iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Jill Wegrzyn @jillwegrzyn.bsky.social · 13/06/2026

Join the Plant Computational Genomics Lab and the Institute for Systems Genomics @uconnresearch.bsky.social ! Currently seeking 2 full-time onsite research assistants, one of whom will be our Molecular Lab Manager. Apply by June 26th. 🌲 🌳 🧬 @uconneeb.bsky.social jobs.hr.uconn.edu/en-us/job/49...

jobs.hr.uconn.edu

UConn Careers | UConn Careers | University of Connecticut

0810

Reposted by Jill Wegrzyn

Science Magazine @science.org · 09/05/2026

Breaking news: Indiana University plant microbiologist Roger Innes has been locked out of his laboratory by the school in response to a request by one of his federal funders. The move comes after Innes complained about the government’s prosecution of Chinese postdocs. scim.ag/4tsDqRr

scim.ag

After USDA request, Indiana plant biologist locked out of lab by school

Move comes after Roger Innes complained about the government’s prosecution of Chinese postdocs

19839442216

Reposted by Jill Wegrzyn

Carl T. Bergstrom @carlbergstrom.com · 23/04/2026

How it started / how it’s going — Jay Bhattacharya edition. 2025: “We will never use this agency to censor scientists who disagree" 2026 : Bhattacharya “has canceled the publication of a study that found that the Covid vaccine sharply cut the odds of hospitalizations and emergency visits”.

foxandfriends
Follow
"We will never use this agency to censor scientists who disagree": Director Jay Bhattacharya reflects on his pandemic-era censorship experiences & outlines his commitment to open scientific communication at the NIH.
April 1, 2025

A Health Department official said Dr. Jay Bhattacharya had met with the study's authors but that they had not wanted to change its design. Eric Lee for The New York Times
By Apoorva Mandavilli
April 22, 2026
The acting head of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has canceled the publication of a study that found jthat the Covid vaccine sharply cut the odds of hospitalizations and emergency visits last winter, a Health Department spokesman said.

121312497

Jill Wegrzyn @jillwegrzyn.bsky.social · 03/03/2026

Deadline to submit an abstract for the 3rd Biennial Conference of North American Forest Genetics Society (NAFGS) has been extended by one week! New deadline: March 9th June 15th–19th, 2026 | Université Laval, Québec City, Canada www.nafgs.org/conference2026

021

Jill Wegrzyn @jillwegrzyn.bsky.social · 16/02/2026

North American Forest Genetics Society #NAFGS26 🌲 🌳 🧬! Abstracts due Mar 1 | Travel Awards Mar 8 | Early Reg ends Mar 31 | Looking forward to welcoming you & our invited speakers in Québec City: @jillahamilton.bsky.social @cavenderg9.bsky.social @jeansebmoore.bsky.social @arthurouaknine.bsky.social

075

Reposted by Jill Wegrzyn

Karolina Heyduk @kheyduk.bsky.social · 04/02/2026

My grad student, who got RWR and appealed, got an email from GRFP program today that said "Your application was screened by NSF program officers with expertise in your proposed field of study and was determined to be ineligible according to the solicitation requirements." No details were given. 😡

95727

Reposted by Jill Wegrzyn

Noam Ross @noamross.net · 02/02/2026

NSF GRFP applicants (and mentors): Was your application Returned Without Review and deemed ineligible despite fitting in the allowed topics? 1) Write NSF 2) Write your Congressperson 3) CC us at grfp@grant-witness.us so we can compile + follow up Details and template at grant-witness.us/grfp-letter

6165200

Reposted by Jill Wegrzyn

American Naturaliﬆ / ASN 🐌 @asn-amnat.bsky.social · 30/01/2026

Special Feature: A new special issue explores genomic forecasting, a promising, but developing tool for conservation. The verdict: it's a useful approach, but its reliability often depends on the context. Read now ahead of print! www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/10.1086/...

