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Aurora Toennisson

@tatoennisson.bsky.social
364 followers 1.1K following 83 posts

Plant Pathology Postdoc. Interests: Plant Biology, Microbiology, Entomology, Space biology, Gardening, Ham radio, & Makin' things. Writes at biologistsgarden.net and sproutsinspace.blog

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Aurora Toennisson @tatoennisson.bsky.social · 18/08/2025
Very excited to get to update my signature today!
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Aurora Toennisson @tatoennisson.bsky.social · 10/08/2025
Another monarch sighting!
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Aurora Toennisson @tatoennisson.bsky.social · 02/08/2025
Do these stats look reasonable?
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Aurora Toennisson @tatoennisson.bsky.social · 30/07/2025
So for folks who have published in open access journals, what a reasonable vs unreasonable publication fee? They all seem super expensive to me.
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Aurora Toennisson @tatoennisson.bsky.social · 24/07/2025
How I imagine I'm going to feel when all my revisions are done, lol.
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Aurora Toennisson @tatoennisson.bsky.social · 18/07/2025
Defense presentation: Done! 😅 Orals: Unconditionally passed! 🙌 Thanks to all the support of my lab mates, committee, friends, and family!
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Aurora Toennisson @tatoennisson.bsky.social · 17/07/2025
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Aurora Toennisson @tatoennisson.bsky.social · 14/07/2025
Current state of my upcoming talk:
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Jillian @nogoodwyfe.bsky.social · 25/06/2025
1) it’s true!! 2) I know many of you, like me, desperately wish for a house/yard for this but ✨ you can container garden native plants ✨ if sun ever touches your apt patio/porch/area outside your door that people will begrudgingly accept you using OR guerrilla garden nearby disturbed land patches
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Aurora Toennisson @tatoennisson.bsky.social · 31/05/2025
WE HAVE A MONARCH CATERPILLAR ON OUR MILKWEED!
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Victoria of the Stars @victorystarship.bsky.social · 18/04/2025
Not sure who made this but thank you because I laughed so much
meme saying "they tariffed their own economy" with picture of ferengis in the Roswell DS9 episode, looking shocked
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David Shiffman, Ph.D. 🦈 @whysharksmatter.bsky.social · 30/04/2025
Lots of people on my feed are concerned about the destruction of NOAA by the Trump administration and Elon Musk, but much of what I’ve seen people post about is the national weather service. That’s vital, but NOAA does so much more than that! My latest, for @ucsusa.bsky.social 🧪🌎🦑🐠
blog.ucs.org
Ten Vital Services Provided by NOAA (Beyond the National Weather Service)
Far too much of the media coverage supporting NOAA only mentions one of many things they do: here are 10 more.
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The Arabidopsis Information Resource (TAIR) @tairnews.bsky.social · 01/05/2025
"Postdoctoral Position in AbioticStress Tolerance at University of Nebraska Lincoln, Lincoln, Nebraska, USA" Read more here: arabidopsis.org/news/jobs/view?file… #PlantSciJobs
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Cameron Thrash @jcamthrash.bsky.social · 29/04/2025
Harmful algal blooms are preceded by a predictable and quantifiable shift in the oceanic microbiome www.nature.com/articles/s41... #jcampubs 🌊
nature.com
Harmful algal blooms are preceded by a predictable and quantifiable shift in the oceanic microbiome - Nature Communications
Harmful algal blooms (HABs) pose negative worldwide impacts that could be minimized through the development of a forecasting tool. Quantitative analysis of peptides produced by a coastal microbiome pr...
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Aurora Toennisson @tatoennisson.bsky.social · 17/04/2025
Maybe someone just got the wrong memo and though the Declaration of Independence was a to do list and the Constitution a list of complaints? Can someone in Congress correct this mistake?
For cutting off our Trade with all parts of the world:

For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent:

For depriving us in many cases, of the benefits of Trial by Jury:

For transporting us beyond Seas to be tried for pretended offences:

For abolishing the free System of English Laws in a neighbouring Province, establishing therein an Arbitrary government, and enlarging its Boundaries so as to render it at once an example and fit instrument for introducing the same absolute rule into these Colonies:

