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)
Good news—Dr. Abedini has been released!!! Thanks to everyone who shared and mobilized 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼
My colleague, Dr. Vahid Abedini, was illegally detained by ICE on Saturday. He is currently being held without a court date in sight, despite being in the country legally. Please spread the word! We must ensure his due process rights are upheld. www.oudaily.com/news/ou-prof...
OU College of International Studies professor reportedly arrested by ICE
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement reportedly arrested an OU professor at Will Rogers International Airport Saturday.
www.oudaily.com
November 25, 2025 at 7:58 AM
Good news—Dr. Abedini has been released!!! Thanks to everyone who shared and mobilized 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼
Reposted by Jess McLaughlin, PhD (they/them)
Ok palate cleanse time. In case you missed it, here's my most popular post ever
4 yrs ago today, a family member managed a truly spectacular own goal, splintered his domestic bliss, & in the process, united the world for a day.
On popular request, I shall now recreate the livetweet thread from that day
So gather around children, for this is the tale of The Rice Truck Saga
On popular request, I shall now recreate the livetweet thread from that day
So gather around children, for this is the tale of The Rice Truck Saga
November 23, 2025 at 11:48 AM
Ok palate cleanse time. In case you missed it, here's my most popular post ever
Okay so i'm trying to fall asleep but while I'm actually feeling fine physically, my brain keeps replaying the sound and feeling of when the dentist had to break the tooth to get it out and somehow that is worse than if it just hurt?
November 25, 2025 at 6:48 AM
Okay so i'm trying to fall asleep but while I'm actually feeling fine physically, my brain keeps replaying the sound and feeling of when the dentist had to break the tooth to get it out and somehow that is worse than if it just hurt?
I started reading a book last night that very cleverly handles the original bilingual text (Belarusian and Russian) by translating it into English and Scots, but my current level of painkillers have said "nope" and thus I guess it's time for a novella about vengeful ghosts instead
November 25, 2025 at 5:27 AM
I started reading a book last night that very cleverly handles the original bilingual text (Belarusian and Russian) by translating it into English and Scots, but my current level of painkillers have said "nope" and thus I guess it's time for a novella about vengeful ghosts instead
Nothing has turned me off of a product I was fairly interested in faster than BirdBuddy using genAI cartoons for their latest ad push 🙃
November 25, 2025 at 5:19 AM
Nothing has turned me off of a product I was fairly interested in faster than BirdBuddy using genAI cartoons for their latest ad push 🙃
Reposted by Jess McLaughlin, PhD (they/them)
My colleague, Dr. Vahid Abedini, was illegally detained by ICE on Saturday. He is currently being held without a court date in sight, despite being in the country legally. Please spread the word! We must ensure his due process rights are upheld. www.oudaily.com/news/ou-prof...
OU College of International Studies professor reportedly arrested by ICE
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement reportedly arrested an OU professor at Will Rogers International Airport Saturday.
www.oudaily.com
November 24, 2025 at 11:05 PM
My colleague, Dr. Vahid Abedini, was illegally detained by ICE on Saturday. He is currently being held without a court date in sight, despite being in the country legally. Please spread the word! We must ensure his due process rights are upheld. www.oudaily.com/news/ou-prof...
Reposted by Jess McLaughlin, PhD (they/them)
Horrid news out of Oklahoma about Dr. Vahid Abedini, a professor of Iranian Studies.
The university has refused to make a public comment on Abedini's detention. Folks with OU connections, you know what to do: call OU and demand they take a stand & support Abedini.
The university has refused to make a public comment on Abedini's detention. Folks with OU connections, you know what to do: call OU and demand they take a stand & support Abedini.
November 25, 2025 at 3:16 AM
Horrid news out of Oklahoma about Dr. Vahid Abedini, a professor of Iranian Studies.
The university has refused to make a public comment on Abedini's detention. Folks with OU connections, you know what to do: call OU and demand they take a stand & support Abedini.
The university has refused to make a public comment on Abedini's detention. Folks with OU connections, you know what to do: call OU and demand they take a stand & support Abedini.
Reposted by Jess McLaughlin, PhD (they/them)
Ever wondered whether dogs are a different species from wolves? On an ecological, and behavioral basis, I think so. The Dec 2 issue of PNAS will be interesting! www.pnas.org/toc/pnas/122... and the introductory article to the issue: doi.org/10.1073/pnas... . Here: my daughter, my son, and our dog:
November 25, 2025 at 3:50 AM
Ever wondered whether dogs are a different species from wolves? On an ecological, and behavioral basis, I think so. The Dec 2 issue of PNAS will be interesting! www.pnas.org/toc/pnas/122... and the introductory article to the issue: doi.org/10.1073/pnas... . Here: my daughter, my son, and our dog:
Reposted by Jess McLaughlin, PhD (they/them)
The unfortunate reality of trying to create cool opportunities out of nothing, is that you inevitably fall short of being able to get everyone an opportunity who wants one, and people get upset with you. It's a bummer.
