R. Shawn Abrahams (They/Them)
@youngeukaryote.bsky.social
Botanist, Evolutionary Biologist, Dyslexic, Queer/enBy, Black. Postdoc+, Plant Biology - University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign
Pinned
Hi new folks! I'm Shawn. My research utilizes a combination of systems biology, systematics, and comparative genomics to understand trait evolution in plants. My current work took me to the northern Sahara in search of desert-adapted wild relatives of Brassica crops (🥦🧪). Here's how it went:
Reposted by R. Shawn Abrahams (They/Them)
“…some bodies are ‘in an instant,’ judged as suspicious or as dangerous, as objects to be feared, a judgment that can have lethal consequences. There can be nothing more dangerous to a body than a social agreement that that body is dangerous.” — Sara Ahmed, "Making Strangers"
Making Strangers
Strangers are made; strangers are unmade. Right from the beginning, I have been writing in the company of strangers. The figure of the stranger is familiar; the stranger is thus someone we recognis…
feministkilljoys.com
January 12, 2025 at 7:43 PM
“…some bodies are ‘in an instant,’ judged as suspicious or as dangerous, as objects to be feared, a judgment that can have lethal consequences. There can be nothing more dangerous to a body than a social agreement that that body is dangerous.” — Sara Ahmed, "Making Strangers"
Reposted by R. Shawn Abrahams (They/Them)
I'm begging a major news org to cover the fact NSF is defying the courts to enact Trump's unconstitutional executive order
January 30, 2025 at 8:35 PM
I'm begging a major news org to cover the fact NSF is defying the courts to enact Trump's unconstitutional executive order
Reposted by R. Shawn Abrahams (They/Them)
I’m an NSF panel reviewer that was scheduled to meet today. Just got notice that all NSF panels were canceled today. I reviewed some innovative proposals in support of students. Devastating if these scholars don’t get to do this work. For the love of science & students I hope this is just a delay.💔
January 27, 2025 at 2:45 PM
I’m an NSF panel reviewer that was scheduled to meet today. Just got notice that all NSF panels were canceled today. I reviewed some innovative proposals in support of students. Devastating if these scholars don’t get to do this work. For the love of science & students I hope this is just a delay.💔
When you start physically writing in markdown format, is that like dreaming in a new language? 😅
November 27, 2024 at 12:51 PM
When you start physically writing in markdown format, is that like dreaming in a new language? 😅
Reposted by R. Shawn Abrahams (They/Them)
100+ species for #Plantsgiving is 😲! Our highest count was in 2022: 75 species, 44 families, 31 orders. I wanna share our 2022 sheet here to encourage more people to participate: docs.google.com/spreadsheets... We have an elaborated menu planned this year to enter this competition! 🧪🌱 #iamabotanist
November 25, 2024 at 2:00 PM
100+ species for #Plantsgiving is 😲! Our highest count was in 2022: 75 species, 44 families, 31 orders. I wanna share our 2022 sheet here to encourage more people to participate: docs.google.com/spreadsheets... We have an elaborated menu planned this year to enter this competition! 🧪🌱 #iamabotanist
My first time giving a talk on my birthday & my first time sharing my blusky link in a presentation!
November 22, 2024 at 7:15 PM
My first time giving a talk on my birthday & my first time sharing my blusky link in a presentation!
Reposted by R. Shawn Abrahams (They/Them)
coming down to the wires on #LGBTQSTEMDay to share a little starter pack of QPOC EEB scientists!!
help grow this community and nominate your fave QPOC EEBer! CCmment/DM if you'd like to be added, I would love to connect :)
go.bsky.app/S5fpXWm
help grow this community and nominate your fave QPOC EEBer! CCmment/DM if you'd like to be added, I would love to connect :)
go.bsky.app/S5fpXWm
November 19, 2024 at 4:21 AM
coming down to the wires on #LGBTQSTEMDay to share a little starter pack of QPOC EEB scientists!!
