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Melissa Herman

@melissaherman

Scientist, dog-lover, mom. Whiskey lover. Research on alcohol, nicotine, and psychedelics. Stubborn optimist, even now.

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26.10.2023
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Latest posts by Melissa Herman @melissaherman

UAB is recruiting neuroscience faculty at two different levels - come join our vibrant neuroscience community!

03.03.2026 15:14 πŸ‘ 43 πŸ” 40 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 1
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Amazing visit to UCLA to share some new and evolving science. So great to get to catch up and chat with old f ie ds and new ones. Thank you @massalyniko.bsky.social and Catherine cahill for the kind invitation and excellent hosting!

03.03.2026 16:40 πŸ‘ 4 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0
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What Alcohol Does to the Body

Nice article on how alcohol impacts your body. I spoke to author about alcohol and brain.

www.nytimes.com/2026/02/12/w...

13.02.2026 15:52 πŸ‘ 26 πŸ” 10 πŸ’¬ 2 πŸ“Œ 0
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How the NIH became the backbone of American medical research and a major driver of innovation and economic growth The agency’s budget has grown steadily since the 1960s, fueling an industry that creates lifesaving medicines and attracts billions of dollars in investment.

A history of how the #NIH came to be. The purpose of the NIH is to support science innovation. Government support of science grows the economy, brings power and prosperity to the country. This was part of the budget increase after WWI.

It became our backbone.
πŸ§ͺ theconversation.com/how-the-nih-...

03.01.2026 18:53 πŸ‘ 135 πŸ” 83 πŸ’¬ 4 πŸ“Œ 1

I was just watching this online last night (I was registered online) and it was such a good session. Anyone who hasn't watched it yet and had access to the recordings should make sure they watch it while they still have access (before Feb 16 )
Thanks to the speakers for sharing their experiences

04.02.2026 23:15 πŸ‘ 8 πŸ” 4 πŸ’¬ 2 πŸ“Œ 0

They brought β€œThe Muppets Show” back and it’s a certified HOOT. Sabrina Carpenter is a great first guest.

05.02.2026 02:01 πŸ‘ 508 πŸ” 33 πŸ’¬ 17 πŸ“Œ 9

So grateful that have heard these impactful researchers offer their perspectives at #ACNP2026 . These are some of the unique voices that NIH should be supporting

05.02.2026 02:39 πŸ‘ 11 πŸ” 4 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0

Diversity supplements weren’t just for folks from underrepresented racial/ethnic backgrounds. Eligibility extended to first gen college students and researchers with disabilities, among others

Cancelling these supplements limits opportunities for the next generation of scientists, as explained here

05.02.2026 02:10 πŸ‘ 15 πŸ” 8 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0
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Ongoing debate about psychological support versus psychotherapy in psychedelic trials often stems from vague definitions. Clarifying these constructs is essential for rigorous study of safety and efficacy.

30.01.2026 17:32 πŸ‘ 4 πŸ” 2 πŸ’¬ 3 πŸ“Œ 0
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If you haven't seen the judge's order grants by the release of the 5 yr old and his father that were detained in Minnesota it is WELL worth the read ...
It's only 3 pages (linked and screenshots below) STOP 🧊🧊🧊🧊 storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...

31.01.2026 23:08 πŸ‘ 4 πŸ” 3 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0
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Sadie Blue hopes all our NC neighbors stay warm ❄️πŸ₯Ά

31.01.2026 19:59 πŸ‘ 14 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
The secret fear of the morally depraved is that virtue is actually common, and that they're the ones who are alone. In Minnesota, all of the ideological cornerstones of MAGA have been proved false at once. Minnesotans, not the armed thugs of ICE and the Border Patrol, are brave. Minnesotans have shown that their community is socially cohesive-because of its diversity and not in spite of it.
Minnesotans have found and loved one another in a world atomized by social media, where empty men have tried to fill their lonely soul with lies about their own inherent superiority. Minnesotans have preserved everything worthwhile about
"Western civilization," while armed brutes try to tear it down by force.

The secret fear of the morally depraved is that virtue is actually common, and that they're the ones who are alone. In Minnesota, all of the ideological cornerstones of MAGA have been proved false at once. Minnesotans, not the armed thugs of ICE and the Border Patrol, are brave. Minnesotans have shown that their community is socially cohesive-because of its diversity and not in spite of it. Minnesotans have found and loved one another in a world atomized by social media, where empty men have tried to fill their lonely soul with lies about their own inherent superiority. Minnesotans have preserved everything worthwhile about "Western civilization," while armed brutes try to tear it down by force.

BARS!!

27.01.2026 17:56 πŸ‘ 50 πŸ” 13 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0

I guess I just find it so hard to understand all those people who are posting β€œthis is not America” over these last few weeks. This is very much America. It’s the same State violence that killed Elijah and Eric and Breonna and Tamir and then vilified their image so cruelly. It has always been this.

26.01.2026 02:20 πŸ‘ 227 πŸ” 52 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 2

And little Tamir Rice and his beautiful smile used to light up the classroom for both his teachers and his friends. He loved drawing and football and basketball. He was twelve, a child and the State and the media tried to portray him as β€œviolent”. The rage I still feel about this.

