Joel Atallah
@jatallah.bsky.social
Associate professor in genomics and developmental biology at the University of New Orleans. Dad×3. I post about science, parenting, culture and world events.
Just when you thought things couldn't get creepier: a vacuum cleaner that collects data
November 2, 2025 at 1:11 AM
Just when you thought things couldn't get creepier: a vacuum cleaner that collects data
The Grand Egyptian Museum, one of the largest museums in the world, opens today after 20 years of construction
November 1, 2025 at 4:59 PM
The Grand Egyptian Museum, one of the largest museums in the world, opens today after 20 years of construction
RIP Dr. Jane Goodall (1934-2025). You were the surprise guest of honor at my Ph.D. commencement, and I recall the moment you congratulated us in the language of the chimpanzees you'd worked with.
October 1, 2025 at 7:11 PM
RIP Dr. Jane Goodall (1934-2025). You were the surprise guest of honor at my Ph.D. commencement, and I recall the moment you congratulated us in the language of the chimpanzees you'd worked with.
Very grateful that our 2 million dollar NSF STEM Scholars grant was awarded before the government shutdown! I officially start as principal investigator (PI) today! This grant will provide scholarships and support programs for students at the University of New Orleans.
October 1, 2025 at 3:36 PM
Very grateful that our 2 million dollar NSF STEM Scholars grant was awarded before the government shutdown! I officially start as principal investigator (PI) today! This grant will provide scholarships and support programs for students at the University of New Orleans.
GenAlpha kids enjoying an afternoon reading physical books
July 26, 2025 at 8:55 PM
GenAlpha kids enjoying an afternoon reading physical books
If I needed help writing, I wouldn't ask you, baby.
Glad there's no "Help me write" button on Bluesky
Glad there's no "Help me write" button on Bluesky
July 13, 2025 at 4:01 PM
If I needed help writing, I wouldn't ask you, baby.
Glad there's no "Help me write" button on Bluesky
Glad there's no "Help me write" button on Bluesky
Carla Tinuviel gave me a Hawaiian Drosophila picture-wing shirt for Father's Day!
June 16, 2025 at 12:41 AM
Carla Tinuviel gave me a Hawaiian Drosophila picture-wing shirt for Father's Day!
India launched attacks today on three air bases in Pakistan, with the latter responding by closing its airspace (photo) and attacking bases in 12 Indian cities (Operation Bunyan ul Marsoos). A concerning pattern of each side escalating.
May 10, 2025 at 1:34 AM
India launched attacks today on three air bases in Pakistan, with the latter responding by closing its airspace (photo) and attacking bases in 12 Indian cities (Operation Bunyan ul Marsoos). A concerning pattern of each side escalating.
White smoke from the Sistine Chapel. A new pope has been elected.
Meanwhile, the late Pope Francis' popemobile was donated to be a mobile health clinic for the children of Gaza.
Meanwhile, the late Pope Francis' popemobile was donated to be a mobile health clinic for the children of Gaza.
May 8, 2025 at 4:26 PM
White smoke from the Sistine Chapel. A new pope has been elected.
Meanwhile, the late Pope Francis' popemobile was donated to be a mobile health clinic for the children of Gaza.
Meanwhile, the late Pope Francis' popemobile was donated to be a mobile health clinic for the children of Gaza.
Raffi was amused as he mused about the difference between an esophagus and a sarcophagus
February 24, 2025 at 2:09 AM
Raffi was amused as he mused about the difference between an esophagus and a sarcophagus
Yikes! Staff responsible for nuclear safety fired in the US, and a Russian drone damages Chernobyl, on the same day.
February 15, 2025 at 3:12 PM
Yikes! Staff responsible for nuclear safety fired in the US, and a Russian drone damages Chernobyl, on the same day.
Frozen fountain in Jackson Square, New Orleans, after the snow storm
January 25, 2025 at 3:37 AM
Frozen fountain in Jackson Square, New Orleans, after the snow storm
Snowmageddon in New Orleans
January 23, 2025 at 2:54 AM
Snowmageddon in New Orleans
After posting my New Orleans snow pictures, my friend in Canada told me about her 10 km run this morning in -27 C weather
January 21, 2025 at 4:20 PM
After posting my New Orleans snow pictures, my friend in Canada told me about her 10 km run this morning in -27 C weather
The beautiful thing about New Orleans is that no-one will drive in the snow so the road will look like this for a long time
January 21, 2025 at 1:41 PM
The beautiful thing about New Orleans is that no-one will drive in the snow so the road will look like this for a long time
Heard the news of the attack today just as we were leaving Arkansas to return to New Orleans. Unbelievable. Feel like we are coming home to a different city, marred by unspeakable pain.
January 2, 2025 at 4:02 AM
Heard the news of the attack today just as we were leaving Arkansas to return to New Orleans. Unbelievable. Feel like we are coming home to a different city, marred by unspeakable pain.
Rafael repairs Lorien's car
November 27, 2024 at 7:21 PM
Rafael repairs Lorien's car
In a turbulent world, I'm extremely grateful for happy children
November 3, 2024 at 10:35 PM
In a turbulent world, I'm extremely grateful for happy children
The irony here is that the subtext ("We're training chatbots to re-educate you") will inspire a host of conspiracy theories. #ChatGPT #Friday13th
September 14, 2024 at 1:00 AM
The irony here is that the subtext ("We're training chatbots to re-educate you") will inspire a host of conspiracy theories. #ChatGPT #Friday13th
My wife saved this kitten's life today! She saw him dart under a car ahead of her and disappear. She alerted the driver, and after considerable time looking, they and a mechanic found him - unharmed - in the undercarriage. A friend of the driver will adopt him.
August 27, 2024 at 2:32 AM
My wife saved this kitten's life today! She saw him dart under a car ahead of her and disappear. She alerted the driver, and after considerable time looking, they and a mechanic found him - unharmed - in the undercarriage. A friend of the driver will adopt him.
