Dr Andrew Mahon
@andyantarctica.bsky.social
Biologist and molecular ecologist, studying animals in Antarctica, e.g., sea spiders. I also use eDNA to study biodiversity all over the globe.
Web: MahonLab.com
Google Scholar: https://rb.gy/6z3tre
LinkedIn: https://tinyurl.com/4kvx48s
Web: MahonLab.com
Google Scholar: https://rb.gy/6z3tre
LinkedIn: https://tinyurl.com/4kvx48s
US Federal research investment, particularly in biomedical and physical sciences, generates estimated returns of 200-300%. It supports hundreds of thousands of jobs, drives startups, and ensures global competitiveness. I guess we don't care about that anymore as a country? 🧪
In addition to continuing to downgrade Americans health, this further illustrates why we cannot depend on the private sector to pick up the work being put down by the government to improve both American and great global health.
In terms of what cures are being lost:
- Epstein-Barr virus is perhaps the major trigger for multiple sclerosis
- herpes simplex virus causes cold sores, genital herpes, infections in babies, deadly meningitis
- shingles virus causes an intensely painful disease
- Epstein-Barr virus is perhaps the major trigger for multiple sclerosis
- herpes simplex virus causes cold sores, genital herpes, infections in babies, deadly meningitis
- shingles virus causes an intensely painful disease
February 13, 2026 at 12:34 PM
US Federal research investment, particularly in biomedical and physical sciences, generates estimated returns of 200-300%. It supports hundreds of thousands of jobs, drives startups, and ensures global competitiveness. I guess we don't care about that anymore as a country? 🧪
A great overview, slightly dated since the NBP is already gone. The US Antarctic program capacity is lacking greatly right now....replacements that are in place now are a band-aid at best with less capacity/ability than the NBP and Gould. 🧪🌎🦑🌊 🇦🇶 #Antarctica
Replacing the Polar Research Vessel Nathaniel B. Palmer
The National Science Foundation ended its lease of Palmer at the end of FY 2025. Here's a look at what might be coming next.
sixtydegreesnorth.substack.com
February 11, 2026 at 12:26 PM
A great overview, slightly dated since the NBP is already gone. The US Antarctic program capacity is lacking greatly right now....replacements that are in place now are a band-aid at best with less capacity/ability than the NBP and Gould. 🧪🌎🦑🌊 🇦🇶 #Antarctica
Felt like a sea spider day to me....Austropallene cornigera. 🧪🌎🦑🇦🇶 #Antarctica
February 10, 2026 at 12:58 PM
Felt like a sea spider day to me....Austropallene cornigera. 🧪🌎🦑🇦🇶 #Antarctica
More delays....and yet the fish keep swimming....saying they are not yet into the lakes is irresponsible. They're there. Now is when we keep the population numbers low...the longer we wait and delay, the worse/quicker the invasion will be. 🧪🌎
More delays for the Brandon Road Interbasin Project which aims to prevent invasive carp from entering the #GreatLakes
“The federal investment currently is on hold without justification and additional contracts for the project cannot be awarded due to the funding pause" www.mlive.com/environment/...
“The federal investment currently is on hold without justification and additional contracts for the project cannot be awarded due to the funding pause" www.mlive.com/environment/...
After Trump promised speed, Great Lakes carp barrier faces delay
Michigan and Illinois lawmakers say an unexplained federal review threatens to slow the long-awaited Lake Michigan invasive species protection project.
www.mlive.com
January 28, 2026 at 3:30 PM
More delays....and yet the fish keep swimming....saying they are not yet into the lakes is irresponsible. They're there. Now is when we keep the population numbers low...the longer we wait and delay, the worse/quicker the invasion will be. 🧪🌎
I actually have a question for science community that I HOPE someone can direct me...I have a species of marine organism that was previously described but while I'm sure I have collected this species, the original description, published in the 1993 is objectively not...ideal. 🧪🌎🦑🇦🇶
January 26, 2026 at 2:23 PM
I actually have a question for science community that I HOPE someone can direct me...I have a species of marine organism that was previously described but while I'm sure I have collected this species, the original description, published in the 1993 is objectively not...ideal. 🧪🌎🦑🇦🇶
In case folks needed to know, as a #scicomm announcement and PSA to everyone, there are no penguins in Greenland. #Antarctica🧪🇦🇶 I can't believe that needs to be said but yep....it needs to be....
