Travis Seaborn
@travisseaborn.bsky.social
Assistant prof SNRS at NDSU. Landscape genetics and distribution (and other) ecology modeling endeavors. Conservation, climate change, and land use with disease sprinkles. Views own. He/Him
One of my favorite things as a graduate student and now as a faculty is the Landscape Genetics Distributed Graduate Seminar. Happy to answer questions.
Please see course website for more info if you are an individual or group interested in joining us this spring:
sites.google.com/site/landsca...
Please see course website for more info if you are an individual or group interested in joining us this spring:
sites.google.com/site/landsca...
Landscape Genetics DGS
Landscape Genetics - Distributed Graduate Seminar
The Landscape Genetics Distributed Graduate Seminar (DGS) is an international collaboration that provides a unique opportunity for interdisciplinary ...
sites.google.com
October 20, 2025 at 4:51 PM
One of my favorite things as a graduate student and now as a faculty is the Landscape Genetics Distributed Graduate Seminar. Happy to answer questions.
Please see course website for more info if you are an individual or group interested in joining us this spring:
sites.google.com/site/landsca...
Please see course website for more info if you are an individual or group interested in joining us this spring:
sites.google.com/site/landsca...
Reposted by Travis Seaborn
Folks whose jobs, postdocs or grad school fellowships or applications were cut short--drop them a line
Lost Science is a new NYT series of accounts from scientists who have lost their jobs or funding. You can send your story to the Times here www.nytimes.com/2025/10/08/c...
October 11, 2025 at 5:24 PM
Folks whose jobs, postdocs or grad school fellowships or applications were cut short--drop them a line
Reposted by Travis Seaborn
The reviewer crisis: data from the journal Biological Invasions:
"Reviewer acceptance rates dropped steadily over the past two decades. Early-career researchers had the highest acceptance rates, while senior scholars were least likely to accept review invitations."
link.springer.com/article/10.1...
"Reviewer acceptance rates dropped steadily over the past two decades. Early-career researchers had the highest acceptance rates, while senior scholars were least likely to accept review invitations."
link.springer.com/article/10.1...
October 9, 2025 at 7:32 PM
The reviewer crisis: data from the journal Biological Invasions:
"Reviewer acceptance rates dropped steadily over the past two decades. Early-career researchers had the highest acceptance rates, while senior scholars were least likely to accept review invitations."
link.springer.com/article/10.1...
"Reviewer acceptance rates dropped steadily over the past two decades. Early-career researchers had the highest acceptance rates, while senior scholars were least likely to accept review invitations."
link.springer.com/article/10.1...
Reposted by Travis Seaborn
🚨 Breaking News | MIT has rejected the Trump admin’s proposal to sign on to the “Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education,” which would mandate sweeping changes across campus in exchange for preferential treatment on federal funding.
Read the full story ➡️ https://bit.ly/4h5dQgM
Read the full story ➡️ https://bit.ly/4h5dQgM
October 10, 2025 at 2:05 PM
🚨 Breaking News | MIT has rejected the Trump admin’s proposal to sign on to the “Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education,” which would mandate sweeping changes across campus in exchange for preferential treatment on federal funding.
Read the full story ➡️ https://bit.ly/4h5dQgM
Read the full story ➡️ https://bit.ly/4h5dQgM
Reposted by Travis Seaborn
This:
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Absolutely yes. And I'm proud that @asn-amnat.bsky.social has led the way on this with requiring code and data editors checking code for about five years now!
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Absolutely yes. And I'm proud that @asn-amnat.bsky.social has led the way on this with requiring code and data editors checking code for about five years now!
Stop treating code like an afterthought: record, share and value it
Scientists, research institutions, funders, libraries and publishers must all improve software practices.
www.nature.com
October 9, 2025 at 3:52 PM
This:
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Absolutely yes. And I'm proud that @asn-amnat.bsky.social has led the way on this with requiring code and data editors checking code for about five years now!
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Absolutely yes. And I'm proud that @asn-amnat.bsky.social has led the way on this with requiring code and data editors checking code for about five years now!
Reposted by Travis Seaborn
Oh cool, he’s singling out random academics now to send targeted harassment this way! Can we stop doing this with our hands tied behind our back and actually try to push him out now
RFK Jr: "Somebody showed me a TikTok video of a pregnant woman at 8 months pregnant -- she's an associate professor at the Columbia Medical School -- and she is saying 'F Trump' and gobbling Tylenol with her baby in her placenta. The level of Trump Derangement Syndrome is now a pathology."
