Kevin Thiessen, PhD
@kevinthiessen.bsky.social
Scientist at University of Bristol. Creator and Admin of @zebrafishrock.bsky.social across social media and Slack. Creighton Alumnus. 🇺🇸✈️🇩🇪🚘🇬🇧
Finally putting my social media skills to work for my favorite societies 💪
Happy to announce I've joined the IZFS Publications & Communications Committee to coordinate their member news for the News Splash!
I've also taken on the role of Co-Chair of the newly-formed ZDMS Communications Committee!
Happy to announce I've joined the IZFS Publications & Communications Committee to coordinate their member news for the News Splash!
I've also taken on the role of Co-Chair of the newly-formed ZDMS Communications Committee!
February 13, 2026 at 9:22 AM
Finally putting my social media skills to work for my favorite societies 💪
Happy to announce I've joined the IZFS Publications & Communications Committee to coordinate their member news for the News Splash!
I've also taken on the role of Co-Chair of the newly-formed ZDMS Communications Committee!
Happy to announce I've joined the IZFS Publications & Communications Committee to coordinate their member news for the News Splash!
I've also taken on the role of Co-Chair of the newly-formed ZDMS Communications Committee!
Reposted by Kevin Thiessen, PhD
Enhance your timeline on #InternationalDayOfWomenAndGirlsInScience by following our two(!) Starter Packs of outstanding Group Leaders and Senior Scientists from the #zebrafish community! 🐟 🧪
#WomenInScience Volume 1: go.bsky.app/4BegEjv
#WomenInScience Volume 2: go.bsky.app/VoebYrt
#WomenInScience Volume 1: go.bsky.app/4BegEjv
#WomenInScience Volume 2: go.bsky.app/VoebYrt
February 11, 2026 at 8:59 AM
Enhance your timeline on #InternationalDayOfWomenAndGirlsInScience by following our two(!) Starter Packs of outstanding Group Leaders and Senior Scientists from the #zebrafish community! 🐟 🧪
#WomenInScience Volume 1: go.bsky.app/4BegEjv
#WomenInScience Volume 2: go.bsky.app/VoebYrt
#WomenInScience Volume 1: go.bsky.app/4BegEjv
#WomenInScience Volume 2: go.bsky.app/VoebYrt
Really enjoyed this imaging spotlight by @focalplane.bsky.social. The transgenics are 🔥!
Our latest ‘Imaging spotlight’ is from Jan Brugués @brugueslab.bsky.social & Alison Kickuth @alisonkickuth.bsky.social where they discuss the microscopy & microrheology techniques that they used in their research dissecting the mechanics of cytokinesis.
focalplane.biologists.com/2026/02/10/i...
focalplane.biologists.com/2026/02/10/i...
Imaging spotlight - How to divide without a ring: a mechanical ratchet drives unilateral cytokinesis - FocalPlane
Imaging spotlight - How to divide without a ring: a mechanical ratchet drives unilateral cytokinesis - News
focalplane.biologists.com
February 10, 2026 at 5:50 PM
Really enjoyed this imaging spotlight by @focalplane.bsky.social. The transgenics are 🔥!
After a slow start to the New Year, the Zebrafish Rock! Slack tankspace is back over 550 active monthly users! It continues to be a friendly and helpful forum for the #zebrafish community. If you are keen to join, sign up using the Google Form on the ZR! website: linktr.ee/zebrafishrock 🐟
February 9, 2026 at 8:11 PM
After a slow start to the New Year, the Zebrafish Rock! Slack tankspace is back over 550 active monthly users! It continues to be a friendly and helpful forum for the #zebrafish community. If you are keen to join, sign up using the Google Form on the ZR! website: linktr.ee/zebrafishrock 🐟
I always wanted to attend this conference while I was in Nebraska but I always had another conflict. Do try to attend if you are in the region or even outside of it! Midwesterners really are a friendly bunch 😊 You won’t regret it!
Save the date! The organizers of the Midwest Zebrafish Meeting would like to personally invite you to attend their next gathering, which will be held June 24–26, 2026, at the Van Andel Institute in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Check out this thread for more details about the conference!👇 #zebrafish 🧪
February 8, 2026 at 3:09 PM
I always wanted to attend this conference while I was in Nebraska but I always had another conflict. Do try to attend if you are in the region or even outside of it! Midwesterners really are a friendly bunch 😊 You won’t regret it!
