Leigha Lynch, PhD
@squeacslab.bsky.social
Statistical quantitative evolutionary analysis of carnivorans
evolutionary biologist, neuroanatomist, geneticist, gardener, birder
evolutionary biologist, neuroanatomist, geneticist, gardener, birder
This is fantastic!
MAJOR NEWS! We just launched an awesome new tool! The illustrated Birds of the World Phylogeny Explorer lets users trace any bird’s lineage, compare species relationships, and explore major evolutionary milestones with a click of a button. SHARE and EXPLORE! birdsoftheworld.org/bow/news/phy...
January 27, 2026 at 4:24 AM
This is fantastic!
Great job SQuEACs lab!
🦦✨Congratulations to MWU research students for their excellent #SICB2026 presentations, incl. student doctors James Bates & Blake Andrea who presented on how cranial morphology in otters & other mustelids shapes movement, sensing & survival. Exciting new research out of @squeacslab.bsky.social's lab
January 15, 2026 at 7:45 PM
Great job SQuEACs lab!
Excited to share the publication of a recent collaboration led by student doctor John Tracey who examined distal iliopsoas tendon morphology, measuring key pelvic and femoral landmarks to understand how tendon shape relates to surrounding bone architecture.
www.cureus.com/articles/438...
www.cureus.com/articles/438...
Morphological Characteristics of the Distal Iliopsoas Tendon and Its Relationship to Adjacent Osseous Structures
Background
The iliopsoas muscle influences lumbo-pelvic posture and gait stability, with its distal portions contributing to common anterior hip pathologies, including iliopsoas bursitis, impingement...
www.cureus.com
January 15, 2026 at 3:51 AM
Excited to share the publication of a recent collaboration led by student doctor John Tracey who examined distal iliopsoas tendon morphology, measuring key pelvic and femoral landmarks to understand how tendon shape relates to surrounding bone architecture.
www.cureus.com/articles/438...
www.cureus.com/articles/438...
The #SQuEACs lab wrapped up an amazing #SICB2026! Shoutout to everyone who presented and thanks to those who visited our posters and talked science. Great start to #newyear2026.
January 9, 2026 at 8:21 PM
The #SQuEACs lab wrapped up an amazing #SICB2026! Shoutout to everyone who presented and thanks to those who visited our posters and talked science. Great start to #newyear2026.
The SQuEACs lab is wrapping up the #SICB2026 poster session with Megan teaching us about the effects of multiple staining techniques on neural tissue in amphibians (poster 169A).
January 6, 2026 at 11:02 PM
The SQuEACs lab is wrapping up the #SICB2026 poster session with Megan teaching us about the effects of multiple staining techniques on neural tissue in amphibians (poster 169A).
#SICB2026 poster session 2 kicks off soon. If you are interested in mustelid cranial nerves go see Blake #004 or if fish brains are your thing, John can tell you all about mosquito fish at poster #013
January 5, 2026 at 10:41 PM
#SICB2026 poster session 2 kicks off soon. If you are interested in mustelid cranial nerves go see Blake #004 or if fish brains are your thing, John can tell you all about mosquito fish at poster #013
SQuEACs lab was well represented today at #SICB2025. Thanks to all who visited James and Dominik's posters. If you want to learn about mustelid neuroanatomy or variation in fish brain shape come visit Blake and John tomorrow during the poster session!
January 5, 2026 at 6:13 AM
SQuEACs lab was well represented today at #SICB2025. Thanks to all who visited James and Dominik's posters. If you want to learn about mustelid neuroanatomy or variation in fish brain shape come visit Blake and John tomorrow during the poster session!
#SICB2026 if you have phylogenetic, morphometric or stats questions or want some super cool stickers come see me today at the #DPCB Ask an Expert Booth during the poster session!
📅 Sunday, Jan. 4 — DPCB Ask an Expert Booth
🕟 4:30–5:30
• Leigha Lynch — Phylogenetics, morphometrics, CT, statistics, R
• Jack Phillips — PCMs, discrete character evolution
#SICB2026
🕟 4:30–5:30
• Leigha Lynch — Phylogenetics, morphometrics, CT, statistics, R
• Jack Phillips — PCMs, discrete character evolution
#SICB2026
January 4, 2026 at 3:06 PM
Last but not least, #SICB2026 come see my poster!
🧬 *PAX6 evolution in Gnathostomes relative to life history* — Jan 6, 3:30–5:30 PM, P3-252.
Authors: Lynch, Sofia Barajas, & Phillips.
Links PAX6 evolution with life-history traits.
#SQuEACsLab #Neuroanatomy #Evolution #Genes
🧬 *PAX6 evolution in Gnathostomes relative to life history* — Jan 6, 3:30–5:30 PM, P3-252.
Authors: Lynch, Sofia Barajas, & Phillips.
