Brian O'Meara
@omearabrian.bsky.social
I study diversification, species delimitation, trait evolution & similar questions, often using new methods. Also random coding projects. College prof living in Oak Ridge, TN, USA. Opinions my own. He/Him
Reposted by Brian O'Meara
It's as very weird summary of a lot of work. For example, this paper produced by the working group *does* show quite a few concrete economic benefits: royalsocietypublishing.org/rsos/article...
The economic impact of open science: a scoping review
Abstract. This article summarizes a comprehensive scoping review of the economic impact of open science (OS), examining empirical evidence from 2000 to 202
royalsocietypublishing.org
January 2, 2026 at 5:29 PM
It's as very weird summary of a lot of work. For example, this paper produced by the working group *does* show quite a few concrete economic benefits: royalsocietypublishing.org/rsos/article...
Reposted by Brian O'Meara
The Canada Government will offer 400 postdoctoral fellowships to international researchers in early 2026. If you have a background in wildlife microbiome or quantitative genetics and are interested to apply to work on microbiome variation in Sable Island horses or caribou, feel free to get in touch
January 2, 2026 at 3:58 PM
The Canada Government will offer 400 postdoctoral fellowships to international researchers in early 2026. If you have a background in wildlife microbiome or quantitative genetics and are interested to apply to work on microbiome variation in Sable Island horses or caribou, feel free to get in touch
Reposted by Brian O'Meara
Ecologist position at Iowa State University - isu.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/IowaStateJob...
Assistant Professor in Integrative Environmental and Organismal Health
Position Title: Assistant Professor in Integrative Environmental and Organismal Health Appointment Type: Faculty Job Description: Summary of Duties and Responsibilities: The Department of Ecology, Evo...
isu.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com
January 2, 2026 at 4:00 PM
Ecologist position at Iowa State University - isu.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/IowaStateJob...
Reposted by Brian O'Meara
My dad died last night. Here's a story that came out today about his career in politics. newjerseyglobe.com/in-memoriam/...
Dick Zimmer, former congressman and U.S. Senate contender, dies at 81 - New Jersey Globe
Richard A. Zimmer, a three-term Republican congressman from Hunterdon County and longtime state legislator who ran a competitive race for U.S. Senate in
newjerseyglobe.com
January 1, 2026 at 7:05 PM
My dad died last night. Here's a story that came out today about his career in politics. newjerseyglobe.com/in-memoriam/...
Reposted by Brian O'Meara
When the clock strikes midnight on January 1, creative works from 1930 & sound recordings from 1925 will enter the public domain in the US, like:
💄 Dizzy Dishes, first Betty Boop cartoon
🕵️♀️ First 4 Nancy Drew novels
🚂 The Little Engine That Could
🎩 Morocco
🍑 Georgia on My Mind
and many more!
🧵👇
💄 Dizzy Dishes, first Betty Boop cartoon
🕵️♀️ First 4 Nancy Drew novels
🚂 The Little Engine That Could
🎩 Morocco
🍑 Georgia on My Mind
and many more!
🧵👇
December 26, 2025 at 2:01 PM
When the clock strikes midnight on January 1, creative works from 1930 & sound recordings from 1925 will enter the public domain in the US, like:
💄 Dizzy Dishes, first Betty Boop cartoon
🕵️♀️ First 4 Nancy Drew novels
🚂 The Little Engine That Could
🎩 Morocco
🍑 Georgia on My Mind
and many more!
🧵👇
💄 Dizzy Dishes, first Betty Boop cartoon
🕵️♀️ First 4 Nancy Drew novels
🚂 The Little Engine That Could
🎩 Morocco
🍑 Georgia on My Mind
and many more!
🧵👇
Reposted by Brian O'Meara
PRI REACHED THEIR GOAL!!! MUSEUM OF THE EARTH IS STAYING OPEN!!! Thank you all so much for donating and spreading the word, I'm so overjoyed! Good things are still possible! www.priweb.org/blog-post/pr...
