Leslie M Kay, PhD
@lkaychicago.bsky.social
Professor in Psych & Neuroscience UChicago. I study smelling and neural #oscillations. #Olfaction, #Neuroskyence, #LGBTQSTEM, #WomenInSTEM, St. John's College alum, BlackLivesMatter. Views are my own. She/Her 🧪🏳️🌈
Help me out here with a citation re cilantro flavor. I have in my notes that the OR6A2 olfactory receptor gene polymorphism (soapy cilantro flavor) is in fact an older gene than the "mutant" gene for good tasting cilantro. I know I didn't make this up but cannot find the reference. 🧪 #chemsenses
August 15, 2026 at 2:10 PM
Help me out here with a citation re cilantro flavor. I have in my notes that the OR6A2 olfactory receptor gene polymorphism (soapy cilantro flavor) is in fact an older gene than the "mutant" gene for good tasting cilantro. I know I didn't make this up but cannot find the reference. 🧪 #chemsenses
Sobering and disturbing analysis. You should read this.
"... turn the whole of government science research and funding into the sort of “move fast and break things” paradigm that is the hallmark of big tech. That method works to line the pockets of tech executives, but it isn’t science."
"... turn the whole of government science research and funding into the sort of “move fast and break things” paradigm that is the hallmark of big tech. That method works to line the pockets of tech executives, but it isn’t science."
New in PN: The new "science golden age" looks suspiciously like a grift
"It’s impossible not to wonder whether part of Trump’s loathing for universities is that there's no way for him to corrupt the process and make money off it in the same way he can by giving billions to Silicon Valley types."
"It’s impossible not to wonder whether part of Trump’s loathing for universities is that there's no way for him to corrupt the process and make money off it in the same way he can by giving billions to Silicon Valley types."
The new "science golden age" looks suspiciously like a grift
Trump wants to run scientific research like his family business.
www.publicnotice.co
July 30, 2026 at 2:42 PM
Sobering and disturbing analysis. You should read this.
"... turn the whole of government science research and funding into the sort of “move fast and break things” paradigm that is the hallmark of big tech. That method works to line the pockets of tech executives, but it isn’t science."
"... turn the whole of government science research and funding into the sort of “move fast and break things” paradigm that is the hallmark of big tech. That method works to line the pockets of tech executives, but it isn’t science."
Reposted by Leslie M Kay, PhD
🚨 HEADS UP: If you haven't submitted a comment on the OMB proposal yet, there's still time - but it's running out!
There are only 8 days left to push back against Russell Vought's attempt to give political appointees unprecedented control over federal research funding.
Take Action: zurl.co/DhKYY
There are only 8 days left to push back against Russell Vought's attempt to give political appointees unprecedented control over federal research funding.
Take Action: zurl.co/DhKYY
July 5, 2026 at 3:00 PM
🚨 HEADS UP: If you haven't submitted a comment on the OMB proposal yet, there's still time - but it's running out!
There are only 8 days left to push back against Russell Vought's attempt to give political appointees unprecedented control over federal research funding.
Take Action: zurl.co/DhKYY
There are only 8 days left to push back against Russell Vought's attempt to give political appointees unprecedented control over federal research funding.
Take Action: zurl.co/DhKYY
Reposted by Leslie M Kay, PhD
Senior researchers at a meeting of the American Diabetes Association were handing out copies of an editorial, published in the association's journal, condemning Trump administration cuts to diabetes research. Police came to arrest them.
www.nytimes.com/2026/06/05/w...
www.nytimes.com/2026/06/05/w...
Police Remove Diabetes Experts From Conference for Distributing Critique of Trump Administration
www.nytimes.com
June 6, 2026 at 6:37 AM
Senior researchers at a meeting of the American Diabetes Association were handing out copies of an editorial, published in the association's journal, condemning Trump administration cuts to diabetes research. Police came to arrest them.
www.nytimes.com/2026/06/05/w...
www.nytimes.com/2026/06/05/w...
