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Ali Nabavizadeh

@vertanatomist.bsky.social
1.7K followers 611 following 269 posts

Evolutionary Anatomist, Vertebrate Paleontologist, Zoologist, Author

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Reposted by Ali Nabavizadeh
Andy Farke @andyfarke.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
I am pretty disappointed by the lack of public acknowledgment from the American Alliance of Museums about the situations at the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel (which was AAM-accredited!) & the Sternberg. There are lots of museum crises right now, but these are particularly serious.
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Reposted by Ali Nabavizadeh
Sarah McAnulty, Ph.D. @sarahmackattack.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
Last night & this morning, the headline isn’t about the top-down decision. It’s about the will of the people of Philadelphia. It’s about what the kids of our city deserve, and the path forward, back to an open public museum. Don’t let people in perceived power dictate the story. The power is ours.
Two articles from the Philly voice and CBS, with headlines “academy
Of natural sciences is closed, but the fight for the museum continues” and “protesters push Drexel
To accept funding to keep the museum at academy
Of natural sciences open”
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Sarah McAnulty, Ph.D. @sarahmackattack.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
If you care about keeping the Academy of Natural Sciences open to the public in Philadelphia, I need you to read and share this thread. Trish Wellenbach was sent from the mayor's office to oversee the Academy of Natural sciences situation. She needs to hear from us. Here comes the action item:
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Joschua Knüppe @joschuaknuppe.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
At the beginning of the month Drexel University made public that they want to close the Academy of Natural Sciences at the end of the month. The academy is the oldest natural history museum in the Americas and this would end more than 200 years of research and outreach.
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Sarah McAnulty, Ph.D. @sarahmackattack.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
The doors of the Academy of Natural Sciences will be closing on Sunday...for now. But this isn't over. We're meeting at the Academy of Natural Sciences when doors close to gather for a moment of resolve followed by a march to City Hall. Join us. art by @lindzeamays.bsky.social luma.com/7ggkgtjb
a t. rex holds a candle in front of the words This isn't over, next to save the academy candle vigil, 5pm Sunday Sept 27, 1900 ben franklin parkway
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Thomas R. Holtz, Jr. @arctomet.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
PeerJ Let them fight: using finite element analysis to determine combative evolutionary drivers of ceratopsian (Dinosauria: Ornithischia) horns peerj.com/articles/217... @peerj.bsky.social
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Reposted by Ali Nabavizadeh
Joschua Knüppe @joschuaknuppe.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Please consider to raise awareness and apply pressure onto Drexel university for their plans to close the Academy of Natural Sciences! actionnetwork.org/petitions/pe...
actionnetwork.org
Petition to Keep the Academy of Natural Sciences Open to the Public
The scientific community in Philadelphia and concerned neighbors are calling on Drexel University to keep the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia’s public-facing museum open beyond their impos...
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Ali Nabavizadeh @vertanatomist.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
“The Silk Roads: A New History of the World” by Peter Frankopan. I’ve started this monster of a book months ago on a couple of flights and decided to pick it up again and finish it. What a tour de force! It specifically focuses on the ancient to modern history of east-west relations and trade…(/1)
The book “The Silk Roads: A New History of the World”
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Ali Nabavizadeh @vertanatomist.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
“The House of Wisdom” by Jim Al-Khalili. A truly eye-opening history of the incredible group of Persian & Arab scientists of the Islamic Golden Age from the Abbasid Caliphate & well beyond for centuries after. I loved learning about contributions of these often overlooked medieval scientists… (/1)
The book “The House of Wisdom”.
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Ali Nabavizadeh @vertanatomist.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
I feel like I'm going to have to bring a literal soap box for my SVP talk this year. I've got THINGS to say! 🙃 😜
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Ali Nabavizadeh @vertanatomist.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Okay, who named the ornithischian dinosaur session for SVP “Bird-Hipped Bonanza”?? 😜
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Kevin Sievers @diplotomodon.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
From the office of Councilmember Dr. Nina Ahmad, press conference at 9AM outside Room 494, before the city council meeting:
SAVE T.REX: SCIENCE IS A PHILLY JAWN!
THURSDAY September 17th, 9:00AM
Philadelphia City Hall, outside room 494
Press Conference

Join Councilmember Dr. Nina Ahmad, City Council colleagues, advocates, and Philadelphians as we fight to keep the Academy of Natural Sciences open.
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Reposted by Ali Nabavizadeh
Kevin Sievers @diplotomodon.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
Philadelphia city council meeting this Thursday to fight for the Academy of Natural Sciences. Local folks should be there at 8:45am, press conference at 9, meeting starts at 10. More to come save-the-academy.org
text over an image of the academy of natural sciences:
action alert: thursday @ 10am there is a city council meeting. assemble at 8:45.
philly folks, we need you there.
room 400, city hall. bring friends, family, kids, everyone. more details soon.
save-the-academy.org
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Ali Nabavizadeh @vertanatomist.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
I've always loved this Charles R. Knight mural painting. Triceratops confronts Tyrannosaurus.
