Upbeat Former Prof
@upbeatprof.bsky.social
And remember: you must never, under any circumstances, despair. To hope and to act, these are our duties in misfortune.
-- Boris Pasternak, Doctor Zhivago
Skeets are my own+do not reflect views of employers past or present.
-- Boris Pasternak, Doctor Zhivago
Skeets are my own+do not reflect views of employers past or present.
Reposted by Upbeat Former Prof
When ranking pies, I remember the wise words of my grandfather, who always said "I only like two kinds of pie: hot pie and cold pie."
November 26, 2025 at 3:31 AM
When ranking pies, I remember the wise words of my grandfather, who always said "I only like two kinds of pie: hot pie and cold pie."
Reposted by Upbeat Former Prof
It's been awhile, but I found myself recommending to someone today our groundbreaking code, lead by the inimitable Andy Kern, that magically converts pdfs to... pdfs. This solves the conversion issue so many journals pose to the intrepid scientist. github.com/andrewkern/p...
GitHub - andrewkern/pdf2pdf: does the magical pdf-to-pdf conversion popular in academic journal submission sites and does it faster than they do
does the magical pdf-to-pdf conversion popular in academic journal submission sites and does it faster than they do - andrewkern/pdf2pdf
github.com
November 26, 2025 at 12:29 AM
It's been awhile, but I found myself recommending to someone today our groundbreaking code, lead by the inimitable Andy Kern, that magically converts pdfs to... pdfs. This solves the conversion issue so many journals pose to the intrepid scientist. github.com/andrewkern/p...
Reposted by Upbeat Former Prof
A geothermal amoeba sets a new upper temperature limit for eukaryotes https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2025.11.24.690213v1
November 25, 2025 at 2:16 AM
A geothermal amoeba sets a new upper temperature limit for eukaryotes https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2025.11.24.690213v1
Reposted by Upbeat Former Prof
So happy to announce our new preprint, “A geothermal amoeba sets a new upper temperature limit for eukaryotes.” We cultured a novel amoeba from Lassen Volcanic NP (CA, USA) that divides at 63°C (145°F) 🔥 - a new record for euk growth!
#protistsonsky 🧵
#protistsonsky 🧵
November 25, 2025 at 8:41 PM
So happy to announce our new preprint, “A geothermal amoeba sets a new upper temperature limit for eukaryotes.” We cultured a novel amoeba from Lassen Volcanic NP (CA, USA) that divides at 63°C (145°F) 🔥 - a new record for euk growth!
#protistsonsky 🧵
#protistsonsky 🧵
i love this headline so much, @skleinedler.bsky.social
November 25, 2025 at 6:52 AM
i love this headline so much, @skleinedler.bsky.social
holy sweet Christ i had to peace out of that XKCD so fast before i lost it. sending love to them and to all of you who know.
November 25, 2025 at 4:54 AM
holy sweet Christ i had to peace out of that XKCD so fast before i lost it. sending love to them and to all of you who know.
Reposted by Upbeat Former Prof
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...
friend once had a Wolfgang Puck pie maker, a gag gift gone right
1 yr, the house filled w smells of delicious cherry pie
as people tucked in, their delight turned to confusion, then disgust at how salty it was
my friend had mixed up the pie dough w/ his kids' homemade play-dough
1 yr, the house filled w smells of delicious cherry pie
as people tucked in, their delight turned to confusion, then disgust at how salty it was
my friend had mixed up the pie dough w/ his kids' homemade play-dough
yes, hello, I would like to place an order for everyone’s funniest stories of holiday food-related family grudges / drama / chaotic incidents / lore
I feel like we need this
I feel like we need this
November 25, 2025 at 3:17 AM
friend once had a Wolfgang Puck pie maker, a gag gift gone right
1 yr, the house filled w smells of delicious cherry pie
as people tucked in, their delight turned to confusion, then disgust at how salty it was
my friend had mixed up the pie dough w/ his kids' homemade play-dough
1 yr, the house filled w smells of delicious cherry pie
as people tucked in, their delight turned to confusion, then disgust at how salty it was
my friend had mixed up the pie dough w/ his kids' homemade play-dough
the rules are simple:
1, don't do an interview with him
2, if he posts about you, see #1
1, don't do an interview with him
2, if he posts about you, see #1
November 25, 2025 at 3:05 AM
the rules are simple:
1, don't do an interview with him
2, if he posts about you, see #1
1, don't do an interview with him
2, if he posts about you, see #1
Reposted by Upbeat Former Prof
SCULLY: It's impossible. There's no one on earth who could teach you to fit that many marshmallows in your mouth.
MULDER: Daff righ...... No one...... on urff...
MULDER: Daff righ...... No one...... on urff...
December 7, 2024 at 5:42 AM
SCULLY: It's impossible. There's no one on earth who could teach you to fit that many marshmallows in your mouth.
MULDER: Daff righ...... No one...... on urff...
MULDER: Daff righ...... No one...... on urff...
the shitshow in me honors the shitshow in you
November 24, 2025 at 9:37 PM
the shitshow in me honors the shitshow in you
Reposted by Upbeat Former Prof
When calligraphers get mad they send strongly lettered words
November 24, 2025 at 5:31 AM
When calligraphers get mad they send strongly lettered words
got one of these in 2003 for this very reason.
November 24, 2025 at 1:30 PM
got one of these in 2003 for this very reason.
