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Posts by Evolutionary Studies at Vanderbilt

A collage of photos from Vanderbilt Evolutionary Studies Initiative's Earth Day outreach booth held outdoors under white canopy tents. Researchers and students engage visitors of all ages at tables displaying fossils, 3D printed specimens, educational posters, and hands-on activities. Scenes include a researcher crouching to show a young child orange 3D printed objects, a student holding a fossil cast while speaking with attendees, children and adults examining specimens up close, and community members interacting with the DeSantis Lab display on the reconstructions and diets of mammals. A kawaii-style illustrated Earth graphic and a "Capture Memories" sticker overlay appear in the collage.

A collage of photos from Vanderbilt Evolutionary Studies Initiative's Earth Day outreach booth held outdoors under white canopy tents. Researchers and students engage visitors of all ages at tables displaying fossils, 3D printed specimens, educational posters, and hands-on activities. Scenes include a researcher crouching to show a young child orange 3D printed objects, a student holding a fossil cast while speaking with attendees, children and adults examining specimens up close, and community members interacting with the DeSantis Lab display on the reconstructions and diets of mammals. A kawaii-style illustrated Earth graphic and a "Capture Memories" sticker overlay appear in the collage.

We had a blast celebrating Earth Day this year! We had Greg Wilson Mantilla tell us about life at the edge of the K-Pg boundary and then we were at Nashville Earth Day meeting 1000s of locals to talk #evolution from #paleontology to bird beaks to microbes! What a week!!

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Collage of photos from Nashville Predators Family Day showing a busy outreach table with fossil skulls and specimens. Staff and volunteers interact with kids and families under a canopy while crowds in Predators jerseys gather around. Close-ups show people examining fossils, a child holding a specimen, and presenters explaining displays. Arena signage and team colors are visible in the background.

Collage of photos from Nashville Predators Family Day showing a busy outreach table with fossil skulls and specimens. Staff and volunteers interact with kids and families under a canopy while crowds in Predators jerseys gather around. Close-ups show people examining fossils, a child holding a specimen, and presenters explaining displays. Arena signage and team colors are visible in the background.

We had a blast at @predsnhl.bsky.social Family Day this past Saturday 🏒🦴
Huge thanks to everyone who stopped by our table to explore fossils, ask great questions, and get hands-on with evolutionary science. Always fun bringing #evolution into the community 💛

#Smashville #Fossils

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Collage of photos from a group curling outing. A group of trainees pose together on a curling rink holding brooms, standing around the target area. Other images show people playing curling, sweeping the ice, and sitting together at a restaurant table with food and drinks. The setting includes an indoor curling facility and a casual dining space.

Collage of photos from a group curling outing. A group of trainees pose together on a curling rink holding brooms, standing around the target area. Other images show people playing curling, sweeping the ice, and sitting together at a restaurant table with food and drinks. The setting includes an indoor curling facility and a casual dining space.

Trainee curling night = success 🥌
Great food, questionable technique, and a lot of laughs. Always good to get out of the lab and spend time together.
Already taking requests for a rematch.

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Museum Studies: Curiosity as Common Ground - Evolution@Vanderbilt By Andy Flick, Evolutionary Studies scientific coordinator In fall 2026, Evolutionary Studies member and assistant professor of Earth and Environmental Sciences Neil Kelley and History of Art and Arch...

Great writeup about our new Museum Practices class from @evolutionvu.bsky.social www.vanderbilt.edu/evolution/mu...

2 weeks ago 5 2 0 0
Illustrated Earth Day event poster featuring a cartoon Earth character watering a small plant in a pot. Text reads “ESI Earth Day,” with event details: April 15, 2026, 2:30–3:30 PM, MRBIII 1220.

Illustrated Earth Day event poster featuring a cartoon Earth character watering a small plant in a pot. Text reads “ESI Earth Day,” with event details: April 15, 2026, 2:30–3:30 PM, MRBIII 1220.

Seminar graphic showing a prehistoric landscape with a dinosaur and a bright asteroid impact in the sky. Overlaid text reads “Earth Reset: Mass Extinction and Biotic Recovery in Hell Creek, Montana.” Includes a photo of speaker Greg Wilson Mantilla outdoors.

