Jess McLaughlin, PhD (they/them)
@jfmclaughlin92.bsky.social
Evolutionary biologist and professional nerd. Asst Prof, University of Alaska Anchorage.
queer af, they/them. 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️✡️
jfmclaughlin.org
queer af, they/them. 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️✡️
jfmclaughlin.org
Pinned
Hello new followers! I'm Jess (they/them), and I'm a newly minted Assistant Professor at U University of Alaska Anchorage! I study evolutionary genomics, mostly in birds, and mainly post my various (mis)adventures and pet pictures. Welcome!
Reposted by Jess McLaughlin, PhD (they/them)
Part 172 of 200 in historically interesting things to inspire your ttrpg dnd
An ancient Roman mosaic depicting a rabbit driving a chariot pulled by geese.
An ancient Roman mosaic depicting a rabbit driving a chariot pulled by geese.
November 18, 2025 at 1:45 AM
Part 172 of 200 in historically interesting things to inspire your ttrpg dnd
An ancient Roman mosaic depicting a rabbit driving a chariot pulled by geese.
An ancient Roman mosaic depicting a rabbit driving a chariot pulled by geese.
Reposted by Jess McLaughlin, PhD (they/them)
Part 174 of 200 in historically interesting things to inspire your ttrpg dnd
Lid weight made of Haematite carved in the shape of a grasshopper,hand-carved between 1800-1700 BC, in ancient Babylonia.
Lid weight made of Haematite carved in the shape of a grasshopper,hand-carved between 1800-1700 BC, in ancient Babylonia.
November 18, 2025 at 1:48 AM
Part 174 of 200 in historically interesting things to inspire your ttrpg dnd
Lid weight made of Haematite carved in the shape of a grasshopper,hand-carved between 1800-1700 BC, in ancient Babylonia.
Lid weight made of Haematite carved in the shape of a grasshopper,hand-carved between 1800-1700 BC, in ancient Babylonia.
Reposted by Jess McLaughlin, PhD (they/them)
Part 188 of 200 in historically interesting things to inspire your ttrpg dnd
Pair of silk knitted stockings (programmer socks) embroidered with sequins and beads, France, 1900
Pair of silk knitted stockings (programmer socks) embroidered with sequins and beads, France, 1900
November 18, 2025 at 2:19 AM
Part 188 of 200 in historically interesting things to inspire your ttrpg dnd
Pair of silk knitted stockings (programmer socks) embroidered with sequins and beads, France, 1900
Pair of silk knitted stockings (programmer socks) embroidered with sequins and beads, France, 1900
So they left one of my wisdom teeth in when I had that done in grad school because it wasn't showing signs of moving and was close enough to a nerve they were worried about complications if they tried to get it out.
Anyways guess what's infected now!
Anyways guess what's infected now!
oh cool, just to start the week off with a bang, i now need to go to the dentist asap to figure out why my whole lower jaw hurts so bad i could barely sleep
November 18, 2025 at 2:13 AM
So they left one of my wisdom teeth in when I had that done in grad school because it wasn't showing signs of moving and was close enough to a nerve they were worried about complications if they tried to get it out.
Anyways guess what's infected now!
Anyways guess what's infected now!
