Brian O'Meara
@omearabrian.bsky.social
I study diversification, species delimitation, trait evolution & similar questions, often using new methods. Also random coding projects. College prof living in Oak Ridge, TN, USA. Opinions my own. He/Him
Reposted by Brian O'Meara
A *huge* vaccine victory. I've been writing on this for years; Australia has seen remarkable progress in cervical cancer prevention with the HPV vaccine. I love seeing science triumph like this.
Australia recorded ZERO cases of cervical cancer in women under 25 for the first time since they started tracking the cancer in the 80s.
This is the power of vaccines.
The HPV vaccine is extremely effective at preventing cancer.
Viruses can be oncogenic. Get your vaccines and protect yourself!
This is the power of vaccines.
The HPV vaccine is extremely effective at preventing cancer.
Viruses can be oncogenic. Get your vaccines and protect yourself!
newsGP - Australia set for world-first cervical cancer elimination
Vaccination programs have played a key role, and GPs remain ‘instrumental’ in boosting screening rates to reach the 2035 target.
www1.racgp.org.au
November 27, 2025 at 6:12 PM
A *huge* vaccine victory. I've been writing on this for years; Australia has seen remarkable progress in cervical cancer prevention with the HPV vaccine. I love seeing science triumph like this.
Reposted by Brian O'Meara
This means NSF dissertation improvement grants in the social sciences are simply...not happening.
NEW from me - NSF cancels grant scheme for social science research.
Seems the NSF quietly archived ALL calls for DDRIG grants in the SBE directorate. This is a massive blow for PhD students wanting to do cutting-edge social science research. 🏺🧪
Seems the NSF quietly archived ALL calls for DDRIG grants in the SBE directorate. This is a massive blow for PhD students wanting to do cutting-edge social science research. 🏺🧪
Today's biggest science news: Doomed comet explodes | Comet 3I/ATLAS course alteration | Dark matter detected?
Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2025: Your daily feed of the biggest discoveries and breakthroughs making headlines.
www.livescience.com
November 27, 2025 at 1:16 PM
This means NSF dissertation improvement grants in the social sciences are simply...not happening.
Reposted by Brian O'Meara
📣 Ecologists and evolutionary biologists! Have you ever wanted to be a journal editor? BES journals are having an open call for editors. Details: www.britishecologicalsociety.org/content/appl... Happy to answer any Qs! Open to all nationalities. Applications from postdocs welcome :)
Apply to be a BES Associate Editor - British Ecological Society
Help advance outstanding ecological research by joining our Editorial Boards! Applications are now open across all seven BES journals.
www.britishecologicalsociety.org
November 27, 2025 at 10:14 AM
📣 Ecologists and evolutionary biologists! Have you ever wanted to be a journal editor? BES journals are having an open call for editors. Details: www.britishecologicalsociety.org/content/appl... Happy to answer any Qs! Open to all nationalities. Applications from postdocs welcome :)
Reposted by Brian O'Meara
More lab websites should have an art gallery! This is beautiful
So excited to share this as a new junior PI:
My brand-new lab website! 🎉🪰🌀
www.bischofflab.com
Please pass it on to young, motivated researchers looking for PhD positions 😊
And for the #FluorescenceFriday community: don’t miss the SciArt Gallery!
#CellBio #DevBio #PhDjob #PhDposition #Science
My brand-new lab website! 🎉🪰🌀
www.bischofflab.com
Please pass it on to young, motivated researchers looking for PhD positions 😊
And for the #FluorescenceFriday community: don’t miss the SciArt Gallery!
#CellBio #DevBio #PhDjob #PhDposition #Science
November 27, 2025 at 11:54 AM
More lab websites should have an art gallery! This is beautiful
Reposted by Brian O'Meara
Please pass along - We've extended the CAMBIUM fellowship deadline to December 15! Our NSF NRT supports new grad students to harness biodiversity big data to adapt to & mitigate climate change impacts. Great fit for evolutionary genomics, bioinformatics, ecology & more. cambium.arizona.edu 🧬🌐🌎
November 26, 2025 at 7:19 PM
Please pass along - We've extended the CAMBIUM fellowship deadline to December 15! Our NSF NRT supports new grad students to harness biodiversity big data to adapt to & mitigate climate change impacts. Great fit for evolutionary genomics, bioinformatics, ecology & more. cambium.arizona.edu 🧬🌐🌎
Reposted by Brian O'Meara
I believe eigen fly. I believe eigen touch the sky.
