Alyssa Gehman
@rhizalyssa.bsky.social
marine disease ecologists, diver, parasite enthusiast
@hakaiinstitute.bsky.social
https://sentinels.hakai.org/
@hakaiinstitute.bsky.social
https://sentinels.hakai.org/
Reposted by Alyssa Gehman
RESEARCH: Parasites of the hermit crab Pagurus hirsutiusculus; distribution, prevalence, and thermal ecology. Co-authored by Dr. Chris Harley (@zoology.ubc.ca) and Dr. Alyssa Gehman (@rhizalyssa.bsky.social ) journals.plos.org/plosone/arti...
Parasites of the hermit crab Pagurus hirsutiusculus; distribution, prevalence, and thermal ecology
Parasites are common throughout the biosphere and can play significant ecological roles. However, most parasites are understudied, particularly with regards to how their prevalence and impacts vary wi...
journals.plos.org
November 20, 2025 at 5:53 PM
RESEARCH: Parasites of the hermit crab Pagurus hirsutiusculus; distribution, prevalence, and thermal ecology. Co-authored by Dr. Chris Harley (@zoology.ubc.ca) and Dr. Alyssa Gehman (@rhizalyssa.bsky.social ) journals.plos.org/plosone/arti...
Reposted by Alyssa Gehman
Parasitic barnacles that turn hermit crabs into near-zombies? New UBC/Hakai research that surveyed 4,200 crabs at 65 sites shows these parasites are widespread across B.C., vulnerable to heat waves, and may be multiple cryptic species.
Read more 🔗 tinyurl.com/4tfb5fjj
Read more 🔗 tinyurl.com/4tfb5fjj
November 20, 2025 at 2:10 PM
Parasitic barnacles that turn hermit crabs into near-zombies? New UBC/Hakai research that surveyed 4,200 crabs at 65 sites shows these parasites are widespread across B.C., vulnerable to heat waves, and may be multiple cryptic species.
Read more 🔗 tinyurl.com/4tfb5fjj
Read more 🔗 tinyurl.com/4tfb5fjj
Reposted by Alyssa Gehman
Can some sunflower stars resist disease? Hakai researchers, with DFO, are testing stars from Calvert Island for Vibrio pectenicida resistance and how warmer waters affect infection. A step toward protecting these vital marine predators!
October 27, 2025 at 6:55 PM
Can some sunflower stars resist disease? Hakai researchers, with DFO, are testing stars from Calvert Island for Vibrio pectenicida resistance and how warmer waters affect infection. A step toward protecting these vital marine predators!
Reposted by Alyssa Gehman
So, right now, the only reliable way to diagnose endometriosis is with exploratory surgery. But finally, real scientists (instead of male scientists), are on the job & of course they’ve identified multiple markers in menstrual blood that point to noninvasive testing.
www.science.org/content/arti...
www.science.org/content/arti...
Driven by the pain of endometriosis, this scientist is uncovering clues to its causes
Katie Burns is helping reveal the immune system’s role in the long-neglected disease
www.science.org
September 10, 2025 at 6:10 AM
So, right now, the only reliable way to diagnose endometriosis is with exploratory surgery. But finally, real scientists (instead of male scientists), are on the job & of course they’ve identified multiple markers in menstrual blood that point to noninvasive testing.
www.science.org/content/arti...
www.science.org/content/arti...
Reposted by Alyssa Gehman
🌊 A decade-long mystery solved: UBC-led researchers identified the bacteria behind sea star wasting disease (Vibrio pectenicida FHCF-3), published in Nature Ecology & Evolution.
A huge step for marine recovery. 🪸🌍
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41559-025-02797-2
A huge step for marine recovery. 🪸🌍
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41559-025-02797-2
September 4, 2025 at 7:00 PM
🌊 A decade-long mystery solved: UBC-led researchers identified the bacteria behind sea star wasting disease (Vibrio pectenicida FHCF-3), published in Nature Ecology & Evolution.
