Dr. Phyto (she/her) *Micro/Molecular biologist Looking for Work*
@drphyto.bsky.social
Rachelle Lapham, Ph.D. Mom, wife to
@takkun363, Research Scientist (pathogens, plants, gene editing, sustainable ingredients, biofuels), Lab Manager, DM/GM, Musician, Novelist, Cocktail enthusiast.
Banner by Eldritch Smite.
@takkun363, Research Scientist (pathogens, plants, gene editing, sustainable ingredients, biofuels), Lab Manager, DM/GM, Musician, Novelist, Cocktail enthusiast.
Banner by Eldritch Smite.
Pinned
How I describe myself to:
Science friends:
I'm a farmer/naturalist turned research scientist and lab manager with a specialty in plant pathogens and gene-editing. I like to sing, garden, and write.
DnD friends:
I'm a druid that multiclassed into wizard with a couple levels in bard.
Science friends:
I'm a farmer/naturalist turned research scientist and lab manager with a specialty in plant pathogens and gene-editing. I like to sing, garden, and write.
DnD friends:
I'm a druid that multiclassed into wizard with a couple levels in bard.
Reposted by Dr. Phyto (she/her) *Micro/Molecular biologist Looking for Work*
If you have the dosh to donate to a wonderful person. Please.
Donate to Help Patti Jo Fight for Her Life – Liver Failure & Urgent T, organized by Ibelis Cespedes
Dear friends, family, and compassionate supporters,
… Ibelis Cespedes needs your support for Help Patti Jo Fight for Her Life – Liver Failure & Urgent T
www.gofundme.com
October 20, 2025 at 10:54 PM
If you have the dosh to donate to a wonderful person. Please.
Reposted by Dr. Phyto (she/her) *Micro/Molecular biologist Looking for Work*
Help me help my friend - she needs an urgent liver transplant and kidney dialysis after being poisoned by herbal supplement overdose by an incompetent naturopath. gofund.me/e44411ce7
Donate to Help Patti Jo Fight for Her Life – Liver Failure & Urgent T, organized by Ibelis Cespedes
Dear friends, family, and compassionate supporters,
… Ibelis Cespedes needs your support for Help Patti Jo Fight for Her Life – Liver Failure & Urgent T
gofund.me
October 20, 2025 at 10:08 PM
Help me help my friend - she needs an urgent liver transplant and kidney dialysis after being poisoned by herbal supplement overdose by an incompetent naturopath. gofund.me/e44411ce7
Reposted by Dr. Phyto (she/her) *Micro/Molecular biologist Looking for Work*
Live now! Come and consider the P A S T A B I L I T I E S with us!
I have been cooking this Vtuber model up with @eldritchboots.bsky.social for MONTHS. Now we are al dente!
Join me tonight for my official L2D Model debut!!!!!!!
7pm CST
YT: www.youtube.com/@Pastability
Twitch: www.twitch.tv/thepastability
Join me tonight for my official L2D Model debut!!!!!!!
7pm CST
YT: www.youtube.com/@Pastability
Twitch: www.twitch.tv/thepastability
October 11, 2025 at 2:54 AM
Live now! Come and consider the P A S T A B I L I T I E S with us!
Reposted by Dr. Phyto (she/her) *Micro/Molecular biologist Looking for Work*
I have been cooking this Vtuber model up with @eldritchboots.bsky.social for MONTHS. Now we are al dente!
Join me tonight for my official L2D Model debut!!!!!!!
7pm CST
YT: www.youtube.com/@Pastability
Twitch: www.twitch.tv/thepastability
Join me tonight for my official L2D Model debut!!!!!!!
7pm CST
YT: www.youtube.com/@Pastability
Twitch: www.twitch.tv/thepastability
October 10, 2025 at 9:09 PM
I have been cooking this Vtuber model up with @eldritchboots.bsky.social for MONTHS. Now we are al dente!
Join me tonight for my official L2D Model debut!!!!!!!
7pm CST
YT: www.youtube.com/@Pastability
Twitch: www.twitch.tv/thepastability
Join me tonight for my official L2D Model debut!!!!!!!
