Cristian Molina
@cristian-molina.bsky.social
UChicago '23 | former RaMP-UP Fellow at STRI | mutualism | ant-plant interactions | behavioral ecology | 🏳️🌈🌱
Reposted by Cristian Molina
Work from our lab shows that non-native milkweed can allow monarch development into the winter, creating butterflies during a season where they can no longer migrate or breed. If you want to help monarchs, plant native milkweed only. 🧪 #plant-insect #nativeplants
academic.oup.com/jinsectscien...
academic.oup.com/jinsectscien...
The role of a non-native host plant in altering the seasonal dynamics of Danaus plexippus (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae) development
Abstract. Insect herbivores often experience seasonal fluctuation in food availability, which plays important role in signaling diapause and/or migration.
academic.oup.com
July 1, 2025 at 2:20 PM
Work from our lab shows that non-native milkweed can allow monarch development into the winter, creating butterflies during a season where they can no longer migrate or breed. If you want to help monarchs, plant native milkweed only. 🧪 #plant-insect #nativeplants
academic.oup.com/jinsectscien...
academic.oup.com/jinsectscien...
Reposted by Cristian Molina
Incredible diversity of #pollen grains!
Pollen autofluorescence acquired with @zeiss-microscopy.bsky.social #superresolution Airyscan & color-coded for depth
#microscopy #bioimaging #bioart #sciart #botany #plantscience #fluorescencefriday
Pollen autofluorescence acquired with @zeiss-microscopy.bsky.social #superresolution Airyscan & color-coded for depth
#microscopy #bioimaging #bioart #sciart #botany #plantscience #fluorescencefriday
June 27, 2025 at 4:40 PM
Incredible diversity of #pollen grains!
Pollen autofluorescence acquired with @zeiss-microscopy.bsky.social #superresolution Airyscan & color-coded for depth
#microscopy #bioimaging #bioart #sciart #botany #plantscience #fluorescencefriday
Pollen autofluorescence acquired with @zeiss-microscopy.bsky.social #superresolution Airyscan & color-coded for depth
#microscopy #bioimaging #bioart #sciart #botany #plantscience #fluorescencefriday
My first first-author paper came out yesterday online-first in #Oecologia! We reported that neotropical swollen-thorn acacias increased their investment in mutualism with ants during an El Niño drought event. Mutualism may indeed be strongest during tough times.
link.springer.com/article/10.1...
link.springer.com/article/10.1...
Swollen-thorn acacias increased their investments in resident ants during an El Niño event - Oecologia
Species interactions are frequently context-specific. Climate fluctuations can inflict stress on individuals, inducing plasticity in their behavior or changes in resource allocation. Obligate mutualis...
link.springer.com
June 28, 2025 at 1:18 PM
My first first-author paper came out yesterday online-first in #Oecologia! We reported that neotropical swollen-thorn acacias increased their investment in mutualism with ants during an El Niño drought event. Mutualism may indeed be strongest during tough times.
link.springer.com/article/10.1...
link.springer.com/article/10.1...
Reposted by Cristian Molina
Stipules can be defensive: The stipules of Neltuma odorata (1st photo) are modified into spines, but those of an unidentified Vachellia from western Mexico (2nd photo) go one better: they’re also filled with ants that defend their home when disturbed. 🐜 #Fabaceae #stipule #Botany 🌾🧪🌱
April 1, 2025 at 4:38 PM
Reposted by Cristian Molina
The alemdro tree doesn't just survive lightning strikes--it appears to use the electricity to fry parasites and kill competitors. Fascinating story by @erikstokstad.bsky.social for @science.org!
Shocker: This tropical tree thrives after being struck by lightning
The almendro withstands thunderbolts that blast away parasitic vines
www.science.org
March 26, 2025 at 5:00 PM
The alemdro tree doesn't just survive lightning strikes--it appears to use the electricity to fry parasites and kill competitors. Fascinating story by @erikstokstad.bsky.social for @science.org!
Reposted by Cristian Molina
NASA started terminating grants :(
March 24, 2025 at 12:20 PM
NASA started terminating grants :(
Reposted by Cristian Molina
I’ve been thinking a lot about what I want to see in the new scientific system that emerges from the rubble. Gathering loose thoughts here. A list of demands?
March 22, 2025 at 5:37 PM
I’ve been thinking a lot about what I want to see in the new scientific system that emerges from the rubble. Gathering loose thoughts here. A list of demands?
I had a blast judging the 75th Chicago Public Schools STEM Fair, hosted by @msichicago.bsky.social! The work these young scientists have accomplished is really remarkable.
10 years ago, I was a middle schooler participating in my first Science Fair... These experiences change lives. #CPSScienceFair
10 years ago, I was a middle schooler participating in my first Science Fair... These experiences change lives. #CPSScienceFair
March 14, 2025 at 11:32 PM
I had a blast judging the 75th Chicago Public Schools STEM Fair, hosted by @msichicago.bsky.social! The work these young scientists have accomplished is really remarkable.
10 years ago, I was a middle schooler participating in my first Science Fair... These experiences change lives. #CPSScienceFair
10 years ago, I was a middle schooler participating in my first Science Fair... These experiences change lives. #CPSScienceFair
Reposted by Cristian Molina
Curious as to what a day in the life is as a current GSS RaMP-UP Fellow in Panamá? Check out our instagram @gsscholars to see what Sam Rivera (UCLA '23) does in the lab and field for his research on sea slugs!
www.instagram.com/gsscholars?i...
#research #fieldwork #GSS
www.instagram.com/gsscholars?i...
#research #fieldwork #GSS
January 30, 2025 at 2:36 PM
Curious as to what a day in the life is as a current GSS RaMP-UP Fellow in Panamá? Check out our instagram @gsscholars to see what Sam Rivera (UCLA '23) does in the lab and field for his research on sea slugs!
www.instagram.com/gsscholars?i...
#research #fieldwork #GSS
www.instagram.com/gsscholars?i...
#research #fieldwork #GSS
Reposted by Cristian Molina
Applications now open on the GSS website for the 2025/26 RaMP-UP Tropical BioDiversity Fellowship at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI) in Panamá! Visit gsscholar.org to learn more about this amazing opportunity. Apps due March 16!
#research #TropicalBioDiversity #recentgrads #GSS
#research #TropicalBioDiversity #recentgrads #GSS
January 23, 2025 at 6:32 PM
Applications now open on the GSS website for the 2025/26 RaMP-UP Tropical BioDiversity Fellowship at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI) in Panamá! Visit gsscholar.org to learn more about this amazing opportunity. Apps due March 16!
#research #TropicalBioDiversity #recentgrads #GSS
#research #TropicalBioDiversity #recentgrads #GSS
Reposted by Cristian Molina
Thanks so much for attending my #sicb2025 talk!
Loved this talk by Cristian Molina in the #SICB2025 Global South session. Acacias ramp up their ant mutualisms during periods of drought despite the cost. But n-fixation also limited so EFN constituents *may* be reduced. #sicbplants #iamabotanist
January 5, 2025 at 3:50 AM
Thanks so much for attending my #sicb2025 talk!