A huge step for marine recovery. 🪸🌍
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41559-025-02797-2
A huge step for marine recovery. 🪸🌍
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41559-025-02797-2
Reposted by Alyssa Gehman
Our marine biology career advice panel went great! Thanks to the Ecological Society of America for inviting me and giving me a chance to do something to help students. #ESA2025 @ecologicalsociety.bsky.social
August 12, 2025 at 8:03 PM
Our marine biology career advice panel went great! Thanks to the Ecological Society of America for inviting me and giving me a chance to do something to help students. #ESA2025 @ecologicalsociety.bsky.social
Reposted by Alyssa Gehman
A study in Nature Ecology & Evolution identifies a bacterial species as a cause of sea star wasting disease, which has been responsible for billions of sea star deaths since 2013 and widespread loss of kelp habitats. go.nature.com/46I4kx2 🌊 🧪
August 4, 2025 at 7:22 PM
A study in Nature Ecology & Evolution identifies a bacterial species as a cause of sea star wasting disease, which has been responsible for billions of sea star deaths since 2013 and widespread loss of kelp habitats. go.nature.com/46I4kx2 🌊 🧪
Reposted by Alyssa Gehman
Unmasking the Sea Star Killer
After a decade of carnage, we finally know what’s devastating sea stars along North America’s West Coast. Does that mean scientists can save them?
by @craigwelch.bsky.social
www.biographic.com/unmasking-th...
After a decade of carnage, we finally know what’s devastating sea stars along North America’s West Coast. Does that mean scientists can save them?
by @craigwelch.bsky.social
www.biographic.com/unmasking-th...
Unmasking the Sea Star Killer
After a decade of carnage, we finally know what’s devastating sea stars along North America’s West Coast. Does that mean scientists can save them?
www.biographic.com
August 5, 2025 at 4:36 PM
Unmasking the Sea Star Killer
After a decade of carnage, we finally know what’s devastating sea stars along North America’s West Coast. Does that mean scientists can save them?
by @craigwelch.bsky.social
www.biographic.com/unmasking-th...
After a decade of carnage, we finally know what’s devastating sea stars along North America’s West Coast. Does that mean scientists can save them?
by @craigwelch.bsky.social
www.biographic.com/unmasking-th...
Reposted by Alyssa Gehman
Spoke with @rhizalyssa.bsky.social and Melanie Prentice about their investigation into what was causing billions of sea stars to disintegrate to death. The culprit: a bacterium by the name of Vibrio pectenicida. Read more about their work here:
Billions of Starfish Have Disintegrated—and Scientists Finally Know Why
A devastating bacterium has decimated populations of sunflower sea stars, predators that play a crucial role in their environment
www.scientificamerican.com
August 5, 2025 at 7:33 PM
Spoke with @rhizalyssa.bsky.social and Melanie Prentice about their investigation into what was causing billions of sea stars to disintegrate to death. The culprit: a bacterium by the name of Vibrio pectenicida. Read more about their work here:
Reposted by Alyssa Gehman
After a four-year investigation, a breakthrough study reveals the cause of sea star wasting disease (SSWD). A strain of the bacterium Vibrio pectenicida is the culprit behind the marine epidemic that has killed billions of sea stars since 2013. Read the study: 🔗https://tinyurl.com/4rcb3xpf
August 4, 2025 at 4:03 PM
After a four-year investigation, a breakthrough study reveals the cause of sea star wasting disease (SSWD). A strain of the bacterium Vibrio pectenicida is the culprit behind the marine epidemic that has killed billions of sea stars since 2013. Read the study: 🔗https://tinyurl.com/4rcb3xpf
Reposted by Alyssa Gehman
Very proud of the work from lab members and collaborators that coincidentally came out today www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/... and www.nature.com/articles/s41.... A bacterial and viral pathogen associated with mass mortality in seastars and oysters. @kevinzhong2006.bsky.social @rhizalyssa.bsky.social
August 5, 2025 at 12:44 AM
Very proud of the work from lab members and collaborators that coincidentally came out today www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/... and www.nature.com/articles/s41.... A bacterial and viral pathogen associated with mass mortality in seastars and oysters. @kevinzhong2006.bsky.social @rhizalyssa.bsky.social
Reposted by Alyssa Gehman
We are so proud of our sea star wasting work that came out today. This interactive article is very complete and includes beautiful videos.
