David Lowry
Professor of Plant Evolutionary Genetics at Michigan State University.
- Reposted by David LowryNew preprint from our big collaborative evolution experiment in 9 whole lakes in Alaska, written by McGill grad student @lucaseckert.bsky.social www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6... What happens if you put a mixture of multiple source populations together to complete & evolve in multiple new lakes?
- Reposted by David LowryThis article is now published! academic.oup.com/nargab/artic... We’ve added a few new analyses. First off, we show that, while gene presence absence variation (PAV) scales with evolutionary distance in both plants and animals, the base level and rate of accrual are both twice as high in plants.
- Determining presence-absence variation (PAV) across reference genomes is a major goal of pangenome analysis. It turns out that A LOT of gene PAV is due to methodological artifacts. We explore the causes of this in soybean and cotton datasets in our recent preprint: www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
- Reposted by David LowryNew review! Theory & a practical guide to structural variants in popgen🧬 Many thanks to my co-authors: @rebekahoomen.bsky.social @annatigano.bsky.social @marenwellenreuther.bsky.social @janawold.bsky.social @dlfield.bsky.social @clairemerot.bsky.social onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
- Reposted by David LowryPEQG! My favorite conference ever*. Single session, fantastic talks, great discussions. Only once every 2 years. And in the best conference location too! Abstract deadline coming up Feb 5! *Disclosure: I am required to say it's the best conference because it is and I told my mom I wouldn't lie.
- The genetic and developmental enigma of rhizomes: crucial traits with limited understanding. arxiv.org/abs/2601.10847
- Michigan midwinter phenology watch: no leaves, -20F windchills. See you in spring.
- Reposted by David LowryCheck out AJB's special issue "Paradigm shifts in flower color" a bunch of cool papers on flower coloration with a focus on non-pollinator drivers of color variation 🌸🌼🌺https://bsapubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/toc/15372197/2026/113/1
- The snow is coming down sideways. The windchill is at -6. There is a dude at the Meijer in shorts. Michigan, you never fail.
- Reposted by David LowryNew preprint is up! Not going spoil the results for you 🤓 but we looked at some “bird” vs “bee”-pollinated Penstemon hybrid zones and came away with some pretty unexpected results!
- Genomic signatures of reproductive isolation are decoupled from floral divergence in a long-standing hybrid zone biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/20…
- Reposted by David Lowry2 postdoc openings in my lab: anelab.wisc.edu/join-us.html One for a maize geneticist and one for a bacterial geneticist Picture featuring @manishbiotechie.bsky.social, @balptekin.bsky.social and @sairamnagalla.bsky.social. The first two left my lab over the last few months to start their own labs!
- Nice to see strong support in Congress: “In an 82-15 vote, the Senate approved a minibus budget bill to fund agencies involved in science and the environment, among other issues, through Sept. 30. The bill passed in the House last week by a vote of 397 to 28.” www.nbcnews.com/politics/pol...
- Reposted by David LowryThe Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources at the University of Georgia in Athens, GA invites applications for a tenure-track faculty position in Forest Genetics, Genomics and/or Tree Breeding at the Assistant or Associate Professor level. www.ugajobsearch.com/postings/464...
- Abstract submitted for #PEQG2026. Hope to see lots of you there! Just as a reminder, abstracts are due February 5th. genetics-gsa.org/peqg-2026/ab...
- Pangenomics in the Mimulus guttatus Species Complex onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1...
- Reposted by David LowryHowdy, Whoop. Big news from Texas AgriLife Genomics Service. Effective today, our Illumina 10B NovaSeq X+ pricing drops 35 percent. We are also continuing to absorb Illumina tariff surcharges. Email us at TxGen@ag.tamu.edu for our new prices. Marcel and I will be at #PAG33 if you'd like to chat
- Reposted by David LowryI'm looking for a postdoc to work at the interface of molecular biology, comparative genomics & single-cell data science, a great opportunity to lead projects on regulatory evolution and cell-type-specific stress responses. Find me at PAG or reach out kenchanmanelab.com #SingleCell #PostdocPosition
- Reposted by David LowryWant to study the genomics of repeated adaptation with data from hundreds of species? New funding for non-Canadians @ grad or postdoc level. Internal competition at UCalgary with very short deadline so please get in touch ASAP!! sshrc-crsh.canada.ca/en/funding/o...
- I’ve been to Madison, WI ~8 times and I still find it to be a confusing place for my sense of direction (which generally is quite good). The combination of the diagonally oriented isthmus, two lakes that sound/ look like each other, and the often cloudy skies in winter really throw me off.
- That all said, I still think it is hands down the best city/college town in the Midwest.
