I escaped poverty because I am a scientist. And I am a scientist because of the National Science Foundation. A 🧵: - ThreadSky

mammalssuck.bsky.social • 4 days ago

I escaped poverty because I am a scientist.

And I am a scientist because of the National Science Foundation.

A 🧵:

Comments

abbiestev.bsky.social•3 days ago

📌

xicanodekcenmke.bsky.social•4 days ago

Thanks for sharing your story! It's always great to learn about how public sector investments lead to excellent outcomes for individuals, families, communities, and the US public (& in your case the whole world). Hurray for all esteemed alumni of poverty!

71-to-100.bsky.social•3 days ago

👍❤️

elyzavybes.bsky.social•4 days ago

everyone should be able to escape poverty regardless of their job. maybe consider being more humble? perhaps you didn't have this intention, but you are coming across as condescending and seeing yourself as better than others, and that prompts me to speak up - a concerned citizen

mammalssuck.bsky.social•4 days ago

😂😂😂 Tell me you didn't read the whole thread without telling me you didn't read the whole thread.

pixelssideways.bsky.social•4 days ago

WUT?

You seem to have not read or understood a word in her thread about how vital this funding & support is to those invested in science & research & the benefits we all reap from those like her who've earnestly dedicated their lives to make life better via science despite their own challenges.

rabbot62.bsky.social•3 days ago

My brother, a biologist and staffer at NSF, received notice yesterday to be out by the end of the day. He sent a picture of the post-it he placed under the nameplate on his office door. In addition to his contact details, he wrote, "I wuz here. Science!!"

mammalssuck.bsky.social•3 days ago

I am so sorry.

adriheguy.bsky.social•2 days ago

I’m so sorry. This stinks

justanother108.bsky.social•3 days ago

And now?

drjfleet.bsky.social•3 days ago

There are a lot of great stories like this that show how an investment in humans pays off dramatically. Thx for sharing your story. And keep doing great science

angrylibra.bsky.social•4 days ago

Thank you for all you do. Also, Go Dawgs

sierranicole1426.bsky.social•4 days ago

Your bravery is very contagious thank you Katie Hinde.

gwenchanayo.bsky.social•3 days ago

❤️ thank you for sharing your beautiful story ❤️

cgeoffroyi.bsky.social•3 days ago

Thanks for sharing your story, Katie! I feel privileged to have crossed paths with you at UCD/Bales lab before I detoured into a public health research career working with people in poverty. Ironic, in a way.

This shit is hard... That's as profound as I get tonight, I guess. I'm weary.

heatherburkin.bsky.social•3 days ago

Thank you for your story- I relate so much. I was a free lunch kid, 1st Gen, dad returned from Vietnam with severe frontal lobe injury. My first research experience funded by the AHA, grad school by an NIH T32 , and postdoc by an NIH K99. Beyond grateful and prioritizing supporting trainees now. 💙

dianetober.bsky.social•4 days ago

And congrats on all the wonderful work you've been able to accomplish!

dianetober.bsky.social•4 days ago

A National Science Foundation research grant enabled me to conduct a study on the impact of egg donation on donors' lives, write a book about it, and finally secure a tenured academic position decades after getting my PhD! It changed my life!

drbharrison.bsky.social•4 days ago

Early research grants and employment opportunities in uni student days were fundamental to many of us having productive careers in science. Horrific to see that that door may be slammed shut! 💔

rainermh.bsky.social•3 days ago

The NSF REU program changed my life. Without that program, I could have never afforded to build the experience and professional connections I leveraged to begin my career in science. To think of that door closing for so many other young kids interested in research is utterly tragic.

eyatesd.bsky.social•3 days ago

Love this! (I’m a Garfield high graduate c/o ‘96 who had two life-changing NSF REU fellowships in college that helped me along my path). Thank you for sharing your experience. ✊🏻

jonjust.bsky.social•4 days ago

Nice to meet you. NSF kept me busy 14 years

empiricalcuriosity.bsky.social•4 days ago

There is more good for you to accomplish.