January 24, 2026 at 12:22 PM
In case folks needed to know, as a #scicomm announcement and PSA to everyone, there are no penguins in Greenland. #Antarctica🧪🇦🇶 I can't believe that needs to be said but yep....it needs to be....
An "angry" isopod (Ceratoserolis trilobitoides) collected in April 2023 in East Antarctica. Research cruise NBP23-03. 🧪🌎🦑🇦🇶
January 21, 2026 at 12:29 PM
An "angry" isopod (Ceratoserolis trilobitoides) collected in April 2023 in East Antarctica. Research cruise NBP23-03. 🧪🌎🦑🇦🇶
Another from our 2013 research cruise....(LMG13-12) along the Western Antarctic Peninsula. I BELIEVE this is Gorganocephalus chilensis (Ophiuroidea). #antarctica 🧪🌎🦑🇦🇶
January 20, 2026 at 12:37 PM
Another from our 2013 research cruise....(LMG13-12) along the Western Antarctic Peninsula. I BELIEVE this is Gorganocephalus chilensis (Ophiuroidea). #antarctica 🧪🌎🦑🇦🇶
Antarctic amphipod Friday ....the gammarid Paraceradocus gibber collected on LMG13-12 along the Western Antarctic Peninsula. 🧪🌎🦑🇦🇶
January 16, 2026 at 1:19 PM
Antarctic amphipod Friday ....the gammarid Paraceradocus gibber collected on LMG13-12 along the Western Antarctic Peninsula. 🧪🌎🦑🇦🇶
....numbers matter. 🧪🌎🦑
The total NSF budget was 9 billion. I doubt they spend 89% of it on quail.
January 15, 2026 at 10:00 PM
....numbers matter. 🧪🌎🦑
Photo of the day....Austropallene cornigera, a sea spider from the continental shelf waters around #Antarctica #Pycnogonida 🧪🌎🦑🇦🇶 Collected in East Antarctica in 2023 on the NBP23-03 research cruise.
January 12, 2026 at 12:28 PM
Photo of the day....Austropallene cornigera, a sea spider from the continental shelf waters around #Antarctica #Pycnogonida 🧪🌎🦑🇦🇶 Collected in East Antarctica in 2023 on the NBP23-03 research cruise.
Reposted by Dr Andrew Mahon
Really excited about this news! We had a lot fun and I'm wearing my newly-won FHL sweatshirt for today's last #sicb2026 talks
Time to celebrate! The @sicb-diz.bsky.social auction at the #SICB2026 meeting raised $4790 for student and postdoctoral support!!!! This will be the basis for the John and Vickey Pearse Fund being established by DIZ! Thanks to @kmkocot.bsky.social for being our exuberant auctioneer and all donors!!!
January 7, 2026 at 7:20 PM
Really excited about this news! We had a lot fun and I'm wearing my newly-won FHL sweatshirt for today's last #sicb2026 talks
Time to celebrate! The @sicb-diz.bsky.social auction at the #SICB2026 meeting raised $4790 for student and postdoctoral support!!!! This will be the basis for the John and Vickey Pearse Fund being established by DIZ! Thanks to @kmkocot.bsky.social for being our exuberant auctioneer and all donors!!!
January 7, 2026 at 7:09 PM
Time to celebrate! The @sicb-diz.bsky.social auction at the #SICB2026 meeting raised $4790 for student and postdoctoral support!!!! This will be the basis for the John and Vickey Pearse Fund being established by DIZ! Thanks to @kmkocot.bsky.social for being our exuberant auctioneer and all donors!!!
