Yuki Haba
@yukihaba.bsky.social
Studying why and how behavior evolves, from mosquitoes to mole-rats | Postdoc/Leon Levy Scholar @Columbia working with Ishmail Abdus-Saboor | PhD @Princeton with Lindy McBride | 麻布/東大 alum 🇯🇵 | yukihaba.github.io
Pinned
Ancient origin of an urban underground mosquito
Understanding how life is adapting to urban environments represents an important challenge in evolutionary biology. In this work, we investigate a widely cited example of urban adaptation, Culex pipie...
www.science.org
How does life evolve to adapt to modern cities?
Out now in Science, my PhD work with @lindymcbr.bsky.social uncovers the ancient origin of the “London Underground mosquito” – one of the most iconic examples of urban adaptation.
🧵(1/n)
@science.org
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.ady4515
Out now in Science, my PhD work with @lindymcbr.bsky.social uncovers the ancient origin of the “London Underground mosquito” – one of the most iconic examples of urban adaptation.
🧵(1/n)
@science.org
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.ady4515
Reposted by Yuki Haba
How is functional variation at large-effect loci maintained in natural populations, even as environments change? In a paper led by @mkarag.bsky.social, we tracked known pesticide resistant alleles in outdoor 𝘋. 𝘮𝘦𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘰𝘨𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘳 cages & inferred selection and dominance from temporal sequencing data.
November 6, 2025 at 9:51 PM
How is functional variation at large-effect loci maintained in natural populations, even as environments change? In a paper led by @mkarag.bsky.social, we tracked known pesticide resistant alleles in outdoor 𝘋. 𝘮𝘦𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘰𝘨𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘳 cages & inferred selection and dominance from temporal sequencing data.
Reposted by Yuki Haba
Parental care, and more complex cooperative systems of care, have independently evolved in hundreds of animal lineages. In an article published today, we explore how these behaviors evolve 𝘢𝘵 𝘢 𝘮𝘰𝘭𝘦𝘤𝘶𝘭𝘢𝘳 𝘭𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘭l shorturl.at/g5OPw /1
Convergent evolution of a conserved molecular network underlies parenting and sociality - Nature Reviews Genetics
Kay et al. review evidence that parental care, and more complex social behaviour based on parental care, evolved in multiple species through the repeated co-option of members of a pleiotropic molecula...
shorturl.at
November 4, 2025 at 3:57 PM
Parental care, and more complex cooperative systems of care, have independently evolved in hundreds of animal lineages. In an article published today, we explore how these behaviors evolve 𝘢𝘵 𝘢 𝘮𝘰𝘭𝘦𝘤𝘶𝘭𝘢𝘳 𝘭𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘭l shorturl.at/g5OPw /1
Reposted by Yuki Haba
How do GWAS and rare variant burden tests rank gene signals?
In new work @nature.com with @hakha.bsky.social, @jkpritch.bsky.social, and our wonderful coauthors we find that the key factors are what we call Specificity, Length, and Luck!
🧬🧪🧵
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
In new work @nature.com with @hakha.bsky.social, @jkpritch.bsky.social, and our wonderful coauthors we find that the key factors are what we call Specificity, Length, and Luck!
🧬🧪🧵
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Specificity, length and luck drive gene rankings in association studies - Nature
Genetic association tests prioritize candidate genes based on different criteria.
www.nature.com
November 7, 2025 at 12:05 AM
How do GWAS and rare variant burden tests rank gene signals?
In new work @nature.com with @hakha.bsky.social, @jkpritch.bsky.social, and our wonderful coauthors we find that the key factors are what we call Specificity, Length, and Luck!
🧬🧪🧵
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
In new work @nature.com with @hakha.bsky.social, @jkpritch.bsky.social, and our wonderful coauthors we find that the key factors are what we call Specificity, Length, and Luck!
🧬🧪🧵
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Thank you so much Ryan!! From the Cpip samples from Iowa to our discussion at Kolymbari, your contributions have been very important to the project -- thank you!
Excited to contribute to this beautiful study led by @yukihaba.bsky.social and @lindymcbr.bsky.social!
How does life evolve to adapt to modern cities?
Out now in Science, my PhD work with @lindymcbr.bsky.social uncovers the ancient origin of the “London Underground mosquito” – one of the most iconic examples of urban adaptation.
🧵(1/n)
@science.org
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.ady4515
Out now in Science, my PhD work with @lindymcbr.bsky.social uncovers the ancient origin of the “London Underground mosquito” – one of the most iconic examples of urban adaptation.
🧵(1/n)
@science.org
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.ady4515
November 4, 2025 at 8:11 PM
Thank you so much Ryan!! From the Cpip samples from Iowa to our discussion at Kolymbari, your contributions have been very important to the project -- thank you!
