********************Other******************** Dear colleagues, We are conducting a brief voluntary survey of the research community to examine how researchers use and perceive Generative AI (GenAI) tools in research practice and request your participation. The survey takes < 7 minutes to complete and has been approved by the Clemson University Institutional Review board (IRB2026-0127). Results from this study will provide a clearer picture of current practices and attitudes within our community and will be published and shared in aggregate form. Responses are completely anonymous. Researchers in ecology, evolutionary biology, or allied fields that are at least 18 years of age (any career stage) are eligible. Survey link: https://clemson.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_0AIiyOikmB1l8G2 Your perspective is valuable regardless of whether you frequently use GenAI tools or have never used them. We would also greatly appreciate it if you could share this widely. If you have any questions, I would be happy to answer them. Thank you for your consideration! Casey -- Casey Youngflesh Assistant Professor Department of Biological Sciences Clemson University Clemson, SC 29634 USA He / Him / His www.YoungfleshLab.com Casey Youngflesh (to subscribe/unsubscribe the EvolDir send mail to golding@mcmaster.ca) ********************PostDocs******************** *Postdoctoral Researcher* Department of Earth Sciences/College of Letters and Science The Deep Time Biology Lab (Montana State University, MSU) is looking for a new postdoctoral scientist to join our team. We are interested in candidates with expertise in comparative vertebrate development, neurobiology, bone biology, and macroevolution. In collaboration with the Rashid Lab (MSU) and the Scheller Lab (Washington University), we seek to better understand the complex relationships between the nervous system and bone. This project provides a unique interdisciplinary environment that combines laboratory analysis with computational biology (phylogenetic comparative methods). *Duties & Responsibilities Include:* * *Tissue Sampling*: Execute the sampling and histological preparation and staining of bone from domestic sheep, domestic chicken, and African clawed frogs to characterize nerve fiber distribution. * *Immunohistochemistry: *Adapt and optimize multiple antibody stains for use on non-traditional model species like avian and amphibian sections. * *Gene Expression:* Conduct gene expression experiments on bone tissue samples * *Manage High-Resolution Imaging:* Perform light and fluorescent imaging across entire transverse bone sections, ensuring proper overlap for high-quality image stitching. * *Phylogenetic Comparative Methods: *Apply comparative data science methods to integrate results across species and differentiate between conserved and adaptive neural and vascular traits. The position is based at Montana State University in *Bozeman, MT, USA*. Montana State is a research-active institution nestled in the Rocky Mountains, offering a vibrant academic community and unparalleled outdoor recreational opportunities. We maintain a close partnership with the *Museum of the Rockies*, a world-class institution and official repository for state and federal fossils. For more information, visit the following resources: * *Deep Time Biology Lab* * *The Neuroskeletal Biology Laboratory at Washington University* * *MSU Department of Earth Sciences* * *MSU Department of Microbiology and Cell Biology* * *Museum of the Rockies Paleontology Team* For complete job announcement and application procedures, click on: https://jobs.montana.edu/postings/50520 In compliance with the Montana Veteran's Employment Preference Act, MSU provides preference in employment to veterans, disabled veterans, and certain eligible relatives of veterans. To claim veteran's preference, please complete the veteran's preference information located in the Demographics section of your profile. Montana State University does not discriminate against any applicant on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, political ideas, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, marital status, national origin, physical or mental disability, or any other protected class status in violation of any applicable law. Regards, Chris Chris Organ 319D Leon Johnson Hall Department of Earth Sciences Department of Microbiology & Cell Biology (Affiliate Faculty) Museum of the Rockies (Research Associate) Montana State University, Bozeman, MT, 59717 Deep Time Biology Lab | organ@montana.edu | 406.994.6920 Chris Organ (to subscribe/unsubscribe the EvolDir send mail to golding@mcmaster.ca) ********************WorkshopsCourses******************** Introduction to Processing and Analysis of Spatial Multiplexed Proteomics Data (SPMP02) https://prstats.org/course/introduction-to-processing-and-analysis-of-spatial-multiplexed-proteomics-data-spmp02/ Dates:1-5 June 2026 Format:Live online, 5 days × 5.5 hours per day Fee:450 (standard) Time zone:UK (GMT); all sessions are recorded and made available for 30 days Why This Course Matters Spatial multiplexed proteomics