One small example
One small example
November 24, 2025 at 11:45 PM
The unfortunate reality of trying to create cool opportunities out of nothing, is that you inevitably fall short of being able to get everyone an opportunity who wants one, and people get upset with you. It's a bummer.
One small example
One small example
Reposted by Jess McLaughlin, PhD (they/them)
One of my favorite things is getting to tell friends who are new to NYC that the subway "stand clear of the closing doors please" voice is a trans woman named Bernie Wagenblast and she's amazing.
November 24, 2025 at 6:19 PM
One of my favorite things is getting to tell friends who are new to NYC that the subway "stand clear of the closing doors please" voice is a trans woman named Bernie Wagenblast and she's amazing.
Chilling news from my PhD institution:
November 25, 2025 at 12:20 AM
Chilling news from my PhD institution:
Reposted by Jess McLaughlin, PhD (they/them)
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 24, 2025 at 11:39 PM
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
Reposted by Jess McLaughlin, PhD (they/them)
Check out these incredible Edge of Space-Time earrings that Tayla Fairbanks (White Earth Band of the Minnesota Chippewa) created for me to wear on book tour 😻😻😻😻😻
www.instagram.com/p/DRdHXroDwn...
www.instagram.com/p/DRdHXroDwn...
Tayla Fairbanks on Instagram: "I'm so happy to share these custom earrings I created for @chanda.prescod.weinstein to go with her new book The Edge of Space-Time 🌈 Particles, Poetry, and the Cosmic Dr...
akiiwanbeadwork on November 24, 2025: "I'm so happy to share these custom earrings I created for @chanda.prescod.weinstein to go with her new book The Edge of Space-Time 🌈 Particles, Poetry, and the C...
www.instagram.com
November 24, 2025 at 10:22 PM
Check out these incredible Edge of Space-Time earrings that Tayla Fairbanks (White Earth Band of the Minnesota Chippewa) created for me to wear on book tour 😻😻😻😻😻
www.instagram.com/p/DRdHXroDwn...
www.instagram.com/p/DRdHXroDwn...
Reposted by Jess McLaughlin, PhD (they/them)
Thread of new brain watercolors #sciart
One of each, find your perfect mind
One of each, find your perfect mind
New #sciart! Watercolor brains expressing different states of mind. Original paintings, not prints; one of each. artologica.etsy.com
November 23, 2025 at 6:15 PM
Thread of new brain watercolors #sciart
One of each, find your perfect mind
One of each, find your perfect mind
Reposted by Jess McLaughlin, PhD (they/them)
Reposted by Jess McLaughlin, PhD (they/them)
Not gonna lie, I made us make these scarves as merch because I don't wear t-shirts with words on them and I was tired of nerdy t-shirts getting all the nerdwear love
(Btw, this time of year is a great time for merch shopping because redbubble is often running sales)
(Btw, this time of year is a great time for merch shopping because redbubble is often running sales)
Throwback to launching our very first merch this time in 2017 (!!)
Silky scarves with characters from the International Phonetic Alphabet on them!
Originally only in red, navy, and olive these scarves became so popular we later expanded to other colours and subfields
lingthusiasm.redbubble.com
Silky scarves with characters from the International Phonetic Alphabet on them!
Originally only in red, navy, and olive these scarves became so popular we later expanded to other colours and subfields
lingthusiasm.redbubble.com
November 24, 2025 at 8:05 PM
Not gonna lie, I made us make these scarves as merch because I don't wear t-shirts with words on them and I was tired of nerdy t-shirts getting all the nerdwear love
(Btw, this time of year is a great time for merch shopping because redbubble is often running sales)
(Btw, this time of year is a great time for merch shopping because redbubble is often running sales)
Reposted by Jess McLaughlin, PhD (they/them)
Here I was, fretting over sales and Goodreads ratings that are so-so at best, and it turns out it doesn't matter cause people just want your stuff for free.
This especially hurts BIPOC authors like me, who already have a tough go in an industry where people think we're not worth buying or reading.
This especially hurts BIPOC authors like me, who already have a tough go in an industry where people think we're not worth buying or reading.
November 24, 2025 at 9:07 PM
Here I was, fretting over sales and Goodreads ratings that are so-so at best, and it turns out it doesn't matter cause people just want your stuff for free.
This especially hurts BIPOC authors like me, who already have a tough go in an industry where people think we're not worth buying or reading.
This especially hurts BIPOC authors like me, who already have a tough go in an industry where people think we're not worth buying or reading.