Seminar graphic showing a prehistoric landscape with a dinosaur and a bright asteroid impact in the sky. Overlaid text reads “Earth Reset: Mass Extinction and Biotic Recovery in Hell Creek, Montana.” Includes a photo of speaker Greg Wilson Mantilla outdoors.

One week out 🌍
ESI Earth Day Lecture with Greg Wilson Mantilla:
Mass extinction → ecosystem recovery → rise of mammals
📅 April 15
⏰ 2:30–3:30 PM
📍 MRBIII 1220
Free + open to all
#EarthDay #Evolution #Paleontology

1 week ago 1 1 0 0
Graphic poster for Nashville Earth Day featuring a cartoon Earth character wearing a hat and watering a small potted plant. Text reads: ‘Nashville Earth Day. April 18, 2026. Centennial Park. 11am–5pm.

Graphic poster for Nashville Earth Day featuring a cartoon Earth character wearing a hat and watering a small potted plant. Text reads: ‘Nashville Earth Day. April 18, 2026. Centennial Park. 11am–5pm.

Collage of photos from a busy outdoor Earth Day event with tents and crowds. Images show people interacting at tables, examining fossils and specimens, and a group wearing matching green Vanderbilt Evolutionary Studies shirts. Overlaid text reads ‘Earth Day,’ ‘Simply Enjoying,’ and ‘Best Day Ever!’

Collage of photos from a busy outdoor Earth Day event with tents and crowds. Images show people interacting at tables, examining fossils and specimens, and a group wearing matching green Vanderbilt Evolutionary Studies shirts. Overlaid text reads ‘Earth Day,’ ‘Simply Enjoying,’ and ‘Best Day Ever!’

Mark your calendars for Earth Day at Centennial Park on April 18th! #NashvilleEarthDay #SustainableNashville #LoveYourPlanet

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Promotional collage for ‘Evolution in the Community.’ Top image shows a museum-style outreach table indoors with a fossil skeleton display, a smiling presenter behind a Nashville Predators-branded table, and a sign reading ‘Fossil Display.’ Text lists upcoming events: April 11 – Nashville Predators Family Night; April 26 – Nashville Earth Day; November 5 – Biodiversity Day at Adventure Science Center. Bottom image shows two people standing at an outdoor booth under a canopy beside a Vanderbilt Evolutionary Studies banner, engaging with a crowd at a community event.

Promotional collage for ‘Evolution in the Community.’ Top image shows a museum-style outreach table indoors with a fossil skeleton display, a smiling presenter behind a Nashville Predators-branded table, and a sign reading ‘Fossil Display.’ Text lists upcoming events: April 11 – Nashville Predators Family Night; April 26 – Nashville Earth Day; November 5 – Biodiversity Day at Adventure Science Center. Bottom image shows two people standing at an outdoor booth under a canopy beside a Vanderbilt Evolutionary Studies banner, engaging with a crowd at a community event.

A sneak peak of one of the pages from the upcoming issue of Evolutionary Studies - the Magazine! Join us for #evolution out in the wild!

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A collage of Evolutionary Studies Initiative community members posed against a wintry Nashville skyline. Photos include lab researchers, faculty, graduate students, and a person posing with the Nashville Predators mascot. Scenes range from professional headshots to fieldwork and lab settings, with ice-covered trees visible in the background.

A collage of Evolutionary Studies Initiative community members posed against a wintry Nashville skyline. Photos include lab researchers, faculty, graduate students, and a person posing with the Nashville Predators mascot. Scenes range from professional headshots to fieldwork and lab settings, with ice-covered trees visible in the background.

The Spring 2026 issue of Evolutionary Studies - the Magazine is almost here! From the science of chaos to ancient gut bacteria, bird song evolution to Nashville's wild winter, this issue has something for everyone!
@kelleypaleolab.bsky.social
#Evolution #Science #SciComm

3 weeks ago 2 1 0 0
Sketch of a dapper 19th Century man in coat & vest pointing with a stick to to the tail of a giant marine reptile skeleton, a cast of Rhomaleosaurus cramptoni, from Ward’s fossil catalogue. Some idiot added meme (impact) text: who wore it better.