techniques such as CODEX, CycIF, and MxIF/MACSIMA are revolutionising how we understand tissue microenvironments, cellular interactions, and spatial heterogeneity in biological systems. However, converting raw multiplexed imaging data into actionable biological insight requires expertise in image processing, spatial statistics, phenotyping, and bioinformatics pipelines. SPMP01bridges that gap. Over five intensive days, you will learn both the theoretical foundations and the hands-on computational skills needed to process, analyse, and interpret spatial multiplexed proteomics data. Whether your work lies in basic biology, cancer immunology, neuroscience, or spatial systems biology, this course equips you to handle complex image-based proteomics datasets. What You'll Learn Participants will move from foundational concepts to applied workflows across these core topics: Overview and comparison of spatial multiplexed imaging platforms (CODEX, CycIF, MxIF / MACSIMA) Image processing workflows: tile stitching, illumination correction, alignment, and region-of-interest generation Handling multi-resolution image formats (e.g., .tif, .ome.tif, .ome.zarr), and visualization strategies Single-cell segmentation: algorithms (e.g. Cellpose, Stardist, Mesmer), mask QC, and error diagnostics Feature extraction and cell phenotyping (marker intensity gating, clustering, annotation) Spatial neighbourhood and cell-cell interaction analysis: quantifying local and global neighbourhood statistics Batch processing and scalable workflows (using Nextflow pipelines such as MCMICRO) Best practices for reproducibility, data storage, workflow modularity, and integration with R/Python pipelines Through guided coding sessions and worked examples, you will apply these methods to real multiplexed imaging datasets and gain experience interpreting spatial proteomics results. Format & Support Each day blends lectures, demonstrations, and hands-on practical work Participants are encouraged to bring their own data for discussion (time permitting) All course materials, scripts, and datasets are shared with attendees Livestream sessions are recorded and made available the same day Post-course email support is offered for 30 days to assist with implementation and troubleshooting Who Should Attend This course is aimed at researchers, computational biologists, bioinformaticians, and technical scientists who work with or plan to work with spatial omics and proteomics imaging data. Prior experience with R or Python is advantageous. Basic knowledge of statistics and familiarity with image data (microscopy) will help, but are not strict prerequisites. A comfortable level of computing literacy (e.g. command line use) is expected. Instructors Dr Victor Perez Meza an expert in fluorescence microscopy, image artefact correction, and multiplexed imaging workflows MSc Miguel Angel Ibarra Arellano specialist in reproducible bioimage analysis, neighbourhood spatial statistics, and spatial omics tools Their combined experience ensures a mix of methodological insight and practical, cutting-edge implementation. Who Will Benefit (Use Cases) Participants in SPMP01 will be better equipped to: Process and clean raw multiplexed imaging datasets Segment individual cells reliably and assess segmentation quality Assign cell phenotypes and derive per-cell morphological or marker statistics Quantify spatial relationships and neighbourhood structure in tissue Develop reproducible pipelines for spatial proteomics workflows Integrate processed spatial data into downstream statistical or machine learning analyses In fields such as cancer microenvironment analysis, immunology, neuroscience, and developmental biology, these capabilities are invaluable for linking cellular spatial patterns to functional and phenotypic insights. Registration & Details Spaces are limited to ensure a high-quality interactive experience. Standard registration is 450. Visit the course page for full schedule, registration, and further details: https://prstats.org/course/introduction-to-processing-and-analysis-of-spatial-multiplexed-proteomics-data-spmp02/ Oliver Hooker PhD. PR stats Oliver Hooker (to subscribe/unsubscribe the EvolDir send mail to golding@mcmaster.ca) ********************WorkshopsCourses******************** Hi folks!  I'm re-posting about three SLiM workshops this summer, since there are still a few seats available for them.  As background: SLiM is a software package for creating evolutionary models/simulations that are individual-based and genetically explicit. It is scriptable, flexible, fast, free, open-source, and includes an interactive graphical modeling environment.  You can read more about it on its home page (https://messerlab.org/slim/). The workshops currently scheduled: - Paris, France, May 18-22, 2026, at the Musee de l'Homme near the Eiffel Tower - Tartu, Estonia, June 15-19, at the University of Tartu - Reykjavik, Iceland, August 17-21, at the University of Iceland The Paris workshop is full, but I can add you to a waitlist.  The Tartu and Reykjavik workshops still have seats free, so if you want to be sure to get into a workshop, I would advise going for one of those.  