If you are looking for a PhD and interested in invertebrate neurobiology, sensory ecology, or shrimp that use shock waves as weapons, the lab I’m in has a funded PhD student position! Awesome lab with a great PI! Feel free to DM me with questions, please share widely! www.kingston-lab.com

KINGSTON LAB

In the Kingston lab, we use integrative and comparative approaches to address fundamental questions on the neurobiology and sensory physiology that guides invertebrate behavior. We employ marine...

kingston-lab.com

We’re developing a database of opsins—light-sensitive protein. One reason is to simulate the evolution of color sensitivity. Seth Frazer and I joined student journalist Momin Ahmed Khaki to discuss our work in this SICB interview: youtu.be/MIEy79nv5N8

The hidden language of proteins: understanding the evolution of color vision using AI

YouTube video by Society for Integrative & Comparative Biology

youtu.be

We have received over 150 letters of support from scientists, societies, students, and the public to share with the university administration, which we will be doing today.

Notably and thankfully, we see Dr. Amanda Peng, Curator of Paleontology and Geology at the Sternberg Museum, attending and speaking out.

John P. Friel, Ph.D.@friel.bsky.social · 3w ago

Almost a dozen people spoke during Thursday's Hays City Commission meeting in opposition to the potential closing of Fort Hays State University's Sternberg Museum of Natural History.

Almost a dozen people spoke during Thursday's Hays City Commission meeting in opposition to the potential closing of Fort Hays State University's Sternberg Museum of Natural History.

🎙🎥 City hears from Sternberg Museum supporters; still no official word from FHSU

Alicia Flower, Ellis Alliance executive director, speaks about her family's support along

hayspost.com

Had such a wonderful time back in my happy place @mblscience.bsky.social attending #cnidofest2026. Great science, great people and great fun. (T-shirt art credit @stoilovamarina.bsky.social)

🌊With the Fall semester upon us, it's time to start thinking about recruiting/applying to grad school for 2027. If you are a marine scientist looking for a graduate student, I've created a form where you can add your name and other info: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F... Please share widely! (1/2)

Oceanography MS/PhD Positions for Fall 2027

This is an effort to collect the **contact information of potential advisors** for MS/PhD students in Oceanography. Please note that if you answer **you are agreeing to have your contact information...

docs.google.com

The Natural History Museum of LA is hiring a Curator of Marine Invertebrates! Come join an amazing team and contribute to stewarding the largest marine invert collection in the Western US. 🐙🪼🦐 workforcenow.adp.com/mascsr/defau...

"Pick a small field, one you are excited about. It can be challenging, but you get to discover new things all the time & make important contributions to broader scientific knowledge. For me, it has made my work fulfilling & a lot of fun." Lovely Q&A with @gelatinoussting.bsky.social 🪼🪸 #cnidaria 🦑

Stowers Institute@stowersinstitute.bsky.social · 2mo ago

🪼Jellyfish and anemones sting using some of the most complex cell-based venom systems in the animal kingdom. @mgstowers.bsky.social Lab postdoc @gelatinoussting.bsky.social is decoding how these stinging cells form, work rooted in 500+ million years of #evolution. 🔗Read more: bit.ly/3SsB74n

🪼Jellyfish and anemones sting using some of the most complex cell-based venom systems in the animal kingdom. @mgstowers.bsky.social Lab postdoc @gelatinoussting.bsky.social is decoding how these stinging cells form, work rooted in 500+ million years of #evolution. 🔗Read more: bit.ly/3SsB74n

I went to a paint your own pottery place and now have the best cup ever. A Sip-ridinid cup as @stoilovamarina.bsky.social expertly suggested.

Please share with any recent college grads you know who are interested in using genetic tools in non-model organisms (🪼), sensory/neurobiology, or confocal microscopy. In addition to research mentorship, the students will have access to excellent professional development resources through OASiS 🦑🧪🧬

Paulyn Cartwright@pcart.bsky.social · 3mo ago

We would love to host a post-bacc in our lab to work on mechanisms of neural signaling in a cnidarian model system.

Really excited to see this very cool story published!

Todd Oakley@ostratodd.bsky.social · 3mo ago

Happy to share that this paper led by @caberger.bsky.social with @stoilovamarina.bsky.social @rebeccavarney.bsky.social @pcart.bsky.social Sam Abrams and Maria Pia is published -- Unexpectedly predictable molecular evolution with diverse ecologies 🧪 🧬 🌊 #Molevol #EvoBio www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...

Happy to share that this paper led by @caberger.bsky.social with @stoilovamarina.bsky.social @rebeccavarney.bsky.social @pcart.bsky.social Sam Abrams and Maria Pia is published -- Unexpectedly predictable molecular evolution with diverse ecologies 🧪 🧬 🌊 #Molevol #EvoBio www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...

