Ali Nabavizadeh
@vertanatomist.bsky.social
Evolutionary Anatomist, Vertebrate Paleontologist, Zoologist, Author
Pinned
Introduction time! I’m an evolutionary anatomist and vertebrate paleontologist teaching medical gross anatomy as an assistant professor. I do research on craniofacial anatomy and function in herbivorous dinosaurs, dicynodonts, and elephants. I also recently wrote a book on Dinosaur Feeding Biology!
Reposted by Ali Nabavizadeh
My message to the Drexel (and ANSP!) administrators who were ashamed that the Academy was perceived as "Philly's Dinosaur Museum":
October 3, 2026 at 1:49 PM
My message to the Drexel (and ANSP!) administrators who were ashamed that the Academy was perceived as "Philly's Dinosaur Museum":
“Prisoners of Geography: Ten Maps that Explain Everything about the World” by Tim Marshall. A great crash course in how the geography of different parts of the world affects politics and relations between countries. How do mountain borders affect borders and invasion? How do the rivers, lakes…(/1)
October 2, 2026 at 8:50 PM
“Prisoners of Geography: Ten Maps that Explain Everything about the World” by Tim Marshall. A great crash course in how the geography of different parts of the world affects politics and relations between countries. How do mountain borders affect borders and invasion? How do the rivers, lakes…(/1)
Reposted by Ali Nabavizadeh
I am pretty disappointed by the lack of public acknowledgment from the American Alliance of Museums about the situations at the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel (which was AAM-accredited!) & the Sternberg. There are lots of museum crises right now, but these are particularly serious.
September 30, 2026 at 3:40 PM
I am pretty disappointed by the lack of public acknowledgment from the American Alliance of Museums about the situations at the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel (which was AAM-accredited!) & the Sternberg. There are lots of museum crises right now, but these are particularly serious.
Reposted by Ali Nabavizadeh
Last night & this morning, the headline isn’t about the top-down decision. It’s about the will of the people of Philadelphia. It’s about what the kids of our city deserve, and the path forward, back to an open public museum.
Don’t let people in perceived power dictate the story. The power is ours.
Don’t let people in perceived power dictate the story. The power is ours.
September 30, 2026 at 1:19 PM
Last night & this morning, the headline isn’t about the top-down decision. It’s about the will of the people of Philadelphia. It’s about what the kids of our city deserve, and the path forward, back to an open public museum.
Don’t let people in perceived power dictate the story. The power is ours.
Don’t let people in perceived power dictate the story. The power is ours.
Reposted by Ali Nabavizadeh
If you care about keeping the Academy of Natural Sciences open to the public in Philadelphia, I need you to read and share this thread.
Trish Wellenbach was sent from the mayor's office to oversee the Academy of Natural sciences situation. She needs to hear from us. Here comes the action item:
Trish Wellenbach was sent from the mayor's office to oversee the Academy of Natural sciences situation. She needs to hear from us. Here comes the action item:
September 25, 2026 at 5:27 PM
If you care about keeping the Academy of Natural Sciences open to the public in Philadelphia, I need you to read and share this thread.
Trish Wellenbach was sent from the mayor's office to oversee the Academy of Natural sciences situation. She needs to hear from us. Here comes the action item:
Trish Wellenbach was sent from the mayor's office to oversee the Academy of Natural sciences situation. She needs to hear from us. Here comes the action item:
Reposted by Ali Nabavizadeh
At the beginning of the month Drexel University made public that they want to close the Academy of Natural Sciences at the end of the month.
The academy is the oldest natural history museum in the Americas and this would end more than 200 years of research and outreach.
The academy is the oldest natural history museum in the Americas and this would end more than 200 years of research and outreach.
September 25, 2026 at 3:12 AM
At the beginning of the month Drexel University made public that they want to close the Academy of Natural Sciences at the end of the month.
The academy is the oldest natural history museum in the Americas and this would end more than 200 years of research and outreach.
The academy is the oldest natural history museum in the Americas and this would end more than 200 years of research and outreach.
Reposted by Ali Nabavizadeh
The doors of the Academy of Natural Sciences will be closing on Sunday...for now.
But this isn't over.
We're meeting at the Academy of Natural Sciences when doors close to gather for a moment of resolve followed by a march to City Hall.
Join us.
art by @lindzeamays.bsky.social
luma.com/7ggkgtjb
But this isn't over.
We're meeting at the Academy of Natural Sciences when doors close to gather for a moment of resolve followed by a march to City Hall.
Join us.
art by @lindzeamays.bsky.social
luma.com/7ggkgtjb
September 24, 2026 at 6:23 PM
The doors of the Academy of Natural Sciences will be closing on Sunday...for now.