Reposted by Kevin Thiessen, PhD
Happy Black History Month! I am sharing a permanent and continuously updated list of inspiring Black scientists! Check it out! Huge thank you to the folks who gathered this info. Thank you to @drstarbird.bsky.social and the rest of the Index Committee! www.wiley.com/en-us/resear...
Index of Inspiring Black Scientists | Wiley
The Inspiring Black Scientists Index is a curated database celebrating diverse contributions to science. Join us in promoting education and collaboration.
www.wiley.com
February 6, 2026 at 7:45 PM
Happy Black History Month! I am sharing a permanent and continuously updated list of inspiring Black scientists! Check it out! Huge thank you to the folks who gathered this info. Thank you to @drstarbird.bsky.social and the rest of the Index Committee! www.wiley.com/en-us/resear...
This is amazing news! And I just heard BioEYES is coming to Kings College London as well 👀
BioEYES is growing its impact globally. With new support, the hands-on science program that introduces students to biology through zebrafish is launching in Accra, Ghana. @bioeyes.bsky.social magazine.krieger.jhu.edu/2026/02/bioe...
BioEYES program expands to Ghana - Arts & Sciences Magazine
The BioEYES program, which brings live fish into classrooms to teach the fundamentals of biology and boost interest in science, is starting in junior high schools in Ghana.
magazine.krieger.jhu.edu
February 6, 2026 at 6:28 PM
This is amazing news! And I just heard BioEYES is coming to Kings College London as well 👀
This is not limited to #zebrafish but includes all organismal research. If you can spare 15 minutes, you may help safeguard the future of responsible animal research in the UK. 🙏
As the political climate around animal research becomes less supportive in the UK, it is our interest to argue for & protect organismal biology.
BBSRC opened a survey, which gives us a timely platform. Please fill & share link among colleagues. Deadline: 9/2
engagementhub.ukri.org/mrc-bbsrc/la...
BBSRC opened a survey, which gives us a timely platform. Please fill & share link among colleagues. Deadline: 9/2
engagementhub.ukri.org/mrc-bbsrc/la...
February 3, 2026 at 12:05 PM
This is not limited to #zebrafish but includes all organismal research. If you can spare 15 minutes, you may help safeguard the future of responsible animal research in the UK. 🙏
It's been 10 years since I came up with the idea of @zebrafishrock.bsky.social & a lot has changed personally. I take the small victories regarding better mental health & a more resilient work-life balance. I can't say how much longer I'll run the account but I'm in a much better place since then. 😊
January 22, 2026 at 9:27 AM
It's been 10 years since I came up with the idea of @zebrafishrock.bsky.social & a lot has changed personally. I take the small victories regarding better mental health & a more resilient work-life balance. I can't say how much longer I'll run the account but I'm in a much better place since then. 😊
Reposted by Kevin Thiessen, PhD
🚀 PhD opportunity! The UNI PhD program is now open. Our lab is looking to welcome a new PhD student to the team. If you’re curious, motivated, and excited about microglial research using zebrafish, we’d love to hear from you! 🎓🔬 #PhDPosition #GradSchool
The international PhD program is now open to receive applications for the academic year 2026/2027! The deadline is March 1, 2026! Check our website to get more info before submitting your applications: uni.ulb.ac.be/phd-program/
Phd Program | ULB Neuroscience Institute
CALL FOR THE INTERNATIONAL Ph.D. PROGRAM 2026 The ULB Neuroscience Institute (UNI) comprises more than 240 scientists including more than 50 Principal Investigators (PIs) grouped into 24 research grou...
uni.ulb.ac.be
January 20, 2026 at 8:49 PM
🚀 PhD opportunity! The UNI PhD program is now open. Our lab is looking to welcome a new PhD student to the team. If you’re curious, motivated, and excited about microglial research using zebrafish, we’d love to hear from you! 🎓🔬 #PhDPosition #GradSchool
Whoever invented Sprite+Tea needs a punch in the gut. Mistakenly took a sip and 🤢
December 25, 2025 at 6:27 PM
Whoever invented Sprite+Tea needs a punch in the gut. Mistakenly took a sip and 🤢
I hardly watch TV but there’s so many commercials about over-the-counter drugs in the US! I suppose if you feel sick in the UK, you just go to the GP rather than self-medicate.
