Thom Sanger
@thomsanger.bsky.social
Associate Professor at Loyola University Chicago
Evolution and development of lizards focusing on the face and genitalia
Teaches classes on animal diversity, the evolution of sex, and science communication
anolisevodevo.space
Evolution and development of lizards focusing on the face and genitalia
Teaches classes on animal diversity, the evolution of sex, and science communication
anolisevodevo.space
Reposted by Thom Sanger
Very excited that an image from our paper on squamate lung development got this month's cover of @devdynamics.bsky.social! Check it out!
September 12, 2026 at 12:00 PM
Very excited that an image from our paper on squamate lung development got this month's cover of @devdynamics.bsky.social! Check it out!
Reposted by Thom Sanger
#DBfeature #ICYMI
Teaching the complexities of biological sex determination with the goal of creating a more inclusive classroom and perhaps challenging key components of the oversimplified rhetoric of the gender binary
By Rebecca Delventhal
tinyurl.com/53y96td5
Teaching the complexities of biological sex determination with the goal of creating a more inclusive classroom and perhaps challenging key components of the oversimplified rhetoric of the gender binary
By Rebecca Delventhal
tinyurl.com/53y96td5
September 3, 2026 at 1:51 PM
#DBfeature #ICYMI
Teaching the complexities of biological sex determination with the goal of creating a more inclusive classroom and perhaps challenging key components of the oversimplified rhetoric of the gender binary
By Rebecca Delventhal
tinyurl.com/53y96td5
Teaching the complexities of biological sex determination with the goal of creating a more inclusive classroom and perhaps challenging key components of the oversimplified rhetoric of the gender binary
By Rebecca Delventhal
tinyurl.com/53y96td5
Reposted by Thom Sanger
#SICB Pittsburgh Abstract submission is open for SICB 2027!
www.xcdsystem.com/sicb/abstrac...
Come share your research and learn about the most exciting areas of integrative, comparative, & organismal #biology in Pittsburgh, PA on January 3-7, 2027. The deadline is August 28 at 11:59 PM HST.
www.xcdsystem.com/sicb/abstrac...
Come share your research and learn about the most exciting areas of integrative, comparative, & organismal #biology in Pittsburgh, PA on January 3-7, 2027. The deadline is August 28 at 11:59 PM HST.
August 26, 2026 at 12:54 PM
#SICB Pittsburgh Abstract submission is open for SICB 2027!
www.xcdsystem.com/sicb/abstrac...
Come share your research and learn about the most exciting areas of integrative, comparative, & organismal #biology in Pittsburgh, PA on January 3-7, 2027. The deadline is August 28 at 11:59 PM HST.
www.xcdsystem.com/sicb/abstrac...
Come share your research and learn about the most exciting areas of integrative, comparative, & organismal #biology in Pittsburgh, PA on January 3-7, 2027. The deadline is August 28 at 11:59 PM HST.
Reposted by Thom Sanger
We generated chromosome-level genomes from 19 gecko species, including representatives from all 7 gecko families. These species have diverse sex-determining systems, including both XY and ZW sex chromosomes and temperature-dependent sex determination (TSD).
August 27, 2026 at 7:35 PM
We generated chromosome-level genomes from 19 gecko species, including representatives from all 7 gecko families. These species have diverse sex-determining systems, including both XY and ZW sex chromosomes and temperature-dependent sex determination (TSD).
Reposted by Thom Sanger
New collaborative paper from the lab on gecko sex chromosome and genome evolution! 🧪🦎
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
Genomic predisposition is associated with the direction of sex chromosome evolution
Sex chromosome evolution is among the most dynamic genomic innovations in vertebrates, yet why some lineages evolve XY while others evolve ZW remains unclear. Using chromosome-level genomes from 19 ge...
www.science.org
August 27, 2026 at 7:33 PM
New collaborative paper from the lab on gecko sex chromosome and genome evolution! 🧪🦎
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
Reposted by Thom Sanger
NSF just announced its GRFP solicitation due in October - deadline varies by field:
www.nsf.gov/funding/oppo...
Now for the bad news...
* NSF estimates they will issue 1,500 awards, down from 2,500+ last year.
* NSF removed STEM Education and Learning Research as a Major Field.
www.nsf.gov/funding/oppo...
Now for the bad news...
* NSF estimates they will issue 1,500 awards, down from 2,500+ last year.
* NSF removed STEM Education and Learning Research as a Major Field.
NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP)
www.nsf.gov
August 25, 2026 at 9:05 PM
NSF just announced its GRFP solicitation due in October - deadline varies by field:
www.nsf.gov/funding/oppo...
Now for the bad news...
* NSF estimates they will issue 1,500 awards, down from 2,500+ last year.
* NSF removed STEM Education and Learning Research as a Major Field.
www.nsf.gov/funding/oppo...
