John Fowler (he/him)
@jefowlerjr.bsky.social
At heart, still mostly a geneticist; admittedly over-enthusiastic about maize; in 2025, reminding everyone that the @TheB52s should be in the @rockhall !
Reposted by John Fowler (he/him)
Cost of being female lead/corresponding author in biomedical sciences: "[T]he median amount of time spent under review is 7.4%–14.6% longer for female-authored articles than for male-authored articles" even in disciplines where women well-represented. #AcademicSky
journals.plos.org/plosbiology/...
journals.plos.org/plosbiology/...
Biomedical and life science articles by female researchers spend longer under review
Women are underrepresented in academia, especially in STEMM fields, at top institutions, and in senior positions. This study analyzes millions of biomedical and life science articles, revealing that f...
journals.plos.org
January 21, 2026 at 2:38 PM
Cost of being female lead/corresponding author in biomedical sciences: "[T]he median amount of time spent under review is 7.4%–14.6% longer for female-authored articles than for male-authored articles" even in disciplines where women well-represented. #AcademicSky
journals.plos.org/plosbiology/...
journals.plos.org/plosbiology/...
Reposted by John Fowler (he/him)
Just spoke to The Hill about how the dismantling of the NIH is impacting science in America. We still face a cliff of unfathomable heights, w easily 1000+ labs poised to close in the next year due to funding ending. A generation of young scientists lost because there is nowhere for them to train.
January 20, 2026 at 4:03 PM
Just spoke to The Hill about how the dismantling of the NIH is impacting science in America. We still face a cliff of unfathomable heights, w easily 1000+ labs poised to close in the next year due to funding ending. A generation of young scientists lost because there is nowhere for them to train.
Reposted by John Fowler (he/him)
Invoke the 25th Amendment.
January 19, 2026 at 4:10 PM
Invoke the 25th Amendment.
Reposted by John Fowler (he/him)
New Brief Communication: "A CRISPR-based sequence proximity binding protein labelling system for scanning upstream regulatory proteins" rdcu.be/eZLUP
CRISPR-based proximity labelling system to profile DNA-binding proteins such as PIF4 transcription factor .
CRISPR-based proximity labelling system to profile DNA-binding proteins such as PIF4 transcription factor .
January 19, 2026 at 6:36 PM
New Brief Communication: "A CRISPR-based sequence proximity binding protein labelling system for scanning upstream regulatory proteins" rdcu.be/eZLUP
CRISPR-based proximity labelling system to profile DNA-binding proteins such as PIF4 transcription factor .
CRISPR-based proximity labelling system to profile DNA-binding proteins such as PIF4 transcription factor .
Reposted by John Fowler (he/him)
The National Science Foundation sign on our Eisenhower Av building is now gone.
The NSF mural in the foyer is removed and torn off in sheets.
We were supposed to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the agency in May 2025. That never happened.
The NSF mural in the foyer is removed and torn off in sheets.
We were supposed to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the agency in May 2025. That never happened.
January 18, 2026 at 2:00 AM
The National Science Foundation sign on our Eisenhower Av building is now gone.
The NSF mural in the foyer is removed and torn off in sheets.
We were supposed to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the agency in May 2025. That never happened.
The NSF mural in the foyer is removed and torn off in sheets.
We were supposed to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the agency in May 2025. That never happened.
Reposted by John Fowler (he/him)
Getting asked about how academics can continue to do science & inspire trainees even in the midst of a continued (escalated) assault on science, reason, truth, & human rights. I don’t have great answers.
I would love to hear from mentors about advice they’re giving to trainees/ colleagues.
I would love to hear from mentors about advice they’re giving to trainees/ colleagues.
January 17, 2026 at 6:47 PM
Getting asked about how academics can continue to do science & inspire trainees even in the midst of a continued (escalated) assault on science, reason, truth, & human rights. I don’t have great answers.
I would love to hear from mentors about advice they’re giving to trainees/ colleagues.
