Kathleen (Katie) Ferris
@ferrisifolius.bsky.social
Assistant Professor of plant evolutionary genetics at Tulane University. Amateur writer and painter. Lover of pastry, pretty shoes, cephalopods, and swimming in cold lakes.
Reposted by Kathleen (Katie) Ferris
This is far worse than anyone expected.
Trump's HUD plan would cut *two-thirds* of permanent housing and push as many as 170,000 formerly homeless people back onto the street—redirecting funds to work mandates, forced treatment, and encampment sweeps.
All as mass internment camps are being built.
Trump's HUD plan would cut *two-thirds* of permanent housing and push as many as 170,000 formerly homeless people back onto the street—redirecting funds to work mandates, forced treatment, and encampment sweeps.
All as mass internment camps are being built.
Trump Administration to Drastically Cut Housing Grants
www.nytimes.com
November 13, 2025 at 3:21 AM
This is far worse than anyone expected.
Trump's HUD plan would cut *two-thirds* of permanent housing and push as many as 170,000 formerly homeless people back onto the street—redirecting funds to work mandates, forced treatment, and encampment sweeps.
All as mass internment camps are being built.
Trump's HUD plan would cut *two-thirds* of permanent housing and push as many as 170,000 formerly homeless people back onto the street—redirecting funds to work mandates, forced treatment, and encampment sweeps.
All as mass internment camps are being built.
Reposted by Kathleen (Katie) Ferris
Oh wow @reuters.com got the photo here:
November 14, 2025 at 9:25 PM
Oh wow @reuters.com got the photo here:
Reposted by Kathleen (Katie) Ferris
Recently visited the Glass Flowers at Harvard, a collection of 4,300 extraordinarily realistic glass models of plants crafted by the Blaschkas, a father and son team of sculptors
That’s right, these are all made primarily of GLASS — a fact difficult to accept given how accurate & lifelike they are
That’s right, these are all made primarily of GLASS — a fact difficult to accept given how accurate & lifelike they are
November 14, 2025 at 7:17 PM
Recently visited the Glass Flowers at Harvard, a collection of 4,300 extraordinarily realistic glass models of plants crafted by the Blaschkas, a father and son team of sculptors
That’s right, these are all made primarily of GLASS — a fact difficult to accept given how accurate & lifelike they are
That’s right, these are all made primarily of GLASS — a fact difficult to accept given how accurate & lifelike they are
Reposted by Kathleen (Katie) Ferris
New paper! PhD student Julie Rej found that invasive brown anoles are more aggressive than native green anoles across a wide range of temperatures. The difference is greatest when it's hottest, ie, heat amplifies the aggression of an invasive species!
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
High temperatures amplify aggressiveness of an invasive lizard toward a native congener
Invasive species cause major disturbances to endemic wildlife and often displace native species. Behavioral aggression can contribute to invasive spec…
www.sciencedirect.com
September 11, 2025 at 3:29 PM
New paper! PhD student Julie Rej found that invasive brown anoles are more aggressive than native green anoles across a wide range of temperatures. The difference is greatest when it's hottest, ie, heat amplifies the aggression of an invasive species!
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Reposted by Kathleen (Katie) Ferris
Just like anti-vaxers, people who dislike immigrants are a weird terrible fringe group and we should treat them like the weird terrible fringe group they are.
Highest level of support since Gallup started asking this question a quarter century ago
September 8, 2025 at 12:06 AM
Just like anti-vaxers, people who dislike immigrants are a weird terrible fringe group and we should treat them like the weird terrible fringe group they are.
Reposted by Kathleen (Katie) Ferris
Hi everyone! I am looking for any #scientists (including grad students, post docs) that’d be willing to be interviewed about their research by my #SciComm students in October. Here is the form to fill out if interested! Our time zone is Alaska, FYI. docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
BIOL 311 Sci Comm Fall 2025 - Interview Sign up!
