iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Seth Tomchik @sethtomchik.bsky.social · 27/06/2026

Caught a performance of A Midsummer Night's Dream at Riverside Theater in Iowa City on Thursday. The performers and production were amazing. What a gift to the community. No photos allowed during the performance so this will have to suffice.

An clsssic wood framed outdoor Shakespearean theater, photographed in the evening, with a large banner advertising the current performance of A Midsummer Night's Dream hanging from the front

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Seth Tomchik @sethtomchik.bsky.social · 04/10/2025

A new series of postdoc career development seminars launched this semester. The first, "Postdoc to PI" featured new Assistant Professors (i.e., with fresh experience) to coach postdocs looking to hit the academic job market soon. Keep an eye out for more upcoming events: uipda.grad.uiowa.edu

Postdocs seated in a sunlit room, facing a panel of five professors seated at a table in the front of the room, who are in front of floor-to-ceiling windows.

Close-up view of five professors seated at a table in front of windows, engaged in a panel discussion with an audience that is not pictured (behind the camera)

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Seth Tomchik @sethtomchik.bsky.social · 30/09/2025

Familiar spaces can take on such a different look if the light hits just right

An indoor atrium with afternoon light coming through a set of windows and casting long shadows on a concrete floor. Several tall round concrete pillars are visible and the atrium is lined with scattered tables and chairs. The photograph has a desaturated, almost grayscale appearance

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Seth Tomchik @sethtomchik.bsky.social · 28/09/2025

Lab get-together at Wilson's Orchard on the outskirts of Iowa City. The day included live music, sampling apple cider donuts and pizza and picking apples from the orchard. We sampled several varieties in season now, including Song of September, Honeygold, Chieftain, and Jonafree.

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Seth Tomchik @sethtomchik.bsky.social · 28/09/2025

Great week in the lab, including the Carver College of Medicine Investiture. Thank you to the Roy J. Carver Charitable Foundation for supporting our research. It was an honor to reflect on, and speak about, the influence of my mentors, and the work of our lab members, past and present (pictured).

Tomchik lab members pictured in front of the green wall outside the Prem Sahai auditorium at the University of Iowa. Seth is in the center of the group, wearing graduation regalia and a Caver medallion from the ceremony.

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Seth Tomchik @sethtomchik.bsky.social · 20/09/2025

Some moments from the Fine2Day Fest at Codfish Hollow Barnstormers. A bunch of great bands performing in a barn-turned-music-venue in Maquoketa, Iowa. Pics here are Susto Stringband, She Returns From War, and Johnny Delaware.

Band playing on a stage illuminated with colored stage lighting inside a converted barn in Maquoketa, Iowa

A barn and grain silo at Codfish Hollow Barnstormers, a music venue that is located in a converted barn in Iowa

Johnny Delaware playing guitar seated on a stage illuminated with colored stage lighting inside a converted barn in Maquoketa, Iowa

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Seth Tomchik @sethtomchik.bsky.social · 12/09/2025

Moments from the University of Iowa Neuroscience Graduate Program Welcome Picnic 2025 at Picayune Creek Farms

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Seth Tomchik @sethtomchik.bsky.social · 29/08/2025

Great concert by Goose in Iowa City last night. First time I've seen them live, and they put on an impressive show

Outdoor stage with Goose (band) playing and dramatic yellow stage lighting cutting through smoke. The stage is flanked by large yellow banners with the band name and University of Iowa logos. A large crowd is gathered in the front of the stage watching the show.

Outdoor stage with Goose (band) playing and dramatic blue stage lighting cutting through smoke. The stage is flanked by large yellow banners with the band name and University of Iowa logos. A large crowd is gathered in the front of the stage watching the show.

Outdoor stage with Goose (band) playing and dramatic red and white stage lighting cutting through smoke. The stage is flanked by large yellow banners with the band name and University of Iowa logos. A large crowd is gathered in the front of the stage watching the show.

