🚨New PrePrint🚨
I am excited to share this comparative analysis of transposable elements in medusozoa genomes led by graduate student Ayanna Mays 🧬🧪

www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...

Comparative analysis of transposable elements in jellyfish and hydroid species (Cnidaria: Medusozoa) www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.04...

Today’s #MeetTheTeam: Writer @ecoevodanny.bsky.social, PhD candidate in Marine Environmental Biology, is interested in how we detect genetic differences across species. He joined GeneBites to write about scientific articles that excite him. He enjoys soccer ⚽, cooking 🍴, and animal photography 📸!

Photo of 7 year old Diana Crespo sitting with her parents at a table in a restaurant. Her dad is giving a thumbs up.

The public made noise for Liam Ramos and it got him released from Dilley.

Now we must make noise for 7 year old Diana Crespo.

Her parents were taking her for emergency medical care when ICE grabbed them, and she’s rotting in the camp sick and exposed to measles.

Get them out!

Answer the (KlebPha)Col: a new community resource for Klebsiella phage research As bacteria evolve to become more resistant to antibiotics, scientists are revisiting “phage therapy” (using natural viruses that destroy bacteria) as an avenue for treating infections. A new commu…

another great read — this time on antibiotic resistance — from the talented @amandan-weiss.bsky.social (who’s also our new Social Media Editor)!! genebites.org/2026/01/30/a...

Decoding Life: The Echo of Trauma It’s time to dig a little deeper into some newer genetics concepts. Previously in this series, we have explored the ins and outs of cell division and other genetic processes as a way to dive …

Trauma has lasting biological effects. GeneBites writer @pattersonhabitat.bsky.social explores a study that found that part of the biological impact of living through a massacre persisted through multiple generations 👪.

#epigenetics #empathy #scicomm

Check it out: genebites.org/2026/01/27/d...

The X and Y Divide Isn’t Binary The X and Y chromosomes split hundreds of millions of years ago and seem to live very different lives. But new research shows they still regulate the same genes across the genome, quietly shaping b…

X and Y chromosomes don’t drive binary opposing outcomes. Senior Editor @jpflores.rbind.io discusses a study that found additional Y or inactive X chromosomes in cells affect activity of some genes 🧬 similarly.

#genetics #BeyondTheBinary #scicomm

Check it out here: genebites.org/2026/01/08/t...

Enjoyed my time at #sicb2026. Looking forward to the next one. 🌳🌧️🍃🪸🧬

#sicb2026 If you’re at SICB this year come check out my talk. 🧬🪸@sicb.bsky.social

Sailing across the ocean: Bluebottles are found to have four distinct populations The ocean is full of biodiversity; however, with no apparent geographic barriers to initiate speciation we do not fully understand how new species form in the ocean. Blue bottles shed some light in…

Wave 🌊 hello to genetic discoveries about ocean-dwellers 🪼! GeneBites writer @ecoevodanny.bsky.social describes the finding that there are genetically-distinct populations of bluebottles with unique body shapes.

Check it out here: genebites.org/2025/12/03/s...

#genetics #marinebiology #scicomm

Anyone going to wsn?

My resignation letter from CDC. Dear Dr. Houry, I am writing to formally resign from my position as Director of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), effective August 28, 2025, close of business. I am happy to stay on for two weeks to provide transition, if requested. This decision has not come easily, as I deeply value the work that the CDC does in safeguarding public health and am proud of my contributions to that critical mission. However, after much contemplation and reflection on recent developments and perspectives brought to light by Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., I find that the views he and his staff have shared challenge my ability to continue in my current role at the agency and in the service of the health of the American people. Enough is enough. While I hold immense respect for the institution and my colleagues, I believe that it is imperative to align my professional responsibilities to my system of ethics and my understanding of the science of infectious disease, immunology, and my promise to serve the American people. This step is necessary to ensure that I can contribute effectively in a capacity that allows me to remain true to my principles.

