Lucas Fowler (he/they)

A systematic review and experimental study of micro/nanoplastic-induced endocrine disruption in rodents: Potential links to autism spectrum disorder Recent research shows that microplastic (diameter < 5 mm) and nanoplastic (diameter < 1 μm) exposures can have endocrine-disrupting effects and lead t…

Read the full open-access paper here: www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...

Baby’s first, first-author publication! The work I led alongside my awesome co-authors is now published in Hormones & Behavior! This project kickstarted my Ph, and I will be expanding on these findings by investigating how plastic exposure can disrupt sexual differentiation in critical periods 🐁🧬

The NIH prescribing what data points scientists can collect is not how science works now

Nor how it should work in the future

It is the political manipulation of science

A hypothalamic circuit that modulates feeding and parenting behaviours - Nature Single-cell transcriptomic analysis of mouse hypothalamus and behavioural experiments show that specific hypothalamic networks regulate conflicting feeding versus parenting behaviours of female mice.

How do animals decide if they should forage for food or stay home to take care of newborn offspring? Whose needs come first? For my PhD work now out in Nature, we examined how hunger and parenting neurons interact and are reshaped postpartum in mice 🧵⬇️ www.nature.com/articles/s41...

Better late than never… right? #SBN2025

Spatially coordinated predation with division of labor increases feeding success in killer whales The mechanisms of cooperative hunting in large marine predators are poorly known. Domenici et al. show that herring-hunting killer whales use spatially coordinated attacks with division of labor. By preferentially pairing up with long-standing partners, this cooperation bestows greater feeding success for paired than solitary individuals.

Spatially coordinated predation with division of labor increases feeding success in killer whales CurrentBiology

https://www.garnelio.de/spitzschlammschnecken-lymnaea-stagnalis

1/3 First evidence of anxiety in snails

They exhibit fear responses hours after the source of their anxiety is removed. These responses can be reduced with an anxiolytic, such as alprazolam. They have also demonstrated high-level learning.

(paper) www.nature.com/articles/s41...

Tell me about it! Especially when they are citing sources that don’t exist or don’t even support the claim! 🤦🏻‍♂️

My first out-of-province conference! Looking forward to travelling to Vancouver and presenting my research on how environmental conditions can impact the brain and behaviour of mouse dams and their neonate pups, effecting the maternal-offspring dynamic! @sbn-bsky.bsky.social #SBN2025

🚨HUGE SCIENCE WIN ALERT🚨

NIH Grants to be restored en masse!!! Thank you Judge Young for standing up for science!

#StandUpforScience
#SummerFightforScience

The CPA convention is happening this weekend!

For those attending, see this MUN-specific schedule so we can support our own students and faculty!

Join us for the next installment of our Sex and Gender Speaker Series, where we welcome Dr. Samar Rezq from the University of Mississippi Medical Center. Dr. Rezq will be discussing “The Role of Obesity in Androgen Excess-Mediated Renal Injury in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.”

Wow!

Maternal iron deficiency causes male-to-female sex reversal in mouse embryos - Nature Iron-deficient conditions in pregnant mice can cause XY mouse embryos to develop female rather than male genitalia, revealing that iron metabolism has a role in determining male sex in mice.

Nature research paper: Maternal iron deficiency causes male-to-female sex reversal in mouse embryos

https://go.nature.com/45fG1G1

Gender equality in research publishing is a responsibility for everyone A concerted effort is needed to support women in their choice of journal when submitting their manuscript.

Studies point to several reasons why fewer women than men are submitting their work

https://go.nature.com/3HlUFS8

My new blog post for @memorialu.bsky.social graduate student blog discusses my perspectives as an early trainee in behavioural neuroendocrinology in a world where science (specifically that involving sex and gender) is being misconstrued and undermined.

Read it here: wp.mun.ca/studentblog/...

Love to see it!!

Preach.

Academia needs a more honest, scientific approach to DEI Universities must be frank about barriers to equity, devise clear metrics for what they are trying to achieve and measure progress transparently.

Universities must be frank about barriers to equity, devise clear metrics for what they are trying to achieve and measure progress transparently, says Keon West, visiting professor at the London School of Economics and Political Science.

https://go.nature.com/3RF3qIW

Very cool!

NIH cancels its first and largest study centered on women The Women’s Health Initiative has produced numerous influential findings

NIH cancels its first and largest study centered on women

www.science.org/content/arti...

🎤🧠 Huge shoutout to our amazing grad students who shared their research at Research Day! So many thought-provoking ideas, meaningful questions, and cool projects in the works — such a great reminder of the passion and curiosity driving this field forward. Proud of all the work you’re doing! 🙌

Op-ed: Ashley Balsom Infertility can affect anyone, but the ability to access reproductive care is anything but equal.

💬 New from the Psycle Lab!

Dr. Ashley Balsom’s latest op-ed in the MUN Gazette, “Infertility, Embryos, and EDI: Why Canada Must Take Medically Assisted Reproduction Seriously,” highlights how gaps in fertility care access reflect deeper equity issues in our health-care system.

Op-ed: Dr. Ashlyn Swift-Gallant The fourth in a series authored by Memorial University faculty members on the value and importance of diversity, equity and inclusion policies to build a more just society. Check back next Thursday fo...

Freshly minted op-ed by my brilliant colleague, Dr. Ashlyn Swift-Gallant. "Three myths about sex and gender research that are costing you money and your health." Read, read, read! @swiftneurolab.bsky.social @munpsych.bsky.social @canacn.bsky.social @memorialuscience.bsky.social

Super cool!

Convergent vocal representations in parrot and human forebrain motor networks - Nature Using advanced brain-recording techniques, parrots were found to have a brain organization for vocal control similar to humans, making them an important model for studying speech and for developing potential treatments for communication disorders.

Nature research paper: Convergent vocal representations in parrot and human forebrain motor networks

https://go.nature.com/4iEIBsz

Preprint sites bioRxiv and medRxiv launch new era of independence The popular repositories, where scientists post research before peer review, will be managed by a new organization called openRxiv.

A new chapter has begun for two of the world’s most popular preprint platforms, bioRxiv and medRxiv, with the launch of a non-profit organization that will manage them

https://go.nature.com/4iCVnHL

List of Stand Up for Science events—official events in red, solidarity events in blue.

SO MANY STAND UP FOR SCIENCE EVENTS TO CHOOSE FROM—153 and COUNTING!

To get more information on our local events and to register your own, head to www.standupforscience2025.org/local-event-information/ ☀️⬇️🌎

Yes, Biden Spent Millions on Transgender Animal Experiments Last night, President Donald J. Trump highlighted many of the egregious examples of waste, fraud, and abuse funded by American taxpayers, including $8

Endocrine researchers, you may have think you're safe because you don't do 'trans' research, but attacks on trans research is an attack on us all.

www.whitehouse.gov/articles/202...

Took a break from working on my research poster to create #standupforscience2025 posters for Friday’s rally. Advocating for inclusivity in science is just as important as the research itself!