Sketch of a dapper 19th Century man in coat & vest pointing with a stick to to the tail of a giant marine reptile skeleton, a cast of Rhomaleosaurus cramptoni, from Ward’s fossil catalogue. Some idiot added meme (impact) text: who wore it better.

Dorky rei-core 21st C. dad in replica vintage Monterey Bay Aquarium shirt gestures toward disassembled plaster cast of of a giant marine reptile skeleton, Rhomaleosaurus cramptoni, purchased from Ward’s collection in the 19th C., rescued from a demolished residence hall basement, at Vanderbilt University Archives storage facility

Dorky rei-core 21st C. dad in replica vintage Monterey Bay Aquarium shirt gestures toward disassembled plaster cast of of a giant marine reptile skeleton, Rhomaleosaurus cramptoni, purchased from Ward’s collection in the 19th C., rescued from a demolished residence hall basement, at Vanderbilt University Archives storage facility

How it started/ how it’s going.

or,

Who wore it better?

#FossilFriday
@evolutionvu.bsky.social

3 weeks ago 9 2 1 0
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Colorized portrait of Elsie Quarterman, a smiling young woman with dark hair, wearing a navy blazer and floral scarf, overlaid on a decorative Women's History Month graphic with gold and black design elements.

Colorized portrait of Elsie Quarterman, a smiling young woman with dark hair, wearing a navy blazer and floral scarf, overlaid on a decorative Women's History Month graphic with gold and black design elements.

Elsie Quarterman joined Vandy in 1943; later became the university's first female department chair. Her research on Tennessee's cedar glades showed how plants #evolve to thrive where almost nothing else can. A true pioneer in science & in life #WomensHistoryMonth #WomenInScience

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Greyscale image of an outreach event featuring a color-cutout of Kyle David pointing to a dry erase board. Text describes his postdoc of the year award

Greyscale image of an outreach event featuring a color-cutout of Kyle David pointing to a dry erase board. Text describes his postdoc of the year award

Greyscale image of a scientific talk featuring a color-cutout of Olivia Riedling explaining her slide. Text describes her pathbreaking discovery award.

Greyscale image of a scientific talk featuring a color-cutout of Olivia Riedling explaining her slide. Text describes her pathbreaking discovery award.

Two Rokas Lab members have received high praise from the university this week. Kyle David was named Postdoc of the Year and Olivia Riedling received the Provost Pathbreaking Discovery Award! www.vanderbilt.edu/evolution/two-from-rokas... #Evolution #Yeast

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Black and white portrait of Ilda McVeigh, a middle-aged woman with dark hair, overlaid on a decorative Women's History Month graphic with gold and black design elements.

Black and white portrait of Ilda McVeigh, a middle-aged woman with dark hair, overlaid on a decorative Women's History Month graphic with gold and black design elements.

In 1952, Ilda McVeigh was already studying how bacteria develop resistance to antibiotics — one of the most urgent evolutionary challenges we face today. A Vanderbilt scientist ahead of her time. #WomensHistoryMonth #WomenInScience #Evolution

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IT'S HAPPENING TODAY! 🐸🎊
Tyrone Hayes is at Vanderbilt in just a few hours talking about atrazine, frogs, corporate influence in science, and environmental racism.
3pm, see you there!

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Black and white portrait of Gisela Mosig, a smiling older woman with short gray hair, overlaid on a decorative Women's History Month graphic with gold and black design elements.

Black and white portrait of Gisela Mosig, a smiling older woman with short gray hair, overlaid on a decorative Women's History Month graphic with gold and black design elements.