November 26, 2025 at 4:56 PM
I believe eigen fly. I believe eigen touch the sky.
Reposted by Brian O'Meara
The NSF Bio Anthro Program DDRIG, Cultural Anthrpology DDRIG, and Archaeology DDRIG have all been archived (as of yesterday afternoon). Please speak with your grad students and plan accordingly. To say I am angry and depressed about this is an understatement.
November 26, 2025 at 3:25 PM
The NSF Bio Anthro Program DDRIG, Cultural Anthrpology DDRIG, and Archaeology DDRIG have all been archived (as of yesterday afternoon). Please speak with your grad students and plan accordingly. To say I am angry and depressed about this is an understatement.
Reposted by Brian O'Meara
I've been using DuckDuckGo for years now and it's great. 🦆 There's absolutely no need for Google or AI to find stuff, your brain is a more reliable evaluator of the results.
And whatever you use, just turn off the damned AI features!
And whatever you use, just turn off the damned AI features!
Holiday reminder: you can switch yourself and your loved ones away from Google given their push for AI results rather than links.
I've liked DuckDuckGo (can turn off ads and AI). I've also heard good things about Kagi (but $).
There ARE options for web search engines that return web results.
I've liked DuckDuckGo (can turn off ads and AI). I've also heard good things about Kagi (but $).
There ARE options for web search engines that return web results.
November 26, 2025 at 4:44 PM
I've been using DuckDuckGo for years now and it's great. 🦆 There's absolutely no need for Google or AI to find stuff, your brain is a more reliable evaluator of the results.
And whatever you use, just turn off the damned AI features!
And whatever you use, just turn off the damned AI features!
Reposted by Brian O'Meara
Why aren’t there square trees or mammals with wheels?
A new study of fern stems shows how linked traits — developmental constraints — shape the limits and possibilities of evolution.
buff.ly/CeWtabg
🧪🌱
A new study of fern stems shows how linked traits — developmental constraints — shape the limits and possibilities of evolution.
buff.ly/CeWtabg
🧪🌱
Fern stems reveal secrets of evolution – how constraints in development can lead to new forms
Is an organism a sum of its parts, or should they be considered as a whole? New research on ferns shows how the way scientists understand evolution affects how they study life.
buff.ly
November 26, 2025 at 5:35 AM
Why aren’t there square trees or mammals with wheels?
A new study of fern stems shows how linked traits — developmental constraints — shape the limits and possibilities of evolution.
buff.ly/CeWtabg
🧪🌱
A new study of fern stems shows how linked traits — developmental constraints — shape the limits and possibilities of evolution.
buff.ly/CeWtabg
🧪🌱
Reposted by Brian O'Meara
Years of work involving an amazing team at BBCSstudios Framestore AppleTV, our series #PrehistoricPlanetIceAge is out now on #AppleTV. Huge thanks to everyone involved. All 5 eps have been released!
November 26, 2025 at 10:07 AM
Years of work involving an amazing team at BBCSstudios Framestore AppleTV, our series #PrehistoricPlanetIceAge is out now on #AppleTV. Huge thanks to everyone involved. All 5 eps have been released!
Reposted by Brian O'Meara
This story has been such a long time coming! We found that the family of MYB transcription factors that makes pink tomatoes has a wacky cousin involved in the evolution of red flowers in Iochroma. #MYBs4Ever
In #G3journal, @iochromaland.bsky.social and the team present a new genetic pathway in flower color evolution and investigate how this mechanism operates within the flavonoid pathway, which is critical for pigment production in flowers and fruits. buff.ly/7sithlg
November 26, 2025 at 5:02 AM
This story has been such a long time coming! We found that the family of MYB transcription factors that makes pink tomatoes has a wacky cousin involved in the evolution of red flowers in Iochroma. #MYBs4Ever
Reposted by Brian O'Meara
Scientists: have you been the target of an online harassment campaign, doxxing, or weaponized FOIA requests? I'd like to talk to you about steps you had to take to protect your digital security for an upcoming Nature story. (You can be anonymous if necessary.)
