Nic Rawlence
@nicrawlencenz.bsky.social
Associate Professor, palaeoecologist, and science communicator @Otago Palaeogenetics Lab using ancient DNA and palaeontology to reconstruct past ecosystems.
Always love being back up in my hometown of Nelson for a few days. This time, it's doing some PD for secondary school science and biology teachers on kiwi and moa evolution, and mythbusting de-extinction. It's great to be working with teachers from my old high school Nayland College.
November 11, 2025 at 3:16 AM
Always love being back up in my hometown of Nelson for a few days. This time, it's doing some PD for secondary school science and biology teachers on kiwi and moa evolution, and mythbusting de-extinction. It's great to be working with teachers from my old high school Nayland College.
Reposted by Nic Rawlence
Membership of GFANZ is open to everyone, which supports the work we do, including facilitating science communication in Aotearoa genomics.nz 2/2
Home - Genomics for Aotearoa New Zealand
Genomics for Aotearoa New Zealand Genomics for Aotearoa New Zealand is an incorporated society and registered charity focused on the benefits of genomics for everyone. We are an inclusive and diverse ...
genomics.nz
November 10, 2025 at 7:40 AM
Membership of GFANZ is open to everyone, which supports the work we do, including facilitating science communication in Aotearoa genomics.nz 2/2
Reposted by Nic Rawlence
Humbled to have been elected a lifetime fellow of Genomics for Aotearoa New Zealand (GFANZ) in recognition of my public education efforts around the facts of so-called de-extinction. Other fellows include the fantastic @siouxsiew.bsky.social genomics.nz/gfanz-fellows/ 1/2
GFANZ Fellows - Genomics for Aotearoa New Zealand
Fellows of GFANZ These are the Genomics for Aotearoa New Zealand Fellows. To be elected to Fellowship of the Society, one has to have made an outstanding contribution to the Society, or to the field o...
genomics.nz
November 10, 2025 at 7:40 AM
Humbled to have been elected a lifetime fellow of Genomics for Aotearoa New Zealand (GFANZ) in recognition of my public education efforts around the facts of so-called de-extinction. Other fellows include the fantastic @siouxsiew.bsky.social genomics.nz/gfanz-fellows/ 1/2
Reposted by Nic Rawlence
It is impossible for deer at any level to maintain and enhance natural biodiversity.
"Herd management plans aimed to keep deer numbers at a level which enhanced the recreational hunting experience while maintaining and improving natural biodiversity and forest health." www.odt.co.nz/southland/ca...
"Herd management plans aimed to keep deer numbers at a level which enhanced the recreational hunting experience while maintaining and improving natural biodiversity and forest health." www.odt.co.nz/southland/ca...
Call for opponents to support wapiti plan
The group which instigated the move to get wapiti in Fiordland classed as a herd of special interest says opponents should get right in behind it...
www.odt.co.nz
November 10, 2025 at 5:55 AM
It is impossible for deer at any level to maintain and enhance natural biodiversity.
"Herd management plans aimed to keep deer numbers at a level which enhanced the recreational hunting experience while maintaining and improving natural biodiversity and forest health." www.odt.co.nz/southland/ca...
"Herd management plans aimed to keep deer numbers at a level which enhanced the recreational hunting experience while maintaining and improving natural biodiversity and forest health." www.odt.co.nz/southland/ca...
Humbled to have been elected a lifetime fellow of Genomics for Aotearoa New Zealand (GFANZ) in recognition of my public education efforts around the facts of so-called de-extinction. Other fellows include the fantastic @siouxsiew.bsky.social genomics.nz/gfanz-fellows/ 1/2
GFANZ Fellows - Genomics for Aotearoa New Zealand
Fellows of GFANZ These are the Genomics for Aotearoa New Zealand Fellows. To be elected to Fellowship of the Society, one has to have made an outstanding contribution to the Society, or to the field o...
genomics.nz
November 10, 2025 at 7:40 AM
Humbled to have been elected a lifetime fellow of Genomics for Aotearoa New Zealand (GFANZ) in recognition of my public education efforts around the facts of so-called de-extinction. Other fellows include the fantastic @siouxsiew.bsky.social genomics.nz/gfanz-fellows/ 1/2
Reposted by Nic Rawlence
On the event of James Watson's death, I highly recommend this 2023 commentary from @matthewcobb.bsky.social and Nathaniel Comfort with crucial new insights into the discovery of the double helix. (And also check out Cobb's brand new biography of Francis Crick) www.nature.com/articles/d41...