Please fill out this form to be interviewed as part of BIOL 311's students project for the second half of the semester. One form per one participant is preferred, so if you have post-docs or graduate ...
docs.google.com
September 8, 2025 at 1:45 AM
Hi everyone! I am looking for any #scientists (including grad students, post docs) that’d be willing to be interviewed about their research by my #SciComm students in October. Here is the form to fill out if interested! Our time zone is Alaska, FYI. docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
Reposted by Kathleen (Katie) Ferris
Today, I tried to get my COVID vaccine and was denied. Even after showing the pharmacist @govwesmoore.bsky.social 's statement that Maryland law says all Marylanders should have access to the COVID vaccine, I was still denied. They said they had to follow the box. This is RFK's fault. RFK must go.
September 7, 2025 at 10:55 PM
Today, I tried to get my COVID vaccine and was denied. Even after showing the pharmacist @govwesmoore.bsky.social 's statement that Maryland law says all Marylanders should have access to the COVID vaccine, I was still denied. They said they had to follow the box. This is RFK's fault. RFK must go.
Reposted by Kathleen (Katie) Ferris
The de minimis rule that allowed small packages worth less than $800 to be exempt from tariffs ended on Friday, Aug. 29, 2025.
Postal traffic to US drops more than 80% after trade exemption rule ends, UN agency says
The de minimis rule that allowed small packages worth less than $800 to be exempt from tariffs ended on Friday, Aug. 29, 2025.
n.pr
September 7, 2025 at 6:17 PM
The de minimis rule that allowed small packages worth less than $800 to be exempt from tariffs ended on Friday, Aug. 29, 2025.
Reposted by Kathleen (Katie) Ferris
Don’t say “Dems aren’t doing anything.” There’s just little attention to the courage of these Missouri Dems resisting the extreme gerrymandering of Republicans desigmed to increase Republican numbers in the House.
www.kfvs12.com/2025/09/05/m...
www.kfvs12.com/2025/09/05/m...
Missouri House Democrats plan to continue sit-in over weekend
Missouri Democrats have surpassed 24 hours of their sit-in on the House floor protesting a special session.
www.kfvs12.com
September 8, 2025 at 3:10 AM
Don’t say “Dems aren’t doing anything.” There’s just little attention to the courage of these Missouri Dems resisting the extreme gerrymandering of Republicans desigmed to increase Republican numbers in the House.
www.kfvs12.com/2025/09/05/m...
www.kfvs12.com/2025/09/05/m...
Reposted by Kathleen (Katie) Ferris
Obligatory sharing of John Oliver's take on this administrations fight against research and Universities #academia
youtu.be/xk94il8L820?...
youtu.be/xk94il8L820?...
Trump vs. Higher Education: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (HBO)
YouTube video by LastWeekTonight
youtu.be
September 8, 2025 at 9:25 AM
Obligatory sharing of John Oliver's take on this administrations fight against research and Universities #academia
youtu.be/xk94il8L820?...
youtu.be/xk94il8L820?...
Reposted by Kathleen (Katie) Ferris
Super excited about this new Open Rank tenure-track faculty search for the MSU Plant Resilience Institute. We successfully hired two excellent new faculty in our last search and we are hoping to build on that success with this search. careers.msu.edu/jobs/assista...
Assistant/Associate/Full Professor Tenure System - East Lansing, Michigan, United States
Working/Functional Title
Assistant/Associate/Full Professor Tenure System
Position Summary
The Plant Resilience Institute (PRI) at Michigan State University invites applications for multiple tenure-st...
careers.msu.edu
September 8, 2025 at 12:20 PM
Super excited about this new Open Rank tenure-track faculty search for the MSU Plant Resilience Institute. We successfully hired two excellent new faculty in our last search and we are hoping to build on that success with this search. careers.msu.edu/jobs/assista...
Chicago’s Mayor: The National Guard Isn’t What We Need www.nytimes.com/2025/09/08/o...
