Ben Parker
@ben-parker.bsky.social
📤 912
📥 741
📝 13
Assistant Professor @ UNC Chapel Hill Biology. Symbiosis, immunity, evolution, insects Parkerlab.net
reposted by
Ben Parker
Ted Morgan
1 day ago
The new Enabling Discovery through GEnomics (EDGE) Program page is posted. Please contact us at
[email protected]
if you have questions.
www.nsf.gov/funding/oppo...
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Enabling Discovery Through Genomics (EDGE)
https://www.nsf.gov/funding/opportunities/edge-enabling-discovery-through-genomics
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Ben Parker
Jacquelyn Gill
6 days ago
Great question! 1) First and foremost, we evaluate a candidate based on the departmental guidelines and expectations provided. We don't hold the candidate to arbitrary standards, or even to those of our own institution unless asked to do so. We assess the materials against the guidelines provided.
add a skeleton here at some point
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Ben Parker
Kevin Blake PhD
16 days ago
Every biologist knows the story of Fleming's chance discovery of penicillin. But is it true? Here, with
@asimovpress.bsky.social
, I write about inconsistencies in the canonical story, and explore a few alternative theories about what really happened in that St. Mary's lab in the summer of 1928.
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The Penicillin Myth
Competing theories seek to explain inconsistencies surrounding Alexander Fleming’s famed discovery.
https://press.asimov.com/articles/penicillin-myth
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Ben Parker
Ben Longdon
26 days ago
Nice looking review by
@ben-parker.bsky.social
Paul Rozo-Lopez "Heritable Viruses as Hidden Drivers of Insect Phenotypes and Evolution"
doi.org/10.1146/annu...
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Ben Parker
PJ Lariviere
27 days ago
The Lariviere lab at UMiami is recruiting PhD students! Incoming students will join us in studying host-microbe interactions in the honey bee gut, using molecular and genetic approaches. Please see the attached flyer for more details.
#Symbiosis
#SymbioSky
#MicroSky
#PhDOpportunity
#AcademicJobs
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Ben Parker
Claus Wilke
27 days ago
My department at UT Austin is looking to hire an Assistant Professor in Evolutionary Biology, broadly defined. Feel free to reach out to me with any questions you may have.
apply.interfolio.com/177547
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Apply - Interfolio {{$ctrl.$state.data.pageTitle}} - Apply - Interfolio
https://apply.interfolio.com/177547
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Ben Parker
J. Craig Venter Institute
30 days ago
@jcv.bsky.social
penned an obituary for Ham Smith in
@nature.com
. Since the early 90s, Ham has been a key figure at the Institute for his invaluable contributions and mentorship. "Ham was the best colleague that one could ever have in science and a great friend."
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
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Hamilton Smith obituary: molecular biologist who co-discovered precise molecular scissors for cutting DNA
Nobel laureate who helped to sequence the first bacterial and human genomes.
https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-025-03635-y
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Ben Parker
97.9 The Hill WCHL & Chapelboro.com
30 days ago
UNC Chancellor Lee Roberts told faculty leaders the university does not plan on signing President Donald Trump’s administration’s “Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education” in exchange for favorable consideration of federal funding.
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'We Don't Plan To': Chancellor Downplays Potential That UNC Signs Trump Admin's Higher Ed Compact - Chapelboro.com
Chancellor Lee Roberts told faculty UNC will not sign the "Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education" in its current form.
https://chapelboro.com/news/unc/we-dont-plan-to-chancellor-downplays-potential-that-unc-signs-trump-admins-higher-ed-compact
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Ben Parker
Tab Combs
about 1 month ago
It's been 4 months *to the day* since Tropical Storm
#Chantal
damaged a key non-car transportation corridor in
#ChapelHillNC
. Yesterday, temporary repairs on
#BolinCreekTrail
were finished and it's open for business!!! WOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOOOOO
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"Each year the grades rise a little more; each year we feel it less. And the bureaucratic strangle that leads to this inflation continues its creep."
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Why Students Are Obsessed With ‘Points Taken Off’
Students and professors are in a drawn-out battle over grade inflation. It may never end.
https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/2025/11/grade-inflation-college-fix/684808/?gift=zEy0XqCaKR-OuiMPUAH1FrdNAPZ7Lpbwm2-13fFpx5M&utm_source=copy-link&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=share
about 1 month ago
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Ben Parker
Anurag Agrawal
about 2 months ago
New biology: stink bugs inoculate their eggs with a fungus that protects them from parasitoids
www.sciencemagazinedigital.org/sciencemagaz...