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Seth Tomchik @sethtomchik.bsky.social · 21/08/2025

The Chicago skyline seen though the grass at Indiana Dunes National Parkz captured with a full spectrum camera and 590 nm + infrared filter.

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Seth Tomchik @sethtomchik.bsky.social · 07/08/2025

Summer flowers are in bloom in front of the Old Capitol in Iowa City

A bed of Black Eyed Susan flowers in bloom in the foreground, with Iowa City's gold-domed 1800's era Old Capitol building in the background

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Seth Tomchik @sethtomchik.bsky.social · 30/07/2025

Latest preprint from our lab, describing how cellular signaling changes in neurofibromatosis type 1 affect two behavioral and metabolic phenotypes. Loss of Nf1 increases Ras, but these phenotypes differ in their dependence on downstream signaling. #neuroskyence www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...

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Seth Tomchik @sethtomchik.bsky.social · 28/07/2025

Nite Glow at the National Balloon Classic in Indianola, Iowa. This is the largest hot air balloon festival in the Midwest.

Photo of Seth in front of hot air balloons

Hot air balloons on the ground at night, lit up by the fire of their engines

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Seth Tomchik @sethtomchik.bsky.social · 27/07/2025

Bowling night as a send-off celebration for our summer intern, Jenny. It was great having her in the lab for a couple months; wishing her the best of luck in her future research and studies!

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Seth Tomchik @sethtomchik.bsky.social · 26/07/2025

Indeed. Nice words, but need to be followed by action or that's all they are. Britt (et al) have been doing this since February.

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Seth Tomchik @sethtomchik.bsky.social · 26/07/2025

The worst part is that it's just PR (so far). Britt (and Collins et al.) have been doing this since Feb. They say supportive things about funding science, but deliver key votes supporting the admin's agenda.

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Seth Tomchik @sethtomchik.bsky.social · 07/07/2025

Beautiful day in Iowa City. Boyd Tower at the University of Iowa looks like a painting

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Seth Tomchik @sethtomchik.bsky.social · 21/06/2025

Flying into Washington, D.C. for the NF conference. Looking forward to four days of learning about the latest research, catching up with some of you, and presenting some of our results

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Seth Tomchik @sethtomchik.bsky.social · 20/06/2025

Several lab members - Catherine, Cole, and Kara - presented their research on developmental mechanisms contributing to neurofibromatosis type 1 phenotypes today at the University of Iowa HAWK-IDDRC retreat.

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Seth Tomchik @sethtomchik.bsky.social · 13/06/2025

Today is the UIowa 50th anniversary Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Genetics retreat. Talks and posters from current students and alumni on the latest research in cystic fibrosis, clinical genetics, and (much) more.

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Seth Tomchik @sethtomchik.bsky.social · 09/06/2025

Pain Research Retreat was held today at the College of Pharmacy. Representing our lab, Anneke presented a poster and BSURP student Jenny attended as well.

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Seth Tomchik @sethtomchik.bsky.social · 09/06/2025

Send-off for Sam Young, who is moving to UNC to become the Director of the Gene Therapy Center. He will be missed in Iowa City; wishing him the best of luck in the next chapter.

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Seth Tomchik @sethtomchik.bsky.social · 17/05/2025

Carver College of Medicine Commencement Spring 2025

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Seth Tomchik @sethtomchik.bsky.social · 16/05/2025

Going away celebration yesterday for our long-term undergrad researcher Jenifer. She has made some significant contributions to research in the lab and been a great colleague. We will miss her and wish her the best of luck in her next chapter

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Seth Tomchik @sethtomchik.bsky.social · 15/05/2025

A visiting speaker in our dept seminar last week mentioned that it was 20 years since he got his Ph.D. Then he mentioned the year, and I realized it was the same as mine. When I got done choking on my coffee, I decided I should dig out a photo. So here's me with my Ph.D. mentor, John Lu. Time flies!

Seth Tomchik and John Lu standing side by side in black graduation regalia outside in a crowd in Miami following a graduation commencement

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Seth Tomchik @sethtomchik.bsky.social · 06/05/2025

Great visit yesterday from @karlakaun.bsky.social to the University of Iowa to give a seminar in the Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Genetics' Current Topics in Genetics Seminar Series.

