Megan Barkdull
@meganbarkdull.bsky.social
Assistant Curator of Entomology @nhm.org | insects, genomes, museums | @cornelluniversity.bsky.social & New College of Florida alumna | she/her.
Pinned
Megan Barkdull
@meganbarkdull.bsky.social
· Mar 17
Entomologist Megan Barkdull curates a world-class insect collection but she got her start through federally-funded science programs — like those that teach Florida’s kids about wildlife from the Everglades 🐊 to the coasts. Now, that funding is at risk. 🧪🏠
@meganbarkdull.bsky.social
@meganbarkdull.bsky.social
Commentary: Federal science funding fuels education, STEM careers
A science museum curator who grew up in Orlando talks about how federal science funding fueled her own life journey and so many others.
www.orlandosentinel.com
Proud to share my story and advocate for federal science funding in my hometown paper, the @orlandosentinel.com.
I hope you'll join me in calling our elected officials to prevent devastating cuts to the NSF, NIH, and now other agencies like the Institute of Museum and Library Services.
I hope you'll join me in calling our elected officials to prevent devastating cuts to the NSF, NIH, and now other agencies like the Institute of Museum and Library Services.
Reposted by Megan Barkdull
If we go on strike, our union of 12,000 workers are calling on customers to NOT BUY STARBUCKS.
Sign our pledge to not cross a picket line and we'll send you local calls to action - nocontractnocoffee.org
Sign our pledge to not cross a picket line and we'll send you local calls to action - nocontractnocoffee.org
November 5, 2025 at 11:54 PM
If we go on strike, our union of 12,000 workers are calling on customers to NOT BUY STARBUCKS.
Sign our pledge to not cross a picket line and we'll send you local calls to action - nocontractnocoffee.org
Sign our pledge to not cross a picket line and we'll send you local calls to action - nocontractnocoffee.org
Reposted by Megan Barkdull
BIOLOG question: is there a good pipeline or program to compare biolog results (either in terms of absorbance reads or carbon sources/antibiotics/etc) to KEGG outputs from whole genome sequencing? Right now our tech is doing am manual comparison but there has to be an easier way. 🦠🧬
November 10, 2025 at 7:49 PM
BIOLOG question: is there a good pipeline or program to compare biolog results (either in terms of absorbance reads or carbon sources/antibiotics/etc) to KEGG outputs from whole genome sequencing? Right now our tech is doing am manual comparison but there has to be an easier way. 🦠🧬
Reposted by Megan Barkdull
Spread the word: we are providing multiple $5k awards for grad & undergrad research on invertebrate conservation !! In addition to our continuing DeWind Award (for Lepidoptera research), we now have the 1st annual BanDrosky Award (for any invert in decline). Details in thread🧵 ⤵️
November 10, 2025 at 5:06 PM
Spread the word: we are providing multiple $5k awards for grad & undergrad research on invertebrate conservation !! In addition to our continuing DeWind Award (for Lepidoptera research), we now have the 1st annual BanDrosky Award (for any invert in decline). Details in thread🧵 ⤵️
Reposted by Megan Barkdull
Thinking only of Rosalind Franklin today, and what was stolen from her (and so many other female scientists alongside her).
Rosalind Franklin and the damage of gender harassment
Spurred by a recent report on sexual harassment in academia, our columnist revisits a historical case and reflects on what has changed—and what hasn’t
www.science.org
November 7, 2025 at 7:58 PM
Thinking only of Rosalind Franklin today, and what was stolen from her (and so many other female scientists alongside her).
Tatsuya does fascinating, cutting-edge microbiome work and always has the coolest visuals in his talks- don’t miss this one!
I'm excited to give a talk on Sunday, Nov 9th (8:40AM-9:00AM) at #EntSoc25! I will share the progress of our cutting-edge project, the manipulation of the termite gut microbiome!! cdmcd.co/ABEWRZ
November 7, 2025 at 7:28 PM
Tatsuya does fascinating, cutting-edge microbiome work and always has the coolest visuals in his talks- don’t miss this one!
Reposted by Megan Barkdull
I'm excited to give a talk on Sunday, Nov 9th (8:40AM-9:00AM) at #EntSoc25! I will share the progress of our cutting-edge project, the manipulation of the termite gut microbiome!! cdmcd.co/ABEWRZ
November 7, 2025 at 6:04 PM
I'm excited to give a talk on Sunday, Nov 9th (8:40AM-9:00AM) at #EntSoc25! I will share the progress of our cutting-edge project, the manipulation of the termite gut microbiome!! cdmcd.co/ABEWRZ
Reposted by Megan Barkdull
Amy Angert and I are recruiting a #postdoc to participate in a collaborative NSF-funded study of demographic responses to climate across the geographic range of the scarlet monkeyflower. Please repost! jobs.ncsu.edu/postings/224...