For taking away our Charters, abolishing our most valuable Laws, and altering fundamentally the Forms of our Governments:
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Sarah McAnulty, Ph.D. @sarahmackattack.bsky.social · 01/04/2025
New article by @greenphilly.bsky.social covers some Philly area folks using social media for the greater good (Skype a Scientist is in there!) Read all about it here greenphl.com/lifestyle/tu...
greenphl.com
Turning likes into local impact: How Philly-based creators use their platforms for good - Green Philly
In a world saturated with digital content, Philly-based creators are using their platforms to reconnect us with the environment — and inspire real-world action right in our own neighborhoods. In 2023,...
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Leah @leah.myatproto.social · 01/04/2025
Nice writeup in @cenmag.bsky.social about WashU's bird flu sensor. Still looking for farming partners to help fund stress tests on the device! #AgSky #AvianFlu 🩺 🧪 It needs to holdup in the dirty dirty air found in animal housing. cen.acs.org/analytical-c...
cen.acs.org
Bird flu biosensor detects virus in less than 5 min
Surface modified with graphene oxide and Prussian blue enhances virus-detection capabilities
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David Shiffman, Ph.D. 🦈 @whysharksmatter.bsky.social · 27/03/2025
Please enjoy part 3 of my series with @brettfavaro.bsky.social on speaking to journalists as a scientist. Today we focus on press releases, their role in the science-media ecosystem, and your role as a scientist in writing and approving them. Please share. 🧪 #SciComm
southernfriedscience.com
Advice for talking to the media as a conservation scientist: Part 3, the press release
Many environmental scientists understand that there is value in communicating about their work through the media, as publicity can help raise public awareness of a conservation threat and help buil…
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David Shiffman, Ph.D. 🦈 @whysharksmatter.bsky.social · 19/03/2025
Here's part two of my series with @brettfavaro.bsky.social on tips for speaking to journalists as a scientist, this week focusing on things every scientist should know about how interviews work (and do not work). Please read and share! www.southernfriedscience.com/advice-for-t... 🧪#SciComm
southernfriedscience.com
Advice for talking to the media as a conservation scientist: Part 2, mechanics of the interview
By  David Shiffman and Brett Favaro. Many environmental scientists understand that there is value in communicating about their work through the media, as publicity can help raise public awareness o…
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David Shiffman, Ph.D. 🦈 @whysharksmatter.bsky.social · 13/03/2025
Please enjoy part 1 of a series of blog posts written by myself and @brettfavaro.bsky.social offering our advice on how scientists can effectively speak with jouranlists about our areas of expertise. Part 2 is coming next week. Please read and share! www.southernfriedscience.com/advice-for-t... 🧪
southernfriedscience.com
Advice for talking to the media as a conservation scientist: Part 1
By David Shiffman and Brett Favaro. Many environmental scientists understand that there is value in communicating about their work through the media, as publicity can help raise public awareness of…
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Aurora Toennisson @tatoennisson.bsky.social · 01/04/2025
This satirical blog post I wrote is still so relevant and amusing. Lots of linguistic "Easter eggs" for the discerning reader, too. biologistsgarden.net/2018/03/27/c...
biologistsgarden.net
Controversy Abounds Over GMO Peeps
Researchers at E.B. State University announced this week that they developed a genetically modified peep just in time for the Easter holiday. “Our goal was to breed a peep that is better for …
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Sarah Whorley, Ph.D. 🦬⚔️ @dralgaegirl.bsky.social · 03/03/2025
Basic science FTW
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Seema Sheth @seemasheth.bsky.social · 26/02/2025
Details on the science march in Raleigh!
eventbrite.com
Stand Up for Science 2025 - Raleigh, NC
Stand up for science with us on March 7th, 2025, because science is for everyone! More info at www.standupforscience2025.org
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Leslie Rissler @ljrissler.bsky.social · 02/03/2025
The National Science Foundation benefits communities in every state.
NSF fact sheet
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Aurora Toennisson @tatoennisson.bsky.social · 01/03/2025
Are any of my NC colleagues participating in this?
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Aurora Toennisson @tatoennisson.bsky.social · 26/02/2025
So has *anyone* heard back about NSF Post-doctoral Research Fellowships in Biology? Mine is still listed as "pending". I'm trying to figure out if I haven't heard because I'm out of the running, or simply because the NSF is a hot mess right now.
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Celeste Ng @pronounced-ing.bsky.social · 07/02/2025
If your boss or company tells you to do something unethical: don't say yes. Make them write it down.
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Dr. Jessica L Ware @jessicalwarelab.bsky.social · 07/02/2025
Dr. Gloria McCutcheon is a retired professor of #entomology; Dr. McCutcheon studied pests of soybean and other vegetable crop pests and human health disparities! kaltura.clemson.edu/media/t/1_79... #28DaysOfBlackSTEMResearch #BlackHistoryMonth
kaltura.clemson.edu
Dr. Gloria Sanders McCutcheon
Gloria Sanders McCutcheon boasts a long and distinguished history with Clemson University. As a child, she participated in statewide 4H competitions held on campus. Later, McCutcheon received both her...
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Blue Appaloosa @blueappaloosa.bsky.social · 06/02/2025
Boosting to #SciArt #Invertebrates #BugSky
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Shannon Stirone @shannonstirone.bsky.social · 07/02/2025
I wrote about NASA, its people and the mission to connect us. slate.com/technology/2...
slate.com
There Is Basically One Point to Space Exploration. Right Now, We’re Missing It.
Efforts to scrub DEI from NASA's websites get it all wrong.
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franz @franzanth.bsky.social · 07/02/2025
