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meganbarkdull.bsky.social
Megan Barkdull
@meganbarkdull.bsky.social
600 followers 370 following 40 posts
Assistant Curator of Entomology @nhm.org | insects, genomes, museums | @cornelluniversity.bsky.social & New College of Florida alumna | she/her.
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meganbarkdull.bsky.social
Megan Barkdull @meganbarkdull.bsky.social · Mar 17
Proud to share my story and advocate for federal science funding in my hometown paper, the @orlandosentinel.com.

I hope you'll join me in calling our elected officials to prevent devastating cuts to the NSF, NIH, and now other agencies like the Institute of Museum and Library Services.
sciencehomecoming.bsky.social
Science Homecoming @sciencehomecoming.bsky.social · Mar 17
Entomologist Megan Barkdull curates a world-class insect collection but she got her start through federally-funded science programs — like those that teach Florida’s kids about wildlife from the Everglades 🐊 to the coasts. Now, that funding is at risk. 🧪🏠

@meganbarkdull.bsky.social
Commentary: Federal science funding fuels education, STEM careers
A science museum curator who grew up in Orlando talks about how federal science funding fueled her own life journey and so many others.
www.orlandosentinel.com
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Reposted by Megan Barkdull
sohkamyung.bsky.social
Soh Kam Yung @sohkamyung.bsky.social · 3h
My first pseudoscorpion observation was pure luck. Happen to see this wasp and took a shot. It was only later did I see what was hanging on the antenna.

On iNaturalist [ www.inaturalist.org/observations... ]
A brown pseudoscopion hanging on to the antenna of a wasp. The wasp is yellow with black stripes and transparent wings.
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meganbarkdull.bsky.social
Megan Barkdull @meganbarkdull.bsky.social · 3d
Getting set up with some spooky bugs for @nhm.org’s Haunted Museum event! 🐜🐞🎃🕸️
Megan, a brunette woman in an insect themed t-shirt, holds a drawer of colorful grasshoppers while standing in an aisle of entomology cabinets.
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Reposted by Megan Barkdull
artd.bsky.social
Art D. @artd.bsky.social · 4d
#AskALibrarian
itsthebrandi.bsky.social
Downtown Brandi Frown 😾 @itsthebrandi.bsky.social · 4d
The LA Public Library research librarian explaining what is going on with Charli and Taylor is outstanding work

www.instagram.com/reel/DPXZIUa...
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Reposted by Megan Barkdull
davehb.bsky.social
Dave Hemprich-Bennett @davehb.bsky.social · 6d
New preprint alert! We DNA barcoded 95 thousand Ghanaian arthropods, more than doubling the number of BINs (a species proxy) available online from West Africa. In doing so we’ve released a huge amount of new data to scientists studying the region 🧪 www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Characterising a species-rich and understudied tropical insect fauna using DNA barcoding
Background: West Africa has high biodiversity that is relatively understudied, especially for insects. Studies of West African arthropod diversity can therefore help address important questions regard...
www.biorxiv.org
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Reposted by Megan Barkdull
donmoyn.bsky.social
Don Moynihan @donmoyn.bsky.social · 5d
Yes, New College is incredibly inefficient but it also dropped 60(!) spots on the US News & World Report rankings. Not easy!
Everytime Chris Rufo is introduced as an impt voice in higher ed, remember that the one time he had a hand in running an institution has been a disaster.
Competence matters.
willbunch.bsky.social
Will Bunch @willbunch.bsky.social · 7d
You'll be shocked to learn New College of Florida is on the brink of implosion just a couple of years after DeSantis engineered an extreme right-wing takeover

Fun fact: NCF's new overlords spend $134K per student (!!...the average at other FL publics is $10K) www.insidehighered.com/news/governa...
Spending Soars, Rankings Fall at New College of Florida
Student outcomes and rankings are slipping at the liberal arts college while spending is up. Critics believe the college is at risk of implosion, and some are calling for privatization.
www.insidehighered.com
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Reposted by Megan Barkdull
daveyfwright.bsky.social
Dr. Davey F. Wright ⛏️🦕🧬 @daveyfwright.bsky.social · 6d
🚨We're hiring! The Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History is seeking a tenure-track split position as Assistant Curator of Ichthyology and Assistant Professor of Biological Sciences. Please retweet & share with colleagues! 🐟🐠🧪

Apply here: apply.interfolio.com/174674
A job ad with multiple images, including the exterior of the museum, a view of collections (jars on shelves), and pictures of some cool, tropical fish but I don't know enough about fish to describe them other than to say they're pretty colors of yellow and blue/green
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Reposted by Megan Barkdull
nathanharness.bsky.social
Nathan Harness @nathanharness.bsky.social · 7d
I found this rove beetle friend on the rainforest floor. They are so so fast, you can imaging me chasing it around with my camera just rolling around in the leaf litter. Just unbelievable colors. In person the rainbow iridescence is stunning. It’s hard to say much here beyond just wow.
Red green and yellow beetle on a leaf Red green and yellow beetle on a leaf
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Reposted by Megan Barkdull
nhm.org
Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County @nhm.org · 7d
From tiny marine invertebrates to extraordinary artifacts, get an up-close look at rarely seen Museum Collections with the return of “Collections Revealed”, every Thursday beginning October 2!