Links PAX6 evolution with life-history traits.
#SQuEACsLab #Neuroanatomy #Evolution #Genes
January 1, 2026 at 10:49 PM
Last but not least, #SICB2026 come see my poster!
🧬 *PAX6 evolution in Gnathostomes relative to life history* — Jan 6, 3:30–5:30 PM, P3-252.
Authors: Lynch, Sofia Barajas, & Phillips.
Links PAX6 evolution with life-history traits.
#SQuEACsLab #Neuroanatomy #Evolution #Genes
🧬 *PAX6 evolution in Gnathostomes relative to life history* — Jan 6, 3:30–5:30 PM, P3-252.
Authors: Lynch, Sofia Barajas, & Phillips.
Links PAX6 evolution with life-history traits.
#SQuEACsLab #Neuroanatomy #Evolution #Genes
These might be the cutest scientific drawings ever.
🦦 The marine mammals of the north-western coast of North America, .
New York, J.H. Carmany;1874..
[Source]
New York, J.H. Carmany;1874..
[Source]
December 29, 2025 at 5:30 PM
These might be the cutest scientific drawings ever.
#DiceCT alert at #SICB2026
🐸 *Assessing the impact of sequential staining on microCT data integrity in amphibians* — Jan 6, 3:30–5:30 PM, P3-169A.
Authors: Megan Hostetter, Valdez, Heesy, Phillips, & Lynch.
Compares Lugol’s vs PTA staining effects.
#SQuEACsLab #CTImaging #Morphology #Neuroanatomy
🐸 *Assessing the impact of sequential staining on microCT data integrity in amphibians* — Jan 6, 3:30–5:30 PM, P3-169A.
Authors: Megan Hostetter, Valdez, Heesy, Phillips, & Lynch.
Compares Lugol’s vs PTA staining effects.
#SQuEACsLab #CTImaging #Morphology #Neuroanatomy
December 29, 2025 at 5:20 PM
#DiceCT alert at #SICB2026
🐸 *Assessing the impact of sequential staining on microCT data integrity in amphibians* — Jan 6, 3:30–5:30 PM, P3-169A.
Authors: Megan Hostetter, Valdez, Heesy, Phillips, & Lynch.
Compares Lugol’s vs PTA staining effects.
#SQuEACsLab #CTImaging #Morphology #Neuroanatomy
🐸 *Assessing the impact of sequential staining on microCT data integrity in amphibians* — Jan 6, 3:30–5:30 PM, P3-169A.
Authors: Megan Hostetter, Valdez, Heesy, Phillips, & Lynch.
Compares Lugol’s vs PTA staining effects.
#SQuEACsLab #CTImaging #Morphology #Neuroanatomy
SICB poster alert!
🐟 *Morphological brain variation within Cyprinodontiformes* — Jan 5, 3:30–5:30 PM, P2-013.
Authors: John Neal, Dominik Valdez, Phillips, & Lynch.
Brain shape variation across six species.
#SICB2026 #SQuEACsLab #CTImaging #Morphology #Neuroanatomy #Evolution #ComparativeBiology
🐟 *Morphological brain variation within Cyprinodontiformes* — Jan 5, 3:30–5:30 PM, P2-013.
Authors: John Neal, Dominik Valdez, Phillips, & Lynch.
Brain shape variation across six species.
#SICB2026 #SQuEACsLab #CTImaging #Morphology #Neuroanatomy #Evolution #ComparativeBiology
December 29, 2025 at 5:18 PM
SICB poster alert!
🐟 *Morphological brain variation within Cyprinodontiformes* — Jan 5, 3:30–5:30 PM, P2-013.
Authors: John Neal, Dominik Valdez, Phillips, & Lynch.
Brain shape variation across six species.
#SICB2026 #SQuEACsLab #CTImaging #Morphology #Neuroanatomy #Evolution #ComparativeBiology
🐟 *Morphological brain variation within Cyprinodontiformes* — Jan 5, 3:30–5:30 PM, P2-013.
Authors: John Neal, Dominik Valdez, Phillips, & Lynch.
Brain shape variation across six species.
#SICB2026 #SQuEACsLab #CTImaging #Morphology #Neuroanatomy #Evolution #ComparativeBiology
🧠 *Neuroanatomical correlates of ecological specialization in two mustelid species* — Jan 5, 3:30–5:30 PM, P2-004.
Authors: Blake Andrea, James Bates, Dominik Valdez, Heather F. Smith, & Lynch.
Examines sensory ecology via CT.
#SICB2026 #CTImaging #Morphology #Neuroanatomy #Evolution
Authors: Blake Andrea, James Bates, Dominik Valdez, Heather F. Smith, & Lynch.
Examines sensory ecology via CT.
