Anya Auerbach
@aauerbach.bsky.social
PhD candidate at UMN EEB studying Madagascar’s bird radiations | Loves birds, diversification, biodiversity, teaching evolution, and (natural) history museums | Queer. Organizer. Still a NYer at heart.
Saw some fluffy guys in Minneapolis yesterday. Ate some really good pupusas. Started a new book (Forest Euphoria- lovely and relatable!). Went to a Klezmer dance.
There are lots of ways to be in community!
There are lots of ways to be in community!
February 2, 2026 at 7:48 PM
Saw some fluffy guys in Minneapolis yesterday. Ate some really good pupusas. Started a new book (Forest Euphoria- lovely and relatable!). Went to a Klezmer dance.
There are lots of ways to be in community!
There are lots of ways to be in community!
Reposted by Anya Auerbach
I am looking for a master’s student to join my research group at Angelo State to work on an NSF-funded project in collaboration with colleagues at Cal Poly Humboldt and in Brazil. Please help me share this opportunity!
February 2, 2026 at 7:20 PM
I am looking for a master’s student to join my research group at Angelo State to work on an NSF-funded project in collaboration with colleagues at Cal Poly Humboldt and in Brazil. Please help me share this opportunity!
Reposted by Anya Auerbach
Just as a quick note while we discuss all the new (and familiar) names in the Epstein files: be careful about saying "everyone knows" about prominent people who are predators. People new to the field, people less connected (often marginalized folks), people who are adjacent, etc. may not know.
February 2, 2026 at 6:32 PM
Just as a quick note while we discuss all the new (and familiar) names in the Epstein files: be careful about saying "everyone knows" about prominent people who are predators. People new to the field, people less connected (often marginalized folks), people who are adjacent, etc. may not know.
Reposted by Anya Auerbach
NO PLANTING TREES ON THE NEW YEAR OF THE TREES
🚫🌳
the mechanisms of apartheid control and its disregard for human life, dignity, safety, freedom---
wind up coming down to the absolute fucking absurd.
God foribid people have a tree. God forbid an olive.
🚫🌳
the mechanisms of apartheid control and its disregard for human life, dignity, safety, freedom---
wind up coming down to the absolute fucking absurd.
God foribid people have a tree. God forbid an olive.
IDF, police stop Tu B’Shvat coexistence olive-tree planting in beleaguered Palestinian hamlet
* * *
www.timesofisrael.com
February 2, 2026 at 6:17 PM
NO PLANTING TREES ON THE NEW YEAR OF THE TREES
🚫🌳
the mechanisms of apartheid control and its disregard for human life, dignity, safety, freedom---
wind up coming down to the absolute fucking absurd.
God foribid people have a tree. God forbid an olive.
🚫🌳
the mechanisms of apartheid control and its disregard for human life, dignity, safety, freedom---
wind up coming down to the absolute fucking absurd.
God foribid people have a tree. God forbid an olive.
Reposted by Anya Auerbach
Excited to present the flounder effect - how our biases in sampling and worker effort impact our view of organisms.
A long term collaboration with @fossilsndcoffee.bsky.social, @bigfacecats.bsky.social, Jon Hendricks, and Curtis Congreve!
#FossilFriday ⚒️🧪
www.nature.com/articles/s44...
A long term collaboration with @fossilsndcoffee.bsky.social, @bigfacecats.bsky.social, Jon Hendricks, and Curtis Congreve!
#FossilFriday ⚒️🧪
www.nature.com/articles/s44...
The flounder effect: disparities in taxonomic and ecological study intensity across extant and fossil marine organisms hamper conservation - npj Biodiversity
npj Biodiversity - The flounder effect: disparities in taxonomic and ecological study intensity across extant and fossil marine organisms hamper conservation
www.nature.com
February 1, 2026 at 2:28 PM
Excited to present the flounder effect - how our biases in sampling and worker effort impact our view of organisms.
A long term collaboration with @fossilsndcoffee.bsky.social, @bigfacecats.bsky.social, Jon Hendricks, and Curtis Congreve!
#FossilFriday ⚒️🧪
www.nature.com/articles/s44...
A long term collaboration with @fossilsndcoffee.bsky.social, @bigfacecats.bsky.social, Jon Hendricks, and Curtis Congreve!
#FossilFriday ⚒️🧪
www.nature.com/articles/s44...
Reposted by Anya Auerbach
I can’t stress this enough. The state of 4th Amendment law is that the cops can’t force you to type in a passcode but they can force you to swipe your finger or present your face. Never stop using passcodes/passwords to unlock your devices. And consider additional code to unlock Signal.
The FBI was able to access Washington Post reporter Hannah Natanson's Signal messages because she used Signal on her work laptop. The laptop accepted Touch ID for authentication, meaning the agents were allowed to require her to unlock it. storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
February 1, 2026 at 12:08 AM
I can’t stress this enough. The state of 4th Amendment law is that the cops can’t force you to type in a passcode but they can force you to swipe your finger or present your face. Never stop using passcodes/passwords to unlock your devices. And consider additional code to unlock Signal.
