Emily Puckett
@eepuckett.bsky.social
Associate Professor in Biology at the University of Memphis | Phylogeography and the genetic basis of traits in American black bears | Secretary Int Assoc for Bear Research & Management 🐼🐻🐻❄️
Reposted by Emily Puckett
Developing this course from scratch, incorporating several new recent developments from my lab, including tests of ghost introgression, model development and testing, and inference from Ks histograms. Do sign up! Feel free to DM me with queries.
Check out the fresh new vibe of our Model-based Demographic Inference course—now with the brilliant @arunsethuraman.bsky.social! 🚀 Join us online, 20-24 July.
www.physalia-courses.org/courses-work...
www.physalia-courses.org/courses-work...
February 6, 2026 at 4:39 PM
Developing this course from scratch, incorporating several new recent developments from my lab, including tests of ghost introgression, model development and testing, and inference from Ks histograms. Do sign up! Feel free to DM me with queries.
Reposted by Emily Puckett
We are thrilled to announce the first official release (v0.1.8) of #𝗯𝗲𝗱𝗱𝗲𝗿, the successor to one of our flagship tool, #𝗯𝗲𝗱𝘁𝗼𝗼𝗹𝘀! Based on ideas we conceived of long ago (!), this was achieved thanks to the dedication of Brent Pedersen.
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Intro to Bedder – The Quinlan Lab
quinlanlab.org
December 2, 2025 at 2:28 AM
Reposted by Emily Puckett
Like, spaces in a lot of places are just totally empty because everyone works from home a lot. And this really sucks! Students are not senior employees who benefit from that flexibility
January 27, 2026 at 4:54 PM
Like, spaces in a lot of places are just totally empty because everyone works from home a lot. And this really sucks! Students are not senior employees who benefit from that flexibility
Reposted by Emily Puckett
You too can 'turn your student evaluation results around' by simply changing your gender, ethnicity, or socio-economic background! Students will generously increase their scores if you switch to being a middle-class, white, male. No additional work needed!
Disappointed with your National Student Survey satisfaction results? One teaching team turned theirs around with reflection and collaboration. Find out how, in the first of a two-part series: https://ow.ly/RIUo50XZLcb #HigherEd #AcademicSky #EduSky
Maximise student satisfaction in creative education: part one
Disappointed with your National Student Survey satisfaction results? One teaching team turned theirs around with reflection and collaboration. Find out how, in the first of a two-part series
ow.ly
January 21, 2026 at 3:04 PM
You too can 'turn your student evaluation results around' by simply changing your gender, ethnicity, or socio-economic background! Students will generously increase their scores if you switch to being a middle-class, white, male. No additional work needed!
Reposted by Emily Puckett
I have some more bad news.
If an admissions committee even suspects you used ChatGPT for your application letter, they'll almost certainly decide not to waste a precious admissions spot on you.
Instead they'll give it to, you know, someone who actually likes to write and knows how to do it.
If an admissions committee even suspects you used ChatGPT for your application letter, they'll almost certainly decide not to waste a precious admissions spot on you.
Instead they'll give it to, you know, someone who actually likes to write and knows how to do it.
I have some bad news. One, if you need to use ChatGPT for your graduate application letter, you are not ready for graduate school.
Two, no, not "everyone is doing it" and those who don't do it aren't "losing out." ChatGPT is not an advantage.
Two, no, not "everyone is doing it" and those who don't do it aren't "losing out." ChatGPT is not an advantage.
An impressive number of graduate applications this year used the phrase “curiosity-driven approach” 🤔
January 17, 2026 at 11:03 PM
I have some more bad news.
If an admissions committee even suspects you used ChatGPT for your application letter, they'll almost certainly decide not to waste a precious admissions spot on you.
Instead they'll give it to, you know, someone who actually likes to write and knows how to do it.
If an admissions committee even suspects you used ChatGPT for your application letter, they'll almost certainly decide not to waste a precious admissions spot on you.
Instead they'll give it to, you know, someone who actually likes to write and knows how to do it.
Reposted by Emily Puckett
“Restoring real habitat would mean shutting down industries. We aren’t allowed to propose that.”
Someone asked about rewilding.
Someone else replied:
“We talk about it because it sounds hopeful, not because we think it will happen.”
Someone asked about rewilding.
Someone else replied:
“We talk about it because it sounds hopeful, not because we think it will happen.”
A sustainability conference goes rogue.
open.substack.com/pub/lylel/p/...
open.substack.com/pub/lylel/p/...
