Melissa Plakke

Science funding agency threatened with mass layoffs National Science Foundation staff heard the plans at a meeting Tuesday.

Sabotage. Criminal sabotage.

"[The NSF] is planning to lay off between a quarter and a half of its staff in the next two months, a top National Science Foundation official said Tuesday."

www.eenews.net/articles/sci...

I'll be presenting a poster from a project a high school student in my lab has worked on and my MS student will be presenting her thesis as a poster too!

So excited for SICB tomorrow! First in person conference for me since covid/kids/job. 🥰 please let me know if anyone wants to meet up! (I have no idea who still goes)

Periodical Cicadas, 2024: Entomologists Prepare for the Six-Week Serenade Entomologists across the U.S. share their research plans for the much-anticipated—and quite rare—dual emergence of Brood XIII and Brood XIX periodical cicadas in 2024.

Want a nice, fact-filled overview of this year's periodical cicada emergence? Here you go #InverteFest 🧪https://entomologytoday.org/2024/04/25/periodical-cicadas-2024-brood-xix-xii-entomologists-prepare-six-week-serenade/

"I wrote a spider field guide! 'Spiders of the United States and Canada" releases on May 7th. The guide is slim and pocket sized, written for all ages to use, with spiders sorted by how they hunt and where you might find them. It includes photos of 153 common species and is only $10. It's basically the book I wish I had when I started learning about spiders. Available now for preorder online (10% off at Bookshop.org) or at you local book store!" A ln image of the books cover, featuring a jumping spider on a sunflower, and several pages of the guide itself.

Hi, are you or someone you know curious about the wonderfully weird world of spiders?
I spent last year working on the book I *wish* I had when I started spidering, and it's out in.. 3 weeks!?
It's only $10, written to be super accessible, & preorders get 10% off! 🕷️🌿 #虫
bookshop.org/p/books/spid...

Cicada shell on the ground

Been off socials for a while, but had to chime in with excitement about the cicadas! Shells everywhere last week at Mazon Creek Fossil Beds. Didn't hear any, but they were definitely around!

New edited volume on Speciation, organized by Katie Peichel and colleagues, coming soon from Cold Springs Harbor Press

Text: Society for the Study of Evolution Undergraduate Diversity at Evolution Program, Applications due January 29, 2024

Apply now for our Undergraduate Diversity at Evolution program! Are you an undergrad interested in ecology, evolution or related fields? This program provides funding, a presentation opportunity, and mentoring at #Evol2024. Apply by Jan. 29! evolutionsociety.org/content/educ...
@evolmtg.bsky.social

Thrilled to announce that Plakke Lab graduate student Destiny Etuk has been awarded the Sigma Xi GIAR!! You all better get ready to learn about plastic eating insects! #ProudPI

Assistant Professor of Evolutionary Biology University of California Santa Barbara is hiring. Apply now!

I am *thrilled* to finally announce that our department is hiring an Evolutionary Biologist. We are esp looking genetic/genomic expertise, and those who can help us build a more equitable biology community at UCSB. Please apply by Jan 15! recruit.ap.ucsb.edu/JPF02635 #unicornjob

Biological Sciences: Research Experience for Undergraduates | AMNH Approximately eight students gather each summer at the Museum for a ten-week experience working with curators, faculty, and post-doctoral fellows.

We are pleased to announce that we are now accepting applications for Summer 2024 RESEARCH EXPERIENCE FOR UNDERGRADUATES, BIOLOGY at the American Museum of Natural History. Application Deadline: January 31st 2024 www.amnh.org/research/ric...

So happy to see this in the wild. Was such a great group of people to work with!

The Mack lab at KU is looking for a technician -- please consider passing on to anyone who might be looking! employment.ku.edu/jobs/staff/a...

Text: Society for the Study of Evolution Graduate Research Excellence Grants 2024 R. C. Lewontin Early Award, Deadline: February 23, 2024.

Applications now open for the 2024 R. C. Lewontin Early Awards, which provide up to $2500 in research funds for 1st and 2nd year PhD students.

Deadline: February 23

www.evolutionsociety.org/content/soci...

Can anyone recommend a biologist (maybe it's you??) in the Chicagoland area that would be interested in giving a seminar at a PUI?

They anyways remind me of puppies, but in moth form 🥰

Two silkmoths having sex on a finger that the tip was chopped off (but healed) with really cool spider finger nails.

Bug sex alert!

Fortuitously had mating silkmoths in the lab on reproduction lecture day. Added bonus that silkmoths are objectively the cutest moth in existence.

BBC: Why don't women use ChatGPT?

Woman: I tried it and it just barfed out useless garbage

BBC: Women don't use ChatGPT because it's too difficult for their pretty little heads

Wigeon, the might pooper. A small attractive brown and grey duck on the water.

Yesterday’s story identified that Wigeon poop every 3.1 minutes. At 338 poops per day, I expect this is actually the highest poop rate of any bird (maybe any animal - there’s a challenge!) so it obviously set me thinking about which #bird poops the least. Inquiring minds want to know.
#birds 🧪🌿🌏1/5

Bluesky Nature Feeds Nature Feeds Feed Name,Description,Tags,Who to @ to Join the Contributor List <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:36h6ttx2g23zqr4accilbvo7/feed/aaahq3wvgn4k4">🦀 Crab Time 🦀</a>,A feed dis...

Bluesky Nature Feeds!

Inspired by @markrubin.bsky.social, a list of nearly 50 nature-related feeds & how to post to them! Everything from birds to geoscience to bug sex!

Quick feed primer & feed building guides on additional tabs for fun!

PLZ lmk if I’ve left any off or something is incorrect 😊

And this is why I'm loving this app. Bug Sex in a feed.

Biology, Assistant Professor in Genetics/Genomics, Tenure-Track Loyola University Chicago (LUC), College of Arts and Sciences, Department of Biology seeks qualified candidates for an appointment as Assistant Professor, beginning Fall 2024. The Department of Biolog...

Please share widely.
The Department of Biology at Loyola University Chicago is searching for a new assistant professor in genetics, genomics, or bioinformatics. I am chairing the search and will happily answer any questions about the position.
www.careers.luc.edu/postings/26656

Toxic workplaces are the main reason women leave academic jobs Women feel driven out by problems with workplace culture more often than by lack of work–life balance. Women feel driven out by problems with workplace culture more often than by lack of work–life...

www.nature.com/articles/d41...

And my beloved banner!

It's Friday night and I'm yelling at Blippi because he said a spider wasn't an animal but instead a giant insect. I had to give my kids a serious talk about taxonomy 😑

Flyer for open Q&A about applying to graduate school in Evolutionary Biology

Join me, Kelly Dyer, and Rich Kliman for an open Q&A about applying to graduate school in Evolutionary Biology! (pls RT)

I've seen one that had images in the personal statement and it went to review. So unless they've changed the rules this year, yes?

Large striped spider against white background

I dont know if there are rules for #Arachtober but this beauty lives on my trash bin so I send my regards every evening