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Evolutionary Studies at Vanderbilt

@evolutionvu.bsky.social

1.1K followers 1.1K following 130 posts

Building a world-class center for evolution in the heart of Tennessee. Wish us luck. Opinions belong to Andy and not VU.

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Evolutionary Studies at Vanderbilt @evolutionvu.bsky.social · Dec 6

We are getting excited about next summer! Along with #ScopesSymposium, we're hosting #ISEMPH2025. We are so grateful for folks like @paulturnerlab.bsky.social, Nicole Bender & Michelle Blythe. We hope you'll join us in #Nashville to talk about #Evolution, #Medicine, and Public Health!

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Evolutionary Studies at Vanderbilt @evolutionvu.bsky.social · 8d

New Research!
Lin Meng shows that urban vegetation leafs out ~12 days earlier and holds leaves ~11 days later. This may help cool cities but longer growing seasons can increase frost damage and may prolong allergy seasons. Read More >> https://loom.ly/KWziaxI
#Evolution #Phenology #Trees

Map of the contiguous United States at night showing artificial light levels as bright pink and yellow clusters, concentrated around cities such as Minneapolis, Washington, D.C., and Atlanta, which are highlighted in zoomed-in boxes. A color bar shows light intensity (ALAN) from dark to bright. At the bottom right, Lin Meng is pictured smiling, wearing glasses and a white shirt. Below is the quote: 'Our research shows that local urban conditions, like artificial light at night, substantially reshape plant responses.' – Lin Meng.

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Evolutionary Studies at Vanderbilt @evolutionvu.bsky.social · 11d

Eis: machine learning to reverse-engineer #evolution. Brassington (@amandalea.bsky.social): Evolutionary mismatch. Rose: Genome-scale models. Bruder (@megbehri.bsky.social): Computational & experimental microbial evolution.

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Reposted by Evolutionary Studies at Vanderbilt

Nessa Ní Chasaide @nessanichasaide.bsky.social · 19d

"This research demonstrates how our ancestors adapted to dramatic climate shifts through genetic evolution,” Dr Epem Esekon,Turkana county’s health and sanitation sector. Research: Turkana Basin Institute @evolutionvu.bsky.social #TurkanaCountyKE @theguardian.com

www.theguardian.com/global-devel...

Kenya’s Turkana people genetically adapted to live in harsh environment, study suggests

Research which began with conversations round a campfire and went on to examine 7m gene variants shows how people survive with little water and a meat-rich diet

www.theguardian.com

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Evolutionary Studies at Vanderbilt @evolutionvu.bsky.social · 19d

Genes for desert survival discovered! New study by @amandalea.bsky.social w/ Turkana community shows how #evolution shaped their ability to thrive in extreme heat & water scarcity. @vuartsci.bsky.social https://loom.ly/4cFtYKo

Amanda Lea, standing with a microphone, presents research in front of a projected slide to a seated audience. The slide shows images and text describing projects, including the Turkana Health and Genomics Project. Below the photo, on a yellow-orange gradient background, a quote reads, “Working with transitioning populations can lead to new models for understanding how present-day environments interact with past adaptations.” – Amanda Lea. A stylized black DNA strand curves vertically along the right edge of the banner.

Traditional Turkana huts dot a dry, dusty landscape under a bright blue sky. Small clusters of round, thatched huts sit on a flat, sandy plain with sparse shrubs and distant trees. The Kenyan flag in the shape of the country is placed in the lower right corner, and text above reads, “The Turkana homeland stretches across a vast arid landscape in northern Kenya where shade is rare and water even rarer.” A warm gradient banner at the bottom credits the photo to Julien Ayroles.

Three Turkana individuals walk away from the camera across a sandy landscape at sunset, two carrying yellow jerrycans balanced on their heads. The sky glows with soft orange, pink, and purple hues fading into blue. The text in the lower left reads, “Turkana carrying water back to their households (photo credit Michel Mata).”

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Evolutionary Studies at Vanderbilt @evolutionvu.bsky.social · 21d

Nice spot!

Evolutionary Studies at Vanderbilt @evolutionvu.bsky.social · 22d

All three of Ken's videos did really well on TikTok, here's the one that did the best!

Quotes for the back of the book can come from unexpected places, explains #biologist Ken Miller. #Evolution #Scopes100 @ncse.bsky.social

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Evolutionary Studies at Vanderbilt @evolutionvu.bsky.social · 26d

For @omearabrian.bsky.social, the only one who seems to have wanted videos here... Here's another talk that did well on TikTok. It's Marlene Zuk talking about Prickle Princesses! #DogSky #Evolution #Behavior

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Reposted by Evolutionary Studies at Vanderbilt

Adam "I Was Hoping We Could Keep It" Laats @adamlaats.bsky.social · Sep 8

Scopes Summer continues--even after Labor Day.

For everyone interested, the good folks at @evolutionvu.bsky.social and @ncse.bsky.social have made all the Vanderbilt talks available.