Reposted by Jess McLaughlin, PhD (they/them)
parents freed a hummingbird from a skylight with a coleus flower attached to a pole
November 9, 2025 at 12:05 AM
parents freed a hummingbird from a skylight with a coleus flower attached to a pole
Reposted by Jess McLaughlin, PhD (they/them)
BEEP BEEP BEEP WE HAVE A COVER
November 17, 2025 at 9:51 PM
BEEP BEEP BEEP WE HAVE A COVER
Reposted by Jess McLaughlin, PhD (they/them)
Annual reminder that the Salvation Army is a hate group
(pro tip: any Christian org with military terminology in their name or description is probably a hate group or at least sympathetic to them)
if you have spare physical change, give it to a panhandler
do not put it in the Bigot Bucket
(pro tip: any Christian org with military terminology in their name or description is probably a hate group or at least sympathetic to them)
if you have spare physical change, give it to a panhandler
do not put it in the Bigot Bucket
I know it's a tad early but I know those bitches with the buckets will be out soon. Don't gove them a penny. The volunteers may not know but the salvation army is no ally and actively combative and harmful to many queer minorities especially during the holiday season
November 17, 2025 at 9:31 PM
Annual reminder that the Salvation Army is a hate group
(pro tip: any Christian org with military terminology in their name or description is probably a hate group or at least sympathetic to them)
if you have spare physical change, give it to a panhandler
do not put it in the Bigot Bucket
(pro tip: any Christian org with military terminology in their name or description is probably a hate group or at least sympathetic to them)
if you have spare physical change, give it to a panhandler
do not put it in the Bigot Bucket
Reposted by Jess McLaughlin, PhD (they/them)
THIS IS BIG
For non-academics who might not understand why:
1. Sen. Warren is still a Harvard professor so this is a call coming from inside the house
2. As a tenured law prof, Warren knows it is a VERY big deal from a labor standpoint to call on Harvard to ignore tenure. The bar for this is HIGH.
For non-academics who might not understand why:
1. Sen. Warren is still a Harvard professor so this is a call coming from inside the house
2. As a tenured law prof, Warren knows it is a VERY big deal from a labor standpoint to call on Harvard to ignore tenure. The bar for this is HIGH.
Per CNN, Elizabeth Warren is calling on Harvard to cut ties with Larry Summers after Jeffrey Epstein's emails released last week by House Dems featured Summers making sexist comments + asking for Epstein’s romantic advice.
November 18, 2025 at 12:43 AM
THIS IS BIG
For non-academics who might not understand why:
1. Sen. Warren is still a Harvard professor so this is a call coming from inside the house
2. As a tenured law prof, Warren knows it is a VERY big deal from a labor standpoint to call on Harvard to ignore tenure. The bar for this is HIGH.
For non-academics who might not understand why:
1. Sen. Warren is still a Harvard professor so this is a call coming from inside the house
2. As a tenured law prof, Warren knows it is a VERY big deal from a labor standpoint to call on Harvard to ignore tenure. The bar for this is HIGH.
Reposted by Jess McLaughlin, PhD (they/them)
Shelley: FINALLY, someone understands my vision!
King: and what's your vision, mary?
Shelley: that frankenstein is super fuckable
King: the doctor or the monster?
Shelley: why not both?
del Toro: yeah, why not both?
King: and what's your vision, mary?
Shelley: that frankenstein is super fuckable
King: the doctor or the monster?
Shelley: why not both?
del Toro: yeah, why not both?
November 17, 2025 at 9:17 PM
Shelley: FINALLY, someone understands my vision!
King: and what's your vision, mary?
Shelley: that frankenstein is super fuckable
King: the doctor or the monster?
Shelley: why not both?
del Toro: yeah, why not both?
King: and what's your vision, mary?
Shelley: that frankenstein is super fuckable
King: the doctor or the monster?
Shelley: why not both?
del Toro: yeah, why not both?
Reposted by Jess McLaughlin, PhD (they/them)
My experience with the academic job market is that there is simply far more luck involved than the vast majority of people are comfortable saying. Which departments are even hiring, what internal politics mean for the research topics they want, what fields the NSF has postdocs for, etc.
All of us from the post-2008 era (and before, no doubt) have traumatic memories of the academic job market, but I don't think the real problem was the hotel rooms (or the ballroom!), & I think it should be noticed that the real problem (no jobs, ridiculous power disparities) is now worse
November 17, 2025 at 8:28 PM
My experience with the academic job market is that there is simply far more luck involved than the vast majority of people are comfortable saying. Which departments are even hiring, what internal politics mean for the research topics they want, what fields the NSF has postdocs for, etc.