But this isn't over.
We're meeting at the Academy of Natural Sciences when doors close to gather for a moment of resolve followed by a march to City Hall.
Join us.
art by @lindzeamays.bsky.social
luma.com/7ggkgtjb
But this isn't over.
We're meeting at the Academy of Natural Sciences when doors close to gather for a moment of resolve followed by a march to City Hall.
Join us.
art by @lindzeamays.bsky.social
luma.com/7ggkgtjb
Reposted by Ali Nabavizadeh
PeerJ Let them fight: using finite element analysis to determine combative evolutionary drivers of ceratopsian (Dinosauria: Ornithischia) horns peerj.com/articles/217... @peerj.bsky.social
September 24, 2026 at 3:09 PM
PeerJ Let them fight: using finite element analysis to determine combative evolutionary drivers of ceratopsian (Dinosauria: Ornithischia) horns peerj.com/articles/217... @peerj.bsky.social
Reposted by Ali Nabavizadeh
Please consider to raise awareness and apply pressure onto Drexel university for their plans to close the Academy of Natural Sciences!
actionnetwork.org/petitions/pe...
actionnetwork.org/petitions/pe...
Petition to Keep the Academy of Natural Sciences Open to the Public
The scientific community in Philadelphia and concerned neighbors are calling on Drexel University to keep the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia’s public-facing museum open beyond their impos...
actionnetwork.org
September 24, 2026 at 2:03 AM
Please consider to raise awareness and apply pressure onto Drexel university for their plans to close the Academy of Natural Sciences!
actionnetwork.org/petitions/pe...
actionnetwork.org/petitions/pe...
“The Silk Roads: A New History of the World” by Peter Frankopan. I’ve started this monster of a book months ago on a couple of flights and decided to pick it up again and finish it. What a tour de force! It specifically focuses on the ancient to modern history of east-west relations and trade…(/1)
September 23, 2026 at 6:09 PM
“The Silk Roads: A New History of the World” by Peter Frankopan. I’ve started this monster of a book months ago on a couple of flights and decided to pick it up again and finish it. What a tour de force! It specifically focuses on the ancient to modern history of east-west relations and trade…(/1)
“The House of Wisdom” by Jim Al-Khalili. A truly eye-opening history of the incredible group of Persian & Arab scientists of the Islamic Golden Age from the Abbasid Caliphate & well beyond for centuries after. I loved learning about contributions of these often overlooked medieval scientists… (/1)
September 19, 2026 at 10:24 PM
“The House of Wisdom” by Jim Al-Khalili. A truly eye-opening history of the incredible group of Persian & Arab scientists of the Islamic Golden Age from the Abbasid Caliphate & well beyond for centuries after. I loved learning about contributions of these often overlooked medieval scientists… (/1)
I feel like I'm going to have to bring a literal soap box for my SVP talk this year. I've got THINGS to say! 🙃 😜
September 18, 2026 at 10:02 PM
I feel like I'm going to have to bring a literal soap box for my SVP talk this year. I've got THINGS to say! 🙃 😜
Okay, who named the ornithischian dinosaur session for SVP “Bird-Hipped Bonanza”?? 😜
September 16, 2026 at 6:49 PM
Okay, who named the ornithischian dinosaur session for SVP “Bird-Hipped Bonanza”?? 😜
Reposted by Ali Nabavizadeh
From the office of Councilmember Dr. Nina Ahmad, press conference at 9AM outside Room 494, before the city council meeting:
September 16, 2026 at 2:53 PM
From the office of Councilmember Dr. Nina Ahmad, press conference at 9AM outside Room 494, before the city council meeting:
Reposted by Ali Nabavizadeh
Philadelphia city council meeting this Thursday to fight for the Academy of Natural Sciences. Local folks should be there at 8:45am, press conference at 9, meeting starts at 10. More to come save-the-academy.org
September 15, 2026 at 3:36 PM
Philadelphia city council meeting this Thursday to fight for the Academy of Natural Sciences. Local folks should be there at 8:45am, press conference at 9, meeting starts at 10. More to come save-the-academy.org
I've always loved this Charles R. Knight mural painting. Triceratops confronts Tyrannosaurus.
September 14, 2026 at 9:28 PM
I've always loved this Charles R. Knight mural painting. Triceratops confronts Tyrannosaurus.