What Rosalind Franklin truly contributed to the discovery of DNA’s structure
Franklin was no victim in how the DNA double helix was solved. An overlooked letter and an unpublished news article, both written in 1953, reveal that she was an equal player.
www.nature.com
November 7, 2025 at 9:25 PM
On the event of James Watson's death, I highly recommend this 2023 commentary from @matthewcobb.bsky.social and Nathaniel Comfort with crucial new insights into the discovery of the double helix. (And also check out Cobb's brand new biography of Francis Crick) www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Reposted by Nic Rawlence
Yes, the #PrehistoricPlanetIceAge trailer is out today...
Prehistoric Planet: Ice Age — Season 3 Official Trailer | Apple TV
YouTube video by Apple TV
www.youtube.com
November 6, 2025 at 4:36 PM
Yes, the #PrehistoricPlanetIceAge trailer is out today...
Reposted by Nic Rawlence
Feeling sad today, so thought I'd share something from one of my art projects, which is to bring life to Aotearoa's #extinct species. Here's a little treasure called tutukiwi, a shorebird which lived in the forest, extinct in 1964.
November 5, 2025 at 6:48 AM
Feeling sad today, so thought I'd share something from one of my art projects, which is to bring life to Aotearoa's #extinct species. Here's a little treasure called tutukiwi, a shorebird which lived in the forest, extinct in 1964.
Reposted by Nic Rawlence
The co-founder of Biotech Barbie's #CRISPR baby start-up is Eriona Hysolli, previous head of biological sciences at Colossal Biosciences. Also part of their company's 'team' is Stephen Turner, the former head of genomics strategy at Colossal Bio. From designer animals to.. nature.com/articles/d41...
‘Biotech Barbie’ says the time has come to consider CRISPR babies. Do scientists agree?
A company’s plan to edit the genomes of human embryos worries some researchers — but it might reflect the changing attitudes towards the controversial approach.
nature.com
November 4, 2025 at 8:41 PM
The co-founder of Biotech Barbie's #CRISPR baby start-up is Eriona Hysolli, previous head of biological sciences at Colossal Biosciences. Also part of their company's 'team' is Stephen Turner, the former head of genomics strategy at Colossal Bio. From designer animals to.. nature.com/articles/d41...
Reposted by Nic Rawlence
Māori academic warns draft curriculum erases children's rights to local histories
Māori academic warns draft curriculum erases children's rights to local histories
"Every child has a right to know whose land they stand on."
www.rnz.co.nz
November 4, 2025 at 2:40 AM
Māori academic warns draft curriculum erases children's rights to local histories
Reposted by Nic Rawlence
🧪 Here's the radio encounter between Ben & @toriherridge.bsky.social a year ago (7:40➡️) which covered many mammoth de-extinction issues, but didn't get into the major one for me which is how sustainable is it to create arctic-adapted elephants for a vanishing ecosystem?
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
BBC Inside Science - Should we bring back extinct animals? - BBC Sounds
A US company claims it will bring back a woolly mammoth by 2028 – how and why?
www.bbc.co.uk
October 30, 2025 at 12:19 PM
🧪 Here's the radio encounter between Ben & @toriherridge.bsky.social a year ago (7:40➡️) which covered many mammoth de-extinction issues, but didn't get into the major one for me which is how sustainable is it to create arctic-adapted elephants for a vanishing ecosystem?
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
Reposted by Nic Rawlence
Nelson researchers: Find out why experts come away from our media training with more confidence, clarity, and contacts. We're bringing SAVVY to the Top of the South for the first time, this February. More info and apply here: www.sciencemediacentre.co.nz/science-medi...