December 24, 2025 at 1:27 PM
I hardly watch TV but there’s so many commercials about over-the-counter drugs in the US! I suppose if you feel sick in the UK, you just go to the GP rather than self-medicate.
Made it to Nebraska after 21 hours of travel (Bristol 🚘 London ✈️ Atlanta ✈️ Omaha). With ageing parents, I understand why family don’t want to make the trip anymore. Now if only I didn’t wake up buzzin’ at midnight local time, it’d make my life easier.
December 21, 2025 at 6:41 AM
Made it to Nebraska after 21 hours of travel (Bristol 🚘 London ✈️ Atlanta ✈️ Omaha). With ageing parents, I understand why family don’t want to make the trip anymore. Now if only I didn’t wake up buzzin’ at midnight local time, it’d make my life easier.
Well, it's official. I've finally changed the proofing language in Word to 'English - United Kingdom'. With pronouncing zee-brafish as zeh-brafish, I've fully acclimated to British culture. (No, my accent hasn't changed 😆)
December 18, 2025 at 4:57 PM
Well, it's official. I've finally changed the proofing language in Word to 'English - United Kingdom'. With pronouncing zee-brafish as zeh-brafish, I've fully acclimated to British culture. (No, my accent hasn't changed 😆)
Just realized that in doing this I basically agreed to do the whole Zebrafish Rock! bit for another 3 years 😲
Super thrilled to be invited as a member of the newly-formed @zdmsociety.bsky.social Communication Committee. We will seek to expand the reach of the society over the next three years. 😊 #zebrafish
December 10, 2025 at 3:04 PM
Just realized that in doing this I basically agreed to do the whole Zebrafish Rock! bit for another 3 years 😲
Reposted by Kevin Thiessen, PhD
Look out for more from this space in the coming months! In the meantime, you can stay updated by following @zdmsociety.bsky.social 🐟 🧪
Super thrilled to be invited as a member of the newly-formed @zdmsociety.bsky.social Communication Committee. We will seek to expand the reach of the society over the next three years. 😊 #zebrafish
December 6, 2025 at 5:57 AM
Look out for more from this space in the coming months! In the meantime, you can stay updated by following @zdmsociety.bsky.social 🐟 🧪
Super thrilled to be invited as a member of the newly-formed @zdmsociety.bsky.social Communication Committee. We will seek to expand the reach of the society over the next three years. 😊 #zebrafish
December 6, 2025 at 5:49 AM
Super thrilled to be invited as a member of the newly-formed @zdmsociety.bsky.social Communication Committee. We will seek to expand the reach of the society over the next three years. 😊 #zebrafish
Reposted by Kevin Thiessen, PhD
Can't believe my postdoc paper is finally out. Christmas came early this year, holy moly 🎄
Molecular basis for de novo thymus regeneration in a vertebrate, the axolotl | Science Immunology www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
Molecular basis for de novo thymus regeneration in a vertebrate, the axolotl | Science Immunology www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
Molecular basis for de novo thymus regeneration in a vertebrate, the axolotl
The molecular, cellular, and functional restoration of the axolotl thymus after de novo regeneration is described.
www.science.org
December 5, 2025 at 9:17 PM
Can't believe my postdoc paper is finally out. Christmas came early this year, holy moly 🎄
Molecular basis for de novo thymus regeneration in a vertebrate, the axolotl | Science Immunology www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
Molecular basis for de novo thymus regeneration in a vertebrate, the axolotl | Science Immunology www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
#KnowYourZDM was my (albeit failed) attempt at a collaboration with ZDMS. As a result of my insistence that @zebrafishrock.bsky.social be a pan-zebrafish society forum, most of the societies stay clear of us. 🤷
#KnowYourZDM or ‘Know Your Zebrafish Disease Model’ features ways the miniature fish is helping doctors and researchers fight human diseases. Follow along for more from this series!