Hello, internet! Things are bad for our trans & queer friends in the US, so I teamed up with bsky's nature artists to create this pack containing 80 wallpapers and growing. 1. Donate to one of the two orgs below 2. DM me your receipt 3. I'll give you a download link Valid til the end of the month
a collage of various artwork, ranging from birds, bugs, bears, and other things that don't start with B like whales and flowers
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Melissa Kline Struhl @mekline.bsky.social · 31/01/2025
Hey if anyone is considering backing up any datasets for some reason today, the Open Science Framework has free storage up to 5G/private repository, and up to 50G/public repository. (The OSF is run by a 501c3 (Center for Open Science), so if you do this you might also consider making a donation.)
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Aurora Toennisson @tatoennisson.bsky.social · 23/01/2025
One chapter of my dissertation off for revision by my committee, three (or four) more to go!
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Aurora Toennisson @tatoennisson.bsky.social · 11/01/2025
This is a fun idea for a way to learn plant taxonomy!
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Jim Haseloff @jimhaseloff.bsky.social · 21/12/2024
3D print files to build plant and animal cells for teaching and demonstration: www.printables.com/model/51034-...
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Aurora Toennisson @tatoennisson.bsky.social · 10/01/2025
I managed to do a bit of "home microbiology" over the holidays in the form of attempting homemade pineapple vinegar. Current status: it smells like a boozy pirate ship.
A large jar full of pineapple chunks floating in liquid.  The top of the liquid is suspiciously bubbly.
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Dr. Katy Croff Bell @katycroffbell.bsky.social · 04/12/2024
Five years ago, I made an ocean Advent Calendar, inspired by @drcraigmc.bsky.social ’s post about marine animals with holiday-ish names. I posted this thread on the social-that-shall-not-be-named, so here it is again in all its crafty glory #craftsky
Ocean Advent calendar hanging on a wall. Background is a rectangle of teal felt, with the silhouette of Christmas Island in cream felt in the center. All around are 25 little pockets with ornaments made from photos of marine creatures
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Jim Haseloff @jimhaseloff.bsky.social · 21/12/2024
Build instructions for DIYNAFLUOR, a $40 fluorimeter for DNA quantification - uses 3D printed filter cube, LED source, TSL2591 sensor, cheap 10mm square bandpass filters - with full protocols for SYBR Safe dye measurements github.com/traulab/DIYN... and www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
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Aurora Toennisson @tatoennisson.bsky.social · 24/12/2024
Today was a day ups and downs. The elevator broke and I had to carry my cart and all my gear down the stairs, but I harvested the last of a LOOOONG series of experiments on ISS-level eCO2 and microgreens.
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Aurora Toennisson @tatoennisson.bsky.social · 21/12/2024
Happy Solstice!
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Dr Angel Borja @drangelborja.bsky.social · 19/12/2024
Algae use the underwater light spectrum to sense depth #marineecology #Phytoplankton www.nature.com/articles/d41...
nature.com
Algae use the underwater light spectrum to sense depth
Diatoms use light-sensing proteins as depth sensors.
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Jenna Pearson @jennampearson.bsky.social · 19/12/2024
Please like and repost this so @hankgreen.bsky.social has to give @garlab.bsky.social a shout out for #GarWeek (we love you Hank)
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Aurora Toennisson @tatoennisson.bsky.social · 18/12/2024
I should add that the end goal is 16S sequencing of the root community. I don't want to waste money sequencing samples with no/poor bacterial DNA. Please, share to widen the range of folks who might be able to give advice.
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Aurora Toennisson @tatoennisson.bsky.social · 18/12/2024
I extracted bacterial DNA from Arabidopsis roots and did a 16S PCR. I got very strong clear bands on my gel, but they 150 pb too small. I'm worried that these bands are actually plastid or mitochondrial DNA from the plant root tissue. Any advice from #plantbiology or #microbiology folks?
A gel image with bands for each sample around 250 bp.  An arrow at 465 pb indicates expected size.  There are also faint bands around 200 bp.
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🏔fjellsopp🍄 @fjellsopp.bsky.social · 17/12/2024
This is the content I come here for.
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Seema Sheth @seemasheth.bsky.social · 17/12/2024
Late-breaking job ad: The Department of Plant and Microbial Biology at North Carolina State University (Raleigh, NC, USA) is hiring a tenure-track Assistant Professor in Plant Evolutionary Biology!!! More details below. Please repost!
jobs.ncsu.edu
TT Assistant Professor of Plant Evolutionary Biology
The Department of Plant and Microbial Biology at North Carolina State University invites applications for an Assistant Professor position in Plant Evolutionary Biology. This position is a 9-month, ten...
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Aurora Toennisson @tatoennisson.bsky.social · 16/12/2024
Solid dissertation writing advice:
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Aurora Toennisson @tatoennisson.bsky.social · 13/12/2024
This is so cool!
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Nick Desnoyer @nickdesnoyer.bsky.social · 12/12/2024
In one year, I genetically engineered the boring Arabidopsis into a beautiful ornamental flower 🧬🌹 Here is how and why I gave this model organism a visual upgrade 🧵(1/7)
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Heather Snell @heatherdsnell.bsky.social · 12/12/2024
To celebrate the closing of my first year as a PI, I present the drastically miss-sized things I have ordered next to what I was trying to order, a thread. #sciencesky #neuroskyence #neuroscience Up first...Rosie the wrench. Silver lining torque is amazing and we now have a lab mascot.
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