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barkerms.bsky.social
Mike Barker
@barkerms.bsky.social
4.5K followers 4.7K following 180 posts
Professor & Assoc Dept Head UofA EEB (@uofa-eeb.bsky.social) in Tucson studying plant evolution, botany, polyploidy, chromosomes, and biodiversity. Views are my own. He/Him https://www.barkerlab.net
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barkerms.bsky.social
Mike Barker @barkerms.bsky.social · 27d
I'm recruiting PhD students for the Barker Lab @uofa-eeb.bsky.social We study plant evolutionary genomics - polyploidy, hybridization & machine learning for genome evolution. Work with Selaginella, Xanthisma, Brassica & more. Funding available via CAMBIUM Fellowships. Reach out if interested! 🧬🌵🤖
The allotetraploid lycophyte Selaginella rupincola growing among the boulders at Cochise Stronghold in the Dragoon Mountains southeast of Tucson, Arizona. Xanthisma spinulosum growing outside a gym in Tucson, Arizona. Selaginella arizonica X eremophila hybrid zone at Alamo Canyon in Organ Pipe National Monument. A Dieteria sp. being visited by a skipper in the White Mountains of Arizona.
barkerms.bsky.social
Happening today! Join us to learn more about CAMBIUM NRT Fellowships!
barkerms.bsky.social Mike Barker @barkerms.bsky.social · 16d
Join us on Nov 18 at 2:30 PM MST to learn about CAMBIUM grad fellowships in biodiversity informatics & climate change @uarizona.bsky.social. For incoming Fall 2026 students interested in big data, ecology, evolution, climate adaptation & more. Register: events.trellis.arizona.edu/en/f44lNu67/... 🌵🧬🌐
Flyer for CAMBIUM (Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation Through Biodiversity Informatics Education and Mentoring) Graduate Research Traineeship program. Right side shows a scenic photograph of tall saguaro cacti against desert mountains. Program highlights listed in a blue box include: professional development training in communication, teamwork, and professionalism; interdisciplinary research rotations; career and professional development; $34,000 stipend with paid tuition, fees, and health insurance coverage for 2 years; and a Certificate in Biodiversity Informatics. A red box announces an informational webinar on November 18th at 2:30 PM MST with link to the CAMBIUM program website at https://cambium.arizona.edu/. Eligibility requirements include U.S. citizenship or permanent residency, incoming graduate student status for Fall 2026, and acceptance contingent on graduate program admission. Bottom features a 'Register here!' button with registration link at https://events.trellis.arizona.edu/en/f44lNu67/cambium-informational-webinar-4a3UKgGu6U/overview, along with NSF, University of Arizona, and CAMBIUM NRT logos.
November 18, 2025 at 8:30 PM
Reposted by Mike Barker
barkerms.bsky.social
Join us on Nov 18 at 2:30 PM MST to learn about CAMBIUM grad fellowships in biodiversity informatics & climate change @uarizona.bsky.social. For incoming Fall 2026 students interested in big data, ecology, evolution, climate adaptation & more. Register: events.trellis.arizona.edu/en/f44lNu67/... 🌵🧬🌐
Flyer for CAMBIUM (Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation Through Biodiversity Informatics Education and Mentoring) Graduate Research Traineeship program. Right side shows a scenic photograph of tall saguaro cacti against desert mountains. Program highlights listed in a blue box include: professional development training in communication, teamwork, and professionalism; interdisciplinary research rotations; career and professional development; $34,000 stipend with paid tuition, fees, and health insurance coverage for 2 years; and a Certificate in Biodiversity Informatics. A red box announces an informational webinar on November 18th at 2:30 PM MST with link to the CAMBIUM program website at https://cambium.arizona.edu/. Eligibility requirements include U.S. citizenship or permanent residency, incoming graduate student status for Fall 2026, and acceptance contingent on graduate program admission. Bottom features a 'Register here!' button with registration link at https://events.trellis.arizona.edu/en/f44lNu67/cambium-informational-webinar-4a3UKgGu6U/overview, along with NSF, University of Arizona, and CAMBIUM NRT logos.
November 3, 2025 at 11:50 PM
Reposted by Mike Barker
talbotlabtsl.bsky.social
Dogs have been part of human culture for far longer than previously thought based on genomic evidence from @lachiescarsbrook.bsky.social and team. Great read. www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
Genomic evidence for the Holocene codispersal of dogs and humans across Eastern Eurasia
As the first domestic species, dogs likely dispersed with different cultural groups during the Late Pleistocene and Holocene. To test this hypothesis, we analyzed 73 ancient dog genomes, including 17 ...
www.science.org
November 13, 2025 at 10:26 PM
Reposted by Mike Barker
ucdavisplants.bsky.social
🌱 From PNAS: Meristem layers mutate at different rates, with the germline-forming L2 protected and the L1 evolving faster. (Kirk R. Amundson, Mohan P. A. Marimuthu, Oanh Nguyen, Konsam Sarika, Isabelle J. DeMarco, Angelina Phan, Isabelle M. Henry, and Luca Comai)
▶️ www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
Spatial variation in the mutation rate within the plant shoot apical meristem | PNAS
The potential impact of new mutations on organismal function and evolution depends on the developmental fate of the affected cells. Stem cells in t...
www.pnas.org
November 13, 2025 at 5:36 PM
Reposted by Mike Barker
jlsteenwyk.bsky.social
NEW pub in @science.org 🥳