Unmasking the Sea Star Killer www.biographic.com/unmasking-th...
Unmasking the Sea Star Killer www.biographic.com/unmasking-th...
Unmasking the Sea Star Killer
After a decade of carnage, we finally know what’s devastating sea stars along North America’s West Coast. Does that mean scientists can save them?
www.biographic.com
August 4, 2025 at 6:03 PM
We are so proud of our sea star wasting work that came out today. This interactive article is very complete and includes beautiful videos.
Unmasking the Sea Star Killer www.biographic.com/unmasking-th...
Unmasking the Sea Star Killer www.biographic.com/unmasking-th...
Reposted by Alyssa Gehman
For @biographic.bsky.social, writer @craigwelch.bsky.social followed @hakai.org scientist @rhizalyssa.bsky.social's quest to unveil the the killer that decimated populations of sea stars off the West Coast. It took a few years but the lab's hard work paid off: www.biographic.com/unmasking-th...
Unmasking the Sea Star Killer
After a decade of carnage, we finally know what’s devastating sea stars along North America’s West Coast. Does that mean scientists can save them?
www.biographic.com
August 4, 2025 at 11:41 PM
For @biographic.bsky.social, writer @craigwelch.bsky.social followed @hakai.org scientist @rhizalyssa.bsky.social's quest to unveil the the killer that decimated populations of sea stars off the West Coast. It took a few years but the lab's hard work paid off: www.biographic.com/unmasking-th...
Reposted by Alyssa Gehman
For those having a hard time following all the changes to NSF by the Trump administration, here's a wrapup of the past week's momentous events--and what they mean for the agency. www.science.org/content/arti...
Trump officials take steps toward a radically different NSF
Efforts to shrink staff, budget, and focus have alarmed members of Congress
www.science.org
May 13, 2025 at 9:40 PM
For those having a hard time following all the changes to NSF by the Trump administration, here's a wrapup of the past week's momentous events--and what they mean for the agency. www.science.org/content/arti...
Ten Vital Services Provided by NOAA (Beyond the National Weather Service) blog.ucs.org/science-blog...
Ten Vital Services Provided by NOAA (Beyond the National Weather Service)
Far too much of the media coverage supporting NOAA only mentions one of many things they do: here are 10 more.
blog.ucs.org
May 6, 2025 at 10:02 PM
Ten Vital Services Provided by NOAA (Beyond the National Weather Service) blog.ucs.org/science-blog...