RTs appreciated.
RTs appreciated.
November 26, 2025 at 12:18 AM
Scientists: have you been the target of an online harassment campaign, doxxing, or weaponized FOIA requests? I'd like to talk to you about steps you had to take to protect your digital security for an upcoming Nature story. (You can be anonymous if necessary.)
RTs appreciated.
RTs appreciated.
Holiday reminder: you can switch yourself and your loved ones away from Google given their push for AI results rather than links.
I've liked DuckDuckGo (can turn off ads and AI). I've also heard good things about Kagi (but $).
There ARE options for web search engines that return web results.
I've liked DuckDuckGo (can turn off ads and AI). I've also heard good things about Kagi (but $).
There ARE options for web search engines that return web results.
November 25, 2025 at 11:33 PM
Holiday reminder: you can switch yourself and your loved ones away from Google given their push for AI results rather than links.
I've liked DuckDuckGo (can turn off ads and AI). I've also heard good things about Kagi (but $).
There ARE options for web search engines that return web results.
I've liked DuckDuckGo (can turn off ads and AI). I've also heard good things about Kagi (but $).
There ARE options for web search engines that return web results.
Reposted by Brian O'Meara
"Here we show substantial declines in the rates of collection of specimen data over recent decades, from analysis of over 150 million records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) spanning more than two centuries"
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
🧪 #Macroecology #EvoBio #Paleobio
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
🧪 #Macroecology #EvoBio #Paleobio
November 25, 2025 at 11:04 PM
"Here we show substantial declines in the rates of collection of specimen data over recent decades, from analysis of over 150 million records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) spanning more than two centuries"
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
🧪 #Macroecology #EvoBio #Paleobio
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
🧪 #Macroecology #EvoBio #Paleobio
Reposted by Brian O'Meara
Really pleased to share the first paper to come out of the lab.
We found that hospital patients were frequently colonised with P. aeruginosa and that the same clone was shared between the gut and the lung.
The phylogenies indicate that the clones moved from lung->gut
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
We found that hospital patients were frequently colonised with P. aeruginosa and that the same clone was shared between the gut and the lung.
The phylogenies indicate that the clones moved from lung->gut
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
High frequency body site translocation of nosocomial Pseudomonas aeruginosa - Nature Communications
Here, the authors report within-host diversity and body site translocation dynamics in hospital samples of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and reveal that body site sharing was likely due to within-patient tra...
www.nature.com
November 25, 2025 at 10:40 AM
Really pleased to share the first paper to come out of the lab.
We found that hospital patients were frequently colonised with P. aeruginosa and that the same clone was shared between the gut and the lung.
The phylogenies indicate that the clones moved from lung->gut
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
We found that hospital patients were frequently colonised with P. aeruginosa and that the same clone was shared between the gut and the lung.
The phylogenies indicate that the clones moved from lung->gut
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Reposted by Brian O'Meara
I had a new coworker who had worked with us for 2 weeks. We were at a holiday party, and they asked, "Do they have anything other than beer and wine?" My response was, "they don't do liquor at work parties." She stared at me until I realized the question. "Oh, soda and seltzer." 😬
And this is 10x in academia and other work settings
Just a friendly reminder as we go into the holidays:
Folks don't have to explain to you why they don't drink.
If you offer them a drink and they decline, don't ask them why. It's not your business.
Just offer them something without alcohol to drink instead. And move on.
Folks don't have to explain to you why they don't drink.
If you offer them a drink and they decline, don't ask them why. It's not your business.
Just offer them something without alcohol to drink instead. And move on.