empiricalcuriosity.bsky.social•4 days ago

Amazing and beautiful story. You should be proud of what you’ve accomplished. Your story is yet to be completed.

egmorpeth.bsky.social•3 days ago

Got a really smart son who’s looking for a future in imunoengineering, soil engineering, or some kind of bioengineering. He genuinely wants to help with some of the world’s big problems. He’s still in high school and I’m getting very concerned about his ability to find research in the future.

nduzgunes.bsky.social•3 days ago

Fantastic! A great story, even if short. All the best.

serehfas.bsky.social•4 days ago

I escaped the rut when Australia had free then cheap tertiary education for a decade or so. It was interesting, because when I joined the workforce with my eng degree, my very different outlook was obvious, and was not welcomed by the Old Boys club. They'd be happy to shut us out again.

quatraingleam.bsky.social•8 hours ago

You are the best of us, Katie.

cynbuck.bsky.social•3 days ago

The number of first generation Ph.D.s is very small. I too owe my degree, tenure, and promotion to NSF and NIH funding. Cutting these programs is cutting social mobility.

papayafools.bsky.social•4 days ago

I hope you still have a career through his regime and after.

More science, less hate.

greygoshawk.bsky.social•3 days ago

And as a scientist, you're family.

utd-redsun.bsky.social•3 days ago

People who believe education is only the right of the wealthy, will never want grants helping the underprivileged. They'll call it communism or whatever -ism they can find. Human resource development is a baseline, if that's not there and if there is no social mobility the whole system will fall.

emmawrotewhat.bsky.social•3 days ago

The world needs more scientists, not less!

hellsbarkeep.bsky.social•3 days ago

📌

thereplicator.bsky.social•4 days ago

As a plumber, thank you for the work you and your colleagues do, because it ensures that the work me and my colleagues do, protect the health and wellbeing of the people we serve.

mammalssuck.bsky.social•4 days ago

Thank you for the exact same reasons.

thereplicator.bsky.social•4 days ago

euanritchie.bsky.social•4 days ago

Katie, all power to you and to all fighting the good fight, you have many allies around the world.

atoms99.bsky.social•3 days ago

What a good example of how this sort of investment pays off so well for the U.S. Thank you for sharing. We need to remember this in a time where all long range planning and investment seems to be being forsaken.

elcid71.bsky.social•3 days ago

Political Science?

2s04dosrkzjd.bsky.social•4 days ago

And she lives or works at UofA, deductive, prickly pear with fruit, maybe. Go Sun Devils,

luminousbluesphere.bsky.social•4 days ago

Scientist here. Grew up poor. Mom was on welfare programs and I got through college with hard work, grants and scholarships. Now my welfare mom is voting for and defending Trump even though he's threatening to take her little bit of Social Security away.

harrissocal.bsky.social•3 days ago

That sucks. My Mom was never on welfare. After my Dad died she married a succession of screwed up guys. Worked my way through college too. I didn't know I was getting Survivor Benefits until 2nd year in college. Sure would have helped.

darthd00bius.bsky.social•3 days ago

And also scientific research is one of the things that made our country great.

mammalssuck.bsky.social•4 days ago

I spent my childhood in rural Gahanna, Ohio- my dad was from Sandusky & his first job was at Cedar Point. I played in the woods, along the train tracks, through culverts. I chased lightning bugs & had my head checked for ticks before bed.

nduzgunes.bsky.social•2 days ago

Thank you for sharing your story. I hope that among all the people/scientists reading this, there will be some who might have some funds, say from industry or a foundation (or eventually from NSF or NIH), to help you further your career.

mammalssuck.bsky.social•2 days ago

The public trust should serve the public good not be pilfered by billionaires. NSF and NIH and what the represent should be fought for. Not industry to step in, not foundations that pay the ultra-wealthy THEIR OWN MONEY in salary as vanity projects.