The Sustainability Conference Where Everyone Was Given Truth Serum
The conference began like any other.
open.substack.com
January 17, 2026 at 8:26 PM
“Restoring real habitat would mean shutting down industries. We aren’t allowed to propose that.”
Someone asked about rewilding.
Someone else replied:
“We talk about it because it sounds hopeful, not because we think it will happen.”
Someone asked about rewilding.
Someone else replied:
“We talk about it because it sounds hopeful, not because we think it will happen.”
Reposted by Emily Puckett
Reposted by Emily Puckett
In a new GBE Review, @david-peede.bsky.social et al. overview the SMC model and extensions, discuss examples of discoveries made with the help of SMC-based inference, and comment on the assumptions, benefits, and drawbacks of various methods.
🔗 doi.org/10.1093/gbe/...
#genome #evolution #compbio
🔗 doi.org/10.1093/gbe/...
#genome #evolution #compbio
Not Just Ne Ne-More: New Applications for SMC from Ecology to Phylogenies
Abstract. Genomes contain the mutational footprint of an organism’s evolutionary history, shaped by diverse forces including ecological factors, selective
doi.org
January 8, 2026 at 8:02 AM
In a new GBE Review, @david-peede.bsky.social et al. overview the SMC model and extensions, discuss examples of discoveries made with the help of SMC-based inference, and comment on the assumptions, benefits, and drawbacks of various methods.
🔗 doi.org/10.1093/gbe/...
#genome #evolution #compbio
🔗 doi.org/10.1093/gbe/...
#genome #evolution #compbio
Reposted by Emily Puckett
I drew my friend’s cats as a Christmas gift. That is her son she is holding
January 2, 2026 at 12:28 AM
I drew my friend’s cats as a Christmas gift. That is her son she is holding
Reposted by Emily Puckett
No one says to legit business owners, "hey I see there's an underground market selling toxic knock-offs of your product: how will you incorporate the toxic product AND protect your customers against its harms?" But apparently it's fine to make this suggestion to educators with respect to AI.
December 24, 2025 at 7:56 PM
No one says to legit business owners, "hey I see there's an underground market selling toxic knock-offs of your product: how will you incorporate the toxic product AND protect your customers against its harms?" But apparently it's fine to make this suggestion to educators with respect to AI.
Reposted by Emily Puckett
It is EXHAUSTING not only being made responsible for coming up with new kinds of assignments for our students; it's also tedious reading op-eds that suggest the core problem is a crisis in teaching. But, as Chris and I lay out here, this isn't a crisis in teaching; it's an attack on learning.
"We envision a resistance that is...a repudiation of the efficiencies that automated algorithmic education falsely promises: a resistance comprising the collective force of small acts of friction."
"How to Resist AI in Education" by me & @cnygren.bsky.social
www.publicbooks.org/four-frictio...
"How to Resist AI in Education" by me & @cnygren.bsky.social
www.publicbooks.org/four-frictio...
Four Frictions: or, How to Resist AI in Education - Public Books
We are calling for resistance to the AI industry’s ongoing capture of higher education.
www.publicbooks.org
December 24, 2025 at 7:39 PM
It is EXHAUSTING not only being made responsible for coming up with new kinds of assignments for our students; it's also tedious reading op-eds that suggest the core problem is a crisis in teaching. But, as Chris and I lay out here, this isn't a crisis in teaching; it's an attack on learning.
Reposted by Emily Puckett
Andean bears have unique facial markings, much like human fingerprints. These markings may change in shape and colour with age, and in some individuals may be absent altogether.
Check out our species pages to learn more about bears: www.bearbiology.org/the-eight-be...
REFERENCE: Peyton, B. 1980.
Check out our species pages to learn more about bears: www.bearbiology.org/the-eight-be...
REFERENCE: Peyton, B. 1980.
December 6, 2025 at 3:10 AM
Andean bears have unique facial markings, much like human fingerprints. These markings may change in shape and colour with age, and in some individuals may be absent altogether.
Check out our species pages to learn more about bears: www.bearbiology.org/the-eight-be...
REFERENCE: Peyton, B. 1980.
Check out our species pages to learn more about bears: www.bearbiology.org/the-eight-be...
REFERENCE: Peyton, B. 1980.
Reposted by Emily Puckett
Students who file disingenuous grade appeals and grievances should be penalized for wasting everyone's time and, in this case, for trying to bully an instructor.