Reposted by Jess McLaughlin, PhD (they/them)
I work all day standing on tile floors, it's absurd that this would have any effect on my neck, but there's a wizard who can do something about that and I'd rather she got the portion of my taxes that would otherwise go to buying chemical weapons for my local police department to shoot me with.
November 17, 2025 at 6:50 PM
I work all day standing on tile floors, it's absurd that this would have any effect on my neck, but there's a wizard who can do something about that and I'd rather she got the portion of my taxes that would otherwise go to buying chemical weapons for my local police department to shoot me with.
Reposted by Jess McLaughlin, PhD (they/them)
Just...
I think there's a winning political message there.
"By Medicare for all, I also mean that the government should pay for a tiny woman with sharp elbows to absolutely fucking demolish your back."
"It's a Human Right."
I think there's a winning political message there.
"By Medicare for all, I also mean that the government should pay for a tiny woman with sharp elbows to absolutely fucking demolish your back."
"It's a Human Right."
November 17, 2025 at 6:47 PM
Just...
I think there's a winning political message there.
"By Medicare for all, I also mean that the government should pay for a tiny woman with sharp elbows to absolutely fucking demolish your back."
"It's a Human Right."
I think there's a winning political message there.
"By Medicare for all, I also mean that the government should pay for a tiny woman with sharp elbows to absolutely fucking demolish your back."
"It's a Human Right."
Reposted by Jess McLaughlin, PhD (they/them)
Bsky has crossed 40 million users, and I just need 20 of them to commission me to write a story for them this month.
(This could technically be 1 in a 2 million story 😆)
Want to read a sample? check the link.
#WritersLife ✍️ #WritingCommunity #AuthorSky #WriterSky #HireAWriter #Gift #BSNM
(This could technically be 1 in a 2 million story 😆)
Want to read a sample? check the link.
#WritersLife ✍️ #WritingCommunity #AuthorSky #WriterSky #HireAWriter #Gift #BSNM
November 1, 2025 at 1:59 PM
Bsky has crossed 40 million users, and I just need 20 of them to commission me to write a story for them this month.
(This could technically be 1 in a 2 million story 😆)
Want to read a sample? check the link.
#WritersLife ✍️ #WritingCommunity #AuthorSky #WriterSky #HireAWriter #Gift #BSNM
(This could technically be 1 in a 2 million story 😆)
Want to read a sample? check the link.
#WritersLife ✍️ #WritingCommunity #AuthorSky #WriterSky #HireAWriter #Gift #BSNM
Reposted by Jess McLaughlin, PhD (they/them)
women are always saying “lord grant me the confidence of a mediocre man.” ok well he did. now what. is the world a better place? look at what you’ve wrought.
Olivia Nuzzi's 'American Canto': Read the Exclusive Excerpt
She flamed out and she faded away. 'Vanity Fair'’s West Coast Editor returns to the written word to survey scorched earth.
www.vanityfair.com
November 17, 2025 at 3:46 PM
women are always saying “lord grant me the confidence of a mediocre man.” ok well he did. now what. is the world a better place? look at what you’ve wrought.
oh cool, just to start the week off with a bang, i now need to go to the dentist asap to figure out why my whole lower jaw hurts so bad i could barely sleep
November 17, 2025 at 6:39 PM
oh cool, just to start the week off with a bang, i now need to go to the dentist asap to figure out why my whole lower jaw hurts so bad i could barely sleep
okay y'all, i'm doing a lecture on the concept of wilderness today (with all the complications inherent in that idea). i want a visual of what people associate with the term colloquially, so: what are the first words/images/ideas that come to mind when you hear the word "wilderness"?
November 17, 2025 at 4:23 PM
okay y'all, i'm doing a lecture on the concept of wilderness today (with all the complications inherent in that idea). i want a visual of what people associate with the term colloquially, so: what are the first words/images/ideas that come to mind when you hear the word "wilderness"?
