Javier Apfeld
@javierapfeld.bsky.social
Aging scientist. Worm expert. Community-engaged teacher. Lab at Northeastern University. I watch worms die to learn how to live.
Lab: apfeldlab.mystrikingly.com
ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0001-9897-5671
Lab: apfeldlab.mystrikingly.com
ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0001-9897-5671
Pinned
Javier Apfeld
@javierapfeld.bsky.social
· Jan 28
Friends! I am so happy to share our new preprint!
Hydrogen peroxide has been the most common reactive chemical threat to life forms since the Great Oxygenation Event 2.5 billion years ago.
How do animals like C. elegans sense it fast and escape?
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...
Thread 1/
Hydrogen peroxide has been the most common reactive chemical threat to life forms since the Great Oxygenation Event 2.5 billion years ago.
How do animals like C. elegans sense it fast and escape?
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...
Thread 1/
Reposted by Javier Apfeld
Very excited to put out this new preprint from the lab that represents our 3rd paper now in the lab's move into the field of identifying bioactive molecules in bacteria using C. elegans and studying how they regulate animal physiology. Really excited about this space- www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...
www.biorxiv.org
September 18, 2026 at 6:22 PM
Very excited to put out this new preprint from the lab that represents our 3rd paper now in the lab's move into the field of identifying bioactive molecules in bacteria using C. elegans and studying how they regulate animal physiology. Really excited about this space- www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...
Reposted by Javier Apfeld
Please sign up!!
Mentee sign-ups are open for the 2026-2027 C. elegans Community Mentor Match Program!
Choose:
- One-to-one mentoring with an experienced mentor
- A peer-mentoring group with people at your career stage
Or sign up for both, it takes just 2-5 minutes.
And please spread the word! 🧵
Choose:
- One-to-one mentoring with an experienced mentor
- A peer-mentoring group with people at your career stage
Or sign up for both, it takes just 2-5 minutes.
And please spread the word! 🧵
Mentee sign-up for the C. elegans Community Mentor Match program
The 2026 cycle of the C. elegans Community Mentor Match is open to graduate students, postdocs, and faculty at any career stage.
⏱️ This form takes only 2–5 minutes to complete depending on your choic...
forms.gle
September 16, 2026 at 6:19 PM
Please sign up!!
Reposted by Javier Apfeld
Call for Volunteers: C. elegans Managing Editors for microPublication Biology
micropublication.org/news/0f62741...
micropublication.org/news/0f62741...
September 14, 2026 at 8:49 PM
Call for Volunteers: C. elegans Managing Editors for microPublication Biology
micropublication.org/news/0f62741...
micropublication.org/news/0f62741...
Reposted by Javier Apfeld
Ten years ago Tami, Roy, and I released a movie we made of antibiotic resistance evolving in real time. I thought maybe a couple thousand people tops would see it.
I couldn't have imagined it would be seen millions of times, and be taught from middle school through the graduate level worldwide
I couldn't have imagined it would be seen millions of times, and be taught from middle school through the graduate level worldwide
September 13, 2026 at 12:48 AM
Ten years ago Tami, Roy, and I released a movie we made of antibiotic resistance evolving in real time. I thought maybe a couple thousand people tops would see it.
I couldn't have imagined it would be seen millions of times, and be taught from middle school through the graduate level worldwide
I couldn't have imagined it would be seen millions of times, and be taught from middle school through the graduate level worldwide
Reposted by Javier Apfeld
Did you know that the cells of old animals contain much less mRNA than the cells of young ones? Let me share with you some results from an ongoing project in the lab, where we are finding that a progressive depletion of total mRNA abundance is a crucial part of aging 1/22
September 5, 2026 at 2:48 PM
Did you know that the cells of old animals contain much less mRNA than the cells of young ones? Let me share with you some results from an ongoing project in the lab, where we are finding that a progressive depletion of total mRNA abundance is a crucial part of aging 1/22
Reposted by Javier Apfeld
For the last year, aECM Club seminars have brought together researchers working on apical ECM in diverse species and tissues - yeast cell wall, C. elegans cuticle, Drosophila lens, mammalian inner ear and pancreatic lumen, and many others.