Reposted by Upbeat Former Prof
This is art
youtu.be/F-kVwoJCLlU?...
youtu.be/F-kVwoJCLlU?...
I Play At Weddings
YouTube video by Vinheteiro
youtu.be
November 23, 2025 at 8:29 PM
This is art
youtu.be/F-kVwoJCLlU?...
youtu.be/F-kVwoJCLlU?...
Reposted by Upbeat Former Prof
How can a PhD blend science with art, and dessert with creativity? 🤔
I tried it by making a “night-sky cake“— colored with phycocyanin, the same vivid blue pigment 💙 found in the algae I study. My supervisor recognized the source of the color immediately — he’s incredibly sharp!
I tried it by making a “night-sky cake“— colored with phycocyanin, the same vivid blue pigment 💙 found in the algae I study. My supervisor recognized the source of the color immediately — he’s incredibly sharp!
November 21, 2025 at 2:30 PM
How can a PhD blend science with art, and dessert with creativity? 🤔
I tried it by making a “night-sky cake“— colored with phycocyanin, the same vivid blue pigment 💙 found in the algae I study. My supervisor recognized the source of the color immediately — he’s incredibly sharp!
I tried it by making a “night-sky cake“— colored with phycocyanin, the same vivid blue pigment 💙 found in the algae I study. My supervisor recognized the source of the color immediately — he’s incredibly sharp!
Reposted by Upbeat Former Prof
Geneticist and microbiologist Rita Rossi Colwell was born #OTD in 1934. She was the first researcher in the US to use computers to analyze bacteriological data, and the first woman to serve as director of the NSF. 🧪 👩🔬
November 23, 2025 at 6:32 PM
Geneticist and microbiologist Rita Rossi Colwell was born #OTD in 1934. She was the first researcher in the US to use computers to analyze bacteriological data, and the first woman to serve as director of the NSF. 🧪 👩🔬
good but never quite good enough for the next rung, so had to jump from 1 ladder to the next
eventually ppl asked me to jump to their unusual ladders bc I'd shown i could hang on so many others
pushing this too far: also, having failed on those others made me non-threatening to the truly talented
eventually ppl asked me to jump to their unusual ladders bc I'd shown i could hang on so many others
pushing this too far: also, having failed on those others made me non-threatening to the truly talented
November 23, 2025 at 5:02 PM
good but never quite good enough for the next rung, so had to jump from 1 ladder to the next
eventually ppl asked me to jump to their unusual ladders bc I'd shown i could hang on so many others
pushing this too far: also, having failed on those others made me non-threatening to the truly talented
eventually ppl asked me to jump to their unusual ladders bc I'd shown i could hang on so many others
pushing this too far: also, having failed on those others made me non-threatening to the truly talented
raise your hand if you've never been so grateful for a paywall
November 22, 2025 at 7:39 AM
raise your hand if you've never been so grateful for a paywall
has any show ever had such reliably touching season finales as GBBO 💕🥲
November 22, 2025 at 4:31 AM
has any show ever had such reliably touching season finales as GBBO 💕🥲
Reposted by Upbeat Former Prof
Two kinds of people
November 22, 2025 at 3:56 AM
Two kinds of people
Reposted by Upbeat Former Prof
Man, CLASSIC X-MEN had such GREAT covers. The title that fist exposed me to the core Claremont run. Mignola, Adams, Lightle, Hughes, JRJR - almost all winners.
November 20, 2025 at 9:29 PM
Man, CLASSIC X-MEN had such GREAT covers. The title that fist exposed me to the core Claremont run. Mignola, Adams, Lightle, Hughes, JRJR - almost all winners.
thesis advisor: mental health is just that, health. you carry an inhaler for your asthma. it's not shameful or weak to get medical care for biochemical dysfunction that prevents you from living your best life. doesn't matter if the dysfunction is in your lungs or in your brain.
What’s the most significant advice you received from a teacher?
I had a Geology prof who always said “have strong opinions, loosely held”
Be passionate, assess alternatives with conviction, take sides. But don’t fall so in love with your opinions that you can’t change them with better data.
I had a Geology prof who always said “have strong opinions, loosely held”
Be passionate, assess alternatives with conviction, take sides. But don’t fall so in love with your opinions that you can’t change them with better data.
November 21, 2025 at 4:17 AM
thesis advisor: mental health is just that, health. you carry an inhaler for your asthma. it's not shameful or weak to get medical care for biochemical dysfunction that prevents you from living your best life. doesn't matter if the dysfunction is in your lungs or in your brain.
Reposted by Upbeat Former Prof
In answer to the question of how you should write a philosophy essay one of my teachers - Malcom Budd - said ‘Answer the question clearly and simply.’ Superb answer and an example of itself. I’ve tried to follow in all I do.
What’s the most significant advice you received from a teacher?
I had a Geology prof who always said “have strong opinions, loosely held”
Be passionate, assess alternatives with conviction, take sides. But don’t fall so in love with your opinions that you can’t change them with better data.
I had a Geology prof who always said “have strong opinions, loosely held”
Be passionate, assess alternatives with conviction, take sides. But don’t fall so in love with your opinions that you can’t change them with better data.
November 21, 2025 at 3:53 AM
In answer to the question of how you should write a philosophy essay one of my teachers - Malcom Budd - said ‘Answer the question clearly and simply.’ Superb answer and an example of itself. I’ve tried to follow in all I do.