Maria Paz Fernandez
@mariadelapax.bsky.social
Neurobiologist
Indiana University Bloomington, Department of Biology
@iubiology.bsky.social
https://fernandez.lab.indiana.edu
Indiana University Bloomington, Department of Biology
@iubiology.bsky.social
https://fernandez.lab.indiana.edu
Pinned
Synaptic targets of circadian clock neurons influence core clock parameters
A neuron type downstream of circadian pacemakers regulates daily sleep and activity timing in Drosophila.
www.science.org
New publication from our lab, in Science Advances:
Synaptic targets of circadian clock neurons influence core clock parameters
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
Synaptic targets of circadian clock neurons influence core clock parameters
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
Reposted by Maria Paz Fernandez
I will be co-teaching a summer course at Allen Institute on connectomics education please apply. Travel support, new connectomics data sets and learning directly from the scientists who built these datasets. Details here: alleninstitute.org/events/incor...
Incorporating open connectomics data into teaching neuroscience
Learn to analyze open neuroscience data and introduce dry lab modules into your existing classes at the Incorporating Open Connectomics data into...
alleninstitute.org
November 24, 2025 at 1:53 AM
I will be co-teaching a summer course at Allen Institute on connectomics education please apply. Travel support, new connectomics data sets and learning directly from the scientists who built these datasets. Details here: alleninstitute.org/events/incor...
Reposted by Maria Paz Fernandez
SO HAPPY to share our new paper in @currentbiology.bsky.social! Using volumetric EM, we found daily shifts in synapses, vesicles, and mitochondria that accompany neuronal remodeling, linking structural plasticity to changes in how s-LNv neurons influence their targets
www.cell.com/current-biol...
www.cell.com/current-biol...
Daily ultrastructural remodeling of clock neurons
A cluster of Drosophila clock neurons remodel their axonal arbors daily. Using volumetric
electron microscopy at different times of day, Ispizua, Rodriguez-Caron, and colleagues
reveal ultrastructural...
www.cell.com
November 19, 2025 at 5:03 PM
SO HAPPY to share our new paper in @currentbiology.bsky.social! Using volumetric EM, we found daily shifts in synapses, vesicles, and mitochondria that accompany neuronal remodeling, linking structural plasticity to changes in how s-LNv neurons influence their targets
www.cell.com/current-biol...
www.cell.com/current-biol...
Reposted by Maria Paz Fernandez
If you're at #SfN25 come check out this poster session on neurobiology in changing ecosystems
#KavliNeuro
#KavliNeuro
Interested in how nervous systems adapt to environmental change?
On Sun, 11/16, a poster session on "Environmental Stressors in Invertebrates” (PSTR131) - rows Y11-Z11, 1-5 pm.
Researchers in the community will answer your questions.
#SfN25 #KavliNeuro
On Sun, 11/16, a poster session on "Environmental Stressors in Invertebrates” (PSTR131) - rows Y11-Z11, 1-5 pm.
Researchers in the community will answer your questions.
#SfN25 #KavliNeuro
November 15, 2025 at 8:34 PM
If you're at #SfN25 come check out this poster session on neurobiology in changing ecosystems
#KavliNeuro
#KavliNeuro
Reposted by Maria Paz Fernandez
Thrilled to share our new work! In this study, we have expanded on the role of the circadian clock in integrating seasonal environmental cues through splicing.
Thanks to @joanna-chiu.bsky.social for the continuous mentorship and to all co-authors!
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Thanks to @joanna-chiu.bsky.social for the continuous mentorship and to all co-authors!
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Splicing of a core clock gene regulates seasonal adaptations by a winter gating mechanism
Seasons bring changes to the environment. Many organisms adjust their physiology and behavior in response to seasonal changes in order to survive. Although the molecular mechanisms mediating the integ...
www.biorxiv.org
November 9, 2025 at 6:44 PM
Thrilled to share our new work! In this study, we have expanded on the role of the circadian clock in integrating seasonal environmental cues through splicing.
Thanks to @joanna-chiu.bsky.social for the continuous mentorship and to all co-authors!
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Thanks to @joanna-chiu.bsky.social for the continuous mentorship and to all co-authors!
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Reposted by Maria Paz Fernandez
Do flies feel pain?