Charles R. Knight mural painting. Triceratops confronts Tyrannosaurus.
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Ali Nabavizadeh @vertanatomist.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
“Iran Under the Safavids” by Roger Savory. An older text, but great for getting a good sense of the overall history and lifestyle of Safavids of Iran from 1500s to 1700s. Of note is the crazy reign of Shah Abbas “the Great” and…(/1)
The book “Iran under the Safavids”
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Ali Nabavizadeh @vertanatomist.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
“Floating Mountains: The Art of Imagining the Impossible” by Joe Rohde. Having randomly met him while walking my dog just a few days before this book came out, I was excited to get into. This book is part memoir, part masterclass in exploring the art of harnessing creativity…(/1)
Photo of book “Floating Mountains”
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Reposted by Ali Nabavizadeh
Sarah McAnulty, Ph.D. @sarahmackattack.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
Really nice coverage in the inquirer of our rally to keep the academy of natural sciences open. Br sure to read the part where 10 year ago old Ryan Sumner-Lee is quoted. share.inquirer.com/ZP7zHY
share.inquirer.com
Hundreds rally to protest the planned closure of the Academy of Natural Sciences museum
The crowd was decidedly intergenerational.
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Reposted by Ali Nabavizadeh
Christopher DiPiazza @chrisdipiazza.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
Post your green art
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Sarah McAnulty, Ph.D. @sarahmackattack.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
Today’s rally to save the academy of natural sciences was incredible. Hundreds of people turned out. This is only the beginning. Follow along with save-the-academy.org
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Ali Nabavizadeh @vertanatomist.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
Save the Academy of Natural Sciences. Give 'em Hell today, Philly. With you in solidarity.
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Society of Vertebrate Paleontology @societyofvertpaleo.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
The Society of Vertebrate Paleontology stands with the Academy of Natural Sciences (ANSP) staff, and preservation of the ANSP Museum. SVP urges our member community and anyone who enjoys and supports the natural sciences to speak up on behalf of the ANSP and their staff! #SaveTheAcademy
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Thomas R. Holtz, Jr. @arctomet.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
#FossilFriday Skull of Torosaurus latus at the @acadnatsci.bsky.social
Skull of the horned dinosaur Torosaurus latus in side view
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Sarah McAnulty, Ph.D. @sarahmackattack.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
Attention Philadelphia! We're hosting a rally to demand that Drexel University maintain The Academy of Natural Sciences Museum open to the public. Join us on Tuesday morning at 10am in front of the academy. Please spread the word, we need all hands on deck! RSVP here: luma.com/1qwnrqz2
A dinosaur on a white background with the text SAve the academy of Natural sciences museum rally Tuesday Sept 8 10am in front of the academy 1900 ben Franklin Parkway. "Tell Drexel University "Keep the museum open!" with the logos for Philly Science Action, Skype a Scientist, and Green Philly
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Ali Nabavizadeh @vertanatomist.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
Photo of mug that says “Tears of my anatomy students”
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Ali Nabavizadeh @vertanatomist.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
NO. NO NO NO. 😡😢 www.inquirer.com/education/ac...
inquirer.com
The Academy of Natural Sciences is closing its museum after nearly two centuries
The closure does not affect the rest of the institution, which builds and maintains the collections and conducts research through departments such as the Patrick Center for Environmental Research.
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Ali Nabavizadeh @vertanatomist.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
“Assyria: The Rise and Fall of the World’s First Empire” by Eckart Frahm. A deep dive into the fascinating and militaristic society of this ancient Mesopotamian society. It always amazes me just how much we can learn from artifacts of so long ago. I especially enjoyed learning ... (/1)
Photo of the book "Assyria" by Frahm.
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Ali Nabavizadeh @vertanatomist.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
❤️🐘
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Ali Nabavizadeh @vertanatomist.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
👇👇👇
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Ali Nabavizadeh @vertanatomist.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
Still can’t believe this happened. Yesterday, as I was walking my dog, I came upon and had the honor of meeting Disney Legend Joe Rohde — a prolific Walt Disney Imagineer who, among MANY other things, was THE lead designer of Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park. (/1)
Photo of me with Joe Rohde (and Ism holding my dog, Abigail).
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Ali Nabavizadeh @vertanatomist.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
SVP abstract accepted for an oral presentation... Honestly wasn’t expecting to actually get a talk! Now I’ve got another thing to worry about… …*sigh* I do these things to myself, you know. 😜
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Ali Nabavizadeh @vertanatomist.bsky.social · 14/08/2026
There are TWO dinosaur movies out in theaters right now, guys. Has that ever happened before?