Sign up for 2026-27: forms.gle/DDJUxGLkcSRb...
Sign up for 2026-27: forms.gle/DDJUxGLkcSRb...
aECM Club 2026-27
Dear aECM researchers,
Thank you for your interest in aECM Club!
Feel free to forward this brief survey to any colleagues and trainees who may be interested.
forms.gle
August 16, 2026 at 5:52 PM
For the last year, aECM Club seminars have brought together researchers working on apical ECM in diverse species and tissues - yeast cell wall, C. elegans cuticle, Drosophila lens, mammalian inner ear and pancreatic lumen, and many others.
Sign up for 2026-27: forms.gle/DDJUxGLkcSRb...
Sign up for 2026-27: forms.gle/DDJUxGLkcSRb...
Reposted by Javier Apfeld
We need your help spreading the word about the C. elegans Community Mentor Match Program!
Please talk about the program in your next lab meeting and share this slide with your lab:
docs.google.com/presentation...
Please talk about the program in your next lab meeting and share this slide with your lab:
docs.google.com/presentation...
Mentor match QR codes 2026
Join the C. elegans Community Mentor Match Program! sign up for mentors sign up for mentees and to join peer-mentoring groups https://forms.gle/nfNWQRnpymu6tCYC9 https://forms.gle/pZdwor7wERmQ4oMG8
docs.google.com
August 5, 2026 at 2:48 PM
We need your help spreading the word about the C. elegans Community Mentor Match Program!
Please talk about the program in your next lab meeting and share this slide with your lab:
docs.google.com/presentation...
Please talk about the program in your next lab meeting and share this slide with your lab:
docs.google.com/presentation...
Reposted by Javier Apfeld
Fantastic initiative, trainees do sign up
Worm friends, sign up for 1-on-1 mentoring, peer mentoring, or both!!!
1-on-1 mentoring = someone with more experience who can offer advice and perspective as you navigate your career.
Peer mentoring group = trusted peers who are on one another’s side and help each other figure things out.
1-on-1 mentoring = someone with more experience who can offer advice and perspective as you navigate your career.
Peer mentoring group = trusted peers who are on one another’s side and help each other figure things out.
Mentee sign-up for the C. elegans Community Mentor Match program
The 2026 cycle of the C. elegans Community Mentor Match is open to graduate students, postdocs, and faculty at any career stage.
⏱️ This form takes only 2–5 minutes to complete depending on your choic...
forms.gle
August 13, 2026 at 5:19 AM
Fantastic initiative, trainees do sign up
Reposted by Javier Apfeld
UCD is one of the top universities globally in both evolutionary biology and plant sciences. The department is a gem full of great folks. It's hard to imagine a better place to do plant evolution! Position opens Aug. 17. Please spread the word! eve.ucdavis.edu/people?page=1
People | Evolution and Ecology
eve.ucdavis.edu
August 12, 2026 at 8:49 PM
UCD is one of the top universities globally in both evolutionary biology and plant sciences. The department is a gem full of great folks. It's hard to imagine a better place to do plant evolution! Position opens Aug. 17. Please spread the word! eve.ucdavis.edu/people?page=1
#Celegans Mentor Match 2026
Worm friends, sign up for 1-on-1 mentoring, peer mentoring, or both!!!
1-on-1 mentoring = someone with more experience who can offer advice and perspective as you navigate your career.
Peer mentoring group = trusted peers who are on one another’s side and help each other figure things out.
1-on-1 mentoring = someone with more experience who can offer advice and perspective as you navigate your career.
Peer mentoring group = trusted peers who are on one another’s side and help each other figure things out.
Mentee sign-up for the C. elegans Community Mentor Match program
The 2026 cycle of the C. elegans Community Mentor Match is open to graduate students, postdocs, and faculty at any career stage.
⏱️ This form takes only 2–5 minutes to complete depending on your choic...
forms.gle
August 12, 2026 at 10:06 PM
#Celegans Mentor Match 2026
Worm friends, sign up for 1-on-1 mentoring, peer mentoring, or both!!!