November 30, 2025 at 9:00 PM
Students who file disingenuous grade appeals and grievances should be penalized for wasting everyone's time and, in this case, for trying to bully an instructor.
Reposted by Emily Puckett
Long ago, the people of Chicago carelessly incurred the wrath of the god of electricity & loincloths. Our ancestors left this record of the events that followed so that we might reflect on our past misdeeds & take care to not repeat them.
Goodnight from Chicago, home to excellent Art Deco industrial infrastructure.
November 24, 2025 at 6:08 AM
Long ago, the people of Chicago carelessly incurred the wrath of the god of electricity & loincloths. Our ancestors left this record of the events that followed so that we might reflect on our past misdeeds & take care to not repeat them.
Reposted by Emily Puckett
You can't see me! Polar bear in willows, Churchill Wildlife Management Area.
November 15, 2025 at 3:11 PM
You can't see me! Polar bear in willows, Churchill Wildlife Management Area.
Reposted by Emily Puckett
Excited to recruit a new PhD student for Fall 2026 in my lab at Cornell! Looking for someone interested in evolutionary genomics + fisheries/conservation applications. Quick timeline this year—reach out soon. More details: www.therkildsenlab.org/join-us.html
Join Us
The lab of Nina Overgaard Therkildsen in the Department of Natural Resources and the Environment at Cornell University invites applications for a PhD position starting in Fall 2026. Our group works...
www.therkildsenlab.org
November 14, 2025 at 2:17 AM
Excited to recruit a new PhD student for Fall 2026 in my lab at Cornell! Looking for someone interested in evolutionary genomics + fisheries/conservation applications. Quick timeline this year—reach out soon. More details: www.therkildsenlab.org/join-us.html
Reposted by Emily Puckett
I am so excited to share new work on a TE insertion that regulates iridescence in swordtails, led by fantastic grad student @nadiahaghani.bsky.social and with help from many coauthors! In a time that has been so difficult to navigate, this & other projects have kept my spirits up: shorturl.at/NE65A
Insertion of an invading retrovirus regulates a novel color trait in swordtail fish
For over a century, evolutionary biologists have been motivated to understand the mechanisms through which organisms adapt to their environments. Coloration and pigmentation are remarkably variable wi...
shorturl.at
November 12, 2025 at 8:34 PM
I am so excited to share new work on a TE insertion that regulates iridescence in swordtails, led by fantastic grad student @nadiahaghani.bsky.social and with help from many coauthors! In a time that has been so difficult to navigate, this & other projects have kept my spirits up: shorturl.at/NE65A
Reposted by Emily Puckett
Great new postdoc fellowship for foundational plant research.
If you’re into genetics and genomics of plant reproductive evolution or adaptive convergence (incl in the cool and charismatic nightshades!) I’d be happy to talk about possible projects!
www.simonsfoundation.org/grant/simons...
If you’re into genetics and genomics of plant reproductive evolution or adaptive convergence (incl in the cool and charismatic nightshades!) I’d be happy to talk about possible projects!
www.simonsfoundation.org/grant/simons...
Simons Postdoctoral Fellowships in Plant Biology
Simons Postdoctoral Fellowships in Plant Biology on Simons Foundation
www.simonsfoundation.org
October 14, 2025 at 3:47 PM
Great new postdoc fellowship for foundational plant research.
If you’re into genetics and genomics of plant reproductive evolution or adaptive convergence (incl in the cool and charismatic nightshades!) I’d be happy to talk about possible projects!
www.simonsfoundation.org/grant/simons...
If you’re into genetics and genomics of plant reproductive evolution or adaptive convergence (incl in the cool and charismatic nightshades!) I’d be happy to talk about possible projects!
www.simonsfoundation.org/grant/simons...
This says so much better than I'm able why the TS diss track is so deeply tasteless and pure mean girl behavior.
www.theguardian.com/music/2025/o...
www.theguardian.com/music/2025/o...
Taylor Swift’s Charli xcx hit job misses the point – and underscores her tedious obsession with conflict | Laura Snapes
Sixteen months after Charli used Brat to air her anxieties about Swift, the US star’s graceless response is a missed opportunity for growth – and betrays her vengeful side
www.theguardian.com
October 3, 2025 at 1:11 PM
This says so much better than I'm able why the TS diss track is so deeply tasteless and pure mean girl behavior.
www.theguardian.com/music/2025/o...
www.theguardian.com/music/2025/o...
