TropBioLab
@tropbiolab.bsky.social
Research group of Al & Floria Uy @urochester.bsky.social. We study the #evolution and #ecology of the Tropic’s stunning #biodiversity. #ornithology #entomology #genomics #neurobiology #conservation 🇺🇸🇨🇷🇵🇭
https://tropbiolab.org/
https://tropbiolab.org/
Want to hear more about how twisted-wing insects hack their hosts to their own benefit? Checkout this fun podcast with @avispatica.bsky.social talking about her work on these biohackers!!
Our podcast is out! Check out our research @urochester.bsky.social that is decoding how true biohackers called twisted-winged insects control social wasps! #teamwasp #strepsiptera #zombiewasps 🐝🧟♀️ Please check out this fantastic initiative by @bugsneedheroes.bsky.social. Thank you for having me!
This episode Amanda and Kelly discuss twisted-wing insects (Strepsiptera) with Dr Floria Mora-Kepfer Uy an assistant professor at the University of Rochester and a Levinson/Shapiro faculty scholar. @avispatica.bsky.social
September 24, 2025 at 3:31 PM
Want to hear more about how twisted-wing insects hack their hosts to their own benefit? Checkout this fun podcast with @avispatica.bsky.social talking about her work on these biohackers!!
Reposted by TropBioLab
Super last minute as I’m on my flight to #AOS25 — I will be talking about my work on bowerbirds on Wednesday morning in Genomics 2. Looking forward to seeing everyone and sharing this incredible dataset 🐦⬛
August 11, 2025 at 2:25 PM
Super last minute as I’m on my flight to #AOS25 — I will be talking about my work on bowerbirds on Wednesday morning in Genomics 2. Looking forward to seeing everyone and sharing this incredible dataset 🐦⬛
Interested in how new sex chromosomes evolve in birds? Our NSF-funded collaborative work with the (Daven) Presgraves lab at @urochester.bsky.social is out this week in @pnas.org. Check it out!
www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
August 7, 2025 at 11:28 AM
Interested in how new sex chromosomes evolve in birds? Our NSF-funded collaborative work with the (Daven) Presgraves lab at @urochester.bsky.social is out this week in @pnas.org. Check it out!
www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
Reposted by TropBioLab
We’re excited to announce @avispatica.bsky.social (Univ. of Rochester) as a plenary speaker at #ABL2025! 🙌
Dr Floria Mora-Kepfer Uy’s talk will explore how parasites reprogram social wasps—revealing deep insights into plasticity, manipulation & coevolution. 🐝
#HostParasite #Parasitism #Coevolution
Dr Floria Mora-Kepfer Uy’s talk will explore how parasites reprogram social wasps—revealing deep insights into plasticity, manipulation & coevolution. 🐝
#HostParasite #Parasitism #Coevolution
July 24, 2025 at 9:38 AM
Reposted by TropBioLab
We’re excited to announce @avispatica.bsky.social (Univ. of Rochester) as a plenary speaker at #ABL2025! 🙌
Dr Floria Mora-Kepfer Uy’s talk will explore how parasites reprogram social wasps—revealing deep insights into plasticity, manipulation & coevolution. 🐝
#HostParasite #Parasitism #Coevolution
Dr Floria Mora-Kepfer Uy’s talk will explore how parasites reprogram social wasps—revealing deep insights into plasticity, manipulation & coevolution. 🐝
#HostParasite #Parasitism #Coevolution
July 24, 2025 at 8:26 AM
We’re excited to announce @avispatica.bsky.social (Univ. of Rochester) as a plenary speaker at #ABL2025! 🙌
Dr Floria Mora-Kepfer Uy’s talk will explore how parasites reprogram social wasps—revealing deep insights into plasticity, manipulation & coevolution. 🐝
#HostParasite #Parasitism #Coevolution
Dr Floria Mora-Kepfer Uy’s talk will explore how parasites reprogram social wasps—revealing deep insights into plasticity, manipulation & coevolution. 🐝
#HostParasite #Parasitism #Coevolution
Reposted by TropBioLab
After >20 years of working with wasps, I like them even more now!
And a ⭐️ team that’s rocking this season and experimental infections with twisted wing parasites! #wasplove #strepsiptera #fieldseason #ProudPI #teamwasp
And a ⭐️ team that’s rocking this season and experimental infections with twisted wing parasites! #wasplove #strepsiptera #fieldseason #ProudPI #teamwasp
July 12, 2025 at 4:15 PM
After >20 years of working with wasps, I like them even more now!
And a ⭐️ team that’s rocking this season and experimental infections with twisted wing parasites! #wasplove #strepsiptera #fieldseason #ProudPI #teamwasp
And a ⭐️ team that’s rocking this season and experimental infections with twisted wing parasites! #wasplove #strepsiptera #fieldseason #ProudPI #teamwasp
Reposted by TropBioLab
Well, this is a first! And much appreciated!
It’s usually Dr. and Mrs. Uy, even though we’re both academics 🥴
It’s usually Dr. and Mrs. Uy, even though we’re both academics 🥴
June 26, 2025 at 3:50 PM
Well, this is a first! And much appreciated!
