iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Rachel Roberts-Galbraith @awormwelcome.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

Got to appear on a podcast hosted by my UGA colleagues to talk about planarians and my path! So fun! open.spotify.com/episode/3Elr...

open.spotify.com

Regeneration Nation: Inside the Remarkable Biology of Planarians

People, Parasites, and Plagues · Episode

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Rachel Roberts-Galbraith @awormwelcome.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

Absolutely! Unabashedly influenced by our Drosophila-studying colleagues! But there are also some fun differences that we will get to keep exploring.

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Kendall Clay @kendallbclay.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

How does an organism capable of whole body regeneration make the right types of neurons in the correct ratios? The answer is a heavily coordinated suite of genes precisley timed to ensure the birth and maintenance of new neurons! www.nature.com/articles/s41...

nature.com

Combinatorial mechanisms specify cellular location and neurotransmitter identity during planarian neurogenesis - Nature Communications

During regeneration, new neurons need to be made in a way that reproduces both neuronal diversity and organization. Here the authors show that a combination of factors works cooperatively to direct ne...

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Rachel Roberts-Galbraith @awormwelcome.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

Many thanks to the editors at Nature Communications and also our excellent peer reviewers there. Thanks also go to colleagues at @universityofga.bsky.social who have supported so many phases of this work! And the biggest thanks to the student-scholars who worked on this project. Congrats team! 6/6

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Rachel Roberts-Galbraith @awormwelcome.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

There are lots of other fun elements of the paper, including figuring out which genes impact neurogenesis and which impact neuronal survival, which required that we develop new approaches in the lab. It was LOTS of hard work & the result is a beautiful and important paper we're really proud of! 5/6

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Rachel Roberts-Galbraith @awormwelcome.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

A big conclusion is that planarian stem cells make neurons (dopaminergic ones & we suspect others, too) using a "code" that tells the cell what kind of neuron to be and where it belongs. Taylor and Kendall took the project into many fun and exciting directions. We learned a LOT! 4/6

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Rachel Roberts-Galbraith @awormwelcome.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

This later became the NINDS-funded doctoral work of Taylor and Kendall, who explored neurogenesis of dopaminergic neurons in the planarian PNS and CNS, respectively. They turned a pilot screen into a truly fantastic opus, identifying genes that are important for these neurons. 3/6

Photo of two smiling scientists showing off earrings made of Promega tubes.

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Rachel Roberts-Galbraith @awormwelcome.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

This has been a labor of love from our group. We started with a set of undergraduate projects funded by the National Science Foundation, when we were looking for ways that neurons influence regeneration. Coauthors Rachel Grimes and Labo Oke (both MDs now!) contributed to the pilot screen. 2/6

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Drug Monkey @drugmonkey.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

Trying to convince myself that finally getting around to reading N.K. Jemisin is a better late than never scenario. Rather than the massive screwup that it is. Don’t make my mistake. Read. Now.

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Rachel Roberts-Galbraith @awormwelcome.bsky.social · 31/08/2026

Congrats Jazmine, for a job very well done on your qualifying exam! Yay for you!

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Sarah McAnulty, Ph.D. @sarahmackattack.bsky.social · 09/07/2026

Time for an Evening Update! We're just over 80% done the map. Help us bring these states home! givebutter.com/USS2026 West: CA 30 WA 12 NEast: NY 83 NJ 48 CT 18 Midwest to TX: TX 63 IL 38 MI 25 IN 15 OK 11 South: FL 99 GA 43 VA 33 SC 3

givebutter.com

United States of Science 2026

By Skype a Scientist

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Sarah McAnulty, Ph.D. @sarahmackattack.bsky.social · 06/07/2026

The 2026 United States of Science Challenge starts NOW! Each bubble represents classrooms we’ve matched with scientists this year. This a competition to fill bubbles with $10 donations to support @skypeascientist.bsky.social The first region to fill all bubbles wins. 👇🏻 givebutter.com/USS2026

givebutter.com

United States of Science 2026

By Skype a Scientist

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Rachel Roberts-Galbraith @awormwelcome.bsky.social · 16/06/2026

Congratulations Camila! So proud of you for completing your qualifying exam and passing to candidacy! You did it! 🤩

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Zebrafish Rock! 🎃 @zebrafishrock.bsky.social · 03/06/2026

The Cigliola Lab @vanderbilt.edu (www.cigliola-lab.com) is recruiting a #Postdoc interested in spinal cord regeneration & neural repair. If you are a motivated individual who wants to develop independent research directions in a collaborative & supportive environment, please consider applying! 🧵⬇️

Longitudinal section of zebrafish spinal cord tissue at 4 weeks post injury, showing regeneration-associated gene expression (in green) at sites of tissue bridging (in purple).