Reposted by Yuki Haba
Excited to contribute to this beautiful study led by @yukihaba.bsky.social and @lindymcbr.bsky.social!
How does life evolve to adapt to modern cities?
Out now in Science, my PhD work with @lindymcbr.bsky.social uncovers the ancient origin of the “London Underground mosquito” – one of the most iconic examples of urban adaptation.
🧵(1/n)
@science.org
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.ady4515
Out now in Science, my PhD work with @lindymcbr.bsky.social uncovers the ancient origin of the “London Underground mosquito” – one of the most iconic examples of urban adaptation.
🧵(1/n)
@science.org
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.ady4515
Ancient origin of an urban underground mosquito
Understanding how life is adapting to urban environments represents an important challenge in evolutionary biology. In this work, we investigate a widely cited example of urban adaptation, Culex pipie...
www.science.org
November 4, 2025 at 5:41 PM
Excited to contribute to this beautiful study led by @yukihaba.bsky.social and @lindymcbr.bsky.social!
Reposted by Yuki Haba
New study funded in part by our Rosemary Grant Advanced Award - congratulations @yukihaba.bsky.social !!
How does life evolve to adapt to modern cities?
Out now in Science, my PhD work with @lindymcbr.bsky.social uncovers the ancient origin of the “London Underground mosquito” – one of the most iconic examples of urban adaptation.
🧵(1/n)
@science.org
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.ady4515
Out now in Science, my PhD work with @lindymcbr.bsky.social uncovers the ancient origin of the “London Underground mosquito” – one of the most iconic examples of urban adaptation.
🧵(1/n)
@science.org
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.ady4515
Ancient origin of an urban underground mosquito
Understanding how life is adapting to urban environments represents an important challenge in evolutionary biology. In this work, we investigate a widely cited example of urban adaptation, Culex pipie...
www.science.org
October 30, 2025 at 8:06 PM
New study funded in part by our Rosemary Grant Advanced Award - congratulations @yukihaba.bsky.social !!
Reposted by Yuki Haba
Thrilled that this paper is finally out and that I was able to contribute specimens from the metro Atlanta area. Congrats @yukihaba.bsky.social! 🦟🧬🔬
How does life evolve to adapt to modern cities?
Out now in Science, my PhD work with @lindymcbr.bsky.social uncovers the ancient origin of the “London Underground mosquito” – one of the most iconic examples of urban adaptation.
🧵(1/n)
@science.org
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.ady4515
Out now in Science, my PhD work with @lindymcbr.bsky.social uncovers the ancient origin of the “London Underground mosquito” – one of the most iconic examples of urban adaptation.
🧵(1/n)
@science.org
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.ady4515
Ancient origin of an urban underground mosquito
Understanding how life is adapting to urban environments represents an important challenge in evolutionary biology. In this work, we investigate a widely cited example of urban adaptation, Culex pipie...
www.science.org
October 30, 2025 at 12:46 PM
Thrilled that this paper is finally out and that I was able to contribute specimens from the metro Atlanta area. Congrats @yukihaba.bsky.social! 🦟🧬🔬
Reposted by Yuki Haba
Do flies feel pain?
Spooky new preprint from our lab on the cells and circuits that mediate nociceptive behaviors in adult Drosophila, led by graduate student (and newly minted PhD!) @jonesjes.bsky.social.
🪰⚡👻🎃
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Spooky new preprint from our lab on the cells and circuits that mediate nociceptive behaviors in adult Drosophila, led by graduate student (and newly minted PhD!) @jonesjes.bsky.social.
🪰⚡👻🎃
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
October 29, 2025 at 6:56 PM
Do flies feel pain?
Spooky new preprint from our lab on the cells and circuits that mediate nociceptive behaviors in adult Drosophila, led by graduate student (and newly minted PhD!) @jonesjes.bsky.social.
🪰⚡👻🎃
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Spooky new preprint from our lab on the cells and circuits that mediate nociceptive behaviors in adult Drosophila, led by graduate student (and newly minted PhD!) @jonesjes.bsky.social.
🪰⚡👻🎃
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Reposted by Yuki Haba
Thrilled to see this study out in Science! It was a privilege to have had the opportunity to contribute to PipPop alongside such a talented group. Congrats, Yuki, on your leadership and an exciting piece of work! 🌆🦟
How does life evolve to adapt to modern cities?
Out now in Science, my PhD work with @lindymcbr.bsky.social uncovers the ancient origin of the “London Underground mosquito” – one of the most iconic examples of urban adaptation.
