Ben Parker
@ben-parker.bsky.social
Assistant Professor @ UNC Chapel Hill Biology. Symbiosis, immunity, evolution, insects
Parkerlab.net
Parkerlab.net
Reposted by Ben Parker
Nice looking review by @ben-parker.bsky.social Paul Rozo-Lopez "Heritable Viruses as Hidden Drivers of Insect Phenotypes and Evolution" doi.org/10.1146/annu...
November 14, 2025 at 8:02 AM
Nice looking review by @ben-parker.bsky.social Paul Rozo-Lopez "Heritable Viruses as Hidden Drivers of Insect Phenotypes and Evolution" doi.org/10.1146/annu...
Reposted by Ben Parker
The Lariviere lab at UMiami is recruiting PhD students! Incoming students will join us in studying host-microbe interactions in the honey bee gut, using molecular and genetic approaches. Please see the attached flyer for more details.
#Symbiosis #SymbioSky #MicroSky #PhDOpportunity #AcademicJobs
#Symbiosis #SymbioSky #MicroSky #PhDOpportunity #AcademicJobs
November 13, 2025 at 3:14 PM
The Lariviere lab at UMiami is recruiting PhD students! Incoming students will join us in studying host-microbe interactions in the honey bee gut, using molecular and genetic approaches. Please see the attached flyer for more details.
#Symbiosis #SymbioSky #MicroSky #PhDOpportunity #AcademicJobs
#Symbiosis #SymbioSky #MicroSky #PhDOpportunity #AcademicJobs
Reposted by Ben Parker
My department at UT Austin is looking to hire an Assistant Professor in Evolutionary Biology, broadly defined. Feel free to reach out to me with any questions you may have.
apply.interfolio.com/177547
apply.interfolio.com/177547
Apply - Interfolio
{{$ctrl.$state.data.pageTitle}} - Apply - Interfolio
apply.interfolio.com
November 13, 2025 at 3:23 PM
My department at UT Austin is looking to hire an Assistant Professor in Evolutionary Biology, broadly defined. Feel free to reach out to me with any questions you may have.
apply.interfolio.com/177547
apply.interfolio.com/177547
Reposted by Ben Parker
@jcv.bsky.social penned an obituary for Ham Smith in @nature.com. Since the early 90s, Ham has been a key figure at the Institute for his invaluable contributions and mentorship. "Ham was the best colleague that one could ever have in science and a great friend."
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Hamilton Smith obituary: molecular biologist who co-discovered precise molecular scissors for cutting DNA
Nobel laureate who helped to sequence the first bacterial and human genomes.
www.nature.com
November 10, 2025 at 3:32 PM
@jcv.bsky.social penned an obituary for Ham Smith in @nature.com. Since the early 90s, Ham has been a key figure at the Institute for his invaluable contributions and mentorship. "Ham was the best colleague that one could ever have in science and a great friend."
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Reposted by Ben Parker
UNC Chancellor Lee Roberts told faculty leaders the university does not plan on signing President Donald Trump’s administration’s “Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education” in exchange for favorable consideration of federal funding.
'We Don't Plan To': Chancellor Downplays Potential That UNC Signs Trump Admin's Higher Ed Compact - Chapelboro.com
Chancellor Lee Roberts told faculty UNC will not sign the "Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education" in its current form.
chapelboro.com
November 10, 2025 at 6:15 PM
UNC Chancellor Lee Roberts told faculty leaders the university does not plan on signing President Donald Trump’s administration’s “Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education” in exchange for favorable consideration of federal funding.
Reposted by Ben Parker
It's been 4 months *to the day* since Tropical Storm #Chantal damaged a key non-car transportation corridor in #ChapelHillNC.
Yesterday, temporary repairs on #BolinCreekTrail were finished and it's open for business!!! WOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Yesterday, temporary repairs on #BolinCreekTrail were finished and it's open for business!!! WOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOOOOO
November 7, 2025 at 9:12 PM
It's been 4 months *to the day* since Tropical Storm #Chantal damaged a key non-car transportation corridor in #ChapelHillNC.
Yesterday, temporary repairs on #BolinCreekTrail were finished and it's open for business!!! WOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Yesterday, temporary repairs on #BolinCreekTrail were finished and it's open for business!!! WOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOOOOO
"Each year the grades rise a little more; each year we feel it less. And the bureaucratic strangle that leads to this inflation continues its creep."
Why Students Are Obsessed With ‘Points Taken Off’
Students and professors are in a drawn-out battle over grade inflation. It may never end.
www.theatlantic.com
November 4, 2025 at 4:58 PM
"Each year the grades rise a little more; each year we feel it less. And the bureaucratic strangle that leads to this inflation continues its creep."
Reposted by Ben Parker
New biology: stink bugs inoculate their eggs with a fungus that protects them from parasitoids
www.sciencemagazinedigital.org/sciencemagaz...
www.sciencemagazinedigital.org/sciencemagaz...
