Spencer Nyholm
@spencernyholm.bsky.social
University of Connecticut
Dept. of Molecular and Cell Biology
Symbiosis
Dept. of Molecular and Cell Biology
Symbiosis
Reposted by Spencer Nyholm
With the goal of reaching new ppl w/biodiversity action, we're expanding the Native Plant Project to bars. We're calling it Biodiversity Beers.
In collab w/artists Marian Bailey, @hanfranstudio.bsky.social, & @the666cat.bsky.social, we're making pint glasses that encourage planting of native 🌱
In collab w/artists Marian Bailey, @hanfranstudio.bsky.social, & @the666cat.bsky.social, we're making pint glasses that encourage planting of native 🌱
November 25, 2025 at 1:59 AM
With the goal of reaching new ppl w/biodiversity action, we're expanding the Native Plant Project to bars. We're calling it Biodiversity Beers.
In collab w/artists Marian Bailey, @hanfranstudio.bsky.social, & @the666cat.bsky.social, we're making pint glasses that encourage planting of native 🌱
In collab w/artists Marian Bailey, @hanfranstudio.bsky.social, & @the666cat.bsky.social, we're making pint glasses that encourage planting of native 🌱
Reposted by Spencer Nyholm
Happy LGBTQIA+ STEM Day!
We exist, we resist!
Thank you the editor Laura Rodríguez Pérez and @commsbio.nature.com for the opportunity to talk about my experience and my journey as a person and scientist with intersectional identities.
We exist, we resist!
Thank you the editor Laura Rodríguez Pérez and @commsbio.nature.com for the opportunity to talk about my experience and my journey as a person and scientist with intersectional identities.
November 18, 2025 at 4:43 PM
Happy LGBTQIA+ STEM Day!
We exist, we resist!
Thank you the editor Laura Rodríguez Pérez and @commsbio.nature.com for the opportunity to talk about my experience and my journey as a person and scientist with intersectional identities.
We exist, we resist!
Thank you the editor Laura Rodríguez Pérez and @commsbio.nature.com for the opportunity to talk about my experience and my journey as a person and scientist with intersectional identities.
Reposted by Spencer Nyholm
Big news: I’m writing a book!!
I’ll be writing & illustrating a beginner’s guide to appreciating wildlife in cities/suburbs, & how all of us can make our neighborhoods better for those animals.
Thank you to my book agent @ericsmithrocks.bsky.social & the folks at Storey for believing in this book!
I’ll be writing & illustrating a beginner’s guide to appreciating wildlife in cities/suburbs, & how all of us can make our neighborhoods better for those animals.
Thank you to my book agent @ericsmithrocks.bsky.social & the folks at Storey for believing in this book!
November 20, 2025 at 2:26 PM
Big news: I’m writing a book!!
I’ll be writing & illustrating a beginner’s guide to appreciating wildlife in cities/suburbs, & how all of us can make our neighborhoods better for those animals.
Thank you to my book agent @ericsmithrocks.bsky.social & the folks at Storey for believing in this book!
I’ll be writing & illustrating a beginner’s guide to appreciating wildlife in cities/suburbs, & how all of us can make our neighborhoods better for those animals.
Thank you to my book agent @ericsmithrocks.bsky.social & the folks at Storey for believing in this book!
Reposted by Spencer Nyholm
If your city is really lucky, you’ll get a weird girl who goes above & beyond to celebrate squid.
Maybe she has a Squidmobile & glues 🦑 on poles. Maybe she gets on stage to sing about squid, dressed as a 🦑.
Philadelphia & Tokyo are both lucky.
Extremely cool to meet my Tokyo counterpart today ☺️
Maybe she has a Squidmobile & glues 🦑 on poles. Maybe she gets on stage to sing about squid, dressed as a 🦑.
Philadelphia & Tokyo are both lucky.
Extremely cool to meet my Tokyo counterpart today ☺️
October 28, 2025 at 1:11 PM
If your city is really lucky, you’ll get a weird girl who goes above & beyond to celebrate squid.
Maybe she has a Squidmobile & glues 🦑 on poles. Maybe she gets on stage to sing about squid, dressed as a 🦑.
Philadelphia & Tokyo are both lucky.
Extremely cool to meet my Tokyo counterpart today ☺️
Maybe she has a Squidmobile & glues 🦑 on poles. Maybe she gets on stage to sing about squid, dressed as a 🦑.
