Thom Sanger
@thomsanger.bsky.social
Associate Professor at Loyola University Chicago
Evolution and development of lizards focusing on the face and genitalia
Teaches classes on animal diversity, the evolution of sex, and science communication
anolisevodevo.space
Evolution and development of lizards focusing on the face and genitalia
Teaches classes on animal diversity, the evolution of sex, and science communication
anolisevodevo.space
Do I know anyone who lives near Fresno?
Come on out on November 4th for a fun time talking about the biology of sex over a beer.
Come on out on November 4th for a fun time talking about the biology of sex over a beer.
October 22, 2025 at 12:07 AM
Do I know anyone who lives near Fresno?
Come on out on November 4th for a fun time talking about the biology of sex over a beer.
Come on out on November 4th for a fun time talking about the biology of sex over a beer.
If you are around Chicago today, come listen to this panel, which combines scientists (me) and highly regarded science journalists. The topic may be depressing, but the conversation is sure to be engaging.
October 16, 2025 at 12:44 PM
If you are around Chicago today, come listen to this panel, which combines scientists (me) and highly regarded science journalists. The topic may be depressing, but the conversation is sure to be engaging.
I believe that it is imperative for scientists to deliberately engage with new audiences. The first step is understanding how professional communicators reach and retain their audiences. The restricted way that scientists communicate with each other won't cut it.
academic.oup.com/icb/advance-...
academic.oup.com/icb/advance-...
October 14, 2025 at 6:31 PM
I believe that it is imperative for scientists to deliberately engage with new audiences. The first step is understanding how professional communicators reach and retain their audiences. The restricted way that scientists communicate with each other won't cut it.
academic.oup.com/icb/advance-...
academic.oup.com/icb/advance-...
Republican support for science paved the way for my career as a biologist. To explain this, I prepared a blog post to accompany a recent Editorial published in @sicbjournals.bsky.social.
integrativeandcomparativebiology.wordpress.com/2025/10/14/h...
integrativeandcomparativebiology.wordpress.com/2025/10/14/h...
October 14, 2025 at 6:31 PM
Republican support for science paved the way for my career as a biologist. To explain this, I prepared a blog post to accompany a recent Editorial published in @sicbjournals.bsky.social.
integrativeandcomparativebiology.wordpress.com/2025/10/14/h...
integrativeandcomparativebiology.wordpress.com/2025/10/14/h...
The way scientists communicate technical information among ourselves is largely ineffective at reaching non-technical audiences. By describing considerations of effective/persuasive communication, I aim to lower barriers for fellow scientists to experiment with new communication strategies.
September 10, 2025 at 3:43 PM
The way scientists communicate technical information among ourselves is largely ineffective at reaching non-technical audiences. By describing considerations of effective/persuasive communication, I aim to lower barriers for fellow scientists to experiment with new communication strategies.
I am one of a growing number of voices encouraging the scientific community to engage with people and policymakers outside of our typical professional circles. Our professional organizations, including @sicb.bsky.social, also need to engage with new audiences by making their science accessible.
September 10, 2025 at 3:43 PM
I am one of a growing number of voices encouraging the scientific community to engage with people and policymakers outside of our typical professional circles. Our professional organizations, including @sicb.bsky.social, also need to engage with new audiences by making their science accessible.
Yesterday, SICB released a statement condemning the ongoing attacks on science and dismantling of US funding agencies. Continue to look towards this society for leadership and support in these unprecedented times. US Read the full statement here:
mailchi.mp/sicb.org/sic...
mailchi.mp/sicb.org/sic...
February 5, 2025 at 2:33 PM
Yesterday, SICB released a statement condemning the ongoing attacks on science and dismantling of US funding agencies. Continue to look towards this society for leadership and support in these unprecedented times. US Read the full statement here:
mailchi.mp/sicb.org/sic...
mailchi.mp/sicb.org/sic...
We found that the expression and function of those genes have changed in concert with the evolution of facial form. Our results raise important questions about extending observations from those traditional model organisms–organisms with highly derived facial skeletons–to other species.
January 18, 2025 at 6:03 PM
We found that the expression and function of those genes have changed in concert with the evolution of facial form. Our results raise important questions about extending observations from those traditional model organisms–organisms with highly derived facial skeletons–to other species.
We predicted that the underlying molecular regulation of facial development has changed significantly over the course of reptile, bird, and mammal evolution. We examined the expression and function of Sonic Hedgehog and Fibroblast Growth Factor 8 in the lizard, the brown anole.
January 18, 2025 at 6:03 PM
We predicted that the underlying molecular regulation of facial development has changed significantly over the course of reptile, bird, and mammal evolution. We examined the expression and function of Sonic Hedgehog and Fibroblast Growth Factor 8 in the lizard, the brown anole.
For over two decades the preeminent experimental model systems used to understand the development of the face (i.e., your face) have been the chicken and mouse. However, we observed the incredible diversity of facial form among reptiles and predicted that those “models” were anything but.