November 7, 2025 at 3:10 PM
Amy Angert and I are recruiting a #postdoc to participate in a collaborative NSF-funded study of demographic responses to climate across the geographic range of the scarlet monkeyflower. Please repost! jobs.ncsu.edu/postings/224...
Reposted by Megan Barkdull
Do you teach #rstats? Do your students complain about how lame and old-fashioned dplyr is? Don't worry: I have the solution for you: github.com/hadley/genzp....
genzplyr is dplyr, but bussin fr fr no cap.
genzplyr is dplyr, but bussin fr fr no cap.
GitHub - hadley/genzplyr: dplyr but make it bussin fr fr no cap
dplyr but make it bussin fr fr no cap. Contribute to hadley/genzplyr development by creating an account on GitHub.
github.com
November 6, 2025 at 11:25 PM
Do you teach #rstats? Do your students complain about how lame and old-fashioned dplyr is? Don't worry: I have the solution for you: github.com/hadley/genzp....
genzplyr is dplyr, but bussin fr fr no cap.
genzplyr is dplyr, but bussin fr fr no cap.
Reposted by Megan Barkdull
We found oyster spiders today during my oyster lab field trip for my Invertebrate Zoology class! These are marine spiders! They have special setae (hairs) that trap air and let them live underwater. #invertebrates #spider
November 6, 2025 at 8:11 PM
We found oyster spiders today during my oyster lab field trip for my Invertebrate Zoology class! These are marine spiders! They have special setae (hairs) that trap air and let them live underwater. #invertebrates #spider
Reposted by Megan Barkdull
UNC Chapel Hill's Biology Dept. seeks an Associate Professor & NCBG Herbarium Director focused on Southeast US plant conservation. Open until 12/15/2025. More: https://unc.peopleadmin.com/postings/308835. #job
Associate Professor & Director of NCBG Herbarium
This is a research, teaching, and public service position at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, serving jointly as Herbarium Director at the North Carolina Botanical Garden (NCBG) and as Associate Professor within the Department of Biology (BIOL). As such, the position will seamlessly integrate between NCBG and BIOL and further the purpose and mission of both entities. As Herbarium Director, we seek a dynamic leader responsible for the overall management and leadership of the Herbarium. Duties to the Herbarium and NCBG include authenticating and approving plant material added to the collection; supervising staff, graduate students, undergraduates, and volunteers; developing and implementing program plans and budgets; and providing strategic vision for NCBG, including contributing to the Garden's Plant Biodiversity Research Program. The Herbarium Director should have administrative experience and skill, success in obtaining and administering outside funds, experience and skill in working with public outreach, and demonstrated knowledge, experience, and potential in terms of research on the flora of the Southeast US. This position has budget authority for the Herbarium and is expected to serve as a member of the Garden's executive leadership team and participate in garden-wide events and activities that advance the mission of the North Carolina Botanical Garden. As Associate Professor in Biology, we seek a dynamic scholar studying plants with a commitment to the application of research to the conservation of the flora and ecosystems of the Southeastern United States. Research topics may include plant taxonomy, ecology, evolution or organismal biology, systematics, conservation, or biogeography, and can employ diverse methods from field-based to molecular to computational/quantitative to landscape analysis. The successful candidate will contribute to the department's mission of advancing research, education, and public engagement and will be committed to excellence in undergraduate and graduate teaching, mentoring, and service. The Associate Professor will teach at least one full undergraduate course per year in botany, systematics, ecology, conservation, or related topics and is responsible for building and maintaining an active research portfolio and securing funding from various external sponsors. They will actively participate in the scientific community (internal and external) at UNC-CH and engage in service activities that advance the institution's work and role in supporting North Carolina.
unc.peopleadmin.com
November 5, 2025 at 6:31 PM
UNC Chapel Hill's Biology Dept. seeks an Associate Professor & NCBG Herbarium Director focused on Southeast US plant conservation. Open until 12/15/2025. More: https://unc.peopleadmin.com/postings/308835. #job
Reposted by Megan Barkdull
And for the trainees and scientific staff in their labs.......
And importantly, while a few years to settle out might seem no biggie, it sure as heck is a big deal to those PIs who have been on the job for just a few years and are looking at the tenure decision looming ahead.
November 5, 2025 at 5:53 PM
And for the trainees and scientific staff in their labs.......
