Ummat-bugs

7/7 Science faces challenges, but I’m hopeful universities can continue to support evidence-based research and the people who dedicate their careers to it. And if you’re interested in collaboration, let’s connect 🤝.

6/7 Leaving the Forest Service is bittersweet—I’ve never met a group more mission-driven and genuinely dedicated. But I’m excited to carry what I learned there into this next chapter, working with students, communities, and collaborators.

1/7 ‼️ Big work update! 🌿

Postdoctoral Research Fellowships in Biology (PRFB)

Devastated to see the NSF postdoctoral research fellowship in biology archives. This is a transformative creative opportunity and a path to the professorship for many (including myself). Postdocs are highly trained and often in the newest techniques which spur innovation.
www.nsf.gov/funding/oppo...

ICE, which must be abolished, is active in Austin today.

Triceratops beetle squeaking!!!

Bugs That Rule the World A four-part investigation into insect declines, exploring their diversity and ecological importance.

BRB, going to binge four hours of Bugs that Rule the World, featuring bug enthusiast, researcher, and science communicator @the-bug-hut.bsky.social.
www.pbs.org/show/bugs-th... @pbs.org

Amazing intro for episode 3 of Bugs that Rule the World on @pbs.org, featuring @the-bug-hut.bsky.social!

I don’t know how to communicate with someone who believes that Elon Musk is not an out of touch elite, but my colleagues who make $65,000 a year and have $150,000 in student loan debt are out of touch elites.

Researcher Ummat Somjee holding a flag footed bug

Episode 2 of Bugs that Rule the World tonight at 10pm est on @pbs.org, featuring @the-bug-hut.bsky.social! Can’t wait!

Delighted to finally watch the first episode with my parents while we had Mother’s Day dessert!

Bugs That Rule The World is beautiful and @the-bug-hut.bsky.social is the best ambassador for the bugs. 10/10

Bugs That Rule the World | Insect Apocalypse? | Episode 1 Could a world without insects survive? Scientists investigate the global insect “apocalypse.”

Watch the first episode of bugs that rule the world…

www.pbs.org/video/insect...

Check out @the-bug-hut.bsky.social on @pbs.org TONIGHT in *Bugs that rule the world* (10 pm eastern)

Alt text: Poster for a seminar series organised by the International Society for Neuroethology: The Future of Neuroethology May 20th 2025 1400 UTC. Registration link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1ZzMNjMB09V1uoBJlg2cGnuGUzSd6om_iFVCHkzskXwA/ Speakers: Sercan Sayin, University of Konstanz Germany: The behavioral mechanisms governing collective motion in swarming locusts. Andrew Matheson, Columbia University, USA: Environmental Plasticity of the Newt Olfactory System. Emily Lessig, University of Texas at Austin, USA: The neural basis of reciprocity in a highly social cichlid. Panel discussion after the talks on the financial landscape for science and its impact on the society. Speakers: Cindy Moss, ISN president, Professor at John Hopkins University Mathias Wernet, ISN member, Professor at Freie Universitaet Berlin Daniel Tomsic, ISN member, Professor at Universidad de Buenos Aires

Cool set of talks by early career researchers on the neural basis of behaviour! Organized by @neuroethology.org

Bugs That Rule the World | Series Preview A four-part investigation into insect declines, exploring their diversity and ecological importance.

Can’t wait to see the first episode of this doc on @pbs.org next week! Bugs that rule the world! Featuring @the-bug-hut.bsky.social

www.pbs.org/video/series...

Motivational trade-offs as evidence for sentience in bees: a critique Establishing if insects feel pain can have far-reaching consequences for insect husbandry, commercial pollination and scientific research. Research in this field therefore requires careful experiments...

A recent paper argued that bees trade off reward to avoid pain. Jenny Read and I re-analyzed their data and argue that the paper's analysis is flawed. We've written up a constructive critique of the work with some modelling and recommendations. 🧪

Read on:
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...

For-profit science isn't science, just marketing buzzwords to satisfy shareholders

Let's get loud 🐺

#ScienceMatters #HandsOff

#handsoff Birmingham, Alabama

Absolutely incredible turn out at MN State Capitol! #HandsOff

A little rain wasn’t going to stop NYC. #handsoff

In NYC. #HandsOff

🇺🇸 Absolutely insane crowd here in Madison, Wisconsin — the Capital of Democracy!

#Handsoff

PROVIDENCE… BOSTON…

#HandsOff2025

Gigantic crowd in NYC for the #HandsOff march against Trump, Musk, and MAGA. So many people that the participants can barely move along. Signs decrying Trump and Co. on many fronts: immigration, science, Social Security, reproductive rights, tariffs, autocracy, kleptocracy & the price of eggs.

Massive crowd at Boston’s city hall plaza for the #HandsOff protest against Trump and Musk

New Haven, CT! #HandsOff

My favorite image from the #HandsOff rally in DC today

Proud to be a partner org of the #HandsOff rally day of action. The crowd and energy in DC was fantastic! We will not be silent while they line the pockets of their billionaire donors and screw over the average American. #HandsOff