Tom Iwanicki
@iwanicki.bsky.social
Visual ecologist with The Earth Commons Institute at Georgetown University studying light and vision on the high seas. Opinions my own.
🐟🪼🐦
tomiwanicki.com
🐟🪼🐦
tomiwanicki.com
Pinned
Kailua Beach, Hawai’i: The first time I laid eyes on a By-the-wind sailor, I stopped dead in my tracks, dusted the sand off my hands, grabbed my iphone and...
In our last thread, we left the jelly-enjoyers of Bluesky with a cliff hanger ending, in what one eager onlooker described as soap opera science 😜 ... wait no more, we are back! Grab your popcorn shrimp and come with us on a journey spanning more than...
bsky.app/profile/iwan...
bsky.app/profile/iwan...
In our last thread, we left the jelly-enjoyers of Bluesky with a cliff hanger ending, in what one eager onlooker described as soap opera science 😜 ... wait no more, we are back! Grab your popcorn shrimp and come with us on a journey spanning more than...
bsky.app/profile/iwan...
bsky.app/profile/iwan...
Kailua Beach, Hawai’i: The first time I laid eyes on a By-the-wind sailor, I stopped dead in my tracks, dusted the sand off my hands, grabbed my iphone and...
November 10, 2025 at 10:13 PM
In our last thread, we left the jelly-enjoyers of Bluesky with a cliff hanger ending, in what one eager onlooker described as soap opera science 😜 ... wait no more, we are back! Grab your popcorn shrimp and come with us on a journey spanning more than...
bsky.app/profile/iwan...
bsky.app/profile/iwan...
Reposted by Tom Iwanicki
There's something that feels a bit dead about the world right now, but tens of thousands of people just came together to help us solve a 100 year old mystery about a little blue jelly, and I find that heartbreakingly hopeful:
November 10, 2025 at 11:52 PM
There's something that feels a bit dead about the world right now, but tens of thousands of people just came together to help us solve a 100 year old mystery about a little blue jelly, and I find that heartbreakingly hopeful:
Reposted by Tom Iwanicki
I had student meetings yesterday for my class. It was a writing class so most meetings started with my comments on their papers, but I told them they could ask about anything. Some asked for advice for gap years, how to choose the next career step, even audio books :) my favorite question was...🧵
November 6, 2025 at 12:00 PM
I had student meetings yesterday for my class. It was a writing class so most meetings started with my comments on their papers, but I told them they could ask about anything. Some asked for advice for gap years, how to choose the next career step, even audio books :) my favorite question was...🧵
Today is a good day. Thank-you New York City. You are beautiful
November 5, 2025 at 2:15 AM
Today is a good day. Thank-you New York City. You are beautiful
Dazzling! Look at the twinkly iridescence of a ctenophore at ca. 5,000 m deep just above a vast expanse of polymetallic nodules. Tune in to EV Nautilus Live to see stunning critters & listen to the crew rank the food they are missing while at sea
October 16, 2025 at 7:17 PM
Dazzling! Look at the twinkly iridescence of a ctenophore at ca. 5,000 m deep just above a vast expanse of polymetallic nodules. Tune in to EV Nautilus Live to see stunning critters & listen to the crew rank the food they are missing while at sea
Reposted by Tom Iwanicki
🔔 DIVE HAPPENING NOW
My colleagues (👋 Amanda!) are narrating this gorgeous dive in the Cook Islands abyssal plains.
Forbidden truffles 🪨🪨🪨
Link below to watch livestream 🧪🌊
My colleagues (👋 Amanda!) are narrating this gorgeous dive in the Cook Islands abyssal plains.
Forbidden truffles 🪨🪨🪨
Link below to watch livestream 🧪🌊
October 16, 2025 at 3:10 PM
🔔 DIVE HAPPENING NOW
My colleagues (👋 Amanda!) are narrating this gorgeous dive in the Cook Islands abyssal plains.
Forbidden truffles 🪨🪨🪨
Link below to watch livestream 🧪🌊
My colleagues (👋 Amanda!) are narrating this gorgeous dive in the Cook Islands abyssal plains.
Forbidden truffles 🪨🪨🪨
Link below to watch livestream 🧪🌊
Kailua Beach, Hawai’i: The first time I laid eyes on a By-the-wind sailor, I stopped dead in my tracks, dusted the sand off my hands, grabbed my iphone and...
