Madison Plunkert (she/her)
@madisonplunkert.bsky.social
Evolutionary genetics in monkeyflower. Plant biology PhD student at Michigan State University.
Reposted by Madison Plunkert (she/her)
New preprint from former Lowry Lab postdoc, Kathy Toll, providing evidence that delayed flowering time by coastal perennial Mimulus guttatus may be advantageous through avoidance of high wind speeds and salt spray.
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
November 10, 2025 at 2:32 PM
New preprint from former Lowry Lab postdoc, Kathy Toll, providing evidence that delayed flowering time by coastal perennial Mimulus guttatus may be advantageous through avoidance of high wind speeds and salt spray.
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Check out our new preprint on monkeyflower salt spray adaptation, with coauthors @pcdurant.bsky.social, Katherine Egeler, and @davidlowry.bsky.social! www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
October 17, 2025 at 3:32 PM
Check out our new preprint on monkeyflower salt spray adaptation, with coauthors @pcdurant.bsky.social, Katherine Egeler, and @davidlowry.bsky.social! www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Game-changer for evolutionary genetics!
Excited by this breakthrough work led by Dr. Lauren Stanley (now Assistant Professor at Central Michigan University). Lauren was able to develop for the first time floral dip/spray transformation methods in the yellow monkeyflower (Mimulus guttatus). bsapubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...
Just add water: A simple floral bud injection method for stable Agrobacterium‐mediated transformation in two ecotypes of Mimulus guttatus
Premise Stable transformation is the biggest barrier to studying gene function in plants. In most species, transformation requires tissue culture and regeneration methods that may be arduous and cau...
bsapubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com
October 15, 2025 at 1:54 AM
Game-changer for evolutionary genetics!
Reposted by Madison Plunkert (she/her)
New paper by former MSc student @christeinecke.bsky.social! ⭐ A behemoth effort to apply artificial selection on clonal reproduction in #Mimulus guttatus. We show that clonality evolves quickly, but not symmetrically in both directions, and multivariate life history traits are altered too! 🧪🌾
Life-history evolution under artificial selection in a clonal plant https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2025.10.01.679824v1
October 2, 2025 at 11:50 AM
New paper by former MSc student @christeinecke.bsky.social! ⭐ A behemoth effort to apply artificial selection on clonal reproduction in #Mimulus guttatus. We show that clonality evolves quickly, but not symmetrically in both directions, and multivariate life history traits are altered too! 🧪🌾
Reposted by Madison Plunkert (she/her)
The new #NSF #GRFP application now excludes 1000’s of students, including those who were told they could apply this year, or who planned to apply next year.
We have a new specific petition urging #NSFGRFP undo this harmful action. If you are impacted sign here: laurenkuehne.github.io/grfpChanges/
We have a new specific petition urging #NSFGRFP undo this harmful action. If you are impacted sign here: laurenkuehne.github.io/grfpChanges/
September 29, 2025 at 5:47 PM
The new #NSF #GRFP application now excludes 1000’s of students, including those who were told they could apply this year, or who planned to apply next year.
We have a new specific petition urging #NSFGRFP undo this harmful action. If you are impacted sign here: laurenkuehne.github.io/grfpChanges/
We have a new specific petition urging #NSFGRFP undo this harmful action. If you are impacted sign here: laurenkuehne.github.io/grfpChanges/
Reposted by Madison Plunkert (she/her)
Application review begins in one week for the MSU herbarium director position!!!! More info here: plantbiology.natsci.msu.edu/job-postings...
September 26, 2025 at 1:33 PM
Application review begins in one week for the MSU herbarium director position!!!! More info here: plantbiology.natsci.msu.edu/job-postings...
Reposted by Madison Plunkert (she/her)
Late to the party, but I'm so excited about the first paper from our lab: ✨Unique genetic bases of repeated life-history divergence associated with high altitude adaptation in Mimulus perennials ✨
This work was led by the ABSOLUTE ROCKSTAR Hongfei Chen!
This work was led by the ABSOLUTE ROCKSTAR Hongfei Chen!
September 24, 2025 at 4:55 PM
Late to the party, but I'm so excited about the first paper from our lab: ✨Unique genetic bases of repeated life-history divergence associated with high altitude adaptation in Mimulus perennials ✨
This work was led by the ABSOLUTE ROCKSTAR Hongfei Chen!
This work was led by the ABSOLUTE ROCKSTAR Hongfei Chen!
Reposted by Madison Plunkert (she/her)
Please share — Michigan State Plant Biology is searching for an Herbarium Director! Tenure stream, open rank faculty position balancing research, teaching, service, and admin responsibilities. Join us! Reach out to me or @emjo.bsky.social with questions!
plantbiology.natsci.msu.edu/job-postings...
plantbiology.natsci.msu.edu/job-postings...
plantbiology.natsci.msu.edu
August 20, 2025 at 9:11 PM
Please share — Michigan State Plant Biology is searching for an Herbarium Director! Tenure stream, open rank faculty position balancing research, teaching, service, and admin responsibilities. Join us! Reach out to me or @emjo.bsky.social with questions!
plantbiology.natsci.msu.edu/job-postings...
plantbiology.natsci.msu.edu/job-postings...