help grow this community and nominate your fave QPOC EEBer! CCmment/DM if you'd like to be added, I would love to connect :)
go.bsky.app/S5fpXWm
help grow this community and nominate your fave QPOC EEBer! CCmment/DM if you'd like to be added, I would love to connect :)
go.bsky.app/S5fpXWm
Reposted by R. Shawn Abrahams (They/Them)
💫 Huge thanks to @insidenatgeo for supporting our research through the #2019NationalGeographicExplorer grant! Funding from visionary organizations like @insidenatgeo makes it possible for us to deepen our understanding of #Brassica diversity and resilience.🌍🙏 (9/9)
November 14, 2024 at 9:26 PM
💫 Huge thanks to @insidenatgeo for supporting our research through the #2019NationalGeographicExplorer grant! Funding from visionary organizations like @insidenatgeo makes it possible for us to deepen our understanding of #Brassica diversity and resilience.🌍🙏 (9/9)
Reposted by R. Shawn Abrahams (They/Them)
🇮🇹 Finishing up in Palermo with @jchrispires.bsky.social and @alexmcalvay.bsky.social ! We found B. rupestris in rocky areas, while a ferry and bike journey took us to a nearby island to locate B. macrocarpa. 🚗🚲🚢 These plants offer crucial insights into the evolutionary pathways of Brassica! 🥦 (8/9)
November 14, 2024 at 9:26 PM
🇮🇹 Finishing up in Palermo with @jchrispires.bsky.social and @alexmcalvay.bsky.social ! We found B. rupestris in rocky areas, while a ferry and bike journey took us to a nearby island to locate B. macrocarpa. 🚗🚲🚢 These plants offer crucial insights into the evolutionary pathways of Brassica! 🥦 (8/9)
Reposted by R. Shawn Abrahams (They/Them)
🇮🇹 Next stop: Sicily! In Catania, we had the privilege of spending time with Dr. Ferdinando Branca and his fantastic team. A world-class Brassica expert, Branca shared invaluable insights as we explored B. incana populations together. (Vespa spotting with a Brassica!) #Brassica (7/9)
November 14, 2024 at 9:26 PM
🇮🇹 Next stop: Sicily! In Catania, we had the privilege of spending time with Dr. Ferdinando Branca and his fantastic team. A world-class Brassica expert, Branca shared invaluable insights as we explored B. incana populations together. (Vespa spotting with a Brassica!) #Brassica (7/9)
Reposted by R. Shawn Abrahams (They/Them)
🚗🌿 In Naples, Dr. Giovanni Scopece and his team gave us an incredible tour of B. incana populations, going above and beyond to show us these unique sites. Truly grateful for their kindness and expertise! (Check out our journey!) #FieldBotany #Collaboration (6/9)
November 14, 2024 at 9:26 PM
🚗🌿 In Naples, Dr. Giovanni Scopece and his team gave us an incredible tour of B. incana populations, going above and beyond to show us these unique sites. Truly grateful for their kindness and expertise! (Check out our journey!) #FieldBotany #Collaboration (6/9)
Reposted by R. Shawn Abrahams (They/Them)
🐐 Tough terrain may be key to B. cretica survival in Crete—likely safe from hungry goats! It’s amazing how plants adapt to their environment in ways we’re only beginning to understand. #EvolutionaryBiology (5/9)
November 14, 2024 at 9:26 PM
🐐 Tough terrain may be key to B. cretica survival in Crete—likely safe from hungry goats! It’s amazing how plants adapt to their environment in ways we’re only beginning to understand. #EvolutionaryBiology (5/9)
Reposted by R. Shawn Abrahams (They/Them)
We connected with Dr. Panagiotis Sarris and his dedicated team in Crete, who are doing amazing work on the B. cretica genome🧬 doi.org/10.1186/s128.... Collaborations like these deepen our understanding of plant diversity and resilience. 🌍#Genomics #Botany (4/9)
Intraspecific diversification of the crop wild relative Brassica cretica Lam. using demographic model selection - BMC Genomics
Background Crop wild relatives (CWRs) contain genetic diversity, representing an invaluable resource for crop improvement. Many of their traits have the potential to help crops to adapt to changing co...
doi.org
November 14, 2024 at 9:26 PM
We connected with Dr. Panagiotis Sarris and his dedicated team in Crete, who are doing amazing work on the B. cretica genome🧬 doi.org/10.1186/s128.... Collaborations like these deepen our understanding of plant diversity and resilience. 🌍#Genomics #Botany (4/9)
Reposted by R. Shawn Abrahams (They/Them)
🚗🌿 In Crete, we found B. cretica thriving in the most unexpected places, from roadsides to steep cliffs (Check out the cliffs where we found them!). Some populations seem to survive by growing in areas too rugged for goats to reach. Fieldwork always has its surprises! #Botany (3/9)
November 14, 2024 at 9:26 PM
🚗🌿 In Crete, we found B. cretica thriving in the most unexpected places, from roadsides to steep cliffs (Check out the cliffs where we found them!). Some populations seem to survive by growing in areas too rugged for goats to reach. Fieldwork always has its surprises! #Botany (3/9)
Reposted by R. Shawn Abrahams (They/Them)
🌍 Recently, @youngeukaryote.bsky.social and I journeyed to Crete to study Brassica cretica, a close relative of B. oleracea 🥦—and what a trip it was! First stop: the herbarium, where local experts helped us pinpoint key field sites. (2/9)
November 14, 2024 at 9:26 PM