1-on-1 mentoring = someone with more experience who can offer advice and perspective as you navigate your career.
Peer mentoring group = trusted peers who are on one another’s side and help each other figure things out.
1-on-1 mentoring = someone with more experience who can offer advice and perspective as you navigate your career.
Peer mentoring group = trusted peers who are on one another’s side and help each other figure things out.
Mentee sign-up for the C. elegans Community Mentor Match program
The 2026 cycle of the C. elegans Community Mentor Match is open to graduate students, postdocs, and faculty at any career stage.
⏱️ This form takes only 2–5 minutes to complete depending on your choic...
forms.gle
August 12, 2026 at 9:00 PM
Worm friends, sign up for 1-on-1 mentoring, peer mentoring, or both!!!
1-on-1 mentoring = someone with more experience who can offer advice and perspective as you navigate your career.
Peer mentoring group = trusted peers who are on one another’s side and help each other figure things out.
1-on-1 mentoring = someone with more experience who can offer advice and perspective as you navigate your career.
Peer mentoring group = trusted peers who are on one another’s side and help each other figure things out.
Reposted by Javier Apfeld
Tenure letter writing season! I am blown away by assistant professors who started their labs/teaching during the pandemic. You are amazing and inspiring and tough. Your students are so fortunate, so are your colleagues. Thank you!
Oh Wow Moira Rose
ALT: Oh Wow Moira Rose
static.klipy.com
August 11, 2026 at 5:09 PM
Tenure letter writing season! I am blown away by assistant professors who started their labs/teaching during the pandemic. You are amazing and inspiring and tough. Your students are so fortunate, so are your colleagues. Thank you!
Reposted by Javier Apfeld
Mentee sign-ups are open for the 2026-2027 C. elegans Community Mentor Match Program!
Choose:
- One-to-one mentoring with an experienced mentor
- A peer-mentoring group with people at your career stage
Or sign up for both, it takes just 2-5 minutes.
And please spread the word! 🧵
Choose:
- One-to-one mentoring with an experienced mentor
- A peer-mentoring group with people at your career stage
Or sign up for both, it takes just 2-5 minutes.
And please spread the word! 🧵
Mentee sign-up for the C. elegans Community Mentor Match program
The 2026 cycle of the C. elegans Community Mentor Match is open to graduate students, postdocs, and faculty at any career stage.
⏱️ This form takes only 2–5 minutes to complete depending on your choic...
forms.gle
August 5, 2026 at 2:35 PM
Mentee sign-ups are open for the 2026-2027 C. elegans Community Mentor Match Program!
Choose:
- One-to-one mentoring with an experienced mentor
- A peer-mentoring group with people at your career stage
Or sign up for both, it takes just 2-5 minutes.
And please spread the word! 🧵
Choose:
- One-to-one mentoring with an experienced mentor
- A peer-mentoring group with people at your career stage
Or sign up for both, it takes just 2-5 minutes.
And please spread the word! 🧵
Reposted by Javier Apfeld
hiiii everyone! my department @zoology.ubc.ca is hiring an assistant professor in cell and developmental biology! deadline is october 1! academicjobsonline.org/ajo/jobs/32408 // please share!!!!!
University of British Columbia, Department of Zoology
Job #AJO32408, Assistant Professor in Cell and Developmental Biology, Department of Zoology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, CA
academicjobsonline.org
August 6, 2026 at 5:30 AM
hiiii everyone! my department @zoology.ubc.ca is hiring an assistant professor in cell and developmental biology! deadline is october 1! academicjobsonline.org/ajo/jobs/32408 // please share!!!!!
Reposted by Javier Apfeld
Sign up as a mentee and benefit from the great #worm community! All worms are welcome, and all stages of scientist!
Mentee sign-ups are open for the 2026-2027 C. elegans Community Mentor Match Program!
Choose:
- One-to-one mentoring with an experienced mentor
- A peer-mentoring group with people at your career stage
Or sign up for both, it takes just 2-5 minutes.
And please spread the word! 🧵
Choose:
- One-to-one mentoring with an experienced mentor
- A peer-mentoring group with people at your career stage
Or sign up for both, it takes just 2-5 minutes.
