Kevin Thiessen, PhD
@kevinthiessen.bsky.social
540 followers 63 following 230 posts
Scientist at University of Bristol. @ZebrafishRock Creator. Creighton Alumnus. 🇺🇸✈️🇩🇪🚘🇬🇧
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kevinthiessen.bsky.social
I'm treading lightly with this one but the science communication bit of @zebrafishrock.bsky.social is back for the foreseeable future. I'll be sharing my plethora of fun facts (including some new ones) with the community. Enjoy!
zebrafishrock.bsky.social
#ZebrafishFunFacts: As the most-cited #zebrafish cancer research paper, Amsterdam et al screened hundreds of heterozygous lines for embryonic lethal mutations & found elevated cancer incidence in ribosomal genes. This previously underappreciated finding was published @plosbiology.org 21 years ago. 🧪
Figure 1. Spindle Cell Tumors Resembling MPNSTs in Zebrafish Heterozygous for Mutations in RP Genes
(A and B) Fish with apparent masses, as indicated by the arrows, or other evident pathology were selected for histological analysis: (A) a hi2582 fish, (B) a hi1034B fish. (C–H) Histopathology of representative tumors stained with hematoxylin and eosin reveals patterns consistent with the diagnosis of MPNST in hi10 fish (C and D), hi1974 fish (E–G), and hi1807 fish (H). (D) A large tumor with central necrosis is seen emanating from the optic nerve (n) (e, eye) (20×).
kevinthiessen.bsky.social
If you are looking to expand your K-12 class offerings, consider this wonderful article about teaching a complex subject using #zebrafish. Well done, @bioeyes.bsky.social 👍
bioeyes.bsky.social
Our latest publication! Looking forward to piloting this new approach to teaching genetics to middle school students in the hopes that they will better understand this complex subject.

#STEM #zebrafish #science #education #scienceeducation #whenfishgotoschool

doi.org/10.1016/j.yd...
kevinthiessen.bsky.social
In some cultures, this can be seen as good luck and I’m all here for it 🥰
A red dragonfly landing on a person wearing khaki trousers
kevinthiessen.bsky.social
Just waiting to see my inbox tomorrow…
kevinthiessen.bsky.social
Most of them are facing the wrong way? 😉
kevinthiessen.bsky.social
I always thought the eye expression was non-specific but I never thought the cells might actually be Sauron+
kevinthiessen.bsky.social
Sharing my own pretty image on #ZebrafishZunday! #devbio
Fluorescent image of a zebrafish larvae that has been stained with markers for inflammation (green) and skin development (purple). This may or may not be a mutant fish.
kevinthiessen.bsky.social
Finally starting to feel FOMO about social media, especially the positivity surrounding @zebrafishrock.bsky.social’s feed. It was a respite from the demoralizing news cycle that I haven’t found an answer to yet.
kevinthiessen.bsky.social
Congrats, Jan! Looking forward to seeing all the amazing science that comes from this. Proud of you 😊
kevinthiessen.bsky.social
"Don't mind me, just strolling by" 🤣

Caption this (oddly human-like) cell:
Image of a macrophage from a single Z plane that looks suspiciously human
kevinthiessen.bsky.social
I've met a lot of amazing people through my work with the account & I will try to remember them when I reflect on my time with ZR! I'm excited to try new things and even pick up a hobby. Thanks again for everyone's help. I remain your biggest fan, just from the sidelines this time. #RockOn 4/4
kevinthiessen.bsky.social
I wanted to thank my team @madeline-ryan.bsky.social @charlicorcoran.bsky.social @michaelanosfairley.bsky.social @mads100tist.bsky.social & prev. @amberchiodini.bsky.social for their help & support during the last few years. They've given me reprieve from social media when I needed it the most. 3/4
kevinthiessen.bsky.social
I've realized for my own mental health, it's just not worth it anymore. The Slack tankspace will be our only venture moving forward as social media has shown to have a decreased role for questions & queries. I will continue to be involved w/ the Slack account but our social media will go silent. 2/4
kevinthiessen.bsky.social
After 7 years and a lot of memories, I've finally decided to retire Zebrafish Rock! on social media. I really want to say it was always positive but I've had a tumultuous experience with the account. Those that make the community more toxic continue to be promoted to positions of power. 1/4
kevinthiessen.bsky.social
Congrats and good luck 🤞
kevinthiessen.bsky.social
Now we are twinning 😊 So proud of you!
Image of the 2023 scicomm award given to Kevin Thiessen for Zebrafish Rock
kevinthiessen.bsky.social
You shouldn’t text and fly 😉
kevinthiessen.bsky.social
Some errors in here but slowly learning how to use BlueThread app for these mega-posts. (e.g. Need to use https:// rather than www.)

Here’s a link if it’s helpful to others: bluethread.pythonanywhere.com
kevinthiessen.bsky.social
Absolutely love this! I went with the blue embellishments and put it in a silver frame. It looks fantastic 😍
Image of a female zebrafish print with silver and blue stripes. It’s in a silver frame on a wood desk.
kevinthiessen.bsky.social
Congrats, Natasha! Super excited for you 😊
kevinthiessen.bsky.social
Welcome to the world, little one! Glad you two are doing well. 😊
kevinthiessen.bsky.social
I often get reminded of my pitfalls as a scientist. Papers hardly cited, overlooked for awards, called ‘Only an influencer’. But for the last week I had some really long imaging sessions with good results and I felt like a proper Scientist. Those moments are few and far between but it felt great 😊