Laura

Researcher trying to suss out the effects of e-cigarette vaping on health. And learning new things about science every day!

[Laura @crottyalexander]

Physiological Reviews Podcast https://t.co/XnUCQPzZ45 We are starting to figure out some of the effects of vaping on the immune system, and have summarized them in this review article and accompanying podcast! Tried to keep it light and engaging while still covering some of the biggest scientific discoveries in this space. @APSPublications @physiolrev @UCSDHealth @ucsdpccm

[Laura @crottyalexander]

Friendly reminder that I could be making a lot more money if I ditched research for a full clinical career. 😅 But I love science too much to quit chasing breakthroughs over big bucks $$$. Every experiment is a step toward a healthier world — worth it.

#ResearchMatters #ScienceLife @UCSDHealth @ucsdpccm

[Laura @crottyalexander]

Curious about vaping among kids and teens? Join me and Dr. Erika Moseson for a lively conversation about the newest data, what worries young people most, and how we can better support kids struggling with nicotine addiction. https://t.co/ItDxS33v3u @UCSDHealth @atscommunity @ATS_AII @ucsdpccm

[Laura @crottyalexander]

Another great piece written by our very own Dr. Venktesh Ramnath - ICU MD extraordinaire. Reminding us to remain calm and resolved, merge with the river, and use our creative energy for good. Another of our ICU MDs, Dr. Biren Kamdar, sent a beautiful essay this morning, detailing how ice cream for three dying patients over the course of a week helped lead to "good" deaths for both the patients and their families. I am very lucky to work with such fantastic, compassionate physicians, who are great writers to boot! https://t.co/7lCU70gz6V @UCSDHealth

[Laura @crottyalexander]

Got behind on posting sciency stuff (yes, that is totally a word), so to catch up a little:
1. Our high school intern was practicing pipetting with food coloring, and ended up with a Pride Plate! Just in time for Pride month.
2. Our Masters Student Poorvi Saini gave a terrific thesis defense, explaining gene expression changes in the kidneys and liver due to vaping, and the downstream health effects.
3. The science world continues to be hammered by attack after attack, with many grants and programs cancelled, leading to people losing jobs. Ultimately, the loss of the potential progress and knowledge is the most depressing. The U.S. is so good at science at research! We have dominated for decades. But we will now fall from grace. #sciencerocks @UCSDHealth @ucsdpccm

[Laura @crottyalexander]

My friend and colleague Dr. Venktesh Ramnath published another great piece. https://t.co/Xy7u2uWZo5 Synopsis: Trust in medical doctors has crumbled under the weight of disillusionment and a flood of information from google and viral videos. But easy access to information and a persuasive voice behind a microphone have not made medical expertise obsolete. These voices blend confidence, comedy and “common sense” appeals to engage millions. Yet when pressed, many slip deftly between the roles of red-pill-offering-truth-tellers and slick entertainers. Real experts do not just talk the talk — they walk the walk, often quietly and without fanfare. As we confront increasingly complex health challenges, from pandemics to cancer, what we need is not loud voices from influencers. We need true experts whose steady wisdom can guide with clarity and care. @UCSDHealth #Medicine

[Laura @crottyalexander]

Very cool - a member of congress gave a mini-speech about how awesome my big brother is! He highlighted Shane’s groundbreaking studies in vaccine immunology, and how many lives he has saved through his T cell immunology discoveries. I think he also made an impact by explaining how vaccines work and why we should get them, in terms everyone could understand. For example (paraphrased): “vaccines are like seatbelts. You put them on every time you drive, not just when you think you might get into a car accident, to prevent serious injury or death”. Glad we have my big brother around to figure out how to get our immune systems to protect us from infections! Check out the 1min speech. #sciencerocks @UCSDHealth

[Laura @crottyalexander]

Inspiring to see friends present their impactful research. Dr. Sara Gianella Weibel is killing it, sharing 16 years of research on HIV. Things she discovered through experiments in a lab, often using samples donated by patients, have made it to clinical trials. This is a huge achievement called bench to bedside research - meaning that her science has led to new treatments! She specifically has found that people who have HIV have higher inflammation, which leads to more medical conditions, and she is developing ways to decrease that inflammation. Go Sara! #sciencerocks @UCSD

[Laura @crottyalexander]

Called out by Nobel Prize Winner: Scientists are responsible for the current anti-science sentiment. "We have neglected to share the wonders of science with our communities." So watch out, lots of science coming to conversations near / with you! #ScienceRocks @ucsdpccm

[Laura @crottyalexander]

FYI "transgenic" mice are a powerful scientific tool. Transgenic does not = transgender. Most research uses "transgenic" mice. Sad to see grants cancelled 2/2 incorrect flagging as transgender. This one was to help identify treatments for men & women with asthma. @ucsdpccm

[Laura @crottyalexander]

On a happier note, we were excited to restart our VA Case Conference! 6 attendings and 3 fellows had a vibrant discussion of some difficult cases..... and munched on pizza. @DeptVetAffairs @ucsdpccm

[Laura @crottyalexander]

Congrats big brother on your latest Nature paper! Pretty cool that there are tons of immune cells in the nose and that you and Dr. Sydney Ramirez deep phenotyped them. @profshanecrotty #ImmunologyRocks @ljiresearch @UCSDHealth https://t.co/t6NPrm8Anm https://t.co/FzkPaNppy0

[Laura @crottyalexander]

Such an honor to work with all of these amazing people ⁦@ucsdpccm⁩

[Laura @crottyalexander]

It’s that time of year again! Documenting all the awesome members of the UC San Diego Pulmonary Critical Care Sleep and Physiology division. ⁦⁦@ucsdpccm⁩ ⁦@UCSDHealth⁩ #pccm

[Laura @crottyalexander]

@zeaborok from ⁦@ucsdpccm⁩ delivering the keynote at the #ats2024 Women’s Forum. ⁦@UCSDHealth⁩ ⁦@atscommunity⁩

[Laura @crottyalexander]

Celebrating Women in Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine at #ats2024

[Laura @crottyalexander]

@DGlaucomflecken killing the keynote at #ATS2024