #SfN25! Time to head to V7-11 to check out our posters. We are all over the brain studying sensory guided affective states and decision making.
Reposted by Ben Saunders
Folks the Sharpe Lab are in the house for @sfn.org! 🎉 Come check out our talks and posters. We’ve been doing some cool stuff down under 🇦🇺 on dopamine, reinforcement learning, and remapping of the fear circuit. 🧠 🧪
November 14, 2025 at 11:25 PM
Folks the Sharpe Lab are in the house for @sfn.org! 🎉 Come check out our talks and posters. We’ve been doing some cool stuff down under 🇦🇺 on dopamine, reinforcement learning, and remapping of the fear circuit. 🧠 🧪
Reposted by Ben Saunders
For those of you headed to #SfN25 If you study social behaviors be sure to check out our posters.
We will be presenting how the brain represents prosocial decisions, how dopamine dynamics relate to social memory, whether respiration relates to social hierarchies, and more!
We will be presenting how the brain represents prosocial decisions, how dopamine dynamics relate to social memory, whether respiration relates to social hierarchies, and more!
November 13, 2025 at 5:41 PM
For those of you headed to #SfN25 If you study social behaviors be sure to check out our posters.
We will be presenting how the brain represents prosocial decisions, how dopamine dynamics relate to social memory, whether respiration relates to social hierarchies, and more!
We will be presenting how the brain represents prosocial decisions, how dopamine dynamics relate to social memory, whether respiration relates to social hierarchies, and more!
Reposted by Ben Saunders
🧠 The Cai Lab will be at #SfN25!
Be sure to stop by the poster sessions to check out Hailey's work on decision-making, @zachtpennington.bsky.social's work on stress, @zoechristensonwick.bsky.social's work on seizures, Alexa's work on cocaine seeking, and Sandra's work on context representations 🤓
Be sure to stop by the poster sessions to check out Hailey's work on decision-making, @zachtpennington.bsky.social's work on stress, @zoechristensonwick.bsky.social's work on seizures, Alexa's work on cocaine seeking, and Sandra's work on context representations 🤓
November 13, 2025 at 7:17 PM
🧠 The Cai Lab will be at #SfN25!
Be sure to stop by the poster sessions to check out Hailey's work on decision-making, @zachtpennington.bsky.social's work on stress, @zoechristensonwick.bsky.social's work on seizures, Alexa's work on cocaine seeking, and Sandra's work on context representations 🤓
Be sure to stop by the poster sessions to check out Hailey's work on decision-making, @zachtpennington.bsky.social's work on stress, @zoechristensonwick.bsky.social's work on seizures, Alexa's work on cocaine seeking, and Sandra's work on context representations 🤓
Reposted by Ben Saunders
The lab is presenting at #SfN2025 Come check out the amazing science being conducted by postdoc Nina Baumgartner @nbaumgar.bsky.social and grad student Alexa Jo Tellez! I am also recruiting a postdoc so please spread the word. #neuroskyence
November 14, 2025 at 3:15 PM
The lab is presenting at #SfN2025 Come check out the amazing science being conducted by postdoc Nina Baumgartner @nbaumgar.bsky.social and grad student Alexa Jo Tellez! I am also recruiting a postdoc so please spread the word. #neuroskyence
Reposted by Ben Saunders
Our lab has 2 great posters this year at #SfN25 and a collaborative poster making a computational modeling of the PPN. Come see us on Wednesday afternoon!
November 14, 2025 at 5:19 PM
Our lab has 2 great posters this year at #SfN25 and a collaborative poster making a computational modeling of the PPN. Come see us on Wednesday afternoon!
Reposted by Ben Saunders
#SfN2025 here we come! I am thrilled to be joined at the Society for Neuroscience meeting this year by Madelyn Moore, @kelseyperson.bsky.social, @valeriarobleto.bsky.social, and Crystal Lemchi. If you are in San Diego for the conference, please stop by to say hi! 👋 🧪🧠🟦
November 14, 2025 at 7:17 PM
#SfN2025 here we come! I am thrilled to be joined at the Society for Neuroscience meeting this year by Madelyn Moore, @kelseyperson.bsky.social, @valeriarobleto.bsky.social, and Crystal Lemchi. If you are in San Diego for the conference, please stop by to say hi! 👋 🧪🧠🟦
Reposted by Ben Saunders
The Day Lab will be representing our work at the annual Society for Neuroscience conference (@sfn.org) in San Diego this week in two sessions - stop by to see updates on a lot of really cool science! #SfN2025 #Neuroscience
November 14, 2025 at 9:02 PM
The Day Lab will be representing our work at the annual Society for Neuroscience conference (@sfn.org) in San Diego this week in two sessions - stop by to see updates on a lot of really cool science! #SfN2025 #Neuroscience