Really enjoyed my conversation with Vasant Dhar at Brave New World Podcast - we talk about smell, brains, dynamical systems, consciousness and COVID-19. 🧪
#neuroskyence #chemicalsenses
bravenewpodcast.com/episodes/202...
#neuroskyence #chemicalsenses
bravenewpodcast.com/episodes/202...
bravenewpodcast.com
April 10, 2026 at 2:16 AM
Really enjoyed my conversation with Vasant Dhar at Brave New World Podcast - we talk about smell, brains, dynamical systems, consciousness and COVID-19. 🧪
#neuroskyence #chemicalsenses
bravenewpodcast.com/episodes/202...
#neuroskyence #chemicalsenses
bravenewpodcast.com/episodes/202...
Reposted by Leslie M Kay, PhD
Ok I'm bored and want to procrastinate work so let's do a thread instead. Wanna hear a story?
Alright then, story it is. So gather around, children, because now we're going to talk about the most important science book you've probably never heard of.
Ready? Off we go, then.
Alright then, story it is. So gather around, children, because now we're going to talk about the most important science book you've probably never heard of.
Ready? Off we go, then.
April 8, 2026 at 11:27 PM
Ok I'm bored and want to procrastinate work so let's do a thread instead. Wanna hear a story?
Alright then, story it is. So gather around, children, because now we're going to talk about the most important science book you've probably never heard of.
Ready? Off we go, then.
Alright then, story it is. So gather around, children, because now we're going to talk about the most important science book you've probably never heard of.
Ready? Off we go, then.
Maybe she is also not white. Perhaps she was passing all these years, hiding under her name. Maybe a cool science fairy tale modernized mashup is due?
Sorry, Snow White.
It's time for a name change... Snow isn't white.
Here’s Why Snow Looks White When It’s Actually Not 🧪
(Yes, You Read That Right!)
www.rd.com/article/why-...
It's time for a name change... Snow isn't white.
Here’s Why Snow Looks White When It’s Actually Not 🧪
(Yes, You Read That Right!)
www.rd.com/article/why-...
March 16, 2026 at 3:08 PM
Maybe she is also not white. Perhaps she was passing all these years, hiding under her name. Maybe a cool science fairy tale modernized mashup is due?
Had a blast talking with Sofia Ehrich on her Internet of the Senses podcast - smell, brains, and brain health. #chemsenses #neuroskyence 🧪
www.youtube.com/watch?v=xkXc...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=xkXc...
Leslie Kay: The Hidden Science of How Smell, Breath & Memory Shape the Brain
YouTube video by Internet of Senses Institute
www.youtube.com
March 4, 2026 at 2:39 AM
Had a blast talking with Sofia Ehrich on her Internet of the Senses podcast - smell, brains, and brain health. #chemsenses #neuroskyence 🧪
www.youtube.com/watch?v=xkXc...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=xkXc...
Has this happened to you or to your grad students?
Graduate Students’ NSF Fellowship Applications Are Being “Returned Without Review” 🧪
eos.org/research-and...
eos.org/research-and...
Graduate Students’ NSF Fellowship Applications Are Being “Returned Without Review” - Eos
Graduate students applying for NSF funding have had their applications returned without review—even though their proposed research appears to fall squarely within the fields of study outlined in the p...
eos.org
February 8, 2026 at 5:24 AM
Has this happened to you or to your grad students?
Reposted by Leslie M Kay, PhD
🧪🙏Good news- the first #vaccine targeting the entire SARS family - not just covid-19- has entered human clinical trials —
open.substack.com/chat/posts/a...
open.substack.com/chat/posts/a...
SARS‑CoV‑2 (COVID-19) in SARS‑CoV‑2 (COVID-19)
Good news
The first vaccine designed to target the entire SARS virus family, GBP511, has entered human clinical trials.