And please spread the word! 🧵
Mentee sign-up for the C. elegans Community Mentor Match program
The 2026 cycle of the C. elegans Community Mentor Match is open to graduate students, postdocs, and faculty at any career stage.
⏱️ This form takes only 2–5 minutes to complete depending on your choic...
forms.gle
August 6, 2026 at 6:50 AM
Sign up as a mentee and benefit from the great #worm community! All worms are welcome, and all stages of scientist!
Reposted by Javier Apfeld
For those in New York, Northeastern is hiring a full time teaching assistant professor at the NYC campus (formerly Marymount Manhattan College) for General Biology, General Biology labs, and a ‘Biology and Society’ course. Please apply asap and spread the word to those interested!
Assistant Professor - Biology in New York City, NY for Northeastern University
Exciting opportunity in New York City, NY for Northeastern University as a Assistant Professor - ...
new-england.hercjobs.org
August 5, 2026 at 3:17 PM
For those in New York, Northeastern is hiring a full time teaching assistant professor at the NYC campus (formerly Marymount Manhattan College) for General Biology, General Biology labs, and a ‘Biology and Society’ course. Please apply asap and spread the word to those interested!
Mentee sign-ups are open for the 2026-2027 C. elegans Community Mentor Match Program!
Choose:
- One-to-one mentoring with an experienced mentor
- A peer-mentoring group with people at your career stage
Or sign up for both, it takes just 2-5 minutes.
And please spread the word! 🧵
Choose:
- One-to-one mentoring with an experienced mentor
- A peer-mentoring group with people at your career stage
Or sign up for both, it takes just 2-5 minutes.
And please spread the word! 🧵
Mentee sign-up for the C. elegans Community Mentor Match program
The 2026 cycle of the C. elegans Community Mentor Match is open to graduate students, postdocs, and faculty at any career stage.
⏱️ This form takes only 2–5 minutes to complete depending on your choic...
forms.gle
August 5, 2026 at 2:35 PM
Mentee sign-ups are open for the 2026-2027 C. elegans Community Mentor Match Program!
Choose:
- One-to-one mentoring with an experienced mentor
- A peer-mentoring group with people at your career stage
Or sign up for both, it takes just 2-5 minutes.
And please spread the word! 🧵
Choose:
- One-to-one mentoring with an experienced mentor
- A peer-mentoring group with people at your career stage
Or sign up for both, it takes just 2-5 minutes.
And please spread the word! 🧵
Reposted by Javier Apfeld
With most 1st-year PhD students starting graduate programs this month, it seemed like a good time to address the most important dilemma faced by many incoming PhD students—how to choose rotation labs. Although perhaps obvious to those with experience, many of the key factors are often overlooked.
Choosing rotations and a dissertation lab - Help, I'm a Scientist!
By David Fay Choosing a lab in which to carry out your PhD is admittedly one of the more important decisions you’ll make in your early scientific career. But it’s important to have some perspective. F...
helpimascientist.com
August 3, 2026 at 6:29 PM
With most 1st-year PhD students starting graduate programs this month, it seemed like a good time to address the most important dilemma faced by many incoming PhD students—how to choose rotation labs. Although perhaps obvious to those with experience, many of the key factors are often overlooked.
Reposted by Javier Apfeld
How do developmental pathways adjust when harsh environments cause delays or interruptions in development? 🧪🧬
C. elegans can enter the stress-resistant and developmentally arrested dauer diapause stage. Progenitor cells actively maintain multipotency during dauer. 🧵
C. elegans can enter the stress-resistant and developmentally arrested dauer diapause stage. Progenitor cells actively maintain multipotency during dauer. 🧵
FOXO/DAF-16 modulates the transcription factor ROR/NHR-23 and inhibits the let-7 microRNA to maintain multipotency during dauer https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.07.18.739353v1
July 22, 2026 at 1:55 PM
How do developmental pathways adjust when harsh environments cause delays or interruptions in development? 🧪🧬
C. elegans can enter the stress-resistant and developmentally arrested dauer diapause stage. Progenitor cells actively maintain multipotency during dauer. 🧵
C. elegans can enter the stress-resistant and developmentally arrested dauer diapause stage. Progenitor cells actively maintain multipotency during dauer. 🧵
Yesterday we said goodbye to our technician and former undergrad Dante Ashih. He'll be starting his Biology PhD at the University of Wisconsin at Madison this fall.
