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Alissa Armstrong

@armstrongflylab.bsky.social
3.9K followers 1K following 111 posts

Using Drosophila melanogaster to study inter-organ communication in nutritional responses. Posts by Alissa Armstrong. She/her

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Alissa Armstrong @armstrongflylab.bsky.social · 03/06/2026
Happy to share the lab’s latest preprint! Led by PhD student @isaiahwill.bsky.social, we hope that this thorough characterization of expression patterns for many #drosophila fat body driver lines will be a useful resource to the fruit fly community.
Panel from a composite figure showing 6 images of fat body patches taken using confocal fluorescence microscopy
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Alissa Armstrong @armstrongflylab.bsky.social · 26/04/2026
I’m so proud of J’nea and Lena ! Both have been a joy to train and mentor as they’ve developed academically and personally. Yesterday at #DiscoverUSC2026, they showcased their research projects with expertise, confidence, and enthusiasm.
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Alissa Armstrong @armstrongflylab.bsky.social · 22/04/2026
Huge CONGRATULATIONS to @isaiahwill.bsky.social on being awarded a SPARC grant from @uscresearch.bsky.social, which will help support his awesome PhD work! #drosophila 🪰🔬👨🏽‍🔬
Isaiah standing in front of his research poster
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Alissa Armstrong @armstrongflylab.bsky.social · 04/04/2026
A different, refreshing way to do group lab meeting suggested by @jennagraham10.bsky.social Ideas brewing, projects moving! 🪰👩🏾‍🔬👨🏾‍🔬👩🏼‍🔬👩🏽‍🔬👩🏻‍🔬🪰
Four trainees writing on a whiteboard Two trainees writing on a whiteboard
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Alissa Armstrong @armstrongflylab.bsky.social · 25/03/2026
A huge CONGRATULATIONS to the new Dr. David Duncan for successfully defending his doctoral dissertation today!!!🥳🎊👨🏾‍🔬🪰
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Alissa Armstrong @armstrongflylab.bsky.social · 13/03/2026
One of the things I do to decompress - cross stitch. I’ve been making pieces that are related to my research. This is the first one I completed (a while ago) of a germarium of the #drosophila ovary.
Multicolor cross stitch piece of a Drosophila germarium
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Alissa Armstrong @armstrongflylab.bsky.social · 23/02/2026
My visit to Berkeley last week to give a talk about the lab’s research for the MCB seminar series was AWESOME! Many stimulating conversations about science, mentoring, lab culture and community outreach. The icing on the cake was meeting @ongkaty.bsky.social. I love her pins, stickers, and patches!
Two women, Katy (left) and Alissa (right), posing together. Katy is holding two fruit fly stickers
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Alissa Armstrong @armstrongflylab.bsky.social · 11/01/2026
Excited that Lena's undergraduate research efforts have been recognized by funding in the form of a Magellan Scholar Grant. We look forward to learning more about how RTK-mediated signaling allows fat tissue to communicate to ovarian tissue in #drosophila. 🪰🔬
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Alissa Armstrong @armstrongflylab.bsky.social · 16/12/2025
Today we celebrated @chsphd.bsky.social earning his doctoral degree at the hooding ceremony. It’s the end of an era, with all members of the first generation of Armstrong lab earning their degrees. #uofsc25 #uofscbiologicalsciences
Chad and Alissa taking a selfie with their doctoral regalia onFull body picture of Chad and Alissa in their doctoral regalia
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Alissa Armstrong @armstrongflylab.bsky.social · 13/12/2025
End of Fall 2025 Celebration with the Armstrong Lab!
Photograph of Armstrong Lab members - from left to right, Olivia, Chad, Carly, David, Isaiah, Dr. Armstrong, Lena, Jenna, Payal, Ymani, and ShaniekaPhotograph of Armstrong Lab members - from left to right, Chad, J'nea, Shanieka, Payal, Olivia, Dr. Armstrong, Carly, Lena, Isaiah, and Ymani
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Alissa Armstrong @armstrongflylab.bsky.social · 04/11/2025
Played a modified version of BINGO in my Fundamental Genetics class today, and the students enjoyed it!
Photo of BINGO cards containing terms related to recombinant DNA technology, like restriction enzymes, plasmid, multiple cloning site, transformation, vector, etc.