Reposted by Megan Barkdull
If you're looking for a #postdoc but aren't quite a fit for my lab, check out this exciting opportunity via IU's Common Themes in Reproductive Diversity group! 2-year NIH traineeship to work on one of the group's core themes. Details here! ctrd.indiana.edu/how-to-apply/
How to apply
Learn how to apply to the Common Themes in Reproductive Diversity graduate program at Indiana University with detailed steps, requirements, and deadlines.
ctrd.indiana.edu
November 5, 2025 at 5:10 PM
If you're looking for a #postdoc but aren't quite a fit for my lab, check out this exciting opportunity via IU's Common Themes in Reproductive Diversity group! 2-year NIH traineeship to work on one of the group's core themes. Details here! ctrd.indiana.edu/how-to-apply/
Reposted by Megan Barkdull
My lab at Indiana University is searching for a *postdoc* and *technician* to contribute to our work studying the evolution of social behavior using fruit flies as a model system. Details below, feel free to email me with any questions! More info on our research: saltzlab.com
November 5, 2025 at 4:56 PM
My lab at Indiana University is searching for a *postdoc* and *technician* to contribute to our work studying the evolution of social behavior using fruit flies as a model system. Details below, feel free to email me with any questions! More info on our research: saltzlab.com
Reposted by Megan Barkdull
Innovation in insect collections starts here — meet our #EntSoc25 plenarists. #GlobalSouthScience @mmlopezu.bsky.social @entsocamerica.bsky.social
#EntSoc2025 #LatinAmericanEntomology #InsectCollections #Biodiversity
Tuesday Nov 11 at 8am in Portland Ballroom 256
Plenarists — Katja Seltmann, Juanita Rodriguez, Robert P. Guralnick, and John Abbott will explore how entomological collections connect the past and future of biodiversity research.
Tuesday Nov 11 at 8am in Portland Ballroom 256
Plenarists — Katja Seltmann, Juanita Rodriguez, Robert P. Guralnick, and John Abbott will explore how entomological collections connect the past and future of biodiversity research.
November 5, 2025 at 7:16 AM
Innovation in insect collections starts here — meet our #EntSoc25 plenarists. #GlobalSouthScience @mmlopezu.bsky.social @entsocamerica.bsky.social
Reposted by Megan Barkdull
I normally am a cheerful optimist, but I am just at a loss about what to even say to young scientists right now. Devastating overview of the cuts: www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Dismantling of US federal agencies will ‘destroy science’
From NASA to the National Institutes of Health, federal agencies conduct research that universities cannot. Agency scientists speak out about the irreplaceable facilities, institutional knowledge and ...
www.nature.com
November 4, 2025 at 4:10 PM
I normally am a cheerful optimist, but I am just at a loss about what to even say to young scientists right now. Devastating overview of the cuts: www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Reposted by Megan Barkdull
Warning. ⚠️ If you are writing an NSF GRFP, new this year, you need official transcripts to apply. Beware. They will not review applications without official transcripts. ‼️
November 4, 2025 at 8:50 PM
Warning. ⚠️ If you are writing an NSF GRFP, new this year, you need official transcripts to apply. Beware. They will not review applications without official transcripts. ‼️
Reposted by Megan Barkdull
Submissions for the WAC Student Grant program are open now until Dec 1. We anticipate making up to three $1,000 awards to support student (graduate or undergraduate) research on copepods. See details👇
www.monoculus.org/student-gran...
www.monoculus.org/student-gran...
STUDENT GRANT PROGRAM
WAC is offering up to three student research grants per year in accordance with the availability of WAC funds, with each award covering up to $1,000 maximum to support copepod research (including but ...
www.monoculus.org
November 4, 2025 at 2:57 PM
Submissions for the WAC Student Grant program are open now until Dec 1. We anticipate making up to three $1,000 awards to support student (graduate or undergraduate) research on copepods. See details👇
www.monoculus.org/student-gran...
www.monoculus.org/student-gran...
Reposted by Megan Barkdull
The Royal Ontario Museum is hiring a Curator of Birds to promote awareness and research on bird biodiversity. Apply by Nov 15, 2025. More info: https://royalontariomuseum.applytojob.com/apply/XBR2YcQAfM/Curator-Of-Birds. #job
Curator of Birds - Royal Ontario Museum - Career Page
Apply to Curator of Birds at Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto, ON, Canada.
royalontariomuseum.applytojob.com
November 1, 2025 at 2:14 PM
The Royal Ontario Museum is hiring a Curator of Birds to promote awareness and research on bird biodiversity. Apply by Nov 15, 2025. More info: https://royalontariomuseum.applytojob.com/apply/XBR2YcQAfM/Curator-Of-Birds. #job
Reposted by Megan Barkdull
Being stumped by a staphylinid is nothing new for me but this 2mm long intertidal beast appears to have a tarsal formula of 2-2-2! And now I am more confused. Any recognize it or have guesses? From coastal British Columbia.
November 3, 2025 at 11:53 PM
Being stumped by a staphylinid is nothing new for me but this 2mm long intertidal beast appears to have a tarsal formula of 2-2-2! And now I am more confused. Any recognize it or have guesses? From coastal British Columbia.
Reposted by Megan Barkdull
Hey EntFriends #EntSoc25: This high school entomology club in California is looking for funds to support their pinning and collections. Can we make that happen? Any donations large and small will help! www.donorschoose.org/project/inse...