Is it sponges (panels A & B) or comb jellies (C & D) that root the animal tree of life?

For over 15 years, #phylogenomic studies have been divided.

We provide new evidence suggesting that...

🔗: www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
November 13, 2025 at 8:34 PM
Reposted by Mike Barker
phypapers.bsky.social
Phylogenetic patterns over sixty-five years of vegetation change across a montane elevation gradient https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2025.11.07.687265v1
November 11, 2025 at 11:44 PM
Reposted by Mike Barker
jessi-rick.bsky.social
If you're interested in working with me on a master's or PhD with questions related to genomics, biodiversity, and climate change, I'd love to chat about the CAMBIUM fellowship! There's an informational webinar next week and applications are due December 1st.
barkerms.bsky.social Mike Barker @barkerms.bsky.social · 16d
Join us on Nov 18 at 2:30 PM MST to learn about CAMBIUM grad fellowships in biodiversity informatics & climate change @uarizona.bsky.social. For incoming Fall 2026 students interested in big data, ecology, evolution, climate adaptation & more. Register: events.trellis.arizona.edu/en/f44lNu67/... 🌵🧬🌐
Flyer for CAMBIUM (Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation Through Biodiversity Informatics Education and Mentoring) Graduate Research Traineeship program. Right side shows a scenic photograph of tall saguaro cacti against desert mountains. Program highlights listed in a blue box include: professional development training in communication, teamwork, and professionalism; interdisciplinary research rotations; career and professional development; $34,000 stipend with paid tuition, fees, and health insurance coverage for 2 years; and a Certificate in Biodiversity Informatics. A red box announces an informational webinar on November 18th at 2:30 PM MST with link to the CAMBIUM program website at https://cambium.arizona.edu/. Eligibility requirements include U.S. citizenship or permanent residency, incoming graduate student status for Fall 2026, and acceptance contingent on graduate program admission. Bottom features a 'Register here!' button with registration link at https://events.trellis.arizona.edu/en/f44lNu67/cambium-informational-webinar-4a3UKgGu6U/overview, along with NSF, University of Arizona, and CAMBIUM NRT logos.
November 10, 2025 at 6:56 PM
Reposted by Mike Barker
ahancock.bsky.social
Applications due by Dec. 1
ahancock.bsky.social Angela Hancock @ahancock.bsky.social · 11d
I recently moved my lab to Purdue University and am looking for graduate students. We are working at the interface of population genomics, quantitative genetics and functional genomics to understand how plants adapt to extreme environments. Reach out if you would like to discuss potential projects.
PhD advert
November 8, 2025 at 3:46 PM
Reposted by Mike Barker
raphmercier.bsky.social
www.nature.com/articles/s42...