7pm CST
YT: www.youtube.com/@Pastability
Twitch: www.twitch.tv/thepastability
#PhytoFacts
Your Flower Friday is brought to you by the Common Evening Primrose!
This North American wildflower has a lifespan of 2 years and can grow up to 5ft or 1.5m tall. It is great for pollinators and has some medicinal properties.
Oenothera biennis - Wikipedia share.google/W84P34g1t9ps...
Your Flower Friday is brought to you by the Common Evening Primrose!
This North American wildflower has a lifespan of 2 years and can grow up to 5ft or 1.5m tall. It is great for pollinators and has some medicinal properties.
Oenothera biennis - Wikipedia share.google/W84P34g1t9ps...
October 10, 2025 at 6:06 PM
#PhytoFacts
Your Flower Friday is brought to you by the Common Evening Primrose!
This North American wildflower has a lifespan of 2 years and can grow up to 5ft or 1.5m tall. It is great for pollinators and has some medicinal properties.
Oenothera biennis - Wikipedia share.google/W84P34g1t9ps...
Your Flower Friday is brought to you by the Common Evening Primrose!
This North American wildflower has a lifespan of 2 years and can grow up to 5ft or 1.5m tall. It is great for pollinators and has some medicinal properties.
Oenothera biennis - Wikipedia share.google/W84P34g1t9ps...
#PhytoFacts
Your Weird Wednesday is brought to you by sundews!
Sundews or Drosera is a genus of carnivorous plants with at least 194 species. These tiny little predators have modified, tentacle-like leaves covered with sticky, sap-covered hairs to ensnare prey.
share.google/mmmN6H3n1nJg...
Your Weird Wednesday is brought to you by sundews!
Sundews or Drosera is a genus of carnivorous plants with at least 194 species. These tiny little predators have modified, tentacle-like leaves covered with sticky, sap-covered hairs to ensnare prey.
share.google/mmmN6H3n1nJg...
Drosera - Wikipedia
share.google
October 8, 2025 at 5:31 PM
#PhytoFacts
Your Weird Wednesday is brought to you by sundews!
Sundews or Drosera is a genus of carnivorous plants with at least 194 species. These tiny little predators have modified, tentacle-like leaves covered with sticky, sap-covered hairs to ensnare prey.
share.google/mmmN6H3n1nJg...
Your Weird Wednesday is brought to you by sundews!
Sundews or Drosera is a genus of carnivorous plants with at least 194 species. These tiny little predators have modified, tentacle-like leaves covered with sticky, sap-covered hairs to ensnare prey.
share.google/mmmN6H3n1nJg...
#PhytoFacts
Your Tiny Tuesday is brought to you by Endophytic Bacteria!
This category of microbes live within plant tissues and help their host plants resistant infection, uptake nutrients, and produce growth hormones or antibiotics.
www.frontiersin.org/journals/pla...
Your Tiny Tuesday is brought to you by Endophytic Bacteria!
This category of microbes live within plant tissues and help their host plants resistant infection, uptake nutrients, and produce growth hormones or antibiotics.
www.frontiersin.org/journals/pla...
Frontiers | Beneficial Relationships Between Endophytic Bacteria and Medicinal Plants
Plants benefit extensively from endophytic bacteria, which live in host plant tissues exerting no harmful effects. Bacterial endophytes promote the growth of...
www.frontiersin.org
October 8, 2025 at 12:16 AM
#PhytoFacts
Your Tiny Tuesday is brought to you by Endophytic Bacteria!
This category of microbes live within plant tissues and help their host plants resistant infection, uptake nutrients, and produce growth hormones or antibiotics.
www.frontiersin.org/journals/pla...
Your Tiny Tuesday is brought to you by Endophytic Bacteria!
This category of microbes live within plant tissues and help their host plants resistant infection, uptake nutrients, and produce growth hormones or antibiotics.
www.frontiersin.org/journals/pla...
#PhytoFacts
Your Medicine Monday is brought to you by Quinine!
This anti-malaria compound was first isolated from the bark of the cinchona tree in Peru. Bark extracts have been used since at least 1632 to treat malaria.
share.google/yeooGpcAFpq6...
Your Medicine Monday is brought to you by Quinine!
