S Otto
@sarperotto.bsky.social
evolution & math = a super interesting job
Reposted by S Otto
"Ontario is about to make 106 species disappear - not from nature, but from responsibility."
By removing species from the official list under its new Species Conservation Act, Ontario is withdrawing recognition of their imperiled status, writes Justina Ray
www.nationalobserver.com/2025/11/18/o...
By removing species from the official list under its new Species Conservation Act, Ontario is withdrawing recognition of their imperiled status, writes Justina Ray
www.nationalobserver.com/2025/11/18/o...
The high cost of turning a blind eye to species at risk
By removing these 106 species from the official list under its new Species Conservation Act, the province is withdrawing recognition of their imperiled status within Ontario.
www.nationalobserver.com
November 18, 2025 at 11:42 PM
"Ontario is about to make 106 species disappear - not from nature, but from responsibility."
By removing species from the official list under its new Species Conservation Act, Ontario is withdrawing recognition of their imperiled status, writes Justina Ray
www.nationalobserver.com/2025/11/18/o...
By removing species from the official list under its new Species Conservation Act, Ontario is withdrawing recognition of their imperiled status, writes Justina Ray
www.nationalobserver.com/2025/11/18/o...
Thank you to all the wonderful people and groups we met to make our @libererofellows.bsky.social training transformational: Michelle LeBaron, Chief Hugh Akagi, Adam Wilkins, Kim Davies, Laurenne Schiller, the Huntsman Marine Science Centre, Canada Whale Institute, & NB Museum. So many thanks!!
October 19, 2025 at 4:07 PM
Thank you to all the wonderful people and groups we met to make our @libererofellows.bsky.social training transformational: Michelle LeBaron, Chief Hugh Akagi, Adam Wilkins, Kim Davies, Laurenne Schiller, the Huntsman Marine Science Centre, Canada Whale Institute, & NB Museum. So many thanks!!
Reposted by S Otto
🚨 BREAKING: All major groups of wildlife in Canada are in decline
#LPRC2025: Across 910 species of birds, fish, mammals, reptiles & amphibians, wildlife populations in Canada have declined by 10%, on average, since 1970.
BUT not all is lost. Together, we can help nature heal & wildlife recover.
#LPRC2025: Across 910 species of birds, fish, mammals, reptiles & amphibians, wildlife populations in Canada have declined by 10%, on average, since 1970.
BUT not all is lost. Together, we can help nature heal & wildlife recover.
September 22, 2025 at 11:01 AM
🚨 BREAKING: All major groups of wildlife in Canada are in decline
#LPRC2025: Across 910 species of birds, fish, mammals, reptiles & amphibians, wildlife populations in Canada have declined by 10%, on average, since 1970.
BUT not all is lost. Together, we can help nature heal & wildlife recover.
#LPRC2025: Across 910 species of birds, fish, mammals, reptiles & amphibians, wildlife populations in Canada have declined by 10%, on average, since 1970.
BUT not all is lost. Together, we can help nature heal & wildlife recover.
Reposted by S Otto
@sarperotto.bsky.social and I are back for the @smtpb.bsky.social, interviewing Warren Ewens. "Get out of that ivory tower and do something useful" might seem unlikely advice for a mathematical population geneticist, but this was key for Warren. Full interview here:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=d_K_...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=d_K_...
Reflections on Modeling and Theory in Population Biology: Warren Ewens
YouTube video by SMTPB
www.youtube.com
August 22, 2025 at 3:36 PM
@sarperotto.bsky.social and I are back for the @smtpb.bsky.social, interviewing Warren Ewens. "Get out of that ivory tower and do something useful" might seem unlikely advice for a mathematical population geneticist, but this was key for Warren. Full interview here:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=d_K_...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=d_K_...
Reposted by S Otto
Great to see @sarperotto.bsky.social !
June 27, 2025 at 2:46 PM
Great to see @sarperotto.bsky.social !
Reposted by S Otto
For “Reflections on the history of modeling and theory”, @sarperotto.bsky.social and I met with Joel Cohen. We learn how he navigated math and biology, the value of embracing ignorance, and what is a population. Or really, what _isn't_ a population: www.youtube.com/watch?v=RCt9...
@smtpb.bsky.social
@smtpb.bsky.social
Reflections on Modeling and Theory in Population Biology: Joel Cohen
YouTube video by SMTPB
www.youtube.com
June 26, 2025 at 3:31 PM
For “Reflections on the history of modeling and theory”, @sarperotto.bsky.social and I met with Joel Cohen. We learn how he navigated math and biology, the value of embracing ignorance, and what is a population. Or really, what _isn't_ a population: www.youtube.com/watch?v=RCt9...
