Blog Archive

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Does Climate Change Impact Infectious Diseases?
As the climate warms, it can change where disease outbreaks and epidemics take place. This is especially disturbing when a disease is introduced to an area that has no prior history of that infection. Read More ›

Thriving in Deadly Environments: Could Mushrooms be our Ticket to Colonizing Space?
Space: the final frontier or the fungal frontier? The challenges to life in space seem insurmountable, but with a little help from a familiar friend, it may not be so far-fetched. Read More ›

Freshwater Mussels are Declining: Why Should You Care, and What Can You Do?
These small animals are incredibly important to aquatic environments but face challenges due to human activities, including climate change. Read More ›

When does order matter when listing the sexes? Always
Is it “males and females” or “females and males”? What is the big difference and why might it matter. Read More ›

How the Microbiome May Solve the Mystery of Peanut Allergies
Peanut allergies have taken over. But diet changes that have nothing to do with peanuts could be a new treatment. Read More ›

La Belle et La Boeuf (NOT!) How do human meat preferences impact climate change?
The agricultural industry has taken a toll on our environment in terms of increasing greenhouse gas emissions. Read More ›

What is a post bac? My experience in PREP
Should you do a post-bac program before you apply to graduate school? Read More ›

The Story of Chestnuts in North America: How a Forest Giant Disappeared from American Forests and Culture
The American Chestnut once dominated forests along the eastern seaboard of the United States. Where did they go, and will they ever return to their former glory? Read More ›

Musings of a Hobby Mushroom Hunter
In this blog, I explore how mushroom identification has shaped how I view the natural world and given me a deeper appreciation of the biodiversity all around me. Read More ›

Friendships, Betrayals, and Reputations in the Animal Kingdom
Relationships are tricky things to maintain, and not just for humans. Many animals have complex social networks, both within their species and with others. Read to learn about these fascinating relationships and the many clever ways animals have evolved to build trust. Read More ›

CRISPR technology may be a promising tool to combat multidrug resistant fungus C. auris
The CRISPR/Cas9 system has the power to revolutionize our fight against drug resistant pathogens by making gene editing possible. Read More ›

Storytelling in Science
Scientific publications are usually boring. Read More ›

How the search for a universal gene forever changed biology: the story of Carl Woese and 16S sequencing
While searching for a universal gene to create a comprehensive tree of life, Carl Woese ended up revolutionizing the field of microbiology and forever changed our conceptions of life. Read on to find out how! Read More ›

Why Don't Apes Have Tails?
“Apes—including humans—are unique within the Primate order for not having tails. When and why did apes lose this seemingly useful appendage?” Read More ›

Quarantine Blues? The Effects of Social Isolation in the Brain
Neuroscientists study the effects of social isolation in the brain and how to rescue the damage. Read More ›

My bonsai journey part 2
What I learned a year into my journey of raising bonsai seedlings. Read More ›

Giant Bacteria, Giant Genomes
The incredible life of Epulopiscium bacteria. Read More ›

The Lovebug Effect
The primal relationship between humans and nature has perplexed scientists for years. It is no secret that reduced anxiety and a sense of serenity are common consequences from spending time in the natural world, but the underlying mechanism may surprise you. Read More ›

CRISPR: Careful When Running with Genetic Scissors
Altering the genetic makeup of human-kind is a dangerous game to play. Read More ›

Bacteria: The Solution to Our Plastic Waste Problem?
Plastic waste is a major problem facing the world. Could bacteria be the solution? Read More ›

Artificial Selection: From Tiny Fish to Empty Dish
How do human preferences impact global fish populations? Read More ›

Mentoring Musings
Top 10 mentoring tips for a successful relationship. Read More ›

Three Minute Thesis…But Make It Virtual
Put a bunch of graduate students in a room to give three minute talks about their research. Then, put them on a Zoom call and see how it changes. What did I learn from one year to the next? Read More ›

A breath of fresh air: How the great oxygenation event changed life on Earth forever
When did Earth's atmosphere become oxygen-based, and why did it matter for life on Earth? Learn all about it in this article! Read More ›