Now for the bad news...
* NSF estimates they will issue 1,500 awards, down from 2,500+ last year.
* NSF removed STEM Education and Learning Research as a Major Field.
Reposted by Thom Sanger
New NSF BIO solicitation says expected number of awards is 250-300.
Historically, the number of awards is closer to 800-1000 for the Directorate of Bio Sciences: grantwitness.org/nsf/analyses... Unless I'm missing large, non-core programs, this seems really not good?
Historically, the number of awards is closer to 800-1000 for the Directorate of Bio Sciences: grantwitness.org/nsf/analyses... Unless I'm missing large, non-core programs, this seems really not good?
Agency Pulse: Grantmaking at NSF
An independent, up-to-date, grant-level record of federal science funding disruptions in the United States.
grantwitness.org
August 24, 2026 at 5:49 PM
New NSF BIO solicitation says expected number of awards is 250-300.
Historically, the number of awards is closer to 800-1000 for the Directorate of Bio Sciences: grantwitness.org/nsf/analyses... Unless I'm missing large, non-core programs, this seems really not good?
Historically, the number of awards is closer to 800-1000 for the Directorate of Bio Sciences: grantwitness.org/nsf/analyses... Unless I'm missing large, non-core programs, this seems really not good?
Reposted by Thom Sanger
We’re recruiting a postdoc to follow up on an astonishing number of mutants with craniofacial phenotypes from our ENU mutagenesis screen.
Great opportunity for someone interested in developmental genetics, craniofacial biology, mouse genetics & gene discovery.
Please share!
Great opportunity for someone interested in developmental genetics, craniofacial biology, mouse genetics & gene discovery.
Please share!
August 20, 2026 at 8:00 PM
We’re recruiting a postdoc to follow up on an astonishing number of mutants with craniofacial phenotypes from our ENU mutagenesis screen.
Great opportunity for someone interested in developmental genetics, craniofacial biology, mouse genetics & gene discovery.
Please share!
Great opportunity for someone interested in developmental genetics, craniofacial biology, mouse genetics & gene discovery.
Please share!
Reposted by Thom Sanger
New NSF BIO solicitation is live.... this replaces the previous IOS, MCB, DEB solicitation
www.nsf.gov/funding/oppo...
www.nsf.gov/funding/oppo...
August 17, 2026 at 3:43 PM
New NSF BIO solicitation is live.... this replaces the previous IOS, MCB, DEB solicitation
www.nsf.gov/funding/oppo...
www.nsf.gov/funding/oppo...
Reposted by Thom Sanger
Why is there "no consensus" about sex in biology? Turns out, we're using seven different concepts.
In "Evolution, development and the incoherence of sex" we name & elucidate these concepts. With Karen Warkentin and Jay Falk
@jjinsing.bsky.social @sicbjournals.bsky.social doi.org/10.1093/icb/...
In "Evolution, development and the incoherence of sex" we name & elucidate these concepts. With Karen Warkentin and Jay Falk
@jjinsing.bsky.social @sicbjournals.bsky.social doi.org/10.1093/icb/...
August 13, 2026 at 1:02 AM
Why is there "no consensus" about sex in biology? Turns out, we're using seven different concepts.
In "Evolution, development and the incoherence of sex" we name & elucidate these concepts. With Karen Warkentin and Jay Falk
@jjinsing.bsky.social @sicbjournals.bsky.social doi.org/10.1093/icb/...
In "Evolution, development and the incoherence of sex" we name & elucidate these concepts. With Karen Warkentin and Jay Falk
@jjinsing.bsky.social @sicbjournals.bsky.social doi.org/10.1093/icb/...
Reposted by Thom Sanger
University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire Biology is searching for a tenure track assistant professor in Aquatic Ecology to start August 2027! Application deadline September 28 2026.
I am searching chair, please reach out with any questions!!
wisconsin.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/UW_Comprehen...
I am searching chair, please reach out with any questions!!
wisconsin.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/UW_Comprehen...
Biology: Assistant Professor in Aquatic Ecology
Current Employees: If you are currently employed at any of the Universities of Wisconsin, log in to Workday to apply through the internal application process. Position Title: Biology: Assistant Profes...
wisconsin.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com
July 29, 2026 at 5:33 PM
University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire Biology is searching for a tenure track assistant professor in Aquatic Ecology to start August 2027! Application deadline September 28 2026.
I am searching chair, please reach out with any questions!!
wisconsin.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/UW_Comprehen...
I am searching chair, please reach out with any questions!!
wisconsin.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/UW_Comprehen...
Reposted by Thom Sanger
Oregon State University's Department of Integrative Biology is currently hiring up to three tenure-track faculty members, with an emphasis on organismal biology.