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Alissa Armstrong @armstrongflylab.bsky.social · 18/10/2025
Today a major milestone was achieved as @chsphd.bsky.social gave a beautiful presentation and successfully defended his dissertation. CONGRATULATIONS to the newly minted Dr. Simmons!!! 🎉🥳🍾🪰🔬👨🏾‍🔬
Chad standing next to a podium presenting one of his data slides from his dissertation talkSelfie of Chad and Alissa after the news was delivered that Chad had passed his defense with flying colors Chad’s celebration cake with a pumpkin border design A picture of the Armstrong lab at Chad’s celebration
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Alissa Armstrong @armstrongflylab.bsky.social · 09/10/2025
An Armstrong lab trainee is preparing to leave the nest - @chsphd.bsky.social presents his doctoral work and defends is dissertation next week.
Flyer announcing a dissertation defense for Chad Simmons, a doctoral student in the Armstrong Lab
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Alissa Armstrong @armstrongflylab.bsky.social · 20/08/2025
Yesterday’s #OOTD for the first day of genetics class. Topic: DNA structure
Selfie of Alissa who is wearing a dress with a DNA double helix pattern
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Alissa Armstrong @armstrongflylab.bsky.social · 04/07/2025
It’s official! Fall 2025, I go from “Assistant” to “Associate” Professor. Thanks to trainees (ugrad/grad/postbacs), professional/personal networks, & family for supporting my goal of establishing a vibrant research program that puts people before projects. More science, scientists, & understanding!
Screenshot that says “Dear Professor Armstrong:
By action taken during the June 20, 2025 meeting of the University of South Carolina Board of Trustees, I am pleased to inform you approval was given to the administration's recommendation that you be awarded tenure and promoted to the rank of Associate Professor, effective August 16, 2025.
Congratulations on your achievement.”
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Alissa Armstrong @armstrongflylab.bsky.social · 10/06/2025
...and how to dissect fat bodies on our newly acquired, old-school teaching 🔬
Isaiah showing Acchia how to pin dissected fly abdominal carcasses
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Alissa Armstrong @armstrongflylab.bsky.social · 10/06/2025
Summer brings new @sc.edu undergraduates to the lab - learning some #drosophila genetics...
Two undergraduate students, Merelin (left) and Acchia (right), working out a genetics cross in Dr. Armstrong's office
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Alissa Armstrong @armstrongflylab.bsky.social · 20/05/2025
Part of the Armstrong and Ables lab crews met up for dinner at the #SESDB2025 @socdevbio.bsky.social meeting yesterday evening.
Picture of lab members after dinner. From left to right - David, Chad, Isaiah, Dr. Armstrong, Carly, BiClareline, Vicky, and Dr. Ables in an outside patio
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Alissa Armstrong @armstrongflylab.bsky.social · 16/05/2025
Lab alum and recent USC graduates really know me! Thanks to Helena and Ivory for my necklace 🧬👩🏾‍🔬
Gold DNA double helix necklace
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Alissa Armstrong @armstrongflylab.bsky.social · 05/05/2025
15 years ago, I turned in printed copies of my dissertation with baby in tow. I like to repost this as a reminder to myself and others - we can do hard things. @rkuruvi1.bsky.social will remember the backdrop 😃
Photo of Alissa with a pink pacifier in her mouth, carrying her sleeping baby in a baby carrier, and holding several printed copies of her dissertation in manila folders.
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Alissa Armstrong @armstrongflylab.bsky.social · 02/05/2025
Our very own J'nea won a FIRST PLACE poster award at #DiscoverUSC2025. The Armstrong Lab is proud!