Maps are the ultimate scientific tool
Take some time to appreciate the beauty and complexity of maps used in our everyday lives and in nearly every field of science. Read More ›

Why does it is Taste like that? - How Saccharomyces Yeast Makes Beer
How do tiny yeast give beer its big flavor? The metabolic assembly line of this little livestock significantly contributes to one of our oldest culinary creations. Read More ›

Inherited Trauma
What kind of environmental and social traumas can be passed down to the next generation? What does that manifestation even look like? Read More ›

Nurturing and celebrating our offline selves
Reflections on an evolving sense of self in the age of social media and COVID. Read More ›

'Til the Yeasts Come Home? - Domesticating Microbes
Cows and Sheep aren’t the only species touched by the hand of domestication. Microbes have been domesticated for just as long as many traditional 'farm animals.' Read More ›

The Women Behind the Gun vs. The Women Behind the Bird
Two lesser known women helped set the stage for international wildlife treaties and conservation in the United States. Read More ›

Three things STEM undergrads might not know (that you can teach them!)
Navigating the world of scientific research and academia can be tricky as an undergraduate. Grad students and instructors can teach STEM undergrads these three things to make their lives easier! Read More ›

Built Different
Alzheimer's and depression are more commonly diagnosed in women, while Parkinson's is more commonly diagnosed in men. Why is that? Read More ›

WEIRD Science
Why wouldn’t you trust a scientist or a medical professional? They’ve spent years developing a better understanding of the world and how we can survive it… or how some of us can survive it. Read More ›

COVID-19 Stinks!
Many people who have recovered from COVID-19 report a loss of their sense of smell. How important is your sense of smell, really? Read More ›

How do microbes help animals adapt?
Evolving is a team sport. Many animals co-evolve along with microbes in a symbiotic relationship. Read More ›

Hug an Oyster for Wildlife Conservation
Ever wonder how wildlife biology and conservation got to be the way it is? If you live in the U.S., you may need to thank an oyster... Read More ›

The Big Data Revolution
Access to large, open source datasets is paving the way for new scientific insights. But is bigger always better? Read More ›

If I Only Had A Brain (Organoid)
What would you think if I told you I grow human brains in a lab? Read More ›

Bang! 'Ouch' *Grab*
When you bang your elbow on a table, why is your first instinct to grab it? This response might have something to do with how your sensory neurons process information. Read More ›

Interview with Dr. Matthew Moore - Viral Perspectives
Going viral (or rather not): perspectives on viruses with an emphasis on foodborne disease from UMass professor Dr. Matthew Moore. Read More ›

Sleeping in a Pandemic
Can’t fall asleep, stay asleep, or wake up? Here’s how to fix it! Read More ›

Wildlife and Protected Areas During the Pandemic
With tourism down to a standstill, how are protected areas persisting during the pandemic? People are not moving around locally or globally as much as before the pandemic. How does this impact wildlife? Read More ›

Why are Parka Ruffs Made with Wolverine Fur?
Native Alaskans have a wealth of traditional knowledge that helps them survive, some of which are still not entirely understood by science. Many Native Alaskan groups use wolverine fur for the ruffs around their faces. Read on to find why wolverine fur is the best for ruffs. Read More ›

A Basic Guide to Mentoring Undergraduates in STEM
Project and people management is not part of normal curriculum in graduate school – but you better believe you will be expected to do it! Here’s some advice to help you be a better mentor to undergraduate students. Read More ›

What's the world's largest virus?
We have barely scratched the surface of virus diversity, but over the past decade scientists have discovered shockingly large viruses in environments across the globe. These giant viruses shook up everything we thought we knew about the origin of viruses. Read More ›

A Guide to Graduate School Interviews
What to expect during graduate school interviews, and the key questions to ask to land you in the right program. Read More ›

Why Don’t We Keep Resolutions?
We have the best intentions, but never quite make it to the gym or reach that deadline. Why are we so bad with following through? There’s a phenomenon in neuroscience that might explain these behaviors. Read More ›

