Proof that you don’t have to live by the ocean to be inspired to study it. #PennStateBiology #MarineScience #CoralReefs #Ecology #STEM #Research

A fun fact: Dr. Majoris grew up in western Pennsylvania—far from the ocean! 🌾 After a summer at Penn State’s Governor’s School, he set up a saltwater aquarium in his basement. When the fish began breeding, it sparked a lifelong fascination with marine life. 🐠💙

His advice for students drawn to marine science: 💬 “Pursue the questions that truly fascinate you. Marine research can be unpredictable and demanding, but genuine curiosity will carry you through.”

He’s excited to join Penn State Biology’s vibrant community — collaborating with colleagues who study life from genes to ecosystems, and bringing a marine perspective to conversations on ecology, evolution, and behavior. 🔬🌎

“What excites me most,” he says, “is uncovering how such small creatures make such big journeys—and realizing that these invisible movements are what keep coral reef ecosystems thriving.” 🌿✨

Like Nemo, most reef fishes start life drifting through vast waters. Dr. Majoris explores how early life traits — like swimming ability and behavior — shape where young fish go and how reef populations stay connected. 🐟🌏

🐠 Meet Dr. John Majoris, one of the newest faculty members in Penn State Biology! His lab studies the “real-life Finding Nemo” — how tiny reef fish larvae navigate the open ocean to find a reef to call home. 🌊👇🧵

Let it glow, let it glow, let it glow! The Majoris wet lab is finished and ready to raise fish in the New Year. #MajorisLab #TAMUCC

Postdoc opportunity in an outstanding and supportive lab. Study tiny fish that have a big impact! fishandfunctions.com/join

Two TT Assistant Professor positions open in the Department of Life Sciences at TAMU-CC. Come join a friendly, collaborative, and well-equipped department on the Texas Gulf Coast! tamus.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/TAMUCC...

Most people associate brood parasitism with cuckoos, but this new paper presents evidence for brood parasitism in sea anemones. Some anemones use their tentacles to stick their larvae directly into the mouth hole of other brooding anemones. #Invertebrate 🧪 www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....

The Majoris Lab at TAMU-CC is open and recruiting a PhD student to study intra- and interspecific variation in larval dispersal traits. Full details at: www.johnmajoris.com/graduate-stu... @sicb-dedb.bsky.social

Yesterday Dr. John Majoris @gobywan.bsky.social of @tamu.bsky.social and I were busy soldering, assembling, and programming a Raspberry Pi (mini computer) to run a motor for an experiment on fish digestion! 🐠💻 Excited to get this experiment running! #TexasScience #UTMSI #TAMUCC