Check out Ed Larson, Ken Miller, Lee Meadows, Amanda Townley, Barbara Forrest...tons of amazing speakers, plus me.

The Scopes "Monkey" Trial at 100 | National Center for Science Education

The Scopes "Monkey" Trial at 100 NCSE Executive Director Amanda L. Townley presents at the Scopes "Monkey Trial" Centennial Symposium.

ncse.ngo

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Evolutionary Studies at Vanderbilt @evolutionvu.bsky.social · Sep 8

ALL the full talks from #Scopes100 are available on our YouTube playlist: https://loom.ly/4IBdeAk

@ncse.bsky.social #Evolution

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Reposted by Evolutionary Studies at Vanderbilt

Prosanta Chakrabarty @prosanta.bsky.social · Sep 6

Curator job opening at the fabulous American Museum of Natural History in New York City!

Know a marine fish person 🐠 or oceanographer who might be interested?

Dr. Jessica L Ware @jessicalwarelab.bsky.social · Sep 6

AMNH is hiring a #curator! We are searching for an “Assistant Curator in #Climate #Physics: #Atmosphere or #Ocean”! Join us! careers.amnh.org/postings/4579 #academicjobs #tenuretrack

careers.amnh.org

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Reposted by Evolutionary Studies at Vanderbilt

National Center for Science Education @ncse.bsky.social · Sep 5

Here's a pile of weekend goodies for you all! We now have all 3 Scopes Centennial webinars up online for your viewing pleasure, along with the collection of talks presented at the Scopes Symposium, thanks to @evolutionvu.bsky.social. Enjoy!
ncse.ngo/scopes-cente...
#Scopes100 #HistorySky #EduSky

The Scopes "Monkey" Trial at 100 | National Center for Science Education

The Scopes "Monkey" Trial at 100 NCSE Executive Director Amanda L. Townley presents at the Scopes "Monkey Trial" Centennial Symposium.

ncse.ngo

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Evolutionary Studies at Vanderbilt @evolutionvu.bsky.social · Sep 5

All talks from Session VI: The Relationship of #Evolution and Religion are online! https://loom.ly/4IBdeAk

@ncse.bsky.social @lizbarnes.bsky.social @revbatgirl.bsky.social

Photo of Jamie Jensen smiling while giving a talk. Text reads: Jamie Jensen – Reconciling Evolution and Belief. Logos for Evolutionary Studies at Vanderbilt, NCSE (National Center for Science Education), and Vanderbilt University appear at the bottom.

Photo of Katy Hinman speaking at a podium with a remote in hand. Slide text reads “Katy Hinman — Science and (not versus) Religion.” Logos for Evolutionary Studies at Vanderbilt, NCSE (National Center for Science Education), and Vanderbilt University appear along the bottom, with a small chalkboard graphic labeled “Science / Religion” at right.

Photo of Liz Barnes speaking with hands raised mid-point, wearing a gray blazer and black shirt. Slide text reads “Liz Barnes — Promoting Harmony between Religion and Evolution.” Logos for Evolutionary Studies at Vanderbilt, NCSE (National Center for Science Education), and Vanderbilt University appear along the bottom; a small signpost graphic at right shows “Muslim,” “Catholic,” “Buddhist,” and “Atheist.”

Photo of Lee Meadows speaking, one hand raised, wearing glasses and a blue plaid jacket. Slide text reads “Lee Meadows — Inclusive Approaches to Teaching Evolution.” Logos for Evolutionary Studies at Vanderbilt, NCSE (National Center for Science Education), and Vanderbilt University appear along the bottom, with a small Nashville skyline photo at right.

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Evolutionary Studies at Vanderbilt @evolutionvu.bsky.social · Sep 4

How do you teach #evolution where faith is central? Lee Meadows shares classroom-tested practices that lower conflict and keep students engaged with the evidence: https://loom.ly/_TfXC_U

#Scopes100 #ScienceAndReligion @ncse.bsky.social

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Evolutionary Studies at Vanderbilt @evolutionvu.bsky.social · Sep 4

Comment or like this post if y'all would like ~1-minute clips from our Scopes "Monkey" Trial Centennial Symposium posted here. We've been putting them on TikTok and Instagram - but perhaps you'd like them here, too! Here's an example clip that did quite well on TT. #Evolution @ncse.bsky.social

Evolutionary Studies at Vanderbilt @evolutionvu.bsky.social · Sep 3

How do we lower the “science vs faith” temperature? @lizbarnes.bsky.social shows practical ways to reduce conflict so more students can learn #evolution: https://loom.ly/ljN30oU
@ncse.bsky.social #Scopes100

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Evolutionary Studies at Vanderbilt @evolutionvu.bsky.social · Sep 2

Hear @revbatgirl.bsky.social make the case that science & religion don’t need to be rivals. Watch her #Scopes100 talk: Science and (not versus) Religion: https://loom.ly/YMxW8vA
#Evolution
@ncse.bsky.social

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Evolutionary Studies at Vanderbilt @evolutionvu.bsky.social · Sep 1

Can faith & evolution coexist? Jamie Jensen says yes. 🙌
Her Scopes talk shows how empathy and clear communication can help religious audiences embrace #evolution without losing their beliefs.

