Nate Himmel
@natehimmel.bsky.social
Sensory biology, genetics, behavior, and evolution (especially in the Twilight Zone) | Incoming Assistant Professor, NJIT Biological Sciences (Fall '26) | Current postdoc, University of Lausanne, Benton Group
https://himmellab.org
https://himmellab.org
Pinned
Nate Himmel
@natehimmel.bsky.social
· Jul 4
In Fall '26 the Himmel Lab will open at NJIT Biological Sciences. I'm beyond stoked!
Interested in a PhD/postdoc in the function/evolution/origins of the senses (computation or experimentation)? Message me and come join a great department in the NY metro! Sharing is appreciated. Info: himmellab.org
Interested in a PhD/postdoc in the function/evolution/origins of the senses (computation or experimentation)? Message me and come join a great department in the NY metro! Sharing is appreciated. Info: himmellab.org
Reposted by Nate Himmel
The next ProSE Seminar will be given by Joana Pereira @joanampereira.bsky.social (VIB, KU Leuven)
🗓️ November 11th, 5pm CET
Registration is now open: tinyurl.com/prose-seminar2
Please share!
🗓️ November 11th, 5pm CET
Registration is now open: tinyurl.com/prose-seminar2
Please share!
October 28, 2025 at 12:53 PM
The next ProSE Seminar will be given by Joana Pereira @joanampereira.bsky.social (VIB, KU Leuven)
🗓️ November 11th, 5pm CET
Registration is now open: tinyurl.com/prose-seminar2
Please share!
🗓️ November 11th, 5pm CET
Registration is now open: tinyurl.com/prose-seminar2
Please share!
Reposted by Nate Himmel
🪰 folks! I spoke to the Transmitter about FlyBase. As noted at flybase.org, bridge $ ran out and many staff were laid off.
Good news is stopgap contributions will keep core FlyBase operations active. But community support remains essential. Please donate @FlyBase and share! 1/2
tinyurl.com/FlyBase
Good news is stopgap contributions will keep core FlyBase operations active. But community support remains essential. Please donate @FlyBase and share! 1/2
tinyurl.com/FlyBase
FlyBase secures funding for year, but future still uncertain
The FlyBase team’s fundraising efforts have proven successful in the short term, but restoration of its federal grant remains uncertain.
tinyurl.com
October 29, 2025 at 12:31 PM
🪰 folks! I spoke to the Transmitter about FlyBase. As noted at flybase.org, bridge $ ran out and many staff were laid off.
Good news is stopgap contributions will keep core FlyBase operations active. But community support remains essential. Please donate @FlyBase and share! 1/2
tinyurl.com/FlyBase
Good news is stopgap contributions will keep core FlyBase operations active. But community support remains essential. Please donate @FlyBase and share! 1/2
tinyurl.com/FlyBase
Reposted by Nate Himmel
Excited to share our new #biorxivpreprint
We discovered that the fruit fly #drosophila erecta requires food odor to mate and arousal is further enhanced by social group motion.
Cross-species analysis of brain activity reveals a novel gate evolved from within a conserved circuit
shorturl.at/gGYm7
We discovered that the fruit fly #drosophila erecta requires food odor to mate and arousal is further enhanced by social group motion.
Cross-species analysis of brain activity reveals a novel gate evolved from within a conserved circuit
shorturl.at/gGYm7
October 16, 2025 at 6:34 AM
Excited to share our new #biorxivpreprint
We discovered that the fruit fly #drosophila erecta requires food odor to mate and arousal is further enhanced by social group motion.
Cross-species analysis of brain activity reveals a novel gate evolved from within a conserved circuit
shorturl.at/gGYm7
We discovered that the fruit fly #drosophila erecta requires food odor to mate and arousal is further enhanced by social group motion.
Cross-species analysis of brain activity reveals a novel gate evolved from within a conserved circuit
shorturl.at/gGYm7
Reposted by Nate Himmel
I completed a PhD in Physics at MIT in '03. Even when the intensity seemed to be off-scale, there was one piece that I never doubted: the place had integrity, purpose, and passion.
It's clear the culture and drive of MIT remains.
MIT says no to the compact.
orgchart.mit.edu/letters/rega...
It's clear the culture and drive of MIT remains.
MIT says no to the compact.
orgchart.mit.edu/letters/rega...
October 10, 2025 at 1:58 PM
I completed a PhD in Physics at MIT in '03. Even when the intensity seemed to be off-scale, there was one piece that I never doubted: the place had integrity, purpose, and passion.