This is going to sound harsh, but the last few weeks in MN have shown us that this is basically default ICE behavior when confronted with a crowd.
Nobody should be deliberately bringing their children into proximity with ICE right now.
No matter what you do, it likely won’t be a peaceful protest.
Nobody should be deliberately bringing their children into proximity with ICE right now.
No matter what you do, it likely won’t be a peaceful protest.
Just experienced the most intense tear gassing of my life by federal officers outside the ICE facility in Portland where marchers gathered. There was no fast exit as they indiscriminately threw loads of gas and flash bangs. Children were in the crowd screaming. @oregoncapitalchronicle.com
February 1, 2026 at 4:07 AM
This is going to sound harsh, but the last few weeks in MN have shown us that this is basically default ICE behavior when confronted with a crowd.
Nobody should be deliberately bringing their children into proximity with ICE right now.
No matter what you do, it likely won’t be a peaceful protest.
Nobody should be deliberately bringing their children into proximity with ICE right now.
No matter what you do, it likely won’t be a peaceful protest.
Police departments in targeted deep-blue cities keep on saying they’ll try to stop ICE from breaking the law and then they do jack shit except occasionally arrest some protesters.
Its notable they’re even saying these things, but lets focus on what their actions have always and continue to tell us.
Its notable they’re even saying these things, but lets focus on what their actions have always and continue to tell us.
I’m *extremely concerned* about the way folks are reforming their image of the cops in light of everything that’s happening, even though we only have a handful examples of them disagreeing with ICE, while still being responsible themselves for the murders of Black and brown people across the country
February 1, 2026 at 3:53 AM
Police departments in targeted deep-blue cities keep on saying they’ll try to stop ICE from breaking the law and then they do jack shit except occasionally arrest some protesters.
Its notable they’re even saying these things, but lets focus on what their actions have always and continue to tell us.
Its notable they’re even saying these things, but lets focus on what their actions have always and continue to tell us.
Reposted by Anya Auerbach
This is Callie. She is trained to accurately detect bowel cancer in order to provide rapid diagnoses through non-invasive testing. Some might call it lab work, but Callie is actually a sprocker spaniel. 14/10 incredible job, Callie (IG: medicaldetectiondogs)
January 29, 2026 at 11:44 PM
This is Callie. She is trained to accurately detect bowel cancer in order to provide rapid diagnoses through non-invasive testing. Some might call it lab work, but Callie is actually a sprocker spaniel. 14/10 incredible job, Callie (IG: medicaldetectiondogs)
Reposted by Anya Auerbach
Second PhD paper is out! We find: 1) aquatic and terrestrial salamanders have different limb bone adaptations, 2) complex life cycles promote different traits, 3) decoupling of external and internal bone traits increase diversity.
Thread (1/8) and FREE link below! 🦎🧪
doi.org/10.1111/joa....
Thread (1/8) and FREE link below! 🦎🧪
doi.org/10.1111/joa....
Habitat and complex life cycles promote morphological diversity in salamander limb bones
We examined the external shape and cross-sectional morphology of limb bones in 133 salamander species spanning the ecological and phylogenetic breadth of Caudata. We find that adaptations for aquatic...
doi.org
January 28, 2026 at 8:28 PM
Second PhD paper is out! We find: 1) aquatic and terrestrial salamanders have different limb bone adaptations, 2) complex life cycles promote different traits, 3) decoupling of external and internal bone traits increase diversity.
Thread (1/8) and FREE link below! 🦎🧪
doi.org/10.1111/joa....
Thread (1/8) and FREE link below! 🦎🧪
doi.org/10.1111/joa....
Reposted by Anya Auerbach
"Return CBP to the border"
Now that you have seen what CBP does, why is it okay to have them on the US-Mexico or US-Canada border? Some people say they want "a controlled border" but at what cost to life?
Now that you have seen what CBP does, why is it okay to have them on the US-Mexico or US-Canada border? Some people say they want "a controlled border" but at what cost to life?
January 27, 2026 at 1:23 PM
"Return CBP to the border"
Now that you have seen what CBP does, why is it okay to have them on the US-Mexico or US-Canada border? Some people say they want "a controlled border" but at what cost to life?
Now that you have seen what CBP does, why is it okay to have them on the US-Mexico or US-Canada border? Some people say they want "a controlled border" but at what cost to life?
Reposted by Anya Auerbach
This part. Celebrate every victory, large and small. Celebrate each other. Celebrate the love and solidarity that hold you together. Never stop doing this. It's fundamental.
I don't keep doomers in my feed but since apparently some folks do: "celebrate each and every win, loudly" is Organizing 101
January 27, 2026 at 4:22 AM
This part. Celebrate every victory, large and small. Celebrate each other. Celebrate the love and solidarity that hold you together. Never stop doing this. It's fundamental.
Reposted by Anya Auerbach
Seeing the NYT switch to active voice feels like watching a seal holding back the apocalypse crack
years and years of avoiding plain language and the active voice do make the choice to use it more impactful, I suppose
January 24, 2026 at 8:51 PM
Seeing the NYT switch to active voice feels like watching a seal holding back the apocalypse crack
Reposted by Anya Auerbach
Does everyone have a warm bed?