Karla giving a seminar standing in front of. A screen showing a fly with odor molecules represented as dots on front of its antennae

Seth and Karla standing in front of a medicine-themed Herky statue on the University of Iowa medical school campus

Advertisement for Karla's talk showing on a computer screen in the University of Iowa MERF building

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Seth Tomchik @sethtomchik.bsky.social · 05/05/2025

Some photos from Chalk the Walk 2025 in Mount Vernon, Iowa

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Seth Tomchik @sethtomchik.bsky.social · 29/04/2025

Every so often, a particular ray of light just catches the eye and pulls one out of their own mind for a split second

A ray of sunshine shining down on a concrete staircase and its handrail, inside a building. In the background down the stairs is a faint red glow from a fire exist sign (which is not itself visible).

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Seth Tomchik @sethtomchik.bsky.social · 18/04/2025

Our manuscript on the role of Nf1 in regulating motor behavior is out. Neurofibromatosis type 1 affects brain/neuronal fxn. We found that the Nf1 protein impacts the patterning & prioritization of motor behaviors in a state-dependent manner in Drosophila: www.jneurosci.org/content/45/1...

Screen shot showing multiple box plots and graphs from manuscript

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Seth Tomchik @sethtomchik.bsky.social · 13/04/2025

Sunday morning hockey in Cedar Rapids this morning. First time playing on an Olympic ice sheet in a few years. The extra room makes for a fun passing/skating game.

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Seth Tomchik @sethtomchik.bsky.social · 07/04/2025

He stood up, and I got in his face as best I could, given his size. Words were exchanged that I no longer remember (I’m sure they were dumb).

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Seth Tomchik @sethtomchik.bsky.social · 07/04/2025

The cafeteria was an ideal location, because I needed as many classmates as possible to see me stand up to Mike. I was going to lose badly, but I needed them to see me summon the courage to do it. Nobody else had done this, presumably because he always went after the smaller kids.

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Seth Tomchik @sethtomchik.bsky.social · 07/04/2025

Our cafeteria was standard fare, containing long rows of picnic bench-style seating arranged end-to-end. My group of (also physically small) friends would sit together, and Mike would sometimes go out of his way to sit next to us and make trouble. That would be where I would could draw a line.

Middle school cafeteria showing rows of picnic bench style tables, arranged end-to-end

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Seth Tomchik @sethtomchik.bsky.social · 07/04/2025

After some time, I realized that there were only two viable options, get picked on for the next two years, or take a stand. Ignoring it didn’t work, verbal parrying didn’t work, and escalation followed. I spent weeks agonizing over what to do. Possible solution? The cafeteria.

Child holding a pencil, looking up, appearing thoughtful

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Seth Tomchik @sethtomchik.bsky.social · 07/04/2025

Mike was physically large by any standard, but especially for middle school. He could throw any of us around. What could I/we do, tell the teachers/coaches/administrators? They’d talk to him and tell him to stop, but when they weren’t looking, it would start again (probably worse).

Coach talking to a student, who looks guilty

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Seth Tomchik @sethtomchik.bsky.social · 07/04/2025

At the beginning of seventh grade, one classmate, who I’ll call Mike (not his real name), targeted me and some of the other small/quiet kids. I don’t recall all the details, but he was a classic bully. Standard stuff – taunts, physical intimidation, etc. 2/n

Large child pushing a smaller child back into a wall by grabbing his collar

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Seth Tomchik @sethtomchik.bsky.social · 05/04/2025

Photos from today's #handsoff march in Iowa City. Turnout was estimated at over 1000, flooding our small downtown

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Seth Tomchik @sethtomchik.bsky.social · 20/03/2025

Two presentations from the lab this afternoon at #Dros25. First is on the role of serotonin receptors in olfactory learning and memory (project led by Aaron Stahl, poster 550T). Second on the genetic and molecular mechanisms of Nf1 in metabolic regulation (project led by Valentina Botero, 449T).