Watch her #Scopes100: https://loom.ly/SqX6atE

@ncse.bsky.social

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Evolutionary Studies at Vanderbilt @evolutionvu.bsky.social · Aug 29

Teaching #evolution takes courage, creativity, and conviction. Hear from Gale Sinatra, @corriemoreau.bsky.social & Wesley Roberts at the #ScopesSymposium. #Scopes100 @ncse.bsky.social

Full talks here: https://loom.ly/4IBdeAk

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Evolutionary Studies at Vanderbilt @evolutionvu.bsky.social · Aug 28

Wesley Roberts taught biology in Nashville for decades — & even spoke at the TN House in defense of evolution. His #Scopes100 talk “Teaching Evolution in the Bible Belt” is here: https://loom.ly/FjmCKAg
@ncse.bsky.social

Promotional graphic for Wesley Roberts’ Scopes Symposium lecture Teaching Evolution in the Bible Belt. On the left, Roberts is shown speaking in a blue collared shirt with a microphone attached. The text reads “Wesley Roberts – Teaching Evolution in the Bible Belt.” At the bottom are logos for Vanderbilt Evolutionary Studies and the National Center for Science Education, along with a small image of the Tennessee state flag.

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Reposted by Evolutionary Studies at Vanderbilt

Stephen I Wright @stepheniwright.bsky.social · Aug 27

Please share broadly: I am looking for a postdoctoral fellow to work on a collaborative project on the temporal population genomics of invasive Capeweed (using contemporary and herbarium genomics), with ‪‪@shaky-dingo.bsky.social‬ and colleagues

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Reposted by Evolutionary Studies at Vanderbilt

@lynnfellman.bsky.social @lynnfellman.bsky.social · Aug 27

I get a fierce sense of joy learning from women in science. Like Elizabeth Barnes and Julie Phillips at the Scopes "Monkey" Trial Centennial Symposium. Elizabeth’s (Liz) presentation, ”An Atheist's Unexpected Path to Promoting Harmony between Religion and Evolution," made me think and think again.

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Evolutionary Studies at Vanderbilt @evolutionvu.bsky.social · Aug 27

Museums aren’t just collections — they’re classrooms. 🦋🏛️
@corriemoreau.bsky.social's #Scopes100 talk shows how exhibits make #evolution accessible & engaging.
https://loom.ly/vFnwcRo

@ncse.bsky.social

Promotional graphic for Corrie Moreau’s Scopes Symposium lecture titled Teaching Evolution through Museum Exhibits. On the left, Moreau is shown speaking at a podium, wearing glasses and a patterned jacket, gesturing with her hands. On the right, text reads “Corrie Moreau – Teaching Evolution through Museum Exhibits.” Logos for Vanderbilt Evolutionary Studies and the National Center for Science Education appear at the bottom, along with a small photo of framed butterfly specimens in a museum display.

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Evolutionary Studies at Vanderbilt @evolutionvu.bsky.social · Aug 26

Science denial is real — but so are tools for teaching #evolution effectively.
@galesinatra.bsky.social unpacks both in her #Scopes100 talk, now on YouTube: https://loom.ly/8SIzwSA
@ncse.bsky.social

Promotional graphic for Gale Sinatra’s Scopes Symposium lecture Science Denial and Teaching Evolution. Gale Sinatra, wearing glasses and a patterned shirt, stands at a podium speaking with a smile. The text reads “Gale Sinatra – Science Denial and Teaching Evolution.” Logos for Vanderbilt Evolutionary Studies and the National Center for Science Education are at the bottom, along with a small image of two raised hands pressed against glass.

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Evolutionary Studies at Vanderbilt @evolutionvu.bsky.social · Aug 25

Session IV: The Long Reach of #Evolution is on our YouTube Playlist! https://loom.ly/4IBdeAk
Featuring: Owen Jones, @paulturnerlab.bsky.social & @kamounlab.bsky.social
@ncse.bsky.social

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Evolutionary Studies at Vanderbilt @evolutionvu.bsky.social · Aug 22

Just posted: @paulturnerlab.bsky.social's #Scopes100 lecture on #EvolutionaryMedicine explores how evolution shapes human health & disease. 🧬💉
https://loom.ly/wLt8lXw
@ncse.bsky.social

Promotional graphic for Paul Turner’s Scopes Symposium lecture titled Evolutionary Medicine. On the left, Turner is shown speaking at a podium, wearing a striped shirt and gesturing with his hand. On the right, the text reads “Paul Turner – Evolutionary Medicine.” Logos for Vanderbilt Evolutionary Studies and the National Center for Science Education appear at the bottom, along with a small photo of a scientist holding a vial.

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