Casey terHorst
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ecoevolab.bsky.social
Casey terHorst
@ecoevolab.bsky.social
1.8K followers 740 following 1.1K posts
Biology Prof at Cal State Northridge. Pro- species diversity, genetic diversity, and diversity in STEM #BLM #TransLives he/him🏳️‍🌈
But also into non-academic things (TV and Broadway)
Posts Replies Media Videos
ecoevolab.bsky.social
Please apply to join the Diversity Committee of the American Society of Naturalists!
www.amnat.org/announcement...
Flyer that says American Society of Naturalists Diversity Committee. The DC works to promote diversity, equity, and inclusiveness to enhance the study of evolution, ecology, and behavior and to foster the career of its developing scientists. We pursue initiatives that support marginalized groups, which include helping to create an inclusive, accessible environment at the Evolution conference, the stand-alone ASN meeting, and our field in general. Apply by November 1. Seeking two new members starting Jan 2026. 3 year term
November 19, 2025 at 6:15 PM
ecoevolab.bsky.social
This was excellent
Book cover of James by Percival Everett
September 1, 2025 at 11:47 PM
ecoevolab.bsky.social
I don’t know what use this crucible has in our lab, but I will die to protect it
A very tiny crucible occupying only a tiny fraction of the palm of my hand
July 25, 2025 at 5:43 PM
ecoevolab.bsky.social
This sign is hanging outside of our Biology building today. It's a response to a new policy that severely limits faculty reassigned time for research
Black spray paint on a white sheet that says President and Prov. Meera Destroy Research
July 18, 2025 at 8:04 PM
ecoevolab.bsky.social
Pale Tiger Moth (?) caterpillar outside #Evol2025
June 23, 2025 at 11:25 PM
ecoevolab.bsky.social
And now we know why
June 23, 2025 at 1:39 PM
ecoevolab.bsky.social
This talk’s gonna be great! #Evol2025 @ecarlen.bsky.social
Liz’s adorable little white dog sitting very attentively on her lap
June 23, 2025 at 1:31 PM
ecoevolab.bsky.social
Birds and pronoun pins at the Tri-Society Diversity table #Evol2025
Pins with various birds and pronouns
June 21, 2025 at 12:41 AM
ecoevolab.bsky.social
Three books: The God Delusion, The Selfish Gene, and Letters to A Young Scientist. Accompanying sign says Free. Important book by bad people
June 18, 2025 at 4:24 PM
ecoevolab.bsky.social
I always bring peanuts for the crows and ravens on walks with the dog. There was a large crowd this morning!
Rule 1: befriend corvids
A group of about a dozen large black birds on the ground
June 17, 2025 at 6:47 PM
ecoevolab.bsky.social
Tshirt that says Gay the Pray Away
June 13, 2025 at 1:59 AM
ecoevolab.bsky.social
Just a tiny fraction of people at the #HandsOff protest in Pasadena today
April 5, 2025 at 10:01 PM
ecoevolab.bsky.social
A student picked this paper from @ruha9.bsky.social for lab meeting today and it's REALLY good, focusing on how AI = eugenics, in ways I hadn't fully thought about it.

But also includes this story that I hadn't heard before
lareviewofbooks.org/article/the-...
As when, in 2013, venture capitalist turned Michigan governor Rick Snyder adopted a $46 million dollar program called MiDAS (Michigan Integrated Data Automated System) to efficiently identify residents committing insurance fraud. After his administration laid off the majority of state employees who would normally review insurance claims, the state’s new automated system wrongly accused over 20,000 people of fraud. Not only did people lose access to unemployment payments; after heavy fines as high as $100,000 were levied, individuals’ tax refunds and wages were garnished as well. About 11,000 people filed for bankruptcy, some lost their homes, and others disproportionately divorced or died by suicide. These are just a handful of the “social elements” that pop up when automated technologies are hastily integrated into every facet of life.
March 10, 2025 at 6:52 PM
ecoevolab.bsky.social
Trying to return to finding something joyful every day amid the madness.
Today the dog met a horse:
A medium-sized black fluffy dog attempting to touch noses with a white horse
February 17, 2025 at 8:24 PM
ecoevolab.bsky.social
Image posted with remaining alt text
[continued alt text from previous message] WSN continues to welcome all of our members. Our demographic surveys in recent years demonstrate an increasing number of scientists of color and LGBTQ+ scientists, which reflects the excellent efforts put forth by our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee. We will continue to welcome and facilitate participation in our annual meetings by transgender and non-binary members. WSN does not discriminate on the basis of citizenship or documentation status and welcomes any scientists willing to engage with others about their science. Increasing the representation of marginalized groups remains a fundamental goal of our Society. We will not shy away from these principles, nor bow to political pressure to do so. Together, we as a Society can continue to build a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive community of scientists. We encourage members to call their elected representatives and advocate for federal funding for science and the need for depoliticized funding and academic freedom. If there is anything that our Society can do to help or if there are additional changes you would like to see in the Society, please reach out at secretariat@wsn-online.org. We wish you well in the face of upcoming challenges and look forward to gathering together in San Diego in November.