Spooky new preprint from our lab on the cells and circuits that mediate nociceptive behaviors in adult Drosophila, led by graduate student (and newly minted PhD!) @jonesjes.bsky.social.
🪰⚡👻🎃
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Spooky new preprint from our lab on the cells and circuits that mediate nociceptive behaviors in adult Drosophila, led by graduate student (and newly minted PhD!) @jonesjes.bsky.social.
🪰⚡👻🎃
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
October 29, 2025 at 6:56 PM
Do flies feel pain?
Spooky new preprint from our lab on the cells and circuits that mediate nociceptive behaviors in adult Drosophila, led by graduate student (and newly minted PhD!) @jonesjes.bsky.social.
🪰⚡👻🎃
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Spooky new preprint from our lab on the cells and circuits that mediate nociceptive behaviors in adult Drosophila, led by graduate student (and newly minted PhD!) @jonesjes.bsky.social.
🪰⚡👻🎃
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Reposted by Maria Paz Fernandez
On my last day at @flyneuro.bsky.social I am happy to share my latest paper about the DN1a clock neurons and their central role within the clock network. :)
I am grateful for the nice time I had here in Würzburg and looking forward to new adventures in Okayama and Münster in the next years!
I am grateful for the nice time I had here in Würzburg and looking forward to new adventures in Okayama and Münster in the next years!
A functional clock in only two dorsal clock neurons is sufficient to restore the basal circadian activity pattern of Drosophila melanogaster | PNAS www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
A functional clock in only two dorsal clock neurons is sufficient to restore the basal circadian activity pattern of Drosophila melanogaster | PNAS
Circadian clocks form complex networks to orchestrate the behavior and physiology
of animals. Elucidating the organization of these clock networks ...
www.pnas.org
October 28, 2025 at 11:27 PM
On my last day at @flyneuro.bsky.social I am happy to share my latest paper about the DN1a clock neurons and their central role within the clock network. :)
I am grateful for the nice time I had here in Würzburg and looking forward to new adventures in Okayama and Münster in the next years!
I am grateful for the nice time I had here in Würzburg and looking forward to new adventures in Okayama and Münster in the next years!
Applications are due Dec 1st.
biology.indiana.edu/graduate/gen...
biology.indiana.edu/graduate/gen...
October 29, 2025 at 4:49 PM
Applications are due Dec 1st.
biology.indiana.edu/graduate/gen...
biology.indiana.edu/graduate/gen...
Reposted by Maria Paz Fernandez
🔬✨Join us Nov. 1, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Science Fest 2025.
Explore hands-on, interactive activities that spark curiosity and inspire learners of all ages. You might even spot Hoosier the Bison in his new lab coat! 🦬 🥼
🎉 Open to the public, free admission.
🔗sciencefest.indiana.edu/index.html
Explore hands-on, interactive activities that spark curiosity and inspire learners of all ages. You might even spot Hoosier the Bison in his new lab coat! 🦬 🥼
🎉 Open to the public, free admission.
🔗sciencefest.indiana.edu/index.html
October 27, 2025 at 5:14 PM
🔬✨Join us Nov. 1, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Science Fest 2025.
Explore hands-on, interactive activities that spark curiosity and inspire learners of all ages. You might even spot Hoosier the Bison in his new lab coat! 🦬 🥼
🎉 Open to the public, free admission.
🔗sciencefest.indiana.edu/index.html
Explore hands-on, interactive activities that spark curiosity and inspire learners of all ages. You might even spot Hoosier the Bison in his new lab coat! 🦬 🥼
🎉 Open to the public, free admission.
🔗sciencefest.indiana.edu/index.html
Reposted by Maria Paz Fernandez
@senapati.bsky.social latest and greatest! Charly Treiber on board too. Over and out.
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Visceral signaling of post-ingestive malaise directs memory updating in Drosophila
Consolidation is a time when labile memories transition to a stable form. Malaise learning in Drosophila reveals consolidation to also permit memory updating. Flies taught to associate one of two odor...
www.biorxiv.org
October 23, 2025 at 8:32 PM
@senapati.bsky.social latest and greatest! Charly Treiber on board too. Over and out.
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Reposted by Maria Paz Fernandez
Excited to announce our new pre-print (www.biorxiv.org/cgi/content/...)!