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Ali Nabavizadeh @vertanatomist.bsky.social · 10/08/2026
Currently doing a deep dive into some comparative neuroanatomy and wow there is just so much cool stuff here! 🧠🧐
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Reposted by Ali Nabavizadeh
Anthony (Tony) J. Martin @ichnologist.bsky.social · 01/08/2026
I love how new audiences continue to discover & appreciate this diagram from my 2014 book 'Dinosaurs Without Bones' (@pegasus-books.bsky.social). Before including it in the book, I imagined, calculated, & drew it, then asked a physicist to peer-review it. Physics, math, & paleontology made fun! 🧪🦕🤮
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Ali Nabavizadeh @vertanatomist.bsky.social · 23/07/2026
You want things done? Do it. No one will make you do it more than yourself. I'm talking to myself here. Get it together, Ali! :P
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Ali Nabavizadeh @vertanatomist.bsky.social · 21/07/2026
Still thinking about The Odyssey. Definitely heard criticisms & understand, but still loved it. Def missed having more gods, but pretty happy with everything else! Tho altered from the poem, both the Cyclops scene & *especially* the Circe scene in particular are horrifying cinematic masterpieces.
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Ali Nabavizadeh @vertanatomist.bsky.social · 20/07/2026
My challenge for the next year: reading the ENTIRE “Shahnameh”, a.k.a. the Persian Book of Kings, by Ferdowsi. (And you thought Homer’s epic poems were long…) Progress to be reported throughout! Stay tuned!!!
Photo of five volumes of the book “Shahnameh” by Ferdowsi.
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Ali Nabavizadeh @vertanatomist.bsky.social · 18/07/2026
Holy shit. 10/10. 😃 (And SO happy I read it beforehand!)
Movie poster of “The Odyssey”.
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Ali Nabavizadeh @vertanatomist.bsky.social · 17/07/2026
“The Odyssey” by Homer, translated by Emily Wilson. Finished just in time to see the movie later today. 😊 I’m a fan of this translation. It was accessible and fun to read, especially for someone who has never read it before (aside from a few passages back in school)…(/1)
Photo of the book “The Odyssey” translated by Emily Wilson.
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Ali Nabavizadeh @vertanatomist.bsky.social · 12/07/2026
Reading The Odyssey at the moment and am struck by the fact that the vast majority of the actual trip Odysseus takes home is conveyed through exposition! Wild.
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Ali Nabavizadeh @vertanatomist.bsky.social · 09/07/2026
Guys, I’m late to watching Surviving Earth, but this whole Ischigualastia sequence in episode 2 is one of my favorites in all paleo-media.
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Ali Nabavizadeh @vertanatomist.bsky.social · 07/07/2026
Growth is saying no to more review requests from journals.
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Ali Nabavizadeh @vertanatomist.bsky.social · 06/07/2026
Soccer is an infinitely better sport than American football. Always has been.
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Ali Nabavizadeh @vertanatomist.bsky.social · 03/07/2026
“A Perfect Coincidence” by Jim Rasenberger. As tomorrow is the 250th anniversary of the US, I decided to read about the infamous friendship (& rivalry) between John Adams and Thomas Jefferson. This book does a great job of highlighting many of the key moments from...(/1)
Photo of the book "A Perfect Coincidence".
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Ali Nabavizadeh @vertanatomist.bsky.social · 26/06/2026
I endorse this.
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Ali Nabavizadeh @vertanatomist.bsky.social · 26/06/2026
😍
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Ali Nabavizadeh @vertanatomist.bsky.social · 24/06/2026
I’m no tyrannosaurid guy as many of you know, but ever since I was a kid I always felt this weird, inexplicable connection to Alioramus. No, it’s totally not because it shares my name, why would you even think that.
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Ali Nabavizadeh @vertanatomist.bsky.social · 23/06/2026
“The Rise and Fall of Ancient Egypt” by Toby Wilkinson. The next ancient civilization I decided to dive into & wow what a rich history! This book spans the entirety of ancient Egypt’s many pharaonic dynasties, from the earliest at unification of Egypt ~3100 BCE to Cleopatra’s death in 3O BCE. (/1)
Photo of book “The Rise and Fall of Ancient Egypt”.
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Ali Nabavizadeh @vertanatomist.bsky.social · 17/06/2026
My new answer to med students in the anatomy lab when they ask me a clinical question I can’t answer: “I work on dinosaurs, dude, chill.”
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Ali Nabavizadeh @vertanatomist.bsky.social · 16/06/2026
Forget the negativity—I’m actually genuinely very glad to see how far the vertebrate paleontology community has come in including younger scientists of different backgrounds in their studies & how that has been part of the trajectories of so many successful and brilliant young scientists today (1/2)
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Ali Nabavizadeh @vertanatomist.bsky.social · 15/06/2026
All about TEAM MELLI (Iran) tonight!
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