@smtpb.bsky.social
@smtpb.bsky.social
Reposted by S Otto
Going live in 2 hours... @jpodwyer.bsky.social and @sarperotto.bsky.social interview Bob Holt for @smtpb.bsky.social
youtu.be/q8hX3S0xMJc?...
youtu.be/q8hX3S0xMJc?...
Robert D. Holt interview
YouTube video by SMTPB
youtu.be
May 19, 2025 at 2:56 PM
Going live in 2 hours... @jpodwyer.bsky.social and @sarperotto.bsky.social interview Bob Holt for @smtpb.bsky.social
youtu.be/q8hX3S0xMJc?...
youtu.be/q8hX3S0xMJc?...
Reposted by S Otto
ICYMI, I have a piece in the conversation about President Trump’s disastrous executive orders related to the ocean. No not that one, the other one.
Trump is stripping protections from marine protected areas – why that’s a problem for fishing’s future, and for whales, corals and other ocean life
America’s marine protected areas help fish populations thrive. Trump’s plan to open them to industrial fishing may ultimately harm the fishing industry itself.
theconversation.com
April 27, 2025 at 8:16 PM
ICYMI, I have a piece in the conversation about President Trump’s disastrous executive orders related to the ocean. No not that one, the other one.
Reposted by S Otto
Read this from Dr. David Shiffman (@whysharksmatter.bsky.social):
Trump is stripping protections from marine protected areas – why that’s a problem for fishing’s future, and for whales, corals and other ocean life
America’s marine protected areas help fish populations thrive. Trump’s plan to open them to industrial fishing may ultimately harm the fishing industry itself.
theconversation.com
April 28, 2025 at 2:25 AM
Read this from Dr. David Shiffman (@whysharksmatter.bsky.social):
Reposted by S Otto
We are looking for new manager for our computing unit! If you have experience in both biology and computers, this might be the perfect job for you! UBC is a lovely place, and Zoology is a fantastic, collaborative and kind department. Apply by May 4th at ubc.wd10.myworkdayjobs.com/ubcstaffjobs...
Biosciences Computing Manager
Staff - Non Union Job Category M&P - AAPS Job Profile AAPS Salaried - Information Systems and Technology, Level D Job Title Biosciences Computing Manager Department Administrative Leadership | Dep...
ubc.wd10.myworkdayjobs.com
April 12, 2025 at 1:23 PM
We are looking for new manager for our computing unit! If you have experience in both biology and computers, this might be the perfect job for you! UBC is a lovely place, and Zoology is a fantastic, collaborative and kind department. Apply by May 4th at ubc.wd10.myworkdayjobs.com/ubcstaffjobs...
Reposted by S Otto
Don’t get too distracted. This is the fourth student (and the fourth university) as far as I know to get snatched by ICE in just the last few days.
It’s only going to get worse from here.
It’s only going to get worse from here.
The international graduate student was enrolled at the school’s Twin Cities campus, according to the email sent Friday evening.
University of Minnesota says ICE detained a graduate student
U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement officials Thursday detained a University of Minnesota graduate student at an off-campus residence. The international graduate student was enrolled at the scho...
www.mprnews.org
March 29, 2025 at 12:55 AM
Don’t get too distracted. This is the fourth student (and the fourth university) as far as I know to get snatched by ICE in just the last few days.
It’s only going to get worse from here.
It’s only going to get worse from here.
Reposted by S Otto
I’m not going to be able to tell you about the consequences of EVERY lost grant, but I’m going to try.
Let’s start with the Antiviral Drug Discovery (AViDD) program for pathogens of pandemic concern! It just got unceremoniously shitcanned.
Let’s start with the Antiviral Drug Discovery (AViDD) program for pathogens of pandemic concern! It just got unceremoniously shitcanned.
March 27, 2025 at 5:06 PM
I’m not going to be able to tell you about the consequences of EVERY lost grant, but I’m going to try.
Let’s start with the Antiviral Drug Discovery (AViDD) program for pathogens of pandemic concern! It just got unceremoniously shitcanned.
Let’s start with the Antiviral Drug Discovery (AViDD) program for pathogens of pandemic concern! It just got unceremoniously shitcanned.
Reposted by S Otto
Trump administration to cut vaccination funds. "The loss of U.S. support may mean 75 million children do not receive routine vaccinations in the next five years, with more than 1.2 million children dying as a result," reports @stephanienolen.bsky.social Gift link: www.nytimes.com/2025/03/26/h...
U.S. to End Vaccine Funds for Poor Countries (Gift Article)
A 281-page spreadsheet obtained by The Times lists the Trump administration’s plans for thousands of foreign aid programs.
www.nytimes.com
March 26, 2025 at 6:07 PM
Trump administration to cut vaccination funds. "The loss of U.S. support may mean 75 million children do not receive routine vaccinations in the next five years, with more than 1.2 million children dying as a result," reports @stephanienolen.bsky.social Gift link: www.nytimes.com/2025/03/26/h...