PRI's Wonderful Life — Paleontological Research Institution
By Dr. Warren Allmon , Director of the Paleontological Research Institution December 30, 2025 The holidays are a time for “Christmas movies” in my house, and one that is always on our list is&nbs...
www.priweb.org
January 1, 2026 at 12:34 AM
PRI REACHED THEIR GOAL!!! MUSEUM OF THE EARTH IS STAYING OPEN!!! Thank you all so much for donating and spreading the word, I'm so overjoyed! Good things are still possible! www.priweb.org/blog-post/pr...
Reposted by Brian O'Meara
Reflections on the evolving practice of systematic biology, a joy to write with Michael Donoghue for the upcoming 75th volume of Systematic Biology!
academic.oup.com/sysbio/advan...
academic.oup.com/sysbio/advan...
December 31, 2025 at 9:18 PM
Reflections on the evolving practice of systematic biology, a joy to write with Michael Donoghue for the upcoming 75th volume of Systematic Biology!
academic.oup.com/sysbio/advan...
academic.oup.com/sysbio/advan...
Reposted by Brian O'Meara
New preprint modeling pathogen phylogeography, where infected hosts spread disease through short "trips" between locations. Very fun collaboration with the brilliant @albertchristian.bsky.social and Ammon Thompson.
www.medrxiv.org/content/10.6...
www.medrxiv.org/content/10.6...
December 31, 2025 at 9:00 PM
New preprint modeling pathogen phylogeography, where infected hosts spread disease through short "trips" between locations. Very fun collaboration with the brilliant @albertchristian.bsky.social and Ammon Thompson.
www.medrxiv.org/content/10.6...
www.medrxiv.org/content/10.6...
Reposted by Brian O'Meara
My best photographs of 2025, a short thread.
A tobacco hornworm on one of its favorite foods, a garden tomato plant (Texas, May 2025). This one makes the cut because it is more aesthetically pleasing than I was aiming for, somehow.
A tobacco hornworm on one of its favorite foods, a garden tomato plant (Texas, May 2025). This one makes the cut because it is more aesthetically pleasing than I was aiming for, somehow.
December 31, 2025 at 5:01 PM
My best photographs of 2025, a short thread.
A tobacco hornworm on one of its favorite foods, a garden tomato plant (Texas, May 2025). This one makes the cut because it is more aesthetically pleasing than I was aiming for, somehow.
A tobacco hornworm on one of its favorite foods, a garden tomato plant (Texas, May 2025). This one makes the cut because it is more aesthetically pleasing than I was aiming for, somehow.
Reposted by Brian O'Meara
EXCLUSIVE: @laurenweberhp.bsky.social & I have spent the last year collecting school+county-level vaccination data from across the US and found that only about 28% of counties now have herd immunity for kindergartners from measles—that leaves about 5.2mn kids unprotected.
Gift link: wapo.st/49zDc43
Gift link: wapo.st/49zDc43
U.S. vaccination rates are plunging. Look up where your school stands.
Take a look to see what the kindergarten measles vaccination rates are in your area.
wapo.st
December 31, 2025 at 2:29 PM
EXCLUSIVE: @laurenweberhp.bsky.social & I have spent the last year collecting school+county-level vaccination data from across the US and found that only about 28% of counties now have herd immunity for kindergartners from measles—that leaves about 5.2mn kids unprotected.
Gift link: wapo.st/49zDc43
Gift link: wapo.st/49zDc43
Reposted by Brian O'Meara
It's official - my new book is officially published today! If you mentor science students who write - grad or undergrad - you're the reason we wrote this. Mentoring/teaching writing is hard; but we can make it easier!
It’s publication day! “Teaching and Mentoring Writers in the Sciences”
Ok, we’re seriously excited – not for tonight’s fireworks, but because after several years of work, our new book is officially published today! That’s right – Teaching and Mentoring Writers i…
scientistseessquirrel.wordpress.com
December 31, 2025 at 1:18 PM
It's official - my new book is officially published today! If you mentor science students who write - grad or undergrad - you're the reason we wrote this. Mentoring/teaching writing is hard; but we can make it easier!
Reposted by Brian O'Meara
It's almost #SICB2026!
Who do I know that's going to be there? Hit me up!
And if you don't know me & want to be friends, let me know!