I would love to hear from mentors about advice they’re giving to trainees/ colleagues.
Reposted by John Fowler (he/him)
amazing that what started with giving a washed up casino magnate a silly television show is ending with the destruction of US and the post-WWII rules-based international power framework
January 17, 2026 at 9:37 PM
amazing that what started with giving a washed up casino magnate a silly television show is ending with the destruction of US and the post-WWII rules-based international power framework
Reposted by John Fowler (he/him)
Our review on the genetics and domestication of cereal root systems is now online.
www.annualreviews.org/content/jour...
www.annualreviews.org/content/jour...
The Genetic Basis and Domestication of Root System Architecture in Cereals
Cereal root systems are critical for nutrient and water uptake as well as for anchorage and thus for plant productivity. This review synthesizes the current understanding of the morphological and cell...
www.annualreviews.org
January 16, 2026 at 8:50 AM
Our review on the genetics and domestication of cereal root systems is now online.
www.annualreviews.org/content/jour...
www.annualreviews.org/content/jour...
Reposted by John Fowler (he/him)
“adoption of AI in science presents what seems to be a paradox: an expansion of individual scientists’ impact but a contraction in collective science’s reach, as AI-augmented work moves collectively towards areas richest in data...
One of my concerns with AI-assisted research in biology is that we're already looking only in the lamplight and AI incentivizes us to narrow the beam. Seems like it's happening...
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Artificial intelligence tools expand scientists’ impact but contract science’s focus - Nature
Artificial intelligence boosts individual scientists’ output, citations and career progression, but collectively narrows research diversity and reduces collaboration, concentrating work in data-rich a...
www.nature.com
January 15, 2026 at 4:18 PM
“adoption of AI in science presents what seems to be a paradox: an expansion of individual scientists’ impact but a contraction in collective science’s reach, as AI-augmented work moves collectively towards areas richest in data...
Reposted by John Fowler (he/him)
This position is still open. The Weisberg lab is recruiting a postdoc or Ph.D. student to study horizontal gene transfer in plant-associated microbial communities. Please see the job ad for more information and feel free to contact me if you have any questions!
The Weisberg Lab at Oregon State University is recruiting a postdoctoral scholar in molecular microbiology to study mobile genetic element host range and transmission in microbial communities. Please see the full job description here: files-dev.cqls.oregonstate.edu/Weisberg_Lab...
January 14, 2026 at 11:57 PM
This position is still open. The Weisberg lab is recruiting a postdoc or Ph.D. student to study horizontal gene transfer in plant-associated microbial communities. Please see the job ad for more information and feel free to contact me if you have any questions!
Reposted by John Fowler (he/him)
The data show that when you let more women and racial/ethnic minorities into your academic society they tend to be overrepresented doing the service work of your society. Isn’t that interesting? #ACNP2026
January 14, 2026 at 10:33 PM
The data show that when you let more women and racial/ethnic minorities into your academic society they tend to be overrepresented doing the service work of your society. Isn’t that interesting? #ACNP2026
Reposted by John Fowler (he/him)
Really nice study on the evolutionary dynamics of TEs in maize by @jrossibarra.bsky.social and colleagues 👇
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Genome-wide selection on transposable elements in maize
While most evolutionary research has focused on single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), transposable elements (TEs) represent a major but understudied source of mutations that can influence organismal...
www.biorxiv.org
October 23, 2025 at 6:36 AM
Really nice study on the evolutionary dynamics of TEs in maize by @jrossibarra.bsky.social and colleagues 👇
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Reposted by John Fowler (he/him)
Pre-meiotic H1.1 degradation is essential for Arabidopsis gametogenesis | The EMBO Journal share.google/XbbrdRP9nZce...
Pre-meiotic H1.1 degradation is essential for Arabidopsis gametogenesis - The EMBO Journal
Despite being evolutionary distant, plants and animals exhibit a shared phenomenon during the transition from somatic-to-reproductive cell fate marked by extensive structural and compositional changes...
share.google
January 6, 2026 at 6:10 PM
Pre-meiotic H1.1 degradation is essential for Arabidopsis gametogenesis | The EMBO Journal share.google/XbbrdRP9nZce...