This collaborative work (co-led by Adriane Otopalik and Gerry Rubin) examines how neuronal circuits regulate social behaviors, like courtship🫶 and aggression🥊, across sexes. #neuroscience #Drosophila #WomenInSTEM 🧪1/
This collaborative work (co-led by Adriane Otopalik and Gerry Rubin) examines how neuronal circuits regulate social behaviors, like courtship🫶 and aggression🥊, across sexes. #neuroscience #Drosophila #WomenInSTEM 🧪1/
October 23, 2025 at 12:44 PM
Excited to announce our new pre-print (www.biorxiv.org/cgi/content/...)!
This collaborative work (co-led by Adriane Otopalik and Gerry Rubin) examines how neuronal circuits regulate social behaviors, like courtship🫶 and aggression🥊, across sexes. #neuroscience #Drosophila #WomenInSTEM 🧪1/
This collaborative work (co-led by Adriane Otopalik and Gerry Rubin) examines how neuronal circuits regulate social behaviors, like courtship🫶 and aggression🥊, across sexes. #neuroscience #Drosophila #WomenInSTEM 🧪1/
Congratulations, Jens!
October 21, 2025 at 7:20 PM
Congratulations, Jens!
Reposted by Maria Paz Fernandez
Excited to share our new #biorxivpreprint:
“Sexual dimorphism in the complete connectome of the Drosophila male central nervous system” www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
We describe the #connectomics reconstruction and analysis of an entire adult #maleCNS #drosophila central nervous system. 1/10
“Sexual dimorphism in the complete connectome of the Drosophila male central nervous system” www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
We describe the #connectomics reconstruction and analysis of an entire adult #maleCNS #drosophila central nervous system. 1/10
October 15, 2025 at 4:17 PM
Excited to share our new #biorxivpreprint:
“Sexual dimorphism in the complete connectome of the Drosophila male central nervous system” www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
We describe the #connectomics reconstruction and analysis of an entire adult #maleCNS #drosophila central nervous system. 1/10
“Sexual dimorphism in the complete connectome of the Drosophila male central nervous system” www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
We describe the #connectomics reconstruction and analysis of an entire adult #maleCNS #drosophila central nervous system. 1/10
Reposted by Maria Paz Fernandez
Pumped to share our work on bird behavior and the 2024 Eclipse, in today's @science.org. 100k bird vocalizations + 10k continent-wide observations from the public = really fun collab led by Liz Aguilar, with @juncowren.bsky.social @mathcancer.bsky.social @imillercrews.bsky.social #NSF
October 9, 2025 at 6:54 PM
Pumped to share our work on bird behavior and the 2024 Eclipse, in today's @science.org. 100k bird vocalizations + 10k continent-wide observations from the public = really fun collab led by Liz Aguilar, with @juncowren.bsky.social @mathcancer.bsky.social @imillercrews.bsky.social #NSF
Congratulations!
October 9, 2025 at 7:17 PM
Congratulations!
Reposted by Maria Paz Fernandez
Exciting news for #drosophila #connectomics and #neuroscience enthusiasts: the Drosophila male central nervous system connectome is now live for exploration. Find out more at the landing page hosted by our Janelia FlyEM collaborators www.janelia.org/project-team....
Male CNS Connectome
A team of researchers has unveiled the complete connectome of a male fruit fly central nervous system —a seamless map of all the neurons in the brain and nerve cord of a single male fruit fly and the ...
www.janelia.org
October 5, 2025 at 3:40 PM
Exciting news for #drosophila #connectomics and #neuroscience enthusiasts: the Drosophila male central nervous system connectome is now live for exploration. Find out more at the landing page hosted by our Janelia FlyEM collaborators www.janelia.org/project-team....
Reposted by Maria Paz Fernandez
We're very proud to be releasing the complete male fly CNS connectome!
It's the product of a huge team effort here at Janelia in partnership with the Cambridge Fly Connectomics group (@jefferis.bsky.social and colleagues), plus invaluable collaborators.
More soon...
www.janelia.org/project-team...
It's the product of a huge team effort here at Janelia in partnership with the Cambridge Fly Connectomics group (@jefferis.bsky.social and colleagues), plus invaluable collaborators.