Reposted by Emily Puckett
Delighted that our paper about the distribution of genomic spans of clades/edges in genealogies (ARGs), and using this for detecting inversions and other SVs (and other phenomena that cause local disruption of recombination) is out in MBE academic.oup.com/mbe/article/... (1/n)
The Length of Haplotype Blocks and Signals of Structural Variation in Reconstructed Genealogies
Abstract. Recent breakthroughs have enabled the accurate inference of large-scale genealogies. Through modelling the impact of recombination on the correla
academic.oup.com
October 3, 2025 at 9:54 AM
Delighted that our paper about the distribution of genomic spans of clades/edges in genealogies (ARGs), and using this for detecting inversions and other SVs (and other phenomena that cause local disruption of recombination) is out in MBE academic.oup.com/mbe/article/... (1/n)
Reposted by Emily Puckett
I am begging Canadians to understand that Canada Post, like public transit, should not be a business - it's a service.
Canada Post is a lifeline for rural, remote and Northern communities and overall, we need to re-evaluate why people think they "need" random shit delivered ASAP.
Canada Post is a lifeline for rural, remote and Northern communities and overall, we need to re-evaluate why people think they "need" random shit delivered ASAP.
The government is reducing service standards and Canada Post’s biggest advantage: its nationwide network.
This plan is about cutting back the postal service instead of investing to give it new revenue tools through things like postal banking. It’s shameful.
This plan is about cutting back the postal service instead of investing to give it new revenue tools through things like postal banking. It’s shameful.
Liberal government frees Canada Post to end home delivery, close some post offices | CBC News
With Canada Post on track to lose $1.5 billion in 2025 and contract discussions between the union and the corporation stalled, the federal government is embarking on a modernization plan it says will ...
www.cbc.ca
September 25, 2025 at 6:59 PM
I am begging Canadians to understand that Canada Post, like public transit, should not be a business - it's a service.
Canada Post is a lifeline for rural, remote and Northern communities and overall, we need to re-evaluate why people think they "need" random shit delivered ASAP.
Canada Post is a lifeline for rural, remote and Northern communities and overall, we need to re-evaluate why people think they "need" random shit delivered ASAP.
We want to see the structures inside of #bear hair, but it's too pigmented. So off to the beauty supply store we went!
Fun day in the lab 🐻
#overlyhonestmethods
Fun day in the lab 🐻
#overlyhonestmethods
September 29, 2025 at 6:14 PM
We want to see the structures inside of #bear hair, but it's too pigmented. So off to the beauty supply store we went!
Fun day in the lab 🐻
#overlyhonestmethods
Fun day in the lab 🐻
#overlyhonestmethods
I'm recruiting two PhD positions in my lab for Fall 2026. 1) evolutionary genomics that will focus on constructing and utilizing pangenomes; 2) conservation genomics focused on pop structure and adaptation of Pacific coast Am. black bears.
Details: puckettresearch.org/people/posit...
Details: puckettresearch.org/people/posit...
Positions in the Lab – Puckett Research Lab
puckettresearch.org
September 14, 2025 at 5:05 PM
I'm recruiting two PhD positions in my lab for Fall 2026. 1) evolutionary genomics that will focus on constructing and utilizing pangenomes; 2) conservation genomics focused on pop structure and adaptation of Pacific coast Am. black bears.
Details: puckettresearch.org/people/posit...
Details: puckettresearch.org/people/posit...
Reposted by Emily Puckett
☠️🧬 2-yr Postdoc in in Genomic Simulations and Extinction Risk Modelling!
Let's figure out the Genomic signs of Extinction @DTU in Denmark.
Start: Feb 2026 (flexible)
Application deadline: 24 Oct 2025
For details click here: tinyurl.com/BioExtPD
Reposts appreciated 😁
Let's figure out the Genomic signs of Extinction @DTU in Denmark.
Start: Feb 2026 (flexible)
Application deadline: 24 Oct 2025
For details click here: tinyurl.com/BioExtPD
Reposts appreciated 😁
September 12, 2025 at 11:52 AM
☠️🧬 2-yr Postdoc in in Genomic Simulations and Extinction Risk Modelling!
Let's figure out the Genomic signs of Extinction @DTU in Denmark.
Start: Feb 2026 (flexible)
Application deadline: 24 Oct 2025
For details click here: tinyurl.com/BioExtPD
Reposts appreciated 😁
Let's figure out the Genomic signs of Extinction @DTU in Denmark.
Start: Feb 2026 (flexible)
Application deadline: 24 Oct 2025
For details click here: tinyurl.com/BioExtPD
Reposts appreciated 😁