Okay, on reflection I am slightly relaxing my rule on "only human-made art".
...Oh, no, I'm still not supporting genAI art, but I *will* be allowing art made by bears
...Oh, no, I'm still not supporting genAI art, but I *will* be allowing art made by bears
November 17, 2025 at 6:08 AM
Okay, on reflection I am slightly relaxing my rule on "only human-made art".
...Oh, no, I'm still not supporting genAI art, but I *will* be allowing art made by bears
...Oh, no, I'm still not supporting genAI art, but I *will* be allowing art made by bears
Had an absolutely wonderful little birthday dinner. I love being back in AK where I can reconnect with old friends while also making so many new ones ❤️
November 17, 2025 at 6:04 AM
Had an absolutely wonderful little birthday dinner. I love being back in AK where I can reconnect with old friends while also making so many new ones ❤️
Your last saved meme is your moral philosophy
November 17, 2025 at 2:57 AM
Your last saved meme is your moral philosophy
Reposted by Jess McLaughlin, PhD (they/them)
Hey folks, my wonderful Mum is raising money for Neuroblastoma UK in honour of my big brother, Ben, who passed away from the disease, 34 years ago today. She has set herself a very modest target, and I'd like you guys to help me blow it out of the water. neuroblastoma.enthuse.com/pf/sharon-sp...
26 Miles to start 2026 January Challenge
Some of you may know that my son Benjamin passed away over 30 years ago after being diagnosed with Neuroblastoma. I'm completing this challenge to raise awareness of this terrible childhood cancer. Wa
neuroblastoma.enthuse.com
November 16, 2025 at 9:54 PM
Hey folks, my wonderful Mum is raising money for Neuroblastoma UK in honour of my big brother, Ben, who passed away from the disease, 34 years ago today. She has set herself a very modest target, and I'd like you guys to help me blow it out of the water. neuroblastoma.enthuse.com/pf/sharon-sp...
Reposted by Jess McLaughlin, PhD (they/them)
Who’s putting it at risk, @sfn.org ?
This passive voice stuff has got to stop. We have to name the people destroying US leadership in science.
(Hint: Trump. Vought. Bhattacharya. RFK. Say their names.)
This passive voice stuff has got to stop. We have to name the people destroying US leadership in science.
(Hint: Trump. Vought. Bhattacharya. RFK. Say their names.)
"The U.S. has been a world leader in research for decades, and that leadership position is now at risk," said SfN President John H. Morrison in a new NPR article.
Read more SfN member perspectives: vist.ly/4eqvy
#neurosky #neuroskyence
Read more SfN member perspectives: vist.ly/4eqvy
#neurosky #neuroskyence
As funding falters, young brain scientists rethink careers in research
Research on brain disorders may slow as young neuroscientists struggle to find jobs and research grants.
www.npr.org
November 16, 2025 at 8:15 PM
Who’s putting it at risk, @sfn.org ?
This passive voice stuff has got to stop. We have to name the people destroying US leadership in science.
(Hint: Trump. Vought. Bhattacharya. RFK. Say their names.)
This passive voice stuff has got to stop. We have to name the people destroying US leadership in science.
(Hint: Trump. Vought. Bhattacharya. RFK. Say their names.)
#invertefest propaganda in the wild
November 16, 2025 at 9:52 PM
#invertefest propaganda in the wild
Reposted by Jess McLaughlin, PhD (they/them)
The annoying thing about Larry Summers is that he will not get anywhere near the heat and scrutiny for this as anyone else would for something like listing their pronouns in a syllabus.
November 16, 2025 at 9:30 PM
The annoying thing about Larry Summers is that he will not get anywhere near the heat and scrutiny for this as anyone else would for something like listing their pronouns in a syllabus.
"You keep using that word. I don't think you know what it means."
November 16, 2025 at 9:13 PM
"You keep using that word. I don't think you know what it means."
Reposted by Jess McLaughlin, PhD (they/them)