Latest from the lab. The conclusion is in the title!
Basically, we found that the KMN complex (outer kinetochore) is fully conserved between plants and fungi/animals, showing deep origin. (reminder, you are closer to a mushroom than a mushroom is to a plant.)
The composition and structure of the outer kinetochore KMN complex is conserved across kingdoms - Communications Biology
Affinity purification in Arabidopsis identified all key subunits of the outer kinetochore KMN complex. Functional analyses revealed a striking conservation of its composition and organization across k...
www.nature.com
November 7, 2025 at 7:02 PM
Reposted by Mike Barker
jojdavies.bsky.social
Our latest paper has just been published in Cell!

doi.org/10.1016/j.ce...

We developed a new method called MCC ultra, which allows 3D chromatin structure to be visualised with a 1 base pair pixel size.
November 5, 2025 at 5:20 PM
Reposted by Mike Barker
afroherper.bsky.social
The #FindThatLizard Scholarship is accepting applications until 12/10.

We fund girls, women, and gender non conforming persons pursuing herpetology🦎🐍🐸🐢

I can’t wait to read your application! earynmcgee.com/findthatliza...
November 5, 2025 at 2:37 PM
barkerms.bsky.social
Night blooming cactus on my evening walk in Tucson tonight!
A tall columnar cactus with multiple ribbed stems blooming with cream and peach-colored flowers at night in Tucson. The cactus stands in a desert garden with purple flowering plants, gravel pathways, and a palm tree visible against a dark blue night sky. Close-up of a night-blooming cactus flower with ruffled white petals edged in coral-red, revealing a green center with yellow stamens. The delicate bloom is photographed at night against the ribbed, spiny stems of a columnar cactus in Tucson.
November 5, 2025 at 7:38 AM
Reposted by Mike Barker
danstarrucdavis.bsky.social
Warning. ⚠️ If you are writing an NSF GRFP, new this year, you need official transcripts to apply. Beware. They will not review applications without official transcripts. ‼️
November 4, 2025 at 8:50 PM
Reposted by Mike Barker
dnarnaresearch.bsky.social
Symbiotic diversification relies on an ancestral gene network in plants
doi.org/10.1101/2025...
Symbiotic diversification relies on an ancestral gene network in plants
Symbioses have been fundamental to colonization of terrestrial ecosystems by plants and their evolution. Emergence of the ancient arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis was followed by the diversification o...
doi.org
November 4, 2025 at 5:46 PM
barkerms.bsky.social
A round 'I Voted' sticker with red text at the top and a blue desert landscape design in the lower half. Text includes 'I Voted' in English, 'A:ñi 'ant wodalt' in Tohono O'odham, 'Yo Voté' in Spanish, and 'Pima County AZ' at the bottom. Saguaro cacti silhouettes decorate the desert scene.
November 4, 2025 at 4:47 PM
Reposted by Mike Barker
gerlame.bsky.social
Applications are currently being accepted for UBC's ✨️ Biodiversity Postdoctoral Fellowship ✨️ (two positions!!), due Jan. 15