Genetic Diversity and Its Impact on Disease Treatment
Though not captured in the language we use to describe disease, many ailments are caused by diverse genetic backgrounds. What are the implications of these variations and how can we take advantage of them to develop better treatments? Read More ›

How Community-based Conservation Helps Lemurs
Madagascar is undergoing environmental and socioeconomic crises that threaten the future of the island country. Here is how community-based conservation can help. Read More ›

How to Join a Lab
You want to join a lab. Where do you look? How do you express interest? What do you say? Read More ›

How Rat Fur can Help Diabetics Heal Wounds
The lab rat, historically used for countless areas of scientific and medical research, presents a promising possibility in the field of biomedical and regenerative medicine. New research shows that these furry critters help regenerate tissue to heal wounds, having implications for diseases like diabetes. Read More ›

How Botanical Sexism is Making Your Allergies Worse
Do you feel like your allergies are worse than those of your grandparents? It could be due to an overabundance of male trees in your environment. Read More ›

The Pandemic That Changed The World: Many Questions and a Few Answers
The COVID-19 pandemic has raised a number of questions about the virus, how it spreads, and its global impacts. A panel of biologists provides answers to some frequently asked questions. Read More ›

The Biology of Booze ft. Gin & Tonic
This is the unlikely biological love story of when a compound from the South American cinchona tree met a European distilled liquor fragrant with juniper botanicals in the tropical jungles of India! Read More ›

My Bonsai Journey Part 1
This spring, I tackled the art of bonsai tree care. Check out the first part of my journey to prune my green thumb! Read More ›

Using eDNA to Revolutionize Wildlife Conservation
From scat to skin, animals leave a lot of evidence to track them with, but can we use this environmental DNA to monitor them? Read More ›

Fat is Good for Your Brain
There is a time and place for everything. While fat on your belly might make you run slower, fat in your brain lets you think faster. Read More ›

Why Wash Your Hands?
What even IS soap and how does using it to wash your hands prevent disease? Read More ›

A Unique Case of Arthropod Vision
Jumping spiders have a complex visual system, and here's how it works. Read More ›

Climate Disaster? Humans Will Pass Point of No Return Sooner Than We Think
Is 2 degrees Celsius warming too much for our planet? Researchers suspect yes… Read More ›

How does your clock tick?
Researching the neural mechanisms behind your sex hormone levels and your body’s circadian rhythms. Read More ›

How Monkeys and Apes Fight Climate Change by Eating Fruit
With people protesting all around the world, how are the rest of the world’s inhabitants fighting against the climate crisis? What role do primates play? Why is primate conservation important? Read More ›

Expand Your Mind
Make what you want to look at bigger so you don’t have to build a microscope that sees smaller. Expansion microscopy uses diaper technology to make small things, like neurons, bigger. Read More ›

Sound the Alarm! One Unique Way Primates Avoid Being Eaten
“Many primates use alarm calls to alert other members of their group to potential predators. But how specific and effective are these alarm calls? What risks come with sounding the alarm?” Read More ›

Living below sea level (Part 2): Learning to live with water
The Dutch are leading the world in flood-risk mitigation through clever engineering and an eco-friendly mindset. Read More ›

The Drama of Barotrauma: Blobfish, Rockfish, and More
Have you ever wondered why blobfish looks the way it does? Or why some fish have their stomachs bulging out of their mouths and eyes popping out of their heads when they’re caught? You’ve just witnessed barotrauma. Read More ›

10 Life Science Films You Can't Miss
With the constant stream of content coming your way, here are some of the best science/nature films entertainment has to offer Read More ›

Protein Perspectives from the Protein Data Bank
A tool to see things from a protein’s point of view! Read More ›

Going on Autopilot? Thank Your Place Cells
Why do we go on autopilot when we travel somewhere we’ve been a thousand times? How do our brains snap out of this routine when we need to change it up? Read More ›