Screen shot of poster abstract titles as described in post

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Seth Tomchik @sethtomchik.bsky.social · 19/03/2025

A few photos from the pit stop on the way to #Dros25. Three days in Utah, Arizona, and Nevada, with hiking in Zion, Bryce Canyon, and Red Canyon, and stops in the Colorado River area, Antelope Canyon, and Grand Staircase-Escalante. Wow, what a stunning part of the the world.

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Seth Tomchik @sethtomchik.bsky.social · 16/03/2025

Heading out for #Dros25, but making a pit stop on the way to scratch one off the bucket list. Hopefully will have some good photos soon 🤞

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Seth Tomchik @sethtomchik.bsky.social · 26/02/2025

Awesome 2025 Southeast Middle School Winter Band Concert. It was amazing - stunning how much progress the kids make each season. The beautiful auditorium at Iowa City High School is an additional bonus.

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Seth Tomchik @sethtomchik.bsky.social · 13/02/2025

A couple of us met with the Regional Director for our Representative today. We emphasized the importance of federal research funding to Iowa, and highlighted what's at stake for health, education, medical training, and the economy. Reach out to everyone you can - help spread the word.

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Seth Tomchik @sethtomchik.bsky.social · 10/02/2025

For instance, think about your mechanic. When you take your car in, the mechanic typically makes around $25/hr. The shop charges you labor at over $100/hr. That $75 is their F&A rate (300%!). NIH indirects, hovering around 50%, are an absolute bargain for the taxpayers.

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Seth Tomchik @sethtomchik.bsky.social · 24/01/2025

Aaron Boes presented an Iowa Neuroscience Institute collaboration seminar today detailing novel strategies for treating PTSD and depression.

A packed lecture hall with a researcher standing at the front, photographed from the back corner, the audience is seen from behind. The speaker is standing behind a lectern and next to a PowerPoint screen showing brain regions.

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Seth Tomchik @sethtomchik.bsky.social · 13/01/2025

We have two open positions for technicians (Res Asst or Assoc) with 0-3+ yrs exp. One focuses on disease modeling in human iPSCs and the other on learning and memory in Drosophila. Great for recent grads (incl. Spring '25). Training provided. Interested in joining us? Info and app: lnkd.in/gEeCvQKs

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Seth Tomchik @sethtomchik.bsky.social · 10/01/2025

We tried something new for the lab holiday party this year - heading over to Amana, a historic village dating to 1855 near Iowa City. It was a great time, and a reminder of one of the things I love most about science - getting to do research with such great people.

20 people posing for a photo on a wooden staircase leading up a loft at the historic Millstream Brauhaus.

20 people posing for a photo, seated around a large wooden table at the historic Millstream Brauhaus.

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Seth Tomchik @sethtomchik.bsky.social · 07/01/2025

Old crazy ideas now obsolete. Moving on to all new crazy ideas.

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Seth Tomchik @sethtomchik.bsky.social · 06/01/2025

And the adult flies carry off small children

Google AI Overview claiming that Drosophila larvae reach 15-20 millimeters in length. In reality, they are less than 5 mm long.

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Seth Tomchik @sethtomchik.bsky.social · 13/12/2024

When the temperature drops, so does the beat. Holiday Tubas time.

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Seth Tomchik @sethtomchik.bsky.social · 17/11/2024

Did some backcountry hiking in the Badlands today, mostly following trails tamped down by bison. I ran across one small herd (photographed with a 400mm telephoto lens from a couple hundred meters away).

Two bison eating grass at Badlands National Park. There are rolling hills dotted with a few isolated trees, with a blue sky overhead filled with white cumulus clouds. The hills are covered in prairie grasses that are dry and yellowed, normal for this time of fall.

Tall grass prairie in Badlands National Park. Rolling hills with yellowed grass (due to the fall season). A blue sky with white puffy clouds is overhead.

Prairie with trails tamped into the yellow tall grass by bison.

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