October 14, 2025 at 9:15 PM
Kailua Beach, Hawai’i: The first time I laid eyes on a By-the-wind sailor, I stopped dead in my tracks, dusted the sand off my hands, grabbed my iphone and...
There might be SEASONS in the ABYSS?! Fall may be here on land, but in some period of time and through 5 vertical kilometers of water, the Benthic Boundary Layer larvae may feel it too 🍂
University of Hawaiʻi researchers caution deep-sea mining due to understudied ecosystem
University of Hawaiʻi researchers caution deep-sea mining due to understudied ecosystem | Big Island Now
A study by oceanographers at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa provided the first in-depth look at a poorly understood area of the ocean, revealing a dynamic community that is sensitive to seasonal c...
bigislandnow.com
October 13, 2025 at 4:34 PM
There might be SEASONS in the ABYSS?! Fall may be here on land, but in some period of time and through 5 vertical kilometers of water, the Benthic Boundary Layer larvae may feel it too 🍂
Reposted by Tom Iwanicki
🧠 Alzheimer’s reversed in mice
A new study found that injecting nanoparticles can 'remind' the blood–brain barrier to function properly again, restoring normal brain activity in mice. Human trials could follow within years.
🔗 www.nature.com/articles/s41...
#SciComm #Alzheimers 🧪
A new study found that injecting nanoparticles can 'remind' the blood–brain barrier to function properly again, restoring normal brain activity in mice. Human trials could follow within years.
🔗 www.nature.com/articles/s41...
#SciComm #Alzheimers 🧪
Rapid amyloid-β clearance and cognitive recovery through multivalent modulation of blood–brain barrier transport - Signal Transduction and Targeted Therapy
Signal Transduction and Targeted Therapy - Rapid amyloid-β clearance and cognitive recovery through multivalent modulation of blood–brain barrier transport
www.nature.com
October 8, 2025 at 4:11 AM
🧠 Alzheimer’s reversed in mice
A new study found that injecting nanoparticles can 'remind' the blood–brain barrier to function properly again, restoring normal brain activity in mice. Human trials could follow within years.
🔗 www.nature.com/articles/s41...
#SciComm #Alzheimers 🧪
A new study found that injecting nanoparticles can 'remind' the blood–brain barrier to function properly again, restoring normal brain activity in mice. Human trials could follow within years.
🔗 www.nature.com/articles/s41...
#SciComm #Alzheimers 🧪
Field work in Bamfield, a lecture with Tom Reimchen, this is hitting me right in the ca. 2010 nostalgia - how time flies - BMSC is beautiful as ever
Attending #Stickleback2025 at Bamfield Marine Science Center with ~100 researchers from around the world. A few highlights from the first day….
July 28, 2025 at 5:16 PM
Field work in Bamfield, a lecture with Tom Reimchen, this is hitting me right in the ca. 2010 nostalgia - how time flies - BMSC is beautiful as ever
In the cacophony of crap news, I recalled seeing this lil' bug. A good reminder that nature is beautiful. Here's a female Sylvan jumping spider, clearly dazzled (or maybe pissed off) at the spider-like eyes of my iphone cameras. Pick an issue, get involved, AND pay attention to the beauty all around
July 25, 2025 at 5:07 PM
In the cacophony of crap news, I recalled seeing this lil' bug. A good reminder that nature is beautiful. Here's a female Sylvan jumping spider, clearly dazzled (or maybe pissed off) at the spider-like eyes of my iphone cameras. Pick an issue, get involved, AND pay attention to the beauty all around
Reposted by Tom Iwanicki
It was a day for ballot initiatives in the D.C. Council, as an attempt to repeal Initiative 82 was defeated (but could come back) while lawmakers funded ranked-choice voting, which was approved by voters last year as Initiative 83. For @51st.news: 51st.news/d-c-council-...
D.C. Council approves ranked-choice voting, rejects rollback of tipped wage law (for now)
There was plenty of action on two of D.C.'s ballot initiatives.
51st.news
July 14, 2025 at 10:47 PM
It was a day for ballot initiatives in the D.C. Council, as an attempt to repeal Initiative 82 was defeated (but could come back) while lawmakers funded ranked-choice voting, which was approved by voters last year as Initiative 83. For @51st.news: 51st.news/d-c-council-...