🧵(1/n)
@science.org
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.ady4515
Out now in Science, my PhD work with @lindymcbr.bsky.social uncovers the ancient origin of the “London Underground mosquito” – one of the most iconic examples of urban adaptation.
🧵(1/n)
@science.org
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.ady4515
Ancient origin of an urban underground mosquito
Understanding how life is adapting to urban environments represents an important challenge in evolutionary biology. In this work, we investigate a widely cited example of urban adaptation, Culex pipie...
www.science.org
October 28, 2025 at 5:51 PM
Thrilled to see this study out in Science! It was a privilege to have had the opportunity to contribute to PipPop alongside such a talented group. Congrats, Yuki, on your leadership and an exciting piece of work! 🌆🦟
Reposted by Yuki Haba
A new genetic study in Science overturns the myth of the “London Underground Mosquito,” revealing that this common urban insect originated not below the cities of modern Europe, but in ancient Mediterranean civilizations more than a thousand years ago. https://scim.ag/43xWovB
Ancient origin of an urban underground mosquito
Understanding how life is adapting to urban environments represents an important challenge in evolutionary biology. In this work, we investigate a widely cited example of urban adaptation, Culex pipie...
scim.ag
October 28, 2025 at 7:38 PM
A new genetic study in Science overturns the myth of the “London Underground Mosquito,” revealing that this common urban insect originated not below the cities of modern Europe, but in ancient Mediterranean civilizations more than a thousand years ago. https://scim.ag/43xWovB
Reposted by Yuki Haba
Happy to share this! 🚀 I’ve contributed as author together @yukihaba.bsky.social on a new international paper in @science.org about the London Underground 🚇 mosquito 🦟
Its adaptation to humans is far older than thought over 1,000 years, from the Mediterranean region 🌍
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
Its adaptation to humans is far older than thought over 1,000 years, from the Mediterranean region 🌍
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
October 27, 2025 at 9:23 PM
Happy to share this! 🚀 I’ve contributed as author together @yukihaba.bsky.social on a new international paper in @science.org about the London Underground 🚇 mosquito 🦟
Its adaptation to humans is far older than thought over 1,000 years, from the Mediterranean region 🌍
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
Its adaptation to humans is far older than thought over 1,000 years, from the Mediterranean region 🌍
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
Reposted by Yuki Haba
The so-called 'London Underground mosquito' linked to West Nile Virus evolved over 1,000 years ago — not 200 years ago in Europe. 🦟
New research reshapes our theories of urban mosquito evolution. 👇
http://bit.ly/4qnJOJi
New research reshapes our theories of urban mosquito evolution. 👇
http://bit.ly/4qnJOJi
October 24, 2025 at 9:04 AM
The so-called 'London Underground mosquito' linked to West Nile Virus evolved over 1,000 years ago — not 200 years ago in Europe. 🦟
New research reshapes our theories of urban mosquito evolution. 👇
http://bit.ly/4qnJOJi
New research reshapes our theories of urban mosquito evolution. 👇
http://bit.ly/4qnJOJi
Reposted by Yuki Haba
🗞️ Exciting news - our Belgian house #mosquitoes (Culex pipiens) made it into #Science! Honoured to be part of this amazing research consortium!
www.eurekalert.org/news-release...
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/....
www.eurekalert.org/news-release...
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/....
October 24, 2025 at 2:55 PM
🗞️ Exciting news - our Belgian house #mosquitoes (Culex pipiens) made it into #Science! Honoured to be part of this amazing research consortium!
www.eurekalert.org/news-release...
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/....
www.eurekalert.org/news-release...
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/....
Out there with @flygirlnhm.bsky.social on the flooded basement floor with underground mosquitoes - one of the happiest moments of my PhD :)
Here is @yukihaba.bsky.social and I collecting mosquitoes - LOOK AT HIS HAPPY FACE
October 25, 2025 at 4:51 AM
Out there with @flygirlnhm.bsky.social on the flooded basement floor with underground mosquitoes - one of the happiest moments of my PhD :)
Reposted by Yuki Haba
The wonderful @yukihaba.bsky.social and I went beneath London to help solve the riddle of the Underground Mosquito...
Debunking rather than spelunking ;)
@marakat.bsky.social @petrathepostdoc.bsky.social
Debunking rather than spelunking ;)
@marakat.bsky.social @petrathepostdoc.bsky.social
A long-held myth about a mosquito evolving in the London Underground has been debunked! 🦟
The insect gained notoriety in the Second World War, when it fed on Londoners seeking shelter in the rail tunnels during the Blitz.
Discover its true origin story.👇
www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/new...