And of course: grad student Tabby Moul [Sun @10:30pm], undergrad Oscar Peterson [Sun @ 1:45pm], and I [Wed @ 9am] are presenting talks!
@sicb.bsky.social
Who do I know that's going to be there? Hit me up!
And if you don't know me & want to be friends, let me know!
And of course: grad student Tabby Moul [Sun @10:30pm], undergrad Oscar Peterson [Sun @ 1:45pm], and I [Wed @ 9am] are presenting talks!
@sicb.bsky.social
December 31, 2025 at 5:10 AM
It's almost #SICB2026!
Who do I know that's going to be there? Hit me up!
And if you don't know me & want to be friends, let me know!
And of course: grad student Tabby Moul [Sun @10:30pm], undergrad Oscar Peterson [Sun @ 1:45pm], and I [Wed @ 9am] are presenting talks!
@sicb.bsky.social
Who do I know that's going to be there? Hit me up!
And if you don't know me & want to be friends, let me know!
And of course: grad student Tabby Moul [Sun @10:30pm], undergrad Oscar Peterson [Sun @ 1:45pm], and I [Wed @ 9am] are presenting talks!
@sicb.bsky.social
Super excited that @systbiol.bsky.social now has an option for auto-renewal for membership!!!
[yes, this should be standard, but it wasn't an option in the past]
[yes, this should be standard, but it wasn't an option in the past]
December 30, 2025 at 11:43 PM
Super excited that @systbiol.bsky.social now has an option for auto-renewal for membership!!!
[yes, this should be standard, but it wasn't an option in the past]
[yes, this should be standard, but it wasn't an option in the past]
Reposted by Brian O'Meara
As we experience a huge surge of flu cases, a reminder that the widespread usage of masks at the start of the COVID pandemic wiped out a strain of the flu.
If you haven’t been masking up lately, now would be a great time to restart.
If you haven’t been masking up lately, now would be a great time to restart.
The Covid-19 pandemic killed off one strain of the flu, and that will change the next vaccines | CNN
For 10 years, Americans have had access to flu shots that protect against four strains of the virus: two A strains and two B strains. Starting this fall, however, all the flu shots distributed in the ...
edition.cnn.com
December 30, 2025 at 10:49 PM
As we experience a huge surge of flu cases, a reminder that the widespread usage of masks at the start of the COVID pandemic wiped out a strain of the flu.
If you haven’t been masking up lately, now would be a great time to restart.
If you haven’t been masking up lately, now would be a great time to restart.
Reposted by Brian O'Meara
Yeah, Kat Jordan & I looked into it. In theory, it should be easy to weight the sampling rate from each "realm" by the probability that the lineage was in that realm. (I always include "Middle-earth," where sampling = 0, just to satisfy the "evolution always happens somewhere else" crowd.) However…
December 30, 2025 at 10:00 PM
Yeah, Kat Jordan & I looked into it. In theory, it should be easy to weight the sampling rate from each "realm" by the probability that the lineage was in that realm. (I always include "Middle-earth," where sampling = 0, just to satisfy the "evolution always happens somewhere else" crowd.) However…
Reposted by Brian O'Meara
Oh, yep, there’s a section on geosse/fig in the tutorials
December 30, 2025 at 10:00 PM
Oh, yep, there’s a section on geosse/fig in the tutorials
Reposted by Brian O'Meara
New Job opportunity at the University of Georgia Department of Entomology! Come work a dream job in beautiful Athens!
www.ugajobsearch.com/postings/463...
www.ugajobsearch.com/postings/463...
Assistant Professor: Insect Ecologist
The Department of Entomology at the University of Georgia invites applications for a tenure-track position (9-months) in insect ecology, to be based on the Athens campus at the Assistant Professor ran...
www.ugajobsearch.com
December 30, 2025 at 4:38 PM
New Job opportunity at the University of Georgia Department of Entomology! Come work a dream job in beautiful Athens!
www.ugajobsearch.com/postings/463...
www.ugajobsearch.com/postings/463...
Reposted by Brian O'Meara
Met with the 6 Portland-area artists coming to the Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology meeting next week. This is going to be cool and different and I'm literally so excited.
December 29, 2025 at 9:05 PM
Met with the 6 Portland-area artists coming to the Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology meeting next week. This is going to be cool and different and I'm literally so excited.
Reposted by Brian O'Meara
This is just to say
They have plowed
each flake
that was in
the parking lot
and now
they are plowing
again
at 5am
Forgive me
each clawing scrape
so sharp
and so cruel
They have plowed
each flake
that was in
the parking lot
and now
they are plowing
again
at 5am
Forgive me
each clawing scrape
so sharp
and so cruel
December 29, 2025 at 10:59 AM
This is just to say
They have plowed
each flake
that was in
the parking lot
and now
they are plowing
again
at 5am
Forgive me
each clawing scrape
so sharp
and so cruel
They have plowed
each flake
that was in
the parking lot
and now
they are plowing
again
at 5am
Forgive me
each clawing scrape
so sharp
and so cruel
Reposted by Brian O'Meara
New genomics study points to the expansion of CAZymes (lignocellulose degradation) in wood-feeding termites, associated with genome enlargement and adaptive radiation during their divergence from wood-eating roaches.
🪳 🧪🌎🧬🖥️ #Genomics #EvoSky #Insects #ArthroSky
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
🪳 🧪🌎🧬🖥️ #Genomics #EvoSky #Insects #ArthroSky
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Unravelling the evolution of wood-feeding in termites with 47 high-resolution genome assemblies - Nature Communications
Termites, the largest lineage of non-hymenopteran social insects, are important decomposers of plant organic matter in the tropics. Here, the authors sequence the genomes of 45 termites and two cockro...
www.nature.com
December 29, 2025 at 6:16 PM
New genomics study points to the expansion of CAZymes (lignocellulose degradation) in wood-feeding termites, associated with genome enlargement and adaptive radiation during their divergence from wood-eating roaches.
🪳 🧪🌎🧬🖥️ #Genomics #EvoSky #Insects #ArthroSky
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
🪳 🧪🌎🧬🖥️ #Genomics #EvoSky #Insects #ArthroSky
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Reposted by Brian O'Meara
The National Science Foundation starts 2026 with a new management structure that affects every scientist with--or applying for--NSF funding. Here's what you need to know. www.science.org/content/arti...
The National Science Foundation just had a big reorganization. Here are five things to know
Divisions and rotators disappear as more career staff become supervisors
www.science.org
December 29, 2025 at 2:54 PM
The National Science Foundation starts 2026 with a new management structure that affects every scientist with--or applying for--NSF funding. Here's what you need to know. www.science.org/content/arti...
Reposted by Brian O'Meara
Yes, my wedding has a website
Yes, I have also included modelling of the expected temperature on the day
Yes, I did this by fitting a Bayesian model to 45 years of temperature data
Yes, the wedding website has an easter egg with a little link to find a writeup of how I got the numbers
Yes, I have also included modelling of the expected temperature on the day
Yes, I did this by fitting a Bayesian model to 45 years of temperature data
Yes, the wedding website has an easter egg with a little link to find a writeup of how I got the numbers
December 29, 2025 at 8:47 PM
Yes, my wedding has a website
Yes, I have also included modelling of the expected temperature on the day
Yes, I did this by fitting a Bayesian model to 45 years of temperature data
Yes, the wedding website has an easter egg with a little link to find a writeup of how I got the numbers
Yes, I have also included modelling of the expected temperature on the day
Yes, I did this by fitting a Bayesian model to 45 years of temperature data
Yes, the wedding website has an easter egg with a little link to find a writeup of how I got the numbers
Reposted by Brian O'Meara
When I gave a featured talk for SACNAS, Ed Yong was one of the other featured speakers and he heard my practice talk. He was so nice! He also signed my copy of I Contain Multitudes book at a Beneficial Microbes meeting.
Right folks. Feeling rather down at the moment so bringing back an oldie
Please Quote this with your most minor celebrity interaction
Please Quote this with your most minor celebrity interaction
December 29, 2025 at 10:27 PM
When I gave a featured talk for SACNAS, Ed Yong was one of the other featured speakers and he heard my practice talk. He was so nice! He also signed my copy of I Contain Multitudes book at a Beneficial Microbes meeting.