Science Media SAVVY
Our flagship media training increases confidence and skills to help researchers to engage more effectively with the wider public through broadcast, print and social media. Apply below. We create a…
www.sciencemediacentre.co.nz
November 2, 2025 at 7:01 PM
Nelson researchers: Find out why experts come away from our media training with more confidence, clarity, and contacts. We're bringing SAVVY to the Top of the South for the first time, this February. More info and apply here: www.sciencemediacentre.co.nz/science-medi...
Reposted by Nic Rawlence
#FossilFriday: the fossil 'crocodile' (ichthyosaur) skull found one autumn day 214 years ago between Lyme Regis and Charmouth in Dorset by Mary Anning's brother, Joseph. Although similar fossils had long been known to occur at Lyme and elsewhere, this was the first to be scientifically described.
October 31, 2025 at 10:14 AM
#FossilFriday: the fossil 'crocodile' (ichthyosaur) skull found one autumn day 214 years ago between Lyme Regis and Charmouth in Dorset by Mary Anning's brother, Joseph. Although similar fossils had long been known to occur at Lyme and elsewhere, this was the first to be scientifically described.
Reposted by Nic Rawlence
When Homo sapiens and Neanderthals interbred, a genetic variation affecting red blood cells may have hindered reproduction in women who were hybrids, and this might have played a part in Neanderthals’ demise
Neanderthal-human hybrids may have been scourged by a genetic mismatch
www.newscientist.com
October 31, 2025 at 7:38 PM
When Homo sapiens and Neanderthals interbred, a genetic variation affecting red blood cells may have hindered reproduction in women who were hybrids, and this might have played a part in Neanderthals’ demise
Reposted by Nic Rawlence
Morning peeps! I’ve written a piece for @thespinoff.bsky.social on why I ended up taking legal action against my employer and a little bit about how it played out. The whole story needs a book to tell but this is a good start 😂 thespinoff.co.nz/society/01-1... thespinoff.co.nz/society/01-1...
Siouxsie Wiles: Why I’m crowdfunding despite winning my legal battle
'Between the ERA and the Employment Court, my husband and I have spent over $632,000.'
thespinoff.co.nz
October 31, 2025 at 6:16 PM
Morning peeps! I’ve written a piece for @thespinoff.bsky.social on why I ended up taking legal action against my employer and a little bit about how it played out. The whole story needs a book to tell but this is a good start 😂 thespinoff.co.nz/society/01-1... thespinoff.co.nz/society/01-1...
Reposted by Nic Rawlence
It would be very good to know what Labour's (@chrishipkins.bsky.social) & Greens' (Chloe Swarbrick) opinions are. What safeguards are going to be put in place to protect taonga in Te Papa collns & the vital work Te Papa scientists do to minimise the impact of the current biodiversity crisis? 5/5
October 30, 2025 at 8:48 PM
It would be very good to know what Labour's (@chrishipkins.bsky.social) & Greens' (Chloe Swarbrick) opinions are. What safeguards are going to be put in place to protect taonga in Te Papa collns & the vital work Te Papa scientists do to minimise the impact of the current biodiversity crisis? 5/5
Reposted by Nic Rawlence
Te Papa & @auchmill.bsky.social need to be transparent & open with public discussion, not secretive like the last CEO. What is Minister Goldsmith's role in this? The govt is not supporting core govt services, & Te Papa is a core govt service. What is the Te Papa board role in this? 4/5
October 30, 2025 at 8:48 PM
Te Papa & @auchmill.bsky.social need to be transparent & open with public discussion, not secretive like the last CEO. What is Minister Goldsmith's role in this? The govt is not supporting core govt services, & Te Papa is a core govt service. What is the Te Papa board role in this? 4/5
Reposted by Nic Rawlence
If curators end up having to manage people, there will be less time for vital research, which will help stop the current biodiversity crisis we are in, & less time to look after taonga (treasures) in the collections 3/5
October 30, 2025 at 8:48 PM