Just called the at-large council members of DC to urge them to fully implement initiative-82, the phase-out of a tipped minimum wage supported by almost 80% of DC voters! As a treat, here is a pair of ship wrecks: a By-the-wind sailor run aground next to the Wreck of the Peter Iredale, Astoria, OR
July 11, 2025 at 6:09 PM
Just called the at-large council members of DC to urge them to fully implement initiative-82, the phase-out of a tipped minimum wage supported by almost 80% of DC voters! As a treat, here is a pair of ship wrecks: a By-the-wind sailor run aground next to the Wreck of the Peter Iredale, Astoria, OR
Feeling very ‘watching cspan at 1:20am’ here is a gorgeous Portuguese man-o-war I recently saw on the Gulf of Mexico to cleanse the tl
July 3, 2025 at 5:23 AM
Feeling very ‘watching cspan at 1:20am’ here is a gorgeous Portuguese man-o-war I recently saw on the Gulf of Mexico to cleanse the tl
Reposted by Tom Iwanicki
Philly’s AFSCME DC 33 is officially ON STRIKE!
Over 9,000 blue collar city workers who run our streets, libraries, sanitation, and more have refused the city’s lowball offers. They make an average of $46K while our mayor enriches herself, her cronies, and the cops www.inquirer.com/politics/phi...
Over 9,000 blue collar city workers who run our streets, libraries, sanitation, and more have refused the city’s lowball offers. They make an average of $46K while our mayor enriches herself, her cronies, and the cops www.inquirer.com/politics/phi...
Thousands of Philadelphia city workers are officially on strike
More than 9,000 city employees are on strike after contract talks fell apart between AFSCME District Council 33 and Mayor Parker’s administration, the first major city worker strike since 1986.
www.inquirer.com
July 1, 2025 at 4:55 AM
Philly’s AFSCME DC 33 is officially ON STRIKE!
Over 9,000 blue collar city workers who run our streets, libraries, sanitation, and more have refused the city’s lowball offers. They make an average of $46K while our mayor enriches herself, her cronies, and the cops www.inquirer.com/politics/phi...
Over 9,000 blue collar city workers who run our streets, libraries, sanitation, and more have refused the city’s lowball offers. They make an average of $46K while our mayor enriches herself, her cronies, and the cops www.inquirer.com/politics/phi...
Reposted by Tom Iwanicki
Remember when Mayor Bowser proposed:
No new funding for permanent housing for individuals experiencing homelessness
Massive cuts to emergency rental assistance
Cuts to street outreach
Cuts to basically all social supports
Just some thoughts while we’re talking about mayors!
No new funding for permanent housing for individuals experiencing homelessness
Massive cuts to emergency rental assistance
Cuts to street outreach
Cuts to basically all social supports
Just some thoughts while we’re talking about mayors!
June 25, 2025 at 6:46 PM
Remember when Mayor Bowser proposed:
No new funding for permanent housing for individuals experiencing homelessness
Massive cuts to emergency rental assistance
Cuts to street outreach
Cuts to basically all social supports
Just some thoughts while we’re talking about mayors!
No new funding for permanent housing for individuals experiencing homelessness
Massive cuts to emergency rental assistance
Cuts to street outreach
Cuts to basically all social supports
Just some thoughts while we’re talking about mayors!
Reposted by Tom Iwanicki
Been true my whole life.
When Republican voters surprise pundits, there's always a spate of opinion pieces arguing that we must take the time to understand the wants and desires of said voters. Apparently, when Democratic voters do it, the response is to say they're unserious people who need to grow up. Interesting.
June 25, 2025 at 7:00 PM
Been true my whole life.
Looking at NYC from Mayor Bowserʻs DC
June 25, 2025 at 4:30 AM
Looking at NYC from Mayor Bowserʻs DC
Reposted by Tom Iwanicki
NEW YORK (AP) — Andrew Cuomo concedes New York City Democratic mayoral primary to Zohran Mamdani.
June 25, 2025 at 2:32 AM
NEW YORK (AP) — Andrew Cuomo concedes New York City Democratic mayoral primary to Zohran Mamdani.
Reposted by Tom Iwanicki
Exclusive: I have confirmed that the federal government is still refusing to process permit applications for land-based wind projects almost six months into the Trump administration. Not just offshore.