February 13, 2025 at 5:05 PM
ecoevolab.bsky.social
This statement is on its way to the membership of the Western Society of Naturalists
Over the past few weeks, scientists in the United States have been confronted with a great deal of fear, anxiety, and confusion in response to an unprecedented number of executive orders from the federal government. We have witnessed the politicization of science and science funding, attacks on scientists at federal agencies, and threats to academic freedom. Some of these executive orders have targeted DEI efforts, denied the existence of transgender people, and ignored scientific facts about biological sex. At our home institutions and in our personal lives, everybody is dealing with many unknowns. We empathize with the challenges faced at academic and non-profit institutions and in each of your lives, as well as the many unknowns, and also recognize that these challenges are likely to have a greater effect on scientists from marginalized groups. At the Western Society of Naturalists, however, these changes will not change the way our Society functions. The Western Society of Naturalists stands firmly in its goals of diversity, equity, and inclusion. As ecologists, we are critically aware of the role of diversity in natural communities in improving how communities function. Our community of scientists is no different. A diversity of views, backgrounds, personal experiences, and perspectives make our Society stronger, more robust, and more rewarding. Diversity is the natural outcome of equity and inclusion. Diversity is not only important to us as a society, but also for the science we produce. [alt text continued in following post]
February 13, 2025 at 5:05 PM
ecoevolab.bsky.social
Love hiking with this furry butt
A black fluffy dog named Korra walking in front of me on a trail
January 27, 2025 at 11:46 PM
ecoevolab.bsky.social
This chonks loves to cuddle any electronic
A fat cat cuddling an iPhone but in a cute way
January 22, 2025 at 4:11 AM
ecoevolab.bsky.social
We live in an odd neighborhood, summed up nicely by this neighbor’s garage
This is embarrassing to even write, but…it’s Santa mounted and riding a T rex
December 17, 2024 at 5:21 PM
ecoevolab.bsky.social
Emerald moth trying to be in the Christmas mood #CatalinaIsland
Green emerald moth against a red painted wall
December 3, 2024 at 11:24 PM
ecoevolab.bsky.social
Maybe some sample bias, but still a good sample of the Western Society of Naturalists membership:
<70% women or non-binary
~40% LGBTQIA2S+
~23% URM (more work to do, but better than the past)

This didn't just happen, but req'd changing meeting culture, DEI committee work, and ongoing intention
Three graphs showing WSN demographics. The first bar plot shows 63.7% women, 29.8% mean, and 8.1% nonbinary, gender fluid, or genderqueer. The second bar plot shows 12.% Asian, 5.2% Black or African American, 16.3% Hispanic or Latinx, 83% White or Caucasian, and one respondent each for American Indian or Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, Ashkenazi Jew, Middle Eastern, Filipinx, and Arab American. The third pie chart shows 39.3% who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning, intersex, asexual, two-spirit + and 58.5% who do not.
November 21, 2024 at 6:39 PM
ecoevolab.bsky.social
Related, I can't wait to read this:
The cover of Ayana Elizabeth Johnson's new book titled, What If We Get It Right? Visions of Climate Future. There is also a picture of the author, a young Black nerdy (in the best way) woman. There is a quote from the book that says "Fuck hope. Where's the strategy? What are we going to do so that we don't need hope?"
November 13, 2024 at 11:30 PM
ecoevolab.bsky.social
This is all I've got for students this morning. It's not enough. It's trite. There are no words
“Happiness can be found in the darkest of times, if only one remembers to turn on the light”      -Albus Dumbledore “Stay angry, little Meg,” Mrs Whatsit whispered. “You will need all your anger now.” -Madeleine L'Engle, A Wrinkle in Time “Do the next right thing” -Frozen 2
November 6, 2024 at 2:58 PM
ecoevolab.bsky.social
I’m worried that the Days Without An Accident clock is about to reset
A red pickup truck with the hood held open by a long 2x4
November 4, 2024 at 5:51 PM
ecoevolab.bsky.social
As a grad student 20 years ago, I spent a semester here on Catalina Island and sawed off the middle crossbar on this bunk bed so my 6’5” legs could stick out. Back as an instructor now, I’m thrilled it’s still here!
A bunk bed with a missing wooden support beam
October 29, 2024 at 12:53 AM