Researchers from Stanford, UCSF, and Berkeley are rallying in Sacramento on May 4 for SB 895 — a $23B investment in California science.

Free bus available. Not affiliated? Join as a community member. form.laborbase.org/260746265337...

Science needs visible advocates. Come be one.

The guide also links to my own winning 2021 application materials, fully annotated. Career Statement, Scientific Leadership, and Research Plan with a complete Aim 1A walkthrough. Applications open September 1, 2026.

HHMI Gilliam Fellowship Application Guide (From a Gilliam Fellow) | Ya'el Courtney — Ya'el Courtney A detailed walkthrough of every component of the HHMI Gilliam Fellowship application — from the equity and inclusion statement to the community engagement plan — written by a three-year Gilliam Fellow with advice from successful applicants and HHMI leadership.

Just updated my HHMI Gilliam Fellowship application guide for the 2026 cycle. Big changes this year: international PhD students and MD-PhDs can now apply, and there's a new postdoc pathway extending HHMI support up to 7 years total.

www.yaelcourtney.com/resources-an...

What PhD Programs Look for in Applicants: What Actually Matters | Ya'el Courtney — Ya'el Courtney What biomedical PhD programs actually look for in applicants, ranked by what matters most. Research experience, recommendation letters, your statement of purpose, grades, fit, and what you can stop wo...

Wrote up what biomedical PhD programs are actually looking for in applicants, ranked roughly by importance. Research experience, letters, statement of purpose, grades, fit, and the stuff you can stop worrying about.

www.yaelcourtney.com/resources-an...

PhD Interview Tips That Actually Help — Ya'el Courtney Practical PhD interview advice from someone who did 40 one-on-one faculty interviews and now coaches applicants through interview prep — what to expect, how to prepare, and the mindset shift that chan...

I did 40 one-on-one faculty interviews during my PhD application season. Before the first one I remember thinking about how much was on the line and not knowing what to expect. By the end I looked forward to them. Wrote up everything I figured out along the way.

www.yaelcourtney.com/resources-an...

How to Choose a PhD Program — Ya'el Courtney Deciding between PhD program offers? A framework for evaluating funding, culture, advisors, and fit — from a coach who chose between Harvard and Stanford and now helps students make this decision ever...

When I was choosing between PhD programs, I had a hard time gauging what mattered most. Everyone I asked valued something different, which made it even harder to figure out what I should be weighing.

Wrote up the framework I wish I'd had: www.yaelcourtney.com/resources-an...

Oh wow, small cohort indeed! Not even so many of us who went on to PI positions as far as I’m aware - or just not well coordinated. (Though I’m not a PI yet)

The NSF GRFP, Explained: What It Is, Who Qualifies, and What Changed in 2026 — Ya'el Courtney A complete guide to the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship from a coach who's supported 25+ GRFP applicants. Covers eligibility, the application, review criteria, and the major FY2026 changes — includin...

Wrote up a plain-language guide to the NSF GRFP — eligibility, what it pays, what changed in FY2026, and how the application actually works. Will update when the FY2027 solicitation drops.

If you're considering applying this fall, start here:

www.yaelcourtney.com/resources-an...

California scientists, researchers, clinicians — sign the open letter supporting the CA Science & Health Research Bond Act (SB 895). $23B bond on the 2026 ballot to fund research across the state. Takes <1 min.

fundcascience.org

#FundCAScience #SB895

On International Day of Women and Girls in Science, I’m thankful to women who gave me early opportunities (Dr. Gemma Casadesus, @bethstevenslab.bsky.social ) & later mentorship! @lehtinenlab.bsky.social, @sciencedame.bsky.social, Dr. Alex Hochstetler

I will similarly support women in science!

I offer 30 min mock interviews for PhD programs for $75 - this includes pre-review of your application essays, the mock interview, and a recap sent to you with advice!

Thank you so much!

I support college/transfer, PhD/grad admissions, fellowships (GRFP/F31 + others), internships, and postdoc funding with strategy, writing feedback, CV/resume help, and mock interviews.

I work with a range of budgets and can suggest a smaller, high-impact place to start. Reposts appreciated 💛

I’ve been mentoring admissions + fellowship applications for ~6 years (through Científico Latino, Project SHORT, TechDev Academy, and as an NSF mentor via Harvard GSAS), and I finally formalized it into a clear coaching structure with options + pricing.

www.yaelcourtney.com/coaching

I read 150 books in 2025, here were my favorites 📚 Did you read and love (or hate) any of these? See next post to take a closer look.

Also, always looking for recs! What books moved you this year? What book could you not stop thinking about? Any genre!

The breakdown

I read 150 books in 2025, here were my favorites 📚 Did you read and love (or hate) any of these? See next post to take a closer look.

Also, always looking for recs! What books moved you this year? What book could you not stop thinking about? Any genre!

25mpg car meets Cali gas prices

$3328 for approx. 18,500mi

No I’ll have to try this next year

My gas this year est. to come out to $3328

House Democrat Seeks to Impeach Kennedy for Undercutting Public Health

After months of work in DC, @rephaleystevens.bsky.social has, with the support of @standupforscience.bsky.social, introduced articles of impeachment against RFK Jr.

But...the press thinks it can't be done. We aren't buying it.

WE NEED YOUR HELP!!!!

www.nytimes.com/2025/12/10/u...

Impeach him.

YOUR MOVE @hakeem-jeffries.bsky.social

www.nytimes.com/2025/12/10/u...

“We now have the single most effective intervention against dementia [shingles vaccine]…if this was a drug this would be a blockbuster…but since it’s a vaccine I think the public isn’t getting the magnitude”

awesome @stanfordmedicine.bsky.social Grand Rounds by @erictopol.bsky.social today.

Long covid YouTube video by Everyday Scientists

What causes long covid? Check out this week's video to see how one scientist is trying to unravel this mystery:

www.youtube.com/shorts/b3OAG...

Thank you my friend!

Some engagement posts taken with self timer by my talented partner @kylemurphyphoto.bsky.social

Thank you!!