1/3 How long do you think it takes for highly pathogenic avian flu H5N1 sequences to be uploaded to GISAID after collection? How long should it be? In this commentary, we find a median delay of 228 days, with half the countries taking more than 6 months. rdcu.be/eeZGU @naturebiotech.bsky.social
Lengthy delays in H5N1 genome submissions to GISAID
Nature Biotechnology - Lengthy delays in H5N1 genome submissions to GISAID
rdcu.be
March 25, 2025 at 5:30 PM
1/3 How long do you think it takes for highly pathogenic avian flu H5N1 sequences to be uploaded to GISAID after collection? How long should it be? In this commentary, we find a median delay of 228 days, with half the countries taking more than 6 months. rdcu.be/eeZGU @naturebiotech.bsky.social
Reposted by S Otto
My OpEd in @elife.bsky.social
“It feels as if we are trying to fight a series of attacks on science with one arm tied behind our back and our lips half sewn shut.”
“Yet we are not beaten, and some of us are downright energized.”
elifesciences.org/articles/106...
“It feels as if we are trying to fight a series of attacks on science with one arm tied behind our back and our lips half sewn shut.”
“Yet we are not beaten, and some of us are downright energized.”
elifesciences.org/articles/106...
Science Under Threat in the United States: Feeling abandoned but energized
Many individual researchers are frustrated by the response - or the lack of a response - from universities to a growing crisis.
elifesciences.org
March 25, 2025 at 12:37 PM
My OpEd in @elife.bsky.social
“It feels as if we are trying to fight a series of attacks on science with one arm tied behind our back and our lips half sewn shut.”
“Yet we are not beaten, and some of us are downright energized.”
elifesciences.org/articles/106...
“It feels as if we are trying to fight a series of attacks on science with one arm tied behind our back and our lips half sewn shut.”
“Yet we are not beaten, and some of us are downright energized.”
elifesciences.org/articles/106...
Reposted by S Otto
This is terrible news & just one part of a bigger picture.
Prepare yourself for ongoing updates about the “reduction in force” this month and more again in April.
Talk to your community about it. They may not believe it at first - it sounds unbelievable! But we must bear witness & explain.
Prepare yourself for ongoing updates about the “reduction in force” this month and more again in April.
Talk to your community about it. They may not believe it at first - it sounds unbelievable! But we must bear witness & explain.
Breaking News: The EPA plans to eliminate its scientific research arm, firing as many as 1,155 chemists, biologists, toxicologists and other scientists.
Trump Administration Aims to Eliminate E.P.A.’s Scientific Research Arm
More than 1,000 chemists, biologists and other scientists could be laid off under a plan to dismantle the Office of Research and Development.
www.nytimes.com
March 18, 2025 at 4:52 AM
This is terrible news & just one part of a bigger picture.
Prepare yourself for ongoing updates about the “reduction in force” this month and more again in April.
Talk to your community about it. They may not believe it at first - it sounds unbelievable! But we must bear witness & explain.
Prepare yourself for ongoing updates about the “reduction in force” this month and more again in April.
Talk to your community about it. They may not believe it at first - it sounds unbelievable! But we must bear witness & explain.
Reposted by S Otto
Looking for a postdoc in 🇨🇦?
Liber Ero Fellowship
liberero.ca
* Applied conservation science
* Leadership training
* Open to int’l applicants
* Due Nov 1
🌎🧪🦤
Liber Ero Fellowship
liberero.ca
* Applied conservation science
* Leadership training
* Open to int’l applicants
* Due Nov 1
🌎🧪🦤
Liber Ero Fellowship Program
liberero.ca
March 14, 2025 at 9:45 PM
Looking for a postdoc in 🇨🇦?
Liber Ero Fellowship
liberero.ca
* Applied conservation science
* Leadership training
* Open to int’l applicants
* Due Nov 1
🌎🧪🦤
Liber Ero Fellowship
liberero.ca
* Applied conservation science
* Leadership training
* Open to int’l applicants
* Due Nov 1
🌎🧪🦤
Reposted by S Otto
Interesting. No alarm bells, but still Erin Gill @makemydna.bsky.social checked this saltation using her SMDP app eringill.shinyapps.io/covid_mutati... finding it most fits the mutation distribution of a chronic infection. Chronic infections are still a source of novelty (cc @sarperotto.bsky.social)
March 11, 2025 at 2:28 AM
Interesting. No alarm bells, but still Erin Gill @makemydna.bsky.social checked this saltation using her SMDP app eringill.shinyapps.io/covid_mutati... finding it most fits the mutation distribution of a chronic infection. Chronic infections are still a source of novelty (cc @sarperotto.bsky.social)
Reposted by S Otto
"As scientists, we know we simply cannot ignore the link between human health and well-being and the health and survival of wild species, ecosystems and our planet. No amount of economic growth is going to insulate us from the continued deterioration of critical life support systems. "
In the calls to defend Canada, we’re getting a one-dimensional perspective: increased resource extraction & exploitation.