Happy Women's History Month! Meet Gisela Mosig — molecular biologist, Vanderbilt trailblazer, and one of the first scientists to uncover how DNA recombination drives genome #evolution. Oh, and she escaped 1940s Germany on a bicycle. Absolute legend. #WomenInScience

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Vintage newspaper design announcing Scopes Lecture on March 18, 2026. Features Tyrone Hayes' name in elegant script above bold 'EVOLUTION' text with tagline 'SHEDDING THE LIGHT OF TRUTH ON THE DARKNESS OF POWER.' Center shows black and white photo of Hayes, a Black man with a beard, smiling while holding a frog in what appears to be a laboratory setting. Side panels read 'SCIENCE! TRUTH! JUSTICE!' and describe his research on environmental contaminants, endocrine systems, and connections between environmental health, public policy, and social justice. His work challenges corporate influence and inspires those at the intersection of science, health, and justice. Header reads 'BREAKING NEWS' and 'SPECIAL EDITION.' Bottom banner states 'DISRUPTING SYSTEMS ✱ EXPOSING TRUTH.'

Vintage newspaper design announcing Scopes Lecture on March 18, 2026. Features Tyrone Hayes' name in elegant script above bold 'EVOLUTION' text with tagline 'SHEDDING THE LIGHT OF TRUTH ON THE DARKNESS OF POWER.' Center shows black and white photo of Hayes, a Black man with a beard, smiling while holding a frog in what appears to be a laboratory setting. Side panels read 'SCIENCE! TRUTH! JUSTICE!' and describe his research on environmental contaminants, endocrine systems, and connections between environmental health, public policy, and social justice. His work challenges corporate influence and inspires those at the intersection of science, health, and justice. Header reads 'BREAKING NEWS' and 'SPECIAL EDITION.' Bottom banner states 'DISRUPTING SYSTEMS ✱ EXPOSING TRUTH.'

ONE WEEK OUT! 🎊

Tyrone Hayes is bringing the science AND the receipts about interference in environmental research.

Next Wednesday, 3pm, MRB III 1220. Don't miss this one.

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Kate Snyder with a huge smile while holding two birds

Kate Snyder with a huge smile while holding two birds

Nicole Creanza and Kate Snyder stand in front of a chalkboard smiling while wearing black sweaters

Nicole Creanza and Kate Snyder stand in front of a chalkboard smiling while wearing black sweaters

New this week! Female birds sing — and new Vanderbilt research explains how social behavior shapes that evolution. Dr. Kate Snyder analyzed 1,000+ songbird species and found cooperative breeding & female song reinforce each other over evolutionary time. 🐦🎶 Read more >> https://wp.me/pbblkY-116

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A night vision photo of a peccary with text overlaid. "“We have very few examples of tropical species being affected by climate change. These peccaries are just a first attempt to show that mobile organisms, who can choose where to go (most of the time), and find food everywhere, can still be affected by changes in temperature, even if in subtle ways.” -Malu Jorge"

A night vision photo of a peccary with text overlaid. "“We have very few examples of tropical species being affected by climate change. These peccaries are just a first attempt to show that mobile organisms, who can choose where to go (most of the time), and find food everywhere, can still be affected by changes in temperature, even if in subtle ways.” -Malu Jorge"

Malu Jorge and PhD alum Michaela Peterson published cool work looking at the effects of climate change on white-lipped peccaries! Read more >> https://tinyurl.com/mr23kn7j #Science #Evolution

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New work from graduate student Owen Hale (Behringer Lab)! The paper, "Elevated rates and biased spectra of mutations in anaerobically cultured lactic acid bacteria," was published in mBio. Hale tracked 3 species of bacteria through >1000 generations in oxygen-free conditions.

2 months ago 2 1 0 0
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IT'S HAPPENING TODAY! 🔬🎊
Michael Lynch is here talking #evolutionary cell biology in just a few hours. If you're anywhere near campus, you absolutely need to be in show up at 3pm. This is the kind of lecture you'll be telling people about for years.

2 months ago 0 0 0 0
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Some of my favorite Chuck D shirts #DarwinDay #evolution

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YOU made the cut - good day for it, though :)

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ONE WEEK OUT! 🎊
Michael Lynch is coming to challenge everything you thought you knew about cellular #evolution. His work on population genetics has completely rewritten the rules. Also - he's led FOUR major scientific societies, so you know he's got stories.
Next Tuesday, 3pm, See you there!