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Rachel Roberts-Galbraith @awormwelcome.bsky.social · 15/04/2026

Don’t Use A.I. to Do This www.nytimes.com/2026/04/15/o... Love this take by one of my favorite writers. 🤣

nytimes.com

Opinion | Just Because I Wrote This Doesn’t Mean I’ll Be On Your Panel About A.I.

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Sarah Paramore, PhD @parahsaramore.bsky.social · 14/04/2026

Excited to share that @socdevbio.bsky.social has a new and improved merch store! Rep your fav model organism in one of the Society’s new original designs 🤗 sdb-official-merch.printify.me

Examples of the new model organism shirts for sale on the SDB merchandise website

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Liz Neeley @lizneeley.bsky.social · 20/03/2026

New @sloanfoundation.bsky.social grants: Exemplary Pathways to STEM Graduate Education. Up to $500,000 for orgs focused on helping remove obstacles for undergraduates who want to pursue advanced STEM degrees. Deadline is June 1. Please share & apply if this is you! sloan.org/programs/hig...

sloan.org

Call for Letters of Inquiry: Exemplary Pathways to STEM Graduate Education | Alfred P. Sloan Foundation

Our mission is to make the world a better place through the advancement of scientific knowledge.

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Rachel Roberts-Galbraith @awormwelcome.bsky.social · 13/03/2026

Dev Bio Science Communication opportunity! The John Doctor Prize is open for 2026 (Deadline June 1). More info here below - Please share and encourage folks to submit videos! www.sdbonline.org/john_doctor_...

sdbonline.org

Society for Developmental Biology | John Doctor Education Prize

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Petra Korlević @petrathepostdoc.bsky.social · 17/11/2025

the culmination of one year of collaborative work on a #SciArt zine discussing gynecological issues, finally in print form! from a lovely team from the @sangerinstitute.bsky.social with special thanks to Dr @talkswithdrsesay.bsky.social and Dr Gioia Canciani for reviewing the contents! 🥼🩸

cover of a zine that looks like a corkboard, with various gynaecological organ pictures connected by red string, some pills pinned to it, a callendar, a page saying gyn app
the title is Pelvic Matters A collaborative zine on gynaecological health

last page of the corkboard zine, with the various sponsors, a qr code for the zine website, a DO NOT SCRAPE anti AI sticker, the 5 artists involved, the 6 writers involved and the two reviewers involved
the artists
Antonio Garcia (Scientific illustrator and designer, Founder of Bio-Graphics. Explore his work at www.bio-graphics.es)
Petra Korlević (Staff scientist at the Wellcome Sanger Insitute. Find more of her silly doodles at petrathepostdoc.bsky.social, and SciArt and crafts at theintrovertebrates.etsy.com)
Megan Gozzard (Post-Doctoral Researcher in Human Genetics at Wellcome Sanger Insitute. Explore her portfolio at www.megangozzard.co.uk)
Lia Bote (PhD student at the Wellcome Sanger Insitute, Parasites and Microbes Programme. See more of her art and science at @liabote.bsky.social!)
Isabelle Zane (PhD student, Sanger Institute. Find scientific cartoons and live sketches of conferences @isabellease on X, @isabellease.bsky.social or isabellezane.bio)

The writers
Valentina Lorenzi
Charlotte Cassie
Marie Moullet
Ana Paredes Garcia
Christina Kim
Rina Sakata

The reviewers
Dr Gioia Canciani
Dr Aziza Sesay

cartoony page from the zine I drew, the colors are dark blue, light blue, yellow, orange, light pink and dark pink. the text is
When the uterus tissues go WILD! - ENDOMETRIOSIS-
endometrial-like tissue growing outside of the uterus
unclear origin (cells escaping fallopian tube at menstruation, immune dysfunction, local estrogen production, circulation, surgery, genetics)
Dr. Platypus fact: endometriotic lesions were even found in the brain, which caused neurological and psychiatric symptoms!
~8 years to get diagnosed
1/10 people
bleeding outside and inside
infertility
pelvic PAIN! during intercourse, bowel movement, urination, or for no good reason
nausea

the middle drawing is of an uterus, guts, kidneys ovaries and bladder covered in pink endometriotic lesions, none of the organs are happy about it, one ovary has a massive pink chocolate cyst on it (a cyst full of endometrial tissue and blood)

photo of seven of the eleven zine authors under a giant oak tree without any leaves (it is winter) each holding one zine.