October 9, 2025 at 5:02 PM
Oh cool, he’s singling out random academics now to send targeted harassment this way! Can we stop doing this with our hands tied behind our back and actually try to push him out now
Reposted by Travis Seaborn
This is the genius of the Portland protests - they make the claims of lawlessness look not just wrong, but comical
The following is REAL footage from Portland, 2025. Viewer discretion is advised.
October 9, 2025 at 10:54 PM
This is the genius of the Portland protests - they make the claims of lawlessness look not just wrong, but comical
Reposted by Travis Seaborn
Just because an LLM can produce a report with various figures & charts doesn't mean it is good at statistics.
Because good statistics is not about producing code.
It's about deep knowledge of study design & conduct. In my opinion, 95% of all data science problems come from poor questions & design.
Because good statistics is not about producing code.
It's about deep knowledge of study design & conduct. In my opinion, 95% of all data science problems come from poor questions & design.
Y'all. I just got ChatGPT to do everything in R for this manuscript. I mean EVERYTHING. And it's all legit and reproducible. I'm shook.
How are we mentoring our trainees in statistics now? Who needs to learn coding in R line by line, and who doesn't?
scienceforeveryone.science/statistics-i...
How are we mentoring our trainees in statistics now? Who needs to learn coding in R line by line, and who doesn't?
scienceforeveryone.science/statistics-i...
Statistics in the era of AI
How do we mentor, teach, and do stats when AI can do so much of the work?
scienceforeveryone.science
October 9, 2025 at 1:17 PM
Just because an LLM can produce a report with various figures & charts doesn't mean it is good at statistics.
Because good statistics is not about producing code.
It's about deep knowledge of study design & conduct. In my opinion, 95% of all data science problems come from poor questions & design.
Because good statistics is not about producing code.
It's about deep knowledge of study design & conduct. In my opinion, 95% of all data science problems come from poor questions & design.
Reposted by Travis Seaborn
RFK Jr on Tylenol and autism: "It is not proof. We're doing the studies to make the proof."
October 9, 2025 at 4:57 PM
RFK Jr on Tylenol and autism: "It is not proof. We're doing the studies to make the proof."
Reposted by Travis Seaborn
Read of the day: “Turning Point USA is targeting a Rutgers faculty member for doing his job — in this case, researching the history of postwar anti-fascist movements and writing about them,” [Rutgers AAUP-AFT President] Givan said. https://loom.ly/1rQW_J8
N.J. professor says he’s moving to Europe after death threats over antifa research
Mark Bray said right-wing influencers have been targeting him on social media. Turning Point USA wants him fired.
www.nj.com
October 9, 2025 at 1:08 PM
Read of the day: “Turning Point USA is targeting a Rutgers faculty member for doing his job — in this case, researching the history of postwar anti-fascist movements and writing about them,” [Rutgers AAUP-AFT President] Givan said. https://loom.ly/1rQW_J8
Reposted by Travis Seaborn
periodic reminder that if you write stuff that's published on the web for a publication you yourself do not own, PDF that shit as soon as it goes live
October 9, 2025 at 6:08 PM
periodic reminder that if you write stuff that's published on the web for a publication you yourself do not own, PDF that shit as soon as it goes live
Reposted by Travis Seaborn
It looks like Trump's EPA is stonewalling the release of a major scientific report on the health effects of "forever chemicals" in our drinking water.
www.propublica.org/article/epa-...
www.propublica.org/article/epa-...
Scientists Completed a Toxicity Report on This Forever Chemical. The EPA Hasn’t Released It.
Agency scientists found that PFNA could cause developmental, liver and reproductive harms. Their final report was ready in mid-April, according to an internal document reviewed by ProPublica, but the ...
www.propublica.org
October 9, 2025 at 5:27 PM
It looks like Trump's EPA is stonewalling the release of a major scientific report on the health effects of "forever chemicals" in our drinking water.
www.propublica.org/article/epa-...
www.propublica.org/article/epa-...
Reposted by Travis Seaborn
What are the ‘social dimensions’ of moving species for conservation and why does engaging with them matter?
This is the focus of our new paper doi.org/10.1016/j.tr... published in @cp-trendsecolevo.bsky.social olevo.bsky.social led by ever talented @aisrayne.bsky.social
📷 Kevin Parker
This is the focus of our new paper doi.org/10.1016/j.tr... published in @cp-trendsecolevo.bsky.social olevo.bsky.social led by ever talented @aisrayne.bsky.social
📷 Kevin Parker
October 7, 2025 at 10:26 PM
What are the ‘social dimensions’ of moving species for conservation and why does engaging with them matter?