2 months ago 1 0 0 0
Vintage newspaper design announcing Darwin Day celebration on February 18, 2026. Features Michael Lynch's name in elegant script above bold 'EVOLUTION' text. Center shows black and white photo of Lynch, a man with gray hair and beard wearing a dark vest. Side panels read 'DATA! MODELS! INSIGHT!' and describe his research on genome evolution, drift, mutation, and population size. Header reads 'BREAKING NEWS' and 'SPECIAL EDITION' with 'EXPLORING THE FRONTIERS OF EVOLUTION' tagline. Bottom banner states 'SCIENCE! EVOLUTION! IMPACT!

Vintage newspaper design announcing Darwin Day celebration on February 18, 2026. Features Michael Lynch's name in elegant script above bold 'EVOLUTION' text. Center shows black and white photo of Lynch, a man with gray hair and beard wearing a dark vest. Side panels read 'DATA! MODELS! INSIGHT!' and describe his research on genome evolution, drift, mutation, and population size. Header reads 'BREAKING NEWS' and 'SPECIAL EDITION' with 'EXPLORING THE FRONTIERS OF EVOLUTION' tagline. Bottom banner states 'SCIENCE! EVOLUTION! IMPACT!

In TWO WEEKS we're hosting Michael Lynch for Darwin Day! 🎉 His work on the drift-barrier hypothesis completely changed how we think about genome architecture.
Feb 18, 3pm,
Learn more >> https://loom.ly/LEFV6dw

2 months ago 3 0 0 0
Digital display sign in Vanderbilt library showing 'Celebrating 150 Years of Evolution at Vanderbilt' with plesiosaur fossil skeleton illustration on orange background. Sign advertises 2nd floor gallery exhibit.

Digital display sign in Vanderbilt library showing 'Celebrating 150 Years of Evolution at Vanderbilt' with plesiosaur fossil skeleton illustration on orange background. Sign advertises 2nd floor gallery exhibit.

ESI graduate students in maroon 'Evolutionary Studies' t-shirts engaging with elementary school students at hands-on science activity. Tables display human skulls, skeletal models, and educational materials. Whiteboard in background shows evolution simulator diagram. Students and educators gathered around interactive learning stations.

ESI graduate students in maroon 'Evolutionary Studies' t-shirts engaging with elementary school students at hands-on science activity. Tables display human skulls, skeletal models, and educational materials. Whiteboard in background shows evolution simulator diagram. Students and educators gathered around interactive learning stations.

Brynn at Adventure Science Center outreach table with fossil specimens and educational materials. Woman with long blonde hair holds fossil specimen while explaining to visitor. Table displays include fossil casts, educational posters, and hands-on learning materials.

Brynn at Adventure Science Center outreach table with fossil specimens and educational materials. Woman with long blonde hair holds fossil specimen while explaining to visitor. Table displays include fossil casts, educational posters, and hands-on learning materials.

"Outdoor outreach table at Fort Negley with large coelacanth fish model mounted above display. Table features educational materials, fossil specimens, and sign reading 'EVOLVE' made from photo collage. Setup overlooks parking area with Nashville skyline visible in distance."

"Outdoor outreach table at Fort Negley with large coelacanth fish model mounted above display. Table features educational materials, fossil specimens, and sign reading 'EVOLVE' made from photo collage. Setup overlooks parking area with Nashville skyline visible in distance."

🎓 #Evolution education in action!
ESI brought research to Tennessee students: elementary school science festivals, rural high school research programs, and Girl Scout badge workshops.
Story: https://loom.ly/cACR5HY p.28-33

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Science cover story reveals Turkana people evolved genetic adaptations ~5,000 years ago. In partnership with Turkana communities & Kenyan researchers. https://loom.ly/cACR5HY [p.14] #Evolution @amandalea.bsky.social

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Magazine spread titled 'Horses Run Faster by Ignoring an Ancient Mutation that Says Stop'. Left side shows Dr. Gianni Castiglione standing in business casual attire. Right side features a digital illustration of a horse running past a stop sign, with dramatic lighting and flowing mane. Article text discusses how horse evolution enables extreme oxygen metabolism.