J'nea posing at her poster during Discover USC 2025Announcement of J'nea's first place poster win for Discover USC 2025
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Alissa Armstrong @armstrongflylab.bsky.social · 25/04/2025
Last but not least - Jenna and Lena are working to understand how the highly conserved receptor tyrosine kinases function in adipocytes to control #Drosophila oogenesis. Jenna is a @uscresearch.bsky.social Magellan Scholar. 4/4
Jenna on the left and Lena on the right of their poster at Discover USC 2025 research symposium Action shot of Jenna and Lena describing their poster to a visitor
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Alissa Armstrong @armstrongflylab.bsky.social · 25/04/2025
Next up - J’nea (a @uscresearch.bsky.social Magellan Scholar) is examining how amino transporters regulate differential tissue function. 3/4
J’nea posing in front of her poster at Discover USC 2025 research symposiumAction shot of J’nea describing her poster to a visitor
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Alissa Armstrong @armstrongflylab.bsky.social · 25/04/2025
1st up - Payal & Olivia working on the lab’s newest project in collaboration w/ Rekha Patel - Developing #Drosophila as a model to understand the underlying cellular & molecular causes of dystonia, a human movement disorder. A @uscresearch.bsky.social Magellan Journey Award supported Olivia. 2/4
Payal on the left and Olivia on the right of their poster at Discover USC 2025 research symposiumAction shot of Payal and Olivia describing their poster to a visitor
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Alissa Armstrong @armstrongflylab.bsky.social · 02/04/2025
Substitute PREP for MOSAIC and you’ve got the exact same email we received today. Below is what was shared by one of our PREP directors with past and present PREP mentors. Provides just a tiny peek into the impact that this, and programs like it, have had on the best and brightest.
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Alissa Armstrong @armstrongflylab.bsky.social · 26/03/2025
The fast and fair initiative works - quality reviews and decisions within 7 days. Submit your manuscripts to @biologyopen.bsky.social
Biology Open Editor-in-Chief sharing the success of the fast and fair review process at The Company of Biologists centennial celebration
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Alissa Armstrong @armstrongflylab.bsky.social · 07/03/2025
@carlycooper.bsky.social stood up for science today (and everyday)!
Graduate student Carly holding up a sign that reads “Science Saves Lives”
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Alissa Armstrong @armstrongflylab.bsky.social · 05/03/2025
In Feb, the College of Arts & Sciences @sc.edu hosted @ashi-w.bsky.social for the Berger Cancer Lecture Series. Dr. Weeraratna gave an AWESOME talk - the perfect balance of exciting data from her lab & life lessons. I hope the pictures show how down to earth she is. Definitely one of my role models!
Dr. Ashi Weeraratna talking to Dr. Frank Berger (right) and lecture attendees at the welcome receptionDr. Ashi Weeraratna speaking at the podium at the start of her talkDrs. Weeraratna and Armstrong hugging after her introduction
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Alissa Armstrong @armstrongflylab.bsky.social · 03/03/2025
I missed #FluorescenceFriday so here's a little something for #MicroscopyMonday. This is an oldie but goodie from my doctoral days in the @rkuruvi1.bsky.social lab - embryonic superior cervical ganglion section labeled with DAPI (blue), tyrosine hydroxylase (green), and PHOX-2B (magenta).
Confocal image of a cross-section of a mouse embryonic superior cervical ganglion fluorescently labeled with DAPI (blue), tyrosine hydroxylase (green), and PHOX-2B (magenta).
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Alissa Armstrong @armstrongflylab.bsky.social · 24/02/2025
Beyond thrilled - I’ve been awarded an NSF CAREER grant! I get to continue making scientific discoveries, training the next generation of researchers, & sharing knowledge about the scientific enterprise with the general public. This support is much needed, personally & professionally…let’s GOOO!!!
Screenshot of part of a notice of award for an NSF CAREER grant: Regulation of Drosophila melanogaster oogenesis by ovarian and adipose tissue amino acid sensing signaling pathways
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Alissa Armstrong @armstrongflylab.bsky.social · 22/02/2025
A “bright” spot in this week - a confocal image of the adult fat body in #Drosophila taken by @isaiahwill.bsky.social 🤩 #FluorescenceFriday
Confocal microscopy image of a patch of fat tissue labeled with a GFP reporter showing expression in nuclei of fat cells
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Alissa Armstrong @armstrongflylab.bsky.social · 16/02/2025
Making the lab proud! Graduate students, Ymani and @isaiahwill.bsky.social, and undergraduate student @jennagraham10.bsky.social shared their awesome projects at the #SCINBRE symposium today. #drosophila
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Alissa Armstrong @armstrongflylab.bsky.social · 16/01/2025
You KNOW it’s going to be a good virgin collection session when the bottles look like this #drosophila
Three Drosophila culture bottles with lots of pupa about to eclose
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Alissa Armstrong @armstrongflylab.bsky.social · 20/12/2024
Starting off the holiday season on a high note - J'nea and Jenna, two @uofsc.bsky.social undergraduate researchers in the lab, were selected Magellan Scholars. This 💰award💰 will help support their ongoing #Drosophila research.