Living below sea level: Dutch engineering marvels
Us: Living near water and below sea-level is a bad idea. The Dutch: Challenge accepted. Read More ›

Why are some primate infants brightly colored?
“In some primate species, infants are born with conspicuous coats that fade to normal adult coloration over time. What could be causing these uniquely colored infants? What do species with natal coats all have in common?” Read More ›

Technological Advancements…. Thanks to Ferrets?
Ferrets did what? The surprising use of ferrets for solving technological problems. Read More ›

Immunohistochemistry: One man’s illness is another man’s experimental verification method
How do neuroscientists make a certain population of cells stand out from a sea of them squished together in the brain? The tools are already in nature, no need to reinvent the wheel. Read More ›

Are palm trees really trees?
Palm trees are quite unique, and to be honest, a little funny looking. Are they actually trees? And why are they the way they are? Read More ›

The Power of Fear: Four Ways Being Scared Affects Wildlife
Fear is a powerful driver of wildlife behavior, here are five ways animals respond to fear. Read More ›

How Climate Change Affects Your Seafood
The ocean is shifting along with a changing climate. What does that mean for the local seafood on your plate and in the market? Read More ›

Managing Up
Why might your advisor become distant from your work and how can you bring them back into it? Read More ›

The Eastern Spotted Newt: A Wandering Teenage Identity Crisis
The Eastern Spotted Newt has three dramatically different looks as it grows from egg to adulthood. Read More ›

Survival by Aposematism and Mimicry: The Evolution of Bright Color Patterns
Sometimes the best defense from predators is to stay in plain sight. Read More ›

The crime-fighting field of forensic palynology
“The distinct diversity of pollen grains has many uses - including helping detectives around the world piece together the details of a crime.” Read More ›

The Traveling Field Biologist
“What does it take to get to the remote field sites where so many biologists collect their data?” Read More ›

Bioremediation - One Species’ Trash, Another’s Treasure?
How microbes can help address one of the long-term issues associated with waste disposal. Read More ›

Brain Surgery… It’s Not Rocket Science!
“Brain surgery is surprisingly simple. Aside from the risk of death, here’s all there is to it.” Read More ›

More Tales from Trails
A tale of carnivores, camera traps, and camaraderie straight from the grasslands and woodlands of Africa. Read More ›

Sifak-huh?
What type of an animal is a sifaka? What makes them unique? And how in the world do you pronounce ‘sifaka’? Read More ›

Changing the climate change conversation
My lessons learned from NNOCCI’s keys to successful climate change conversations - let’s solve this together! Read More ›

Is Science for Women?
“What are the implications of a male dominated field for women, whether they are in that field or not?” Read More ›

Money Doesn’t Grow on Monsteras: The Economics of Indoor Plants
#indoorplants don’t just look great on Instagram; they also tell us about economic tradeoffs, priorities, and a changing economy Read More ›

Tales from Trails: Field Dispatches from Africa
“A postcard from a field biologist still a bit stunned about landing her dream location in southern Africa!” Read More ›

Climate change impacts on our health and safety
What to know about the major impacts of climate change on our health and safety, and what we’re doing to limit them. Read More ›

So Many Choices… The Challenge of Selecting Trees for the Urban Environment
“With seemingly endless tree species available, how can you decide which one to plant?” Read More ›

Should I Apply to Graduate School?
“Thinking about the next steps in your life? If graduate school is one of those potential options, here’s some things you should be thinking about.” Read More ›

Why does alcohol make you dizzy?
“How does drinking alcohol lead to lack of balance? What are the physiological processes underlying this phenomenon?” Read More ›

You are a fish
Have you ever felt like a fish out of water? Because that's exactly what you are. Read More ›

It’s Not Science Fiction, Chimeras Are Real
All of our cells have the same DNA… right? Not always. Genetic chimeras shatter our ideas of identity and blur the lines between self and non-self, siblings, and sexes. Read More ›

The Tale of A Conspicuous Invader and Inconspicuous Field Sites
A trip to scout field sites is thwarted when a notorious invasive grass refuses to live by the rules of a scientist’s study design. Read More ›