Reposted by Jess McLaughlin, PhD (they/them)
Just went to that new piracy site (not going to link to it & encourage this shit) & yup, almost all my work's there, including every format of THE NIGHTWARD you could want & every anthology I'm in. 🙄
Anyway, if you'd like to help me eat, please buy my book:
www.harpercollins.com/products/the...
Anyway, if you'd like to help me eat, please buy my book:
www.harpercollins.com/products/the...
The Nightward
Sturgeon, Nebula, Locus, and Ignyte awards finalist R.S.A. Garcia’s scifantasy debut novel—the first in a duology—in which Caribbean mythology meets The Wit...
www.harpercollins.com
November 24, 2025 at 8:58 PM
Just went to that new piracy site (not going to link to it & encourage this shit) & yup, almost all my work's there, including every format of THE NIGHTWARD you could want & every anthology I'm in. 🙄
Anyway, if you'd like to help me eat, please buy my book:
www.harpercollins.com/products/the...
Anyway, if you'd like to help me eat, please buy my book:
www.harpercollins.com/products/the...
Reposted by Jess McLaughlin, PhD (they/them)
Thank you to everyone who has bought Skin Thief or Countess, or requested either at the library or written a review about them. You are keeping me writing. Literally. As a new long form writer every single sale matters. I want to write more books for you! I'm writing another right now! 🖤🙏
November 24, 2025 at 8:40 PM
Thank you to everyone who has bought Skin Thief or Countess, or requested either at the library or written a review about them. You are keeping me writing. Literally. As a new long form writer every single sale matters. I want to write more books for you! I'm writing another right now! 🖤🙏
Reposted by Jess McLaughlin, PhD (they/them)
I STAND CORRECTED, here is the recommended brand of toothpaste for inflating beetle dicks
November 24, 2025 at 5:21 PM
I STAND CORRECTED, here is the recommended brand of toothpaste for inflating beetle dicks
Reposted by Jess McLaughlin, PhD (they/them)
Probably my most popular recent pin, and one that I'm incredibly proud of, is this hinged tree identification design that brings me back to my roots as a forest ecologist. Not only is it a useful miniature guide, you can tap it to access a digital resource! canopyrobin.etsy.com/listing/4386...
November 15, 2025 at 10:25 AM
Probably my most popular recent pin, and one that I'm incredibly proud of, is this hinged tree identification design that brings me back to my roots as a forest ecologist. Not only is it a useful miniature guide, you can tap it to access a digital resource! canopyrobin.etsy.com/listing/4386...
Why did I somehow never realize the audio track for this 😆😆😆
I'm particularly pleased with how the frog photoshoot came out, after standing in my local canal for a couple of hours.
Plus, I got to use the #GayFrogs audio on the video, which was super fun 🐸 canopyrobin.etsy.com/listing/4327...
Plus, I got to use the #GayFrogs audio on the video, which was super fun 🐸 canopyrobin.etsy.com/listing/4327...
November 24, 2025 at 8:42 PM
Why did I somehow never realize the audio track for this 😆😆😆
Reposted by Jess McLaughlin, PhD (they/them)
Design 8 was my gay frog pins! They're some of my absolute favourites to ship out to people because it feels like they're heading off on an adventure. I'm so happy when people send me photos of them out and about, exploring the world 🥺 canopyrobin.etsy.com/listing/4327...
November 9, 2025 at 7:48 AM
Design 8 was my gay frog pins! They're some of my absolute favourites to ship out to people because it feels like they're heading off on an adventure. I'm so happy when people send me photos of them out and about, exploring the world 🥺 canopyrobin.etsy.com/listing/4327...
Reposted by Jess McLaughlin, PhD (they/them)
I never expected my 3rd pin design to be so popular. I made trans "It's Dr, Actually" pins just because I really wanted them to exist — to fight back against the misgendering that often accompanies ignored professional titles. They're now my most popular design! canopyrobin.etsy.com/listing/1841...
November 3, 2025 at 7:13 AM
I never expected my 3rd pin design to be so popular. I made trans "It's Dr, Actually" pins just because I really wanted them to exist — to fight back against the misgendering that often accompanies ignored professional titles. They're now my most popular design! canopyrobin.etsy.com/listing/1841...
Reposted by Jess McLaughlin, PhD (they/them)
Although the trans fern has never made a profit, its still one of my favourite #SciArt pieces I've created. I really love how it came out and I wear mine all the time. I even made a version that glows in the dark! 🌿🏳️⚧️ canopyrobin.etsy.com/listing/4312...
November 2, 2025 at 8:00 AM
Although the trans fern has never made a profit, its still one of my favourite #SciArt pieces I've created. I really love how it came out and I wear mine all the time. I even made a version that glows in the dark! 🌿🏳️⚧️ canopyrobin.etsy.com/listing/4312...