The insect gained notoriety in the Second World War, when it fed on Londoners seeking shelter in the rail tunnels during the Blitz.
Discover its true origin story.👇
www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/new...
Origins of the London Underground mosquito revealed | Natural History Museum
New research reveals that these insects likely evolved in the Mediterranean basin more than 1,000 years ago.
www.nhm.ac.uk
October 24, 2025 at 11:07 AM
The wonderful @yukihaba.bsky.social and I went beneath London to help solve the riddle of the Underground Mosquito...
Debunking rather than spelunking ;)
@marakat.bsky.social @petrathepostdoc.bsky.social
Debunking rather than spelunking ;)
@marakat.bsky.social @petrathepostdoc.bsky.social
Reposted by Yuki Haba
A long-held myth about a mosquito evolving in the London Underground has been debunked! 🦟
The insect gained notoriety in the Second World War, when it fed on Londoners seeking shelter in the rail tunnels during the Blitz.
Discover its true origin story.👇
www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/new...
The insect gained notoriety in the Second World War, when it fed on Londoners seeking shelter in the rail tunnels during the Blitz.
Discover its true origin story.👇
www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/new...
Origins of the London Underground mosquito revealed | Natural History Museum
New research reveals that these insects likely evolved in the Mediterranean basin more than 1,000 years ago.
www.nhm.ac.uk
October 24, 2025 at 9:49 AM
A long-held myth about a mosquito evolving in the London Underground has been debunked! 🦟
The insect gained notoriety in the Second World War, when it fed on Londoners seeking shelter in the rail tunnels during the Blitz.
Discover its true origin story.👇
www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/new...
The insect gained notoriety in the Second World War, when it fed on Londoners seeking shelter in the rail tunnels during the Blitz.
Discover its true origin story.👇
www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/new...
Reposted by Yuki Haba
🦟 Publication alert: "Ancient origin of an urban underground #mosquito ( #Culex pipiens form molestus)" by @yukihaba.bsky.social et al. in @science.org
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
October 24, 2025 at 7:06 AM
🦟 Publication alert: "Ancient origin of an urban underground #mosquito ( #Culex pipiens form molestus)" by @yukihaba.bsky.social et al. in @science.org
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
Reposted by Yuki Haba
Congrats to Leon Levy Scholar in my lab, Yuki Haba, on publishing his exciting PhD paper in Science from Lindy McBride’s lab at Princeton.
Where did an underground mosquito in London come from? @yukihaba.bsky.social in @ishmailsaboor.bsky.social ’s lab found that it evolved 1,000+ yrs ago, showing how early societies helped it thrive in modern times and imperil our health. @science.org @princeton.edu
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
October 24, 2025 at 2:27 PM
Congrats to Leon Levy Scholar in my lab, Yuki Haba, on publishing his exciting PhD paper in Science from Lindy McBride’s lab at Princeton.
Reposted by Yuki Haba
Where did an underground mosquito in London come from? @yukihaba.bsky.social in @ishmailsaboor.bsky.social ’s lab found that it evolved 1,000+ yrs ago, showing how early societies helped it thrive in modern times and imperil our health. @science.org @princeton.edu
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
October 24, 2025 at 2:20 PM
Where did an underground mosquito in London come from? @yukihaba.bsky.social in @ishmailsaboor.bsky.social ’s lab found that it evolved 1,000+ yrs ago, showing how early societies helped it thrive in modern times and imperil our health. @science.org @princeton.edu
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
How does life evolve to adapt to modern cities?
Out now in Science, my PhD work with @lindymcbr.bsky.social uncovers the ancient origin of the “London Underground mosquito” – one of the most iconic examples of urban adaptation.
🧵(1/n)
@science.org
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.ady4515
Out now in Science, my PhD work with @lindymcbr.bsky.social uncovers the ancient origin of the “London Underground mosquito” – one of the most iconic examples of urban adaptation.
🧵(1/n)
@science.org
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.ady4515
Ancient origin of an urban underground mosquito
Understanding how life is adapting to urban environments represents an important challenge in evolutionary biology. In this work, we investigate a widely cited example of urban adaptation, Culex pipie...
www.science.org
October 25, 2025 at 4:46 AM
How does life evolve to adapt to modern cities?
Out now in Science, my PhD work with @lindymcbr.bsky.social uncovers the ancient origin of the “London Underground mosquito” – one of the most iconic examples of urban adaptation.
🧵(1/n)
@science.org
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.ady4515
Out now in Science, my PhD work with @lindymcbr.bsky.social uncovers the ancient origin of the “London Underground mosquito” – one of the most iconic examples of urban adaptation.