It's clear the culture and drive of MIT remains.
MIT says no to the compact.
orgchart.mit.edu/letters/rega...
It's clear the culture and drive of MIT remains.
MIT says no to the compact.
orgchart.mit.edu/letters/rega...
Reposted by Nate Himmel
We are recruiting PhD students! If you are interested in evolutionary neuroscience, consider applying: www.crick.ac.uk/careers-stud...
Prieto Godino Lab | Cellular and molecular bases of neural circuit and behavioural evolution
www.crick.ac.uk
October 8, 2025 at 8:51 PM
We are recruiting PhD students! If you are interested in evolutionary neuroscience, consider applying: www.crick.ac.uk/careers-stud...
Reposted by Nate Himmel
Having personally sworn for years that insects don’t use GPCRs for odour detection, Suguru Takagi (@sugurutakagi.bsky.social) discovers that, in fact, they sometimes do …
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
A GPCR signaling pathway in insect odor detection
Odor detection differs fundamentally in vertebrates, which use G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), and insects, which employ ion channels. Here, we report the first evidence for a GPCR defining tunin...
www.biorxiv.org
October 6, 2025 at 4:17 AM
Having personally sworn for years that insects don’t use GPCRs for odour detection, Suguru Takagi (@sugurutakagi.bsky.social) discovers that, in fact, they sometimes do …
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Reposted by Nate Himmel
Despite These Times...my department is hiring! I really like my department, we have a good mix of disciplines and organisms and we're really low-drama. We also get pizza at faculty meeting. So if you're a computational and structural biologist, join us! 🧪 jobs.rutgers.edu/postings/260...
Assistant Professor - Tenure Track Faculty
The Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, is inviting applicants for a tenure-track Assistant Professor position. The position requires a doc...
jobs.rutgers.edu
October 1, 2025 at 7:35 PM
Despite These Times...my department is hiring! I really like my department, we have a good mix of disciplines and organisms and we're really low-drama. We also get pizza at faculty meeting. So if you're a computational and structural biologist, join us! 🧪 jobs.rutgers.edu/postings/260...
Really looking forward to following this!
Happy to share the Biodiversity Cell Atlas white paper, out today in @nature.com. We look at the possibilities, challenges, and potential impacts of molecularly mapping cells across the tree of life.
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
September 29, 2025 at 12:54 PM
Really looking forward to following this!
Reposted by Nate Himmel
Adriano Senatore @utoronto.ca and colleagues explore the evolutionary origins of the sodium leak channel NALCN and its ancillary subunits FAM155/Mid1, UNC79, and UNC80. rupress.org/jgp/article/...
#Evolution #IonChannels
#Evolution #IonChannels
September 5, 2025 at 6:15 PM
Adriano Senatore @utoronto.ca and colleagues explore the evolutionary origins of the sodium leak channel NALCN and its ancillary subunits FAM155/Mid1, UNC79, and UNC80. rupress.org/jgp/article/...
#Evolution #IonChannels
#Evolution #IonChannels
Reposted by Nate Himmel
New: After a long wait, the GRFP solicitation is live! Deadlines have been extended to early November, so applicants have a bit over a month to submit. www.nsf.gov/funding/oppo...
NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP)
www.nsf.gov
September 26, 2025 at 3:45 PM
New: After a long wait, the GRFP solicitation is live! Deadlines have been extended to early November, so applicants have a bit over a month to submit. www.nsf.gov/funding/oppo...
Reposted by Nate Himmel
Thomas Hunt Morgan was born OTD in 1866.
If you're ever feeling that your work is uending and unedifying, remember that he once said this: "Two years work wasted, I have been breeding those flies for all that time and I've got nothing out of it."
🌱🐋🧪 #HistSTM
If you're ever feeling that your work is uending and unedifying, remember that he once said this: "Two years work wasted, I have been breeding those flies for all that time and I've got nothing out of it."
🌱🐋🧪 #HistSTM
September 25, 2025 at 3:03 PM
Thomas Hunt Morgan was born OTD in 1866.
If you're ever feeling that your work is uending and unedifying, remember that he once said this: "Two years work wasted, I have been breeding those flies for all that time and I've got nothing out of it."
🌱🐋🧪 #HistSTM
If you're ever feeling that your work is uending and unedifying, remember that he once said this: "Two years work wasted, I have been breeding those flies for all that time and I've got nothing out of it."