Developed by UW Medicine and brought to trial by SK Bioscience, it aims to p...
open.substack.com
February 4, 2026 at 1:33 PM
🧪🙏Good news- the first #vaccine targeting the entire SARS family - not just covid-19- has entered human clinical trials —
open.substack.com/chat/posts/a...
open.substack.com/chat/posts/a...
Reposted by Leslie M Kay, PhD
wow
Highlighting the speaker who stood in front of the Surprise mayor and told him to consider what the Mayor of Ohrdruf must’ve thought before he died by suicide: “He might have thought ‘how is this my fault I had no jurisdiction over this’ maybe he said ‘this site was not subject to local zoning.’”
February 4, 2026 at 1:03 PM
wow
Reposted by Leslie M Kay, PhD
4 Black journalists have been kidnapped by the federal government
January 30, 2026 at 6:45 PM
4 Black journalists have been kidnapped by the federal government
Reposted by Leslie M Kay, PhD
I’m not sure how much notice this has received but the Assembly of First Nations in Canada has issued a travel advisory for the United States after reports that Indigenous people are being increasingly questioned and detained by ICE. www.instagram.com/p/DT-_SacDEH...
January 29, 2026 at 4:54 AM
I’m not sure how much notice this has received but the Assembly of First Nations in Canada has issued a travel advisory for the United States after reports that Indigenous people are being increasingly questioned and detained by ICE. www.instagram.com/p/DT-_SacDEH...
Reposted by Leslie M Kay, PhD
Perhaps more of a comment than a question, but I find my colleague’s operationalization of respect & what it means to be respected somewhat under-theorized
At the risk of seeming pedantic, I suggest that these definitions be revisited, w/ a more rigorous engagement w/ the literature
Also..fuck him
At the risk of seeming pedantic, I suggest that these definitions be revisited, w/ a more rigorous engagement w/ the literature
Also..fuck him
Calling all the PhDs I know to make monumental annoyances of themselves (and honestly, who better)
January 22, 2026 at 11:57 AM
Perhaps more of a comment than a question, but I find my colleague’s operationalization of respect & what it means to be respected somewhat under-theorized
At the risk of seeming pedantic, I suggest that these definitions be revisited, w/ a more rigorous engagement w/ the literature
Also..fuck him
At the risk of seeming pedantic, I suggest that these definitions be revisited, w/ a more rigorous engagement w/ the literature
Also..fuck him
Reposted by Leslie M Kay, PhD
Cost of being female lead/corresponding author in biomedical sciences: "[T]he median amount of time spent under review is 7.4%–14.6% longer for female-authored articles than for male-authored articles" even in disciplines where women well-represented. #AcademicSky
journals.plos.org/plosbiology/...
journals.plos.org/plosbiology/...
Biomedical and life science articles by female researchers spend longer under review
Women are underrepresented in academia, especially in STEMM fields, at top institutions, and in senior positions. This study analyzes millions of biomedical and life science articles, revealing that f...
journals.plos.org
January 21, 2026 at 2:38 PM
Cost of being female lead/corresponding author in biomedical sciences: "[T]he median amount of time spent under review is 7.4%–14.6% longer for female-authored articles than for male-authored articles" even in disciplines where women well-represented. #AcademicSky
journals.plos.org/plosbiology/...
journals.plos.org/plosbiology/...
Reposted by Leslie M Kay, PhD
🧠🧪
Two weeks left to apply! MIT's Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences is seeking a tenure-track Assistant Professor, working with nonhuman animals in some way. Application deadline is Dec. 1. Full posting: academicjobsonline.org/ajo/jobs/30586
Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Department of Brain & Cognitive Sciences
Job #AJO30586, Assistant Professor level or higher, Department of Brain & Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, US
academicjobsonline.org
November 26, 2025 at 4:09 AM
🧠🧪
Reposted by Leslie M Kay, PhD
🍂 🏛️ 👿 🧪 SAFE Act Bans Federal Funding for Scientists with Ties to Chinese Researchers or Trainees
Billed has been passed by US House of Representatives
Billed has been passed by US House of Representatives
Yikes. Banning people for activities such as co-authorship and advising a graduate student is completely unreasonable in a modern research environment. And a retroactive 5 year ban is wildly unfair.
