John Nguyễn

The GRFP announcement from NSF cuts out an entire cohort of 2nd year students from consideration, without warning. This is so deeply unfair that it warrants a formal protest from the scientific community. If someone wants to work with me to craft an open letter and solicit signatures, LMK.

Please share with anyone who cares about NSF support for graduate students and take 30 seconds to sign and leave a comment.

The deadline for the 2025 Graduate Research Fellowship Program is about one month away and literally no one can apply. #NSFGRFP

jasonjwilliamsny.github.io/grfp2025/

I yearn to solely frolick in the woods and make art. But until then... this will do.

Finally got around to uploading some of artwork to my website! Tbh, this is how I've been keeping the PhDemons at bay (best viewed on desktop): www.johnvnguyen.com/art

Historical Prevalence of the Amphibian Chytrid Fungus (Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis) in West Africa Abstract: . The chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) is implicated in global declines and extinctions of amphibian species. Although Bd is found on all continents where amphibians persis...

Excited to share that our new chytrid paper is out in Herpetologica! We find evidence that West Africa may not be the ‘safe haven’ for amphibians it was once thought to be. 🦠🐸

2025 Rad Awards: Dr. Sarah McAnulty Philadelphia biologist Sarah McAnulty brings science to the masses in classrooms, through burlesque, at meet-ups and on telephone poles

Philly squid biologist @sarahmackattack.bsky.social brings science to the masses – in classrooms, through burlesque performances, at forest meet-ups and on telephone poles. Meet one of our nominees for “Rad Girl of the Year.” 

Thanks Kelly! Happy to drop some off whenever I'm in Austin 😉

Thanks Bella! I can send you some once I print them 🤩

Two caecilians in the shape of a double helix.

I'm not procrastinating.... making #Pride caecilian DNA stickers is a requirement of my dissertation. Schistometopum thomense and S. ephele, the iconic duo of my PhD work.

Swollen-thorn acacias increased their investments in resident ants during an El Niño event - Oecologia Species interactions are frequently context-specific. Climate fluctuations can inflict stress on individuals, inducing plasticity in their behavior or changes in resource allocation. Obligate mutualis...

My first first-author paper came out yesterday online-first in #Oecologia! We reported that neotropical swollen-thorn acacias increased their investment in mutualism with ants during an El Niño drought event. Mutualism may indeed be strongest during tough times.

link.springer.com/article/10.1...

It was an honor to facilitate sessions at the #SRI2025 Congress with @gsscholars.bsky.social, @belmontforum.bsky.social, and @futureearth.bsky.social! My heart is full after catching up with STRI friends, making new friends within the GSS community, and learning how to live in harmony with Earth 🌎.

Check out our deep dive into the molecular genetics of male-specific cell type : the gorgeous UV-iridescent scales of Sulphur Butterflies

by lab wizards 🦋🔬 🖥️ 🧬
Ling Sheng Loh
@hanliconius.bsky.social
and a big team

1/n

EEB Mentor Match Visit the post for more.

EEB Mentor Match for 2025 is now open!
This is an opportunity for students applying to graduate school in Ecology, Evolution, or Behavior to be matched with a mentor to guide them through the application process. Mentors can sign up too!
eebmentormatch.com

It's a worm... It's a snake... It's a caecilian! I just wrapped up my very first field season in São Tomé and Principe 🇸🇹. Caecilians, grilled fish, and fresh cajamanga juice.. pretty sweet place to do fieldwork I gotta say. @uh-ecoevo.bsky.social

And PIs, don't tell your students/postdocs to do it, even if *you* did and were okay in the past! They may not feel like they can push back if they're not comfortable, and the stakes have gotten a lot higher.

Exclusive: NSF stops awarding new grants and funding existing ones US science funder also plans to screen grant applications for compliance with ‘agency priorities’.

BREAKING: NSF has frozen all grant funding, as of yesterday. It's unclear when they will resume funding awards, or why the pause has been put in place. www.nature.com/articles/d41...

A photo of PhD student John Nguyen. Text on the photo reads "Investigating the ecology and evolution of complex phenotypes in reptiles and amphibians"

@johnv-nguyen.bsky.social spent a year in Panama with the Smithsonian, investigating color morphs in female anoles. His NSF RaMP Fellowship research uncovers the genetic and ecological drivers of phenotypic diversity in these charismatic lizards. Manuscript in progress!

#GradStudentHighlight 📣

We are deeply concerned by the broad cuts at the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), outlined in a recent Executive Order. The IMLS is a beloved and trusted federal agency that plays a crucial role in helping cultural institutions educate, entertain, and engage visitors. 🧵

🧵 IN SHOCKING MOVE, COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY FIRES UNION PRESIDENT ONE DAY BEFORE CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS BEGIN, IN FURTHER CRACKDOWN ON FREE SPEECH

🚨 Many NSF-funded Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REUs) are being cancelled for Summer 2025.

www.reddit.com/r/REU/commen...

Meet the masterminds behind the #pint25 Pint of Science USA! This amazing team is working hard to bring you fun, accessible, and mind-blowing science talks across the country.
Want to know more about them? 👉 pintofscience.us/team/ 👀🔬

📅May 19, 20 & 21— Stay tuned for updates!

Pint of Science is BACK for #pint25! 🍻
We’re bringing brilliant scientists to your favorite local bars and cafes to share their latest discoveries.

📅Save the dates! May 19, 20 & 21. Stay tuned for updates and visit us at pintofscience.us

@lizghoffman.bsky.social Tests differences in visual signaling in polymorphic male and female Slender Anoles, showing a really cool gradient in phenotype with environment and very fun study design! (I always love hearing about lizards on strings 🦎) #SICB2025

Short & Sweet: 6 Science Snippets from 2024 A collection of under-the-radar (and over-the-top) Cal Academy moments, from frog findings to epic livestreams.

Some coverage of our work on reed frogs published in the Herpetological Journal! Huge thanks to @raynacbell.bsky.social and @calacademy.bsky.social 🐸🔉🧬🌴 www.calacademy.org/phenomena/sh...

my hopes for gen z taking over the academic process is that it will be matched for harshness, but at least more efficient

Really enjoyed sharing my work on color pattern polymorphisms in female anoles at #SICB2025! Thanks to everyone that came to my talk. 🦎

Molina EFN production

Molina conclusions

Loved this talk by Cristian Molina in the #SICB2025 Global South session. Acacias ramp up their ant mutualisms during periods of drought despite the cost. But n-fixation also limited so EFN constituents *may* be reduced. #sicbplants #iamabotanist

After nearly 2 years, the lab finally had a website! Many thanks to @johnv-nguyen.bsky.social for designing a beautiful website. Check us out at stuckertlab.com!

#SICB2025 attendees: check out John Nguyen's (@johnv-nguyen.bsky.social) talk "Ecological correlates, genetics, and maintenance of a female limited polymorphism in slender anoles" at 1115 today in Marquis D. It is a beautiful presentation.