Michael Metzger
@metzgerm.bsky.social
Assistant Investigator at the Pacific Northwest Research Institute. Clamcer and other things. Opinions my own.
How is it that the bidet signed by the Berserker Blothar is only at $5,000?!
Not that I am actually going to bid on it or want it in my house, but it gives me a warm feeling knowing this exists, (and that it will benefit pbs)
e.givesmart.com/events/LYw/i...
Not that I am actually going to bid on it or want it in my house, but it gives me a warm feeling knowing this exists, (and that it will benefit pbs)
e.givesmart.com/events/LYw/i...
Last Week Tonight
Help Public Media Company c/o Partially Important Productions, LLC spread the word about Public Media Company C/O Last Week Tonight!
e.givesmart.com
November 20, 2025 at 12:40 AM
How is it that the bidet signed by the Berserker Blothar is only at $5,000?!
Not that I am actually going to bid on it or want it in my house, but it gives me a warm feeling knowing this exists, (and that it will benefit pbs)
e.givesmart.com/events/LYw/i...
Not that I am actually going to bid on it or want it in my house, but it gives me a warm feeling knowing this exists, (and that it will benefit pbs)
e.givesmart.com/events/LYw/i...
Reposted by Michael Metzger
A mysterious virus may be linked to mass die-offs of Pacific oysters. Curtis Suttle and Kevin Xu Zhong discuss the discovery of a previously unknown nidovirus and its potential implications for global aquaculture in the latest PNAS Science Sessions episode. Listen now: https://ow.ly/oRT750XsRNN
November 18, 2025 at 4:01 PM
A mysterious virus may be linked to mass die-offs of Pacific oysters. Curtis Suttle and Kevin Xu Zhong discuss the discovery of a previously unknown nidovirus and its potential implications for global aquaculture in the latest PNAS Science Sessions episode. Listen now: https://ow.ly/oRT750XsRNN
Reposted by Michael Metzger
CAN LLMs write about science? @science.org decided to find out, and they did it the curious, scientific way. They did an experiment.
Love this thoughtful convo. www.lastwordonnothing.com/2025/11/12/w...
Love this thoughtful convo. www.lastwordonnothing.com/2025/11/12/w...
The Last Word On Nothing | Why AAAS won’t be using AI to write press releases anytime soon
www.lastwordonnothing.com
November 13, 2025 at 4:19 PM
CAN LLMs write about science? @science.org decided to find out, and they did it the curious, scientific way. They did an experiment.
Love this thoughtful convo. www.lastwordonnothing.com/2025/11/12/w...
Love this thoughtful convo. www.lastwordonnothing.com/2025/11/12/w...
Our first Crow Gift!
(Crumpled foil from Halloween candy that appeared on our doorstep right after I put out some peanuts)
(Crumpled foil from Halloween candy that appeared on our doorstep right after I put out some peanuts)
November 7, 2025 at 2:54 AM
Our first Crow Gift!
(Crumpled foil from Halloween candy that appeared on our doorstep right after I put out some peanuts)
(Crumpled foil from Halloween candy that appeared on our doorstep right after I put out some peanuts)
I just learned that the @burkemuseum.bsky.social has a new giant clam fossil named Chowder!
www.biology.washington.edu/news/news/17...
www.biology.washington.edu/news/news/17...
Christian Sidor in UW Magazine article about giant clam fossil named Chowder acquired by Burke Museum | UW Biology
www.biology.washington.edu
November 6, 2025 at 7:45 AM
I just learned that the @burkemuseum.bsky.social has a new giant clam fossil named Chowder!
www.biology.washington.edu/news/news/17...
www.biology.washington.edu/news/news/17...
Reposted by Michael Metzger
Spoke recently to the great folks at the science foundation on their efforts to fund curiosity-driven science. They have a new RFA out for catalytic awards (up to $10K).
Take a look if you’re itching to expand or try out a new idea.
science-foundation.org
Take a look if you’re itching to expand or try out a new idea.
science-foundation.org
Public Science, Public Good – Public Science, Public Good
science-foundation.org
November 4, 2025 at 12:33 AM
Spoke recently to the great folks at the science foundation on their efforts to fund curiosity-driven science. They have a new RFA out for catalytic awards (up to $10K).