#SICB2026 #CTImaging #Morphology #Neuroanatomy #Evolution
December 24, 2025 at 5:06 PM
🧠 *Neuroanatomical correlates of ecological specialization in two mustelid species* — Jan 5, 3:30–5:30 PM, P2-004.
Authors: Blake Andrea, James Bates, Dominik Valdez, Heather F. Smith, & Lynch.
Examines sensory ecology via CT.
#SICB2026 #CTImaging #Morphology #Neuroanatomy #Evolution
Authors: Blake Andrea, James Bates, Dominik Valdez, Heather F. Smith, & Lynch.
Examines sensory ecology via CT.
#SICB2026 #CTImaging #Morphology #Neuroanatomy #Evolution
🦦 *Variation in orbit-to-semicircular canal orientation in the North American river otter* — Jan 4, 3:30–5:30 PM, P1-143.
Authors: Dominik Valdez, Austin Bay, Hansan Jones, Celeste Delap, Smith, Heesy, & Lynch
#SICB2026 #SQuEACsLab #CTImaging #Morphology #Neuroanatomy #Evolution #ComparativeBiology
Authors: Dominik Valdez, Austin Bay, Hansan Jones, Celeste Delap, Smith, Heesy, & Lynch
#SICB2026 #SQuEACsLab #CTImaging #Morphology #Neuroanatomy #Evolution #ComparativeBiology
December 23, 2025 at 4:13 PM
🦦 *Variation in orbit-to-semicircular canal orientation in the North American river otter* — Jan 4, 3:30–5:30 PM, P1-143.
Authors: Dominik Valdez, Austin Bay, Hansan Jones, Celeste Delap, Smith, Heesy, & Lynch
#SICB2026 #SQuEACsLab #CTImaging #Morphology #Neuroanatomy #Evolution #ComparativeBiology
Authors: Dominik Valdez, Austin Bay, Hansan Jones, Celeste Delap, Smith, Heesy, & Lynch
#SICB2026 #SQuEACsLab #CTImaging #Morphology #Neuroanatomy #Evolution #ComparativeBiology
A SICB poster to see!
🦦 *Comparative cranial musculature of two mustelids: insights into functional morphology and ecology* — Jan 4, 3:30–5:30 PM, P1-135.
Authors: Blake Andrea, James Bates, Dominik Valdez, Heather F. Smith, & Leigha M. Lynch.
#SICB2026 #SQuEACsLab #Morphology #Neuroanatomy
🦦 *Comparative cranial musculature of two mustelids: insights into functional morphology and ecology* — Jan 4, 3:30–5:30 PM, P1-135.
Authors: Blake Andrea, James Bates, Dominik Valdez, Heather F. Smith, & Leigha M. Lynch.
#SICB2026 #SQuEACsLab #Morphology #Neuroanatomy
December 22, 2025 at 6:04 PM
A SICB poster to see!
🦦 *Comparative cranial musculature of two mustelids: insights into functional morphology and ecology* — Jan 4, 3:30–5:30 PM, P1-135.
Authors: Blake Andrea, James Bates, Dominik Valdez, Heather F. Smith, & Leigha M. Lynch.
#SICB2026 #SQuEACsLab #Morphology #Neuroanatomy
🦦 *Comparative cranial musculature of two mustelids: insights into functional morphology and ecology* — Jan 4, 3:30–5:30 PM, P1-135.
Authors: Blake Andrea, James Bates, Dominik Valdez, Heather F. Smith, & Leigha M. Lynch.
#SICB2026 #SQuEACsLab #Morphology #Neuroanatomy
🧠 New paper alert! Our NoCTURN–SQuEACs Lab collaboration is now out in Royal Society Open Science!
We explore CT data accessibility, standards, & the future of shared imaging resources.
Read it here: doi.org/10.1098/rsos...
#NoCTURN #SQuEACsLab #CTData #FAIRScience
We explore CT data accessibility, standards, & the future of shared imaging resources.
Read it here: doi.org/10.1098/rsos...
#NoCTURN #SQuEACsLab #CTData #FAIRScience
A FAIR narrative on open science: when, who, what and how of computed tomography and the NoCTURN network
Abstract. Open science, the practice of making research products and processes free and available to scientists and non-scientists alike, is transforming i
doi.org
December 20, 2025 at 4:07 PM
🧠 New paper alert! Our NoCTURN–SQuEACs Lab collaboration is now out in Royal Society Open Science!
We explore CT data accessibility, standards, & the future of shared imaging resources.
Read it here: doi.org/10.1098/rsos...
#NoCTURN #SQuEACsLab #CTData #FAIRScience
We explore CT data accessibility, standards, & the future of shared imaging resources.
Read it here: doi.org/10.1098/rsos...
#NoCTURN #SQuEACsLab #CTData #FAIRScience
First SICB lineup!