26.01.2026 02:08 πŸ‘ 239 πŸ” 33 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 1

I think about Elijah McClain a lot. How he was a sweet, lovely young soul who used to play the violin for stray cats. How brutally his young life ended and how the State sent riot police to interrupt the violin vigil in his name. The cruelty was always the point.

26.01.2026 01:15 πŸ‘ 1035 πŸ” 254 πŸ’¬ 5 πŸ“Œ 8

Just spoke to The Hill about how the dismantling of the NIH is impacting science in America. We still face a cliff of unfathomable heights, w easily 1000+ labs poised to close in the next year due to funding ending. A generation of young scientists lost because there is nowhere for them to train.

20.01.2026 16:03 πŸ‘ 250 πŸ” 121 πŸ’¬ 3 πŸ“Œ 6

GenAI could never ever do this. Only community can do this. This is why the oligarchs are trying to drag the soul out of the arts. Art is resistance and it is about community spirit.

19.01.2026 11:43 πŸ‘ 88 πŸ” 22 πŸ’¬ 3 πŸ“Œ 0
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Why animal models are still needed for discoveries in mental health research

cdnsciencepub.com/doi/10.1139/...

19.01.2026 14:44 πŸ‘ 19 πŸ” 8 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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US Senate passes bill to boost federal science spending after White House sought major cuts The U.S. Senate voted on Thursday to approve billions of dollars in funding for federal science agencies, rejecting deep cuts proposed by President Donald Trump in space and other areas.

Wow! Yay! The Senate just rejected Trump’s proposed science cuts, voting 82–15 to boost funding for NOAA, NASA, and the NSF. The bill already passed the House 397–28. Strong bipartisan support for science still exists.

16.01.2026 01:27 πŸ‘ 5384 πŸ” 1134 πŸ’¬ 122 πŸ“Œ 73
Grandpa Simpson saying β€œ8i saved my files on the computer which was the style at the time” and a picture of him yelling at a cloud labelled β€œonedrive”

Grandpa Simpson saying β€œ8i saved my files on the computer which was the style at the time” and a picture of him yelling at a cloud labelled β€œonedrive”

It was a better time

15.01.2026 23:55 πŸ‘ 650 πŸ” 145 πŸ’¬ 4 πŸ“Œ 3

Exceptional presentation by the experts on the interaction between sex and gender in biology, in our society, and what we all can do in support and to help combat the misinformation flying around. Special thanks to Kale Edmison, PhD putting this resource kit together drive.google.com/drive/folder...

14.01.2026 21:28 πŸ‘ 6 πŸ” 3 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

@deffinger.bsky.social at Lived Experience Panel @acnporg.bsky.social #ACNP2026:

We should be going from consultation to co-production in the integration of lived experience in research 🧠πŸ§ͺ

13.01.2026 15:41 πŸ‘ 10 πŸ” 8 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

Really impactful panel happening now on the value of individuals with lived experience in psychiatric research #ACNP2026. So glad to see @acnporg.bsky.social bringing attention to this important topic and so grateful to the panelists for sharing their insight and perspectives

13.01.2026 15:21 πŸ‘ 12 πŸ” 3 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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β€œSaruman believes it is only great power that can hold evil in check, but that is not what I have found. It is the small everyday deeds of ordinary folk that keep the darkness at bay. Small acts of kindness and love.” - Gandalf (Tolkien)

10.01.2026 22:47 πŸ‘ 139 πŸ” 25 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 1
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Again, the poet @nikitagill.bsky.social comes through with the right words for the moment.

08.01.2026 16:00 πŸ‘ 170 πŸ” 88 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
Do you have late breaking results you would like to share at Winter Brain? 
Contact Winter Brain at info@winterbrain.org to apply to participate in the Data Blitz session!
Submit by January 9th, 2026.

Do you have late breaking results you would like to share at Winter Brain? Contact Winter Brain at info@winterbrain.org to apply to participate in the Data Blitz session! Submit by January 9th, 2026.

Do you have late breaking results you would like to share at #WCBR2026?
Contact Winter Brain at info@winterbrain.org to apply to participate in the Data Blitz session!
Submit by January 9th, 2026. Please repost!

08.01.2026 14:02 πŸ‘ 3 πŸ” 2 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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Fun things developing in labπŸ₯š

08.01.2026 14:24 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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Happy one year lab anniversary to our amazing postdoc @juliamitchell.bsky.social !!! You can check out what she's been up to if you attend her talk at #WCBR2026

06.01.2026 20:55 πŸ‘ 13 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 1
The central role of lived experience in mental health research
The central role of lived experience in mental health research YouTube video by NPP - Digital Psychiatry and Neuroscience (DPN)

Our first Deep Dive of 2026 covers a Perspective calling for recognizing & removing barriers faced by researchers with lived experience of mental illness or SUDs who work in our field.

By @umarchatterjee.bsky.social @mayaschumer.bsky.social @deffinger.bsky.social & colleagues

youtu.be/y5fymczeNFc

05.01.2026 13:49 πŸ‘ 9 πŸ” 4 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 1

Postdoctoral fellowship available in structure guided drug discovery in @RothLabUNC
Please RT

27.12.2025 15:51 πŸ‘ 14 πŸ” 20 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0