Reposted by Alyssa Gehman
New research on endangered sunflower sea stars (Pycnopodia helianthoides) was just highlighted in
@nature.com. The study, led by Hakai Institute research scientist @rhizalyssa.bsky.social, shows Pycnopodia finding refuge from sea star wasting disease in BC's coastal fjords🔗 tinyurl.com/shzdtawj
@nature.com. The study, led by Hakai Institute research scientist @rhizalyssa.bsky.social, shows Pycnopodia finding refuge from sea star wasting disease in BC's coastal fjords🔗 tinyurl.com/shzdtawj
April 23, 2025 at 2:04 AM
New research on endangered sunflower sea stars (Pycnopodia helianthoides) was just highlighted in
@nature.com. The study, led by Hakai Institute research scientist @rhizalyssa.bsky.social, shows Pycnopodia finding refuge from sea star wasting disease in BC's coastal fjords🔗 tinyurl.com/shzdtawj
@nature.com. The study, led by Hakai Institute research scientist @rhizalyssa.bsky.social, shows Pycnopodia finding refuge from sea star wasting disease in BC's coastal fjords🔗 tinyurl.com/shzdtawj
Reposted by Alyssa Gehman
Mussel beds are vital to the health of rocky intertidal ecosystems. We recently sat down with two members of the Hakai geospatial team to learn how AI and deep learning are transforming mussel mapping and monitoring on BC's Central Coast. Read the full story 🔗 tinyurl.com/bdezt98t
April 16, 2025 at 5:02 PM
Mussel beds are vital to the health of rocky intertidal ecosystems. We recently sat down with two members of the Hakai geospatial team to learn how AI and deep learning are transforming mussel mapping and monitoring on BC's Central Coast. Read the full story 🔗 tinyurl.com/bdezt98t
Reposted by Alyssa Gehman
A newly published study finds that sunflower sea stars (Pycnopodia helianthoides) threatened by sea star wasting disease (SSWD) are finding marine refuge in the freshwater snowmelt of deep, cold-water fjords on BCs central coast. Full press kit now available🔗https://tinyurl.com/534rsnrj
April 2, 2025 at 4:11 PM
A newly published study finds that sunflower sea stars (Pycnopodia helianthoides) threatened by sea star wasting disease (SSWD) are finding marine refuge in the freshwater snowmelt of deep, cold-water fjords on BCs central coast. Full press kit now available🔗https://tinyurl.com/534rsnrj
Reposted by Alyssa Gehman
Working with an interdisciplinary team, we have developed a website to communicate how the White House's proposed cuts to health research would cause losses of $16B and 68,500 jobs.
Find out how your community may be impacted.
Explore more at SCIMaP: scienceimpacts.org
a 🧵
Find out how your community may be impacted.
Explore more at SCIMaP: scienceimpacts.org
a 🧵
March 28, 2025 at 2:15 AM
Working with an interdisciplinary team, we have developed a website to communicate how the White House's proposed cuts to health research would cause losses of $16B and 68,500 jobs.
Find out how your community may be impacted.
Explore more at SCIMaP: scienceimpacts.org
a 🧵
Find out how your community may be impacted.
Explore more at SCIMaP: scienceimpacts.org
a 🧵
Reposted by Alyssa Gehman
Ted Cruz said he’d found $2 billion in “woke” science grants, but his team used keyword searches that flagged things out of context, like a grant to develop a device to treat severe bleeding that mentioned “victims” and “trauma.”
www.propublica.org/article/ted-...
www.propublica.org/article/ted-...
A Study of Mint Plants. A Device to Stop Bleeding. This Is the Scientific Research Ted Cruz Calls “Woke.”
The senator flagged thousands of National Science Foundation grants for using words like “female” and “diversify.” A ProPublica analysis found numerous examples of projects caught up in his crude meth...
www.propublica.org
February 28, 2025 at 2:10 PM
Ted Cruz said he’d found $2 billion in “woke” science grants, but his team used keyword searches that flagged things out of context, like a grant to develop a device to treat severe bleeding that mentioned “victims” and “trauma.”
www.propublica.org/article/ted-...
www.propublica.org/article/ted-...
Reposted by Alyssa Gehman
And I am an ally. If you are too, let the world know.
February 22, 2025 at 10:14 PM
And I am an ally. If you are too, let the world know.
Reposted by Alyssa Gehman
Ending the week with a little motivation from our office mural. 💙 We hope you all have a great weekend. 🦈
February 21, 2025 at 10:25 AM
Ending the week with a little motivation from our office mural. 💙 We hope you all have a great weekend. 🦈
Reposted by Alyssa Gehman
Happy Valentine’s Day!
Don’t forget to text your crush a squid fact today 😘
Don’t forget to text your crush a squid fact today 😘
February 14, 2025 at 2:49 PM
Happy Valentine’s Day!
Don’t forget to text your crush a squid fact today 😘
Don’t forget to text your crush a squid fact today 😘