This anti-malaria compound was first isolated from the bark of the cinchona tree in Peru. Bark extracts have been used since at least 1632 to treat malaria.
share.google/yeooGpcAFpq6...
October 6, 2025 at 2:53 PM
#PhytoFacts
Your Medicine Monday is brought to you by Quinine!
This anti-malaria compound was first isolated from the bark of the cinchona tree in Peru. Bark extracts have been used since at least 1632 to treat malaria.
share.google/yeooGpcAFpq6...
Your Medicine Monday is brought to you by Quinine!
This anti-malaria compound was first isolated from the bark of the cinchona tree in Peru. Bark extracts have been used since at least 1632 to treat malaria.
share.google/yeooGpcAFpq6...
#PhytoFacts
Silly Science Saturday:
Me: I finished all the sampling!
Coworker 1 & 2, immediately grab the "emergency" party horns
🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳
Silly Science Saturday:
Me: I finished all the sampling!
Coworker 1 & 2, immediately grab the "emergency" party horns
🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳
a man in a suit and bow tie is sitting at a desk eating a piece of food .
ALT: a man in a suit and bow tie is sitting at a desk eating a piece of food .
media.tenor.com
October 4, 2025 at 5:17 PM
#PhytoFacts
Silly Science Saturday:
Me: I finished all the sampling!
Coworker 1 & 2, immediately grab the "emergency" party horns
🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳
Silly Science Saturday:
Me: I finished all the sampling!
Coworker 1 & 2, immediately grab the "emergency" party horns
🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳
#PhytoFacts
Your Flower Friday is brought to you by the Giant Sunflower!
Helianthus giganteus is also known as the Tall Sunflower or Swamp Sunflower. It blooms from July to September and grows to 4-10 ft (1 to 3 meters) in height!
share.google/7fgeuXykySCy...
Your Flower Friday is brought to you by the Giant Sunflower!
Helianthus giganteus is also known as the Tall Sunflower or Swamp Sunflower. It blooms from July to September and grows to 4-10 ft (1 to 3 meters) in height!
share.google/7fgeuXykySCy...
a field of sunflowers with eclipse moon written on the bottom right
ALT: a field of sunflowers with eclipse moon written on the bottom right
media.tenor.com
October 3, 2025 at 9:35 PM
#PhytoFacts
Your Flower Friday is brought to you by the Giant Sunflower!
Helianthus giganteus is also known as the Tall Sunflower or Swamp Sunflower. It blooms from July to September and grows to 4-10 ft (1 to 3 meters) in height!
share.google/7fgeuXykySCy...
Your Flower Friday is brought to you by the Giant Sunflower!
Helianthus giganteus is also known as the Tall Sunflower or Swamp Sunflower. It blooms from July to September and grows to 4-10 ft (1 to 3 meters) in height!
share.google/7fgeuXykySCy...
#PhytoFacts
Weird Wednesday is brought to you by Broomrapes!
With a staggering 150 species, these parasitic plants sport gorgeous flowers with tiny seeds. No leaves. No chlorophyll. They get all their food and nutrients from their host.
www.britannica.com/plant/broomr...
Weird Wednesday is brought to you by Broomrapes!
With a staggering 150 species, these parasitic plants sport gorgeous flowers with tiny seeds. No leaves. No chlorophyll. They get all their food and nutrients from their host.
www.britannica.com/plant/broomr...
October 1, 2025 at 3:37 PM
#PhytoFacts
Weird Wednesday is brought to you by Broomrapes!
With a staggering 150 species, these parasitic plants sport gorgeous flowers with tiny seeds. No leaves. No chlorophyll. They get all their food and nutrients from their host.
www.britannica.com/plant/broomr...
Weird Wednesday is brought to you by Broomrapes!
With a staggering 150 species, these parasitic plants sport gorgeous flowers with tiny seeds. No leaves. No chlorophyll. They get all their food and nutrients from their host.
www.britannica.com/plant/broomr...
#PhytoFacts
Your Medicine Monday is brought to you by squalane!
This hydrating oil is used to promote skin health and reduce signs of aging. Although shark livers are an abundant source of it, most squalane is now derived from plants such as olives or by fermentation.
share.google/ZiMl9n7J5PEQ...
