First day back working on campus and already mistaken for a student even though I dressed up today. Then I met a new faculty 6 years younger than me and remembered this is my 8th year teaching. So, I’m confused.

Well, my three year old asked if the specks on the outside of the strawberry were seeds. Time for a botany lesson. 🍓

Nothing has made me think before I speak more than having a 3 year old.

My son’s exact reaction when I told him to put his shoes on this morning. (We’ve been in a Frog and Toad phase, I love it)

I also almost didn’t know about it because I’m on maternity leave and only checked my work email to find a gift card some friends sent.

I won a teaching award on campus. It’s student nominated AND for my teaching in the core curriculum (so, nonmajors) which just feels special. 🥺 college.uchicago.edu/news/uchicag...

Is there a German word for choosing an inanimate object (mug, spoon, pair of socks) that you haven’t used in a while to make sure its feelings don’t get hurt?

Is there a German word for choosing an inanimate object (mug, spoon, pair of socks) that you haven’t used in a while to make sure its feelings don’t get hurt?

Forget touching grass, try touching some forest moss.

My toddler learned giraffes have purple tongues at daycare and so we spent all of lunch looking up animal tongue colors. Do any of you have some good animal tongues I can share with him?

I just checked my Field Museum volunteer discord for the first time in weeks and bummed I missed out on so many good “dire wolf” memes back when they were relevant.

In grad school I participated in a potato taste test for potato breeders and there was one potato that distinctly tasted like stinky shoes. 🥔

😞 thought we had it there for a minute. Feeling adrift in a sea of defeat (get it?) #TeamAutotrophForLife #2025MMM

Plant induced carnage! Love to see it. 🌱 #TeamAutotrophAndFriends #2025MMM

Can we please get books with picture inserts to use Figure References so we know to go look at the picture at the right time and see them in context?

I sold 10 books to the local bookstore today and only came home with 4. This feels like a victory. 📕

Are those arteries and veins coming out of the tronk? Revolutionary, if true.

Exciting news, ECPS members! The ASPB ECPS Travel Award applications are OPEN for #PlantBio2025, July 26–30, 2025 in Milwaukee! Get up to $500 to present, network & grow! Deadline: April 4, 2025, 11:59 PM PT Apply now! 👉 docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F... #PlantScience #TravelAward #ASPB

SEED Sixteen? Sweet SEED-teen? Either way, an exciting victory for #TeamAutotroph #AndFriends

I’ve got my 2.5 year old calling his fingers and toes phalanges and this just feels like win. 🦴

A DREAM TEAM! 🍄 🌳 #TeamAutotroph #BetterTogether #2025MMM

Still….no….regrets. ☹️ 🌿 #TeamAutotroph #2025MMM

Still no regrets choosing all the autotrophs. #2025MMM

NEXT UP: #2 ALLIGATOR GAR (Atractosteus spatula) vs. CYANOBACTERIA (Prochlorococcus spp.) #2025MMM

Final grades submitted for the quarter! How did the quarter go by so quickly?!

Only one wrong this round! Played it pretty safe but picked the upset, but really just waiting for the #Autotrophs

#2025MMM is local! (For now)

Let’s hear it for the UnEssay - two of my favorite things, plant pathogens & board games. Students made a board game about Citrus Canker and it’s fun and well-researched! (Even though I managed to lose against @butlerjackson.bsky.social, per usual). 🎲 🧪

I changed some things in my classes this quarter and they didn't quite turn out like I expected. Not bad, but not what I was envisioning. And while I know this is part of teaching and will do it better next time, it still makes me frustrated? sad? upset? that it wasn't ideal this time.

Math works!

Just used the Pythagorean theorem to figure out if my straightener would fit in the drawer of a new bathroom cabinet we’re shopping for (it will!). Stay in school, kids.

Bringing treats to the last day of classes for the quarter! ...which is motivated at least 50% by the fact that *I* want treats on the last day of class.

Update: They took my money. Excited to see The Head and the Heart AND Wilderado in August with @butlerjackson.bsky.social 🤘

Submitted my bracket. As a biologist, I understand the benefits of looking up adaptations, habitats, behaviors, etc. but I will always fill out my MMM bracket with my heart... and then be heartbroken. #2025MMM LETS GINGK-GO!

I just found out the Field Museum volunteers do a #2025MMM bracket pool, and I am SO EXCITED. This full-time member of #TeamAutotroph is 100% #TeamGingko and here to watch the demise of the #Heterotrophs.

You’re telling me one of my favorite bands is touring with another one of my favorite bands?! Say less and take my money. Where’s the presale code?

Mostly because @butlerjackson.bsky.social wins ~70% of games we play (we now have data to back this up). But when I do win, the victory is so, so, sweet. (I'm competitive, he's competitive, but we still have fun...most of the time 🙃)

I just found out the Field Museum volunteers do a #2025MMM bracket pool, and I am SO EXCITED. This full-time member of #TeamAutotroph is 100% #TeamGingko and here to watch the demise of the #Heterotrophs.

Quote post with a picture you took in a National Park. Glacier National Park, August 2024 (do you see the friend? 🐏)

It is not an exaggeration to say I wouldn't be where I am without my REU. I went to a teeny tiny school with no research opportunities. My REU was my introduction to research and strengthened my graduate school application. I only had one summer during which I could participate. This is tragic.

My toddler talking about the garlic bread he’s about to eat: “I’m going to eat it all gone and then I’ll be sad and we’ll have to go borrow more from the store” He gets it.

For those interested, this is my one moderately successful craft project, just don't look closely.

Is there anything more disappointing than wearing your chloroplast earrings during photosynthesis week and none of your students noticing?

You know what makes grading easier? When students do a great job and are on the right track! Reinforcing happy professor-I-love-my-job feelings.

Periodically I think about how amazing and fun it is that I get paid to think about, talk about, and help students understand biology everyday. And then I remember the grading on my to do list. That's what I really get paid to do, I'd do the rest for free.

Well, @butlerjackson.bsky.social and I made a board game goal this year and I hate to say it but I think it’s actually helping us play more games. (Also I won Watergate tonight if anyone was wondering) 🎲

I had 50% of my class attend today. I get that they’re busy and try not to take it personally but today we were talking about disease sniffing DOGS and I handed out plant-themed valentines! Arguably the cutest day of class. 🐶 💌 🦠

One time in class I couldn't remember the word for output (it was Friday before spring break) so I just said "exput" until a student finally corrected me.

If I get a dollar every time I typed "outout" instead of "output" I would probably have enough money for a couple lunches every year.