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Rachel Roberts-Galbraith @awormwelcome.bsky.social · 23/02/2026

There are a few others I didn’t name bc they didn’t meet the “loved” criterion, then hilariously only 2 men authors by whom I’ve read at least five books: Steven King and David Sedaris.

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Rachel Roberts-Galbraith @awormwelcome.bsky.social · 23/02/2026

Five(+) women authors by whom I’ve read (and loved) at least five books: Margaret Atwood Octavia Butler NK Jemisin Barbara Kingsolver Nnedi Okorafor Martha Wells Zadie Smith (That was fun to look up and illustrates my reading preferences pretty well!)

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Isabel, booonyavirus wonk @isabelott.bsky.social · 31/01/2026

cognitive reframing ahead of quals: ❌ I will be stuck in a room with a firing squad of friends and allies whose eyes will go red like robots in the movies for 2 hours to grill me ✅ THEY will be stuck in there with ME while I talk a 2 hour blue streak about my very favorite stuff in the world 😌

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Chrystal Starbird @drstarbird.bsky.social · 13/02/2026

“Because it’s always been done that way” should never stand in the way of imagining and building a new system that aligns better with our core values. Sometimes the hard and even the nearly impossible possible is worth it to create the future we envision.

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Dr. Tati @drtati.bsky.social · 02/02/2026

We wrote this piece as a call to action before what has been happening in MN. The myth of neutrality is a luxury scientists can no longer afford— we all have a role to play. Please repost w/ links to local orgs to help connect scientists to existing collectives they can join. rdcu.be/e1Tvv

rdcu.be

Political action is now crucial for US scientists

Nature Human Behaviour - Political action is now crucial for US scientists

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Rachel Roberts-Galbraith @awormwelcome.bsky.social · 23/01/2026

I also proposed a course so that students can do internships and stay enrolled while they do that (over a summer for example). I think this may (should?) become more common as students may need to pivot their career plans.

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Rachel Roberts-Galbraith @awormwelcome.bsky.social · 23/01/2026

Some that I’m hearing about most frequently: medical science liaison, clinical trials research, industry (science or business side), consulting, patent law (doesn’t require a JD for scientists), university admin, teaching faculty, public policy. Informational interviews can be a good way to explore.

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Rachel Roberts-Galbraith @awormwelcome.bsky.social · 29/12/2025

We also enjoyed a fall full of great community and science at @universityofga.bsky.social. Lots of great seminars, symposia, and informal gatherings. We also love all the great things we have done across campus this year (@georgiamuseum.bsky.social & State Botanical Garden of Georgia). 4/4

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Rachel Roberts-Galbraith @awormwelcome.bsky.social · 29/12/2025

On a sillier note, Jazmine dressed up as me for Halloween. I was very honored, but apparently my keys are very loud. Ha! 3/4

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Rachel Roberts-Galbraith @awormwelcome.bsky.social · 29/12/2025

Skylar and Christina were celebrated as ARCS scholars; so proud of them and their hard work! The ARCS foundation has been supportive of several of our students and we are so grateful for their encouragement and material support of outstanding scholars. 2/4

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Rachel Roberts-Galbraith @awormwelcome.bsky.social · 29/12/2025

A few other highlights: We were joined by three awesome undergrads this semester - Kathleen, Zoe, and Ella. They have contributed to the lab intellectually, scientifically, and socially - such a great team. Here they are at their end-of-term presentations. 1/4

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Rachel Roberts-Galbraith @awormwelcome.bsky.social · 29/12/2025

@taylormlanier.bsky.social has been such an amazing, inspiring, and impactful member of our research group. She is a leader, a scientist, a TikTok star, and more. It is bittersweet to send her to her postdoc in the Mokalled and Johnson labs at WashU. So proud of you and we'll also miss you TML! 5/5

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Rachel Roberts-Galbraith @awormwelcome.bsky.social · 29/12/2025

The celebration continued as @taylormlanier.bsky.social at officially graduated just a couple of weeks ago. It was a super fun day; graduations are my fav events at UGA! We also got to celebrate the graduations of some of our RBC, Dev Bio, Neuro, and CBIO colleagues, which was so fun! 4/5

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Rachel Roberts-Galbraith @awormwelcome.bsky.social · 29/12/2025

We celebrated @taylormlanier.bsky.social with receptions at her church and in our lab building; it was so great to have her family and friends join us for such a special day! She is easy to celebrate both because of her amazing thesis but also because she is such a wonderful person! 3/5