This is the focus of our new paper doi.org/10.1016/j.tr... published in @cp-trendsecolevo.bsky.social olevo.bsky.social led by ever talented @aisrayne.bsky.social
📷 Kevin Parker
This is the focus of our new paper doi.org/10.1016/j.tr... published in @cp-trendsecolevo.bsky.social olevo.bsky.social led by ever talented @aisrayne.bsky.social
📷 Kevin Parker
Reposted by Travis Seaborn
The American Fisheries Society extends our support to the furloughed fisheries and aquatics professionals affected by the U.S. federal government shutdown. Read our full statement on the shutdown and its impacts on natural resources here fisheries.org/2025/10/afs-...
October 7, 2025 at 11:24 PM
The American Fisheries Society extends our support to the furloughed fisheries and aquatics professionals affected by the U.S. federal government shutdown. Read our full statement on the shutdown and its impacts on natural resources here fisheries.org/2025/10/afs-...
Reposted by Travis Seaborn
Today my @nytimes.com colleagues and I are launching a new series called Lost Science. We interview US scientists who can no longer discover something new about our world, thanks to this year‘s cuts. Here is my first interview with a scientist who studied bees and fires. Gift link: nyti.ms/3IWXbiE
nyti.ms
October 8, 2025 at 11:29 PM
Today my @nytimes.com colleagues and I are launching a new series called Lost Science. We interview US scientists who can no longer discover something new about our world, thanks to this year‘s cuts. Here is my first interview with a scientist who studied bees and fires. Gift link: nyti.ms/3IWXbiE
Reposted by Travis Seaborn
Just posting this. Everyone knows why.
October 5, 2025 at 12:30 AM
Just posting this. Everyone knows why.
Reposted by Travis Seaborn
This is extortion. Faculty, students, staff, alumni across the country need to get to their Presidents & Trustees today. Just say no. This blackmail only works if most everyone folds. Capitulation now means the end of American higher education for a generation. www.nytimes.com/2025/10/02/u...
Trump Administration Asks Colleges to Sign ‘Compact’ to Get Funding Preference
www.nytimes.com
October 2, 2025 at 9:55 AM
This is extortion. Faculty, students, staff, alumni across the country need to get to their Presidents & Trustees today. Just say no. This blackmail only works if most everyone folds. Capitulation now means the end of American higher education for a generation. www.nytimes.com/2025/10/02/u...
Reposted by Travis Seaborn
September 3, 2025 at 8:34 PM
Reposted by Travis Seaborn
Main Topic: Dozens of Scientists Find Errors in a New Energy Department Climate Report via @npr.org
On The Extreme Temperature Diary WED 9/03/2025
At: guyonclimate.com
+#climate #weather + record temp reports via
@extremetemps.bsky.social/ @michaelemann.bsky.social
@katharinehayhoe.com
On The Extreme Temperature Diary WED 9/03/2025
At: guyonclimate.com
+#climate #weather + record temp reports via
@extremetemps.bsky.social/ @michaelemann.bsky.social
@katharinehayhoe.com
September 3, 2025 at 8:03 PM
Main Topic: Dozens of Scientists Find Errors in a New Energy Department Climate Report via @npr.org
On The Extreme Temperature Diary WED 9/03/2025
At: guyonclimate.com
+#climate #weather + record temp reports via
@extremetemps.bsky.social/ @michaelemann.bsky.social
@katharinehayhoe.com
On The Extreme Temperature Diary WED 9/03/2025
At: guyonclimate.com
+#climate #weather + record temp reports via
@extremetemps.bsky.social/ @michaelemann.bsky.social
@katharinehayhoe.com
Reposted by Travis Seaborn
🚨 Breaking News | Judge Rules Harvard Funding Freeze Illegal
A federal judge said the Trump administration violated the institution's First Amendment rights when it froze billions of dollars in research grants. https://bit.ly/42bh3oH
#EDUSky #AcademicSky #HigherEd
A federal judge said the Trump administration violated the institution's First Amendment rights when it froze billions of dollars in research grants. https://bit.ly/42bh3oH
#EDUSky #AcademicSky #HigherEd
September 3, 2025 at 10:48 PM
🚨 Breaking News | Judge Rules Harvard Funding Freeze Illegal
A federal judge said the Trump administration violated the institution's First Amendment rights when it froze billions of dollars in research grants. https://bit.ly/42bh3oH
#EDUSky #AcademicSky #HigherEd
A federal judge said the Trump administration violated the institution's First Amendment rights when it froze billions of dollars in research grants. https://bit.ly/42bh3oH
#EDUSky #AcademicSky #HigherEd
Reposted by Travis Seaborn
Vinay Prasad, a former adult oncologist, has moved to disrupt the childhood vaccine schedule by asserting - against all evidence - that administering multiple vaccines at the same time “could blunt their efficacy.” The added burden/delay of separating shots would sharply reduce US vaccination rates.
