Seven Proteintech products were used in this exciting publication!
Scientists at Zhejiang University found that vesicles produced by gut bacteria can carry inflammatory molecules (LPS) across the blood-brain barrier and activate microglia.
Read more: https://bit.ly/4kUBD51
Posts by Mel Ortiz-Alvarez, PhD
My first children's book! π Written, illustrated and printed in Puerto Rico π΅π·
An Afro-Caribbean girl finds her joy for science by exploring her island + easy experiments kids can try at home π¬
Pre-order: www.cienciapatodes.org/libro
1 book sold = 1 donated to low-income children in PR
#booksky
Happy New Year!! Start 2026 off right with a look at these great opportunities for aspiring PhDs, MDs and in betweens!
If you like these resources, make sure to subscribe to my free #substack to get more monthly π₯°
microbephd.substack.com/p/january-op...
#gradschool #stem #phd
Dr. Nonterah's new book is full of practical, realistic and motivational advice for someone looking to pivot into a non-academic role.
I can't wait to start putting her recommendations to work as I transition from my #PhD into my own #medcomms and #sciencewriting career.
#gradschool #bookreview
I had fun writing about this interesting #humanities article that looked into how we talk about the #microbiome and the promises that language makes!
If you enjoy think pieces of #stem narrative, definitely check it out!
#microbites #science #scicomm #sciencewriting #socialscience #nature
The Caribbean scicomm organization that I co-founded, Ciencia Pa' Todes, was featured today in #TheMicrobiologist by @amiposts.bsky.social
We have done so much as a small group and I'm proud of the impact we continue to have every day π
Check out our work at: cienciapatodes.org
#scicomm #stem
#Gradschool will drive you crazy, especially if you only focus on the negative. In this week's #Substack I opened up a bit about my experience navigating self-doubt & imposter syndrome during my PhD. If you feel similarly, I encourage you to read it π«π
#academicsky #BlackinMicro #Stem #scicomm
November is full of opportunities for aspiring scientists and doctors! Check out a list of them on my #Substack newsletter!
open.substack.com/pub/microbep...
#gradschool #funding #academicsky #stem #science #scicomm
It's again time for my monthly wrap up! If you're a scientist looking for ideas on how to get more involved, check out what I've been up to in October as a PhD candidate π₯°βπΎπ¬π¦ #scicomm #stem #gradschool #substack #sciencewriting
There's perks to going straight to a PhD, like becoming a doctor at 27 π This also means I've spent almost my entire 20s in school. But, it's been a wild ride! Countdown begins...! #gradschool #stem #phd #diml #phdlife #academicsky #boricua #phdcandidate #microbephd
New #Substack out today!! Read more about why I think the Mr. Puerto Rico costume for Mister International 2025 was a fantastic choice and some of the fun science behind bats in Puerto Rico π΅π· π¬π§‘π
open.substack.com/pub/microbep...
#mrinternational #scicomm #sciencewriting #bats #puertorico #stem
I interviewed a professor at the University of British Columbia about her recent work showing that inflammation during early life can lead to disruptions in the endocrine system and the microbiota.
micro-bites.org/2025/09/22/g...
#scicomm #sciwri #sciencewriter #microbiome #endocrine
Excited to be a panelist again for this free #scicomm training!! If you are a researcher looking to improve your communication skills, definitely check it out ππΎβ€οΈ
September is ending, so here is a brief wrap-up of what I was up to this past month as a PhD candidate interested in science communication πππ΅π·
#substack #scicomm #scipol #gradschool #phd #stem #academicsky
I'm always grateful to see well-researched, science non-fiction books trending among general readers. It's a great introduction into the subject and brings more awareness to a forgotten, neglected disease.
Thanks @johngreenbluesky.bsky.app β€οΈ π π«
I'm back with a new #ReadersDigestion on #Substack! This time, I'm reviewing "Everything is Tuberculosis" by John Green.
If you are into brief science book reviews, check it out here: microbephd.substack.com/p/readers-di...
#scicomm #johngreen #everythingistuberculosis #bookreview #bookrec
Absolutely! I didn't even know research was a career option until my sophomore year of college. That's why I think it's so important to help high schoolers learn about STEM early! :) It really sets them up for success
My mentee just published his first peer-reviewed article as a high school senior!π¦ π¬ π
It's been a privilege to see how much he grew as a research over 9 months.
Read it here:
ajosr.org/papers/volum...
Β‘Seguimos! ππΎπ΅π·
#teaching #mentoring #research #gradschool #scicomm #sciencewriting #academicsky
π£ New MicroBites!
Breaking the Grass Ceiling: CBD Improves Female Depression π©
A new study shows CBD treatment helped decrease symptoms of depression in mice consuming a high fat diet. π π¦
Honored to be mentioned among such incredible people! Thanks for the shoutout β€οΈπ«ππΎ #scicomm
August is over, which means it's time for a wrap-up! Check out what #scicomm things I was up to in the past month.
microbephd.substack.com/p/monthly-sc...
#sciencewriting #gradschool #scipol #stem #phd #academicsky #Substack
New month, new opportunities!! Check out my list of monthly opportunities for current and aspiring #STEM grads!
microbephd.substack.com/p/september-...
#gradschool #academicsky #research #opportunities #substack
π£ New MicroBites!
High-Dose Probiotics Improve Mood in Stress Model π
Combined treatment with Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium improved stress-related depression and anxiety in mice. π¦
July is almost over, and that means it's time for a scicomm wrap-up!! I got some much done this month, including an exciting announcement π
Read more here: microbephd.substack.com/p/monthly-sc...
#scicomm #stem #gradschool #academicsky #blackinmicro #latine #teaching
I wrote about a really interesting #probiotic paper from Ghana! They saw that combining probiotics improved #mood symptoms in mice just as well or even better than antidepressants ππΎ Read more over on #MicroBites!
micro-bites.org/2025/07/25/h...
#stress #blackinmicro #scicomm #sciencewriting
New #Substack today in honor of #BadBunny's concert in #PuertoRico ππ΅π·π₯π microbephd.substack.com/p/science-be...
#sciencewriting #stem #science #gradschool #scicomm
I just taught high schoolers in a course I designed!
We discussed misinformation & transforming science into accessible media + guest lectures from #GeoLchat & #CienciaPaTodes
In 4 days, they made comics, infographics, blogs, videos & websites! Β‘Seguimos! π₯ππΎπ΅π· #scicomm #stem #teaching #gradschool
July will have some very cool opportunities for folks interested in #STEM! Check out some of them on my #Substack newsletter.
For more updates and regular opportunities in your inbox, subscribe for free βΊοΈβ€οΈ microbephd.substack.com/p/july-oppor...
#scicomm #academicsky #academia #research
Celebrating the last day of #pridemonth with a wrap-up of all the wonderful #scicomm activities I was able to do this month.
Take a gander over on #Substack if you are looking for inspiration in volunteering opportunities within science π¦ π¬
microbephd.substack.com/p/monthly-sc...
As an #NSFGRFP fellow, it's been really concerning to see comments from people on social media saying that public funding of science is "wasteful".
When we protect science, we protect our future! Get involved now ππΎ
#nsf #nih #science #substack #scicomm
microbephd.substack.com/p/a-brief-hi...