Your Medicine Monday is brought to you by squalane!
This hydrating oil is used to promote skin health and reduce signs of aging. Although shark livers are an abundant source of it, most squalane is now derived from plants such as olives or by fermentation.
share.google/ZiMl9n7J5PEQ...
September 29, 2025 at 4:06 PM
#PhytoFacts
Your Medicine Monday is brought to you by squalane!
This hydrating oil is used to promote skin health and reduce signs of aging. Although shark livers are an abundant source of it, most squalane is now derived from plants such as olives or by fermentation.
share.google/ZiMl9n7J5PEQ...
Your Medicine Monday is brought to you by squalane!
This hydrating oil is used to promote skin health and reduce signs of aging. Although shark livers are an abundant source of it, most squalane is now derived from plants such as olives or by fermentation.
share.google/ZiMl9n7J5PEQ...
Reposted by Dr. Phyto (she/her) *Micro/Molecular biologist Looking for Work*
I can't help it, I just think they are so cute.
Living in Scotland means I'm constantly lagging behind on our walks as I stop to get a closer look.
Does everyone react that way when they see a bryophyte? 💚
Nice work here 👇
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Bryophyte gene family space
Living in Scotland means I'm constantly lagging behind on our walks as I stop to get a closer look.
Does everyone react that way when they see a bryophyte? 💚
Nice work here 👇
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Bryophyte gene family space
September 26, 2025 at 1:12 PM
I can't help it, I just think they are so cute.
Living in Scotland means I'm constantly lagging behind on our walks as I stop to get a closer look.
Does everyone react that way when they see a bryophyte? 💚
Nice work here 👇
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Bryophyte gene family space
Living in Scotland means I'm constantly lagging behind on our walks as I stop to get a closer look.
Does everyone react that way when they see a bryophyte? 💚
Nice work here 👇
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Bryophyte gene family space
#PhytoFacts
Tree Thursday is brought to you by the Northern Catalpa!
Commonly planted as an ornamental, this native North American tree has a thick trunk, big heart shaped leaves, long seed pods which resemble cigars, and gorgeous flowers.
Northern Catalpa share.google/XnFXsIf5aPei...
Tree Thursday is brought to you by the Northern Catalpa!
Commonly planted as an ornamental, this native North American tree has a thick trunk, big heart shaped leaves, long seed pods which resemble cigars, and gorgeous flowers.
Northern Catalpa share.google/XnFXsIf5aPei...
September 25, 2025 at 11:55 AM
#PhytoFacts
Tree Thursday is brought to you by the Northern Catalpa!
Commonly planted as an ornamental, this native North American tree has a thick trunk, big heart shaped leaves, long seed pods which resemble cigars, and gorgeous flowers.
Northern Catalpa share.google/XnFXsIf5aPei...
Tree Thursday is brought to you by the Northern Catalpa!
Commonly planted as an ornamental, this native North American tree has a thick trunk, big heart shaped leaves, long seed pods which resemble cigars, and gorgeous flowers.
Northern Catalpa share.google/XnFXsIf5aPei...
Weird Wednesday is brought to you by Dodders!
These plants have no leaves or roots and have specialized stems which burrow into the tissues of other plants to steal sugar and water. Imagine a web of evil silly string.
Dodder www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/gardens-gard...
These plants have no leaves or roots and have specialized stems which burrow into the tissues of other plants to steal sugar and water. Imagine a web of evil silly string.
Dodder www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/gardens-gard...
September 24, 2025 at 4:59 PM
Weird Wednesday is brought to you by Dodders!
These plants have no leaves or roots and have specialized stems which burrow into the tissues of other plants to steal sugar and water. Imagine a web of evil silly string.
Dodder www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/gardens-gard...
These plants have no leaves or roots and have specialized stems which burrow into the tissues of other plants to steal sugar and water. Imagine a web of evil silly string.
Dodder www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/gardens-gard...
Some folks keep emergency booze at work.
I keep emergency soup.
I keep emergency soup.
September 23, 2025 at 6:37 PM
Some folks keep emergency booze at work.
I keep emergency soup.
I keep emergency soup.
Tiny Tuesday is brought to you by lichen!