Note: Previous links are no longer active due to a change in our hiring system.
oregonstate.wd501.myworkdayjobs.com/OSU_Careers_...
Note: Previous links are no longer active due to a change in our hiring system.
oregonstate.wd501.myworkdayjobs.com/OSU_Careers_...
Assistant Professor
Department: Special Instructions to Applicants: To ensure full consideration, applications must be received by 10/1/26. Applications will continue to be accepted after the full consideration date, unt...
oregonstate.wd501.myworkdayjobs.com
July 15, 2026 at 12:02 AM
Oregon State University's Department of Integrative Biology is currently hiring up to three tenure-track faculty members, with an emphasis on organismal biology.
Note: Previous links are no longer active due to a change in our hiring system.
oregonstate.wd501.myworkdayjobs.com/OSU_Careers_...
Note: Previous links are no longer active due to a change in our hiring system.
oregonstate.wd501.myworkdayjobs.com/OSU_Careers_...
Reposted by Thom Sanger
Friends, if your response to concerns about pseudoscience on shark week is “if doesn’t matter if someone with a large audience says obviously wrong things because I personally know it’s not true,” I invite you to take a look at the world.
July 29, 2026 at 1:13 PM
Friends, if your response to concerns about pseudoscience on shark week is “if doesn’t matter if someone with a large audience says obviously wrong things because I personally know it’s not true,” I invite you to take a look at the world.
Reposted by Thom Sanger
I am thrilled to share that the biology dept at Hamilton College is hiring a TT Evolutionary Ecologist to start in fall of 2027! This position would teach an upper level Evolution lect/lab, a section of Bio-100, rotate through our 200-level Eco/Evo course, and a seminar.
apply.interfolio.com/190184
apply.interfolio.com/190184
Apply - Interfolio
{{$ctrl.$state.data.pageTitle}} - Apply - Interfolio
apply.interfolio.com
July 27, 2026 at 7:17 PM
I am thrilled to share that the biology dept at Hamilton College is hiring a TT Evolutionary Ecologist to start in fall of 2027! This position would teach an upper level Evolution lect/lab, a section of Bio-100, rotate through our 200-level Eco/Evo course, and a seminar.
apply.interfolio.com/190184
apply.interfolio.com/190184
Reposted by Thom Sanger
I am excited to open my lab at @ibioillinois.bsky.social in Spring 2027! We will use zebrafish & other fishy friends to reveal the genetic basis of large scale changes in the vertebrate body plan, and how this impacts both human health and evolution. Join me at UIUC! 🧬🧫🔬
www.hawkinslaboratory.com
www.hawkinslaboratory.com
July 23, 2026 at 9:04 AM
I am excited to open my lab at @ibioillinois.bsky.social in Spring 2027! We will use zebrafish & other fishy friends to reveal the genetic basis of large scale changes in the vertebrate body plan, and how this impacts both human health and evolution. Join me at UIUC! 🧬🧫🔬
www.hawkinslaboratory.com
www.hawkinslaboratory.com
Reposted by Thom Sanger
1/2 chameleon & human embryos exhibit an epiblast lumen before #gastrulation initiates. However, they reach this stage via different mechanisms. Our new study @natcomms.nature.com explores early development & lumenogenesis in the veiled chameleon. #evodevo #devbio
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Epiblast lumenogenesis is not a mammalian-specific trait - Nature Communications
Weberling et al. characterise veiled chameleon pre-oviposition development from fertilisation to the initiation of gastrulation and show that pre-gastrulation lumenogenesis occurs via a purse string m...
www.nature.com
July 23, 2026 at 8:51 AM
1/2 chameleon & human embryos exhibit an epiblast lumen before #gastrulation initiates. However, they reach this stage via different mechanisms. Our new study @natcomms.nature.com explores early development & lumenogenesis in the veiled chameleon. #evodevo #devbio
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Reposted by Thom Sanger
Tim Harford writes about me in the Financial Times. He claims I think it’s hopeless for scientists to try to explain their work to the public.
That’s false. I suspect link rot and Harford’s faulty memory are to blame. I’ll explain my actual view below. 🧪 1/10
giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/...
That’s false. I suspect link rot and Harford’s faulty memory are to blame. I’ll explain my actual view below. 🧪 1/10
giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/...
Explain it to me like I’m 10
Simplifying how we explain complex concepts can lead to surprising benefits
giftarticle.ft.com
July 15, 2026 at 4:35 PM
Tim Harford writes about me in the Financial Times. He claims I think it’s hopeless for scientists to try to explain their work to the public.
That’s false. I suspect link rot and Harford’s faulty memory are to blame. I’ll explain my actual view below. 🧪 1/10
giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/...
That’s false. I suspect link rot and Harford’s faulty memory are to blame. I’ll explain my actual view below. 🧪 1/10
giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/...
