********************Other******************** Dear colleagues, Science communication skills are essential for students to respond to complex societal challenges. Undergraduates are uniquely poised to reach both science and non-science audiences, but there has been little progress towards helping students to develop as effective science communicators. Researchers in a multi-institutional, interdisciplinary collaboration are working to identify and build science communication learning objectives for use in undergraduate biology courses. If you are a biology instructor who has taught a science communication course, or integrated a science communication activity into your biology course, we would like to invite you to complete a brief survey about your course. We are particularly interested in courses that have been taught within the last two years. The survey should take ~15 minutes of your time, and instructors who agree to participate will be entered into a drawing to win one of five $50 prepaid cards. If you are interested in participating as an instructor in this study, you can access the survey here: https://jmu.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_eEUpn9w7YOBXURo This study was reviewed by the IRB (protocol FY26-298) and determined to be Exempt. Thank you for your support, and please feel free to reach out if you have any questions! Best wishes, Rosario Marroqu�n-Flores,Ph.D. (she/her) Assistant Professor Department of Biology James Madison University "Maupin, Callie - maupincr" (to subscribe/unsubscribe the EvolDir send mail to golding@mcmaster.ca) ********************PostDocs******************** The lab of Fredric Janzen (http://www.kbs.msu.edu/research/labs/janzen/) is recruiting 1-2 Postdoctoral Research Associates to join us at the W. K. Kellogg Biological Station (KBS), Michigan State University (http://www.kbs.msu.edu). The Janzen Lab leverages long-term population monitoring and expertise in theoretical modeling, quantitative genetics, and experimentation to understand the evolution ecology of a classic polyphenism temperature-dependent sex determination (TSD) that occurs in many reptiles. In so doing, we also gain insight into phenotypic plasticity relevant to responses of imperiled taxa to anthropogenic habitat/climate change. We seek 1-2 omics-savvy biologists to work on collaborative projects exploring TSD as a model for developmental phenotypic plasticity. The successful candidate(s) will work collaboratively with the PI and lab team to develop a research program that integrates omics-level analyses with existing expertise to evaluate the evolutionary dynamics of TSD within and across reptile species with differing patterns of sex-ratio response to developmental temperatures. Available lab resources include long-term data and tissues from a wild pedigreed population of turtles with TSD, as well as comparable resources from geographically distant populations. The research could thus include comparisons among years within populations (including across generations), across populations within species, as well as across taxa, to clarify proximate and ultimate mechanisms underlying observed plasticity in thermal reaction norms in reptiles with TSD. The post-doctoral mentoring philosophy includes providing (1) opportunities for professional development and mentoring of student scholars, (2) time for independent project development, and (3) resources for outreach and activities that promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in STEM. The successful applicant(s) will be based at KBS, which hosts a vibrant group of resident faculty, post-docs, and graduate students along with multiple modern shared-use facilities, including a Molecular Ecology and Genomics (MEG) Lab, Pond Lab (experimental ponds, mesocosms, etc.), and Boathouse Research Facility (cutting-edge programmable walk-in environmental chambers and incubators). Opportunities for collaboration with MSU campus and other institutions are also available. A PhD is required by the start of the appointment. Expertise with fieldwork, reptiles, or TSD is not required. More important will be (1) demonstrated scholarly excellence, (2) relevant skills wet lab/molecular biology experience, preparation of high-throughput sequencing libraries, bioinformatics capability related to omics data and (3) a strong desire to advance our conceptual understanding of phenotypic plasticity, including polyphenisms. Salary will be commensurate with experience. Instructions for applying can be found here: https://careers.msu.edu/jobs/research-associate-fixed-term-hickory-corners-michigan-united-states-6866a4ac-7481-4d38-941f-afa10f3ce354. Preferred start date by July 2026, although the specific start date is negotiable. For further information, feel free to reach out to Dr. Janzen (janzenf1@msu.edu). Fredric Janzen (he/him) Professor, W. K. Kellogg Biological Station Departments of Fisheries and Wildlife & Integrative Biology Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior Program Michigan State University 3700 East Gull Lake Drive Hickory Corners, MI 49060 USA evoldir@evol.biology.mcmaster.ca (to subscribe/unsubscribe the EvolDir send mail to golding@mcmaster.ca) ********************WorkshopsCourses******************** Dear all, It is still possible to join us for the 2nd edition of our course "Meta-Analysis in R", taking place 11-14 May (online). This hands-on course provides a complete and practical introduction to evidence synthesis, covering both systematic reviews and meta-analysis. You will learn how to move from question formulation and literature search to effect size calculation, meta-analysis, meta-regression, and result interpretation, with a strong focus on heterogeneity and publication bias. We keep the group small to ensure interaction and support, and a few seats are still available: ( https://www.physalia-courses.org/courses-workshops/metain-r/ ) All sessions are highly practical and conducted in R, using widely adopted tools such as metafor and orchaRd. You will work with real datasets and receive fully reproducible workflows and scripts. The course is designed