November 24, 2025 at 3:38 PM
I had a new coworker who had worked with us for 2 weeks. We were at a holiday party, and they asked, "Do they have anything other than beer and wine?" My response was, "they don't do liquor at work parties." She stared at me until I realized the question. "Oh, soda and seltzer." 😬
Reposted by Brian O'Meara
I am procrastinating on writing by reading this interview of one of the true pioneers in evolutionary biology (and one of the nicest people I have ever met in my life)
Why we should be thinking of Welwitschia. What is Welwitschia you might ask (I did!)? Read on.
www.edge.org/conversation...
Why we should be thinking of Welwitschia. What is Welwitschia you might ask (I did!)? Read on.
www.edge.org/conversation...
GENOMIC IMPRINTING | Edge.org
www.edge.org
November 25, 2025 at 2:20 AM
I am procrastinating on writing by reading this interview of one of the true pioneers in evolutionary biology (and one of the nicest people I have ever met in my life)
Why we should be thinking of Welwitschia. What is Welwitschia you might ask (I did!)? Read on.
www.edge.org/conversation...
Why we should be thinking of Welwitschia. What is Welwitschia you might ask (I did!)? Read on.
www.edge.org/conversation...
Reposted by Brian O'Meara
🚨Good news, everyone!
1) I'm thrilled to be joining the behavior powerhouse that is Indiana University!! So stoked, starting Jan 2026.
2) I'm recruiting grad students! Are you (or your trainee) interested in sensory ecology? behavior? evolution? fieldwork? spiders? Drop me a line Jstafstr(at)iu.edu
1) I'm thrilled to be joining the behavior powerhouse that is Indiana University!! So stoked, starting Jan 2026.
2) I'm recruiting grad students! Are you (or your trainee) interested in sensory ecology? behavior? evolution? fieldwork? spiders? Drop me a line Jstafstr(at)iu.edu
November 22, 2025 at 4:53 PM
🚨Good news, everyone!
1) I'm thrilled to be joining the behavior powerhouse that is Indiana University!! So stoked, starting Jan 2026.
2) I'm recruiting grad students! Are you (or your trainee) interested in sensory ecology? behavior? evolution? fieldwork? spiders? Drop me a line Jstafstr(at)iu.edu
1) I'm thrilled to be joining the behavior powerhouse that is Indiana University!! So stoked, starting Jan 2026.
2) I'm recruiting grad students! Are you (or your trainee) interested in sensory ecology? behavior? evolution? fieldwork? spiders? Drop me a line Jstafstr(at)iu.edu
And this is 10x in academia and other work settings
Just a friendly reminder as we go into the holidays:
Folks don't have to explain to you why they don't drink.
If you offer them a drink and they decline, don't ask them why. It's not your business.
Just offer them something without alcohol to drink instead. And move on.
Folks don't have to explain to you why they don't drink.
If you offer them a drink and they decline, don't ask them why. It's not your business.
Just offer them something without alcohol to drink instead. And move on.
November 24, 2025 at 11:52 AM
And this is 10x in academia and other work settings
But less than 1% of the deep sea is sampled for amphibians. The Mariana Trench could be full of hellbenders and we’d never know
(this is a joke)
(Though, there’s something evolutionarily interesting in that the most aquatic of vertebrates never return to the sea while mammals, reptiles have often)
(this is a joke)
(Though, there’s something evolutionarily interesting in that the most aquatic of vertebrates never return to the sea while mammals, reptiles have often)
14% of the #Amazon is well-sampled for #amphibians 🌍
This study (>242K records) shows major data gaps driven by accessibility & human footprint. This hi
ghlights a widespread #biodiversity ignorance. Action needed to coordinate research, curation, data sharing
academic.oup.com/biolinnean/a...
This study (>242K records) shows major data gaps driven by accessibility & human footprint. This hi
ghlights a widespread #biodiversity ignorance. Action needed to coordinate research, curation, data sharing
academic.oup.com/biolinnean/a...
November 24, 2025 at 11:51 AM
But less than 1% of the deep sea is sampled for amphibians. The Mariana Trench could be full of hellbenders and we’d never know
(this is a joke)
(Though, there’s something evolutionarily interesting in that the most aquatic of vertebrates never return to the sea while mammals, reptiles have often)
(this is a joke)
(Though, there’s something evolutionarily interesting in that the most aquatic of vertebrates never return to the sea while mammals, reptiles have often)
Reposted by Brian O'Meara
"Her wit was as sharp as her convictions, and her honesty was refreshing and rare."
