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)
Cinnamon Scrote Crunch
January 9, 2026 at 9:40 PM
Cinnamon Scrote Crunch
Reposted by Jess McLaughlin, PhD (they/them)
They're about 6K away from goal right now. Keep sharing, keep giving 🙏🏾
GFM for Keith Porter, another ICE victim killed on 12/31. He should have been able to celebrate the new year. If you can help:
www.gofundme.com/f/justice-fo...
www.gofundme.com/f/justice-fo...
Donate to Justice for Keith Porter’s Memory, organized by Lan smith
Keith porter was murderer by an off duty ice agent 12/31/25 leaving us to bury our truly … Lan smith needs your support for Justice for Keith Porter’s Memory
www.gofundme.com
January 9, 2026 at 8:24 PM
They're about 6K away from goal right now. Keep sharing, keep giving 🙏🏾
Reposted by Jess McLaughlin, PhD (they/them)
"what are we, a bunch of colored people?"
is what you're saying when you say "we're a third world country"
just to be clear
is what you're saying when you say "we're a third world country"
just to be clear
January 9, 2026 at 8:30 PM
"what are we, a bunch of colored people?"
is what you're saying when you say "we're a third world country"
just to be clear
is what you're saying when you say "we're a third world country"
just to be clear
Reposted by Jess McLaughlin, PhD (they/them)
in the 60s, the klan killed white civil rights workers alongside their black comrades. when you join the struggle you lose your status in the system you’re fighting.
January 9, 2026 at 7:18 PM
in the 60s, the klan killed white civil rights workers alongside their black comrades. when you join the struggle you lose your status in the system you’re fighting.
Reposted by Jess McLaughlin, PhD (they/them)
there is still a lot of power & privilege in being white, being a citizen, knowing you have the resources to get bailed out or hire a lawyer, knowing you won’t get deported… use it wisely. but don’t think it will stop a baton or a bullet. please don’t think it will save your life.
January 9, 2026 at 7:18 PM
there is still a lot of power & privilege in being white, being a citizen, knowing you have the resources to get bailed out or hire a lawyer, knowing you won’t get deported… use it wisely. but don’t think it will stop a baton or a bullet. please don’t think it will save your life.
Reposted by Jess McLaughlin, PhD (they/them)
i have watched the shooter's video. it's going to make you way the fuck madder.
I have watched the video. I think you probably do not need to watch the video. it shows what you think it's gonna show in terms of lack of justification.
January 9, 2026 at 6:38 PM
i have watched the shooter's video. it's going to make you way the fuck madder.
Reposted by Jess McLaughlin, PhD (they/them)
they didn’t leak it to make the shooter look innocent, but to make the victim look guilty. not guilty of a crime. guilty of having a visibly queer wife. guilty of liberalism. guilty of opposing the regime. they don’t seek to exonerate themselves, only to demonstrate who deserves to die.
In the video that the shooter took, which I believe was leaked to be exculpatory, he appears to yell “fucking bitch” after he shoots Renee Good.
January 9, 2026 at 7:00 PM
they didn’t leak it to make the shooter look innocent, but to make the victim look guilty. not guilty of a crime. guilty of having a visibly queer wife. guilty of liberalism. guilty of opposing the regime. they don’t seek to exonerate themselves, only to demonstrate who deserves to die.
Just in case you need it, here is Tähti presiding over her throne of pillows
January 9, 2026 at 8:11 PM
Just in case you need it, here is Tähti presiding over her throne of pillows
Reposted by Jess McLaughlin, PhD (they/them)
Scientist/science writer friends: I want an easier way to keep up with ecology/biology/science papers this year, so I want to subscribe to a journal. But I don't like reading on a screen so I want a paper one or one I can print out in full. I have no academic affiliation. Suggestions?
January 9, 2026 at 4:29 PM
Scientist/science writer friends: I want an easier way to keep up with ecology/biology/science papers this year, so I want to subscribe to a journal. But I don't like reading on a screen so I want a paper one or one I can print out in full. I have no academic affiliation. Suggestions?
I always feel like I have superhuman restraint when I go to Costco to fill a prescription and spend maybe $10 bucks on a multi-pack of chocolate croissants and nothing else.