for researchers in ecology, evolution, and related fields, with a basic understanding of statistics and some familiarity with R. If you would like to join, feel free to reply to this email or register via our website. For the full list of our courses and workshops, please visit: ( https://www.physalia-courses.org/courses-workshops/metain-r/ ) Best regards, Carlo Carlo Pecoraro, Ph.D Physalia-courses DIRECTOR info@physalia-courses.org mobile: +49 17645230846 ( https://www.linkedin.com/in/physalia-courses-a64418127/ ) "info@physalia-courses.org" (to subscribe/unsubscribe the EvolDir send mail to golding@mcmaster.ca) ********************Conferences******************** We are pleased to announce the symposium "Tracing Evolution through Cell Lineages", which will take place 12-14 October 2026 at the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Biology in Plön, Germany. This workshop aims to bring together researchers at the interface of evolutionary, developmental, and stem cell biology to explore how evolutionary change is mediated through cell lineages. While phenotypic evolution is often studied at the level of whole organisms, this symposium focuses on the cellular processes cell states, lineage architecture, fate decisions, and dynamics that ultimately generate morphological and functional diversity. Particular emphasis will be placed on how changes in lineage topology, timing, and spatial deployment contribute to the emergence of novel cell types and to phenotypic diversification across and within taxa. The workshop will begin with a kick-off session on the evening of Monday, October 12, followed by two full thematic days. The second day will focus on how cellular processes underpin phenotypic change, while the third day will emphasize the evolution and diversification of cell types and lineages. The program will include invited speakers, contributed talks, a poster session, structured discussions, and ample time for informal exchange. Invited speakers include: Gunther Wagner Athanasia Tzika Leslie Babonis Alexa Sadier Henrik Kaessmann Detlev Arendt Patrick Tschopp Andrea Streit Arnau Sebé-Pedrós We welcome contributions from researchers working within this framework. Participants may present their work as a poster or be considered for a short talk. Register here: https://workshops.evolbio.mpg.de/event/145/overview With kind regards, the organizing committee: Gianmarco Cavalli, Nathalie Feiner, Linda Kappes, Markéta Kaucka, Robin Pranter Robin Pranter (to subscribe/unsubscribe the EvolDir send mail to golding@mcmaster.ca) ********************Conferences******************** #EGG2026: 70th Anniversary of Ecological Genetics 15-17 April University of Sheffield & Online https://www.britishecologicalsociety.org/content/egg2026-70th-anniversary-of-ecological-genetics/ Registration opens until 30 Mar (in-person) and 10 Apr (online) here: https://egg2026.eventbrite.com As the longest running Special Interest Group and annual meeting since 1956, Ecological Genetics Group (EGG) is entering an unparalleled milestone our 70th anniversary. We have been dedicated to building a forum for ecologists and practitioners on the nexus of ecology, evolution, and genetics. The field has evolved so much in the past decades, with new methods and tools opening up revolutionising ways to answer fundamental and applied problems. We are pleased to invite all to join us in Sheffield, to celebrate this special moment, to reflect on the history, and to discuss the cutting-edge developments that will move the field forward. Alongside the exciting program of talks and posters, we will also host roundtables and horizon scans that will lead to opinion pieces for publication. The first day will be a joint thematic session on environment DNA, co-hosted with UK DNA Working Group (UKDNA), which will serve as a bilateral platform for academics and practitioners conservationists, consultants, and policy makers to identify how ecological genetics can be translated to applications of environmental DNA. EGG2026 will be a hybrid event. Talks will be livestreamed and recorded for online delegates, so that time zone or distance do not need to be a barrier. We look forward to welcoming you at this special moment. Genetics (to subscribe/unsubscribe the EvolDir send mail to golding@mcmaster.ca) ********************Conferences******************** The SHOW registration deadline is approaching fast! SHOW (Simultaneously Hermaphrodite Organisms Workshop) is a forum for researchers studying hermaphroditic species to share their findings and plan long-term collaborations. Running since 2011, the workshop initially focused on simultaneous hermaphrodites (organisms producing male and female gametes simultaneously) but now covers hermaphrodite evolution more broadly. The event spans two days and emphasizes diverse presentations from different research groups, fostering a wide range of ideas across various systems and disciplines. Its relaxed environment encourages early-career researchers to present in topics included population genetics, gene expression, sexual conflict, mating systems, gamete evolution, and experimental evolution. Our website is now open for registration! https://colin-olito.github.io/SHOW2026.github.io/ SHOW 2026 will be held in Lund, Sweden, on April 22nd-23rd. We can offer free registration for up to 50 participants. Keynote speakers: Beatriz Vicoso (https://ist.ac.at/en/research/vicoso-group/) Sophie Karrenberg (https://www.uu.se/en/department/ecology-and-genetics/research/plant-ecology-and-evolution/karrenberg-lab) Welcome to Lund in April! On behalf of the SHOW organizing committee. Dr. Jessica K. Abbott Professor of Evolutionary Genetics Department of Biology Division of Biodiversity and Evolution Lund University Kontaktv�gen 10 223 62 Lund, Sweden Phone: 046 222 9304 Website: https://tinyurl.com/jessicakabbott "It is those who know little, and not those who know much, who so positively assert that this or that problem will never be solved by science." - Charles Darwin, Descent of Man Jessica Abbott (to subscribe/unsubscribe the EvolDir send mail to golding@mcmaster.ca)