Science Magazine - Defensive fungal symbiosis on insect hindlegs
Tympanal organs have repeatedly evolved in diverse insects and were thought to be required for auditory perception (1).
www.sciencemagazinedigital.org
October 17, 2025 at 11:35 AM
New biology: stink bugs inoculate their eggs with a fungus that protects them from parasitoids
www.sciencemagazinedigital.org/sciencemagaz...
www.sciencemagazinedigital.org/sciencemagaz...
Reposted by Ben Parker
Fungal #GenomeSize variation is largely driven by TEs & lineage-specific genome defenses. @tbadet.bsky.social & @danielcroll.bsky.social show that presence/absence of RIP mutation systems influences #genome architecture, identifying a likely novel defense mechanism @plosbiology.org 🧪 plos.io/4hcC5tx
October 16, 2025 at 4:30 PM
Fungal #GenomeSize variation is largely driven by TEs & lineage-specific genome defenses. @tbadet.bsky.social & @danielcroll.bsky.social show that presence/absence of RIP mutation systems influences #genome architecture, identifying a likely novel defense mechanism @plosbiology.org 🧪 plos.io/4hcC5tx
Reposted by Ben Parker
I'm very excited to announce that UNC Biology has 6 faculty positions open this year! The first is for an Asst Professor who studies organismal resilience using an integrative approach 1/n
unc.peopleadmin.com/postings/307...
unc.peopleadmin.com/postings/307...
October 12, 2025 at 2:20 PM
I'm very excited to announce that UNC Biology has 6 faculty positions open this year! The first is for an Asst Professor who studies organismal resilience using an integrative approach 1/n
unc.peopleadmin.com/postings/307...
unc.peopleadmin.com/postings/307...
Reposted by Ben Parker
UNC Chapel Hill is hiring an Assistant Professor in Plant Molecular Biology. Per Jeff
Dangl MPMI candidates are also highly desired in the search. unc.peopleadmin.com/postings/307...
Dangl MPMI candidates are also highly desired in the search. unc.peopleadmin.com/postings/307...
Assistant Professor
The Department of Biology at UNC Chapel Hill (https://bio.unc.edu/) is searching to hire a tenure track Assistant Professor to study critical questions in Plant Molecular Biology.We seek candidates wh...
unc.peopleadmin.com
October 6, 2025 at 10:27 PM
UNC Chapel Hill is hiring an Assistant Professor in Plant Molecular Biology. Per Jeff
Dangl MPMI candidates are also highly desired in the search. unc.peopleadmin.com/postings/307...
Dangl MPMI candidates are also highly desired in the search. unc.peopleadmin.com/postings/307...
Reposted by Ben Parker
🚨GRFP DEADLINE ALERT!🚨 I missed this in my original solicitation read-through, so FYI 📣LETTERS ARE DUE BEFORE PROPOSALS📣 this year!
"Reference letters are due Friday, November 7 at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time (ET)."
www.nsf.gov/funding/oppo...
"Reference letters are due Friday, November 7 at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time (ET)."
www.nsf.gov/funding/oppo...
NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP)
www.nsf.gov
October 3, 2025 at 10:36 PM
🚨GRFP DEADLINE ALERT!🚨 I missed this in my original solicitation read-through, so FYI 📣LETTERS ARE DUE BEFORE PROPOSALS📣 this year!
"Reference letters are due Friday, November 7 at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time (ET)."
www.nsf.gov/funding/oppo...
"Reference letters are due Friday, November 7 at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time (ET)."
www.nsf.gov/funding/oppo...
Reposted by Ben Parker
The Department of Biology at the University of Kentucky is hiring a Microbiologist (broadly defined). Microbial eco-evo folks, this is your sign to come work with us. Not in the search committee, but happy to answer questions.
ukjobs.uky.edu/postings/600...
#microbiology #ecology
ukjobs.uky.edu/postings/600...
#microbiology #ecology
Assistant or Associate Professor in Microbiology
The Department of Biology in the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Kentucky in Lexington, KY seeks to fill a tenure-eligible faculty position at the Assistant or Associate Professor le...
ukjobs.uky.edu
October 1, 2025 at 3:20 PM
The Department of Biology at the University of Kentucky is hiring a Microbiologist (broadly defined). Microbial eco-evo folks, this is your sign to come work with us. Not in the search committee, but happy to answer questions.
ukjobs.uky.edu/postings/600...
#microbiology #ecology
ukjobs.uky.edu/postings/600...
#microbiology #ecology
Reposted by Ben Parker
Don’t use ChatGPT to reach out to prospective PhD advisors.
October 1, 2025 at 12:42 AM
Don’t use ChatGPT to reach out to prospective PhD advisors.
new GRFP solicitation says "Individuals enrolled in graduate degree programs can apply only once, in the first year of their first graduate program" - does this mean 2nd year students who didn't not apply last year are now ineligible?