It’s usually Dr. and Mrs. Uy, even though we’re both academics 🥴
It’s usually Dr. and Mrs. Uy, even though we’re both academics 🥴
Reposted by TropBioLab
I find myself missing fieldwork in the tropics! Here is some Polistes stigma from the Solomon Islands for much-needed #wasplove
The female with dark eyes has recently emerged, and her eyes will lighten in a few days. Some of the tiniest Polistes I've seen! Images by Al Uy @tropbiolab.bsky.social
The female with dark eyes has recently emerged, and her eyes will lighten in a few days. Some of the tiniest Polistes I've seen! Images by Al Uy @tropbiolab.bsky.social
May 14, 2025 at 4:27 PM
I find myself missing fieldwork in the tropics! Here is some Polistes stigma from the Solomon Islands for much-needed #wasplove
The female with dark eyes has recently emerged, and her eyes will lighten in a few days. Some of the tiniest Polistes I've seen! Images by Al Uy @tropbiolab.bsky.social
The female with dark eyes has recently emerged, and her eyes will lighten in a few days. Some of the tiniest Polistes I've seen! Images by Al Uy @tropbiolab.bsky.social
Reposted by TropBioLab
🌟 Graduation party for our three undergrad stars from #teamwasp @tropbiolab.bsky.social ! 🌟
Grateful for mentoring an amazing team of rising scholars.
The party included some 🦅🐝🐜 watching... & the most unesthetic piñata, decorated with early figures from our graduates!
#proudPI
Grateful for mentoring an amazing team of rising scholars.
The party included some 🦅🐝🐜 watching... & the most unesthetic piñata, decorated with early figures from our graduates!
#proudPI
May 12, 2025 at 5:23 PM
🌟 Graduation party for our three undergrad stars from #teamwasp @tropbiolab.bsky.social ! 🌟
Grateful for mentoring an amazing team of rising scholars.
The party included some 🦅🐝🐜 watching... & the most unesthetic piñata, decorated with early figures from our graduates!
#proudPI
Grateful for mentoring an amazing team of rising scholars.
The party included some 🦅🐝🐜 watching... & the most unesthetic piñata, decorated with early figures from our graduates!
#proudPI
Reposted by TropBioLab
Tis’ the season that generous naturalists start to send me wasp pictures! This “booty” pic 🤣 shows the foundresses of Polistes dominula, native to Europe. It’s invasive here and in many other places in the world.
#teamwasp #teamxenome @tropbiolab.bsky.social is ready, experiment time! #wasplove
#teamwasp #teamxenome @tropbiolab.bsky.social is ready, experiment time! #wasplove
May 3, 2025 at 11:31 PM
Tis’ the season that generous naturalists start to send me wasp pictures! This “booty” pic 🤣 shows the foundresses of Polistes dominula, native to Europe. It’s invasive here and in many other places in the world.
#teamwasp #teamxenome @tropbiolab.bsky.social is ready, experiment time! #wasplove
#teamwasp #teamxenome @tropbiolab.bsky.social is ready, experiment time! #wasplove
Reposted by TropBioLab
🌟Congrats to undergrad researcher Natasha Vacca @nvacca08.bsky.social for being awarded the NSF-GRFP! 🌟
We're also thrilled that Natasha is not tired of us and will continue as a doctoral student with #teamwasp @tropbiolab.bsky.social @urochester.bsky.social
#wasplove #addictedtostrepsiptera
We're also thrilled that Natasha is not tired of us and will continue as a doctoral student with #teamwasp @tropbiolab.bsky.social @urochester.bsky.social
#wasplove #addictedtostrepsiptera
April 17, 2025 at 3:03 AM
🌟Congrats to undergrad researcher Natasha Vacca @nvacca08.bsky.social for being awarded the NSF-GRFP! 🌟
We're also thrilled that Natasha is not tired of us and will continue as a doctoral student with #teamwasp @tropbiolab.bsky.social @urochester.bsky.social
#wasplove #addictedtostrepsiptera
We're also thrilled that Natasha is not tired of us and will continue as a doctoral student with #teamwasp @tropbiolab.bsky.social @urochester.bsky.social
#wasplove #addictedtostrepsiptera
Trop Bio lab alumnus, Dr. Diego Ocampo, published the final chapter of his amazing dissertation on hybridization in #birds of #Neotropics. Through field experiments, we find that plumage traits distinct between populations are not used in species recognition.
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
January 30, 2025 at 1:45 PM
Trop Bio lab alumnus, Dr. Diego Ocampo, published the final chapter of his amazing dissertation on hybridization in #birds of #Neotropics. Through field experiments, we find that plumage traits distinct between populations are not used in species recognition.
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Reposted by TropBioLab
My heritage is critical to me, so I asked my department if we could change my office sign to my whole name. Today I walked in and voilà! I am excited for the same when my lab renovations are done.