Free with Museum Admission: go.nhm.org/collections-...
A collections specialist showcases a specimen drawer featuring various species of insects.
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meganbarkdull.bsky.social
Megan Barkdull @meganbarkdull.bsky.social · 7d
Check out Open Grants!

www.ogrants.org/grants-03-pr...
Grants by Program · Open Grants
www.ogrants.org
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Reposted by Megan Barkdull
stairwaytokevin.bsky.social
👻Sewall Fright🎃 @stairwaytokevin.bsky.social · 8d
I don't want to ever meet the latter kind of people. "Article that could have been a video" is not even a phrase I can comprehend
kattenbarge.bsky.social
Kat Tenbarge @kattenbarge.bsky.social · 9d
The real generational divide is people who refuse to watch a video if it could be an article versus people who refuse to read an article if it could be a video
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Reposted by Megan Barkdull
fungifirst.bsky.social
Fungi First @fungifirst.bsky.social · 9d
I encourage you all to add your voice to protectiing the U.S. National Fungus Collection! #Mushrooms #FungiFriends
fungifirst.bsky.social
Fungi First @fungifirst.bsky.social · 9d
An important reminder the USDA plans to close the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, home of the U.S. National Fungus Collection.

The public comment period is open until 9/30. I encourage you to submit comments to: [email protected]

Why does it matter? www.plantopiapodcast.org/55
Why a Collection of Dead Fungi Matters
www.plantopiapodcast.org
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Reposted by Megan Barkdull
flygirlnhm.bsky.social
Erica McAlister @flygirlnhm.bsky.social · 9d
Today’s winning data label goes to this flea

I’ve no idea who collected it but I’d love to met them, sounds like they are my sort of person 🤓

