Dr. Jessica Barson (Barson Lab)

The Machine in the Pit of Despair from "The Princess Bride".

Perimenopause in a single image:

STEM Fair Chairs, Science teachers, college student judges, and the K - 5 poster winners.

Cutest conference I've been to all year! Elementary school STEM Fair is the cutest STEM Fair.

Anything can be novel if you just don't cite the literature!

I always like to say "anything can be novel if you just don't cite the literature!"

@kjwhyte.bsky.social

Drs. Jessica Barson and Jennifer Nasser in front of Dr. Kathryn Whyte's new metabolic chambers.

Had a wonderful visit at the University of Alabama at Birmingham's Nutrition Obesity Research Center, to give a two-speaker translational seminar with my colleague, Dr. Jennifer Nasser. Here we are in front of Dr. Kathryn Whyte's shiny, new human metabolic chambers. So cool!

Son is saying he thinks the game might be rigged

Screen showing Puppy Bowl XXII: Team Fluff versus Team Ruff.

Watching the big game

Too recent. Six Million Dollar Man.

a sign that says collect underpants phase 1 phase 2 phase 3 and collect underpants profit Alt: a sign that says collect underpants phase 1 phase 2 phase 3 and collect underpants profit

I always appreciate a well-placed underpants gnome reference

Did it pump you up?

a woman is waving her hand in front of a painting that says may 26 on it . Alt: A very tired woman is giving herself a high five, followed by a fist pump

Trying this new thing where I *don't* bail my family out of every mess they make for themselves (forcing them to figure it out on their own) and I think this could actually be a good growth opportunity for all of them

*Karkhanis* 🤦‍♀️

Effects of kappa-opioid receptor stimulation on addiction-related behavior in female rats: differences along the rostro-caudal axis of the nucleus accumbens shell - Psychopharmacology Rationale Affective behavioral effects of kappa-opioid receptor (KOR) stimulation have been found to vary between the rostral and caudal nucleus accumbens (NAc) shell, but this has so far only been de...

Guess I should have followed up with the published paper! I am proud to present another piece of the evolving kappa opioid receptor story in collaboration with the Karhanis Lab:

link.springer.com/article/10.1...

Same.

We just lost power and it's 26 F outside, so we're off to a strong start in 2026 🫠

Wishing everyone a peaceful 2026

Original toilet paper roll patent, showing the loose end facing toward the user.

As it was intended:

A thing I wish more applicants to STEM PhD programs would understand is that, no matter how good your GPA is and how much research experience you have, there is still no such thing as a "safety school".

Dr. Jessica Barson introducing Brody Carpenter, prior to his oral dissertation defense.

Dr. Brody Carpenter cutting his cake at his reception.

Barson Lab members, past and present. Once a Barson Lab member, always a Barson Lab member!

And he's PHinisheD! Congratulations to the newly-minted Dr. Brody Carpenter! Wishing you all the best in your post-doc.

a close up of a woman 's face with a serious expression ALT: a close up of a woman 's face with a serious expression

Hold up. "Jessica" is the new "Karen"?! This is very not cool.

I've gotten this, too. Try a different browser

Just hold everything really far from your face. That's what I do now 🫣

Probably a niche question:

Can anyone point me to research that shows the benefits of having a research compact for biomedical trainees?

Do it! I have on Nirvana Unplugged right now!

Step 1: Take home your '90s CD tower from your parents' house.

Step 2: Acquire a CD player through your local Buy Nothing group.

Step 3: Joy.

Probably. Most programs I'm aware of are either December 1 or December 15. Applicants might not have caught your early deadline until it was too late.

That might be a reflection of your geographical location. Our application portal is still open, but we're on track to surpass our numbers from last year.

Try a different browser. I had that too.