Dr. B. Duygu Özpolat (she/her)
@biyolokum.bsky.social
Assistant Professor, Biology, Washington University in Saint Louis
Regeneration, germ cells, segmented worms
Junior faculty representative for SDB
I also make Science Art (mostly pottery)
#SciArt #WormWednesday #Annelida
www.ozpolatlab.org
Regeneration, germ cells, segmented worms
Junior faculty representative for SDB
I also make Science Art (mostly pottery)
#SciArt #WormWednesday #Annelida
www.ozpolatlab.org
Pinned
It's a worm's world: regeneration and regrowth in the Özpolat Lab
Inside a corner lab in the basement of Busch, thousands of worms lay in wait. The windowless room stays at a cool 18 degrees Celsius. Small plastic containers (think the ones you might have put some c...
biology.wustl.edu
"It's a worm's world" a lovely article by Maddy Frank about our lab's work!
biology.wustl.edu/news/its-wor...
biology.wustl.edu/news/its-wor...
Reposted by Dr. B. Duygu Özpolat (she/her)
Congrats to the 2026 SDB Award Winners!
Conklin Medal: Lee Niswander
SDB Lifetime Achievement Award: Alexandra Joyner
Hamburger Outstanding Educator Prize: Roberto Mayor
Hay New Investigator Award: Jeffrey Farrell
SDB Trainee SciComm Award: Nicholas Desnoyer
bit.ly/4afnjiC
Conklin Medal: Lee Niswander
SDB Lifetime Achievement Award: Alexandra Joyner
Hamburger Outstanding Educator Prize: Roberto Mayor
Hay New Investigator Award: Jeffrey Farrell
SDB Trainee SciComm Award: Nicholas Desnoyer
bit.ly/4afnjiC
February 5, 2026 at 5:34 PM
Congrats to the 2026 SDB Award Winners!
Conklin Medal: Lee Niswander
SDB Lifetime Achievement Award: Alexandra Joyner
Hamburger Outstanding Educator Prize: Roberto Mayor
Hay New Investigator Award: Jeffrey Farrell
SDB Trainee SciComm Award: Nicholas Desnoyer
bit.ly/4afnjiC
Conklin Medal: Lee Niswander
SDB Lifetime Achievement Award: Alexandra Joyner
Hamburger Outstanding Educator Prize: Roberto Mayor
Hay New Investigator Award: Jeffrey Farrell
SDB Trainee SciComm Award: Nicholas Desnoyer
bit.ly/4afnjiC
👀 Coming soon! Cabinets of Curiosities: One Scientist's Specimens - My first solo ceramics show as a part of a new series curated by Kasper Lorene Haase at the Intersect Arts Center. Stay tuned for details :) www.intersectstl.org #SciArt
February 6, 2026 at 4:44 PM
👀 Coming soon! Cabinets of Curiosities: One Scientist's Specimens - My first solo ceramics show as a part of a new series curated by Kasper Lorene Haase at the Intersect Arts Center. Stay tuned for details :) www.intersectstl.org #SciArt
Reposted by Dr. B. Duygu Özpolat (she/her)
Registration and Abstract Submissions for the 15th International Polychaete Conference is now open!! #IPC15
polychaete-association.com/ipc15-frankf...
polychaete-association.com/ipc15-frankf...
IPC15, Frankfurt 2026
Frankfurt, Germany • 27–31 July 2026Hosted at the Senckenberg Research Institute and Natural History Museum Frankfurt The 15th International Polychaete Conference (IPC15) will bring together resear…
polychaete-association.com
February 2, 2026 at 4:30 PM
Registration and Abstract Submissions for the 15th International Polychaete Conference is now open!! #IPC15
polychaete-association.com/ipc15-frankf...
polychaete-association.com/ipc15-frankf...
Reposted by Dr. B. Duygu Özpolat (she/her)
📢 The First Circular for the 15th International Polychaete Conference (IPC15) is out! Join us in Frankfurt, Germany • 27–31 July 2026
#IPC15 #Polychaetes #Annelida
polychaete-association.com/ipc15-frankf...