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Science Magazine - Defensive fungal symbiosis on insect hindlegs
Tympanal organs have repeatedly evolved in diverse insects and were thought to be required for auditory perception (1).
https://www.sciencemagazinedigital.org/sciencemagazine/library/item/16_october_2025/4301778/
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Ben Parker
PLOS Biology
about 2 months ago
Fungal
#GenomeSize
variation is largely driven by TEs & lineage-specific genome defenses.
@tbadet.bsky.social
&
@danielcroll.bsky.social
show that presence/absence of RIP mutation systems influences
#genome
architecture, identifying a likely novel defense mechanism
@plosbiology.org
🧪
plos.io/4hcC5tx
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reposted by
Ben Parker
Mark Peifer (He, him)
about 2 months ago
I'm very excited to announce that UNC Biology has 6 faculty positions open this year! The first is for an Asst Professor who studies organismal resilience using an integrative approach 1/n
unc.peopleadmin.com/postings/307...
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Ben Parker
Gitta Coaker
2 months ago
UNC Chapel Hill is hiring an Assistant Professor in Plant Molecular Biology. Per Jeff Dangl MPMI candidates are also highly desired in the search.
unc.peopleadmin.com/postings/307...
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Assistant Professor
The Department of Biology at UNC Chapel Hill (https://bio.unc.edu/) is searching to hire a tenure track Assistant Professor to study critical questions in Plant Molecular Biology.We seek candidates wh...
https://unc.peopleadmin.com/postings/307414
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Ben Parker
Holly Moeller
2 months ago
🚨GRFP DEADLINE ALERT!🚨 I missed this in my original solicitation read-through, so FYI 📣LETTERS ARE DUE BEFORE PROPOSALS📣 this year! "Reference letters are due Friday, November 7 at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time (ET)."
www.nsf.gov/funding/oppo...
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NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP)
https://www.nsf.gov/funding/opportunities/grfp-nsf-graduate-research-fellowship-program/nsf25-547/solicitation
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Ben Parker
Rosana Zenil-Ferguson
2 months ago
The Department of Biology at the University of Kentucky is hiring a Microbiologist (broadly defined). Microbial eco-evo folks, this is your sign to come work with us. Not in the search committee, but happy to answer questions.
ukjobs.uky.edu/postings/600...
#microbiology
#ecology
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Assistant or Associate Professor in Microbiology
The Department of Biology in the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Kentucky in Lexington, KY seeks to fill a tenure-eligible faculty position at the Assistant or Associate Professor le...
https://ukjobs.uky.edu/postings/600945
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Ben Parker
Kinsey Brock
2 months ago
Don’t use ChatGPT to reach out to prospective PhD advisors.
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new GRFP solicitation says "Individuals enrolled in graduate degree programs can apply only once, in the first year of their first graduate program" - does this mean 2nd year students who didn't not apply last year are now ineligible?
2 months ago
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Ben Parker
Wayne Maddison
3 months ago
Confused writing is usually a symptom of confused thinking. As we struggle to clarify writing, we clarify our thoughts. AI writing aids rob us of that struggle, leaving clean-looking text and thoughts still confused for lack of inspection. Writing is not just a product; it is a diagnostic tool.
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Ben Parker
NPR
3 months ago
Ancient organisms may have left microscopic "biosignatures" on Mars. That's according to NASA scientists, who say a rock sample offers the most concrete proof yet that the red planet once hosted life.
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Life on Mars? NASA says a rock sample shows potential signs of ancient life
Ancient organisms may have left microscopic "biosignatures" on Mars. That's according to NASA scientists, who say a rock sample offers the most concrete proof yet that the red planet once hosted life.
https://n.pr/46wZtOr
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Ben Parker
Dan Sloan
3 months ago
The Department of Biology at Colorado State University is hiring an Assistant Professor in the area of plant-microbe interactions! Please spread the word!
jobs.colostate.edu/postings/165...
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Assistant Professor Plant-Microbe Interactions
We seek a creative, collaborative, and visionary plant biologist to establish an internationally recognized research program at the forefront of plant-microbe interactions aimed at understanding how t...
https://jobs.colostate.edu/postings/165524
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Ben Parker
Current Biology
3 months ago
David Baltimore, giant of molecular biology, has died.
add a skeleton here at some point
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Ben Parker
Dan Sprockett
3 months ago
If anyone happens to be around UNC Chapel Hill this week, I'll be speaking on Tuesday:
www.med.unc.edu/cgibd/event/...
