Cawa Tran, PhD
cawatran.bsky.social
Cawa Tran, PhD
@cawatran.bsky.social
Associate Professor of Biology & Director for Undergraduate Research at University of San Diego. Researches host-microbe interactions in the sea anemone Aiptasia. 🪸🦠🔬🧫🧬 usdtranlab.wixsite.com/symbiosis
If you're at #asmicrobe come check out our poster AES-799 on dinoflagellate-bacterial interactions, presented by Gavin McLaren from USD, coauthored by Morgan Farrell and Nick Shikuma from SDSU.
June 21, 2025 at 4:57 PM
Curious about what role photosynthesis has in dinoflagellate-bacterial interactions? Check out our latest paper, first-authored by undergraduate (at the time) Gavin McLaren and a collaboration with Dr. Nick Shikuma & Morgan Farrell at SDSU: academic.oup.com/ismecommun/a...
May 20, 2025 at 7:54 PM
Reposted by Cawa Tran, PhD
Are you interested in marine larval dispersal? Come join us and investigate the plasticity of larval dispersal traits in response to variation in parental environments!
Position based at St. Olaf's in Minnesota (low COL!).
Please share widely!
shorturl.at/NYYXN
Postdoctoral Research Associate – Theoretical Ecological and Evolutionary Modeling
Position Title: Postdoctoral Research Associate - Theoretical Ecological and Evolutionary Modeling. Department: Biology. Classification: Exempt. FTE: 1.0. Work Schedule: The standard 40-hour work sche...
shorturl.at
March 29, 2025 at 10:24 AM
So grateful to have @bielleogy.bsky.social captivate my Microbiology class at USD! They learned so much from this incredible professor and researcher. So thrilled our proximity to each other in SD enables this kind of connection to build! Everyone should invite Dr. Elinne Becket to give a talk!!!!!
Gave a lecture/seminar blended talk to @cawatran.bsky.social's class at USD today, and it was SO great being back in the classroom (been sabbatical-ing) and presenting the new work my amazing students have been up to. Feeling the good vibe buzz.
March 28, 2025 at 3:16 AM
Ever wonder what it's like to be faculty at a primarily undergraduate institution like the University of San Diego? Check out my "Day in the Life" reel at www.instagram.com/reel/DGujBnm...

Follow @cawatran on Instagram for more!
March 3, 2025 at 4:15 PM
Reposted by Cawa Tran, PhD
American science and medicine has been thrown into chaos and uncertainty over the past week. Here are some stories to get up to speed. 1/12
January 28, 2025 at 3:58 AM
Reposted by Cawa Tran, PhD
🚨 The Alker Lab is starting at the University of Rhode Island in early 2025 and we will be hiring! 🚨

If you are interested in marine microbiology, bacterial genetics and/or symbiosis, please consider reaching out! Repost to help spread the word 🪸🧪🧬🌊
November 30, 2024 at 12:14 AM
Anyone partition their use of different platforms and have found a way that's effective? I probably only have the bandwidth to dedicate my attention to mostly one (currently Instagram b/c my institution & undergrads use it a lot), unless I see an efficient way to manage more for good reason. 😁
November 17, 2024 at 12:41 AM
There's still time to get an abstract in by May 20th! There will be student awards for both talks AND posters! Plus, this will be the only conference my lab is presenting at this summer, and we have some big research news to unveil! 🪸🦠🔬
May 8, 2024 at 3:56 AM
Calling all San Diego, SoCal, & Pacific-regional colleagues & your students: Please consider attending/presenting at the AAAS Pacific Division, June 17-20, held at @uofsandiego! This is a friendly, inexpensive conference for students to share their work: www.aaaspd.org/2024-annual-... Please repost!
2024 annual meeting
www.aaaspd.org
May 6, 2024 at 9:54 PM
New paper alert! Does photosynthesis actually have a role in symbiosis establishment between sea anemones and their intracellular algae? A previous study suggested not, but we found otherwise, especially when looking at anemones long-term and what's going on with their larvae!
March 25, 2024 at 4:03 PM
Where, oh where, did I go wrong when an answer to a final exam question for an Invertebrate Zoology class says: "...and they have a backbone, that helps."😭🤦🏻‍♀️
December 19, 2023 at 10:28 PM
When you want to brag about your students giving poster presentations without leaking unpublished data...Haha! 😜 #undergraduateresearch #biology #aiptasia #symbiosis #research
December 10, 2023 at 6:40 AM
So fun to chat with our awesome USD Media Relations team about my academic journey, passion in teaching, and mentoring undergraduates in doing research, plus how symbiosis is a metaphor for the way my life has unfolded! Thrilled I have the best job in the world! 👩‍🏫

podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a...
‎At the Edge of it All: A Life of Symbiosis: How a Biologist Found a Passion for the Oceans and th...
‎Show At the Edge of it All, Ep A Life of Symbiosis: How a Biologist Found a Passion for the Oceans and their Voice in the Classroom - Dec 6, 2023
podcasts.apple.com
December 7, 2023 at 4:30 AM
In my Invertebrate Zoology class, students have a final project to design an invertebrate alien inspired by real invertebrate phyla discussed in class. This semester's theme is Pandora (from Avatar), and the first student presenters set the bar high today with their creative and imaginative ideas!
November 29, 2023 at 7:30 AM
Reposted by Cawa Tran, PhD
If you know of any graduating seniors who are planning to apply to UC Merced for grad school this cycle, I have three application fee waivers that I'm happy to pass along! HMU!
November 28, 2023 at 3:55 PM
Reposted by Cawa Tran, PhD
We're hiring!

The University of South Florida, Tampa is searching for a Marine/Coastal Biologist (assistant professor / tenure track). Come join a great department!

Details: bit.ly/usf_marine_bio_search
November 7, 2023 at 5:16 PM
Teaching postdoc positions available in (1) Art, Architecture, and Art History, (2) Chemistry & Biochemistry, (3) Music, (4) Psychological Sciences, (5) Theology & Religious Studies, (6) Theatre at the University of San Diego. Due 2/1/24. Please RT!

jobs.sandiego.edu/cw/en-us/job...
Details - Diversity Postdoctoral Faculty
jobs.sandiego.edu
October 23, 2023 at 3:42 PM
University of San Francisco Dept. of Biology is searching for mid-career to senior scientists to apply to their Endowed Chair position; see below. Please share!

usfca.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/USF_Fu...
October 20, 2023 at 9:44 PM
Reposted by Cawa Tran, PhD
I'm looking to hire a postdoc in coral genomics - $66k/yr plus benefits - follow link for more info - review of apps begins Nov 10 usccareers.usc.edu/job/los-ange...
October 17, 2023 at 3:36 AM
I get to do my dream job everyday mentoring the next generations & never take it for granted. Follow for research & teaching updates! 🪸🔬🦠
October 15, 2023 at 6:10 AM