🌱🐋🧪 #HistSTM
Reposted by Nate Himmel
Our lab webpage is out!
takagilab.org
takagilab.org
Takagi lab @FSU
takagilab.org
September 1, 2025 at 11:55 AM
Our lab webpage is out!
takagilab.org
takagilab.org
Reposted by Nate Himmel
On cloud nine to announce that I'll be starting my own lab at the Department of Biological Science, Florida State University in Spring 2026! We'll study neuronal circuits and sensory-guided behavior by combining comparative and functional approaches using non-model Drosophila flies 🪰
August 26, 2025 at 10:11 AM
On cloud nine to announce that I'll be starting my own lab at the Department of Biological Science, Florida State University in Spring 2026! We'll study neuronal circuits and sensory-guided behavior by combining comparative and functional approaches using non-model Drosophila flies 🪰
Reposted by Nate Himmel
Just a reminder - if you run/recruit or have anything to do with an ecology & evolutionary biology PhD program, check out our database and update your departments salary here: rhettrautsaw.app/shiny/Biolog...
September 23, 2025 at 7:14 PM
Just a reminder - if you run/recruit or have anything to do with an ecology & evolutionary biology PhD program, check out our database and update your departments salary here: rhettrautsaw.app/shiny/Biolog...
Reposted by Nate Himmel
We're hiring (yes, in this economy!) a tenure-track Assistant Professor in Neurophysiology. Hofstra is an R2/PUI that values both research & teaching. We offer REAL startup, manageable teaching loads, & a very collegial, growing dept. (7 new faculty in the past few years + 2 searches this year).
Assistant Professor of Biology (Neurophysiology)
hofstra.peopleadmin.com
August 1, 2025 at 1:51 PM
We're hiring (yes, in this economy!) a tenure-track Assistant Professor in Neurophysiology. Hofstra is an R2/PUI that values both research & teaching. We offer REAL startup, manageable teaching loads, & a very collegial, growing dept. (7 new faculty in the past few years + 2 searches this year).
Reposted by Nate Himmel
Together with @soreklab.bsky.social, our labs discovered that the human cGAS-STING pathway evolved from ancient bacterial proteins in CBASS anti-phage defense
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
STING cyclic dinucleotide sensing originated in bacteria - Nature
Structures of prokaryotic homologues of STING permit the reconstruction of the evolutionary trajectory of its incorporation into metazoan innate immunity, and reveal a role for the conserved cGAS–STIN...
www.nature.com
September 5, 2025 at 10:13 AM
Together with @soreklab.bsky.social, our labs discovered that the human cGAS-STING pathway evolved from ancient bacterial proteins in CBASS anti-phage defense
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Reposted by Nate Himmel
🤩 Join us for the next TIBBE seminar:
Evolution of brain cell types.
September 10, 2–3pm UTC
This event brings together 2 outstanding evolutionary and developmental neuroscientists who will present their work, followed by an interactive discussion with the audience: www.crowdcast.io/c/evolution-...
Evolution of brain cell types.
September 10, 2–3pm UTC
This event brings together 2 outstanding evolutionary and developmental neuroscientists who will present their work, followed by an interactive discussion with the audience: www.crowdcast.io/c/evolution-...
September 4, 2025 at 2:28 PM
🤩 Join us for the next TIBBE seminar:
Evolution of brain cell types.
September 10, 2–3pm UTC
This event brings together 2 outstanding evolutionary and developmental neuroscientists who will present their work, followed by an interactive discussion with the audience: www.crowdcast.io/c/evolution-...
Evolution of brain cell types.
September 10, 2–3pm UTC
This event brings together 2 outstanding evolutionary and developmental neuroscientists who will present their work, followed by an interactive discussion with the audience: www.crowdcast.io/c/evolution-...
Reposted by Nate Himmel
I am recruiting a Ph.D. student in microbial ecology, evolution, and systems biology for fall 2026. Please share!
Details: qevomicrolab.org/Documents/Gr...
Apply by October 1 here: forms.gle/38pPS1Ky84HB...
Details: qevomicrolab.org/Documents/Gr...
Apply by October 1 here: forms.gle/38pPS1Ky84HB...
September 2, 2025 at 5:24 PM
I am recruiting a Ph.D. student in microbial ecology, evolution, and systems biology for fall 2026. Please share!
Details: qevomicrolab.org/Documents/Gr...
Apply by October 1 here: forms.gle/38pPS1Ky84HB...
Details: qevomicrolab.org/Documents/Gr...
Apply by October 1 here: forms.gle/38pPS1Ky84HB...
Reposted by Nate Himmel
Neuronal diversity is written in transcriptional codes 🧬. But what is the logic of these codes that define cell types and wiring patterns?
