Ben Parker

@ben-parker.bsky.social

Assistant Professor @ UNC Chapel Hill Biology. Symbiosis, immunity, evolution, insects

Parkerlab.net

@annttate.bsky.socialReposted by @ben-parker.bsky.social

Please RT: Do you use math to address interesting biological problems? Join us at Vanderbilt BioSci! We are conducting an open-rank TT search in Theoretical Biology: apply.interfolio.com/194619.
We are a friendly and collaborative department with interests spanning a range of biological disciplines!

@ben-parker.bsky.social

Two parallel phases of my life ended last week. My youngest kid is done with diapers! And UNC approved my promotion to Associate Prof. w/ tenure. I’ve been thinking about this specific moment for years [see photo]. Will the next phase of life + career will involve less shit?

@peiferlabunc.bsky.socialReposted by @ben-parker.bsky.social

Are you looking for a postdoc exploring the cell biology of development, defining how cells change shape and move? Do you want to develop a research program & teaching skills preparing you for a position at a college or small University? Our new NIH grant will support those goals 1/n Please share

@ben-parker.bsky.social

Local sports fans were rioting so I couldn’t get to my hotel and no dinner. Chair forgot about breakfast so I sat in the hotel lobby freaking out. Gave a very hungry job talk to maybe seven people. Didn’t get that job.

@bertonemyia.bsky.socialReposted by @ben-parker.bsky.social

🚨 JOB ANNOUNCEMENT 🚨 Please share!

We're looking for an entomologist to join our dept.! I'm excited as it's broadly advertised to find someone who can build a stellar teaching program w/research on insect ecology. Deadline is tight (end of Oct.). Read more & apply at jobs.ncsu.edu/postings/235...

Flyer that says: THE DEPARTMENT OF ENTOMOLOGY AND PLANT PATHOLOGY We're hiring! The Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology is seeking applications for a nine-month, tenure-track Assistant Professor in Insect Ecology (60% teaching/40% research). The position will play a central role in the department’s undergraduate curriculum, including ENT 201: Insects and People, as well as additional undergraduate and graduate courses. The position also provides an opportunity to build a nationally recognized research program in insect ecology, secure external funding, and mentor undergraduate, graduate, and postdoctoral students. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES: Lead instruction for ENT 201: Insects and People and teach additional courses using effective, technology-enhanced approaches. Mentor undergraduate and graduate students and postdocs. Establish a nationally recognized, externally funded research program in insect ecology (e.g., behavior, plant–insect interactions, community ecology, conservation, or global change biology). Publish in peer-reviewed journals and engage students in research. Contribute to departmental, college, and university service, engage with scientific societies, review manuscripts and grant proposals, and participate in outreach. WHO WE’RE LOOKING FOR: Demonstrated teaching experience at the undergraduate and/or graduate level. Expertise in one or more areas of insect ecology (e.g., IPM, invasive species, pollination biology, vector ecology, trophic interactions, global change, or molecular/community ecology). Ph.D. in Entomology or a related field, with a proven publication and funding track record (as PI/Co-PI or lead author). JOIN OUR TEAM! For more information and to submit your application, please visit: https://jobs.ncsu.edu/postings/234875
@ben-parker.bsky.social

Multiple recent studies in other systems show that ecologically relevant symbiont traits are encoded on MGEs. These dynamics provide a mechanism by which symbiont evolution generates phenotypic differences among host populations. We have exciting ideas about a more specific mechanism, so stay tuned!

@ben-parker.bsky.social

Across populations, the plasmid was rare on clover despite the famous association between Regiella and clover-feeding aphids, and more common on Vicia. And so the plasmid is a major driver of ecologically structured variation in pathogen resistance.

@ben-parker.bsky.social

Over several field seasons in Tennessee, we screened ~1000 pea aphids and found that Regiella doesn't itself predict fungal resistance. The plasmid was relatively rare (only around 20% of Regiella), but aphids with plasmid-positive Regiella were protected from infection.

A photo of a field site
@ben-parker.bsky.social

Aphids harbor a bacterium called Regiella that protects them from a major natural enemy, a 'zombie' fungus called Pandora. We show this defense depends on a small plasmid that has moved among distantly related Regiella lineages. When a strain lost the plasmid in culture, protection disappeared.

A picture of an aphid that has been infected with a fungal pathogen.
@vectorgen.bsky.socialReposted by @ben-parker.bsky.social

Banger of a new RasgonLab study by Drs. Najmeh Nejat and Travis van Warmerdam on a new arthropod germline CRISPR delivery system. Knock-out AND knock-in by ORAL delivery! No more injections! Germline Engineering by Viral transduction (GEValT)

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