Opinion | Chicago’s Mayor: The National Guard Isn’t What We Need
www.nytimes.com
September 8, 2025 at 2:32 PM
Chicago’s Mayor: The National Guard Isn’t What We Need www.nytimes.com/2025/09/08/o...
Reposted by Kathleen (Katie) Ferris
BREAKING: Big moment as CDC staff stage a mass walkout.
They have lined the street outside its HQ to greet and salute the four top officials who have resigned in protest at RFK Jr’s attack on the agency’s science base.
(🎥 AP)
They have lined the street outside its HQ to greet and salute the four top officials who have resigned in protest at RFK Jr’s attack on the agency’s science base.
(🎥 AP)
August 28, 2025 at 7:42 PM
BREAKING: Big moment as CDC staff stage a mass walkout.
They have lined the street outside its HQ to greet and salute the four top officials who have resigned in protest at RFK Jr’s attack on the agency’s science base.
(🎥 AP)
They have lined the street outside its HQ to greet and salute the four top officials who have resigned in protest at RFK Jr’s attack on the agency’s science base.
(🎥 AP)
Reposted by Kathleen (Katie) Ferris
Convocatoria para PhD en New York Botanical Garden. Ayúdenme a compartir! Proyecto estudiando filogeografía de plantas de rio y modelos de conección de ríos luego del levantamiento del Istmo de Panama.
Interesados en evolución de plantas Neotropicales💦👇
anamariabedoya.weebly.com/opportunitie... 1/2
Interesados en evolución de plantas Neotropicales💦👇
anamariabedoya.weebly.com/opportunitie... 1/2
Opportunities
GRADUATE STUDENTS I will be recruiting a PhD student for Fall of 2026. This position is under an NSF funded grant for research in Panama, Costa Rica, and Colombia, aiming to investigate the timing...
anamariabedoya.weebly.com
August 28, 2025 at 8:01 PM
Convocatoria para PhD en New York Botanical Garden. Ayúdenme a compartir! Proyecto estudiando filogeografía de plantas de rio y modelos de conección de ríos luego del levantamiento del Istmo de Panama.
Interesados en evolución de plantas Neotropicales💦👇
anamariabedoya.weebly.com/opportunitie... 1/2
Interesados en evolución de plantas Neotropicales💦👇
anamariabedoya.weebly.com/opportunitie... 1/2
Reposted by Kathleen (Katie) Ferris
RFK Must Go
August 28, 2025 at 8:09 PM
RFK Must Go
Reposted by Kathleen (Katie) Ferris
62 years ago, Dr. King led the March on Washington with giants like John Lewis, Mahalia Jackson, A. Philip Randolph, and so many others.
If you’ve ever wondered what you’d be doing during the Civil Rights Movement, this is your test. (1/2)
If you’ve ever wondered what you’d be doing during the Civil Rights Movement, this is your test. (1/2)
August 28, 2025 at 8:25 PM
62 years ago, Dr. King led the March on Washington with giants like John Lewis, Mahalia Jackson, A. Philip Randolph, and so many others.
If you’ve ever wondered what you’d be doing during the Civil Rights Movement, this is your test. (1/2)
If you’ve ever wondered what you’d be doing during the Civil Rights Movement, this is your test. (1/2)
Reposted by Kathleen (Katie) Ferris
I hope to take a PhD student in 2026 to study siphonophores. Please reach out if you are interested in applying this fall. For examples of recent lab projects see www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti... and academic.oup.com/gbe/article/...
August 28, 2025 at 12:45 PM
I hope to take a PhD student in 2026 to study siphonophores. Please reach out if you are interested in applying this fall. For examples of recent lab projects see www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti... and academic.oup.com/gbe/article/...
Reposted by Kathleen (Katie) Ferris
Outside the CDC, people are chanting “USA, not RFK.” They are fed up with having one unqualified person dictate the nation’s health. #USANotRFK
August 28, 2025 at 9:03 PM
Outside the CDC, people are chanting “USA, not RFK.” They are fed up with having one unqualified person dictate the nation’s health. #USANotRFK
Reposted by Kathleen (Katie) Ferris
Friends! Today is the day! Please consider giving to the Botanical Society of America's fundraiser to help us meet our goal & to continue to support our amazing community!