#collections @nhm-london.bsky.social #fleas #databasing
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Reposted by Megan Barkdull
kaycebell.bsky.social
Kayce Bell @kaycebell.bsky.social · 11d
This application deadline is approaching! Students, apply for $ to collect data in the @nhm.org collections!
(you should contact relevant collections first and I haven't heard from anyone interested in mammals . . . 😢)
🧪
kaycebell.bsky.social
Kayce Bell @kaycebell.bsky.social · Sep 4
October 1 deadline for @nhm.org Student Collections Study Award. Get some $$ to spend time collecting data in our collections, including @tarpits.org
Open to:
- current undergraduate and grad students
- *not* local to Los Angeles (international applicants welcome)
More:
nhm.org/student-coll...
🧪
Student Collections Study Award
The NHM Collections Study Awards provide funding for undergraduate and graduate students to visit and study the collections of the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, the La Brea Tar Pits & ...
nhm.org
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Reposted by Megan Barkdull
dangaristo.bsky.social
Dan Garisto @dangaristo.bsky.social · 11d
New: After a long wait, the GRFP solicitation is live! Deadlines have been extended to early November, so applicants have a bit over a month to submit. www.nsf.gov/funding/oppo...
NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP)
www.nsf.gov
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meganbarkdull.bsky.social
Megan Barkdull @meganbarkdull.bsky.social · 12d
Due in less than one week!
🪲🐜🦕🐦‍⬛🐿️🦎🐌🐟🪸
meganbarkdull.bsky.social
Megan Barkdull @meganbarkdull.bsky.social · 23d
Are you an undergraduate or graduate student whose research would benefit from visiting a collection at the @nhm.org? Apply now for our Collections Study Award! Deadline is Oct. 1; learn more at nhm.org/student-coll...
Flyer for the award. Has images of three students interacting with collections materials; text reads: Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County Student Collections Study Award October 1st, 2025 Application Deadline Application and Details: https://nhm.org/student-collections-study-award
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meganbarkdull.bsky.social
Megan Barkdull @meganbarkdull.bsky.social · 13d
Entomology collection treasures at @nhm.org: gorgeous clearwing butterflies, including one specimen from 1934!
A photograph of several pinned clearwing butterflies in a natural history collection. The butterflies have transparent wings with black veining and patterning.
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Reposted by Megan Barkdull
jacanamama.bsky.social
Sara Lipshutz (she/her) @jacanamama.bsky.social · 13d
Excited to read this review paper by @juehlz.bsky.social and Jenn Houtz! nsojournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...
Gut microbiome–diet interactions in wild birds
Birds show global declines, and understanding the relationship between avian diet and fitness can both answer basic questions in physiological ecology and inform conservation efforts. Diet-induced ch...
nsojournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com
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Reposted by Megan Barkdull
colinschultz.bsky.social
Colin Schultz @colinschultz.bsky.social · 14d
"Researchers have discovered a plant that attracts pollinating flies by mimicking the odour of half-eaten ants." www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Plant that mimics odour of half-eaten ants to attract pollinators discovered
Botanist says new Japanese species of dogbane is first evidence of plants copying ants
www.theguardian.com
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Reposted by Megan Barkdull
kaycebell.bsky.social
Kayce Bell @kaycebell.bsky.social · 14d
Hi! We need lice for our diversity and adaptation project. Specifically, we need lice from zebras, camelids (camels, llamas, alpacas, vicuñas, guanacos) & aardvarks. If you or someone you know might have lice, I'm happy to discuss our inclusive collaboration plans!
sites.google.com/nhm.org/anop...
Mammals & Lice
We are interested in understanding what drives host-parasite relationships. We are using the Anoplura (sucking lice) parasite and mammalian host system to generate a comprehensive sucking louse phylog...
sites.google.com
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Reposted by Megan Barkdull
symbionticism.bsky.social
Seth Bordenstein @symbionticism.bsky.social · 20d
🎙️JOB ANNOUNCEMENT! I am seeking a scientist to design, implement, support, analyze, and report on research in the molecular biology of insect endosymbionts. Come join us in the tips of the Appalachian mountains for meaningful challenges in symbiosis science. psu.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/PSU_Staff/jo...
Research Technologist - Life Sciences Advanced Professional - Bordenstein Lab
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS: CURRENT PENN STATE EMPLOYEE (faculty, staff, technical service, or student), please login to Workday to complete the internal application process. Please do not apply here, a...
psu.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com
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Reposted by Megan Barkdull
jo.nny.rip
jonny "saunders" @jo.nny.rip · 15d
Appreciate the framing of caution, but having seen vibe coded analysis routines the publication pressures that create them, this is candy flavored poison. The cited paper demonstrates the value of human labor in the training set, and required expert intervention in simply loading 8/12 datasets
thetransmitter.bsky.social
The Transmitter @thetransmitter.bsky.social · Aug 25
With LLMs, researchers can develop software entirely through natural language conversations. This shift is transforming how research gets done, offering new opportunities and new challenges, writes ‪Benjamin Dichter.

#neuroskyence

www.thetransmitter.org/craft-and-ca...
Should neuroscientists ‘vibe code’?
Researchers are developing software entirely through natural language conversations with advanced large language models. The trend is transforming how research gets done—but it also presents new…
www.thetransmitter.org
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meganbarkdull.bsky.social
Megan Barkdull @meganbarkdull.bsky.social · 15d
Congratulations, Maria! Excited to give it a read.
Reposted by Megan Barkdull
akopyan.bsky.social
Maria Akopyan, PhD @akopyan.bsky.social · 15d
Now published in Cell! We found that ~15% of SNPs from divergent refs did not liftover as SNPs in the gray fox ref—half mapped to monomorphic sites, half failed to map. Co-authored with Matthew Genchev, @elliecat.bsky.social, and @jazlynmooney.bsky.social

www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
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Reposted by Megan Barkdull
stacyfarina.bsky.social
Stacy Farina @stacyfarina.bsky.social · 16d
I love this small museum mostly run by volunteers! It is such a wonderful resource for people interested in natural in Baltimore. Please consider supporting them!
whysharksmatter.bsky.social
David Shiffman, Ph.D. 🦈 @whysharksmatter.bsky.social · 16d
There are two weeks to go in the fundraising campaign for the Natural History Society of Maryland's new shark science and conservation exhibit, and we have to raise about $1,400 more.

Please consider chipping in to help. Thank you!

www.southernfriedscience.com/help-support... #SciComm 🧪🦑🌎
Help support a new shark science and conservation exhibit in Maryland!
The Natural History Society of Maryland is redoing their public exhibit halls, including a new exhibit on shark science and conservation. I’m helping them to design it, we’re fundraisin…
www.southernfriedscience.com
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Reposted by Megan Barkdull
jengolbeck.bsky.social
Jen Golbeck @jengolbeck.bsky.social · 18d
I found this birding book along the side of the road on the Tamiami trail in the Everglades on 8/25/25. It is so well loved with sightings going back decades. If you're a birder (I am not) please spread the word and hep me find the owner so they can be reunited
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