Reposted by John Fowler (he/him)
“IT WAS MURDER”
Several hundred people have formed a human banner at San Francisco’s Ocean Beach today (Sat Jan 10, 2026)
👏👏
(📸 Erik Castro)
Several hundred people have formed a human banner at San Francisco’s Ocean Beach today (Sat Jan 10, 2026)
👏👏
(📸 Erik Castro)
January 10, 2026 at 8:57 PM
“IT WAS MURDER”
Several hundred people have formed a human banner at San Francisco’s Ocean Beach today (Sat Jan 10, 2026)
👏👏
(📸 Erik Castro)
Several hundred people have formed a human banner at San Francisco’s Ocean Beach today (Sat Jan 10, 2026)
👏👏
(📸 Erik Castro)
Reposted by John Fowler (he/him)
this is the best reframe i’ve ever seen about calling your politicians
It really do recommend making your shitty day the problem of your shitty senator's voicemail every night, it doesn't have to be a chore. It is a actually cathartic
January 9, 2026 at 4:21 AM
this is the best reframe i’ve ever seen about calling your politicians
Reposted by John Fowler (he/him)
That heaviness you feel after events like yesterday is real. We've all accumulated a lot of mental and emotional weight in the first year of Trump's disastrous presidency. www.doomsdayscenario.co/p/the-physic...
The physical weight of Trumpism
That heaviness you feel, that drag on your mental health, that drain on your emotional energy and lethargy in the face of world events, like yesterday, is real.
www.doomsdayscenario.co
January 8, 2026 at 4:12 PM
That heaviness you feel after events like yesterday is real. We've all accumulated a lot of mental and emotional weight in the first year of Trump's disastrous presidency. www.doomsdayscenario.co/p/the-physic...
Reposted by John Fowler (he/him)
Inspiring the next generation of plant scientists: What we learned from 421 plant biologists
@joannakacprzyk.bsky.social and Rainer Melzer
nph.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...
@plantmemories.bsky.social
@ucdflowerpower.bsky.social
#PlantScience
@joannakacprzyk.bsky.social and Rainer Melzer
nph.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...
@plantmemories.bsky.social
@ucdflowerpower.bsky.social
#PlantScience
January 7, 2026 at 2:01 PM
Inspiring the next generation of plant scientists: What we learned from 421 plant biologists
@joannakacprzyk.bsky.social and Rainer Melzer
nph.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...
@plantmemories.bsky.social
@ucdflowerpower.bsky.social
#PlantScience
@joannakacprzyk.bsky.social and Rainer Melzer
nph.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...
@plantmemories.bsky.social
@ucdflowerpower.bsky.social
#PlantScience
Reposted by John Fowler (he/him)
Google street view of what @briandilkes.bsky.social likes to call (and I approve!) "The Church of Plant Biology" in Guatemala.
January 5, 2026 at 11:03 PM
Google street view of what @briandilkes.bsky.social likes to call (and I approve!) "The Church of Plant Biology" in Guatemala.
Reposted by John Fowler (he/him)
IMO the argument is that you can make things into big enough deals that it matters. Khanna found Massey and found survivors and made the Epstein Files the gigantic story it should be. Only then did establishment Dems come along. You can, in fact, make things into big hairy deals if you do it right.
if you want the Senate to do something, Senate Republicans must do something.
People are dunking on this but I'm not really sure what plays Schumer has other than to try to peel off Rs.
People are dunking on this but I'm not really sure what plays Schumer has other than to try to peel off Rs.
Schumer: "Republicans must -- if there was ever a time, they must step up to the plate. This is the time. And if they don't, they're gonna feel the heat from their constituents."