December 3, 2025 at 11:21 AM
#KnowYourZDM was my (albeit failed) attempt at a collaboration with ZDMS. As a result of my insistence that @zebrafishrock.bsky.social be a pan-zebrafish society forum, most of the societies stay clear of us. 🤷
I find this to be really fun! AI or not. They have obviously put a lot of effort into each post every day (which definitely don't contain AI). Put down your pitchforks
🎄✨ Introducing 24 Days of Development!
Each day we’ll highlight one of 2025’s most influential papers published in Developmental Biology, the official journal of the Society for Developmental Biology.
Follow along! 🧬❄️🌟 #DevBio
Each day we’ll highlight one of 2025’s most influential papers published in Developmental Biology, the official journal of the Society for Developmental Biology.
Follow along! 🧬❄️🌟 #DevBio
December 1, 2025 at 4:13 PM
I find this to be really fun! AI or not. They have obviously put a lot of effort into each post every day (which definitely don't contain AI). Put down your pitchforks
Here’s the selfie!! 😂 It was lovely to meet Kirsten and hear about her personal journey through science (and around the world), in addition to some cool #zebrafish data on hepatocellular carcinomas!
November 25, 2025 at 8:01 PM
Here’s the selfie!! 😂 It was lovely to meet Kirsten and hear about her personal journey through science (and around the world), in addition to some cool #zebrafish data on hepatocellular carcinomas!
If I had a do’s and dont’s of social media publication announcements, this first post (of a longer thread) would tick all the positive boxes!
✅ Working link to paper
✅ Acknowledge first-author with correct handle
✅ Introduce the most important finding
✅ Thread counter (eg 1/n)
✅ No cheesy acronyms
✅ Working link to paper
✅ Acknowledge first-author with correct handle
✅ Introduce the most important finding
✅ Thread counter (eg 1/n)
✅ No cheesy acronyms
(1/n) We are excited to share our new paper in Nature Communications, by Hagar Lavian (@hlavian.bsky.social) and team, revealing how the zebrafish brain integrates visual navigation signals! www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Visual motion and landmark position align with heading direction in the zebrafish interpeduncular nucleus - Nature Communications
How are various visual signals integrated in the vertebrate brain for navigation? Here authors show that different spatial signals are topographically organized and align to one another in the zebrafi...
www.nature.com
November 24, 2025 at 5:17 PM
If I had a do’s and dont’s of social media publication announcements, this first post (of a longer thread) would tick all the positive boxes!
✅ Working link to paper
✅ Acknowledge first-author with correct handle
✅ Introduce the most important finding
✅ Thread counter (eg 1/n)
✅ No cheesy acronyms
✅ Working link to paper
✅ Acknowledge first-author with correct handle
✅ Introduce the most important finding
✅ Thread counter (eg 1/n)
✅ No cheesy acronyms
I used to get imposter syndrome when sharing other people’s stuff for #ZebrafishZunday. I got over it by thinking that if more people (whether it be a friend, family member or even a grant reviewer) see an awesome image and think zebrafish are cool, it collectively makes our lives/research easier.
Synchronized development of zebrafish embryos immobilized by snake venom (alpha-bungarotoxin). Credit to Dr. Ian Swinburne. #ZebrafishZunday
November 23, 2025 at 5:45 PM
I used to get imposter syndrome when sharing other people’s stuff for #ZebrafishZunday. I got over it by thinking that if more people (whether it be a friend, family member or even a grant reviewer) see an awesome image and think zebrafish are cool, it collectively makes our lives/research easier.
Some interactions I’ve had since returning make me remember why I retired it. I do all of this in my free time. At this point, it’s half “I deeply care about community” and half “I do this out of spite”. Some days it’s one or the other.
After 7 years and a lot of memories, I've finally decided to retire Zebrafish Rock! on social media. I really want to say it was always positive but I've had a tumultuous experience with the account. Those that make the community more toxic continue to be promoted to positions of power. 1/4
November 22, 2025 at 8:16 PM
Some interactions I’ve had since returning make me remember why I retired it. I do all of this in my free time. At this point, it’s half “I deeply care about community” and half “I do this out of spite”. Some days it’s one or the other.