#IPC15 #Polychaetes #Annelida
polychaete-association.com/ipc15-frankf...
October 23, 2025 at 7:32 PM
📢 The First Circular for the 15th International Polychaete Conference (IPC15) is out! Join us in Frankfurt, Germany • 27–31 July 2026
#IPC15 #Polychaetes #Annelida
polychaete-association.com/ipc15-frankf...
#IPC15 #Polychaetes #Annelida
polychaete-association.com/ipc15-frankf...
Reposted by Dr. B. Duygu Özpolat (she/her)
#Postdocs! Going on academic job market? Apply for SDB GetHIRED! Take stock of what you want, know your options, prepare an outstanding job packet, organize your research & chalk talks, perfect your interview. Deadline: March 5 sdbonline.org/gethired
January 21, 2026 at 3:01 PM
#Postdocs! Going on academic job market? Apply for SDB GetHIRED! Take stock of what you want, know your options, prepare an outstanding job packet, organize your research & chalk talks, perfect your interview. Deadline: March 5 sdbonline.org/gethired
Reposted by Dr. B. Duygu Özpolat (she/her)
🚨 New from me: Grant review at more than half of NIH's institutes could be frozen by the end of the year.
That's because crucial NIH grant-review panels are slated to be empty at those institutes by Jan 2027.
A wonky bureaucratic problem with big implications.
A short 🧵
That's because crucial NIH grant-review panels are slated to be empty at those institutes by Jan 2027.
A wonky bureaucratic problem with big implications.
A short 🧵
Exclusive: key NIH review panels due to lose all members by the end of 2026
Thirteen of the agency’s advisory councils, which must review grant applications before funding is awarded, are on track to have no voting members.
www.nature.com
January 22, 2026 at 7:46 PM
🚨 New from me: Grant review at more than half of NIH's institutes could be frozen by the end of the year.
That's because crucial NIH grant-review panels are slated to be empty at those institutes by Jan 2027.
A wonky bureaucratic problem with big implications.
A short 🧵
That's because crucial NIH grant-review panels are slated to be empty at those institutes by Jan 2027.
A wonky bureaucratic problem with big implications.
A short 🧵
Reposted by Dr. B. Duygu Özpolat (she/her)
The multi-year NIH funding of grants tagged to 2025 allows Russell Vought to reduce the number of grants funded this year because he insists that a 5 years of $$$ has to be committed. This is bad. We could see a cut in actual grants by 1/3 or more. Spread the word. www.statnews.com/2026/01/16/n...
Limit on multiyear funding of NIH grants is a sticking point in Senate budget talks
A clause limiting the use of multiyear NIH grant funding has become a sticking point as the Senate appropriations panel finalizes the HHS spending bill.
www.statnews.com
January 21, 2026 at 10:55 AM
The multi-year NIH funding of grants tagged to 2025 allows Russell Vought to reduce the number of grants funded this year because he insists that a 5 years of $$$ has to be committed. This is bad. We could see a cut in actual grants by 1/3 or more. Spread the word. www.statnews.com/2026/01/16/n...
Reposted by Dr. B. Duygu Özpolat (she/her)
Cow Tools!
We have lived alongside cows for nearly 10,000 years.
We breed them and exploit them
It is now, only now, that we have discovered THEY CAN USE TOOLS
Here I describe our study
(paper) www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti... in @currentbiology.bsky.social
with @auersperga.bsky.social
We have lived alongside cows for nearly 10,000 years.
We breed them and exploit them
It is now, only now, that we have discovered THEY CAN USE TOOLS
Here I describe our study
(paper) www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti... in @currentbiology.bsky.social
with @auersperga.bsky.social
January 19, 2026 at 5:26 PM
Cow Tools!
We have lived alongside cows for nearly 10,000 years.
We breed them and exploit them
It is now, only now, that we have discovered THEY CAN USE TOOLS
Here I describe our study
(paper) www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti... in @currentbiology.bsky.social
with @auersperga.bsky.social
We have lived alongside cows for nearly 10,000 years.
