John M. Mola
@johnmola.bsky.social
1.4K followers 720 following 210 posts
Asst. Prof of ecology at Colorado State University Bees, pollinat*, plants (disc golf aka frisBEE). he/him #BiInSci 🏳️‍🌈 MolaLab.org
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johnmola.bsky.social
Things that make me cry:

- Weddings
- Onions
- Thesis/dissertation defenses and acknowledgements

😭😭😭😭😭
johnmola.bsky.social
Insanely unacceptable for second-year students. I can understand if the change is desired, but if so, current second-year students should be eligible and then starting *next year* the full policy be enacted.
johnmola.bsky.social
I know this is going to result in me getting spammed - but we're looking for an artist to commission for a lab logo and reusable (bumble) bee vector graphics.

Please get in touch if that's you, or recommend anyone you've worked with in the past.

frsbeelab.org is our research group!
frsbeelab.org
johnmola.bsky.social
Thanks for the heads up, Casey! Seems like my first-year PhD student who intended to apply again next year should go ahead and send it this year...
johnmola.bsky.social
Whoa! Those are very cool!
Reposted by John M. Mola
ericlopresti.bsky.social
A couple years ago, I found a weird wasp moth - sent it to Bill Taft and Anthony Cognato at Michigan State and lo and behold, it is a new species. Introducing Synanthedon nielseni!
johnmola.bsky.social
There ain't nothin' we can do for at least a generation. Trust breaks a lot faster than it's repaired.
johnmola.bsky.social
Nothing in this arena yet - but you can check my google scholar for whatever I've done!
johnmola.bsky.social
Nice - this project, and a couple other related ones, have been totally new experiences for me, but very rewarding!

Please share yours when ready!
johnmola.bsky.social
Consider a donation to the People and Pollinators Action Network! And if you're in Colorado...you can even attend the annual Bumble Bee Bash!!

givebutter.com/c/forthebees
Please Join Us for PPAN's 2025 Bumble Bee Bash 🥂🐝🥂
September 20, 2025 @ Yellow Barn Farm
givebutter.com
johnmola.bsky.social
South Park makes me proud to call Colorado home.
johnmola.bsky.social
I assume it's not even a bug, it's a feature.

Wildfires impact more people in blue states. Same reason USFS consolidation doesn't include any west coast states. The cruelty and inefficiency is the point.
johnmola.bsky.social
Further evidence of 1) the importance of funding science but also, 2) the need to increase natural habitat within agricultural areas to reduce the reliance on a single species of bee.

We have insurance - they're called the other 20,000+ species of bee.
david-grimm.bsky.social
Between June 2024 and January 2025, a full 62% of commercial honey bee colonies in the U.S. died, the largest on record. USDA efforts were slowed by funding cuts and layoffs. Now, USDA scientists have finally identified a culprit. But it may be too late. www.science.org/content/arti...
Scientists identify culprit behind biggest-ever U.S. honey bee die-off
USDA research points to viruses spread by pesticide-resistant mites, indicating a worrying trend
www.science.org
Reposted by John M. Mola
drylandlab.bsky.social
Hi, Bluesky!

I am an Assistant Professor at Colorado State University.
based in #FortCollins, CO studying #drylands and #restoration with a focus on #plantecology, #biocrusts, #functionaltraits, and #rangelandecology.

I'm excited to connect about science here!
johnmola.bsky.social
That would be a very satisfying regression!

It certainly results in me losing my disc either completely or for much longer durations. Walk halfway up the fairway, oooh a cool bee...where the hell is that disc?!
johnmola.bsky.social
Somebody tell me that it's ok if I want to do a silly project about the compatibility of recreational sports and pollinator conservation.

Mix of natives and non-natives - including the intriguing newly arrived Bombus bimaculatus - on a disc golf course in Boulder, Colorado.
Bombus bimaculatus on Lamb's Ear. Birdfoot trefoil and alfalfa blooming on a disc golf fairway Cactus and hairy golden aster in bloom near a disc golf tee pad
johnmola.bsky.social
All of our worst students are running the country.
johnmola.bsky.social
The lawsuits that California taxpayers will pay the settlements for, unfortunately. It needs to come out of their personal pockets.
johnmola.bsky.social
I always ask students on the final exam what they'll remember from class, and I was pleased to see this one!

Ecologically-themed stretch breaks are a must during 1.25 hour long class sessions!
Screenshot of online exam. Says "What was something we covered this semester that really made an impression on you? How will it affect your life going forward?"

Student answered "The importance of stretching in class and attention to the human condition..."
Reposted by John M. Mola
naturealexk.bsky.social
We are #hiring a lecturer and #researcher:

- Teaching in ecology and nature conservation
- Research on plant-pollinator interactions
- Supervision of students
- Contribution to our major collaborative projects

Start 01.09.2025
Salary according to TV-L E13, 100%

🔗 uni-freiburg.de/stellenangeb...
bumblebee on flower by Felix Fornoff