Please share far and wide 🚀

(See thread)
Postdoctoral Fellowship Opportunities
Biodiversity Postdoctoral Fellowship, 2-year (2026-2028) - 2 positions OPENAt UBC, we believe that attracting and sustaining a diverse workforce is key to the successful pursuit of excellence in resea...
biodiversity.ubc.ca
November 3, 2025 at 5:25 PM
barkerms.bsky.social
Join us on Nov 18 at 2:30 PM MST to learn about CAMBIUM grad fellowships in biodiversity informatics & climate change @uarizona.bsky.social. For incoming Fall 2026 students interested in big data, ecology, evolution, climate adaptation & more. Register: events.trellis.arizona.edu/en/f44lNu67/... 🌵🧬🌐
Flyer for CAMBIUM (Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation Through Biodiversity Informatics Education and Mentoring) Graduate Research Traineeship program. Right side shows a scenic photograph of tall saguaro cacti against desert mountains. Program highlights listed in a blue box include: professional development training in communication, teamwork, and professionalism; interdisciplinary research rotations; career and professional development; $34,000 stipend with paid tuition, fees, and health insurance coverage for 2 years; and a Certificate in Biodiversity Informatics. A red box announces an informational webinar on November 18th at 2:30 PM MST with link to the CAMBIUM program website at https://cambium.arizona.edu/. Eligibility requirements include U.S. citizenship or permanent residency, incoming graduate student status for Fall 2026, and acceptance contingent on graduate program admission. Bottom features a 'Register here!' button with registration link at https://events.trellis.arizona.edu/en/f44lNu67/cambium-informational-webinar-4a3UKgGu6U/overview, along with NSF, University of Arizona, and CAMBIUM NRT logos.
November 3, 2025 at 11:50 PM
Reposted by Mike Barker
barkerms.bsky.social
I'm recruiting PhD students for the Barker Lab @uofa-eeb.bsky.social We study plant evolutionary genomics - polyploidy, hybridization & machine learning for genome evolution. Work with Selaginella, Xanthisma, Brassica & more. Funding available via CAMBIUM Fellowships. Reach out if interested! 🧬🌵🤖
The allotetraploid lycophyte Selaginella rupincola growing among the boulders at Cochise Stronghold in the Dragoon Mountains southeast of Tucson, Arizona. Xanthisma spinulosum growing outside a gym in Tucson, Arizona. Selaginella arizonica X eremophila hybrid zone at Alamo Canyon in Organ Pipe National Monument. A Dieteria sp. being visited by a skipper in the White Mountains of Arizona.
October 24, 2025 at 5:01 AM
Reposted by Mike Barker
barkerms.bsky.social
The CAMBIUM NSF NRT is recruiting PhD students @uarizona.bsky.social! Fellowships for interdisciplinary training in biodiversity big data to adapt to & mitigate climate change impacts. Great fit for evolutionary genomics, bioinformatics, plant adaptation, ecology & more. cambium.arizona.edu 🧬🌐🌎
A logo for the CAMBIUM NRT featuring stylized rings. An organ pipe cactus in the moonlight with a starry sky above.
October 24, 2025 at 5:19 AM
Reposted by Mike Barker
lifesciencestudios.bsky.social
Check out the recent publication in Annual Reviews of Ecology, Evolution, and Systematics where the authors explore genomic species delimitation in depth. You'll see a number of #sciart figures I created to help explain some of the concepts!

www.annualreviews.org/content/jour...
A scientific figure showing speciation and explaining the concept of species delimitation, and including a quote by the paper's first author.
October 29, 2025 at 1:00 PM
Reposted by Mike Barker
bjenquist.bsky.social
Please pass along - Our CAMBIUM NSF NRT provides fellowships to support new PhD students at @uarizona.bsky.social To train & prepare a new generation of scientists to harness the revolution in biodiversity big data to adapt to & mitigate the impacts of climate change. cambium.arizona.edu 🧪🌐🌾
October 21, 2025 at 5:17 AM
Reposted by Mike Barker
laurenpetrullo.bsky.social
Our group is recruiting again, looking for motivated PhD/MS students and a postdoc! Please share widely and read below for more info and get in touch if you're interested.
September 29, 2025 at 6:34 PM
Reposted by Mike Barker
rddenton.bsky.social
Genome assembly fresh of the supercomputer, total size = 29,892,519,935 base pairs 🦎🧬
October 27, 2025 at 7:01 PM
Reposted by Mike Barker
jmbrkphd.bsky.social
We're hiring! Please spread the word. We have an opening for an Assistant Professor in Plant Synthetic Biology for Strategic Resources Research. See ad for details – and apply to join us here in Athens, GA! 🪴 #PlantBiology #SyntheticBiology #PlantScience #AcademicJobs #UGA
Faculty job ad for a position in Plant Synthetic Biology for Strategic Resources Research in the Department of Plant Biology at the University of Georgia.
October 16, 2025 at 5:35 PM
Reposted by Mike Barker
ybrandvain.bsky.social
Proud of the latest edition of my free intro biostats book.

gitrepo: github.com/ybrandvain/b...
book: ybrandvain.github.io/biostats/

Not complete but at a good point to take a break, and I think its quite usable

dm me with comments , ideas etc
Applied Biostatistics
ybrandvain.github.io
October 24, 2025 at 2:33 PM