@microbiomeunc.bsky.social
#microbiome
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"The Assembly, Evolution, and Clinical Implications of the Gut Microbiota in Early Life" With Daniel Sprockett, PhD, MSc | Center for Gastrointestinal Biology and Disease
https://www.med.unc.edu/cgibd/event/tbd-with-daniel-sprockett-phd-msc/
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Ben Parker
Mark Peifer (He, him)
3 months ago
UNC Biology's first seminar this week is by Dr. Lillian Fritz-Laylin (Tues 9/9 12:30 PM). Her talk is titled, “Cytoskeletal specification and the diversification of cell function” 1/n 🧪
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Ben Parker
Craig Kaplan
3 months ago
Look at this crazy thing!
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
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One mother for two species via obligate cross-species cloning in ants - Nature
In a case of obligate cross-species cloning, female ants of Messor ibericus need to clone males of Messor structor to obtain sperm for producing the worker caste, resulting in males from the same moth...
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-025-09425-w
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Ben Parker
Robert McNees
3 months ago
If you are a college student, maybe a week or two into the semester, why not visit office hours and ask your professor that question? You know, that thing you were wondering in class? Or when you were doing the homework? Go ask them! That’s why they are there. They will be excited to see you.
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Ben Parker
Jo Rhodes
4 months ago
This is the science I want funded (alongside curing cancer etc) A defined microbial community reproduces attributes of fine flavour chocolate fermentation
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
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A defined microbial community reproduces attributes of fine flavour chocolate fermentation - Nature Microbiology
An in-depth microbiological and metagenomic analysis of Colombian farm and fermentation facilities resulted in the design of a defined microbial community that can reproduce the flavour of fine chocol...
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41564-025-02077-6
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Ben Parker
Carrie Wessinger
4 months ago
Please repost and amplify ! We are hiring a faculty position in Evolutionary Genetics in the Biology Department at U of South Carolina! Check us out and come be our colleague!
sc.edu/study/colleg...
Deadline for applications is Oct 1
#AcademicJobs
#EvoBio
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Assistant Professor position in Evolutionary Genetics - Department of Biological Sciences | University of South Carolina
https://sc.edu/study/colleges_schools/artsandsciences/biological_sciences/about/faculty_search_evolutonary_genetics.php
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reposted by
Ben Parker
Pam Ronald
4 months ago
Good news for NIH MIRA applicants.
Grants.gov
recently published the forecast notice for the reissuance of the EI/NI MIRA notice of funding opportunity. As indicated at the link, the estimated post date for the NOFO is Nov 3.
www.grants.gov/search-resul...
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Lock
https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/359862
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reposted by
Ben Parker
Carl Zimmer
4 months ago
"Fungi can see and react to a wide range of colors."
journals.asm.org/doi/abs/10.1...
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How fungi see the world: fungal photoreceptors and their role in the regulation of fungal biology | Microbiology and Molecular Biology Reviews
SUMMARYFungi use light as a signal for the regulation of development, to guide the growth of reproductive structures, and to protect the fungal cell from DNA damage produced by light and UV radiation....
https://journals.asm.org/doi/abs/10.1128/mmbr.00149-22?af=R
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The Parker Lab at UNC Biology is hiring a postdoc to work on insect–microbe interactions. Support available for multiple years from startup; we are open to a range of project ideas. Come join us to study symbiosis in a supportive, collaborative environment!
unc.peopleadmin.com/postings/303...
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Post-Doc Research Associate
The researcher will be primarily responsible for carrying out investigations related to our lab's research, using an insect model system (aphids) to address mechanistic and evolutionary genetic questi...
https://unc.peopleadmin.com/postings/303987
4 months ago
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reposted by
Ben Parker
Scott Nichols
5 months ago
Please help get the word out - We are hiring at all levels (graduate students, technicians, and postdocs)! If you are interested in sponges, cell biology, evolution, immunity, and symbiosis, please don’t hesitate to contact me to learn more.
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Ben Parker
c0nc0rdance
5 months ago
Do dogs really understand words or are they just responding to inflection & body language? This 2018 study using fMRI brain-mapping says they *DO* understand our words. I'll explain, but first, let's acknowledge the adorable participants, 12 dogs who were trained at home to retrieve two objects.