Lichen is a colony organism that is a hybrid of cyanobacteria (algae), multiple filamentous fungi, and bacteria. Pictured is the leafy Flavoparmelia caperata, one of my favorites.
Lichen - Wikipedia share.google/mBHglEEIrtU1...
Lichen is a colony organism that is a hybrid of cyanobacteria (algae), multiple filamentous fungi, and bacteria. Pictured is the leafy Flavoparmelia caperata, one of my favorites.
Lichen - Wikipedia share.google/mBHglEEIrtU1...
September 23, 2025 at 10:54 AM
Tiny Tuesday is brought to you by lichen!
Lichen is a colony organism that is a hybrid of cyanobacteria (algae), multiple filamentous fungi, and bacteria. Pictured is the leafy Flavoparmelia caperata, one of my favorites.
Lichen - Wikipedia share.google/mBHglEEIrtU1...
Lichen is a colony organism that is a hybrid of cyanobacteria (algae), multiple filamentous fungi, and bacteria. Pictured is the leafy Flavoparmelia caperata, one of my favorites.
Lichen - Wikipedia share.google/mBHglEEIrtU1...
Medicine Monday: Paclitaxel
Derived from the yew tree, this drug is now commonly used to treat a variety of cancers, but was a revolutionary treatment when it was first discovered.
Paclitaxel - Wikipedia share.google/MvnnUElzwMJc...
Derived from the yew tree, this drug is now commonly used to treat a variety of cancers, but was a revolutionary treatment when it was first discovered.
Paclitaxel - Wikipedia share.google/MvnnUElzwMJc...
September 22, 2025 at 12:43 PM
Medicine Monday: Paclitaxel
Derived from the yew tree, this drug is now commonly used to treat a variety of cancers, but was a revolutionary treatment when it was first discovered.
Paclitaxel - Wikipedia share.google/MvnnUElzwMJc...
Derived from the yew tree, this drug is now commonly used to treat a variety of cancers, but was a revolutionary treatment when it was first discovered.
Paclitaxel - Wikipedia share.google/MvnnUElzwMJc...
Reposted by Dr. Phyto (she/her) *Micro/Molecular biologist Looking for Work*
Be careful y’all! These things are no joke!
September 20, 2025 at 9:43 PM
Be careful y’all! These things are no joke!
Silly Science Saturday: Differences in approach
Lab mate #1, looking at her plants: "Awww. Poor thing. You don't look so good. I'll get you some fresh media."
Lab mate #2, examining her own plants: "...sink or swim, bitch."
Lab mate #1, looking at her plants: "Awww. Poor thing. You don't look so good. I'll get you some fresh media."
Lab mate #2, examining her own plants: "...sink or swim, bitch."
September 20, 2025 at 8:13 PM
Silly Science Saturday: Differences in approach
Lab mate #1, looking at her plants: "Awww. Poor thing. You don't look so good. I'll get you some fresh media."
Lab mate #2, examining her own plants: "...sink or swim, bitch."
Lab mate #1, looking at her plants: "Awww. Poor thing. You don't look so good. I'll get you some fresh media."
Lab mate #2, examining her own plants: "...sink or swim, bitch."
Flower Friday: Chrysanthemums!
These popular flowers bloom in the fall and are members of the Daisy family. They originate from East Asia, but the majority of the horticultural varieties come from China.
Chrysanthemum - Wikipedia share.google/rw2vjiTUNWR3...
These popular flowers bloom in the fall and are members of the Daisy family. They originate from East Asia, but the majority of the horticultural varieties come from China.
Chrysanthemum - Wikipedia share.google/rw2vjiTUNWR3...
September 19, 2025 at 1:02 PM
Flower Friday: Chrysanthemums!
These popular flowers bloom in the fall and are members of the Daisy family. They originate from East Asia, but the majority of the horticultural varieties come from China.
Chrysanthemum - Wikipedia share.google/rw2vjiTUNWR3...
These popular flowers bloom in the fall and are members of the Daisy family. They originate from East Asia, but the majority of the horticultural varieties come from China.
Chrysanthemum - Wikipedia share.google/rw2vjiTUNWR3...