More soon...
www.janelia.org/project-team...
Male CNS Connectome
A team of researchers has unveiled the complete connectome of a male fruit fly central nervous system —a seamless map of all the neurons in the brain and nerve cord of a single male fruit fly and the ...
www.janelia.org
October 5, 2025 at 6:02 PM
We're very proud to be releasing the complete male fly CNS connectome!
It's the product of a huge team effort here at Janelia in partnership with the Cambridge Fly Connectomics group (@jefferis.bsky.social and colleagues), plus invaluable collaborators.
More soon...
www.janelia.org/project-team...
It's the product of a huge team effort here at Janelia in partnership with the Cambridge Fly Connectomics group (@jefferis.bsky.social and colleagues), plus invaluable collaborators.
More soon...
www.janelia.org/project-team...
Reposted by Maria Paz Fernandez
Nature has published an article on the crisis facing MODs
Model organism databases face budget cuts and closures www.nature.com/articles/d41...
@zfinmod.bsky.social @xenbase.bsky.social @yeastgenome.bsky.social @mousegenome.bsky.social @ratgenome.bsky.social @geneontology.bsky.social @nature.com
Model organism databases face budget cuts and closures www.nature.com/articles/d41...
@zfinmod.bsky.social @xenbase.bsky.social @yeastgenome.bsky.social @mousegenome.bsky.social @ratgenome.bsky.social @geneontology.bsky.social @nature.com
Model organism databases face budget cuts and closures
Beyond the crucial data they contain, these digital archives have provided an important space for academic communities to exchange ideas and resources.
www.nature.com
October 3, 2025 at 6:52 PM
Nature has published an article on the crisis facing MODs
Model organism databases face budget cuts and closures www.nature.com/articles/d41...
@zfinmod.bsky.social @xenbase.bsky.social @yeastgenome.bsky.social @mousegenome.bsky.social @ratgenome.bsky.social @geneontology.bsky.social @nature.com
Model organism databases face budget cuts and closures www.nature.com/articles/d41...
@zfinmod.bsky.social @xenbase.bsky.social @yeastgenome.bsky.social @mousegenome.bsky.social @ratgenome.bsky.social @geneontology.bsky.social @nature.com
Reposted by Maria Paz Fernandez
There's an update on the state of FlyBase on the FlyBase.org front page. You can contribute to FlyBase at this link wiki.flybase.org/wiki/FlyBase...
We express enormous gratitude to the people, labs, groups, and foundations who have already helped us.
#FlyBase #Drosophila
We express enormous gratitude to the people, labs, groups, and foundations who have already helped us.
#FlyBase #Drosophila
October 3, 2025 at 6:19 PM
There's an update on the state of FlyBase on the FlyBase.org front page. You can contribute to FlyBase at this link wiki.flybase.org/wiki/FlyBase...
We express enormous gratitude to the people, labs, groups, and foundations who have already helped us.
#FlyBase #Drosophila
We express enormous gratitude to the people, labs, groups, and foundations who have already helped us.
#FlyBase #Drosophila
Try explaining to them that your first name has four words.
October 3, 2025 at 2:21 PM
Try explaining to them that your first name has four words.
Reposted by Maria Paz Fernandez
We have an uncorrected proof published for Bhagaban Mallik's study on Mitochondrial Complex I and how it regulates synapse function. You can find it in @plosbiology.org. I am so proud!
H/T collaborators: Drs. Sajad Bhat and Xinnan Wang @xinnanwanglab.bsky.social
journals.plos.org/plosbiology/...
H/T collaborators: Drs. Sajad Bhat and Xinnan Wang @xinnanwanglab.bsky.social
journals.plos.org/plosbiology/...
Mitochondrial Complex I and ROS control neuromuscular function through opposing pre- and postsynaptic mechanisms
How do neurons adapt to mitochondrial dysfunction in different tissues? This study shows that Mitochondrial Complex I depletion triggers ROS-driven compensatory signaling in motor neurons that preserv...
journals.plos.org
September 22, 2025 at 10:53 PM
We have an uncorrected proof published for Bhagaban Mallik's study on Mitochondrial Complex I and how it regulates synapse function. You can find it in @plosbiology.org. I am so proud!