Photos of two undergraduate students and the announcements for their Magellan Scholar awards
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Alissa Armstrong @armstrongflylab.bsky.social · 12/12/2024
@isaiahwill.bsky.social gave a great talk for the culmination of the scicomm course he took this semester!
Isaiah giving a presentation in a large auditorium-style classroom
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Alissa Armstrong @armstrongflylab.bsky.social · 10/12/2024
‘Tis the season! We celebrated the end of the semester w/ food, fellowship, trivia playing, & paper snowflake making. Training these folks is the best part of my job! It was no small scheduling feat to get all of us together! @isaiahwill.bsky.social @carlycooper.bsky.social @oliviatank.bsky.social
Photo of all 11 Armstrong lab members
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Alissa Armstrong @armstrongflylab.bsky.social · 08/12/2024
A subset of the Armstrong Lab at the department holiday lunch. L to R - Ymani, David (both PhD students), Jenna (USC undergrad), me, @carlycooper.bsky.social, @isaiahwill.bsky.social (both PhD students).
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Alissa Armstrong @armstrongflylab.bsky.social · 25/11/2024
Image of a #Drosophila egg chamber for #MicroscopyMonday taken from samples by @carlycooper.bsky.social 🧪 (yellow = DAPI labeled nuclei and magenta = Lamin C labeled nuclear lamina)
Confocal image of an egg chamber from the Drosophila ovary with nuclei labeled in yellow and nuclear lamina labeled in magenta
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Alissa Armstrong @armstrongflylab.bsky.social · 22/11/2024
Adult #Drosophila adipocytes by @isaiahwill.bsky.social for #FluorescenceFriday (cell membranes and nuclear lamina labeled (red) with alpha spectrin and Lamin C antibodies, respectively, from @dshb-antibodies.bsky.social; lipid droplets labeled with BODIPY (green))
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Alissa Armstrong @armstrongflylab.bsky.social · 20/11/2024
After class yesterday (I teach Genetics), a student gave me this note. It’s reassuring to know that the time and effort I put into my lectures are helping students to learn the material and be confident about their understanding.
A thank you note that reads:
Dr. Armstrong,
Thank you for being an awesome genetics professor! Genetics is a difficult class for me but you break it down into simpler terms that’s easier to understand. I appreciate how you always bring in real world examples and make connections throughout the class. You are very knowledgeable and your research seems very cool! I hope to take your stem cell class in the future! Thank you for being awesome.
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Alissa Armstrong @armstrongflylab.bsky.social · 15/11/2024
A gorgeous #Drosophila ovariole for #FluorescenceFriday taken by Bluesky newcomer @isaiahwill.bsky.social - a graduate student in the lab. (path-Gal4 > UAS-2XEGFP)
Confocal image of Drosophila ovarioles where path-gal4 drives expression of UAS-2XEGFP (green). Nuclei are labeled with DAPI (blue) and cell membranes labeled with alpha spectrin (red)
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Alissa Armstrong @armstrongflylab.bsky.social · 13/11/2024
Had a crappy start to my morning so decided to walk some laps on the Horseshoe (University of South Carolina). Sunshine, crisp air, and no phone (except for music) was definitely what I needed to get my day back on track. I’ll be doing this more often!
A view of the Horseshoe on the campus of the University of South Carolina.
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Alissa Armstrong @armstrongflylab.bsky.social · 12/11/2024
Played a modified version of the game "Codenames" in my Fundamental Genetics course today (~100 students in class)...such a fun way to review! #Genetics
modified Codenames game board with genetics terms indicated in team colors
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Alissa Armstrong @armstrongflylab.bsky.social · 08/11/2024
Guess which tissue we’ve added to our investigations. This scan was taken by an undergrad who joined the lab this semester (actin in green, myosin in red). She’ll be working on a totally new, collaborative project with the Patel Lab #FluorescenceFriday
Fluorescence confocal image of fruit fly muscle tissue labeled with actin in red and myosin in green
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