076

Reposted by Jill Wegrzyn

Daniel Bolnick @danielbolnick.bsky.social · 30/01/2026

If you are a student whose NSF GRFP application was returned without review for vague 'eligibility' reasons: 1) Let your department chair & Graduate School know. Encourage them to contact NSF & congress 2) Write to your congressional reps. 3) Write to grfp@nsf.gov to request re-consideration;

69584

Jill Wegrzyn @jillwegrzyn.bsky.social · 28/01/2026

Calling all @uconn.bsky.social undergrads! Integrated @uconnresearch.bsky.social training program for #biodiversity #genomics! Sum2026-Spr2027: Research how species respond to environmental change. Gain experience w/ #genetics & #bioinformatics: generate a reference genome for a threatened species

021

Jill Wegrzyn @jillwegrzyn.bsky.social · 26/01/2026

Biennial Conference of the North American Forest Genetics Society: Université Laval in Québec City, QC - June 15-19th! Abstract submission & registration are open! Deadline for abstract submission (posters & talks): March 1st Early registration closes: March 31st www.nafgs.org/conference2026

030

Reposted by Jill Wegrzyn

Society for Conservation Biology North America (SCBNA) @scbnorthamerica.bsky.social · 16/01/2026

SCBNA strongly opposes the decision of the U.S. to withdraw from more than 60 international scientific, environmental, and cultural organizations. Full statement: tinyurl.com/5n7s9wk8

03314

Jill Wegrzyn @jillwegrzyn.bsky.social · 10/01/2026

Join us Sat night (Jan 10th) at #PAG33 for our #CartograPlant workshop: integration of genotype, phenotype, and environment for georeferenced plant populations @agbiodata.bsky.social @usdagov.bsky.social @uconnresearch.bsky.social Presentations by @meghanmyles.bsky.social & @brandonlind.bsky.social

062

Jill Wegrzyn @jillwegrzyn.bsky.social · 08/01/2026

Improve the accuracy and efficiency of the structural and functional #genome annotation! Learn more from lead developer, @cynthiawebster.bsky.social at the #EASEL and #EnTAP session at #PAG33 on Jan 11th! Demonstration + invited talks! @ebpgenome.bsky.social

051

Jill Wegrzyn @jillwegrzyn.bsky.social · 08/01/2026

Excited to host our @nanoporetech.com Org.one workshop: #Genomes for the #Conservation of Endangered Species at #PAG33 on Fri Jan 9th 10:30am! Join us for a set of biodiverse talks 🌳🦜 🐸 🧬 @uconnresearch.bsky.social @ebpgenome.bsky.social @vertebrategenomes.bsky.social

033

Jill Wegrzyn @jillwegrzyn.bsky.social · 08/01/2026

#PAG33 marathon! Trees 🌲🌳: MichelleNeitzey, @vuruputoor.bsky.social, EmilyLesinski, @cynthiawebster.bsky.social, KristianaStover CartograPlant📍: @brandonlind.bsky.social @meghanmyles.bsky.social Pangenomes 🧬: @airianna-mcguire.bsky.social Deep-sea inverts: SamiraObbu Birds & parasites: RuiwenLin

011

Jill Wegrzyn @jillwegrzyn.bsky.social · 07/01/2026

North American Forest Genetics Society (NAFGS) 2026 Conference | June 15–19, Quebec City 🇨🇦 Abstracts open now (deadline March 13) | Registration opens Jan 26th Theme: Connecting Research Across Scales & Disciplines for Evolutionary Potential & Forest Resilience 🌳 🌲 www.nafgs.org/conference2026

043

Reposted by Jill Wegrzyn

Dave Levitan @davelevitan.bsky.social · 03/01/2026

Cancer research costs too much but we have the money to run Venezuela

19999332535

Reposted by Jill Wegrzyn

Emily Norton @emnorton.bsky.social · 28/12/2025

DOGE did NOT yield savings, but DID harm vulnerable people around the world www.nytimes.com/2025/12/23/u...

nytimes.com

How Did DOGE Disrupt So Much While Saving So Little?

01610

Reposted by Jill Wegrzyn

franz @franzanth.bsky.social · 28/12/2025

We present: The Art of #InverteFest - December 2025 Edition A digital art book showcasing the work of 100 artists from around the world, in celebration of overlooked invertebrate fauna. Thank you to the artists who contributed to our book! Download: drive.google.com/file/d/1JCXz... #Art #SciArt

a promo image showing various pages from the book, each page showcasing different animals like an opabinia, a leaf insect, close up of a starfish, and so on. the art featured shows a range of different medium, including digital, pixel art, ceramic, fursuit, post it, and so on.