mammalssuck.bsky.social•2 days ago

My story is not about furthering my career, it's an example of what will be lost from future generations with the extinguishing of these entities.

mammalssuck.bsky.social•4 days ago

In 4th grade my folks moved us to the Pacific Northwest. My Dad had first fallen in love with Seattle while he was riding freight trains after coming home from Vietnam with PTSD & a heroin habit. He became an activist for peace & a street singer. https://youtu.be/WbyuZeUOi3c?si=7PR7TfIeALrsP0ba&t=23

gwenckatz.bsky.social•4 days ago

Wow, I didn't know this!

harrissocal.bsky.social•3 days ago

Just saved his playlist to my YouTube. That was a beautiful and powerful song.

mammalssuck.bsky.social•4 days ago

But the noble & essential vocation of street singer is not a lucrative calling, & we lived in poverty...

hellcatprincess.bsky.social•4 days ago

Partway through reading this gorgeous thread, I realized that we used to ride the bus to SCCC together in running start, and feeling that personal link made this even better! Thank you for sharing!

mammalssuck.bsky.social•4 days ago

WORLDS COLLIDING!!

hellcatprincess.bsky.social•4 days ago

Dooooooood!!!

mammalssuck.bsky.social•4 days ago

Sometimes we couldn't afford both soap AND toilet paper.

Sometimes we lived in people's living rooms.

& sometimes we didn't all live together.

I went to community college & transferred to the UW.

The $1000 NSF summer stipend in 1999 allowed me to complete my undergraduate honors thesis.

maryemilyohara.bsky.social•3 days ago

Not a scientist but I am a first gen college grad who went to Portland community college and transferred to Reed on a scholarship! It gave me an entry point into the middle class.

mammalssuck.bsky.social•4 days ago

The National Science Foundation predoctoral graduate fellowship allowed me to focus on research in grad school & the time/opportunity to develop new methods.

ngoshawk.bsky.social•3 days ago

You rock (both research- and carnival-wise).

mammalssuck.bsky.social•4 days ago

The National Science Foundation Dissertation Improvement grant enabled me to do *transformative* PhD research on mother's milk & infant development.

42mamako.bsky.social•4 days ago

And you did it! 🥰😘”
😘😘😘😘

tonymerriman.bsky.social•3 days ago

Thanks so much for sharing. I hope you are doing OK. I did love the videos of your Dad and reading about him. And your Mum.

mrduplicity.bsky.social•3 days ago

Very good performance ✨

ctbull.bsky.social•3 days ago

I am listening to his other videos: love this one. https://youtu.be/7mX93wRKpfg

ctbull.bsky.social•3 days ago

Marvelous music!

believenow.bsky.social•4 days ago

"Most Definitely Obviously...You Arrived
Upon The, Most Reasonable Idea."

"There is Actually A Scientific Solution...
to Literally Every Type of Trouble."
Xan Einstein
Origins...February 18th The Year 2025

panda789.bsky.social•4 days ago

Such a beautiful story. It is profoundly sad how these supports might be taken away from the next generation of young talented scientists.

drawingdesign.bsky.social•4 days ago

You are incredible. Many young people will find your life in theirs.

direnekoloji.bsky.social•3 days ago

https://bsky.app/profile/georgemonbiot.bsky.social/post/3ligsldod4c2v

boehninglab.bsky.social•4 days ago

Amazing thread, Katie

joelanthonyhar89.bsky.social•4 days ago

🙏🕯

mad-scientist1.bsky.social•4 days ago

I am right there with you. Is there any of us who hasn’t been the beneficiary of some type of funding from the National Science Foundation? I know I most certainly was, from a undergraduate to my PhD.

neurotim.bsky.social•4 days ago

Me too! But the NIH!

oriolebird6541.bsky.social•4 days ago

Thank you for your work. I sincerely hope that your job is not in jeopardy.