🌍 Recently, @youngeukaryote.bsky.social and I journeyed to Crete to study Brassica cretica, a close relative of B. oleracea 🥦—and what a trip it was! First stop: the herbarium, where local experts helped us pinpoint key field sites. (2/9)
Reposted by R. Shawn Abrahams (They/Them)
Hello Bluesky! I’m Paul, a Data Scientist and Computational Geneticist. I love programming, analyzing data, and building software tools – which means I spend a lot of my time battling bugs, but even more time battling my cat’s desire to sit on my keyboard
November 13, 2024 at 3:04 PM
Hello Bluesky! I’m Paul, a Data Scientist and Computational Geneticist. I love programming, analyzing data, and building software tools – which means I spend a lot of my time battling bugs, but even more time battling my cat’s desire to sit on my keyboard
Reposted by R. Shawn Abrahams (They/Them)
🥦 Hi! I’m Makenzie, and I study plant biodiversity, focusing on wild relatives of crops in the Brassica family—think cabbages, mustards, and leafy greens. My research explores how these plants adapt to diverse and often challenging environments, revealing insights into resilience and survival. (1/9)
November 14, 2024 at 9:26 PM
🥦 Hi! I’m Makenzie, and I study plant biodiversity, focusing on wild relatives of crops in the Brassica family—think cabbages, mustards, and leafy greens. My research explores how these plants adapt to diverse and often challenging environments, revealing insights into resilience and survival. (1/9)
Reposted by R. Shawn Abrahams (They/Them)
Aloe there 👋🏽
Here is a starter pack with Black researchers, practitioners & orgs working with plants in the broadest sense (botany, forestry, plant ecology, crop science, herbaria, botanic gardens)
Hoping this will help set seed for a nurturing community!
Reply 🔽 to be added
go.bsky.app/7Gn2NCb
Here is a starter pack with Black researchers, practitioners & orgs working with plants in the broadest sense (botany, forestry, plant ecology, crop science, herbaria, botanic gardens)
Hoping this will help set seed for a nurturing community!
Reply 🔽 to be added
go.bsky.app/7Gn2NCb
November 17, 2024 at 9:34 PM
Aloe there 👋🏽
Here is a starter pack with Black researchers, practitioners & orgs working with plants in the broadest sense (botany, forestry, plant ecology, crop science, herbaria, botanic gardens)
Hoping this will help set seed for a nurturing community!
Reply 🔽 to be added
go.bsky.app/7Gn2NCb
Here is a starter pack with Black researchers, practitioners & orgs working with plants in the broadest sense (botany, forestry, plant ecology, crop science, herbaria, botanic gardens)
Hoping this will help set seed for a nurturing community!
Reply 🔽 to be added
go.bsky.app/7Gn2NCb
I'm so glad someone had the foresight to take a photo of me while I was working as the student Herbarium Curator of my high school. Really helps tell the story of how I got where I am today!
November 18, 2024 at 1:17 AM
I'm so glad someone had the foresight to take a photo of me while I was working as the student Herbarium Curator of my high school. Really helps tell the story of how I got where I am today!
Reposted by R. Shawn Abrahams (They/Them)
I was today years old when I found out that you can store seeds in liquid nitrogen for two years and they will still germinate. Yet another reason why plants are so cool! 🌱 Thank you @vgeshkovski.bsky.social for indulging in my weird science questions
November 14, 2024 at 8:43 AM
I was today years old when I found out that you can store seeds in liquid nitrogen for two years and they will still germinate. Yet another reason why plants are so cool! 🌱 Thank you @vgeshkovski.bsky.social for indulging in my weird science questions
Just got out of a coffee social with postdocs from my University and only one other person had even heard of Blue sky. I sometimes feel pressure to be really active in these spaces, despite struggling with text based social media #dyslexic and then realize “oh yeah, this really isn’t the real world”
November 15, 2024 at 5:33 PM
Just got out of a coffee social with postdocs from my University and only one other person had even heard of Blue sky. I sometimes feel pressure to be really active in these spaces, despite struggling with text based social media #dyslexic and then realize “oh yeah, this really isn’t the real world”
Reposted by R. Shawn Abrahams (They/Them)
Ohio just passed a transgender bathroom ban, SB 104. Please, fellow Ohioans, call Governor DeWine at 614-466-3555 and ask him to veto the bill.
I’m scared.
I’m scared.
November 13, 2024 at 9:22 PM
Ohio just passed a transgender bathroom ban, SB 104. Please, fellow Ohioans, call Governor DeWine at 614-466-3555 and ask him to veto the bill.
I’m scared.
I’m scared.
Please stop using terms like “higher” or “lower” plants! It’s not evolutionary and creates a lot of misunderstandings about how evolution works. All extant species are equally evolved, just different.
November 13, 2024 at 10:26 PM
Please stop using terms like “higher” or “lower” plants! It’s not evolutionary and creates a lot of misunderstandings about how evolution works. All extant species are equally evolved, just different.