🧵(1/n)
@science.org
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.ady4515
Reposted by Yuki Haba
I’ll be starting a lab as an Assistant Professor at Cornell @cornellengineering.bsky.social in 2026!
We’ll combine synthetic biology and materials science to engineer microbes into living materials & therapies.
We're recruiting PhD students & postdocs - please get in touch!
🔗 harimotolab.com
We’ll combine synthetic biology and materials science to engineer microbes into living materials & therapies.
We're recruiting PhD students & postdocs - please get in touch!
🔗 harimotolab.com
October 23, 2025 at 2:54 PM
I’ll be starting a lab as an Assistant Professor at Cornell @cornellengineering.bsky.social in 2026!
We’ll combine synthetic biology and materials science to engineer microbes into living materials & therapies.
We're recruiting PhD students & postdocs - please get in touch!
🔗 harimotolab.com
We’ll combine synthetic biology and materials science to engineer microbes into living materials & therapies.
We're recruiting PhD students & postdocs - please get in touch!
🔗 harimotolab.com
Reposted by Yuki Haba
Neuroscience projects last several years, and you are usually a bit jaded by the time you wrap it up. Not this one– spending several months on an island in the middle of nowhere, away from all the craziness of the world reminds you how beautiful the world really is.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=46sv...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=46sv...
Bat Island: The New Era of Science
YouTube video by Weizmann Institute of Science
www.youtube.com
October 17, 2025 at 7:07 AM
Neuroscience projects last several years, and you are usually a bit jaded by the time you wrap it up. Not this one– spending several months on an island in the middle of nowhere, away from all the craziness of the world reminds you how beautiful the world really is.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=46sv...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=46sv...
Reposted by Yuki Haba
1/9 New in @science.org www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.ado8005
How does genetic architecture constrain evolutionary trajectories? To address this question, we inferred the genetic architecture of convergent plumage coloration and its evolutionary history in wheatears.
How does genetic architecture constrain evolutionary trajectories? To address this question, we inferred the genetic architecture of convergent plumage coloration and its evolutionary history in wheatears.
A mosaic of modular variation at a single gene underpins convergent plumage coloration
The reshuffling of genomic variation from multiple origins is an important contributor to phenotypic diversification, yet insights into the evolutionary trajectories of this combinatorial process and ...
www.science.org
October 17, 2025 at 5:50 AM
1/9 New in @science.org www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.ado8005
How does genetic architecture constrain evolutionary trajectories? To address this question, we inferred the genetic architecture of convergent plumage coloration and its evolutionary history in wheatears.
How does genetic architecture constrain evolutionary trajectories? To address this question, we inferred the genetic architecture of convergent plumage coloration and its evolutionary history in wheatears.
Reposted by Yuki Haba
Reposting this open postdoc position with more detailed specifications. Couldn't find the right fit in the first round—not due to lack of strong candidates, but because we're looking for someone whose expertise matches a specific project. More details in the job ad. Apply!
tinyurl.com/2uskxyrp
tinyurl.com/2uskxyrp
Postdoctoral Research Associate - Biology
Position Summary A postdoctoral position is available in the laboratory of Dr. Andreas Kautt in the Department of Biology on the Danforth Campus at WashU in St. Louis. The Kautt Lab studies the mechan...
tinyurl.com
October 3, 2025 at 10:05 PM
Reposting this open postdoc position with more detailed specifications. Couldn't find the right fit in the first round—not due to lack of strong candidates, but because we're looking for someone whose expertise matches a specific project. More details in the job ad. Apply!
tinyurl.com/2uskxyrp
tinyurl.com/2uskxyrp
Reposted by Yuki Haba
Excited to share our new #biorxivpreprint
We discovered that the fruit fly #drosophila erecta requires food odor to mate and arousal is further enhanced by social group motion.
Cross-species analysis of brain activity reveals a novel gate evolved from within a conserved circuit
shorturl.at/gGYm7
We discovered that the fruit fly #drosophila erecta requires food odor to mate and arousal is further enhanced by social group motion.
Cross-species analysis of brain activity reveals a novel gate evolved from within a conserved circuit
shorturl.at/gGYm7
October 16, 2025 at 6:34 AM
Excited to share our new #biorxivpreprint
We discovered that the fruit fly #drosophila erecta requires food odor to mate and arousal is further enhanced by social group motion.
Cross-species analysis of brain activity reveals a novel gate evolved from within a conserved circuit
shorturl.at/gGYm7
We discovered that the fruit fly #drosophila erecta requires food odor to mate and arousal is further enhanced by social group motion.
Cross-species analysis of brain activity reveals a novel gate evolved from within a conserved circuit
shorturl.at/gGYm7