19335171

Jill Wegrzyn @jillwegrzyn.bsky.social · 27/12/2025

Virtual workshop on #genomics analysis for #RADSeq - spaces available Jan 13-16th! Live instruction by @noahreid.bsky.social Learn #NGS read QC, #variant detection, and data analysis via common #bioinformatic tools - #Stacks #Freebayes @uconnresearch.bsky.social @cbcuconn.bsky.social

043

Jill Wegrzyn @jillwegrzyn.bsky.social · 09/12/2025

Virtual workshop on #genomics analysis for #RadSeq - spaces available still for next week - Dec 16-18th! Live instruction by @noahreid.bsky.social Learn QC through data analysis using common #bioinformatic tools - #Stacks #Freebayes @uconnresearch.bsky.social @cbcuconn.bsky.social

043

Reposted by Jill Wegrzyn

Jonathan Eisen @phylogenomics.bsky.social · 02/12/2025

Excellent news:

1226

Reposted by Jill Wegrzyn

Emilio Mármol Sánchez @marmole6.bsky.social · 14/11/2025

🦣🧬🦣🤯💥We are pleased to share our new paper about ancient RNA expression profiles from the Woolly Mammoth, now published in Cell @cellpress.bsky.social www.cell.com/cell/fulltex... If you want to know more, read the 🧵 below:

111142

Reposted by Jill Wegrzyn

Pamela Parkington 🐝 @bigdogmomthree.bsky.social · 18/10/2025

No Kings protest at the State Capital, Hartford, CT

110527

Jill Wegrzyn @jillwegrzyn.bsky.social · 16/10/2025

We are seeking speakers for #pag33 hosted in San Diego: Jan 9th at 10:30am. Talk to us about your current/planned efforts to develop genomic resources for threatened/endangered species! @ebpgenome.bsky.social - hosted by @uconneeb.bsky.social @nanoporetech.com Abstracts by Oct 27th! 🧬 🦜 🌱 🐛 🐢

086

Reposted by Jill Wegrzyn

Dr. Lucky Tran @luckytran.com · 16/10/2025

15 US states and territories have formed a new Public Health Alliance, which will counter the absence of federal leadership by tracking outbreaks, issuing guidance, buying vaccines and more. Members of the new alliance include CA, CO, CT, DE, GU, HI, IL, MD, MA, NJ, NY, NC, OR, RI, WA.

Map: Governors Public Health Alliance
* Guam is also a member of the alliance
Updated October 15, 2025
Map: @luckytran • Created with Datawrapper

619153915117

Reposted by Jill Wegrzyn

Casey terHorst @ecoevolab.bsky.social · 08/09/2025

The GRFP lives!! (due end of October) www.nsf.gov/funding/oppo...

nsf.gov

NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP)

6342274

Reposted by Jill Wegrzyn

Gretchen Goldman, PhD @gretchentg.bsky.social · 14/08/2025

My new @science.org editorial on the role of scientists in defending democracy is out today. As authoritarianism takes hold in the US, we must fight for the democratic principles that enable a free society and scientists have a key role. I hope you'll join us. www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...

science.org

Scientists’ role in defending democracy

The United States’ democratic leadership, commitment to freedom of expression, and investment in the pursuit of knowledge have long enabled its preeminence in science and technology. Yet today we are ...

9550260

Reposted by Jill Wegrzyn

Axel Visel @axelvisel.bsky.social · 30/07/2025

A new, MUCH improved #Eucalyptus genome: - haplotype-resolved - 99.4% complete - 700x better contiguity - 35k annotated genes Kudos to Anneri Lötter, @tomasbruna.bsky.social and @jotlovell.bsky.social at @jgi.doe.gov‬, @jillwegrzyn.bsky.social‬, Alexander Myburg et al. doi.org/10.1093/g3jo...

051

Reposted by Jill Wegrzyn

Canadian BioGenome Project 🇨🇦 @canadianbiogenome.bsky.social · 20/07/2025

🌏🌿 The Earth BioGenome Project has collectively surpassed another genome milestone! 🙌 🎉 Congratulations to everyone involved in this monumental global effort to sequence life on Earth. 🌍🧬 #EarthBioGenome #Genomics #Biodiversity #MilestoneMoment

0143

Reposted by Jill Wegrzyn

Prof Richard Buggs @rbuggs.bsky.social · 27/06/2025

Thanks Kew! The paper itself can be found here: www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...