Stop by the community table at Hooked in Lansing tomorrow to speak out for science funding! We'll be there from 9am-2pm.
August 16, 2025 at 1:52 AM
Stop by the community table at Hooked in Lansing tomorrow to speak out for science funding! We'll be there from 9am-2pm.
Reposted by Madison Plunkert (she/her)
I’m proud to present the main work from my postdoc, 3+ years in making from scratch, my ultimate #MimulusPropaganda up till now:
The Moment
That
Symmetry
Breaks.
#plantscience #development #imaging #microscopy 🧪🌸🔬
w. Captain Yaowu & @biancatash.bsky.social
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
The Moment
That
Symmetry
Breaks.
#plantscience #development #imaging #microscopy 🧪🌸🔬
w. Captain Yaowu & @biancatash.bsky.social
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
August 7, 2025 at 2:44 PM
I’m proud to present the main work from my postdoc, 3+ years in making from scratch, my ultimate #MimulusPropaganda up till now:
The Moment
That
Symmetry
Breaks.
#plantscience #development #imaging #microscopy 🧪🌸🔬
w. Captain Yaowu & @biancatash.bsky.social
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
The Moment
That
Symmetry
Breaks.
#plantscience #development #imaging #microscopy 🧪🌸🔬
w. Captain Yaowu & @biancatash.bsky.social
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Reposted by Madison Plunkert (she/her)
We’re hiring for a major role in the US, an investigative journalist to cover what’s happening with science in the US and beyond. This is extremely important territory for us. 🧪
workforus.theguardian.com/jobs/795 The Guardian :: Senior Science Investigative Reporter
workforus.theguardian.com/jobs/795 The Guardian :: Senior Science Investigative Reporter
The Guardian :: Senior Science Investigative Reporter
workforus.theguardian.com
July 26, 2025 at 6:02 AM
We’re hiring for a major role in the US, an investigative journalist to cover what’s happening with science in the US and beyond. This is extremely important territory for us. 🧪
workforus.theguardian.com/jobs/795 The Guardian :: Senior Science Investigative Reporter
workforus.theguardian.com/jobs/795 The Guardian :: Senior Science Investigative Reporter
Reposted by Madison Plunkert (she/her)
Coming up! Find an action near you www.goodtroubleliveson.org
July 13, 2025 at 3:00 PM
Coming up! Find an action near you www.goodtroubleliveson.org
Reposted by Madison Plunkert (she/her)
See my newest op-ed for the Baltimore Sun about how cuts to science funding harm Maryland. Now is the time to call your members of congress to protect the NIH and NSF! www.baltimoresun.com/2025/06/23/a...
All Marylanders at risk with cuts to science funding | GUEST COMMENTARY
Funding science is an investment in Maryland’s future, writes Madison Plunkert.
www.baltimoresun.com
June 24, 2025 at 12:57 AM
See my newest op-ed for the Baltimore Sun about how cuts to science funding harm Maryland. Now is the time to call your members of congress to protect the NIH and NSF! www.baltimoresun.com/2025/06/23/a...
Reposted by Madison Plunkert (she/her)
Hi #evol2025, our paper came out yesterday and I'd love to chat about it. We used an underused tool for studying parasite local adaptation, the Host Reciprocal Transplant, to study switchgrass and its fungal rust.
doi.org/10.1111/nph....
doi.org/10.1111/nph....
June 24, 2025 at 2:09 PM
Hi #evol2025, our paper came out yesterday and I'd love to chat about it. We used an underused tool for studying parasite local adaptation, the Host Reciprocal Transplant, to study switchgrass and its fungal rust.
doi.org/10.1111/nph....
doi.org/10.1111/nph....
See my newest op-ed for the Baltimore Sun about how cuts to science funding harm Maryland. Now is the time to call your members of congress to protect the NIH and NSF! www.baltimoresun.com/2025/06/23/a...
All Marylanders at risk with cuts to science funding | GUEST COMMENTARY
Funding science is an investment in Maryland’s future, writes Madison Plunkert.
www.baltimoresun.com
June 24, 2025 at 12:57 AM
See my newest op-ed for the Baltimore Sun about how cuts to science funding harm Maryland. Now is the time to call your members of congress to protect the NIH and NSF! www.baltimoresun.com/2025/06/23/a...
Reposted by Madison Plunkert (she/her)
My latest cover for @newyorker.com "On Parade"
June 13, 2025 at 3:36 PM
My latest cover for @newyorker.com "On Parade"
Reposted by Madison Plunkert (she/her)
Science is pure awesome. I hope we can all keep doing it.
June 1, 2025 at 5:58 PM
Science is pure awesome. I hope we can all keep doing it.