We breed them and exploit them
It is now, only now, that we have discovered THEY CAN USE TOOLS
Here I describe our study
(paper) www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti... in @currentbiology.bsky.social
with @auersperga.bsky.social
I am in love with Veronica 😍
I have prepared a video summarizing the study. Please come back here after reading the thread : )
youtu.be/bAk4PFEuWKQ English
also
youtu.be/CETjjZBMT5c Spanish
youtu.be/tkpjlCxDJZA German
(Thanks to Esau Dharma for providing the Spanish voice for Witgar Wiegele!)
youtu.be/bAk4PFEuWKQ English
also
youtu.be/CETjjZBMT5c Spanish
youtu.be/tkpjlCxDJZA German
(Thanks to Esau Dharma for providing the Spanish voice for Witgar Wiegele!)
Flexible use of a multi-purpose tool by a cow
YouTube video by Antonio Jose Osuna Mascaró
youtu.be
January 20, 2026 at 6:28 PM
I am in love with Veronica 😍
Reposted by Dr. B. Duygu Özpolat (she/her)
House Appropriations minibus bill funding NIH is out now.
- $400M increase
- Multiyear funding of new awards capped at 2025 levels.
- No line item for BRAIN Initiative
text here: docs.house.gov/billsthiswee...
Screenshots from Dem summary and Sec 240 (multiyear funding text).
- $400M increase
- Multiyear funding of new awards capped at 2025 levels.
- No line item for BRAIN Initiative
text here: docs.house.gov/billsthiswee...
Screenshots from Dem summary and Sec 240 (multiyear funding text).
January 20, 2026 at 2:29 PM
House Appropriations minibus bill funding NIH is out now.
- $400M increase
- Multiyear funding of new awards capped at 2025 levels.
- No line item for BRAIN Initiative
text here: docs.house.gov/billsthiswee...
Screenshots from Dem summary and Sec 240 (multiyear funding text).
- $400M increase
- Multiyear funding of new awards capped at 2025 levels.
- No line item for BRAIN Initiative
text here: docs.house.gov/billsthiswee...
Screenshots from Dem summary and Sec 240 (multiyear funding text).
Reposted by Dr. B. Duygu Özpolat (she/her)
This is so grim. Science isn’t just something nerds do, but the foundation of the modern world. What the Trump regime has done to US science will harm Americans for generations.
‘Shattered’: US scientists speak out about how Trump policies disrupted their careers
Researchers lay bare the human toll of lay-offs, funding cuts and attacks on science one year after the president’s return to the White House.
www.nature.com
January 20, 2026 at 11:23 AM
This is so grim. Science isn’t just something nerds do, but the foundation of the modern world. What the Trump regime has done to US science will harm Americans for generations.
Reposted by Dr. B. Duygu Özpolat (she/her)
The appropriations bill that includes NIH is being finalized.
The Senate bill includes a bipartisan amendment from Senators Capito (WV) and Baldwin (WI) limiting multi-year funding of grants.
The House version does not and OMB has issued a veto threat if the House includes such language.
1/3
The Senate bill includes a bipartisan amendment from Senators Capito (WV) and Baldwin (WI) limiting multi-year funding of grants.
The House version does not and OMB has issued a veto threat if the House includes such language.
1/3
a close up of a brown surface with a few spots
ALT: a close up of a brown surface with a few spots
media.tenor.com
January 14, 2026 at 1:33 PM
The appropriations bill that includes NIH is being finalized.
The Senate bill includes a bipartisan amendment from Senators Capito (WV) and Baldwin (WI) limiting multi-year funding of grants.
The House version does not and OMB has issued a veto threat if the House includes such language.
1/3
The Senate bill includes a bipartisan amendment from Senators Capito (WV) and Baldwin (WI) limiting multi-year funding of grants.
The House version does not and OMB has issued a veto threat if the House includes such language.
1/3
For the future #WormWednesday
Had to draw a very specific worm from the Composetia genus. www.inaturalist.org/observations...