“Iran Under the Safavids” by Roger Savory. An older text, but great for getting a good sense of the overall history and lifestyle of Safavids of Iran from 1500s to 1700s. Of note is the crazy reign of Shah Abbas “the Great” and…(/1)
September 14, 2026 at 6:49 PM
“Iran Under the Safavids” by Roger Savory. An older text, but great for getting a good sense of the overall history and lifestyle of Safavids of Iran from 1500s to 1700s. Of note is the crazy reign of Shah Abbas “the Great” and…(/1)
“Floating Mountains: The Art of Imagining the Impossible” by Joe Rohde. Having randomly met him while walking my dog just a few days before this book came out, I was excited to get into. This book is part memoir, part masterclass in exploring the art of harnessing creativity…(/1)
September 11, 2026 at 7:31 PM
“Floating Mountains: The Art of Imagining the Impossible” by Joe Rohde. Having randomly met him while walking my dog just a few days before this book came out, I was excited to get into. This book is part memoir, part masterclass in exploring the art of harnessing creativity…(/1)
Reposted by Ali Nabavizadeh
Really nice coverage in the inquirer of our rally to keep the academy of natural sciences open.
Br sure to read the part where 10 year ago old Ryan Sumner-Lee is quoted.
share.inquirer.com/ZP7zHY
Br sure to read the part where 10 year ago old Ryan Sumner-Lee is quoted.
share.inquirer.com/ZP7zHY
Hundreds rally to protest the planned closure of the Academy of Natural Sciences museum
The crowd was decidedly intergenerational.
share.inquirer.com
September 8, 2026 at 5:47 PM
Really nice coverage in the inquirer of our rally to keep the academy of natural sciences open.
Br sure to read the part where 10 year ago old Ryan Sumner-Lee is quoted.
share.inquirer.com/ZP7zHY
Br sure to read the part where 10 year ago old Ryan Sumner-Lee is quoted.
share.inquirer.com/ZP7zHY
Reposted by Ali Nabavizadeh
Post your green art
September 8, 2026 at 2:03 AM
Post your green art
Reposted by Ali Nabavizadeh
Today’s rally to save the academy of natural sciences was incredible. Hundreds of people turned out.
This is only the beginning. Follow along with save-the-academy.org
This is only the beginning. Follow along with save-the-academy.org
September 8, 2026 at 4:32 PM
Today’s rally to save the academy of natural sciences was incredible. Hundreds of people turned out.
This is only the beginning. Follow along with save-the-academy.org
This is only the beginning. Follow along with save-the-academy.org
Save the Academy of Natural Sciences.
Give 'em Hell today, Philly. With you in solidarity.
Give 'em Hell today, Philly. With you in solidarity.
September 8, 2026 at 3:02 PM
Save the Academy of Natural Sciences.
Give 'em Hell today, Philly. With you in solidarity.
Give 'em Hell today, Philly. With you in solidarity.
Reposted by Ali Nabavizadeh
The Society of Vertebrate Paleontology stands with the Academy of Natural Sciences (ANSP) staff, and preservation of the ANSP Museum. SVP urges our member community and anyone who enjoys and supports the natural sciences to speak up on behalf of the ANSP and their staff!
#SaveTheAcademy
#SaveTheAcademy
September 8, 2026 at 2:31 AM
The Society of Vertebrate Paleontology stands with the Academy of Natural Sciences (ANSP) staff, and preservation of the ANSP Museum. SVP urges our member community and anyone who enjoys and supports the natural sciences to speak up on behalf of the ANSP and their staff!
#SaveTheAcademy
#SaveTheAcademy
Reposted by Ali Nabavizadeh
#FossilFriday Skull of Torosaurus latus at the @acadnatsci.bsky.social
September 4, 2026 at 12:04 PM
#FossilFriday Skull of Torosaurus latus at the @acadnatsci.bsky.social
Reposted by Ali Nabavizadeh
Attention Philadelphia!
We're hosting a rally to demand that Drexel University maintain The Academy of Natural Sciences Museum open to the public.
Join us on Tuesday morning at 10am in front of the academy. Please spread the word, we need all hands on deck!
RSVP here: luma.com/1qwnrqz2
We're hosting a rally to demand that Drexel University maintain The Academy of Natural Sciences Museum open to the public.
Join us on Tuesday morning at 10am in front of the academy. Please spread the word, we need all hands on deck!
RSVP here: luma.com/1qwnrqz2
September 3, 2026 at 9:54 PM
Attention Philadelphia!
We're hosting a rally to demand that Drexel University maintain The Academy of Natural Sciences Museum open to the public.
Join us on Tuesday morning at 10am in front of the academy. Please spread the word, we need all hands on deck!
RSVP here: luma.com/1qwnrqz2
We're hosting a rally to demand that Drexel University maintain The Academy of Natural Sciences Museum open to the public.
Join us on Tuesday morning at 10am in front of the academy. Please spread the word, we need all hands on deck!
RSVP here: luma.com/1qwnrqz2