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Rachel Roberts-Galbraith @awormwelcome.bsky.social · 29/12/2025

First, @taylormlanier.bsky.social defended her thesis and earned her Ph.D. on Halloween! She did an amazing job presenting her research. We celebrated with her committee, who have been a source of encouragement and great science ideas throughout! (It was also a beautiful day!) 2/5

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Rachel Roberts-Galbraith @awormwelcome.bsky.social · 29/12/2025

I got behind in posting updates this fall, but want to make sure I highlight some of the fun and amazing things that we (mostly my trainees) have been doing this fall and winter! Let's start off with our semester's high point - @taylormlanier.bsky.social's defense and graduation! 1/5

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Richard Sever @richardsever.bsky.social · 06/12/2025

ASCB President Mary Munson awards Francis Collins the ASCB Public Service award, noting this is the first time it’s been awarded for defense of science #cellbio2025

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Harmit Singh Malik @harmitmalik.bsky.social · 07/11/2025

When people celebrate the individual genius of folks in science, they should also mourn the collective loss of genius of folks who were actively discouraged or disadvantaged from a career in science because of the same person(s)

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Prachee Avasthi @pracheeac.bsky.social · 16/10/2025

We have a bunch of new job ads out @arcadiascience.com. If you haven’t checked them out, take a look! www.arcadiascience.com/careers

arcadiascience.com

Careers | Arcadia Science

Evolve with Arcadia.

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Development @dev-journal.bsky.social · 13/10/2025

Speaking science in a fractured world: making truth land when facts alone cannot A Perspective by @rebeccacalisi.bsky.social, @kaliceaphd.bsky.social, Jamy Peng, @spiraldoc.bsky.social & @rogerslabucd.bsky.social on how to combat scientific misinformation journals.biologists.com/dev/article/...

Picture of Perspective title and authors from article PDF

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Alyssa Johnson @alyssajohnson.bsky.social · 27/09/2025

In our newest paper, we show that expression of a familial natural short sleep mutation in flies extends lifespan through enhanced mitochondrial physiology. First first-author paper for former graduate student Pritika Pandey! @pritika26.bsky.social @lsuscience.bsky.social @lsu.bsky.social

cell.com

A familial natural short sleep mutation in dec2 extends healthspan and lifespan in Drosophila

Biological sciences; Genetics; Neuroscience

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Prof. Madeleine Pownall @maddipow.bsky.social · 04/09/2025

So jealous that I'm not at #PRC10 (because I haven't yet figured out how to clone myself and be in two places at once) but the programme looks so brilliant. I really hope there's some discussion about how framing peer review as pedagogy may be a useful way forward too wonkhe.com/blogs/peer-r...

wonkhe.com

Peer review is broken, and pedagogical research has a fix

The lessons of decades of research into assessment and feedback haven’t tracked across into the practice of peer review. Madeleine Pownall wonders why not The lessons of decades of research into asses...

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Ginger Hunter @flysci.bsky.social · 02/09/2025

🧪🪰We are hiring, please help us get the word out! The official ads will be up very soon & I'll link to them later. My lab is looking to recruit/hire at all levels: 1. A technician/post-bacc researcher to start ~fall 2026 2. A postdoc to start sometime in 2026 3. At least one graduate student (RA)

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Development @dev-journal.bsky.social · 01/09/2025

📢Call for papers. Submit your latest research to our upcoming special issue – The Extracellular Environment in Development, Regeneration and Stem Cells Guest Editors: Alex Hughes and Rashmi Priya 📅 Deadline: 1 March 2026 journals.biologists.com/dev/pages/ex... #DevBio

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Rachel Roberts-Galbraith @awormwelcome.bsky.social · 21/08/2025

These innexins are critical for regeneration, as well as stem cell differentiation and maintenance. We conclude that abraçada cells are important contributors to stem cell function in planarians, serving as a bona fide niche. Such a fun discovery and lots to do next! 6/6

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Rachel Roberts-Galbraith @awormwelcome.bsky.social · 21/08/2025

But are abraçada cells important? When preparing for her qualifying exam, Skylar came to me and showed me some EM data (from before she was born) that indicated that planarian stem cells form gap junctions with their neighbors. We found several innexins in the right place, and (drumroll)... 5/6

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Rachel Roberts-Galbraith @awormwelcome.bsky.social · 21/08/2025

This neighbor, which we have called abraçada cells for the Catalan word for "hugging" (shout out to our planarian colleagues in Barcelona!), neighbors stem cells frequently in homeostasis and in regeneration, but neighbors stem cells less often upon their exit from the stem cell program. 4/6

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