We'll be hosting a joint Crossing the Palaeontological–Ecological Gap (CPEG) meeting & Conservation Paleobiology Symposium @ucl.ac.uk in London in August 2027, which aims to bridge spatial and temporal gradients between palaeontology, ecology, and conservation: www.ucl.ac.uk/mathematical...

Finishing off 2 days of remote beamtime with Rebecca Metzler here at Colgate University. Lots of great data on the microstructures of past and present marine animals from the Gulf of Mexico, and even a couple of catnaps over the past 48+ hours. Thankful for support for science and for collaborators!

A PhD opportunity to work with me, @spissatella.bsky.social and our friends through CENTA - biogeography and vulnerability of exploited bivalves, with possible spin-offs about fishery sustainability and environmental economics: centa.ac.uk/studentship/...

Earth Systems Scares #Halloween #GlobalChange

Ocean acidity has increased by ~30% over pre-Industrial levels due to the uptake of anthropogenic CO2. Pteropods, “sea butterflies,” are planktonic snails that are sensitive to these changes. Scientists have found that their shells are getting thinner & are dissolving, especially at high latitudes.

I am so grateful to all the teachers & students who have participated in the NSF-funded Postcards from the Past project & to my collaborators Tina Miller-Way, JoAnn Mitchell Moody, Nancy Raia, & Linda Hill. Examples of student Postcards are currently on display at the Alabama Aquarium!

These talks are next week. It would be good to see you all there bsky.app/profile/nicr...

Just in time for #FossilFriday 🦖 What are the big questions in #paleontology today? dx.doi.org/10.1017/pab.2025.10042 Nearly 200 scientists worldwide came together to map where our field is headed. Here’s the story 👇

Central NY folks: Jason De León will be speaking this Thursday @colgate.edu on “Soldiers and Kings: Survival, Hope, and Empathy in the World of Human Smuggling.” For details: calendar.colgate.edu/event/2025-p...

Communing with trematode parasites! Trematode pits on the interior of a bivalve shell, glimpsed this week in @realhuntley.bsky.social’s office

Looking forward to visiting @realhuntley.bsky.social and the U Missouri geo/paleo crew this week!

Swimming in ancient seas this afternoon with my paleo class here in Central New York and the students found some jaw-droppingly cool fossils, including a sea star! #Devonian #Wundergrads

I love livestreaming the deep sea, especially before class as my undergrad students filter into the room, seeing things they've never seen before. This is possible through the use of ROVs & through federal funding of public-facing science. www.nytimes.com/2025/08/08/w...

💔 Remembering Marilyn J. Suiter 🌍—a leader, mentor & champion for diversity in geoscience. Her impact will inspire for generations. 🗓 A remembrance will be held Aug 20 (hybrid). Learn more: www.americangeosciences.org/news/press-r... #STEM #WomenInScience

It is with a heavy heart that I share the passing of colleague & friend Marilyn Suiter. Marilyn worked steadfastly to support the development of geo colleagues of all career stages, consistently connecting people & highlighting opportunities. She will be greatly missed.

Spending a few days in the Triassic-Jurassic of south Wales

Microstructure of a cupuladriid bryozoan (Discoporella depressa) collected on the continental shelf offshore Dauphin Island Sea Lab in the northern Gulf of Mexico. Imaging using photoemission electron microscopy at Diamond Light Source; field of view is approx 28 microns.

A glimpse into our day at the Diamond Light Source in Chilton, England. Several members of the Paleo Lab are here this week gathering data on the shell microstructures of different marine animals in order to better understand the biotic impacts of anthropogenic climate change.

Congrats to Paleo Lab alum, Charlie Filipovich, who defended her masters thesis today! Fun to learn about her work on Lake Tanganyika benthic communities!

Congratulations to Meredith Shapiro and Allison Wen who presented their summer research in the Paleo Lab this afternoon on campus!

Pilot work this week in the Gulf Of Maine with scientists from the Maine Department of Marine Resources

NEW: NSF slashes number of ‘rotators’ and well-paid managers as part of restructuring | Science | AAAS www.science.org/content/arti...

Enraged/heartsore to see gutting of US science. Terminating funded grants is a waste of taxpayer $ & loss of insights prioritized by colleagues during peer review. Firing NSF employees is gutting expertise at an agency already accomplishing so much w/ so very little. www.science.org/content/arti...

The Trump administration this week summarily dismissed more than 400 scientists and other experts who had begun to write the latest National Climate Asst. As I say here, climate change puts us all at risk, and we all need this vital information. Without it, the future will be much more dangerous.