Reposted by Dr Andrew Mahon
#IcyInverts presenters from this morning's #SICB2026 Antarctic Invertebrates session. @sicb-diz.bsky.social
January 6, 2026 at 2:31 AM
#IcyInverts presenters from this morning's #SICB2026 Antarctic Invertebrates session. @sicb-diz.bsky.social
Last call for the DIZ auction at the SICB meeting in Portland, OR! @sicb.bsky.social @sicb-diz.bsky.social If you need to ship an item to make it to the auction, DM me or email me (see form!). PLEASE DONATE! Art items, books, crafts, nerdy stuff, stickers, .....Funds help STUDENTS!!! Please RT!
Donations for the auction at our annual meeting in Portland in January. Jim's quilt will be amazing!!! Donate and help us make this huge! This is a major fundraiser for DIZ's ability to support students! If you would be so kind and want to donate, please use this link: forms.gle/nz8WWSmsdagp...
December 19, 2025 at 1:51 PM
Last call for the DIZ auction at the SICB meeting in Portland, OR! @sicb.bsky.social @sicb-diz.bsky.social If you need to ship an item to make it to the auction, DM me or email me (see form!). PLEASE DONATE! Art items, books, crafts, nerdy stuff, stickers, .....Funds help STUDENTS!!! Please RT!
🧪🦑🇦🇶🌎
Happy Halloween! Today, I bring you one of the weirdest (and COOLEST!) creatures collected on our research trips ...a giant amphipod (Paraceradocus sp. I believe). They burrow in this slit-like holes in muddy sediments! Found on our research cruise to East Antarctica in 2023 (NBP23-03). 🦑🇦🇶🧪🦑🐧
December 1, 2025 at 8:22 PM
🧪🦑🇦🇶🌎
Donations for the auction at our annual meeting in Portland in January. Jim's quilt will be amazing!!! Donate and help us make this huge! This is a major fundraiser for DIZ's ability to support students! If you would be so kind and want to donate, please use this link: forms.gle/nz8WWSmsdagp...
November 20, 2025 at 4:38 PM
Donations for the auction at our annual meeting in Portland in January. Jim's quilt will be amazing!!! Donate and help us make this huge! This is a major fundraiser for DIZ's ability to support students! If you would be so kind and want to donate, please use this link: forms.gle/nz8WWSmsdagp...
Happy Anniversary everyone! 🧪🌎🦑
Tomorrow, Nov. 12, is the 55th anniversary of Exploding Whale Day. I got to talk about this to my marine bio class today, as I do every year to bring some levity and about the practical nature of how these things happen. 🧪🌎🦑🐋
www.youtube.com/watch?v=V6CL...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=V6CL...
a picture of a humpback whale with the words that she blows above it
ALT: a picture of a humpback whale with the words that she blows above it
media.tenor.com
November 12, 2025 at 1:49 PM
Happy Anniversary everyone! 🧪🌎🦑
Tomorrow, Nov. 12, is the 55th anniversary of Exploding Whale Day. I got to talk about this to my marine bio class today, as I do every year to bring some levity and about the practical nature of how these things happen. 🧪🌎🦑🐋
www.youtube.com/watch?v=V6CL...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=V6CL...
a picture of a humpback whale with the words that she blows above it
ALT: a picture of a humpback whale with the words that she blows above it
media.tenor.com
November 11, 2025 at 3:43 PM
Tomorrow, Nov. 12, is the 55th anniversary of Exploding Whale Day. I got to talk about this to my marine bio class today, as I do every year to bring some levity and about the practical nature of how these things happen. 🧪🌎🦑🐋
www.youtube.com/watch?v=V6CL...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=V6CL...
... yeah. This will have multi-generational impacts to the entire planet. 🧪🌎
"Science is being destroyed across many agencies" say federal researchers.
For my latest @nature.com piece, I spoke to 19 different scientists across EPA, NOAA, NIH, NASA, and USGS to document how science is being dismantled across US federal agencies.
For my latest @nature.com piece, I spoke to 19 different scientists across EPA, NOAA, NIH, NASA, and USGS to document how science is being dismantled across US federal agencies.
Dismantling of US federal agencies will ‘destroy science’
From NASA to the National Institutes of Health, federal agencies conduct research that universities cannot. Agency scientists speak out about the irreplaceable facilities, institutional knowledge and ...
www.nature.com
November 4, 2025 at 4:02 PM
... yeah. This will have multi-generational impacts to the entire planet. 🧪🌎
this is insanely amazing and terrifying all at once.