January 18, 2025 at 6:03 PM
For over two decades the preeminent experimental model systems used to understand the development of the face (i.e., your face) have been the chicken and mouse. However, we observed the incredible diversity of facial form among reptiles and predicted that those “models” were anything but.
I am very proud of the work that went into this new Sanger Lab publication. This paper was led by postdoc Marta Marchini and a number of my lab's undergraduate students, each of which contributed unique skills or effort to the completion of this project.
January 18, 2025 at 6:03 PM
I am very proud of the work that went into this new Sanger Lab publication. This paper was led by postdoc Marta Marchini and a number of my lab's undergraduate students, each of which contributed unique skills or effort to the completion of this project.
She also observed that Anolis and Polychrus, the only other arboreal species in her sampling, converge on relatively similar head shapes. This suggests that there is a something about the arboreal habitat that may lead to lizards with an elongate, low profile head.
January 2, 2025 at 3:07 PM
She also observed that Anolis and Polychrus, the only other arboreal species in her sampling, converge on relatively similar head shapes. This suggests that there is a something about the arboreal habitat that may lead to lizards with an elongate, low profile head.
Anoles also occupy more morphological space (disparity) than their relatives, but they didn't accomplish this by speeding up the evolution of their head shape. Rather, anoles reached these high levels of diversity by making relatively large transitions across morphological space as they diversified.
January 2, 2025 at 3:07 PM
Anoles also occupy more morphological space (disparity) than their relatives, but they didn't accomplish this by speeding up the evolution of their head shape. Rather, anoles reached these high levels of diversity by making relatively large transitions across morphological space as they diversified.
Using geometric morphometrics, Katherine found that anoles have a relatively elongate heads with a low profile compared to that of their relatives. A fairly dramatic shift in head shape occurred when anoles evolved an arboreal lifestyle.
January 2, 2025 at 3:07 PM
Using geometric morphometrics, Katherine found that anoles have a relatively elongate heads with a low profile compared to that of their relatives. A fairly dramatic shift in head shape occurred when anoles evolved an arboreal lifestyle.
Katherine was curious whether the heads of arboreal Anolis lizards looked different and evolved differently compared to the head of their terrestrial relatives.
January 2, 2025 at 3:07 PM
Katherine was curious whether the heads of arboreal Anolis lizards looked different and evolved differently compared to the head of their terrestrial relatives.
There are lots of program updates rolling out in the coming days. But, how about one more small glimpse of what SICB 2024 meeting attendees can expect to experience within a few steps of the meeting venue. See you all in January!
October 2, 2023 at 7:42 PM
There are lots of program updates rolling out in the coming days. But, how about one more small glimpse of what SICB 2024 meeting attendees can expect to experience within a few steps of the meeting venue. See you all in January!
I am excited to announce that SICB 2024 in Seattle will be the largest SICB ever! 2000 presentations on the most exciting topics in organismal biology are coming your way over five days. The full program will be released soon. Check the meeting site for more information.
October 1, 2023 at 1:16 PM
I am excited to announce that SICB 2024 in Seattle will be the largest SICB ever! 2000 presentations on the most exciting topics in organismal biology are coming your way over five days. The full program will be released soon. Check the meeting site for more information.
The Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology hasn't joined here yet, so expect a lot of announcements about the upcoming 2024 meeting from me.
Meeting: January 2-6, 2024 in Seattle WA.
Abstract deadline: August, 29, 2023.
Meeting: January 2-6, 2024 in Seattle WA.
Abstract deadline: August, 29, 2023.
August 21, 2023 at 6:05 PM
The Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology hasn't joined here yet, so expect a lot of announcements about the upcoming 2024 meeting from me.
Meeting: January 2-6, 2024 in Seattle WA.
Abstract deadline: August, 29, 2023.
Meeting: January 2-6, 2024 in Seattle WA.
Abstract deadline: August, 29, 2023.
I think this site has potential. I'll make a few posts about our work to help build momentum.
This image is from a 2021 study we did demonstrating that embryonic thermal stress can have severe impacts on lizard development. This embryo is completely missing its forebrain and face.
This image is from a 2021 study we did demonstrating that embryonic thermal stress can have severe impacts on lizard development. This embryo is completely missing its forebrain and face.
July 26, 2023 at 1:05 PM
I think this site has potential. I'll make a few posts about our work to help build momentum.
This image is from a 2021 study we did demonstrating that embryonic thermal stress can have severe impacts on lizard development. This embryo is completely missing its forebrain and face.
This image is from a 2021 study we did demonstrating that embryonic thermal stress can have severe impacts on lizard development. This embryo is completely missing its forebrain and face.
As proof of my identity to the world, here is a photo of Anolis maynardi from Cayman Brac from our recent trip. The males of this species have one of the longest faces of all anoles (relative to body size). I love catching them wandering on these Caribbean birch trees.
July 25, 2023 at 12:10 AM
As proof of my identity to the world, here is a photo of Anolis maynardi from Cayman Brac from our recent trip. The males of this species have one of the longest faces of all anoles (relative to body size). I love catching them wandering on these Caribbean birch trees.