But what if your #cdnpoli includes its wilderness, which sustains us & the good life we enjoy here? Thanks @wcscanada.bsky.social for this piece:
thenarwhal.ca/opinion-worl...
But what if your #cdnpoli includes its wilderness, which sustains us & the good life we enjoy here? Thanks @wcscanada.bsky.social for this piece:
thenarwhal.ca/opinion-worl...
World Wildlife Day sparks call for bolder approach | The Narwhal
A leading Canadian scientist says cutting ‘red tape’ and doubling down on extractive resource development won’t help wildlife — or humans
thenarwhal.ca
March 6, 2025 at 2:39 PM
"As scientists, we know we simply cannot ignore the link between human health and well-being and the health and survival of wild species, ecosystems and our planet. No amount of economic growth is going to insulate us from the continued deterioration of critical life support systems. "
Reposted by S Otto
1/46 Hey folks, we have a new paper out on the MuLTEE. Strap in and I’ll tell you the story of how this “little paper on polyploidy” turned into the most data rich paper our lab has produced, largely thanks to the leadership and work ethic of @kaitong25.bsky.social.
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Genome duplication in a long-term multicellularity evolution experiment - Nature
In the Multicellularity Long Term Evolution Experiment, diploid yeast evolve to be tetraploid under selection for larger multicellular size, revealing how whole-genome duplication can arise due to its...
www.nature.com
March 5, 2025 at 11:00 PM
1/46 Hey folks, we have a new paper out on the MuLTEE. Strap in and I’ll tell you the story of how this “little paper on polyploidy” turned into the most data rich paper our lab has produced, largely thanks to the leadership and work ethic of @kaitong25.bsky.social.
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Reposted by S Otto
Today, a broad coalition of scientific professional societies who represent over 92,000 scientists are speaking out against the politicization and demonization of Federally funded science and government scientist jobs.
It was an honor to help the Union of Concerned Scientists with this! 🧪🌎
It was an honor to help the Union of Concerned Scientists with this! 🧪🌎
48 Scientific Societies Representing Almost 100,000 Scientists Ask Congress to Protect the Future of Science
48 scientific societies representing almost 100,000 scientists signed on to a letter asking Congress to protect the future of science
www.ucsusa.org
March 3, 2025 at 3:52 PM
Today, a broad coalition of scientific professional societies who represent over 92,000 scientists are speaking out against the politicization and demonization of Federally funded science and government scientist jobs.
It was an honor to help the Union of Concerned Scientists with this! 🧪🌎
It was an honor to help the Union of Concerned Scientists with this! 🧪🌎
Want an uplifting podcast that’s a great antidote to the current attacks on justice, equity, diversity and inclusion? Thank you Dr. Emilia Huerta-Sanchez and Rori Rohlfs! www.sciencewisepodcast.org
ScienceWise
80 Waterman St. , Providence, RI 02912 FAQ Terms of Use
www.sciencewisepodcast.org
March 1, 2025 at 5:17 PM
Want an uplifting podcast that’s a great antidote to the current attacks on justice, equity, diversity and inclusion? Thank you Dr. Emilia Huerta-Sanchez and Rori Rohlfs! www.sciencewisepodcast.org
Reposted by S Otto
Here is our preprint on metal cross-tolerance evolution in yeast! @sarperotto.bsky.social Penny Kahn, Eully Ao, and Joel Campbell www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Evolution of cross-tolerance to metals in yeast
Organisms often face multiple selective pressures simultaneously (e.g., mine tailings with multiple heavy metal contaminants), yet we know little about when adaptation to one stressor provides cross-t...
www.biorxiv.org
February 15, 2025 at 7:26 PM
Here is our preprint on metal cross-tolerance evolution in yeast! @sarperotto.bsky.social Penny Kahn, Eully Ao, and Joel Campbell www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Reposted by S Otto
We need some accountability here. Who are the administrators within the NSF who did this and under what instructions?
I believe federal FOIA regulations would applied to general communications leading up to this action if not to individual personnel decisions.
I believe federal FOIA regulations would applied to general communications leading up to this action if not to individual personnel decisions.
US science agency reclassifies hundreds of workers as probationary, US lawmaker says
National Science Foundation administrators reclassified hundreds of employees from permanent to probationary status in violation of labor contracts, according to a U.S. lawmaker and agency employee.
www.reuters.com
February 24, 2025 at 3:36 PM
We need some accountability here. Who are the administrators within the NSF who did this and under what instructions?
I believe federal FOIA regulations would applied to general communications leading up to this action if not to individual personnel decisions.
I believe federal FOIA regulations would applied to general communications leading up to this action if not to individual personnel decisions.