January 9, 2026 at 6:30 AM
I always feel like I have superhuman restraint when I go to Costco to fill a prescription and spend maybe $10 bucks on a multi-pack of chocolate croissants and nothing else.
Reposted by Jess McLaughlin, PhD (they/them)
They don't have capacity to terrorize more than 2-3 cities at a time.
Which means they rotate teams to new cities without relief.
Which means consistent resistance by fresh activists in each new city will break them over time.
Which means if you're city's not occupied, rest up and get ready.
Which means they rotate teams to new cities without relief.
Which means consistent resistance by fresh activists in each new city will break them over time.
Which means if you're city's not occupied, rest up and get ready.
"The Department of Homeland Security plans to pause operations in Chicago — where Gregory Bovino, a Border Patrol official, has led controversial arrest efforts — to support the immigration enforcement operation in Minnesota."
Trump Administration Deploying More Border Patrol Agents to Minnesota
www.nytimes.com
January 8, 2026 at 10:17 PM
They don't have capacity to terrorize more than 2-3 cities at a time.
Which means they rotate teams to new cities without relief.
Which means consistent resistance by fresh activists in each new city will break them over time.
Which means if you're city's not occupied, rest up and get ready.
Which means they rotate teams to new cities without relief.
Which means consistent resistance by fresh activists in each new city will break them over time.
Which means if you're city's not occupied, rest up and get ready.
Reposted by Jess McLaughlin, PhD (they/them)
Rest in power to Keith Porter who was murdered by an ICE agent in Los Angeles.
It’s terrible that his name is just now being circulated, but now that it is, continue to say his name.
It’s terrible that his name is just now being circulated, but now that it is, continue to say his name.
Advocates want legal action after man shot and killed by off-duty ICE agent in Northridge
Advocates argue that the off-duty ICE agent wasn't trained for the situation and should have called police and waited for them to arrive.
abc7.com
January 9, 2026 at 6:04 AM
Rest in power to Keith Porter who was murdered by an ICE agent in Los Angeles.
It’s terrible that his name is just now being circulated, but now that it is, continue to say his name.
It’s terrible that his name is just now being circulated, but now that it is, continue to say his name.
Y'all this is so wholesome and cool, and damn does that food look *incredible*
Best TikTok thing going is the two dudes trying food from every country without leaving NYC. If you haven’t seen them yet, it’s incredible. My favorite so far is last week’s. Legit got me emotional.
January 9, 2026 at 5:55 AM
Y'all this is so wholesome and cool, and damn does that food look *incredible*
Reposted by Jess McLaughlin, PhD (they/them)
Here's the gofundme for the couple I saw abducted by ICE today in Northeast Minneapolis — Anna (L) has been released from ICE custody and is now in the hospital with a broken hand, but Mar (R) is still being held.
www.gofundme.com/f/support-an...
www.gofundme.com/f/support-an...
January 8, 2026 at 10:55 PM
Here's the gofundme for the couple I saw abducted by ICE today in Northeast Minneapolis — Anna (L) has been released from ICE custody and is now in the hospital with a broken hand, but Mar (R) is still being held.
www.gofundme.com/f/support-an...
www.gofundme.com/f/support-an...
Reposted by Jess McLaughlin, PhD (they/them)
Had to stop a meeting with collaborators today to say I was not okay with any genAI being used for any part of the writing process (including generating title and keyword suggestions) and while it went well, I hate i have to say "it's me or the LLM" as an ECR 🙃
January 9, 2026 at 12:04 AM
Had to stop a meeting with collaborators today to say I was not okay with any genAI being used for any part of the writing process (including generating title and keyword suggestions) and while it went well, I hate i have to say "it's me or the LLM" as an ECR 🙃
Reposted by Jess McLaughlin, PhD (they/them)
January 8, 2026 at 11:42 PM
Reposted by Jess McLaughlin, PhD (they/them)
Very interesting behind-the-scenes look at iNaturalist; reassured to know that few staff were in favor of the AI, sad to know that Seek isn't valued by leadership as the fantastic tool for kids/schools it is.
And if you want more detail on why I left iNat, I wrote about that too: kueda.net/blog/2026/01...