Hear about all the amazing things the BSA does here: day-for-bsa.botany.org/2025
Donate here: crm.botany.org/civicrm/cont...
Hear about all the amazing things the BSA does here: day-for-bsa.botany.org/2025
Donate here: crm.botany.org/civicrm/cont...
Thanks to everyone who’s donated to the '#ADayforBSA' Endowment campaign! We’ve already reached 20% of our $15,000 goal.
Every gift matters and helps support students, publications, and the Botany Conference. Haven’t given yet? There’s still time: crm.botany.org/civicrm/cont...
#IamaBotanist
Every gift matters and helps support students, publications, and the Botany Conference. Haven’t given yet? There’s still time: crm.botany.org/civicrm/cont...
#IamaBotanist
August 27, 2025 at 6:20 PM
Friends! Today is the day! Please consider giving to the Botanical Society of America's fundraiser to help us meet our goal & to continue to support our amazing community!
Hear about all the amazing things the BSA does here: day-for-bsa.botany.org/2025
Donate here: crm.botany.org/civicrm/cont...
Hear about all the amazing things the BSA does here: day-for-bsa.botany.org/2025
Donate here: crm.botany.org/civicrm/cont...
Reposted by Kathleen (Katie) Ferris
“Prasad overruled dozens of career scientists to limit Covid vaccine approvals three times in the past few months”
August 27, 2025 at 5:59 PM
“Prasad overruled dozens of career scientists to limit Covid vaccine approvals three times in the past few months”
Reposted by Kathleen (Katie) Ferris
The work of @basicbiologist23.bsky.social on lizards and lead in Nat Geo!
www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/arti...
www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/arti...
These lizards can survive (and thrive) on a lethal dose of lead
Small lizards in New Orleans have an “unprecedented” tolerance for the toxic heavy metal. How are they even alive?
www.nationalgeographic.com
August 26, 2025 at 2:58 PM
The work of @basicbiologist23.bsky.social on lizards and lead in Nat Geo!
www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/arti...
www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/arti...
Reposted by Kathleen (Katie) Ferris
Some more nice coverage of the lead work
August 26, 2025 at 3:09 PM
Some more nice coverage of the lead work
Reposted by Kathleen (Katie) Ferris
Brown lizards in New Orleans carry more lead in their blood than any other animal on record — levels that would kill humans — yet they seem unfazed, according to new Tulane study.
Lizards in New Orleans have highest blood-lead levels ever recorded, study finds
Brown lizards in New Orleans carry more lead in their blood than any other animal on record — levels that would kill humans — yet they seem unfazed, according to new Tulane study.
bit.ly
August 22, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Brown lizards in New Orleans carry more lead in their blood than any other animal on record — levels that would kill humans — yet they seem unfazed, according to new Tulane study.
Check out this amazing study on lizard lead tolerance by @agunderson.bsky.social and colleagues!! It's already been featured in www.popsci.com/environment/... !!!
August 22, 2025 at 5:47 PM
Check out this amazing study on lizard lead tolerance by @agunderson.bsky.social and colleagues!! It's already been featured in www.popsci.com/environment/... !!!
Such a cool new study from @agunderson.bsky.social 's Lab!!!! What a great evolutionary biologist...is he taken? ;)
news.tulane.edu/pr/lead-resi...
news.tulane.edu/pr/lead-resi...
Lead-resistant lizards in New Orleans could hold clues to combating lead poisoning
Tulane University News and Press Releases
news.tulane.edu
August 20, 2025 at 6:45 PM
Such a cool new study from @agunderson.bsky.social 's Lab!!!! What a great evolutionary biologist...is he taken? ;)
news.tulane.edu/pr/lead-resi...
news.tulane.edu/pr/lead-resi...