September 26, 2025 at 4:15 PM
new GRFP solicitation says "Individuals enrolled in graduate degree programs can apply only once, in the first year of their first graduate program" - does this mean 2nd year students who didn't not apply last year are now ineligible?
Reposted by Ben Parker
Confused writing is usually a symptom of confused thinking. As we struggle to clarify writing, we clarify our thoughts. AI writing aids rob us of that struggle, leaving clean-looking text and thoughts still confused for lack of inspection. Writing is not just a product; it is a diagnostic tool.
September 5, 2025 at 3:20 PM
Confused writing is usually a symptom of confused thinking. As we struggle to clarify writing, we clarify our thoughts. AI writing aids rob us of that struggle, leaving clean-looking text and thoughts still confused for lack of inspection. Writing is not just a product; it is a diagnostic tool.
Reposted by Ben Parker
Ancient organisms may have left microscopic "biosignatures" on Mars. That's according to NASA scientists, who say a rock sample offers the most concrete proof yet that the red planet once hosted life.
Life on Mars? NASA says a rock sample shows potential signs of ancient life
Ancient organisms may have left microscopic "biosignatures" on Mars. That's according to NASA scientists, who say a rock sample offers the most concrete proof yet that the red planet once hosted life.
n.pr
September 11, 2025 at 7:35 PM
Ancient organisms may have left microscopic "biosignatures" on Mars. That's according to NASA scientists, who say a rock sample offers the most concrete proof yet that the red planet once hosted life.
Reposted by Ben Parker
The Department of Biology at Colorado State University is hiring an Assistant Professor in the area of plant-microbe interactions! Please spread the word!
jobs.colostate.edu/postings/165...
jobs.colostate.edu/postings/165...
Assistant Professor Plant-Microbe Interactions
We seek a creative, collaborative, and visionary plant biologist to establish an internationally recognized research program at the forefront of plant-microbe interactions aimed at understanding how t...
jobs.colostate.edu
September 8, 2025 at 3:45 PM
The Department of Biology at Colorado State University is hiring an Assistant Professor in the area of plant-microbe interactions! Please spread the word!
jobs.colostate.edu/postings/165...
jobs.colostate.edu/postings/165...
Reposted by Ben Parker
David Baltimore, giant of molecular biology, has died.
Co-discoverer of reverse transcriptase at 32, Nobel Prize at 37, played a key role at the 1975 Asilomar comference.
David Baltimore, Nobel-Winning Molecular Biologist, Dies at 87
www.nytimes.com
September 7, 2025 at 8:52 PM
David Baltimore, giant of molecular biology, has died.
Reposted by Ben Parker
If anyone happens to be around UNC Chapel Hill this week, I'll be speaking on Tuesday: www.med.unc.edu/cgibd/event/... @microbiomeunc.bsky.social #microbiome
"The Assembly, Evolution, and Clinical Implications of the Gut Microbiota in Early Life" With Daniel Sprockett, PhD, MSc | Center for Gastrointestinal Biology and Disease
www.med.unc.edu
September 6, 2025 at 1:55 PM
If anyone happens to be around UNC Chapel Hill this week, I'll be speaking on Tuesday: www.med.unc.edu/cgibd/event/... @microbiomeunc.bsky.social #microbiome
Reposted by Ben Parker
UNC Biology's first seminar this week is by Dr. Lillian Fritz-Laylin (Tues 9/9 12:30 PM). Her talk is titled, “Cytoskeletal specification and the diversification of cell function” 1/n 🧪
September 6, 2025 at 2:05 PM
UNC Biology's first seminar this week is by Dr. Lillian Fritz-Laylin (Tues 9/9 12:30 PM). Her talk is titled, “Cytoskeletal specification and the diversification of cell function” 1/n 🧪
Reposted by Ben Parker
Look at this crazy thing!
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
One mother for two species via obligate cross-species cloning in ants - Nature
In a case of obligate cross-species cloning, female ants of Messor ibericus need to clone males of Messor structor to obtain sperm for producing the worker caste, resulting in males from the same moth...
www.nature.com
September 3, 2025 at 7:05 PM
Look at this crazy thing!
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Reposted by Ben Parker
If you are a college student, maybe a week or two into the semester, why not visit office hours and ask your professor that question?
You know, that thing you were wondering in class? Or when you were doing the homework?
Go ask them! That’s why they are there. They will be excited to see you.
You know, that thing you were wondering in class? Or when you were doing the homework?
Go ask them! That’s why they are there. They will be excited to see you.
September 3, 2025 at 6:34 PM
If you are a college student, maybe a week or two into the semester, why not visit office hours and ask your professor that question?
You know, that thing you were wondering in class? Or when you were doing the homework?
Go ask them! That’s why they are there. They will be excited to see you.
You know, that thing you were wondering in class? Or when you were doing the homework?
Go ask them! That’s why they are there. They will be excited to see you.