Congratulations to Danielle Moloney, Paleo Lab alum (‘18), who defended her masters thesis today at Southern Connecticut State University! So interesting to learn about her research on the response of temperate corals to temperature stress.

Our department is hiring a visiting assistant professor in structural geology! For addt’l info & to apply: apply.interfolio.com/167020. Please share this announcement with any colleagues who might be interested & contact any members of the department with your questions. Thanks!

Nice piece in Colgate Research Magazine about our lab’s work. news.colgate.edu/researchmaga...

"Effective today, sources tell Science, NSF’s division of grants & awards is returning all grant proposals previously approved for funding and awaiting final signoff to program officers who oversaw the initial review. In the meantime, according to those sources, NSF will not make any new awards."

I am happy to share that I have received tenure. I am so grateful to my colleagues, current & former students, friends, & my beloved family, who inspire, amuse, support, & challenge, & with whom I have learned so much. Thank you!

Marine keystone species art from my daughter Hazel (age 14)

Today!

It looks like Maine Sea Grant is being reinstated, thanks in large part to the massive public outcry, including by our working waterfront. Celebrate the wins, because they show us what works and energize us for the next round. 💪🏻 🌊 🌲

Here is a sign-on letter for individual scientists and other experts to speak out and protect NOAA. I signed it and I encourage you to sign it as well. secure.ucsusa.org/a/2025-prote... 🌎🧪🦑🐠

This public memo outlines why common DEI initiatives *remain lawful* under federal law and Supreme Court precedent, written by law professors from several universities. Please circulate broadly to discourage organizations from obeying in advance. Contact me for a pdf copy.

Rebecca Metzler & I are teaching a new class @colgateuniversity.bsky.social on the evolution of form & function in biomineralizing marine animals w/ Ahmad Khazaee & Hans Benze. Here's are a few glimpses from our first few weeks! It's been such an amazing opportunity to learn alongside our students!

Here are two things: a class action lawsuit and house democrat support (next comment) democracyforward.org/updates/fede...

Upon learning that yesterday would be my last day as a program officer at the National Science Foundation, I shared this parting message with my colleagues. The next few months will be frenetic and stressful for them. Here are some things that you can do to help them with the mission ahead. (1)

What resources are available to support federal employees fired this past week? For those pursuing legal action, are there legal defense funds individuals can contribute to support those efforts? Other ways to provide support? Pls comment or DM, I can share resources w/o attribution. Thank you!

Short sighted, narrow minded, and cruel. A tremendous loss on so many levels.

Some folks have asked, given recent news, “how do I show my friends/family the impact of NSF?” We have some easy Fact Sheets for you! Here’s a brief thread about this website: new.nsf.gov/about/fact-s... which hosts a ton of useful one-pagers.

I escaped poverty because I am a scientist. And I am a scientist because of the National Science Foundation. A 🧵:

As expected, the Trump team is already deleting climate info from government websites. In anticipation, our team at Urban Ocean Lab created a permanent archive of 100+ key resources and published a permanent archive: www.urbanoceanlab.org/resource-hub 👩🏽‍💻

🚨 REMINDER 🚨 Abstract submission for the CPEG Meeting & Conservation Paleobiology Symposium closes soon! 🗓️ Abstract deadline: Feb 1st, 2025 🕒 Early bird pricing ends: April 1st, 2025 Details on keynote speakers, deadlines, fees, workshops & more below! 👉 cpeg-cpb25.uzh.ch/en.html # CPEGCPB25

Wondrous, and slightly horrifying, discoveries today in the teaching collections. Folks, introducing the “Meatloaf Chiton.”

I learned yesterday that I received a Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists & Engineers (PECASE). I am honored & humbled to be recognized in this way & profoundly grateful to my mentors, collaborators, students, colleagues, family & friends. Thank you. www.whitehouse.gov/ostp/news-up...

Looking for a last minute holiday gift for a deep-time loving friend in your life? Paleozoic Pals are the best - and super affordable! pri-gift-shop.myshopify.com/collections/... Consider making a donation to the incredible institution that makes these plushies possible - PRI-- www.priweb.org/donate

Due to a major financial shortfall, the Paleontological Research Institution (PRI) in Ithaca, NY is in need of substantial support. If you're in a position to donate, I hope you will consider it (www.priweb.org/donate). 1/9

Do you teach 2D geometric morphometrics in your undergrad labs? I would be grateful for any materials you are willing to share. I am co-teaching a new course this spring on the evolution of form & function in calcifying marine animals & hope to have students generate an empirical morphospace.