January 6, 2026 at 1:24 AM
IMO the argument is that you can make things into big enough deals that it matters. Khanna found Massey and found survivors and made the Epstein Files the gigantic story it should be. Only then did establishment Dems come along. You can, in fact, make things into big hairy deals if you do it right.
Reposted by John Fowler (he/him)
Here we go again! Have a wonderful first week back to academia everyone!
a cartoon cat is riding a roller coaster
Alt: a cartoon cat is riding a roller coaster
media.tenor.com
January 5, 2026 at 2:18 PM
Here we go again! Have a wonderful first week back to academia everyone!
Reposted by John Fowler (he/him)
How are voters meant to understand how serious things are if in lieu of shouting fire AND going into building with hoses, you're simply posting fire safety suggestions on social media?
Not introducing articles of impeachment is a message that Trump hasn't committed impeachable offenses.
Not introducing articles of impeachment is a message that Trump hasn't committed impeachable offenses.
January 4, 2026 at 1:25 AM
How are voters meant to understand how serious things are if in lieu of shouting fire AND going into building with hoses, you're simply posting fire safety suggestions on social media?
Not introducing articles of impeachment is a message that Trump hasn't committed impeachable offenses.
Not introducing articles of impeachment is a message that Trump hasn't committed impeachable offenses.
Reposted by John Fowler (he/him)
Clowns will say it doesn't matter; we don't have the numbers to impeach.
You get the numbers by FORCING THE ISSUE. You make NOISE, you DEMAND, you NEVER STOP YELLING.
You do nothing? You get nothing.
Ignore the clowns. Call your fucking reps and tell them to do their jobs and IMPEACH.
reps.fyi
You get the numbers by FORCING THE ISSUE. You make NOISE, you DEMAND, you NEVER STOP YELLING.
You do nothing? You get nothing.
Ignore the clowns. Call your fucking reps and tell them to do their jobs and IMPEACH.
reps.fyi
Find Your Representative
Find your representatives. Learn how to find and connect with them. Stay informed about their bills, committees, and contributions.
reps.fyi
January 3, 2026 at 7:52 AM
Clowns will say it doesn't matter; we don't have the numbers to impeach.
You get the numbers by FORCING THE ISSUE. You make NOISE, you DEMAND, you NEVER STOP YELLING.
You do nothing? You get nothing.
Ignore the clowns. Call your fucking reps and tell them to do their jobs and IMPEACH.
reps.fyi
You get the numbers by FORCING THE ISSUE. You make NOISE, you DEMAND, you NEVER STOP YELLING.
You do nothing? You get nothing.
Ignore the clowns. Call your fucking reps and tell them to do their jobs and IMPEACH.
reps.fyi
Reposted by John Fowler (he/him)
In 2026 I want all of the decent people to remember one thing.
You aren’t meant to be this disciplined, this self-sacrificing to survive. The environment is supposed to support good living. We can have that. You are not a failure. That is politics.
That is all.
You aren’t meant to be this disciplined, this self-sacrificing to survive. The environment is supposed to support good living. We can have that. You are not a failure. That is politics.
That is all.
January 1, 2026 at 10:30 PM
In 2026 I want all of the decent people to remember one thing.
You aren’t meant to be this disciplined, this self-sacrificing to survive. The environment is supposed to support good living. We can have that. You are not a failure. That is politics.
That is all.
You aren’t meant to be this disciplined, this self-sacrificing to survive. The environment is supposed to support good living. We can have that. You are not a failure. That is politics.
That is all.
Reposted by John Fowler (he/him)
Magic Johnson was the grand marshal of the Rose Parade today, and as someone who remembers his November 1991 HIV announcement: if you had told anybody that day that he would be alive and healthy 34+ years later, I don't think they would have believed you. Medicine and research—they work.
January 1, 2026 at 6:17 PM
Magic Johnson was the grand marshal of the Rose Parade today, and as someone who remembers his November 1991 HIV announcement: if you had told anybody that day that he would be alive and healthy 34+ years later, I don't think they would have believed you. Medicine and research—they work.