If curators end up having to manage people, there will be less time for vital research, which will help stop the current biodiversity crisis we are in, & less time to look after taonga (treasures) in the collections 3/5
Reposted by Nic Rawlence
Phil Edgar is a fantastic, kind, & stable manager, & a big supporter/advocate of nat hist. All 4 heads of collns will compete for the same job. Whomever gets it will be stretched too thin & have to look after lots of people, leading to more staff losses or management put onto curators 2/5
October 30, 2025 at 8:48 PM
Phil Edgar is a fantastic, kind, & stable manager, & a big supporter/advocate of nat hist. All 4 heads of collns will compete for the same job. Whomever gets it will be stretched too thin & have to look after lots of people, leading to more staff losses or management put onto curators 2/5
Reposted by Nic Rawlence
Te Papa restructure will see heads of collections (nat hist, Matauranga Maori, Pacific, Art) disestablished & replaced by 1 person. Phil Edgar, head of Nat Hist, isn't a line in a spreadsheet. There's not a great focus on colln & research of any kind in the new structure bsky.app/profile/nicr... 1/5
October 30, 2025 at 8:48 PM
Te Papa restructure will see heads of collections (nat hist, Matauranga Maori, Pacific, Art) disestablished & replaced by 1 person. Phil Edgar, head of Nat Hist, isn't a line in a spreadsheet. There's not a great focus on colln & research of any kind in the new structure bsky.app/profile/nicr... 1/5
Reposted by Nic Rawlence
I wouldn't call @itiscolossal.bsky.social CEO Ben Lamm's tweet respectful or funny, & certainly not his comments calling critics, like @devoevomed.bsky.social, lying tinfoil hat wearing conspiracy theorists with mental health problems who are stalkers. Seriously WTF. What planet is Colossal on? 2/2
October 30, 2025 at 9:28 PM
I wouldn't call @itiscolossal.bsky.social CEO Ben Lamm's tweet respectful or funny, & certainly not his comments calling critics, like @devoevomed.bsky.social, lying tinfoil hat wearing conspiracy theorists with mental health problems who are stalkers. Seriously WTF. What planet is Colossal on? 2/2
Reposted by Nic Rawlence
You have to laugh at some of the quotes in this piece about the smear campaign against critics of @itiscolossal.bsky.social. George Church says Ben Lamm "has faced technical hurdles and skeptics with respect & humor" www.gmwatch.org/en/106-news/... 1/2
Dark PR attacks on critics of 10-billion-dollar biotech Goliath
Debunkers of de-extinction disinformation hit by vicious campaign of intimidation. Report: Jonathan Matthews
www.gmwatch.org
October 30, 2025 at 9:28 PM
You have to laugh at some of the quotes in this piece about the smear campaign against critics of @itiscolossal.bsky.social. George Church says Ben Lamm "has faced technical hurdles and skeptics with respect & humor" www.gmwatch.org/en/106-news/... 1/2
Reposted by Nic Rawlence
“Investors should run from any company that would employ these tactics to smear completely reasonable critics”
You have to laugh at some of the quotes in this piece about the smear campaign against critics of @itiscolossal.bsky.social. George Church says Ben Lamm "has faced technical hurdles and skeptics with respect & humor" www.gmwatch.org/en/106-news/... 1/2
Dark PR attacks on critics of 10-billion-dollar biotech Goliath
Debunkers of de-extinction disinformation hit by vicious campaign of intimidation. Report: Jonathan Matthews
www.gmwatch.org
October 31, 2025 at 1:55 AM
“Investors should run from any company that would employ these tactics to smear completely reasonable critics”
Reposted by Nic Rawlence
Just a reminder that Elizabeth Holmes once featured on TIME's 100 Most Influential People list. Incidentally, TIME's unbridled hymn of praise for Lamm comes courtesy of George Church who is, of course, the co-founder with Lamm of #ColossalBio.
September 30, 2025 at 4:51 PM
Just a reminder that Elizabeth Holmes once featured on TIME's 100 Most Influential People list. Incidentally, TIME's unbridled hymn of praise for Lamm comes courtesy of George Church who is, of course, the co-founder with Lamm of #ColossalBio.