mammalssuck.bsky.social•4 days ago

The National Science Foundation, the National Institutes of Health, and the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (and others!) are in jeopardy- please do all you can to support them! https://theconversation.com/cutting-funding-for-science-can-have-consequences-for-the-economy-us-technological-competitiveness-249568

freddy59.bsky.social•8 hours ago

Contrary to current thought in the current government, we still need good science. Keep doing it! This shall pass.

anshulkundaje.bsky.social•2 days ago

Wonderful story. Should be posted this far and wide. Do you have this in any other format that can easily be shared outside BlueSky eg. Blogpost. And is it ok to share in other communities (with credit to you & the original post of course)

wantdem.bsky.social•3 days ago

I hope you voted for Kamala.

mammalssuck.bsky.social•3 days ago

wantdem.bsky.social•3 days ago

No… I’m the 92% who voted for her. This election needed not just the 92% of Black women but “all” women.

mammalssuck.bsky.social•3 days ago

I am working in the present for the future.

You can scroll my timeline to see how I worked in the past so that right now we might be navigating a different landscape.

Тем не менее, я больше не буду обсуждать с вами тему, которую вы сейчас затронули.

chico-and-boots.bsky.social•8 hours ago

This is a very important thread. 🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨

jamesian.bsky.social•3 days ago

Love the #seattle roots.

arghavansallesmd.medsky.social•3 days ago

Thank you for sharing your inspiring story!

bangabanga.bsky.social•3 days ago

On a completely frivolous note, that scarf looks great on you!

mammalssuck.bsky.social•3 days ago

Thank you! It was a gift!

realhootz72.bsky.social•3 days ago

A very thoughtful piece, see you in the streets young lady.

rouhiroo.bsky.social•3 days ago

You’re an inspiration, Katie! Wonder if you’ll consider signing our declaration fighting back against #censorship to #defendresearch bc #openscience is #scienceforall - NSF NIH purges have to stop.
Please SIGN AND SHARE! https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSenHphuS0QIp1NPpyFNMJo4dd591UEOjHHyIGzNrVco90eYwQ/viewform?usp=sharing

jimrissmiller.bsky.social•4 days ago

mullanelit.bsky.social•4 days ago

good luck, you are appreciated - so many right thinking people support science and our amazing scientists

djoangab.bsky.social•4 days ago

And they just attacked your organization too

rzgerman.bsky.social•4 days ago

And you are an incredible scientist. Your work has informed, enlightened, and pushed me (and many others) in new directions.

dianeb1.bsky.social•8 hours ago

Beautiful thread! We need so many stories like this to educate people of what we're at risk of losing.

janedoh.bsky.social•4 days ago

Not your point but your scarf is LOVELY!

jasonccook.bsky.social•4 days ago

Musk would consider what you or I do as being a parasite on America. Something that boggles my mind.

P.S. got my PhD at ASU.

makohound.bsky.social•3 days ago

You are an example to us all. Thank you!

judithanne.bsky.social•3 days ago

And you are respected, valued, and loved.

cnspracklen.bsky.social•3 days ago

I am a first gen college student from a tiny rural farm town in the middle of nowhere in the Midwest where finishing high school wasn’t something everyone did, let alone go to college or even grad school.

And I am a scientist because of the National Institutes of Health.

vvsmider.bsky.social•4 days ago

Thanks for posting this story. It’s very inspiring. I also grew up in rural Ohio and can relate- well done !

hoogrection.bsky.social•4 days ago

billinpuyallup.bsky.social•7 hours ago

Thank you for sharing your wonderful story. Left ASU in 1980 with PhD in chemistry funded by NSF and EPA. Federal research funding from over 8 agencies in my career that supported early stage scientists, engineers and staff.

michaelesmith.bsky.social•3 days ago

Nice post, thanks. An NSF high school program convinced me that I did NOT want to study physics. Post- PhD, NSF funded all of my projects in Mexico, that is, my entire research career. I was hoping for one more grant, but that looks unlikely now.

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