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November 3, 2025 at 5:57 PM
this is insanely amazing and terrifying all at once.
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Please donate! If you are not coming to the meeting we will have a mailing address available to ship donations (after December 1). Let's make this the biggest DIZ auction to date! (a social will follow the auction too!). 🧪🌎🦑 Questions? DM me!
#SICB @sicb-diz.bsky.social #auction!
This auction will support #students and #postdocs through funds to directly support their #research & also to attend the SICB #conferences.
We are asking for donations of any kind (gift cards, art, cool clothing/shirts/etc.
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
This auction will support #students and #postdocs through funds to directly support their #research & also to attend the SICB #conferences.
We are asking for donations of any kind (gift cards, art, cool clothing/shirts/etc.
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
October 29, 2025 at 11:48 AM
Please donate! If you are not coming to the meeting we will have a mailing address available to ship donations (after December 1). Let's make this the biggest DIZ auction to date! (a social will follow the auction too!). 🧪🌎🦑 Questions? DM me!
Please consider donating! All proceeds help both undergrad and grad student's complete their work and attend this fantastic conference! 🧪🌎🦑🧬 Questions? DM me! All donations for the auction are welcomed (gift cards, etc!)! Form link below! @sicb.bsky.social @sicb-diz.bsky.social
I'm soliciting donations for the @sicb-diz.bsky.social auction at our annual meeting in Portland in January. This is a major fundraiser for the Division's ability to support students! If you would be so kind and want to donate, please use this link: forms.gle/nz8WWSmsdagp...
@sicb.bsky.social
@sicb.bsky.social
forms.gle
October 20, 2025 at 11:29 AM
Please consider donating! All proceeds help both undergrad and grad student's complete their work and attend this fantastic conference! 🧪🌎🦑🧬 Questions? DM me! All donations for the auction are welcomed (gift cards, etc!)! Form link below! @sicb.bsky.social @sicb-diz.bsky.social
Reposted by Dr Andrew Mahon
Hey #TeamInvert #SICB2026 folks! Have some items that you may want to donate for the @sicb-diz.bsky.social auction? Please reach out to @andyantarctica.bsky.social or fill out the form below!
🪼🪸🪱🦋🐛🐝🐌🪰🦟🕷️🐜🦂🐞🪲🐙🦑🦞🦀🦐
🪼🪸🪱🦋🐛🐝🐌🪰🦟🕷️🐜🦂🐞🪲🐙🦑🦞🦀🦐
I'm soliciting donations for the @sicb-diz.bsky.social auction at our annual meeting in Portland in January. This is a major fundraiser for the Division's ability to support students! If you would be so kind and want to donate, please use this link: forms.gle/nz8WWSmsdagp...
@sicb.bsky.social
@sicb.bsky.social
forms.gle
October 15, 2025 at 6:50 PM
Hey #TeamInvert #SICB2026 folks! Have some items that you may want to donate for the @sicb-diz.bsky.social auction? Please reach out to @andyantarctica.bsky.social or fill out the form below!
🪼🪸🪱🦋🐛🐝🐌🪰🦟🕷️🐜🦂🐞🪲🐙🦑🦞🦀🦐
🪼🪸🪱🦋🐛🐝🐌🪰🦟🕷️🐜🦂🐞🪲🐙🦑🦞🦀🦐
Reposted by Dr Andrew Mahon
I'm soliciting donations for the @sicb-diz.bsky.social auction at our annual meeting in Portland in January. This is a major fundraiser for the Division's ability to support students! If you would be so kind and want to donate, please use this link: forms.gle/nz8WWSmsdagp...
@sicb.bsky.social
@sicb.bsky.social
forms.gle
October 7, 2025 at 11:57 AM
I'm soliciting donations for the @sicb-diz.bsky.social auction at our annual meeting in Portland in January. This is a major fundraiser for the Division's ability to support students! If you would be so kind and want to donate, please use this link: forms.gle/nz8WWSmsdagp...
@sicb.bsky.social
@sicb.bsky.social