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Ben Parker
Nicholas Bellono
6 months ago
Corey Allard et al asks how “solar-powered” slugs maintain stolen chloroplasts from their diet for photosynthesis and starvation resistance.
@cellpress.bsky.social
,
@harvardmcb.bsky.social
,
@harvardmed.bsky.social
www.cell.com/cell/fulltex...
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Ben Parker
Sarah Hird, PhD
6 months ago
Started a starter pack for the presenters and attendees of the 2025 Animal-Microbe Symbiosis Gordon Research Conference. Let me know if I should add (or remove) you!
go.bsky.app/Pnzz1R9
add a skeleton here at some point
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Ben Parker
Matthew Herron
6 months ago
If you're planning to apply for an
#NSF
CAREER this year, I highly recommend attending (even if you don't plan to apply to IOS):
www.nsf.gov/events/nsf-i...
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NSF IOS Virtual Office Hour
Learn about NSF's Faculty Early Career Development Program
https://www.nsf.gov/events/nsf-ios-virtual-office-hour/2025-06-18
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Ben Parker
Nancy Moran
6 months ago
Looking for a postdoc on bacterial-insect symbiosis, combining evolution and molecular mechanisms? I'll have one open in my lab starting Sept 2025. If interested contact me (or find me at the GRC on Animal-microbe symbiosis if you'll be there).
#SymbioSky
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Ben Parker
Johnson Lab - University of Iowa
7 months ago
Hey y'all! My department is conducting a search for an assistant or associate professor in bacteriology. It's pretty broadly defined. If you know anyone who's looking for a great department that does awesome science - please send them our way! You can DM me with any questions you have 😀
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Hopeful that Chicago Pope can finally bring real pizza to Italy
7 months ago
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Ben Parker
Jonathan Eisen
7 months ago
Wow
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
A cellular entity retaining only its replicative core: Hidden archaeal lineage with an ultra-reduced genome
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Ben Parker
Aileen Berasategui
7 months ago
🎉 We’re hiring! Two ERC-funded
#PostdocJobs
on insect–phytopathogen mutualisms are available in my lab. Explore the chemical and molecular evolution of symbioses! 🧪Chemical ecology:
tinyurl.com/chem-ecol-symb
🦠Phytopathology & mutualisms:
tinyurl.com/symb-plantpath
#SymbioSky
#PlantPathology
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Ben Parker
Journal of Evolutionary Biology
7 months ago
#editorbio
@ben-parker.bsky.social
joined
#teamJEB
this year
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Ben Parker
Greg Hurst
8 months ago
@haraipapilio.bsky.social
paper on evolution of Wolbachia MK mechanism through prophage acquisition in molina butterflies - avoiding suppression by the host. Now out!
#symbiosky
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
. With
@daisukekageyama.bsky.social
@bolinabug.bsky.social
and others
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Evolution of Wolbachia male-killing mechanism within a host species
Male-killing bacterial symbionts, prevalent in arthropods, skew population sex ratios by selectively killing male progeny, profoundly impacting ecolog…
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0960982225003124
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Ben Parker
Seth Bordenstein
9 months ago
📣 🪰 We're hiring a new Assistant/Associate Professor of *Public Health Entomology* at Penn State. Research areas are broad, covering pest management, pesticide resistance, epidemiology, and interactions of arthropods with microbial pathogens and symbionts.
psu.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/PSU_Ac...
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Assistant/Associate Professor of Public Health Entomology
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS: CURRENT PENN STATE EMPLOYEE (faculty, staff, technical service, or student), please login to Workday to complete the internal application process. Please do not apply here, a...
https://psu.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/PSU_Academic/job/Assistant-Associate-Professor-of-Public-Health-Entomology_REQ_0000063563
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Ben Parker
Marine Biological Laboratory
8 months ago
#MBL
course updates! ⚠️ If you're interested in microscopy or symbiosis, read on... 🔬 Two weeks remain to apply for AI@MBL:
bit.ly/43vIT0u
🐙 Molecular and Cell Biology of Symbiosis is extending its deadline to April 14:
bit.ly/4ig81fJ
#sciencestartshere
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Yeah, I tried this with my toddler, and in addition to not sharing she also tried to eat the third cookie. Bad sign?
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Tiktok’s Cookie Challenge Tests Kids and Their Parents
Do these kids know that sharing is caring? The viral challenge seeks to find out.
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/01/well/family/tiktok-cookie-challenge-kids.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare
8 months ago
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