It threatens untold billions of capital investments in the United States.
via @heatmap.news
It threatens untold billions of capital investments in the United States.
via @heatmap.news
Trump’s Onshore Wind Pause Is Still On
Six months in, federal agencies are still refusing to grant crucial permits to wind developers.
heatmap.news
June 11, 2025 at 4:07 PM
Exclusive: I have confirmed that the federal government is still refusing to process permit applications for land-based wind projects almost six months into the Trump administration. Not just offshore.
It threatens untold billions of capital investments in the United States.
via @heatmap.news
It threatens untold billions of capital investments in the United States.
via @heatmap.news
Reposted by Tom Iwanicki
Quinnipiac national poll: Trump's approval rating is 38/53. GOP's approval rating is 32/61. But they have one thing going for them — Democrats are even more unpopular. Dems' approval rating is 21/70.
The congressional Democratic Party is under water with Democratic voters.
The congressional Democratic Party is under water with Democratic voters.
June 11, 2025 at 7:26 PM
Quinnipiac national poll: Trump's approval rating is 38/53. GOP's approval rating is 32/61. But they have one thing going for them — Democrats are even more unpopular. Dems' approval rating is 21/70.
The congressional Democratic Party is under water with Democratic voters.
The congressional Democratic Party is under water with Democratic voters.
In the middle of complex crises, H.R.884 clears the house with the help of 56 House Democrats voting to disenfranchise non-citizens from participating in local elections in DC. Xenophobia is bipartisan. clerk.house.gov/Votes/202516...
Roll Call 163 Roll Call 163, Bill Number: H. R. 884, 119th Congress, 1st Session
VOTE QUESTION: On Passage, DESCRIPTION: To prohibit individuals who are not citizens of the United States from voting in elections in the District of Columbia and to repeal the Local Resident Voting R...
clerk.house.gov
June 11, 2025 at 7:42 PM
In the middle of complex crises, H.R.884 clears the house with the help of 56 House Democrats voting to disenfranchise non-citizens from participating in local elections in DC. Xenophobia is bipartisan. clerk.house.gov/Votes/202516...
Congress Switchboard is extra glitchy today, good sign people are lighting up the phone lines? Or did the Musk flunkies take a hatchet to it too.
March 14, 2025 at 5:49 PM
Congress Switchboard is extra glitchy today, good sign people are lighting up the phone lines? Or did the Musk flunkies take a hatchet to it too.
Pinch me! I am so excited to be joining an amazing cohort of scientists and conservation practitioners for the Smith Fellowship. We are going to learn so many cool things about neuston (word of the day) the animals that live on - and interact with - the vast sea surface.
We are thrilled to announce the 2025 Class of Smith Fellows! Congratulations to Brian Erickson, Tom Iwanicki, Gabriela Reyes, Jenny Mallon, and Abhinav Tyagi! www.smithfellows.org/updates/anno...
Announcing the Class of 2025! — Smith Fellows
The Society for Conservation Biology and the Cedar Tree Foundation announce the recipients of the 2025 David H. Smith Conservation Research Fellowship.
www.smithfellows.org
March 11, 2025 at 10:56 PM
Pinch me! I am so excited to be joining an amazing cohort of scientists and conservation practitioners for the Smith Fellowship. We are going to learn so many cool things about neuston (word of the day) the animals that live on - and interact with - the vast sea surface.
Reposted by Tom Iwanicki
In last week's Rare Earth, we looked at the Arctic & especially Greenland: the geopolitics of mineral extraction, what Greenlanders want & the impacts etc
Today, this: "Fearing toxic waste, Greenland ended uranium mining. Now, they could be forced to restart - or pay $11bn"
www.theguardian.com/...
Today, this: "Fearing toxic waste, Greenland ended uranium mining. Now, they could be forced to restart - or pay $11bn"
www.theguardian.com/...
Fearing toxic waste, Greenland ended uranium mining. Now, they could be forced to restart - or pay $11bn
The island is being sued by a mining company over its decision, and faces paying nine times its annual budget in damages if it loses
www.theguardian.com
March 5, 2025 at 7:06 PM
In last week's Rare Earth, we looked at the Arctic & especially Greenland: the geopolitics of mineral extraction, what Greenlanders want & the impacts etc
Today, this: "Fearing toxic waste, Greenland ended uranium mining. Now, they could be forced to restart - or pay $11bn"
www.theguardian.com/...
Today, this: "Fearing toxic waste, Greenland ended uranium mining. Now, they could be forced to restart - or pay $11bn"
www.theguardian.com/...