Things That Glow Pink in the Night: Why do some animals have fluorescent coloration under ultraviolet light?
“What could be the meaning behind squirrels with pink fur and puffins with electric blue beaks?” Read More ›

When You Call a Fish a Frog
When the way fish look remind us of another animal, why not name them that way? You can decide for yourself whether these fish really look like a lizard, hog, or frog! Read More ›

A Peanut A Day Keeps the Allergist Away
**Undergraduate Writing Contest Spring 2019 WINNER** Read More ›

Pipettes and Paintbrushes 2019
The second annual collaborative art/science exhibit was featured last month on the UMass Amherst campus. Check out this work in our virtual art gallery under the Events tab. Read More ›

The Rise of Sourdough and Mason Jar Ecosystems
Science-up your everyday life with some kitchen microbiology, starting with the secret lives of microbes in sourdough! Read More ›

Who’s Got the Biggest Genome of Them All?
The answer may surprise you... Read More ›

Radioactive Bananas, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and Greenhouse Gases, OH MY!
Here's a closer look into Radiation: the facts, the myths, and the bananas… Read More ›

Uncharted Intellectual Territory: Science Isn’t Linear
Federally-funded science has been ridiculed as wasteful spending, citing bizarre methods out of context… but silly methods ≠ silly science! Read More ›

It’s a Trap! How Looks Can Be Deceiving in Habitat Selection
Ecological traps are an important concept in conservation biology. Let’s talk about what it means for wildlife. Read More ›

A Day - and Night - in the Life of a Bat Biologist
Most scientists work in the day and sleep at night, but scientists who study nocturnal animals don’t get that luxury! Read More ›

The Feelings that Linger: Good vs. Bad
Why can bad things be so overpowering of the good? Evolution might give us some insights. Read More ›

The Biology of Booze ft. Tequila
This is a brief biological story involving the agave plant and its pollinators that are instrumental in the birth of tequila! Read More ›

Mangroves: at your service
The services mangrove forests provide are priceless, so why are these ecosystems threatened? Read More ›

Dying Tomatoes, Healthy Kittens, and the EMP500: Why you should care about the International Society for Microbial Ecology
Microbes can kill us - but they will also save us. Read More ›

The Purebred Poodle Problem
The hidden risks behind that pedigree certificate. **Undergraduate Writing Contest Fall 2018 WINNER** Read More ›

Go With Your Gut...
...Unless Your Gut is Going Against You. **Undergraduate Writing Contest Fall 2018 RUNNER-UP** Read More ›

Pleistocene Rewilding: A Controversial Idea in Conservation Biology
Some conservationists dream of returning to an ancient past of free roaming elephants and lions in the U.S. - let’s explore the controversial and intriguing idea of Pleistocene rewilding. Read More ›

Mangroves: where blue meets green, brown, and every other color under the sun
Trees may seem a bit out of place at the edge of the ocean, but mangroves know what they are doing. Read More ›

Image Hosting Test Post
“Testing different platforms for hosting our images” Read More ›

Live Fast, Die Young: Why Some Animals Die After Mating
Some have termed it “suicidal mating,” when adult animals die shortly after mating for the first time. How could it be beneficial to live a short life and only reproduce once? Read More ›

Diversity in the Forest
We know the importance of diversity in the environment, but what’s at risk by neglecting the levels of diversity in forestry’s workforce? Read More ›

Let It Glow
A closer look at some species that use bioluminescence to glow. Read More ›

I’m Likin’ That Lichen
Don’t miss the diversity of lichen that provide a colorful cover for many surfaces across the world. Read More ›

New Culture, New Microbiome, New Problems
How adopting an “American” diet can be detrimental for the health of many immigrants. Read More ›

Eureka!
My neuroscientist friends at UMass Amherst and I led a workshop with Girls Inc. to encourage curiosity among local middle school girls. Read More ›

If Only There Were a U.S. Census Question About Biodiversity…
Have you ever wondered why some streets in your city or town have more trees than others? Read this post to find out more… Read More ›