Todd Oakley@ostratodd.bsky.social · 6mo ago

We started by studying gene reuse in eyes over deep time -- but were astonished to find adaptive molecular convergence to be rampant and not directly related to important traits, including eyes. Led by PD Cory Berger www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...

Our NIH funded PREP postbaccalaurate program just got renewed! PREP is fully funded postbac program for recent graduates interested in pursuing a PhD in biomedical research. Applications are open for a start date of this Fall. prep.ku.edu/apply

Apply

prep.ku.edu

We have it on good authority that KU PREP prep.ku.edu/apply will soon be open for business! In anticipation we are taking applications for an August/September start date. PREP is a post-bacc program for graduates who intend to apply for a PhD in the biomedical sciences. See website for eligibility.

Apply

prep.ku.edu

Please share with any recent college grads you know who are interested in using genetic tools in non-model organisms (🪼), sensory/neurobiology, or confocal microscopy. In addition to research mentorship, the students will have access to excellent professional development resources through OASiS 🦑🧪🧬

Paulyn Cartwright@pcart.bsky.social · 3mo ago

We would love to host a post-bacc in our lab to work on mechanisms of neural signaling in a cnidarian model system.

Happy to share that our manuscript "A chromosome-level reference genome for the colonial marine hydrozoan Podocoryna americana" is now available at G3: doi.org/10.1093/g3jo... Many thanks to @baxevanislab.bsky.social, @pcart.bsky.social, @amkatzer.bsky.social and all the co-authors!

A chromosome-level reference genome for the colonial marine hydrozoan Podocoryna americana

Abstract. Cnidarians are important models for studying the evolution of animal development, regeneration, cell type differentiation, and allorecognition. T

doi.org

First postdoc paper and first Nematostella project! By using the dynamic expression pattern of minicollagens, we describe the transcriptional profile during biogenesis for two major stinging cell types: nematocytes and spirocytes www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6... #StunningStella

Minicollagen expression dynamics reveal a transcriptional program for cnidogenesis in the sea anemone Nematostella vectensis

Cnidae are explosive harpoon-like organelles localized within stinging cells, or cnidocytes, of the phylum Cnidaria (jellyfish, hydroids, sea anemones, and corals). These unique Golgi-derived vesicula...

biorxiv.org

Hi Cnidarian Enthusiasts! Friendly reminder that Cnidofest 2026 will take place at the Marine Biological Laboratory in Woods Hole, MA, September 23-27. The abstract submission deadline is July 1 and the registration deadline is September 2. Submit and find full details at www.cnidofest.org

🚨🦐🚨🦐🚨🦐🚨 This is a Shrimp ALERT 🚨🦐🚨🦐🚨🦐🚨 Anyone who buys a shirt in the final day of our pre-sale gets entered to win a shrimp plate, handmade by the shrimp artist The 666 Cat! These shirts fund science education in Philly & are cool as hell. It's last call for shrimp! Get one at SquidFacts.net

I cannot believe our research on anglerfishes and their infamous lures is featured in National Geographic! I get so excited when I see these weirdos, and I light up when I can share their weirdness with anyone. 🌊🦑🧪🦇 Check it out here: www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/arti...

Inside the extremely bizarre sex lives of anglerfish

The fish, who live in pitch-black darkness, likely use their bioluminescent lures to find mates. Males then attach themselves to the females—and never let go.

nationalgeographic.com

It is publication day for The Organism-Environment Pairing (@mitpress.bsky.social)! This 📗 has been deeply formative for me as a scholar, and it owes so much to so many wonderful people. I truly hope it finds many readers! mitpress.mit.edu/978026205282... #booksky #philsci #histsci #philsky #evosky

We started by studying gene reuse in eyes over deep time -- but were astonished to find adaptive molecular convergence to be rampant and not directly related to important traits, including eyes. Led by PD Cory Berger www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...

🚨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...

Novel cell and tissue dynamics drive the unusual biology of the catch tentacle, an inducible organ of aggression found in the sea anemone Metridium senile https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.04.13.718255v1

These images show live embryos of animals (jellyfish, crustacean, worm, sea urchin, sea squirt, beetle) and one of animals closest single-celled relatives. They were captured taking advantage of fluorescent proteins localised on the outer membrane of cells, allowing us to observe cell outlines. 1/9

I am excited to share these results that are now published. Lab researcher Kelso Cochran solved a big problem in the field and optimized a protocol to increase Hydra egg yield in the lab. www.frontiersin.org/journals/eco...

First test of using a smartwatch as combo Wave and Tidal inundation buoy is a success!