🧠 *On being the right brain-body size* — Jan 4, 11:30–11:45 AM, B117.
Authors: Christopher P. Heesy & Leigha M. Lynch.
A deep look at how body mass variation affects allometric analyses.
#SICB2026 #SQuEACsLab #CTImaging #Morphology #Neuroanatomy #Evolution #ComparativeBiology
🧠 *On being the right brain-body size* — Jan 4, 11:30–11:45 AM, B117.
Authors: Christopher P. Heesy & Leigha M. Lynch.
A deep look at how body mass variation affects allometric analyses.
#SICB2026 #SQuEACsLab #CTImaging #Morphology #Neuroanatomy #Evolution #ComparativeBiology
December 20, 2025 at 3:29 PM
First SICB lineup!
🧠 *On being the right brain-body size* — Jan 4, 11:30–11:45 AM, B117.
Authors: Christopher P. Heesy & Leigha M. Lynch.
A deep look at how body mass variation affects allometric analyses.
#SICB2026 #SQuEACsLab #CTImaging #Morphology #Neuroanatomy #Evolution #ComparativeBiology
🧠 *On being the right brain-body size* — Jan 4, 11:30–11:45 AM, B117.
Authors: Christopher P. Heesy & Leigha M. Lynch.
A deep look at how body mass variation affects allometric analyses.
#SICB2026 #SQuEACsLab #CTImaging #Morphology #Neuroanatomy #Evolution #ComparativeBiology
#SICB2025
Come back throughout the month to check out work led and co-authored by our awesome SQuEACs Lab students: Megan Hostetter, James Bates, Blake Andrea, John Neal, Austin Bay, and Hansan Jones!
Come back throughout the month to check out work led and co-authored by our awesome SQuEACs Lab students: Megan Hostetter, James Bates, Blake Andrea, John Neal, Austin Bay, and Hansan Jones!
December 19, 2025 at 4:39 PM
#SICB2025
Come back throughout the month to check out work led and co-authored by our awesome SQuEACs Lab students: Megan Hostetter, James Bates, Blake Andrea, John Neal, Austin Bay, and Hansan Jones!
Come back throughout the month to check out work led and co-authored by our awesome SQuEACs Lab students: Megan Hostetter, James Bates, Blake Andrea, John Neal, Austin Bay, and Hansan Jones!
🎉 SQuEACs Lab at SICB 2026!
We’ll be highlighting research across neuroanatomy, evolution, and CT imaging throughout the holiday break.
#SICB2026 #SQuEACsLab #CTImaging #Morphology #Neuroanatomy #Evolution #ComparativeBiology
We’ll be highlighting research across neuroanatomy, evolution, and CT imaging throughout the holiday break.
#SICB2026 #SQuEACsLab #CTImaging #Morphology #Neuroanatomy #Evolution #ComparativeBiology
December 19, 2025 at 4:38 PM
🎉 SQuEACs Lab at SICB 2026!
We’ll be highlighting research across neuroanatomy, evolution, and CT imaging throughout the holiday break.
#SICB2026 #SQuEACsLab #CTImaging #Morphology #Neuroanatomy #Evolution #ComparativeBiology
We’ll be highlighting research across neuroanatomy, evolution, and CT imaging throughout the holiday break.
#SICB2026 #SQuEACsLab #CTImaging #Morphology #Neuroanatomy #Evolution #ComparativeBiology
After 3 years of culminated data, I'm proud to present our most recent paper: Anatomical variation in the external vasculature of the human heart: A cadaveric investigation of dominance in coronary artery branching and cardiac venous drainage
Congrats to all!
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Congrats to all!
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Anatomical variation in the external vasculature of the human heart: A cadaveric investigation of dominance in coronary artery branching and cardiac venous drainage
Coronary artery and cardiac venous drainage patterns exhibit substantial anatomical variability, which can impact surgical planning and patient outcom…
www.sciencedirect.com
November 6, 2025 at 1:52 PM
After 3 years of culminated data, I'm proud to present our most recent paper: Anatomical variation in the external vasculature of the human heart: A cadaveric investigation of dominance in coronary artery branching and cardiac venous drainage
Congrats to all!
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Congrats to all!
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
New paper alert from the SQuEACs lab! My students report on two unique cases of anatomical variation in the human lumbar plexus. #anatomy www.cureus.com/articles/392...
Unique Anatomical Variations of the Lateral Femoral Cutaneous Nerve
This case study focuses on the atypical nerve contributions and branching patterns of the lumbar plexus in two human body donors at Midwestern University. It discusses their implications for pathology...
www.cureus.com
August 16, 2025 at 2:31 PM
New paper alert from the SQuEACs lab! My students report on two unique cases of anatomical variation in the human lumbar plexus. #anatomy www.cureus.com/articles/392...