Celebrate the Holidays with a Decorative Parasite
As the winter holiday season approaches, will you be decorating with this festive parasitic plant? Read More ›

Sleeping One Hemisphere at a Time
“Did you know it’s possible for only half of your brain to sleep while the other half stays awake? Why would anyone do that?” Read More ›

Through the Mycologist's Hand Lens: Deceptive Decomposers
Fungi are fascinating! You can find them just outside your door, and some wild varieties are edible. But be careful - these decomposers can be deceptive! Read More ›

Standing on the shoulders of giants
“Scientific discovery is incremental and extends beyond the lifespan of a single researcher. But whose shoulders do I stand upon?” Read More ›

3 Reasons Why What You Grow in Your Garden Matters
Planting a flower from your local nursery seems innocuous enough, but where that flower comes from is an important consideration that often gets overlooked. Read More ›

Tails from the Field: Studying Lemurs in Southwestern Madagascar
In one of the most ecologically unique regions in the world, I had the chance to get up close and personal with lemurs! Read More ›

Frankenstein: A ghost-story about scientific ethics and work-life balance
Happy Halloween! Mary Shelley’s, Frankenstein turns 200 this year. Let’s take a closer look at this ghost-story about science gone wrong. Read More ›

Scottish Summer Surprises - Part 2!
Scottish wildlife postcard from the Highlands! Read More ›

Lessons from My First Conference
I attended my first mega-conference as a graduate student, and I learned a few things along the way... Read More ›

How a cattle vaccine helped save giraffes
Find out how a vaccine for cattle resulted in a rebound in giraffe populations on the Serengeti. Read More ›

Scottish Summer Surprises (Part 1)!
Scottish wildlife postcard from the Highlands! Read More ›

How An Invasive Plant Helped Fuel The Largest Wildfire You’ve Never Heard Of
Currently, there are roughly 50 large wildfires burning in the U.S. We’re taking a look at how one of this season’s fires got so big. Read More ›

The Society for Neuroscience Annual Meeting
What does the largest neuroscience conference have to offer an early career researcher, from undergrad to grad student? Read More ›

Life Science in Outer Space!
Humans have been occupying outer space for decades, but what other species have made it beyond Earth’s atmosphere? Read More ›

How Many Botanists Does it Take to ID an Orchid?
I tagged along with the New England Botanical Club to explore plants of the Pioneer Valley. Come check out some photos! Read More ›

A Baby Photo Book – For Fish!
You know how new parents always post photos of their babies? Well this is that, but with fish. Read More ›

Do we have all the data needed to make safe choices about seafood?
Every year, fish consumption advisories are published to help us make healthy seafood choices, but how good is the data used to construct these advisories? Read More ›

From Bill Nye to the ‘Average Joe’: The changing face of science communication
The science of communicating. Read More ›

5 Things You Didn’t Know About Rats
Rats have pretty surprising features. You’ll be shocked to find how similar they are to people in some ways and different in others. Read More ›

Watermelon Snow
What looks like a slushy, feels like a slushy, but makes you wish you hadn’t eaten it? Read More ›

Critter Candid Cam
Travel to this fabulous landscape in India’s wild west to encounter camels, carnivores, people, livestock, and more! Read More ›

Three Cool Plants in Hot Places
We’re taking a closer look at three interesting desert plants. But don’t get too close; they may prick you! Read More ›

Research Highlight - Making Brain Cells
Research Highlight - As a Ph.D. student, I get to grow brain cells! Read More ›

A parasite only a moth could love
Did you know that a parasite can have a parasite, which in turn can have a parasite of its own? These interactions can influence our ability to control pest insect species. Read More ›

Telling tales of plants and their names
Every plant has a Latin and a common name, both of which come with a story. Come find out how some plants get their quirky callings! Read More ›

Human Eye Structure Makes No Sense…Or Does It?
The reason visual information begins processing at the back of the eye. Read More ›