November 16, 2025 at 9:17 PM
🍂 🏛️ 👿 🧪 SAFE Act Bans Federal Funding for Scientists with Ties to Chinese Researchers or Trainees
Billed has been passed by US House of Representatives
Billed has been passed by US House of Representatives
Glad to see justice for my favorite state.
When you read this at justice.gov what you see at the top during the shutdown is a violation of the Hatch Act. You can report violations online at a site that may be the only .gov site that does not contain the violation. osc.gov/Services/Pag...
When you read this at justice.gov what you see at the top during the shutdown is a violation of the Hatch Act. You can report violations online at a site that may be the only .gov site that does not contain the violation. osc.gov/Services/Pag...
October 12, 2025 at 6:26 AM
Glad to see justice for my favorite state.
When you read this at justice.gov what you see at the top during the shutdown is a violation of the Hatch Act. You can report violations online at a site that may be the only .gov site that does not contain the violation. osc.gov/Services/Pag...
When you read this at justice.gov what you see at the top during the shutdown is a violation of the Hatch Act. You can report violations online at a site that may be the only .gov site that does not contain the violation. osc.gov/Services/Pag...
Reposted by Leslie M Kay, PhD
To mark this day, we will be tweeting about the chemical senses each day over the next two weeks in support of AChemS' efforts in advancing chemosensory science and education. Follow this link to contribute www.gofundme.com/f/s....
Donate to Supporting Research and Education on Smell and Taste, organized by Alfredo Fontanini
The Association for Chemoreception Sciences (AChemS) is a non-… Alfredo Fontanini needs your support for Supporting Research and Education on Smell and Taste
www.gofundme.com
September 14, 2025 at 2:00 PM
To mark this day, we will be tweeting about the chemical senses each day over the next two weeks in support of AChemS' efforts in advancing chemosensory science and education. Follow this link to contribute www.gofundme.com/f/s....
Reposted by Leslie M Kay, PhD
Are you a #postdoc in the US looking to next steps?
The Austrian Academy of Sciences is opening up 25 fellowships: www.oeaw.ac.at/en/news/25-n...
A great reason to use our visitor program at #Complexity #Science Hub @csh.ac.at and see how you would fit in: csh.ac.at/engage/resea... 🧪🦋
The Austrian Academy of Sciences is opening up 25 fellowships: www.oeaw.ac.at/en/news/25-n...
A great reason to use our visitor program at #Complexity #Science Hub @csh.ac.at and see how you would fit in: csh.ac.at/engage/resea... 🧪🦋
25 new scholarships for US researchers
Fonds Zukunft Österreich (FZÖ) is providing €10 million in funding for an academy program to bring postdocs from the USA to Austria ++ Faßmann: “The right signal in these turbulent times”
www.oeaw.ac.at
June 29, 2025 at 12:22 PM
Reposted by Leslie M Kay, PhD
It's Juneteenth, America's second Independence day, catching up to those excluded from the first.
In the words of Langston Hughes:
"O, let America be America again—
The land that never has been yet—
And yet must be—the land where every man is free."
www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/147907...
In the words of Langston Hughes:
"O, let America be America again—
The land that never has been yet—
And yet must be—the land where every man is free."
www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/147907...
Let America Be America Again
(America never was America to me.) Let America be the dream the dreamers dreamed— Let it be that great strong land of love Where never kings connive nor tyrants scheme That any man be crushed by one a...
www.poetryfoundation.org
June 19, 2025 at 10:43 AM
It's Juneteenth, America's second Independence day, catching up to those excluded from the first.
In the words of Langston Hughes:
"O, let America be America again—
The land that never has been yet—
And yet must be—the land where every man is free."
www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/147907...
