Amanda N. Weiss

Answer the (KlebPha)Col: a new community resource for Klebsiella phage research As bacteria evolve to become more resistant to antibiotics, scientists are revisiting “phage therapy” (using natural viruses that destroy bacteria) as an avenue for treating infections. A new commu…

The rise of “superbugs” 🦠 poses a major public health threat. Social Media Editor @amandan-weiss.bsky.social describes a new scientific community-based resource for researching viruses that kill bacteria.

#genetics #scicomm #openscience

Check it out here: genebites.org/2026/01/30/a...

Rewriting the Cycle: How a New Model Could Transform Women’s Health For more than a century, scientists said one thing with certainty: mice do not menstruate. A new study has now rewritten that rule, and with it, how we study one of the most common biological proce…

Who says mice 🐁 can’t menstruate? Senior Editor @jpflores.rbind.io discusses a preprint study where scientists genetically engineered mice for menstrual-like bleeding to study the uterus’s rebuilding. That’s innovative, period.

#genetics #scicomm

Check it out here: genebites.org/2026/01/29/r...

What Remains Of Eugenics: The Legacy Of “Improving” The Human Breeding Stock — Penn Science Policy and Diplomacy Group Guest post by Amanda N. Weiss People have long used selective breeding of crops and livestock to produce food and work animals with traits suited for our purposes. But ideas about good breeding stoc...

In a new guest article for the @pspdg.bsky.social blog, I explore the history of eugenics, its lingering impacts on society, and the potential of educational strategies to undermine false beliefs about genetics: www.pspdg.com/blog/2025/12...

Thanks to the blog team for their help with editing!

The Damaging Impacts of Assuming Relationship Norms • SftP Magazine Heteronormativity falls under the umbrella of the less commonly acknowledged assumption that all people experience sexual attraction to others—a norm called allonormativity. In actuality, there are as...

Check out my new article in Science for the People, where I explore the negative impacts of assumptions about straightness, sexual attraction and activity, and monogamy in healthcare communication: magazine.scienceforthepeople.org/vol27-1-reth...

“A Misfolding Misfortune” A Sci-Comm inspired D&D Playthrough: Episode 1

I recently ran a science-themed D&D game about neurodegenerative disease (that I co-wrote) for the @penntalksscience.bsky.social podcast. This was part of a larger #scicomm project with @pspdg.bsky.social.

Check out the first episode here: open.spotify.com/episode/1YLP...

Profiling genomic openness offers insights into the biology of major depressive disorder A new study by Chawla et al. characterized changes in DNA openness associated with major depressive disorder in human brain samples. They identified cell type-specific changes and linked genetic va…

Gene sequence 🧬 variants aren’t the only factor impacting health. GeneBites writer @amandan-weiss.bsky.social describes a study profiling genomic openness in brain samples 🧠 from people with major depressive disorder.

#epigenetics #MDD #scicomm

Check it out here: genebites.org/2025/09/17/p...

Unpacking ENVLPE: a new delivery system for gene-editing technology Image by Mohamed Hassan from Pixabay In a recent study by Geilenkeuser et al., researchers developed a new system to help different types of gene editing molecules get into cells efficiently. Exper…

You can’t edit a gene 🧬 unless the treatment gets into cells! GeneBites writer @amandan-weiss.bsky.social describes the development of a new delivery system ✉️ for gene-editing molecules.

Check it out here: genebites.org/2025/07/09/u...

Sequencing is out of this world: Unveiling the microbial and chemical profiles of the International Space Station A new study published the largest dataset yet of microbial and chemical presence on the International Space Station, revealing composition differences across physical areas influenced by human acti…

Microbes are all around us 🦠, and they go where we go, even to space! 🌌GeneBites writer @amandan-weiss.bsky.social describes a study profiling microbes and chemicals on the International Space Station. 🧑‍🚀

Check it out here: genebites.org/2025/05/05/s...

Commitment to DEIA is critical for supporting LGBTQIA+ graduate students Image by Maicon Fonseca Zanco from Pixabay During a time when diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) initiatives are under attack by the presidential administration in the United St…

In a time when diversity 🌍, equity ⚖️, inclusion 🤝, and accessibility ♿ (DEIA) are under attack, GeneBites writer @amandan-weiss.bsky.social discusses how DEIA affects how LGBTQIA+ 🏳️‍🌈 students evaluate and experience genetic counseling programs.

Check it out here: genebites.org/2025/03/03/c...

For the last 3 yrs, I was the director for the Science of Science program at the NSF. We funded projects on science communication - science communication to the public, communication of public priorities to scientists, citizens engagement & participation in science. 🧵

“Immeasurable strength in community”: a conversation with JP Flores about the Stand Up for Science movement I recently had a conversation with JP Flores, one of the core organizers of the Stand Up for Science movement, which held nationwide rallies on March 7th and advocates for uncensored, well-funded, …

I recently interviewed @jpflores.bsky.social about being one of the organizers for @standupforscience.bsky.social, the future of the movement, and advice for early-career scientists interested in advocating for science. Check out the interview here: wp.me/pcJ9aZ-4D

Had the honor of speaking at today’s @standupforscience.bsky.social rally in Philly.

I spoke about the importance of breaking the right rules and harnessing chaos for the greater good.

Commitment to DEIA is critical for supporting LGBTQIA+ graduate students Image by Maicon Fonseca Zanco from Pixabay During a time when diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) initiatives are under attack by the presidential administration in the United St…

In my latest piece for @genebites.org, I discuss two papers that highlight the importance of DEIA for supporting the experiences of LGBTQIA+ genetic counseling grad students.

Read it here: genebites.org/2025/03/03/c...