- I walked fully across the isthmus last night. Should have done this years ago. It has really helped with orientation.
- Fieldwork in Venezuela in 2004. Thinking a lot about all the things I saw there (good and bad) back during the Chavez years.
- One thing that has stuck out in my mind and feels parallel to the US today is how the Chavistas would harass scientists in Venezuela. Demagogues never treat scientists well.
- As the NY Times wrote today, this all is likely to end in a regional mess, but we can hope that it doesn’t.
- Swam with a pod of Waymos on 19th Avenue this morning.
- Reposted by David LowryI'm rarely on Bluesky so maybe I've missed this shared before. But I stumbled upon a fun, daily game called Metaflora (and it's partner Metazooa). You guess the mystery plant or animal by navigating through the tree of life. I figured folks here would enjoy it! flora.metazooa.com
- The stuff of legends
- Some winter scenes in California.
- Reposted by David LowryDid you know there are 2 types of avocado varieties? A-types switch from female to male, B-types male to female, within a single day. This reciprocal sex alternation promotes cross-pollination and has a simple genetic basis. Read more in this recent preprint from the final chapter of my PhD thesis 🥑
- Reposted by David LowryThe National Science Foundation starts 2026 with a new management structure that affects every scientist with--or applying for--NSF funding. Here's what you need to know. www.science.org/content/arti...
- Devastating read.
- In @nytopinion.nytimes.com “In towns like mine, outsourcing and automation consumed jobs. Then purpose. Then people,” writes Brian Groh. “Yet Washington remains fixated on global competition and growth, as if new work will always appear to replace what’s been lost.”
- Preparing a traditional coastal Northern Californian Christmas Dinner.
- Reposted by David LowryCongrats @jeffgroh.bsky.social et al. Some avocado trees open female-phase flowers in the morning & then male in afternoon. Others show complementary pattern (m->f), to synchronize pollination of two types. Jeff show this to be a >45Mya polymorphism at a transcription factor across 100s of species.
- Balanced polymorphism in a floral transcription factor underlies an ancient rhythm of daily sex alternation in avocado biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/20…
- There are some magic little lands out there in the world.
- Happy Solstice to all who experience the joy of the tilt of the Earth.
- Reposted by David LowryNew special issue in Molecular Ecology on Conservation Genomics #popGen #evolution 🧪🧬🖥️ onlinelibrary.wiley.com/toc/1365294x...
- Happy Hanukkah
- Reposted by David LowryWe’re excited to share the MSU Plant Resilience Institute’s 2025 Annual Report! From breakthrough discoveries to global collaborations, join us in celebrating another year of extraordinary growth and scientific achievement at PRI. 🌱 Explore the report: plantresilience.msu.edu/about/annual...
- Reposted by David LowryMy essay on Bill Burger's contribution to ecological species / syngameon concepts is in revision for International Oak Society. Preprint here, comments appreciated. @roderickcameron.bsky.social @davidlowry.bsky.social @roblanfear.bsky.social @cavenderg9.bsky.social ecoevorxiv.org/repository/v...
- Nice new review on my favorite topic. www.cell.com/trends/ecolo...
- Second time in a row being stuck at the Westchester Airport (HPN) for 5+ hours waiting for a Delta flight. I do not recommend.
- Cool!
- Rapid adaptation follows experimental assisted gene flow in subset of annual monkeyflower populations www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...
- Reposted by David LowryNIGMS R35 Maximizing Investigator's Research Award (MIRA) for Outstanding Investigators new NOFO is available!! Submission dates starting in January 2026 through May 2028. See link below: simpler.grants.gov/opportunity/...
- Frozen Delaware Water Gap.
- Reposted by David LowryA resurrection study of scarlet monkeyflower populations across the species' range finds relatively little adaptive response to a seven-year drought event, showing that evolutionary rescue is not as predictable as we might hope 🌿 buff.ly/L8o4hhr
- Reposted by David LowryUNC-Wilmington is hiring 3 faculty positions: Assistant Professor of Invertebrate Biology: jobs.uncw.edu/postings/38056 Distinguished Professor of Marine Science: jobs.uncw.edu/postings/37951 Distinguished Professor of Marine Biology: jobs.uncw.edu/postings/38009
- Reposted by David LowryComment in @nature.com: "Food will be more affordable — if we double funds for agriculture research now" www.nature.com/articles/d41... A global drop in public and private investment in agricultural science in the past four decades is partly to blame for high food prices, an analysis reveals.