Philadelphia & Tokyo are both lucky.
Extremely cool to meet my Tokyo counterpart today ☺️
Reposted by Spencer Nyholm
I get that the news cycle is packed right now, but I just heard from a colleague at the Smithsonian that this is fully a GIANT SQUID BEING EATEN BY A SPERM WHALE and it’s possibly the first ever confirmed video according to a friend at NOAA
10 YEAR OLD ME IS LOSING HER MIND (a thread 🧵)
10 YEAR OLD ME IS LOSING HER MIND (a thread 🧵)
September 24, 2025 at 8:30 PM
I get that the news cycle is packed right now, but I just heard from a colleague at the Smithsonian that this is fully a GIANT SQUID BEING EATEN BY A SPERM WHALE and it’s possibly the first ever confirmed video according to a friend at NOAA
10 YEAR OLD ME IS LOSING HER MIND (a thread 🧵)
10 YEAR OLD ME IS LOSING HER MIND (a thread 🧵)
Reposted by Spencer Nyholm
@sarahmackattack.bsky.social I don’t want to interrupt concert preparations but also… I definitely squealed to see this!
I get that the news cycle is packed right now, but I just heard from a colleague at the Smithsonian that this is fully a GIANT SQUID BEING EATEN BY A SPERM WHALE and it’s possibly the first ever confirmed video according to a friend at NOAA
10 YEAR OLD ME IS LOSING HER MIND (a thread 🧵)
10 YEAR OLD ME IS LOSING HER MIND (a thread 🧵)
September 24, 2025 at 9:06 PM
@sarahmackattack.bsky.social I don’t want to interrupt concert preparations but also… I definitely squealed to see this!
Reposted by Spencer Nyholm
🚨 Cool new project alert 🚨
WE- you, me, everyone- need to work together to get important science messages out to people.
4 artists & 3 scientists collab'd on these posters. We hope YOU will put them out in your community. Each poster comes w/info about each topic.
Get 'em Squidfacts.bigcartel.com
WE- you, me, everyone- need to work together to get important science messages out to people.
4 artists & 3 scientists collab'd on these posters. We hope YOU will put them out in your community. Each poster comes w/info about each topic.
Get 'em Squidfacts.bigcartel.com
May 6, 2025 at 2:26 PM
🚨 Cool new project alert 🚨
WE- you, me, everyone- need to work together to get important science messages out to people.
4 artists & 3 scientists collab'd on these posters. We hope YOU will put them out in your community. Each poster comes w/info about each topic.
Get 'em Squidfacts.bigcartel.com
WE- you, me, everyone- need to work together to get important science messages out to people.
4 artists & 3 scientists collab'd on these posters. We hope YOU will put them out in your community. Each poster comes w/info about each topic.
Get 'em Squidfacts.bigcartel.com
Reposted by Spencer Nyholm
A quick and typed-on-my-phone-riddled-with-typos thread about why I think people need to support NPR/PBS, even though they did post that one interview you didn't like:
May 6, 2025 at 12:46 PM
A quick and typed-on-my-phone-riddled-with-typos thread about why I think people need to support NPR/PBS, even though they did post that one interview you didn't like:
Reposted by Spencer Nyholm
This work is finally officially out!
Check out our paper, where we use various advanced microscopy techniques to shed light on the structures of a complex symbiotic organ and the communities of bacteria that live inside it.
journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/...
Check out our paper, where we use various advanced microscopy techniques to shed light on the structures of a complex symbiotic organ and the communities of bacteria that live inside it.
journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/...
Organ structure and bacterial microbiogeography in a reproductive organ of the Hawaiian bobtail squid reveal dimensions of a defensive symbiosis | Applied and Environmental Microbiology
Sequence-based microbiome studies have revealed much about how hosts interact with
communities of symbiotic microbiota but often lack a spatial understanding of how
microbes relate to each other and t...
journals.asm.org
April 15, 2025 at 1:59 PM
This work is finally officially out!
Check out our paper, where we use various advanced microscopy techniques to shed light on the structures of a complex symbiotic organ and the communities of bacteria that live inside it.
journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/...
Check out our paper, where we use various advanced microscopy techniques to shed light on the structures of a complex symbiotic organ and the communities of bacteria that live inside it.
journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/...
Reposted by Spencer Nyholm
I'm pleased to share this article written by co-authors & me.