In the words of Langston Hughes:
"O, let America be America again—
The land that never has been yet—
And yet must be—the land where every man is free."
www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/147907...
Reposted by Leslie M Kay, PhD
𝗦𝗰𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗮 𝗹𝘂𝘅𝘂𝗿𝘆. It’s the engine of American innovation. This President wants to kill it.
❌ NIH: ⬇️$18B
❌ NASA: ⬇️$6.8B
❌ NSF: ⬇️$5B
This isn’t fiscal discipline. It’s surrender—to disease, to ignorance, to rivals like China. We don’t build prosperity by firing scientists & killing missions.🧪
❌ NIH: ⬇️$18B
❌ NASA: ⬇️$6.8B
❌ NSF: ⬇️$5B
This isn’t fiscal discipline. It’s surrender—to disease, to ignorance, to rivals like China. We don’t build prosperity by firing scientists & killing missions.🧪
May 31, 2025 at 3:23 PM
𝗦𝗰𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗮 𝗹𝘂𝘅𝘂𝗿𝘆. It’s the engine of American innovation. This President wants to kill it.
❌ NIH: ⬇️$18B
❌ NASA: ⬇️$6.8B
❌ NSF: ⬇️$5B
This isn’t fiscal discipline. It’s surrender—to disease, to ignorance, to rivals like China. We don’t build prosperity by firing scientists & killing missions.🧪
❌ NIH: ⬇️$18B
❌ NASA: ⬇️$6.8B
❌ NSF: ⬇️$5B
This isn’t fiscal discipline. It’s surrender—to disease, to ignorance, to rivals like China. We don’t build prosperity by firing scientists & killing missions.🧪
Reposted by Leslie M Kay, PhD
A #MedSky thread in honor of Met Gala 2025 featuring this years fashion plus old favorites and the only thing as fascinating as gala looks
Blood cells.
Obviously
1/
Blood cells.
Obviously
1/
May 6, 2025 at 1:20 AM
A #MedSky thread in honor of Met Gala 2025 featuring this years fashion plus old favorites and the only thing as fascinating as gala looks
Blood cells.
Obviously
1/
Blood cells.
Obviously
1/
Reposted by Leslie M Kay, PhD
🧪 Amazing thread by a plant taxonomist on the history of the molecule called epinephrine, its human discoverer, its chemical relationship to adrenaline, what it means to moms heading to the ER with sick kid, and why continuing to invest in basic science really fucking matters:
On Friday, my son stayed home from school because he had a sore throat and wasn’t feeling well. He went with my husband to his office for the morning while I handled our daughter. When he came back at lunch, he was not interested in eating, saying his throat hurt too much. 1/n
May 5, 2025 at 11:25 AM
🧪 Amazing thread by a plant taxonomist on the history of the molecule called epinephrine, its human discoverer, its chemical relationship to adrenaline, what it means to moms heading to the ER with sick kid, and why continuing to invest in basic science really fucking matters:
Reposted by Leslie M Kay, PhD
You must watch the John Oliver show from last night about NIH.
Oliver rarely breaks his comedy routine but he did about NIH, RFK, and HHS.
Oliver stared the camera down after 30 minutes and just said with a grimace:
“RFK needs to go, now. By impeachment if necessary.” 1/
Oliver rarely breaks his comedy routine but he did about NIH, RFK, and HHS.
Oliver stared the camera down after 30 minutes and just said with a grimace:
“RFK needs to go, now. By impeachment if necessary.” 1/
April 28, 2025 at 11:43 AM
You must watch the John Oliver show from last night about NIH.
Oliver rarely breaks his comedy routine but he did about NIH, RFK, and HHS.
Oliver stared the camera down after 30 minutes and just said with a grimace:
“RFK needs to go, now. By impeachment if necessary.” 1/
Oliver rarely breaks his comedy routine but he did about NIH, RFK, and HHS.
Oliver stared the camera down after 30 minutes and just said with a grimace:
“RFK needs to go, now. By impeachment if necessary.” 1/