The recent change in the adult and children’s immunization schedule threaten the lives of the youngest Americans and pregnant people. The data analyses that supported this decision have never been shared with CDC despite my respectful requests to HHS and other leadership. This lack of meaningful engagement was further compounded by a “frequently asked questions” document written to support the Secretary’s directive that was circulated by HHS without input from CDC subject matter experts and that cited studies that did not support the conclusions that were attributed to these authors. Having worked in local and national public health for years, I have never experienced such radical non-transparency, nor have I seen such unskilled manipulation of data to achieve a political end rather than the good of the American people. It is untenable to serve in an organization that is not afforded the opportunity to discuss decisions of scientific and public health importance released under the moniker of CDC. The lack of communication by HHS and other CDC political leadership that culminates in social media posts announcing major policy changes without prior notice demonstrate a disregard of normal communication channels and common sense. Having to retrofit analyses and policy actions to match inadequately thought-out announcements in poorly scripted videos or page long X posts should not be how organizations responsible for the health of people should function. Some examples include the announcement of the change in the COVID-19 recommendations for children and pregnant people, the firing of scientists from ACIP by X post and an op-ed rather than direct communication with these valuable experts, the announcement of new ACIP members by X before onboarding and vetting have completed, and the release of term of reference for an ACIP workgroup that ignored all feedback from career staff at CDC.

Their desire to please a political base will result in death and disability of vulnerable children and adults. Their base should be the people they serve not a political voting bloc. I have always been first to challenge scientific and public health dogma in my career and was excited by the opportunity to do so again. I was optimistic that there would be an opportunity to brief the Secretary about key topics such as measles, avian influenza, and the highly coordinated approach to the respiratory virus season. Such briefings would allow exchange of ideas and a shared path to support the vision of “Making America Healthy Again.” We are seven months into the new administration, and no CDC subject matter expert from my Center has ever briefed the Secretary. I am not sure who the Secretary is listening to, but it is quite certainly not to us. Unvetted and conflicted outside organizations seem to be the sources HHS use over the gold standard science of CDC and other reputable sources. At a hearing, Secretary Kennedy said that Americans should not take medical advice from him. To the contrary, an appropriately briefed and inquisitive Secretary should be a source of health information for the people he serves. As it stands now, I must agree with him, that he should not be considered a source of accurate information. The intentional eroding of trust in low-risk vaccines favoring natural infection and unproven remedies will bring us to a pre-vaccine era where only the strong will survive and many if not all will suffer. I believe in nutrition and exercise. I believe in making our food supply healthier, and I also believe in using vaccines to prevent death and disability. Eugenics plays prominently in the rhetoric being generated and is derivative of a legacy that good medicine and science should continue to shun.

The recent shooting at CDC is not why I am resigning. My grandfather, who I am named after, stood up to fascist forces in Greece and lost his life doing so. I am resigning to make him and his legacy proud. I am resigning because of the cowardice of a leader that cannot admit that HIS and his minions’ words over decades created an environment where violence like this can occur. I reject his and his colleagues’ thoughts and prayers, and advise they direct those to people that they have not actively harmed. For decades, I have been a trusted voice for the LGBTQ community when it comes to critical health topics. I must also cite the recklessness of the administration in their efforts to erase transgender populations, cease critical domestic and international HIV programming, and terminate key research to support equity as part of my decision. Public health is not merely about the health of the individual, but it is about the health of the community, the nation, the world. The nation’s health security is at risk and is in the hands of people focusing on ideological self-interest. I want to express my heartfelt gratitude for the opportunities for growth, learning, and collaboration that I have been afforded during my time at the CDC. It has been a privilege to work alongside such dedicated professionals who are committed to improving the health and well-being of communities across the nation even when under attack from within both physically and psychologically. Thank you once again for the support and guidance I have received from you and previous CDC leadership throughout my tenure. I wish the CDC continued success in its vital mission and that HHS reverse its dangerous course to dismantle public health as a practice and as an institution. If they continue the current path, they risk our personal well-being and the security of the United States.

Full resignation letter from Demetre C. Daskalakis, a CDC leader, does not hold back.
"The recent shooting at CDC is not why I am resigning. My grandfather, who I am named after, stood up to fascist forces in Greece and lost his life doing so. I am resigning to make him and his legacy proud."

This UC Irvine professor’s great great grandfather wrote a ballad about mass deportations — nearly 100 years ago Indiscriminate raids. Removal of U.S. citizens. Pressure to leave the country. For evolutionary biologist Adriana Darielle Mejía Briscoe, it feels like history’s repeating itself.

Lovely article by LAist journalist Julia Barajas who interviewed me about my family's Mexican repatriation corrido and incredible photographs by photojournalist Carlin Stiehl. With deep gratitude to both these awesome journalists for covering this all too timely story! laist.com/news/educati...