Take a look if you’re itching to expand or try out a new idea.
science-foundation.org
Take a look if you’re itching to expand or try out a new idea.
science-foundation.org
Reposted by Michael Metzger
📢 EvoMG-DN PhD applications are now open!
Join our EU-funded MSCA network and explore evolution, ageing, and disease.
👉 www.evomg-dn.eu
📅 Apply by 30 November 2025
#PhD #DoctoralTraining #MSCA #HorizonEurope #Genomics #EvolutionaryBiology #BiomedicalResearch#EarlyCareerResearchers
Join our EU-funded MSCA network and explore evolution, ageing, and disease.
👉 www.evomg-dn.eu
📅 Apply by 30 November 2025
#PhD #DoctoralTraining #MSCA #HorizonEurope #Genomics #EvolutionaryBiology #BiomedicalResearch#EarlyCareerResearchers
October 7, 2025 at 8:28 AM
📢 EvoMG-DN PhD applications are now open!
Join our EU-funded MSCA network and explore evolution, ageing, and disease.
👉 www.evomg-dn.eu
📅 Apply by 30 November 2025
#PhD #DoctoralTraining #MSCA #HorizonEurope #Genomics #EvolutionaryBiology #BiomedicalResearch#EarlyCareerResearchers
Join our EU-funded MSCA network and explore evolution, ageing, and disease.
👉 www.evomg-dn.eu
📅 Apply by 30 November 2025
#PhD #DoctoralTraining #MSCA #HorizonEurope #Genomics #EvolutionaryBiology #BiomedicalResearch#EarlyCareerResearchers
Reposted by Michael Metzger
We're excited to be recruiting an NIH funded postdoc to work in the Coop lab at UC Davis. We're specifically interested in candidates who are want to work at the intersection of human genetics, GWAS, and population genetics modeling. Please RT
October 15, 2025 at 3:53 PM
We're excited to be recruiting an NIH funded postdoc to work in the Coop lab at UC Davis. We're specifically interested in candidates who are want to work at the intersection of human genetics, GWAS, and population genetics modeling. Please RT
Reposted by Michael Metzger
We have two fantastically well-funded #PhD studentships available through the @evomg-dn.bsky.social #EU doctoral network (led by brilliant @mirimiam.bsky.social, @crg.eu). These enable students to move to the UK and come and work with us @icr.ac.uk to exploit #cancer #evolution for patient benefit.
October 14, 2025 at 8:21 PM
We have two fantastically well-funded #PhD studentships available through the @evomg-dn.bsky.social #EU doctoral network (led by brilliant @mirimiam.bsky.social, @crg.eu). These enable students to move to the UK and come and work with us @icr.ac.uk to exploit #cancer #evolution for patient benefit.
Congratulations to Drs. Ramsdell, Brunkow, and Sakaguchi! I actually didn’t realize until today that PNRI’s David Galas was a part of the project to identify the genetic basis of the “scurfy” mice that led to Tregs. (@pnrigenetics.bsky.social) David’s legacy has touched more than I can imagine!
Fred Ramsdell was on vacation in the Montana wilderness when he and two colleagues received the honor for their breakthroughs in immunology. www.wired.com/story/nobel-...
Scientist Who Was Offline 'Living His Best Life' Stunned by Nobel Prize Win
Fred Ramsdell was on vacation in the Montana wilderness when he and two colleagues received the honor for their breakthroughs in immunology.
www.wired.com
October 10, 2025 at 6:26 PM
Congratulations to Drs. Ramsdell, Brunkow, and Sakaguchi! I actually didn’t realize until today that PNRI’s David Galas was a part of the project to identify the genetic basis of the “scurfy” mice that led to Tregs. (@pnrigenetics.bsky.social) David’s legacy has touched more than I can imagine!
Reposted by Michael Metzger
@sse-evolution.bsky.social just announced the following:
Call for Proposals: Research Synthesis Working Groups
The Society for the Study of Evolution (SSE) invites proposals for sponsored Research Synthesis Working Groups at the 2026 Evolution meeting (up to two in-person and one virtual). ...