Reposted by Madison Plunkert (she/her)
Cuts have consequences, illustrated. As seen on TV 📺
June 3, 2025 at 12:45 AM
Cuts have consequences, illustrated. As seen on TV 📺
Reposted by Madison Plunkert (she/her)
On Friday, my son stayed home from school because he had a sore throat and wasn’t feeling well. He went with my husband to his office for the morning while I handled our daughter. When he came back at lunch, he was not interested in eating, saying his throat hurt too much. 1/n
May 5, 2025 at 7:11 AM
On Friday, my son stayed home from school because he had a sore throat and wasn’t feeling well. He went with my husband to his office for the morning while I handled our daughter. When he came back at lunch, he was not interested in eating, saying his throat hurt too much. 1/n
Reposted by Madison Plunkert (she/her)
🙏 We need your help 🙏
The government continues to cancel grants at both NIH and NSF to censor science it doesn't like.
We're tracking terminations to organize and advocate. Please report your terminated grants:
NIH:
forms.gle/J2znQ7y7YpeP...
NSF: airtable.com/appGKlSVeXni...
w/ @noamross.net
The government continues to cancel grants at both NIH and NSF to censor science it doesn't like.
We're tracking terminations to organize and advocate. Please report your terminated grants:
NIH:
forms.gle/J2znQ7y7YpeP...
NSF: airtable.com/appGKlSVeXni...
w/ @noamross.net
April 19, 2025 at 1:25 AM
🙏 We need your help 🙏
The government continues to cancel grants at both NIH and NSF to censor science it doesn't like.
We're tracking terminations to organize and advocate. Please report your terminated grants:
NIH:
forms.gle/J2znQ7y7YpeP...
NSF: airtable.com/appGKlSVeXni...
w/ @noamross.net
The government continues to cancel grants at both NIH and NSF to censor science it doesn't like.
We're tracking terminations to organize and advocate. Please report your terminated grants:
NIH:
forms.gle/J2znQ7y7YpeP...
NSF: airtable.com/appGKlSVeXni...
w/ @noamross.net
Reposted by Madison Plunkert (she/her)
Gee... who'd a thought the racist guy who sunk the economy in his first term would do it again? Go figure.
April 3, 2025 at 12:51 AM
Gee... who'd a thought the racist guy who sunk the economy in his first term would do it again? Go figure.
Reposted by Madison Plunkert (she/her)
You want our science? Then you get ALL of us. You need to stand up for ALL of our identities. When you don't, you give ammunition to the people who want us to disappear.
April 1, 2025 at 1:12 AM
You want our science? Then you get ALL of us. You need to stand up for ALL of our identities. When you don't, you give ammunition to the people who want us to disappear.
Reposted by Madison Plunkert (she/her)
Science funding is not government waste - see my opinion piece in the Lansing State Journal about why cuts to science funding are bad for Michigan. @sciencehomecoming.bsky.social www.lansingstatejournal.com/story/opinio...
Viewpoint: Scientific research is not waste. Funding cuts will harm Michiganders, economy
In 2024, over $1 billion in NIH funding went to Michigan, supporting $2.57 billion in economic activity, according to United for Medical Research.
www.lansingstatejournal.com
March 9, 2025 at 2:12 PM
Science funding is not government waste - see my opinion piece in the Lansing State Journal about why cuts to science funding are bad for Michigan. @sciencehomecoming.bsky.social www.lansingstatejournal.com/story/opinio...
Science funding is not government waste - see my opinion piece in the Lansing State Journal about why cuts to science funding are bad for Michigan. @sciencehomecoming.bsky.social www.lansingstatejournal.com/story/opinio...
Viewpoint: Scientific research is not waste. Funding cuts will harm Michiganders, economy
In 2024, over $1 billion in NIH funding went to Michigan, supporting $2.57 billion in economic activity, according to United for Medical Research.
www.lansingstatejournal.com
March 9, 2025 at 2:12 PM
Science funding is not government waste - see my opinion piece in the Lansing State Journal about why cuts to science funding are bad for Michigan. @sciencehomecoming.bsky.social www.lansingstatejournal.com/story/opinio...
Reposted by Madison Plunkert (she/her)
There are all sorts of wrong here. I want to point out one more. The US government makes promises. Recipients of funds expect promises to be honored. Without this surety, how do we plan, whether for USAID work, NIH grants, or ???
Reputation is a terrible thing to squander.
Reputation is a terrible thing to squander.
In an unprecedented move, the US National Institutes of Health has begun mass terminations of research grants that fund active scientific projects because they no longer meet “agency priorities”.
https://go.nature.com/4bpG2It
https://go.nature.com/4bpG2It
Exclusive: NIH to terminate hundreds of active research grants
Studies that touch on LGBT+ health, gender identity and DEI in the biomedical workforce could be terminated, according to documents obtained by Nature.
go.nature.com
March 6, 2025 at 3:12 AM
There are all sorts of wrong here. I want to point out one more. The US government makes promises. Recipients of funds expect promises to be honored. Without this surety, how do we plan, whether for USAID work, NIH grants, or ???
Reputation is a terrible thing to squander.
Reputation is a terrible thing to squander.