They will probably be full soon too, so don't delay too much.  :-> More details are at: https://groups.google.com/g/slim-announce/c/XpgfrF98M-4. Cheers, -B. Benjamin C. Haller Messer Lab Cornell University ********************WorkshopsCourses******************** Hello EVOLDIR members Last chance - Explore how autonomous AI agents can revolutionize your research by streamlining complex analytical tasks. Agentic Data Analytics: Automating Research Workflows is a 2-day seminar livestreaming March 24 and 27 with Peter Gruber (Faculty of Economics, USI Universit� della Svizzera Italiana). This seminar introduces Agentic AI, a powerful approach for automating complex scientific workflows, which can be invaluable for researchers handling large evolutionary or genetic datasets. Participants will learn to apply these methods to automate tedious tasks such as data cleaning, statistical analysis in R/Python, and generating publication-ready visualizations or reports relevant to their studies. By using tools like Google Antigravity for local execution, researchers can ensure data privacy for sensitive genetic or population data while building reproducible analytical pipelines. Sign up today (https://instats.org/seminar/agentic-data-analytics-automating-resear) to secure your spot, and please share this opportunity with colleagues and students who might benefit! Best wishes Michael Zyphur Professor and Director Instats | instats.org mzyphur@instats.org (to subscribe/unsubscribe the EvolDir send mail to golding@mcmaster.ca) ********************Conferences******************** This summer's ICCFGG conference featuring sessions on canine and feline population genomics and evolution will be held at Cornell University from Jun 28 - Jul 1. The initial abstract deadline is fast approaching; please submit your talk or poster abstracts at the conference website, iccfgg.org, by the April 1st deadline. The conference will officially kick off the evening of Sunday, June 28th and run through 5:00 PM EST on Wednesday, July 1st. The conference website lists transportation and lodging options, and a number of discounted hotel rooms in downtown Ithaca are available for conference attendees. Transportation will be provided daily between downtown and the conference venue at the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine. Letters of support are available if required for international travel. A limited number of travel grants (up to $750 each) are also available for students or researchers from underrepresented countries. This year's conference is graciously sponsored by Hill's Pet Nutrition and features numerous scientific sessions, activities and keynote presentations by Andrew Clark (Cornell) and Zhiping Weng (UMass Medical). Learn about the latest advances in canine and feline genomics, and network with researchers, veterinarians and companies working in companion animal health and genetics. See you in Ithaca! The International Organizing Committee Adam Boyko (boyko at cornell dot edu) Claire Wade Eva Furrow Hannes Lohi Jeff Brockman Jeff Kidd Jeffrey Schoenebeck Jennifer Meadows Leigh Anne Clark Maja Arendt Adam Boyko (to subscribe/unsubscribe the EvolDir send mail to golding@mcmaster.ca) ********************Conferences******************** Dear all, EVOLTREE is pleased to announce a new event in the network's series of online seminars. For Spring 2026, we have will have the honour of hearing from UC Berkeley's Prof Rasmus Nielsen, a leading evolutionary biologist who has pioneered methods revealing how adaptation takes place at the genomic level. Please make a date in your diaries and join us for what promises to be a fascinating talk! ***8th April 1600 CEST, Prof Rasmus Nielsen: "Mapping adaptive genetic variation in non-model species"*** Prof. Rasmus Nielsen is an evolutionary biologist and geneticist who studies human evolution, population genetics, and statistical genomics. He is best known for developing computational methods to detect natural selection in genomes and for his discoveries on human adaptation to high-altitude environments and ancient interbreeding with Neanderthals and Denisovans. Prof Nielsen's research integrates evolutionary theory, bioinformatics, and molecular biology to uncover the genetic basis of adaptation and diversity across species. He is Professor of Integrative Biology and Statistics at UC Berkeley and a member of the Center for Theoretical Evolutionary Genomics. Prof Nielsen has  published more than 350 peer reviewed publications including many in Nature, Science, and Cell, and is a member of the US National Academy of Sciences and the Danish Royal Academy of Sciences. Links: https://vcresearch.berkeley.edu/faculty/rasmus-nielsen ***LINK FOR REGISTRATION: https://www.evoltree.eu/evoltree-online-webinar-8-april-2026*** More info is available from the EVOLTREE website: https://www.evoltree.eu/webinars/webinar/evoltree-online-webinars-spring-2026 Santiago C. Gonzalez-Martinez, INRAE, France EVOLTREE Coordinator "Santiago C. González-Martínez" (to subscribe/unsubscribe the EvolDir send mail to golding@mcmaster.ca)