12113

Reposted by Jill Wegrzyn

Jill Hamilton @jillahamilton.bsky.social · 26/06/2025

So impressed by our Featured Student Speakers presenting in the keynote sessions. Just: wow! The future of forest genetics is bright #forestgenetics2025

092

Jill Wegrzyn @jillwegrzyn.bsky.social · 24/06/2025

#CartograPlant & #TreeGenes Workshop at #ForestGenetics2025 - bringing together genotype, phenotype, and environmental data for georeferenced plant populations presented by @uconneeb.bsky.social PhD student @meghanmyles.bsky.social & developer Gabe Barrett #FAIRdata

040

Jill Wegrzyn @jillwegrzyn.bsky.social · 23/06/2025

First season @toolikfieldstation.bsky.social #arctic - #EVOME is investigating species’ responses to rapid climatic changes in stream environs @uconnresearch.bsky.social @uconneeb.bsky.social @brandonlind.bsky.social SamiraObbu @airianna-mcguire.bsky.social MaryRutter #REU SarahAntebi #NSF-funded

172

Jill Wegrzyn @jillwegrzyn.bsky.social · 21/06/2025

Very excited to announce @vuruputoor.bsky.social upcoming #PhD defense in @uconneeb.bsky.social ! #genomics marathon on land plant genome evolution, from the smallest to largest - special focus on conservation genomics in #hemlocks @nature.org @ebpgenome.bsky.social @uconnresearch.bsky.social

052

Reposted by Jill Wegrzyn

Jill Hamilton @jillahamilton.bsky.social · 16/06/2025

One week to go!!! So excited to host our colleagues next week in the Happy Valley of Pennsylvania! Over 150 registrants from around the world!! If you’re interested in coming but unable to join in person - email me to learn about virtual options forestgeneticsconference2025.com #forestgenetics2025

0158

Jill Wegrzyn @jillwegrzyn.bsky.social · 21/06/2025

Save the Date! North American Forest Genetics Society #NAFGS June 15-19 2026 in Quebec City, Canada🍁 More information coming soon at www.nafgs.org/conference2026 Join us next year!

022

Reposted by Jill Wegrzyn

Max Kozlov @maxkozlov.bsky.social · 16/06/2025

An NIH staffer reacts to today's ruling: "I'm looking forward to the day that we are so slammed with work trying to reinstate everything that we had to terminate illegally — I'll work 24/7 to make that happen if I can."

91107294

Reposted by Jill Wegrzyn

Katharina Hoff @katharinahoff.bsky.social · 11/06/2025

Very happy that our manuscript "Annotation of protein-coding genes in 49 diatom genomes from the Bacillariophyta clade" is now published with Scientific Data: rdcu.be/eqwO5 Great team work with Natalia, Clara, Cynthia, Alex, @miamynta.bsky.social , & @jillwegrzyn.bsky.social

rdcu.be

Annotation of protein-coding genes in 49 diatom genomes from the Bacillariophyta clade

Scientific Data - Annotation of protein-coding genes in 49 diatom genomes from the Bacillariophyta clade

091

Reposted by Jill Wegrzyn

Dr. Kat Napaaqtuk❄️ @napaaqtuk.bsky.social · 24/05/2025

Welp, there's the Friday 🧪 hit

33616

Reposted by Jill Wegrzyn

Daniel Bolnick @danielbolnick.bsky.social · 24/05/2025

Reminder that SSE members in Brazil, Colombia, Mexico, India, and 152 low-income countries around the world can still get FREE registration for the virtual Evolution meeting! Please share with your colleagues: www.evolutionsociety.org/index.php?mo...

Reposted by Jill Wegrzyn

Colette Delawalla, PhD @cdelawalla.bsky.social · 24/05/2025

If you have tenure and you’re carrying on as normal: you are a part of the problem. The leopard doesn’t discriminate between faces. These are extraordinary times and we need you in the fight. It’s not comfortable, there is risk, and it will add more to your plate. But without you, science dies.

17816

Reposted by Jill Wegrzyn

Jon Freeman @freemanjb.bsky.social · 21/05/2025

🚨 A new rule would let career scientists like NSF/NIH program officers be replaced by political appointees Already 14,000+ public comments, deadline is Friday 📣 Comments can be short. Courts consider them—and scientists with NSF/NIH experience are especially impactful Speak up! shorturl.at/WKuBj

25533508

Jill Wegrzyn @jillwegrzyn.bsky.social · 15/05/2025

Spaces are still available in our upcoming genomics workshops! Join us for Variant Detection: May 20–22 and/or Genome Annotation, May 27-29 - Participants receive guided tutorials, live instruction, & daily recordings to support continued learning. bioinformatics.uconn.edu/cbc-workshops/

002

Jill Wegrzyn @jillwegrzyn.bsky.social · 11/05/2025

It’s NSF’s 75th & college graduation season, both reminders of how far basic science funding can go. With NSF support, I’ve mentored 130+ students who are innovators in genomics, conservation, data science & more. The lab is pictured here. Please keep investing in science #ThanksNSF #NSF75 #FundNSF

080