Riffing off our recent decadal survey, we discuss humanity's relationship with the ocean & why immediate action is needed to protect us all. Enjoy! @whoi.edu @schmidtocean.bsky.social @mbarinews.bsky.social
bit.ly/TheConvo0413...
Riffing off our recent decadal survey, we discuss humanity's relationship with the ocean & why immediate action is needed to protect us all. Enjoy! @whoi.edu @schmidtocean.bsky.social @mbarinews.bsky.social
bit.ly/TheConvo0413...
Humanity depends on the ocean — Here is what we need to prioritize for immediate ocean science research
Global ocean research needs to shift priorities to ensure the health and well-being of our oceans, and by extension, humanity.
bit.ly
April 14, 2025 at 3:43 PM
I'm pleased to share this article written by co-authors & me.
Riffing off our recent decadal survey, we discuss humanity's relationship with the ocean & why immediate action is needed to protect us all. Enjoy! @whoi.edu @schmidtocean.bsky.social @mbarinews.bsky.social
bit.ly/TheConvo0413...
Riffing off our recent decadal survey, we discuss humanity's relationship with the ocean & why immediate action is needed to protect us all. Enjoy! @whoi.edu @schmidtocean.bsky.social @mbarinews.bsky.social
bit.ly/TheConvo0413...
Reposted by Spencer Nyholm
You can take a look at the protocol here docs.google.com/document/d/1...
Pollinator Poster Protocol
Protocol: Distributing seeds for native plants with poster stations By Sarah McAnulty, Ph.D., Skype a Scientist Last updated April 10 2025 The goal of this project is to distribute native plant seeds...
docs.google.com
April 10, 2025 at 9:07 PM
You can take a look at the protocol here docs.google.com/document/d/1...
Reposted by Spencer Nyholm
14 pages of terminated NIH grants--everyone should read through the list. The sweep is VERY broad, including "The Impact of the Herpes Zoster Vaccine on Herpes Zoster Ophthalmicus" & "Mitochondrial-based Determinants of Sex Differences in Acute Kidney Injury"🧪 1/n
taggs.hhs.gov/Content/Data...
taggs.hhs.gov/Content/Data...
taggs.hhs.gov
March 26, 2025 at 3:38 PM
14 pages of terminated NIH grants--everyone should read through the list. The sweep is VERY broad, including "The Impact of the Herpes Zoster Vaccine on Herpes Zoster Ophthalmicus" & "Mitochondrial-based Determinants of Sex Differences in Acute Kidney Injury"🧪 1/n
taggs.hhs.gov/Content/Data...
taggs.hhs.gov/Content/Data...
Reposted by Spencer Nyholm
I made a website! Come check it out! Get to know me! See cool pictures! Learn that I'm looking for a post doc in fall 2025!
www.derrickkamp.com
www.derrickkamp.com
Home | Derrick Kamp
www.derrickkamp.com
March 26, 2025 at 11:19 AM
I made a website! Come check it out! Get to know me! See cool pictures! Learn that I'm looking for a post doc in fall 2025!
www.derrickkamp.com
www.derrickkamp.com
Reposted by Spencer Nyholm
My OpEd in @elife.bsky.social
“It feels as if we are trying to fight a series of attacks on science with one arm tied behind our back and our lips half sewn shut.”
“Yet we are not beaten, and some of us are downright energized.”
elifesciences.org/articles/106...
“It feels as if we are trying to fight a series of attacks on science with one arm tied behind our back and our lips half sewn shut.”
“Yet we are not beaten, and some of us are downright energized.”
elifesciences.org/articles/106...
Science Under Threat in the United States: Feeling abandoned but energized
Many individual researchers are frustrated by the response - or the lack of a response - from universities to a growing crisis.
elifesciences.org
March 25, 2025 at 12:37 PM
My OpEd in @elife.bsky.social
“It feels as if we are trying to fight a series of attacks on science with one arm tied behind our back and our lips half sewn shut.”
“Yet we are not beaten, and some of us are downright energized.”
elifesciences.org/articles/106...
“It feels as if we are trying to fight a series of attacks on science with one arm tied behind our back and our lips half sewn shut.”
“Yet we are not beaten, and some of us are downright energized.”
elifesciences.org/articles/106...
Reposted by Spencer Nyholm
🚨 Attention NIH & NSF grantees!
AAAS is hosting a rapid response webinar this Friday, 12-1 pm ET, on responding to federal research grant terminations.
NIH and NSF will be case examples.