Funded Graduate Student Opportunity in Marine Microbial Ecology **Applicants will be contacted if selected for next round. Applicants not selected will not receive any notice. If not selected, this is not indicative of your merit. ** Northern Illinois University |...

Notice of Award is in!
Join our team at NIU to study marine microbial ecology & disease dynamics in sea urchins 🧫🌊🦠
PhD | Spring/Fall 2026 start
Job Ad Here 👉 shorturl.at/fSMy9
Apply here 👉 forms.gle/gfMnHutijfqC...
More: theaquaticmicrobiologylab.com
@ianhewson.bsky.social @viromegirl.bsky.social

Freedom from kings.
Freedom from fascism.
Power to the people forever. ♥️

Happy Independence Day 🇺🇸

Please share this widely and encourage students to apply! Many of our current graduate students were recruited through this program -- happy to answer any questions and connect with students
bsky.app/profile/stan...

I am not a fan of incompetent leaders in general but incompetent leaders who wield and weaponize equity language without understanding its foundations are perhaps the ones that I get the most frustrated with 🤬

Ecology/Evolution/Marine Biology labs recruiting for Fall 2026 Please complete this form if you are a PI recruiting graduate students for a Fall 2026 start. If you are NOT recruiting, feel free to share the response sheet with prospective students looking for lab...

Its that time again - the list of Ecology/Evolution/Marine Bio Labs recruiting grad students for Fall 2026 is live!
PIs enter your position info here: forms.gle/2XTHBP6CZGEn...
Prospective students (and PIs not recruiting) share the composite list: docs.google.com/spreadsheets...
Please share! 🧪

The worst happened. We were DOGE’d. Our NSF funding is gone.

So now there’s nothing stopping me from sharing Expert Voices Together, a crisis response system for US-based researchers and journalists facing harassment.

It's a true passion project. 🧵 1/

expertvoicestogether.org

Check it out! 🎧🦈🌊

I sat down with Jaida Elcock (@sofishtication.bsky.social), a marine biologist studying basking sharks, and Danny (@ecoevodanny.bsky.social), a coral researcher & HHMI (@hhmi.org) Gilliam Fellow, to talk all things ocean! 🦈🌿🌊

We explored their journeys, research, and more!

I had the best time chatting with Sabrina Imbler (@sabs.bsky.social), an incredible science writer and author, and Angelique (@vangeliqueallen.bsky.social), a scientist and passionate science communicator making her podcast debut! 🎙️

Rockin her speech in St Paul! 📣 for @standupforscience.bsky.social 👏👏 Hey @therealdrdukes.bsky.social looks like it was a sunny day to rally in MN!

A flyer for the SCOPE virtual panel on Wednesday March 5th at 10am PST

See you tomorrow (Wednesday) at 10am PST with Arjun and @ecoevodanny.bsky.social! Register via the QR code to get the zoom link

Flyer for the Stand Up for Science rally featuring an image of a Statue of Liberty

Los Angeles people: join us 12pm March 7 for a rally for science at the Federal Building in Westwood, and please spread the word to any pro-science folks you know. @standupforscience.bsky.social @latimes.com @ktla.com @abc7.bsky.social @kcrw.com @laist.com @crooked.com @nbcla.com @foxla.bsky.social

Welcome to the Bluesky account for Stand Up for Science 2025!

Keep an eye on this space for updates, event information, and ways to get involved. We can't wait to see everyone #standupforscience2025 on March 7th, both in DC and locations nationwide!

#scienceforall #sciencenotsilence

Spread This Like Wildfire! • SftP Magazine The mass shooting in Buffalo of May 2022 was sparked by a long history of racialist ideology and weaponized science. What is to be done?

Revisiting this excellent blog post from @jedidiahcarlson.com to push my work. The section on scientific activists is one of my favs,"synthesizing the lessons learned from past radical science movements provides us with a path forward"
magazine.scienceforthepeople.org/online/sprea...

STAND UP FOR SCIENCE March 7, 2025. Washington DC and Nationwide. Because Science is for everyone.

📣 Scientists and supporters of science: here's an opportunity to make our collective voice heard! #standupforscience rallies on March 7: standupforscience2025.org

We've gotten a lot of questions about who's behind #standupforscience2025 - and in the spirit of transparency, we made a starter pack of our core team ☀️

We're a group of early-career scientists who are passionate about the ability of science to drive progress!

go.bsky.app/SHLNvG1