A wonderfully written (by @gbaucom.bsky.social) obituary for my grad school friend and Auburn University Prof. Vanessa Koelling, who passed away last week.
www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/m...
A wonderfully written (by @gbaucom.bsky.social) obituary for my grad school friend and Auburn University Prof. Vanessa Koelling, who passed away last week.
www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/m...
Vanessa Koelling Obituary - Montgomery, AL
Celebrate the life of Vanessa Koelling, leave a kind word or memory and get funeral service information care of Leak Memory Chapel.
www.dignitymemorial.com
November 24, 2025 at 12:30 AM
"Her wit was as sharp as her convictions, and her honesty was refreshing and rare."
A wonderfully written (by @gbaucom.bsky.social) obituary for my grad school friend and Auburn University Prof. Vanessa Koelling, who passed away last week.
www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/m...
A wonderfully written (by @gbaucom.bsky.social) obituary for my grad school friend and Auburn University Prof. Vanessa Koelling, who passed away last week.
www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/m...
Reposted by Brian O'Meara
Just a friendly reminder as we go into the holidays:
Folks don't have to explain to you why they don't drink.
If you offer them a drink and they decline, don't ask them why. It's not your business.
Just offer them something without alcohol to drink instead. And move on.
Folks don't have to explain to you why they don't drink.
If you offer them a drink and they decline, don't ask them why. It's not your business.
Just offer them something without alcohol to drink instead. And move on.
November 23, 2025 at 8:04 PM
Just a friendly reminder as we go into the holidays:
Folks don't have to explain to you why they don't drink.
If you offer them a drink and they decline, don't ask them why. It's not your business.
Just offer them something without alcohol to drink instead. And move on.
Folks don't have to explain to you why they don't drink.
If you offer them a drink and they decline, don't ask them why. It's not your business.
Just offer them something without alcohol to drink instead. And move on.
Reposted by Brian O'Meara
We’re at #ESA2025!
Come to the Atlas of Living Australia booth, located conveniently by the coffee cart!
Come grab a hex sticker and say hi to me & @shandiya.bsky.social while you’re there 😀☕️
Come to the Atlas of Living Australia booth, located conveniently by the coffee cart!
Come grab a hex sticker and say hi to me & @shandiya.bsky.social while you’re there 😀☕️
November 24, 2025 at 4:03 AM
We’re at #ESA2025!
Come to the Atlas of Living Australia booth, located conveniently by the coffee cart!
Come grab a hex sticker and say hi to me & @shandiya.bsky.social while you’re there 😀☕️
Come to the Atlas of Living Australia booth, located conveniently by the coffee cart!
Come grab a hex sticker and say hi to me & @shandiya.bsky.social while you’re there 😀☕️
Reposted by Brian O'Meara
Paleo folks: Please recommend researchers (incl yourselves) interested in phylogenetic reconstruction in deep time, molecular clocks (discord w/ fossil clocks), foundational/methodological issues in phylo/paleo-reconstruction & who'd be interested in hanging w/ historians & philosophers of science ⚒️
November 24, 2025 at 12:02 AM
Paleo folks: Please recommend researchers (incl yourselves) interested in phylogenetic reconstruction in deep time, molecular clocks (discord w/ fossil clocks), foundational/methodological issues in phylo/paleo-reconstruction & who'd be interested in hanging w/ historians & philosophers of science ⚒️
Reposted by Brian O'Meara
So, if an institute or center decided not to fund any grant from University X or on Topic Y, then there would be no documentation in the official grant files about these applications.
2/2
2/2
a brown puppy is being held by a person with the words " really " on the bottom
ALT: a brown puppy is being held by a person with the words " really " on the bottom
media.tenor.com
November 24, 2025 at 12:29 AM
So, if an institute or center decided not to fund any grant from University X or on Topic Y, then there would be no documentation in the official grant files about these applications.
2/2
2/2