Reposted by Thom Sanger
OP blocked me (fair, i'd block me too if i was on the receiving end of this thread) so if you want to for some godforsaken reason follow along at home, here's the paper:
Biological Sex Is Binary and Rooted in Anisogamy
Drawing on empirical evidence and evolutionary theory, we argue that biological sex is most coherently defined as a binary classification of reproductive strategies rooted in anisogamy (the productio...
onlinelibrary.wiley.com
July 12, 2026 at 4:33 PM
OP blocked me (fair, i'd block me too if i was on the receiving end of this thread) so if you want to for some godforsaken reason follow along at home, here's the paper:
Reposted by Thom Sanger
The fine fellow who wrote the paper (based on author contributions statement) has blocked everyone with critiques of it, including someone whose work *he cites in the paper.* Skin thinner than an onion’s ofc big surprise
OP blocked me (fair, i'd block me too if i was on the receiving end of this thread) so if you want to for some godforsaken reason follow along at home, here's the paper:
Biological Sex Is Binary and Rooted in Anisogamy
Drawing on empirical evidence and evolutionary theory, we argue that biological sex is most coherently defined as a binary classification of reproductive strategies rooted in anisogamy (the productio...
onlinelibrary.wiley.com
July 12, 2026 at 6:07 PM
The fine fellow who wrote the paper (based on author contributions statement) has blocked everyone with critiques of it, including someone whose work *he cites in the paper.* Skin thinner than an onion’s ofc big surprise
Reposted by Thom Sanger
Scientists, especially younger ones, are going to have to come to terms with the idea that “doing science” is no longer enough. We all have to fight for science: what it means, what are its values, and why it matters.
Scientific research in the United States might not collapse with a bang, or with a whimper, but with a rule change.
And it's not just Science. This rule change hits DOE, DOT, VA, HUD. ALL federal grants are at risk. www.theverge.com/science/9576...
And it's not just Science. This rule change hits DOE, DOT, VA, HUD. ALL federal grants are at risk. www.theverge.com/science/9576...
The war against ‘woke’ could end US science as we know it
‘Everyone will be affected, not just scientists. Every community in the country.’
www.theverge.com
June 30, 2026 at 5:31 PM
Scientists, especially younger ones, are going to have to come to terms with the idea that “doing science” is no longer enough. We all have to fight for science: what it means, what are its values, and why it matters.
Reposted by Thom Sanger
The Partnership for Public Service's has published an interactive toolkit that showcases the federal government's role in health, science and conservation work. Mass federal cuts interfere with the healthcare access, research funding and disaster response. Explore at science.federalharmstracker.org
The Cost of Cutting American Science
Tracking impacts to the people and programs powering America, from labs to the land.
science.federalharmstracker.org
June 27, 2026 at 12:24 AM
The Partnership for Public Service's has published an interactive toolkit that showcases the federal government's role in health, science and conservation work. Mass federal cuts interfere with the healthcare access, research funding and disaster response. Explore at science.federalharmstracker.org
Reposted by Thom Sanger
Sigh. More #ColossalBio grift — they literally have no product to sell, so “partner” with governments to build the “Colossal BioVault” system (up to 10 I think) and garner more press coverage, all the while the San Diego Frozen Zoo and others have been doing this for decades 1/n
The US government is entering a partnership to store frozen cells and other biological samples from endangered and threatened species with Colossal, a private company best known for claiming to "de-extinct" dire wolves. Story by me & @catrineinhorn.bsky.social Gift link: nyti.ms/43Rzhfw
nyti.ms
June 26, 2026 at 12:41 PM
Sigh. More #ColossalBio grift — they literally have no product to sell, so “partner” with governments to build the “Colossal BioVault” system (up to 10 I think) and garner more press coverage, all the while the San Diego Frozen Zoo and others have been doing this for decades 1/n
Reposted by Thom Sanger
Excited to share the final published version of our work on the evolution of dorsal-ventral patterning in fins and limbs, now up on @currentbiology.bsky.social
In review we added new single LARM element deletions to assess their impact on dorsality. Take a look! 🔬🧪🐟🐁
www.cell.com/current-biol...
In review we added new single LARM element deletions to assess their impact on dorsality. Take a look! 🔬🧪🐟🐁
www.cell.com/current-biol...
June 22, 2026 at 5:47 PM
Excited to share the final published version of our work on the evolution of dorsal-ventral patterning in fins and limbs, now up on @currentbiology.bsky.social
In review we added new single LARM element deletions to assess their impact on dorsality. Take a look! 🔬🧪🐟🐁
www.cell.com/current-biol...
In review we added new single LARM element deletions to assess their impact on dorsality. Take a look! 🔬🧪🐟🐁
www.cell.com/current-biol...