Extract DNA from any living thing
DNA Extraction is easier than you might think - you can even try it in your kitchen at home! Read More ›

Is it possible to eat too much fish?
Seafood is part of a healthy diet, but it’s not a perfect health food. Let’s discuss fish consumption advisories and how they can help you avoid eating unhealthy seafood. Read More ›

The Colorful World of Primate Hair
Black, yellow, red, and white—what makes primates the most colorful mammals? Read More ›

Celebrity Sightings while Science-ing
Sometimes science brings you to obscure locations and equips you with binoculars – in New York City, it’s a perfect setup for rare celebrity sightings in the concrete jungle! Read More ›

Breaks on Campus
What happens when everyone goes on vacation during school breaks? Why would someone choose to stay and work? Read More ›

Awe-inspiring, but relatable – the goal of any science communication effort
Journey with TLS author Dina Navon to the 2018 annual meeting of the Society for Integrative & Comparative Biology, and learn more about the ways scientists think about communicating their work! Read More ›

Where do fish go in winter?
When the weather gets unbearably cold and the waters freeze, what do the fish do? Read More ›

You Scratch My Back and I’ll Scratch Yours
Curious cases of cooperation, coexistence, and camaraderie in creatures great and small. Read More ›

Secrets of the Soil: Searching for Stories from a Warming Climate
Get the “dirt” on one grad student’s “hot” work. Read More ›

The Price of Pigment on Your Immune System
Although tattoos are safe for most everyone, here are two unique cases of a person’s body responding poorly to this form of body art. Read More ›

Alien Microbes: How studying hyperthermophiles can help us discover life on other planets
How do the microorganisms that live in hot springs, deep sea floors, and volcanos survive? Read More ›

Life, the universe, and everything: Dreams of being a biophysicist
When physics and biology come together to figure out life Read More ›

Midnight Snacks Could Be the Death of You
What time you’re eating may be more influential than what you’re eating, according to a collaborator of Nobel Prize recipients. Read More ›

Bug Sleuth – One Entomologist’s Mission to ID a Mysterious Swarm of Wasps
This past fall, I came across a swarm of wasps and did not know what they were. For an entomologist, that’s scarier than the swarm itself, so I did some sleuthing. Read More ›

Single Large or Several Small? The Ongoing Debate in Nature Preserve Design
Should we use limited resources for fewer large nature preserves, or a patchwork of smaller ones? Read More ›

Lobster Fight Club
Learn the ins and outs of combat in one of the ocean’s fiercest fighters, the American lobster. Read More ›

A Fishtastic Journey Abroad
While much of my summer was spent in a lab, I snuck away for two splendid weeks in Bergen, Norway – for research! Read More ›

Greetings from Michigan: American Ornithology Conference 2017
Scientists are often alone in their labs, at remote field sites, or staring at computers – but once a year, they get together to nerd out! Read More ›

Moving away from monoculture in aquaculture
Can aquaculture farming successfully break free from conventional monoculture practices? Read More ›

What do cockroaches, power tools, and pollinator gardens have in common?
This fall, TLS teamed up with local Girl Scout troops to learn about the importance of animal habitats. Here is what happened! Read More ›

Grad Students Meet Girl Scouts Part 2: Conserving Local Bee Habitats, One Person at a Time!
Girl scouts learn about why bees are in trouble and what they can do to help maintain local bee populations. Bee the Change! Read More ›

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A graduate student in elementary school
When your research is about environmental education, you end up spending all your time at school! Read More ›

Horny and Hungry: The Dilemma of Sexual Cannibalism
In some species, the phrase “I could eat you up” between lovers has a very literal meaning. Let’s check out the stories behind sexual cannibalism, the strange and intriguing behavior where males become meals! Read More ›

TLS Writing Contest
TLS is hosting a writing competition where the winning article will be posted on our blog! Details here. Read More ›

Minding my Moth and Meandering in Malaysia
I never thought I’d get the chance to go to Malaysia, but I went for a scientific meeting and it was an experience of a lifetime. Read More ›