Call for Proposals: Research Synthesis Working Groups
The Society for the Study of Evolution (SSE) invites proposals for sponsored Research Synthesis Working Groups at the 2026 Evolution meeting (up to two in-person and one virtual). ...
October 9, 2025 at 10:23 PM
@sse-evolution.bsky.social just announced the following:
Call for Proposals: Research Synthesis Working Groups
The Society for the Study of Evolution (SSE) invites proposals for sponsored Research Synthesis Working Groups at the 2026 Evolution meeting (up to two in-person and one virtual). ...
Call for Proposals: Research Synthesis Working Groups
The Society for the Study of Evolution (SSE) invites proposals for sponsored Research Synthesis Working Groups at the 2026 Evolution meeting (up to two in-person and one virtual). ...
I am happy to share some good news from the lab! Our paper on the outcomes of Bivalve Transmissible Neoplasia is out this week in PLOS Pathogens!
doi.org/10.1371/jour...
doi.org/10.1371/jour...
October 9, 2025 at 7:33 PM
I am happy to share some good news from the lab! Our paper on the outcomes of Bivalve Transmissible Neoplasia is out this week in PLOS Pathogens!
doi.org/10.1371/jour...
doi.org/10.1371/jour...
Reposted by Michael Metzger
Hey US scientists, the NY Times wants to hear from you if you've had your funding cut. 🌊🧪
Has Your Scientific Work Been Cut? We Want to Hear.
www.nytimes.com
October 9, 2025 at 4:04 PM
Hey US scientists, the NY Times wants to hear from you if you've had your funding cut. 🌊🧪
Before there was the Matrix doorknob shot…
October 9, 2025 at 5:11 AM
Before there was the Matrix doorknob shot…
Reposted by Michael Metzger
Today my @nytimes.com colleagues and I are launching a new series called Lost Science. We interview US scientists who can no longer discover something new about our world, thanks to this year‘s cuts. Here is my first interview with a scientist who studied bees and fires. Gift link: nyti.ms/3IWXbiE
nyti.ms
October 8, 2025 at 11:29 PM
Today my @nytimes.com colleagues and I are launching a new series called Lost Science. We interview US scientists who can no longer discover something new about our world, thanks to this year‘s cuts. Here is my first interview with a scientist who studied bees and fires. Gift link: nyti.ms/3IWXbiE
Reposted by Michael Metzger
A cartoonist's review of AI art - The Oatmeal
This is a comic about AI art.
theoatmeal.com
October 7, 2025 at 4:51 PM
Reposted by Michael Metzger
Two new positions are available at the MPI for Evolutionary Biology to support development of our genomics facility. Both stand to become permanent. Both offer a ton of opportunity to engage in a wide range of creative science.
Pls repost 🙏
www.evolbio.mpg.de/3838377/job_...
Pls repost 🙏
www.evolbio.mpg.de/3838377/job_...
Two full-time positions | Bioinformatician (m/f/d) + Applications Specialist (m/f/d) - Molecular Biology
The Genome Facility at the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Biology in Plön is seeking to fill two positions (full time) to support and expand our core facility services.
www.evolbio.mpg.de
October 6, 2025 at 11:17 AM
Two new positions are available at the MPI for Evolutionary Biology to support development of our genomics facility. Both stand to become permanent. Both offer a ton of opportunity to engage in a wide range of creative science.
Pls repost 🙏
www.evolbio.mpg.de/3838377/job_...
Pls repost 🙏
www.evolbio.mpg.de/3838377/job_...
Naive question for someone trained in molecular biology and infectious disease: What makes a question or a study ecology v. evolution or vice versa?
I find myself following interesting infectious disease questions into evolution and ecology and stepping on field boundaries without realizing it.
I find myself following interesting infectious disease questions into evolution and ecology and stepping on field boundaries without realizing it.
October 3, 2025 at 5:59 PM
Naive question for someone trained in molecular biology and infectious disease: What makes a question or a study ecology v. evolution or vice versa?