Why I Left iNaturalist
After almost 18 years, I left iNaturalist, the product and organization I helped create. I left because I don’t believe the current Leadership team is pointing the product in the right direction, and ...
kueda.net
January 8, 2026 at 9:14 PM
Very interesting behind-the-scenes look at iNaturalist; reassured to know that few staff were in favor of the AI, sad to know that Seek isn't valued by leadership as the fantastic tool for kids/schools it is.
Reposted by Jess McLaughlin, PhD (they/them)
So, can we talk about the ICE action at Roosevelt for a minute? I feel like it has been a bit lost in the face of the bigger story about the murder. None of the reporting explains what, exactly, ICE was doing there. Only that they were tackling people. Have they given any reason at all?
“'The guy, I’m telling him like, "Please step off the school grounds," and this dude comes up and bumps into me and then tells me that I pushed him, and he knocked me down,' an official at Roosevelt High School said. 'They don’t care. They’re just animals. I’ve never seen people behave like this.'"
Minneapolis schools cancel classes after Border Patrol clash disrupts dismissal at Roosevelt
Minneapolis schools closed for the week citing safety concerns after an encounter involving armed Border Patrol agents near Roosevelt High School.
www.mprnews.org
January 8, 2026 at 8:36 PM
So, can we talk about the ICE action at Roosevelt for a minute? I feel like it has been a bit lost in the face of the bigger story about the murder. None of the reporting explains what, exactly, ICE was doing there. Only that they were tackling people. Have they given any reason at all?
Reposted by Jess McLaughlin, PhD (they/them)
Reposted by Jess McLaughlin, PhD (they/them)
Renee Nicole Good should be alive.
Silverio Villegas González should be alive.
Marimar Martinez should never have been shot.
These are real people, real families, and real harm caused by reckless ICE operations fueled by Trump’s cruel immigration policies.
Silverio Villegas González should be alive.
Marimar Martinez should never have been shot.
These are real people, real families, and real harm caused by reckless ICE operations fueled by Trump’s cruel immigration policies.
January 8, 2026 at 7:12 PM
Renee Nicole Good should be alive.
Silverio Villegas González should be alive.
Marimar Martinez should never have been shot.
These are real people, real families, and real harm caused by reckless ICE operations fueled by Trump’s cruel immigration policies.
Silverio Villegas González should be alive.
Marimar Martinez should never have been shot.
These are real people, real families, and real harm caused by reckless ICE operations fueled by Trump’s cruel immigration policies.
Reposted by Jess McLaughlin, PhD (they/them)
I think it's quite likely that the vast majority of this website is older than ICE
The Ice Age movies are older than ICE
Dead or Alive Xtreme Beach Volleyball is older than ICE
January 8, 2026 at 8:37 PM
I think it's quite likely that the vast majority of this website is older than ICE
I had no idea until reading this that people from American Samoa don't get US citizenship, and I'm frankly embarrassed I wasn't aware of this story happening in basically my backyard.
Eleven American Samoans in Alaska face serious prison time for voting in the only country they’ve ever known. Theirs is a wild story of colonialism, cops, “voter fraud” panic, small-town beef, and family. I spent months on this + am so glad to now be able to share it: boltsmag.org/prosecuted-f...
Americans by Name, Punished for Believing It - Bolts
In a small Alaska town, American Samoans face prosecution for voting in the only country they’ve ever known. They live in a limbo, created by colonial expansion, that now confuses even public official...
boltsmag.org
January 8, 2026 at 7:53 PM
I had no idea until reading this that people from American Samoa don't get US citizenship, and I'm frankly embarrassed I wasn't aware of this story happening in basically my backyard.
Reposted by Jess McLaughlin, PhD (they/them)
The number of people who believe CSI was real and the state can just “biometric” up the identity of the Minnesota killer, and therefore the fact they haven’t done so in less than 24 hours is a failure of political will that means nothing will ever be done is, uh, certainly something.
January 8, 2026 at 6:29 PM
The number of people who believe CSI was real and the state can just “biometric” up the identity of the Minnesota killer, and therefore the fact they haven’t done so in less than 24 hours is a failure of political will that means nothing will ever be done is, uh, certainly something.