#SciArt #Art
#SciArt #Art
January 12, 2026 at 3:04 PM
For the future #WormWednesday
Reposted by Dr. B. Duygu Özpolat (she/her)
"Science is doing okay..." according to NYT, choosing to highlight that unfortunate quote from somebody from AAAS.
We beg to differ.
Just look at some of those in: www.trumpactiontracker.info
h/t @chrischirp.bsky.social
We beg to differ.
Just look at some of those in: www.trumpactiontracker.info
h/t @chrischirp.bsky.social
January 10, 2026 at 8:06 PM
"Science is doing okay..." according to NYT, choosing to highlight that unfortunate quote from somebody from AAAS.
We beg to differ.
Just look at some of those in: www.trumpactiontracker.info
h/t @chrischirp.bsky.social
We beg to differ.
Just look at some of those in: www.trumpactiontracker.info
h/t @chrischirp.bsky.social
Today!
🚨 Join us this Friday for an exciting webinar on retina regeneration! Featuring Alice Accorsi @accorsi-alice.bsky.social of UC Davis and Jeff Mumm @jsmumm.bsky.social of Johns Hopkins.
isrbio.org/event-6502506
isrbio.org/event-6502506
January 9, 2026 at 2:35 PM
Today!
Reposted by Dr. B. Duygu Özpolat (she/her)
We’re hiring!
@jcellsci.bsky.social is looking for a Reviews Editor to join the team. This is a fantastic opportunity for someone who loves #cellbiology and wants to stay connected with the field. A great chance to work for an organisation that believes in helping the community!
Details below👇
@jcellsci.bsky.social is looking for a Reviews Editor to join the team. This is a fantastic opportunity for someone who loves #cellbiology and wants to stay connected with the field. A great chance to work for an organisation that believes in helping the community!
Details below👇
Journal of Cell Science @jcellsci.bsky.social is recruiting an enthusiastic and motivated Reviews Editor. An exciting opportunity for a talented scientific editor to make a contribution to an important journal in the field of #cellbiology. Deadline 2 Feb.
More at: www.biologists.com/about-us/wor...
More at: www.biologists.com/about-us/wor...
Work for us
Working for us We’re always looking for talented and motivated people to work as part of our close-knit team. Roles range from editorial to production, marketing to event co-ordination, HR to accounts...
www.biologists.com
January 9, 2026 at 10:13 AM
We’re hiring!
@jcellsci.bsky.social is looking for a Reviews Editor to join the team. This is a fantastic opportunity for someone who loves #cellbiology and wants to stay connected with the field. A great chance to work for an organisation that believes in helping the community!
Details below👇
@jcellsci.bsky.social is looking for a Reviews Editor to join the team. This is a fantastic opportunity for someone who loves #cellbiology and wants to stay connected with the field. A great chance to work for an organisation that believes in helping the community!
Details below👇
Reposted by Dr. B. Duygu Özpolat (she/her)
I highly recommend @drsoandsoresearch.bsky.social - she transcribed the diary of Joseph Bell for me while I was writing SLEUTH-HOUND. I think she's the only person in the world who can read his atrocious handwriting! She's a brilliant researcher, and she just passed her viva (congrats, Dr. So!)
My largest freelance project has come to an end so I am opening my books for this year. I am a historian and heritage professional who collaborates with best-selling authors, award-winning TV production companies, and awe-inspiring venues. Need some research/fact checking/interpretation? 🙋♀️📚
drsoandso.co.uk
Explore expert historical consultancy services specializing in health humanities and medical history for engaging historical interpretation.
drsoandso.co.uk
January 8, 2026 at 2:18 PM
I highly recommend @drsoandsoresearch.bsky.social - she transcribed the diary of Joseph Bell for me while I was writing SLEUTH-HOUND. I think she's the only person in the world who can read his atrocious handwriting! She's a brilliant researcher, and she just passed her viva (congrats, Dr. So!)