Dante developed the Wormtrails package for viewing C. elegans movement, and we can't wait to see the great science he explores next!
Dante developed the Wormtrails package for viewing C. elegans movement, and we can't wait to see the great science he explores next!
July 16, 2026 at 3:01 PM
Yesterday we said goodbye to our technician and former undergrad Dante Ashih. He'll be starting his Biology PhD at the University of Wisconsin at Madison this fall.
Dante developed the Wormtrails package for viewing C. elegans movement, and we can't wait to see the great science he explores next!
Dante developed the Wormtrails package for viewing C. elegans movement, and we can't wait to see the great science he explores next!
Reposted by Javier Apfeld
Excited to share that in mid-August I'll be opening the Castillo–Quan Laboratory (CORA Lab) as a tenure-track Assistant Professor at Ohio University! We study stress responses, homeostasis & healthy aging in C. elegans. Recruiting two PhD students for Aug 2027. Join us @ohiouniversity.bsky.social!
July 13, 2026 at 12:59 PM
Excited to share that in mid-August I'll be opening the Castillo–Quan Laboratory (CORA Lab) as a tenure-track Assistant Professor at Ohio University! We study stress responses, homeostasis & healthy aging in C. elegans. Recruiting two PhD students for Aug 2027. Join us @ohiouniversity.bsky.social!
Reposted by Javier Apfeld
Worm friends 🪱 We need your video!
Our C. elegans Mentor Match website has short videos from mentors and mentees sharing their experiences.
Check it out, record your own video, and please share!
Our C. elegans Mentor Match website has short videos from mentors and mentees sharing their experiences.
Check it out, record your own video, and please share!
C. elegans Mentor Match Testimonials
Made with Padlet
padlet.com
July 6, 2026 at 1:12 PM
Worm friends 🪱 We need your video!
Our C. elegans Mentor Match website has short videos from mentors and mentees sharing their experiences.
Check it out, record your own video, and please share!
Our C. elegans Mentor Match website has short videos from mentors and mentees sharing their experiences.
Check it out, record your own video, and please share!
Bittersweet day in the lab as we say goodbye to our technician and former undergrad, Meha Macwan. She’ll be starting her Biology PhD at Drexel University this fall, and I can’t wait to see all the wonderful things she does next.
July 9, 2026 at 7:49 PM
Bittersweet day in the lab as we say goodbye to our technician and former undergrad, Meha Macwan. She’ll be starting her Biology PhD at Drexel University this fall, and I can’t wait to see all the wonderful things she does next.
Reposted by Javier Apfeld
This paper is now online at @currentbiology.bsky.social. This marks the end of my postdoc and I’ll be joining @imperiallifesci.bsky.social as Imperial College Research Fellow in October! 🎊 🥳🍾
www.cell.com/action/showP...
www.cell.com/action/showP...
July 6, 2026 at 3:09 PM
This paper is now online at @currentbiology.bsky.social. This marks the end of my postdoc and I’ll be joining @imperiallifesci.bsky.social as Imperial College Research Fellow in October! 🎊 🥳🍾
www.cell.com/action/showP...
www.cell.com/action/showP...
Reposted by Javier Apfeld
Mike and I recommend having a check-in with your Match and recording a testimonial together!
Worm friends 🪱 We need your video!
Our C. elegans Mentor Match website has short videos from mentors and mentees sharing their experiences.
Check it out, record your own video, and please share!
Our C. elegans Mentor Match website has short videos from mentors and mentees sharing their experiences.
Check it out, record your own video, and please share!
C. elegans Mentor Match Testimonials
Made with Padlet
padlet.com
July 6, 2026 at 1:25 PM
Mike and I recommend having a check-in with your Match and recording a testimonial together!