Insect Pinning! Small Creatures, Big Impact: Support Cah Entomology Club!, a project from Mr. Lopez
Help me give my students an insect pinning kit to be able to have active and engaging insect pinning projects. The Entomology Club has the goal of engaging students in the scientific process throug...
www.donorschoose.org
November 3, 2025 at 9:36 PM
Hey EntFriends #EntSoc25: This high school entomology club in California is looking for funds to support their pinning and collections. Can we make that happen? Any donations large and small will help! www.donorschoose.org/project/inse...
Reposted by Megan Barkdull
Still looking for a person to do a PhD in my lab at University of Québec in Chicoutimi (UQAC), starting between now and mai 2026. Feel free to contact me to inquire on the project and the condition of admission. A really neat project on influence of thermal barriers on brook trout genetic.
November 3, 2025 at 7:43 PM
Still looking for a person to do a PhD in my lab at University of Québec in Chicoutimi (UQAC), starting between now and mai 2026. Feel free to contact me to inquire on the project and the condition of admission. A really neat project on influence of thermal barriers on brook trout genetic.
Reposted by Megan Barkdull
Happy Halloween 🎃👻💀 from the crypt-keeper wasp, who lays its eggs into a crypt created by its host, then manipulates the host’s behavior for its own benefit, before devouring it from the inside out and emerging through its face!
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Euderus...
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Euderus...
Euderus set - Wikipedia
en.wikipedia.org
October 31, 2025 at 4:31 PM
Happy Halloween 🎃👻💀 from the crypt-keeper wasp, who lays its eggs into a crypt created by its host, then manipulates the host’s behavior for its own benefit, before devouring it from the inside out and emerging through its face!
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Euderus...
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Euderus...
Reposted by Megan Barkdull
Yet another example of the importance of natural history collections. Here, helping to address two questions:
• Responses to climate change (here, temperature and precipitation mattered in different ways)
• What sets range limits
🧪
• Responses to climate change (here, temperature and precipitation mattered in different ways)
• What sets range limits
🧪
Herbarium specimens reveal shifts in species' elevational ranges
Zu et al.
nph.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/share/VB8MUG...
Zu et al.
nph.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/share/VB8MUG...
October 30, 2025 at 12:08 PM
Yet another example of the importance of natural history collections. Here, helping to address two questions:
• Responses to climate change (here, temperature and precipitation mattered in different ways)
• What sets range limits
🧪
• Responses to climate change (here, temperature and precipitation mattered in different ways)
• What sets range limits
🧪
Fun new article out now in @mongabay.com exploring my team’s work on the California Insect Barcoding Initiative, an effort to generate DNA barcodes for every insect in CA. It features a fantastic interview with my postdoc, Dr. Austin Baker, who’s really spearheaded the project!
shorturl.at/lnFd7
shorturl.at/lnFd7
California’s grand insect census
California has a way of exaggerating things—mountains, deserts, and egos. But its insects? They take excess to another level. Somewhere between the redwoods and the Salton Sea live perhaps 60,000, may...
shorturl.at
October 29, 2025 at 7:12 PM
Fun new article out now in @mongabay.com exploring my team’s work on the California Insect Barcoding Initiative, an effort to generate DNA barcodes for every insect in CA. It features a fantastic interview with my postdoc, Dr. Austin Baker, who’s really spearheaded the project!
shorturl.at/lnFd7
shorturl.at/lnFd7
Reposted by Megan Barkdull
Last call! 👉 Florida Museum Registrar
🏛️📌 Apply by Oct 31, 2025
The Registrar oversees the technical and regulatory aspects of collection accessions, permitting, & exchanges.
🔸 Full position info: www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/nhdept/caree...
🔸 Apply via @ufl.edu: explore.jobs.ufl.edu/en-us/job/53...
🏛️📌 Apply by Oct 31, 2025
The Registrar oversees the technical and regulatory aspects of collection accessions, permitting, & exchanges.
🔸 Full position info: www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/nhdept/caree...
🔸 Apply via @ufl.edu: explore.jobs.ufl.edu/en-us/job/53...
October 28, 2025 at 9:01 PM
Last call! 👉 Florida Museum Registrar
🏛️📌 Apply by Oct 31, 2025
The Registrar oversees the technical and regulatory aspects of collection accessions, permitting, & exchanges.
🔸 Full position info: www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/nhdept/caree...
🔸 Apply via @ufl.edu: explore.jobs.ufl.edu/en-us/job/53...
🏛️📌 Apply by Oct 31, 2025
The Registrar oversees the technical and regulatory aspects of collection accessions, permitting, & exchanges.
🔸 Full position info: www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/nhdept/caree...
🔸 Apply via @ufl.edu: explore.jobs.ufl.edu/en-us/job/53...