FDA quietly positions itself to disrupt childhood vaccine schedule
While CDC turmoil grabbed the media spotlight, a quieter but potentially more consequential drama unfolded last week at FDA. The agency has positioned itse...
www.biocentury.com
September 3, 2025 at 11:38 AM
Vinay Prasad, a former adult oncologist, has moved to disrupt the childhood vaccine schedule by asserting - against all evidence - that administering multiple vaccines at the same time “could blunt their efficacy.” The added burden/delay of separating shots would sharply reduce US vaccination rates.
Reposted by Travis Seaborn
An extraordinary joint op-ed and plea by NINE former directors or acting directors of the CDC under both Democratic and Republican administrations, succinctly describing undermining of public health, and what’s needed now.
(gift link)
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/01/o...
(gift link)
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/01/o...
Opinion | We Ran the C.D.C.: Kennedy Is Endangering Every American’s Health
www.nytimes.com
September 1, 2025 at 5:43 PM
An extraordinary joint op-ed and plea by NINE former directors or acting directors of the CDC under both Democratic and Republican administrations, succinctly describing undermining of public health, and what’s needed now.
(gift link)
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/01/o...
(gift link)
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/01/o...
Reposted by Travis Seaborn
Insisting on expertise over ideology is not “politicizing” science. The ideologues installing scientific and governmental policy that is contradicted by evidence and data are.
By emphasizing ideology over expertise, THEY have made arguing for expertise and evidence-based decision making partisan.
By emphasizing ideology over expertise, THEY have made arguing for expertise and evidence-based decision making partisan.
Scientists Are Caught in a Political Trap
Fighting back against the Trump administration means they start to look more like activists.
www.theatlantic.com
August 23, 2025 at 4:45 PM
Insisting on expertise over ideology is not “politicizing” science. The ideologues installing scientific and governmental policy that is contradicted by evidence and data are.
By emphasizing ideology over expertise, THEY have made arguing for expertise and evidence-based decision making partisan.
By emphasizing ideology over expertise, THEY have made arguing for expertise and evidence-based decision making partisan.
Reposted by Travis Seaborn
Here is the official statement from the American Meteorological Society on the "foundational flaws" of the Department of Energy’s recent attempt to deny the reality of #climate change.
www.ametsoc.org/ams/about-am...
www.ametsoc.org/ams/about-am...
The Practice and Assessment of Science: Five Foundational Flaws in the Department of Energy's 2025 Climate Report
Adopted by the Executive Committee of the AMS Council on 27 August 2025
www.ametsoc.org
August 28, 2025 at 4:16 PM
Here is the official statement from the American Meteorological Society on the "foundational flaws" of the Department of Energy’s recent attempt to deny the reality of #climate change.
www.ametsoc.org/ams/about-am...
www.ametsoc.org/ams/about-am...
Reposted by Travis Seaborn
“Daskalakis went on to say that Kennedy… had never taken a briefing by a CDC subject matter expert from his center” [vax and respiratory disease]
New: In 7 months, Kennedy has broken the CDC, perhaps irreparably. For all he’s done with mass firings, gutting expertise, and attacking vaccines, Wednesday’s loss of its most senior and competent leaders—truly the CDC’s backbone—is the most consequential attack yet.
www.msnbc.com/msnbc/news/c...
www.msnbc.com/msnbc/news/c...
‘People will die because of this’: How RFK Jr. drove out the CDC’s senior leaders
On the same day Susan Monarez was fired, four of the agency’s top leaders quit.
www.msnbc.com
August 28, 2025 at 4:00 PM
“Daskalakis went on to say that Kennedy… had never taken a briefing by a CDC subject matter expert from his center” [vax and respiratory disease]