Does everyone have enough to eat?
Does everyone have a place to be safe?
Whose getting snatched in the night?
- Junauda Petrus, "Ritual on How to Love Minneapolis Again"
Does everyone have enough to eat?
Does everyone have a place to be safe?
Whose getting snatched in the night?
- Junauda Petrus, "Ritual on How to Love Minneapolis Again"
lims.minneapolismn.gov
January 24, 2026 at 7:32 PM
Does everyone have a warm bed?
Does everyone have enough to eat?
Does everyone have a place to be safe?
Whose getting snatched in the night?
- Junauda Petrus, "Ritual on How to Love Minneapolis Again"
Does everyone have enough to eat?
Does everyone have a place to be safe?
Whose getting snatched in the night?
- Junauda Petrus, "Ritual on How to Love Minneapolis Again"
Reposted by Anya Auerbach
One thing that irks me: people keep calling the folks on the streets in Minneapolis protestors. They are not generally there to protest, they are there to observe and document. This is the product of organizing and mutual aid. It is telling that these acts of citizenship are seen as protest!
January 24, 2026 at 9:29 PM
One thing that irks me: people keep calling the folks on the streets in Minneapolis protestors. They are not generally there to protest, they are there to observe and document. This is the product of organizing and mutual aid. It is telling that these acts of citizenship are seen as protest!
Reposted by Anya Auerbach
Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara confirmed that federal immigration agents shot and killed a man on Nicollet Avenue Saturday morning, marking the third time an agent shot a civilian in the city this month.
BREAKING: Federal agents shoot, kill Minneapolis man on Nicollet
Federal immigration agents shot and killed a Minneapolis man on Nicollet Avenue Saturday morning.
sahanjournal.com
January 24, 2026 at 8:47 PM
Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara confirmed that federal immigration agents shot and killed a man on Nicollet Avenue Saturday morning, marking the third time an agent shot a civilian in the city this month.
Reposted by Anya Auerbach
Most popular chant of the day: “ICE OUT. FUCK ICE.”
As a friend said, it’s important to have a clear thesis statement.
As a friend said, it’s important to have a clear thesis statement.
January 24, 2026 at 2:13 AM
Most popular chant of the day: “ICE OUT. FUCK ICE.”
As a friend said, it’s important to have a clear thesis statement.
As a friend said, it’s important to have a clear thesis statement.
Most popular chant of the day: “ICE OUT. FUCK ICE.”
As a friend said, it’s important to have a clear thesis statement.
As a friend said, it’s important to have a clear thesis statement.
January 24, 2026 at 2:13 AM
Most popular chant of the day: “ICE OUT. FUCK ICE.”
As a friend said, it’s important to have a clear thesis statement.
As a friend said, it’s important to have a clear thesis statement.
Reposted by Anya Auerbach
A coworker took this from her apartment. I haven't seen a crowd this size before. Maybe the first Women's March? But it was much much warmer that day. ICE OUT OF MINNESOTA!
January 23, 2026 at 11:19 PM
A coworker took this from her apartment. I haven't seen a crowd this size before. Maybe the first Women's March? But it was much much warmer that day. ICE OUT OF MINNESOTA!
Reposted by Anya Auerbach
NO GODS NO MASTERS NO PAYWALL
LET'S GET THIS STRIKE GOING
LET'S GET THIS STRIKE GOING
Racket Is Observing the ICE Out! Protest Today: No Work, No School, No Spending... No Paywall! - Racket
You won't find any new stories here as we joint hundreds of other Minnesota businesses in Friday's general-strike-ish movement. But! Today only, you can read our vast archives free of paywall interfer...
racketmn.com
January 23, 2026 at 5:09 AM
NO GODS NO MASTERS NO PAYWALL
LET'S GET THIS STRIKE GOING
LET'S GET THIS STRIKE GOING
Reposted by Anya Auerbach
One court decision, two different headlines.
Guardian on the left, NY Times on the right. Which one more directly conveys information and the stakes to the reader?
Guardian on the left, NY Times on the right. Which one more directly conveys information and the stakes to the reader?
January 22, 2026 at 3:30 AM
One court decision, two different headlines.
Guardian on the left, NY Times on the right. Which one more directly conveys information and the stakes to the reader?
Guardian on the left, NY Times on the right. Which one more directly conveys information and the stakes to the reader?
Reposted by Anya Auerbach
Our paper on the mysterious Devonian organism Prototaxites has now finally been published! See the paper here (www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...) and our explainer thread below!
Prototaxites reconstruction by Matt Humpage
Prototaxites reconstruction by Matt Humpage
January 21, 2026 at 7:25 PM
Our paper on the mysterious Devonian organism Prototaxites has now finally been published! See the paper here (www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...) and our explainer thread below!
Prototaxites reconstruction by Matt Humpage
Prototaxites reconstruction by Matt Humpage