- Reposted by David LowryOur plant-focused REU program, led by Prof Nagel, is open for applications, please forward to undergrads and reskeet etap.nsf.gov/award/7573/o... 🌱 🧪
- Reposted by David LowryThe new Enabling Discovery through GEnomics (EDGE) Program page is posted. Please contact us at BIOEDGE@nsf.gov if you have questions. www.nsf.gov/funding/oppo...
- Reposted by David LowryAre we trying too hard with overly complex models? Alex Lipka and Reeka Howard argue that we do when it comes genomic prediction! 🧬🧪 Open Access: G3 Genes Genome Genetics, jkaf244, doi.org/10.1093/g3jo...
- Reposting this as a reminder that we will continue to accept applicants for this postdoctoral position until December 23rd.
- I am currently searching for a new postdoctoral researcher to study the evolution, genetics, and physiology of cold acclimation and freezing tolerance in switchgrass at Michigan State University. This work will be funded by a newly funded five-year DOE grant. careers.msu.edu/jobs/researc...
- In this new study, we provide evidence that switchgrass evolutionary adaptations to fungal pathogens led to shifts in concentrations of saponins, which in turn interfere with the downstream industrial process of fermentation by yeasts to make biofuels. onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10....
- Reposted by David LowryThe UC Davis Ecology and Evolution in Working Landscapes REU provides undergrads with research experience in ecology and evolution in natural and managed landscapes. Apply now through Feb 15 via etap.nsf.gov Contact me or @clhom.bsky.social for questions!
- “Zaha Hadid Was an Architectural Visionary. Here’s Where to Find Her Most Iconic Buildings.” We are lucky to have one of them right here in East Lansing, MI. www.afar.com/magazine/zah...
- Reposted by David LowryThe @mortonarboretum.bsky.social NSF REU program is open for summer 2026! $7500 stipend + housing / travel. Apply by 31 Jan 2026 and share with your networks! Details at https://mortonarb.org/science/opportunities-in-science/research-experiences-for-undergraduates-program/
- Reposted by David LowryPRI is proud to highlight the extraordinary achievements of 3 faculty recognized with awards from the College of Natural Science: Emily Josephs: Teacher-Scholar Award David Lowry: Postdoctoral Mentoring Award Sue Rhee: Research Leadership Award Read more: plantresilience.msu.edu/pri-news/202...
- Reposted by David LowryEEB Postdoctoral Fellowship @ U.Toronto app deadline Jan 15 2026. Opportunity for independent research, encourages collab across labs/disciplines. Lots of great folks to interact with, Come join us! eeb.utoronto.ca/employment-2/
- Reposted by David LowryNew York Times article on science funding with some depressing but familiar curves with interactive graphics. www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
- Reposted by David LowryCongratulations to @alaynamead.bsky.social and the entire #PopUpPoplars team for this collaborative effort predicting genotypic responses across environments. This research uses 17 replicated ‘mini gardens’ to predict role of mixed ancestry to growth, survival, and expansion to novel environments
- Excited to see our first paper for this 17 common garden collaborative study on hybrid Poplar performance now out in New Phytologist. nph.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
- Took me all the way to Season 5 Episode 4 of Stranger Things to Google whether it was a coincidence that the names of roads in Hawkins match those of the west side of Durham, NC. Apparently not…https://www.newsobserver.com/entertainment/tv/warm-tv-blog/article261972280.html
- Reposted by David LowryAustralia recorded ZERO cases of cervical cancer in women under 25 for the first time since they started tracking the cancer in the 80s. This is the power of vaccines. The HPV vaccine is extremely effective at preventing cancer. Viruses can be oncogenic. Get your vaccines and protect yourself!
- Reposted by David LowryBig bluestem has been a lovely and complex system to work with for the majority of my PhD and will always have a piece of my heart! Very excited to share this work with the community.
- Super proud of @alyssa-phillips.bsky.social 's paper, now out on biorxiv! She resolves the origin(s) of polyploid big blue-stem, a dominant species in the midwest tall-grass prairie. Her common garden analysis also informs on environmental adaptation and hints at the impacts of polyploidy.
- Reposted by David LowryProfessorship Plant Physiology. Kaiserslautern, Germany #plantscijobs #plantscijob www.academics.de/jobs/w2-prof...
- Reposted by David LowryProfessorship Plant Stress Resilience. Aachen, Germany. #plantscijobs #plantscijob www.academics.de/jobs/w3-univ...
- Reposted by David Lowry"Her wit was as sharp as her convictions, and her honesty was refreshing and rare." A wonderfully written (by @gbaucom.bsky.social) obituary for my grad school friend and Auburn University Prof. Vanessa Koelling, who passed away last week. www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/m...
- Spatiotemporal dynamics of CYCLOIDEA expression during early floral development in monkeyflower www.cell.com/current-biol...