To find out we built a #scRNAseq developmental atlas of the Drosophila nerve cord and linked it to the #connectome 🪰🧠
#preprint thread ⬇️1/8
To find out we built a #scRNAseq developmental atlas of the Drosophila nerve cord and linked it to the #connectome 🪰🧠
#preprint thread ⬇️1/8
August 21, 2025 at 4:04 PM
Neuronal diversity is written in transcriptional codes 🧬. But what is the logic of these codes that define cell types and wiring patterns?
To find out we built a #scRNAseq developmental atlas of the Drosophila nerve cord and linked it to the #connectome 🪰🧠
#preprint thread ⬇️1/8
To find out we built a #scRNAseq developmental atlas of the Drosophila nerve cord and linked it to the #connectome 🪰🧠
#preprint thread ⬇️1/8
Reposted by Nate Himmel
Six years ago, I started at the MPIPZ with a head full of ideas. What a journey. I’m thrilled to share that, from Jan 2026, I will be moving to Zurich as a chaired associate professor at the University of Zurich.
A new chapter, and plenty of roots still to grow. Can’t wait for the adventure ahead!
A new chapter, and plenty of roots still to grow. Can’t wait for the adventure ahead!
September 1, 2025 at 7:25 AM
Six years ago, I started at the MPIPZ with a head full of ideas. What a journey. I’m thrilled to share that, from Jan 2026, I will be moving to Zurich as a chaired associate professor at the University of Zurich.
A new chapter, and plenty of roots still to grow. Can’t wait for the adventure ahead!
A new chapter, and plenty of roots still to grow. Can’t wait for the adventure ahead!
Reposted by Nate Himmel
The Zahn lab is transitioning into the TIDAL Lab this Fall and moving to the Appl. Sci. Department at William & Mary.
Would love to chat with students interested in doing a PhD at the nexus of microbial ecology and data science (starting 2026).
RP please!
gzahn.github.io
Would love to chat with students interested in doing a PhD at the nexus of microbial ecology and data science (starting 2026).
RP please!
gzahn.github.io
March 20, 2025 at 12:54 AM
The Zahn lab is transitioning into the TIDAL Lab this Fall and moving to the Appl. Sci. Department at William & Mary.
Would love to chat with students interested in doing a PhD at the nexus of microbial ecology and data science (starting 2026).
RP please!
gzahn.github.io
Would love to chat with students interested in doing a PhD at the nexus of microbial ecology and data science (starting 2026).
RP please!
gzahn.github.io
Reposted by Nate Himmel
We are hiring a Postdoc in membrane protein cryo-EM at the University of Georgia. Looking for candidates with expertise in membrane protein purification and biochemistry. Fully funded for up to 5 years. Join us in Athens, GA. Apply: camilo.perez@uga.edu
August 21, 2025 at 2:26 PM
We are hiring a Postdoc in membrane protein cryo-EM at the University of Georgia. Looking for candidates with expertise in membrane protein purification and biochemistry. Fully funded for up to 5 years. Join us in Athens, GA. Apply: camilo.perez@uga.edu
Reposted by Nate Himmel
Exciting new Ruta lab preprint by @annaryba.bsky.social et al. on the neural underpinnings of intraspecific behavioral variation: Strain variation identifies a neural substrate for behavioral evolution Drosophila
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Strain variation identifies a neural substrate for behavioral evolution in Drosophila
Sexual selection acts on heritable differences within species, driving the parallel diversification of signal production in one sex and behavioral responses in the other. This coevolution implies that...
www.biorxiv.org
August 21, 2025 at 9:43 AM
Exciting new Ruta lab preprint by @annaryba.bsky.social et al. on the neural underpinnings of intraspecific behavioral variation: Strain variation identifies a neural substrate for behavioral evolution Drosophila
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Reposted by Nate Himmel
Very pleased to say we have an Assistant Professor job opening (tenure track) in the Department of Genetics at Trinity College Dublin! 😀
www.jobs.ac.uk/job/DOA399/a... - deadline is August 19th! Please repost!
www.jobs.ac.uk/job/DOA399/a... - deadline is August 19th! Please repost!
July 23, 2025 at 1:43 PM
Very pleased to say we have an Assistant Professor job opening (tenure track) in the Department of Genetics at Trinity College Dublin! 😀
www.jobs.ac.uk/job/DOA399/a... - deadline is August 19th! Please repost!
www.jobs.ac.uk/job/DOA399/a... - deadline is August 19th! Please repost!