Tree Thursday: Paper birch (Betula papyrifera)
Known for its distinctive papery white bark, this tree is also known as the "canoe birch" and was used by indigenous Native Americans to make canoes, baskets, shelters, and all manner of tools for daily life.
share.google/PrHcgaoRzbDx...
Known for its distinctive papery white bark, this tree is also known as the "canoe birch" and was used by indigenous Native Americans to make canoes, baskets, shelters, and all manner of tools for daily life.
share.google/PrHcgaoRzbDx...
Betula papyrifera - Wikipedia
share.google
September 18, 2025 at 3:15 PM
Tree Thursday: Paper birch (Betula papyrifera)
Known for its distinctive papery white bark, this tree is also known as the "canoe birch" and was used by indigenous Native Americans to make canoes, baskets, shelters, and all manner of tools for daily life.
share.google/PrHcgaoRzbDx...
Known for its distinctive papery white bark, this tree is also known as the "canoe birch" and was used by indigenous Native Americans to make canoes, baskets, shelters, and all manner of tools for daily life.
share.google/PrHcgaoRzbDx...
Weird Wednesday: Witchweed (Striga)
Don't be fooled by its pretty blooms. This parasitic plant attaches itself to the roots of corn or sorghum and sucks the life out of them. It can cause massive losses in yield and even ruin an entire year's planting.
share.google/FGEBOQIjKpOc...
Don't be fooled by its pretty blooms. This parasitic plant attaches itself to the roots of corn or sorghum and sucks the life out of them. It can cause massive losses in yield and even ruin an entire year's planting.
share.google/FGEBOQIjKpOc...
Striga - Wikipedia
share.google
September 17, 2025 at 11:01 AM
Weird Wednesday: Witchweed (Striga)
Don't be fooled by its pretty blooms. This parasitic plant attaches itself to the roots of corn or sorghum and sucks the life out of them. It can cause massive losses in yield and even ruin an entire year's planting.
share.google/FGEBOQIjKpOc...
Don't be fooled by its pretty blooms. This parasitic plant attaches itself to the roots of corn or sorghum and sucks the life out of them. It can cause massive losses in yield and even ruin an entire year's planting.
share.google/FGEBOQIjKpOc...
Tiny Tuesday: Bacillus subtilis
This little soil microbe is an absolute rockstar!
It's been used to discover new medicines, promote plant growth, protect plants from pathogens, and as a tiny factory for bio-derived compounds. What can't it do?
share.google/d8zI938XYV49...
This little soil microbe is an absolute rockstar!
It's been used to discover new medicines, promote plant growth, protect plants from pathogens, and as a tiny factory for bio-derived compounds. What can't it do?
share.google/d8zI938XYV49...
Bacillus subtilis: a universal cell factory for industry, agriculture, biomaterials and medicine - Microbial Cell Factories
Due to its clear inherited backgrounds as well as simple and diverse genetic manipulation systems, Bacillus subtilis is the key Gram-positive model bacterium for studies on physiology and metabolism. ...
share.google
September 16, 2025 at 11:46 AM
Tiny Tuesday: Bacillus subtilis
This little soil microbe is an absolute rockstar!
It's been used to discover new medicines, promote plant growth, protect plants from pathogens, and as a tiny factory for bio-derived compounds. What can't it do?
share.google/d8zI938XYV49...
This little soil microbe is an absolute rockstar!
It's been used to discover new medicines, promote plant growth, protect plants from pathogens, and as a tiny factory for bio-derived compounds. What can't it do?
share.google/d8zI938XYV49...
Silly Science Saturday:
*Me and coworker 1 were trying to open a box.*
Coworker 2, laughing: How many degrees is it going to take?
Coworker 1: Apparently, three.
*Me and coworker 1 were trying to open a box.*
Coworker 2, laughing: How many degrees is it going to take?
Coworker 1: Apparently, three.
September 14, 2025 at 2:18 AM
Silly Science Saturday:
*Me and coworker 1 were trying to open a box.*
Coworker 2, laughing: How many degrees is it going to take?
Coworker 1: Apparently, three.
*Me and coworker 1 were trying to open a box.*
Coworker 2, laughing: How many degrees is it going to take?
Coworker 1: Apparently, three.