My new paper examining how plasticity may have shaped the evolution of cellular differentiation is out! We propose that the plastic development of somatic-like cells may have been an intermediate step in the evolution of soma in the volvocine algae. #evosky #mevosky doi.org/10.1098/rspb...

Fundamental scientific research in the US relies on the work of Matt and his colleagues at the National Science Foundation. The loss of 168 NSF employees is a huge blow to science.

NEW: NSF confirmed that they fired 168 employees today, out of their staff of ~1,500 feds. This includes some people who'd finished their 1-year probationary periods, which were extended to 2-years last month without explanation. More to come.

My heart is breaking as I hear of more and more federal workers getting fired. I deeply respect and value the incredible contributions that my colleagues at NSF have made towards basic scientific research and broader impact activities.

Do you want a big overview of NSF, explaining things like the fact that 24% of all federally funded academic fundamental research comes from NSF? And that 94% of its budget goes out the door in grants/awards? Here you go. nsf-gov-resources.nsf.gov/files/Factsh...

Gene editing technology began by people studying salt marshes. Ozempic began by folks studying the venom of Gila Monsters. Support for basic science has empowered us to understand our world. Tethering it to applications health has transformed and saved countless lives.

Exclusive: NSF this week began to search through billions of dollars of grants the agency has already awarded for anything touching on topics that President Donald Trump has criticized. And NSF has blocked grantees and trainees from accessing funds while the review is underway. scim.ag/3El0NZh

Call your representatives about this NSF funding freeze and grant review. NSF broader impacts were mandated in the America Competes Reauthorization Act and broadening participation in sciences was part of the Chips and Science Act, passed by congress in 2022 www.science.org/content/arti...

The American Institute of Biological Sciences is organizing a congressional visits day on Apr 29-30. This is a good opportunity to directly talk to your congressional reps about the importance of funding scientific research! The AIBS application deadline is 3/3 and SSE has travel funding. aibs.org 🧪