Little actions can have strong cascading effects! 🌟
Little actions can have strong cascading effects! 🌟
December 20, 2024 at 6:02 PM
My heritage is critical to me, so I asked my department if we could change my office sign to my whole name. Today I walked in and voilà! I am excited for the same when my lab renovations are done.
Little actions can have strong cascading effects! 🌟
Little actions can have strong cascading effects! 🌟
Reposted by TropBioLab
#teamwasp 2024, including our mascot Rocky the yellowjacket @urochester.bsky.social! #ProudPI
Wrapping up my first year as a TT professor! Mil gracias (a thousand thanks) to everyone who has supported me. Those of us from non-traditional trajectories and minoritized backgrounds belong in academia!
Wrapping up my first year as a TT professor! Mil gracias (a thousand thanks) to everyone who has supported me. Those of us from non-traditional trajectories and minoritized backgrounds belong in academia!
December 16, 2024 at 5:43 PM
#teamwasp 2024, including our mascot Rocky the yellowjacket @urochester.bsky.social! #ProudPI
Wrapping up my first year as a TT professor! Mil gracias (a thousand thanks) to everyone who has supported me. Those of us from non-traditional trajectories and minoritized backgrounds belong in academia!
Wrapping up my first year as a TT professor! Mil gracias (a thousand thanks) to everyone who has supported me. Those of us from non-traditional trajectories and minoritized backgrounds belong in academia!
Reposted by TropBioLab
Happy holidays from @tropbiolab.bsky.social! We enjoyed our ugly sweater-themed
farewell party for wonderful Elsie and Ferro.
Grateful for #teamwasp and #teambird!
farewell party for wonderful Elsie and Ferro.
Grateful for #teamwasp and #teambird!
December 8, 2024 at 3:49 PM
Happy holidays from @tropbiolab.bsky.social! We enjoyed our ugly sweater-themed
farewell party for wonderful Elsie and Ferro.
Grateful for #teamwasp and #teambird!
farewell party for wonderful Elsie and Ferro.
Grateful for #teamwasp and #teambird!
🧪 Our new paper explores the #genomics of recent contact between two #SolomonIslands #birds. We find that sections of the genome behave differently, with the female sex chromosome moving only from the invading into the endemic species. Check out our work in PLoS Genetics! tinyurl.com/yc5x7nfk
November 18, 2024 at 4:03 PM
🧪 Our new paper explores the #genomics of recent contact between two #SolomonIslands #birds. We find that sections of the genome behave differently, with the female sex chromosome moving only from the invading into the endemic species. Check out our work in PLoS Genetics! tinyurl.com/yc5x7nfk
Reposted by TropBioLab
@acescicomm.bsky.social and I met here and realized we both were looking for more #SciSky #PinoyScientists 🇵🇭🧪! So, we joined the starter pack bandwagon ... 😅
We also want to highlight folx and what they do ✨ Please fill out the form if you're interested in joining: forms.gle/h4WUpE1T9jHt...
We also want to highlight folx and what they do ✨ Please fill out the form if you're interested in joining: forms.gle/h4WUpE1T9jHt...
November 14, 2024 at 9:51 PM
@acescicomm.bsky.social and I met here and realized we both were looking for more #SciSky #PinoyScientists 🇵🇭🧪! So, we joined the starter pack bandwagon ... 😅
We also want to highlight folx and what they do ✨ Please fill out the form if you're interested in joining: forms.gle/h4WUpE1T9jHt...
We also want to highlight folx and what they do ✨ Please fill out the form if you're interested in joining: forms.gle/h4WUpE1T9jHt...
Reposted by TropBioLab
Pls share!
We have started a Wasp Starter pack! Message below to be added!
And follow all these awesome waspy folk to chat about the wonderful world of wasps!
go.bsky.app/3u5XkrS
November 14, 2024 at 4:26 PM
Pls share!
We have started a Wasp Starter pack! Message below to be added!
And follow all these awesome waspy folk to chat about the wonderful world of wasps!
go.bsky.app/3u5XkrS
Reposted by TropBioLab
¡Hola! Excited to see old and new friends from the scientific community here. I'm an Assistant Professor who studies social evolution & mechanisms underlying parasite-induced manipulation in social wasps. We'll share updates from #teamwasp #strepsiptera here and @tropbiolab.bsky.social
November 12, 2024 at 5:19 PM
¡Hola! Excited to see old and new friends from the scientific community here. I'm an Assistant Professor who studies social evolution & mechanisms underlying parasite-induced manipulation in social wasps. We'll share updates from #teamwasp #strepsiptera here and @tropbiolab.bsky.social
First post here, filled with hope! Introducing the Yato Conservation Area, #SolomonIslands. We are in the final stages of declaring a federally #ProtectedArea that will #conserve 30K acres of rain & cloud forest. A collaboration led by indigenous communities of Makira Island. Photo by Adam Fenster
November 12, 2024 at 2:55 AM
First post here, filled with hope! Introducing the Yato Conservation Area, #SolomonIslands. We are in the final stages of declaring a federally #ProtectedArea that will #conserve 30K acres of rain & cloud forest. A collaboration led by indigenous communities of Makira Island. Photo by Adam Fenster