Register here: aaas.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
AAAS is hosting a rapid response webinar this Friday, 12-1 pm ET, on responding to federal research grant terminations.
NIH and NSF will be case examples.
Register here: aaas.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
March 25, 2025 at 6:44 PM
🚨 Attention NIH & NSF grantees!
AAAS is hosting a rapid response webinar this Friday, 12-1 pm ET, on responding to federal research grant terminations.
NIH and NSF will be case examples.
Register here: aaas.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
AAAS is hosting a rapid response webinar this Friday, 12-1 pm ET, on responding to federal research grant terminations.
NIH and NSF will be case examples.
Register here: aaas.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
Reposted by Spencer Nyholm
Stop your doomscrolling and vote for the International Mollusk of the Year!
The winner will have its complete genome sequenced!
Mollusks are awesome, and super diverse: they include snails, slugs, clams, octopuses, and more! 🐌🐙🐚
Finalists in thread 🧵
Info & VOTE here:
moty.senckenberg.science
The winner will have its complete genome sequenced!
Mollusks are awesome, and super diverse: they include snails, slugs, clams, octopuses, and more! 🐌🐙🐚
Finalists in thread 🧵
Info & VOTE here:
moty.senckenberg.science
Home EN - Mollusc of the Year
moty.senckenberg.science
March 18, 2025 at 11:44 PM
Stop your doomscrolling and vote for the International Mollusk of the Year!
The winner will have its complete genome sequenced!
Mollusks are awesome, and super diverse: they include snails, slugs, clams, octopuses, and more! 🐌🐙🐚
Finalists in thread 🧵
Info & VOTE here:
moty.senckenberg.science
The winner will have its complete genome sequenced!
Mollusks are awesome, and super diverse: they include snails, slugs, clams, octopuses, and more! 🐌🐙🐚
Finalists in thread 🧵
Info & VOTE here:
moty.senckenberg.science
Reposted by Spencer Nyholm
Had the honor of speaking at today’s @standupforscience.bsky.social rally in Philly.
I spoke about the importance of breaking the right rules and harnessing chaos for the greater good.
I spoke about the importance of breaking the right rules and harnessing chaos for the greater good.
March 7, 2025 at 9:21 PM
Had the honor of speaking at today’s @standupforscience.bsky.social rally in Philly.
I spoke about the importance of breaking the right rules and harnessing chaos for the greater good.
I spoke about the importance of breaking the right rules and harnessing chaos for the greater good.
Reposted by Spencer Nyholm
The Hartford CT rally at the STATE CAPITOL is going to be 🔥🔥!!
Join us this FRIDAY to use your voice and #standupforscience!
@luskinglab.bsky.social @standupforscience.bsky.social
Join us this FRIDAY to use your voice and #standupforscience!
@luskinglab.bsky.social @standupforscience.bsky.social
March 3, 2025 at 3:15 AM
The Hartford CT rally at the STATE CAPITOL is going to be 🔥🔥!!
Join us this FRIDAY to use your voice and #standupforscience!
@luskinglab.bsky.social @standupforscience.bsky.social
Join us this FRIDAY to use your voice and #standupforscience!
@luskinglab.bsky.social @standupforscience.bsky.social
Reposted by Spencer Nyholm
The event sign up for the Stand Up for Science March in Hartford is open! Connecticut folks- See you on March 7! www.eventbrite.com/e/stand-up-f...
Stand Up for Science 2025 - Hartford, CT
Stand up for science with us on March 7th, 2025, because science is for everyone! More info at www.standupforscience2025.org
www.eventbrite.com
February 27, 2025 at 7:33 PM
The event sign up for the Stand Up for Science March in Hartford is open! Connecticut folks- See you on March 7! www.eventbrite.com/e/stand-up-f...
Reposted by Spencer Nyholm
With more mollusk genomes available, a new genome-based phylogeny is featured on the cover of Science. Paper from @sigwartae.bsky.social at www.science.org/doi/10.1126/... Cover photo by Magnus Lundgren.
February 28, 2025 at 12:47 PM
With more mollusk genomes available, a new genome-based phylogeny is featured on the cover of Science. Paper from @sigwartae.bsky.social at www.science.org/doi/10.1126/... Cover photo by Magnus Lundgren.
Reposted by Spencer Nyholm
Classroom/Library enrollment was down pretty bad in February. National chaos and uncertainly likely has something to do with it.