I find myself following interesting infectious disease questions into evolution and ecology and stepping on field boundaries without realizing it.
I find myself following interesting infectious disease questions into evolution and ecology and stepping on field boundaries without realizing it.
Reposted by Michael Metzger
Advice: download PDFs of any documents you might need from government websites. The NIFA website went offline during the government shutdown during my PhD
In that vein, NSF's shutdown plans just went public: nsf-gov-resources.nsf.gov/files/nsf-sh...
Already-funded projects can continue. And proposals can be submitted. But don't expect a response from a program officer during the shutdown.
Already-funded projects can continue. And proposals can be submitted. But don't expect a response from a program officer during the shutdown.
September 30, 2025 at 8:42 PM
Advice: download PDFs of any documents you might need from government websites. The NIFA website went offline during the government shutdown during my PhD
I don’t mean to shame anyone’s artistic chooses when making children’s book illustrations, but I just looked closely at this T. Rex on the Dino book my toddler loves…
September 26, 2025 at 4:42 PM
I don’t mean to shame anyone’s artistic chooses when making children’s book illustrations, but I just looked closely at this T. Rex on the Dino book my toddler loves…
Reposted by Michael Metzger
I get that the news cycle is packed right now, but I just heard from a colleague at the Smithsonian that this is fully a GIANT SQUID BEING EATEN BY A SPERM WHALE and it’s possibly the first ever confirmed video according to a friend at NOAA
10 YEAR OLD ME IS LOSING HER MIND (a thread 🧵)
10 YEAR OLD ME IS LOSING HER MIND (a thread 🧵)
September 24, 2025 at 8:30 PM
I get that the news cycle is packed right now, but I just heard from a colleague at the Smithsonian that this is fully a GIANT SQUID BEING EATEN BY A SPERM WHALE and it’s possibly the first ever confirmed video according to a friend at NOAA
10 YEAR OLD ME IS LOSING HER MIND (a thread 🧵)
10 YEAR OLD ME IS LOSING HER MIND (a thread 🧵)
Reposted by Michael Metzger
Kicked off a series on #Drosophila TE discovery and naming. The first post covers elements that predate the term "mobile element", and more. artemilin.dev/posts/te_nam...
Drosophila TE name origins, Part 1 – Postdoc Postpunk
artemilin.dev
September 21, 2025 at 7:49 PM
Kicked off a series on #Drosophila TE discovery and naming. The first post covers elements that predate the term "mobile element", and more. artemilin.dev/posts/te_nam...
Reposted by Michael Metzger
We created a story about what the dodo looked like and how it behaved, and that story wrong was very wrong; which version of the dodo will #ColossalBio model their #Deëxtinction efforts on, v1 or v2‽ What if there is an even more accurate v3? 🦤 🧪
www.bbc.com/future/artic...
www.bbc.com/future/artic...
'It's just a weird, weird bird': Why we got the dodo so absurdly wrong
The extinct flightless pigeon has captured imaginations for over 400 years. Experts and artists are now revealing how much we have distorted what the dodo was really like.
www.bbc.com
September 17, 2025 at 7:01 PM
We created a story about what the dodo looked like and how it behaved, and that story wrong was very wrong; which version of the dodo will #ColossalBio model their #Deëxtinction efforts on, v1 or v2‽ What if there is an even more accurate v3? 🦤 🧪
www.bbc.com/future/artic...
www.bbc.com/future/artic...
Reposted by Michael Metzger
News reporting on the screwworm fly threatening Texas livestock focuses on cattle, but if it arrives here the pest will mostly likely first be seen on wildlife like deer.
Texas A&M has assembled a useful guide:
Texas A&M has assembled a useful guide:
Wildlife Monitoring and Management for New World Screwworm - Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service
How Texas can monitor, detect and report signs of New World screwworm infestation to help protect both urban and rural wildlife.
agrilifeextension.tamu.edu
September 16, 2025 at 9:49 PM
News reporting on the screwworm fly threatening Texas livestock focuses on cattle, but if it arrives here the pest will mostly likely first be seen on wildlife like deer.
Texas A&M has assembled a useful guide:
Texas A&M has assembled a useful guide: