Patrick Phillips
patrickphillips.bsky.social
Patrick Phillips
@patrickphillips.bsky.social
Geneticist at University of Oregon @uoregon. Worms, C. elegans, aging, evolution, genetics, genomics, complex traits. Former provost and interim president. Lab: https://pages.uoregon.edu/pphil/ GScholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=JbH6mVkAAA
Pinned
An update of our latest research push. We study the genetic basis of natural variation using nematodes and theory, and have been using that variation to study the biology of aging. I am now convinced that the next era in both evolutionary biology and aging requires new biology: synthetic biology 1/2
Not totally sure why my son wanted a thermal camera for Christmas, but we’re now prepared to drop our first techno demo track.
December 25, 2025 at 6:27 PM
Reposted by Patrick Phillips
Very excited to share this work led by Austin Link, a graduate student in our lab. We have discovered a novel, fig-associated microbe that promotes reproductive success via variable life history mechanisms in two nematode species.

www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...
A novel, fig-associated microbe promotes reproductive success via variable life history mechanisms in C. elegans and C. inopinata
Variation in life history strategies is among the most striking features of animal diversity. Simultaneously, the microbes an animal interacts with are a critical and dynamic aspect of the host enviro...
www.biorxiv.org
December 19, 2025 at 4:18 PM
Watch this if you haven't. Pro science viral marketing at its best — and 100% authentic to Tim Boyle's sense of humor and plain spoken approach to the rational. Proud of homegrown @columbiasportswear.bsky.social for the approach. www.youtube.com/watch?v=JxJO...
Expedition Impossible | Columbia Sportswear
YouTube video by Columbia Sportswear
www.youtube.com
December 11, 2025 at 5:32 AM
Reposted by Patrick Phillips
The Gibson lab at UVA is hiring a postdoc to study dispersal as a parasite avoidance mechanism. Apply by mid-January: https://uva.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/UVAJobs/job/Charlottesville-VA/Research-Associate-in-Biology_R0078709. #postdoc
Research Associate in Biology
The Department of Biology at the University of Virginia invites applicants for a post-doctoral Research Associate position in the lab of Professor Amanda Gibson as part of an NSF-funded project. The Gibson lab is broadly interested in the evolution of avoidance versus resistance as modes of parasite defense. This project specifically tests the idea that host dispersal evolves as an escape in space from parasites, and it evaluates the downstream consequences of dispersal for the evolution of host resistance. The work makes use of the experimental tools and resources available for the model nematode C. elegans and its natural parasites. Associated projects entail evolve-and-resequencing, quantitative trait mapping, and field sampling with spatial analyses. The selected candidate will also mentor undergraduate students in independent research projects through a summer program for incoming transfer students. Find out more about the lab at https://coevolving.org. REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS: o A PhD in Biology or a related field by the start date. PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS: Demonstrated conceptual and technical strengths in host-parasite interactions, evolutionary ecology, evolutionary genetics, and/or dispersal biology Experience in basic lab and molecular work A strong background in experimental design, data analysis, and data management Excellent written and oral communication, demonstrated by a strong publication record, consistent with the candidate’s career stage, and presentations at conferences Demonstrated ambition, creativity, independence, and ability to work well with others Experience in and dedication to mentoring junior trainees APPLICATION PROCEDURE: Apply online https://jobs.virginia.edu/us and search for R0078709. Attach a cover letter outlining your qualifications and motivation for pursuing the position, curriculum vitae, and contact information for three individuals who can provide professional reference letters. In the cover letter, please address your fit with the qualifications above and your experience in mentoring undergraduates. Please note that multiple documents can be uploaded in the box. APPLICATION DEADLINE: Review of applications will begin on January 15, 2026. The University will perform background checks on all new hires prior to employment. Anticipated start date for this position is May, 2026, but the start date is flexible. This is a one-year appointment; however, appointment may be renewed for additional two, one-year increments, contingent upon available funding and satisfactory performance. For questions about the position, please contact Amanda Gibson, Associate Professor, at akg5nq@virginia.edu. For questions about the application process, please contact Richard Haverstrom, Academic Recruiter, at rkh6j@virginia.edu. For information on the benefits available to postdoctoral associates at UVA, visit postdoc.virginia.edu and hr.virginia.edu/benefits. The University of Virginia is an equal opportunity employer. All interested persons are encouraged to apply, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Click here to read more about UVA’s commitment to non-discrimination and equal opportunity employment. PLEASE READ: The job postings for this page have been moved to a new location. Please visit the UVA Careers Websites to navigate to the appropriate site, or click UVA Careers in the upper right corner of this page to view open positions. If have already applied and need to log in to your existing Workday account, please click Sign In in the upper right corner of this page. Please do not sign in until you have visited and applied through a UVA Careers website.
uva.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com
December 10, 2025 at 10:38 PM
Inconceivable!
We are now further away from the theatrical release of Raiders of the Lost Ark (June 12, 1981) than it was from the year it takes place in (1936). We have reached the Indiana Jones event horizon.
November 28, 2025 at 5:25 AM
Natsume Söseki (1987): The artist can be defined as one who works within the four corners of the world to suppress what is called common sense and no longer inhabits more than three of them. 1/3
November 26, 2025 at 5:13 AM
I’ve definitely seen lines at our famous campus Prince Puckler’s Ice Cream, but never a happy mob. That’s apparently what a perfect fall Saturday in Eugene following a Friday night football win brings.
November 16, 2025 at 1:01 AM
Reposted by Patrick Phillips
Going to break my social media hiatus for a belated congratulations to @kdc509.bsky.social on an outstanding thesis defense last week! I cannot say enough good things about Killian - an amazing scientist and human being.
November 15, 2025 at 2:24 AM
Reposted by Patrick Phillips
DAF-2/IGF-1 degradation: Males WAY outlive hermaphrodites! This is so cool. @patrickphillips.bsky.social
November 7, 2025 at 9:41 PM
Make males live more than 400% longer and prevent sexual disfunction late in life?! We're down with it. Our latest preprint: Disruption of the insulin signaling pathway in C. elegans dramatically increases male longevity and enhances reproductive health late in life. www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
November 6, 2025 at 11:14 PM
Inspired by my recent workshop visit in Sicily, the lab had an Italian food potluck during lab meeting. I made pumpkin stuffed gnocchi in a nutmeg sage cream sauce, but we have no kitchen. So I finished the gnocchi in an electric tea kettle. Worked ok.
November 2, 2025 at 5:13 AM
Grew up a huge Dodgers fan but the last serious game I watched was in grad school when Kurt Gibson made the greatest hit I’ve ever seen. So yes, I’ve turned on this baby after seeing the hoopla.
November 2, 2025 at 4:14 AM
Happened to wear black today, so I got sucked into a lab Louvre heist Halloween dress up.
October 31, 2025 at 9:09 PM
This is nuts, because we know that we can use synthetic biology to optimize these “beasts” of burden. Not sure of the application. I have visions bacterially manned gates sorting the worthiness of other bacteria.
Domesticated animals have pulled our heavy carts and turned our large mills for centuries. But what about the opposite end of the spectrum—what if the wheel you want to turn is so small you can’t see it?

Turns out we can harness the power of bacteria to power the world’s smallest machines.

1/7 ⚛️🧪
October 26, 2025 at 3:41 PM
Reposted by Patrick Phillips
I'm recruiting a postdoc for my group (based in beautiful Eugene, OR). Please get in touch if you're interested, esp if you'd like to chat at #ASHG25!
We'll primarily work at the intersection of statistical and population genetics, and we also have active projects related to the ethical and social implications of human genetics (ELSI). Please get in touch if that's a combination that sounds interesting to you!
October 15, 2025 at 12:52 PM
Reposted by Patrick Phillips
Available to read via #OpenAccess
The egg-counter: a novel microfluidic platform for characterization of Caenorhabditis elegans egg-laying
pubs.rsc.org/en/content/a...
Patrick C. Phillips et al
@patrickphillips.bsky.social @uoregon.bsky.social @stephenbanse.bsky.social
October 13, 2025 at 8:43 AM
Very important paper for the geroscience hypothesis. Healthy aging is critical, even in the face of obvious disease states.
🧬💥 Do the genetics that make you develop a disease also help you survive it? Not much.

Our new study in Nature Genetics including 9 disease and 7 biobanks shows:

• Susceptibility variants ≠ survival
• PRSs for onset weak at predicting progression
• Lifespan PRS predicts survival better
October 6, 2025 at 9:55 AM
Reposted by Patrick Phillips
Save the date! #PEQG26 June 9-12 2026 in Asilomar, CA. Happens only every 2yrs, but is my favorite conference. Full website coming soon, and registration and abstract submission opens November 14, but I'm allowed to tease that keynotes will be @jnovembre.bsky.social @jennytung.bsky.social and me!
Homepage - Population, Evolutionary, and Quantitative Genetics Conference
Visit our website to learn more.
genetics-gsa.org
September 3, 2025 at 6:51 PM
Just out in press in eLife, a cool and brilliant piece of work by @amywebster.bsky.social: Gene expression variation across genetically identical individuals predicts reproductive traits. elifesciences.org/articles/106...
September 2, 2025 at 11:09 PM
New position in Developmental Neuroscience in the University of Oregon Department of Biology. There is also a neuroengineering search going on in the Knight Campus at the same time, so exciting buildouts in that area at the UO. academicjobsonline.org/ajo/jobs/30255
University of Oregon, Department of Biology
Job #AJO30255, 535561 Assistant Professor of Developmental Neuroscience, Department of Biology, University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon, US
academicjobsonline.org
August 18, 2025 at 11:32 PM
Reposted by Patrick Phillips
Come be my boss! My dept. at GT is searching for a new chair. Drop me a line if you are interested, I'd be happy to talk about this position, GT, ATL- anything. It's a drama-free department filled with cool people in a dynamic city.

www.biosciences.gatech.edu/chair-search
Chair Search
Chair, School of Biological Sciences Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta The School of Biological Sciences of the Georgia Institute of Technology (“Georgia Tech”) invites applications for the pos...
www.biosciences.gatech.edu
August 13, 2025 at 11:19 PM
Reposted by Patrick Phillips
Bittersweet to be leaving @docedge.bsky.social after a wonderful postdoc, but excited to share that I'm joining @uoregon.bsky.social next month as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Data Science.
August 6, 2025 at 5:18 PM
Reposted by Patrick Phillips
Congress says they have our back...let's hold them to their word!

All gas, no breaks this August with the 31 Days of Action campaign.

Sign up for our daily action notes here: act.standupforscience.net/forms/31-day...
August 4, 2025 at 11:41 AM
I've now received five NIH notice of awards for new or continuing grants since January. Almost enough data to detect some patterns. Here are a few observations. 1/n
August 5, 2025 at 5:04 PM
Reposted by Patrick Phillips
There are so many more. According to this effort, around 100 scientists alone have saved 5 billion lives in the modern era: scienceheroes.com/

That is very nearly all of us. We are not here, had they not been here. Our family trees would not protrude into modernity.

17/19
November 29, 2024 at 2:32 PM