Reposted by Dr. B. Duygu Özpolat (she/her)
Reposted by Dr. B. Duygu Özpolat (she/her)
Evidence of autonomous neural specification for both brain and ventral nerve cord tissue in Annelida https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.01.06.697942v1
January 7, 2026 at 12:56 PM
Reposted by Dr. B. Duygu Özpolat (she/her)
🚨 Join us this Friday for an exciting webinar on retina regeneration! Featuring Alice Accorsi @accorsi-alice.bsky.social of UC Davis and Jeff Mumm @jsmumm.bsky.social of Johns Hopkins.
isrbio.org/event-6502506
isrbio.org/event-6502506
January 6, 2026 at 5:08 PM
🚨 Join us this Friday for an exciting webinar on retina regeneration! Featuring Alice Accorsi @accorsi-alice.bsky.social of UC Davis and Jeff Mumm @jsmumm.bsky.social of Johns Hopkins.
isrbio.org/event-6502506
isrbio.org/event-6502506
Reposted by Dr. B. Duygu Özpolat (she/her)
And these knitted objects for #sicb2026, tagged and ready for the @sicb-diz.bsky.social auction. Come bid on things Monday night!
January 2, 2026 at 8:38 PM
And these knitted objects for #sicb2026, tagged and ready for the @sicb-diz.bsky.social auction. Come bid on things Monday night!
Reposted by Dr. B. Duygu Özpolat (she/her)
Great post to start the new year, the first hours of a new life :-)
Also tagging @mofrawe.bsky.social here, her handle is a tad difficult to find, but worth to watch and follow ;-)
Also tagging @mofrawe.bsky.social here, her handle is a tad difficult to find, but worth to watch and follow ;-)
First hours of embryonic zebrafish development. Credit to Mona Wellhäusser, Timo Schreiber, & @lennarthilbert.bsky.social. #ZebrafishZunday 🧪
January 4, 2026 at 4:43 PM
Great post to start the new year, the first hours of a new life :-)
Also tagging @mofrawe.bsky.social here, her handle is a tad difficult to find, but worth to watch and follow ;-)
Also tagging @mofrawe.bsky.social here, her handle is a tad difficult to find, but worth to watch and follow ;-)
We all should remember that by publishing in a journal, we financially support their existence, and intellectually support their values and approach to publishing. Publish in journals that give back to your discipline, that give back to science. Such as Development and Developmental Biology
"revision requests can expand beyond what is feasible...we've been told reviews are unnecessarily harsh... reviews can seem formidable but usually represent constructive critiques"
Interesting reflections and introspection from editors of Development 1/n
journals.biologists.com/dev/article/...
Interesting reflections and introspection from editors of Development 1/n
journals.biologists.com/dev/article/...
The hard truth about how hard it is to publish in Development
Every researcher knows the anticipation and trepidation that come with submitting a paper to a journal. Years of effort have been distilled into a few thousand words and a handful of figures containin...
journals.biologists.com
January 3, 2026 at 7:33 PM
We all should remember that by publishing in a journal, we financially support their existence, and intellectually support their values and approach to publishing. Publish in journals that give back to your discipline, that give back to science. Such as Development and Developmental Biology
Reposted by Dr. B. Duygu Özpolat (she/her)
“I just don’t know how you go around, asking everyone first. I just don’t see how that would work.”
From May 2025: www.theverge.com/news/674366/...
From May 2025: www.theverge.com/news/674366/...
December 29, 2025 at 7:46 PM
“I just don’t know how you go around, asking everyone first. I just don’t see how that would work.”
From May 2025: www.theverge.com/news/674366/...
From May 2025: www.theverge.com/news/674366/...
I'm so sad I can't go 🥹
Make sure to check out the auction! My plates just made it to Portland according to USPS :)
Make sure to check out the auction! My plates just made it to Portland according to USPS :)
December 29, 2025 at 11:42 PM
I'm so sad I can't go 🥹
Make sure to check out the auction! My plates just made it to Portland according to USPS :)
Make sure to check out the auction! My plates just made it to Portland according to USPS :)