Back into the ancient DNA lab this morning 🦴🧬

One highlight of this semester was getting to go-develop ancient DNA methodologies with @twinanthro.bsky.social

Using hair found in the teeth of the infamous lions named the "Tsavo Man-Eater's," scientists uncover their diet consisted of humans, giraffes, and more. @currentbiology.bsky.social

www.cell.com/current-biol...

Read more about our recent Cape lion paper here: Cape Lion was genetically diverse prior to extinction, researchers find www.igb.illinois.edu/article/cape...

9km hike through a magical forest enjoying nature and looking for fresh elephant poop 🐘 good to be back in this piece of the pretty-world for a while 💚 And I feasted on waterblommetjiebredie (yes that's one word) at dinner made by a family friend ♥️

Here’s a Friday challenge for you… can you guess the species? (Hint: Mammal phylogenetic relationships are sometimes just plain weird)…

When you know that only your eyes are going by to be visible for most of the day, you make it count 😝 ancient DNA lab “problems”

One of my favorite things about my job is mentorship and training the next generation of molecular biology scientists. This month has been very rewarding working in the ancient lab with undergrad Lauren Moy who has such impressive lab skills. Lauren drilled samples today like a pro💪🧬🦴very proud!

Blows my mind how rapidly biotech advances 🤯 on the right is a NovaSeq 6000 S4 flowcell, on the left is the new 10B NovaSeq X plus flowcell

Non-science Sunday post: feast your eyes on this pretty pink cosmos in my small pollinator garden 💗

My entry into Bluesky with proof of my "accurate" profile description - it's been a week y'all. Are things on here more serious or more casual than previous places (aka should I post professional, fun, or ridiculous stuff - or a combination of all 😋)...?