H/T collaborators: Drs. Sajad Bhat and Xinnan Wang @xinnanwanglab.bsky.social
journals.plos.org/plosbiology/...
H/T collaborators: Drs. Sajad Bhat and Xinnan Wang @xinnanwanglab.bsky.social
journals.plos.org/plosbiology/...
Reposted by Maria Paz Fernandez
Check out the new work from the Calvi lab ! #Drosophila #cellbio #polyploidy
@iubiology.bsky.social @briancalvi.bsky.social
@iubiology.bsky.social @briancalvi.bsky.social
New in #GENETICS: From a genetic screen, Yi-Ting Huang and Brian Calvi identified the Src42A-Shark-Slpr pathway as an upstream regulator of JNK in induced endocycling cells in #Drosophila wing disc. buff.ly/wJmn8lp
September 3, 2025 at 11:03 PM
Check out the new work from the Calvi lab ! #Drosophila #cellbio #polyploidy
@iubiology.bsky.social @briancalvi.bsky.social
@iubiology.bsky.social @briancalvi.bsky.social
Come join us!
Applications to the GCDB Biology Doctoral program at IU are due December 1st.
@iubiology.bsky.social
@alizeemalnoe.bsky.social @rhcalderon.bsky.social @lesleynweaver.bsky.social @hoosierflyman.bsky.social @tennessenlab.bsky.social @flyeyelab.bsky.social @briancalvi.bsky.social
Applications to the GCDB Biology Doctoral program at IU are due December 1st.
@iubiology.bsky.social
@alizeemalnoe.bsky.social @rhcalderon.bsky.social @lesleynweaver.bsky.social @hoosierflyman.bsky.social @tennessenlab.bsky.social @flyeyelab.bsky.social @briancalvi.bsky.social
October 1, 2025 at 5:53 PM
Come join us!
Applications to the GCDB Biology Doctoral program at IU are due December 1st.
@iubiology.bsky.social
@alizeemalnoe.bsky.social @rhcalderon.bsky.social @lesleynweaver.bsky.social @hoosierflyman.bsky.social @tennessenlab.bsky.social @flyeyelab.bsky.social @briancalvi.bsky.social
Applications to the GCDB Biology Doctoral program at IU are due December 1st.
@iubiology.bsky.social
@alizeemalnoe.bsky.social @rhcalderon.bsky.social @lesleynweaver.bsky.social @hoosierflyman.bsky.social @tennessenlab.bsky.social @flyeyelab.bsky.social @briancalvi.bsky.social
Reposted by Maria Paz Fernandez
Applications are now open for our course on connectomics & brain simulation.
Organizers: Sven Dorkenwald (MIT), Stefanie Hampel (UPR), Andrew Seeds (UPR), Sebastian Seung (Princeton), and Srini Turaga (Janelia).
Interested? Apply here ➜ sjcabs.com
Organizers: Sven Dorkenwald (MIT), Stefanie Hampel (UPR), Andrew Seeds (UPR), Sebastian Seung (Princeton), and Srini Turaga (Janelia).
Interested? Apply here ➜ sjcabs.com
San Juan Winter School on Connectomics and Brain Simulation
Two-week intensive course on connectomics and brain simulation in San Juan, Puerto Rico. December 29, 2025 - January 10, 2026.
sjcabs.com
September 30, 2025 at 3:30 PM
Applications are now open for our course on connectomics & brain simulation.
Organizers: Sven Dorkenwald (MIT), Stefanie Hampel (UPR), Andrew Seeds (UPR), Sebastian Seung (Princeton), and Srini Turaga (Janelia).
Interested? Apply here ➜ sjcabs.com
Organizers: Sven Dorkenwald (MIT), Stefanie Hampel (UPR), Andrew Seeds (UPR), Sebastian Seung (Princeton), and Srini Turaga (Janelia).
Interested? Apply here ➜ sjcabs.com
Reposted by Maria Paz Fernandez
Boom, congratulations Joel
Professor Joel Levine Elected Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada - Ecology & Evolutionary Biology
The University of Toronto’s Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology is proud to announce that Professor Joel Levine has been elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada (RSC), the highest h...
eeb.utoronto.ca
September 29, 2025 at 8:34 AM
Boom, congratulations Joel