Can you help me make sure that all the educators on bluesky know Skype a Scientist exists and is ready to connect them with scientists? Every RT helps!
#EduSky #STEMEd
Can you help me make sure that all the educators on bluesky know Skype a Scientist exists and is ready to connect them with scientists? Every RT helps!
#EduSky #STEMEd
Hi! We're Skype a Scientist! We're a free program that matches scientists with classrooms, scout troops, libraries, & other groups for Q&As all about science.
Get matched with a scientist for a virtual conversation! We have 30+ types of scientist & match weekly.
www.skypeascientist.com/sign-up.html
Get matched with a scientist for a virtual conversation! We have 30+ types of scientist & match weekly.
www.skypeascientist.com/sign-up.html
February 26, 2025 at 3:06 AM
Reposted by Spencer Nyholm
Here is a sign-on letter for individual scientists and other experts to speak out and protect NOAA. I signed it and I encourage you to sign it as well.
secure.ucsusa.org/a/2025-prote... 🌎🧪🦑🐠
secure.ucsusa.org/a/2025-prote... 🌎🧪🦑🐠
Science at Risk: Protect NOAA
Scientists & experts: Add your name to this open letter calling on Congress and the Trump administration to ensure that NOAA and its sub-agencies remain fully funded and staffed, and that the independ...
secure.ucsusa.org
February 21, 2025 at 12:58 PM
Here is a sign-on letter for individual scientists and other experts to speak out and protect NOAA. I signed it and I encourage you to sign it as well.
secure.ucsusa.org/a/2025-prote... 🌎🧪🦑🐠
secure.ucsusa.org/a/2025-prote... 🌎🧪🦑🐠
Reposted by Spencer Nyholm
On the cutting room floor is the bit where the host introduced their interview series, The Interview, and I asked how long it took to come up with the name. Anyway, here’s me talking about birds and science and burnout and moving through the world. The photo’s nice! www.nytimes.com/2025/02/22/m...
‘The Interview’: Ed Yong Wants to Show You the Hidden Reality of the World
The Pulitzer Prize-winning science writer talks about burnout from covering the pandemic and how bird-watching gave him a new sense of hope.
www.nytimes.com
February 22, 2025 at 5:07 PM
On the cutting room floor is the bit where the host introduced their interview series, The Interview, and I asked how long it took to come up with the name. Anyway, here’s me talking about birds and science and burnout and moving through the world. The photo’s nice! www.nytimes.com/2025/02/22/m...
Reposted by Spencer Nyholm
The illegal cut of NIH indirect costs will mean $19M cut to @uconn.bsky.social alone, and $130M cut for Yale @blumenthal.senate.gov @chrismurphyct.bsky.social. A huge hit to our Universities like this will mean fewer opportunities for our students, fewer jobs for people in CT, and less research.
Helpful table to determine how much your University or health system is set to lose if the NIH indirect cap is suddenly lowered to 15%. For SJSU it is $374k which is on the smaller end but devastating considering our other budget issues. datawrapper.dwcdn.net/l0ZqA/8/
Estimated Single Year Loss of NIH Funding if 15% Indirect Cost Rate is Imposed
Based on analysis of 2024 NIH funding data. Sums are totals of losses in funding to programs if indirect costs had been capped at 15%
datawrapper.dwcdn.net
February 9, 2025 at 7:32 PM
The illegal cut of NIH indirect costs will mean $19M cut to @uconn.bsky.social alone, and $130M cut for Yale @blumenthal.senate.gov @chrismurphyct.bsky.social. A huge hit to our Universities like this will mean fewer opportunities for our students, fewer jobs for people in CT, and less research.
Reposted by Spencer Nyholm
My letter to ASM leaders that I sent is too long to be posted here, so I'm going to post highlights in case anyone else needs information for their letter. 🧵
@asm.org this better not be anticipatory obedience. I have 5 lab members planning on going to ASM microbe this year. I will absolutely pivot to another meeting if ASM gives in to anti-DEI efforts.
@vscooper.micropopbio.org and @mostlymicrobes.bsky.social while downloading scientist spotlights for teaching from the site; ASM has also scrubbed the entire IDEAA page including resources on LGBTQ+ scientists at asm.org/IDEAA/resources/pride-month
February 3, 2025 at 11:36 AM
My letter to ASM leaders that I sent is too long to be posted here, so I'm going to post highlights in case anyone else needs information for their letter. 🧵