Magazine spread titled 'Horses Run Faster by Ignoring an Ancient Mutation that Says Stop'. Left side shows Dr. Gianni Castiglione standing in business casual attire. Right side features a digital illustration of a horse running past a stop sign, with dramatic lighting and flowing mane. Article text discusses how horse evolution enables extreme oxygen metabolism.

Dr. Gianni Castiglione working at his laboratory desk, viewed from behind. He sits at a computer workstation with two monitors displaying scientific data graphs. Blue circular plates or samples are visible on the desk. The caption notes he is analyzing respiration data, with reference to a DALL-E generated image of a horse blowing a stop sign.

Dr. Gianni Castiglione working at his laboratory desk, viewed from behind. He sits at a computer workstation with two monitors displaying scientific data graphs. Blue circular plates or samples are visible on the desk. The caption notes he is analyzing respiration data, with reference to a DALL-E generated image of a horse blowing a stop sign.

🐴 How do horses produce extreme energy without free radical damage? They evolved to "run" a genetic stop sign - a trick previously only seen in viruses. Clinical implications for Parkinson's & epilepsy.
Story: https://loom.ly/cACR5HY [p.10] #evolution

2 months ago 2 0 0 0
Two people standing side by side indoors. Man on left wears Evolutionary Studies Vanderbilt University shirt and gray jacket. Man on right wears orange puffy jacket and holds a "Friend of Darwin" award plaque.

Two people standing side by side indoors. Man on left wears Evolutionary Studies Vanderbilt University shirt and gray jacket. Man on right wears orange puffy jacket and holds a "Friend of Darwin" award plaque.

TBT - just a couple of Friends of Darwin hanging out at the ESI annual retreat! 🧬 #ThrowbackThursday #Evolution

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Cover of Evolutionary Studies Magazine Fall 2025 issue featuring a black Darwin's finch with a large beak perched on green succulent vegetation. The magazine title and ESI logo appear in white text at top left. Cover stories listed include 'Kate Snyder: Evolution & Birds', 'The Evolution of Exercise in Horses', and 'The Scopes Monkey Trial Centennial Symposium'.

Cover of Evolutionary Studies Magazine Fall 2025 issue featuring a black Darwin's finch with a large beak perched on green succulent vegetation. The magazine title and ESI logo appear in white text at top left. Cover stories listed include 'Kate Snyder: Evolution & Birds', 'The Evolution of Exercise in Horses', and 'The Scopes Monkey Trial Centennial Symposium'.

🎉 Fall 2025 Evolutionary Studies - the Magazine is live!
Horses that ignore genetic stop signs, humans adapting to extreme deserts, the #evolution of birdsong, and our Friend of Darwin award.
Read it: https://loom.ly/cACR5HY
#science

3 months ago 2 1 0 0
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Job profile

🔊 Job Opportunity: Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Bacterial Evolution.

Looking to recruit a postdoc to join a UKRI FLF-funded project on antibiotic resistance evolution in the microbiome 🦠

3 years funding, deadline 26th Jan, please share!
hrwebapp.qub.ac.uk/tlive_webrec...

3 months ago 40 54 0 1
Square graphic titled “2025 Wrapped” in a bold, modern style inspired by Spotify Wrapped. Text reads: “Your most-watched video this year: Sean Carroll — Chance in Evolution (1,200+ views).” Below, additional stats read: “21 speakers” and “147 new subscribers.” The background features abstract, layered shapes in green, teal, and blue tones, with a celebratory, year-in-review feel. The layout emphasizes growth, impact, and community engagement around evolutionary science talks.

Square graphic titled “2025 Wrapped” in a bold, modern style inspired by Spotify Wrapped. Text reads: “Your most-watched video this year: Sean Carroll — Chance in Evolution (1,200+ views).” Below, additional stats read: “21 speakers” and “147 new subscribers.” The background features abstract, layered shapes in green, teal, and blue tones, with a celebratory, year-in-review feel. The layout emphasizes growth, impact, and community engagement around evolutionary science talks.

Evolutionary Studies' 2025 Wrapped. What was your favorite moment of the year? #Evolution

3 months ago 1 0 0 0