Andy Lee, PhD

ICYMI: in our new paper, we contend there is "no current consensus on a definition of sex that is free of assumptions and limitations... and most importantly,...no biological definition of sex should be used to dictate human rights" #evolsky #LGBTQSTEM #ecology #evolution #biologicalsex

I am still actively looking for postdoc positions — please lmk if you (or your friends and colleagues) need a hardworking postdoc with field, lab, and bioinformatic skills!

I am broadly interested in evolution in the ocean, conservation and population genetics, and rapid evolution.

There is No Consensus on Biological Sex At this critical moment when misinformation about sex is being applied to policy globally, scientific clarification on the definition of biological sex is valuable. Here, we evaluate the primary appr...

New paper out in ecology letters! with @andylee.bsky.social @allydefduf.bsky.social

We synthesized the active debate on how scientists define sex, including limitations and assumptions. We believe this discussion will lead to more accurate science.

onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...

Very proud of this perspective that came out of some really interesting and difficult conversations with friends and colleagues!

TLDR: how do scientists define sex? why does it matter??
#EcoEvo #Ecology #Evolution 🧪

Eppley et al (2026) "We believe that acknowledging limitations and assumptions of current definitions of sex will lead to more accurate science." 🧪

Very proud of this perspective that came out of some really interesting and difficult conversations with friends and colleagues!

TLDR: how do scientists define sex? why does it matter??
#EcoEvo #Ecology #Evolution 🧪

There is No Consensus on Biological Sex At this critical moment when misinformation about sex is being applied to policy globally, scientific clarification on the definition of biological sex is valuable. Here, we evaluate the primary appr...

Seems that the doi link is up yet -- should work in ~48 hours.

Here's the the journal link in the meanwhile: onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...

V. important perspective piece by @madeline-eppley.bsky.social & @andylee.bsky.social on biological sex and why a lack of scientific consensus should not be used to dictate human rights doi.org/10.1111/ele.... 🧪

Hey all @shaykeretz.bsky.social is a wonderful freshwater bivalve-focused colleague and she is managing a great new project partnering USFS with UGA, led by Dr Rachel Toczydlowski!

Did you know that the bees that need saving are NOT honeybees?

Honeybees are the dairy cows of bees. People brought them over from Europe to make us honey.

The problem with honeybees, esp in resource-limited ecosystems (like hey! cities!) is that they compete with our native bees for food.

New WISE Lab Paper! The concept of cultural keystone species, revisited through the eyes of Indigenous Peoples

I am seeking a postdoc to join my group at UCLA -- ideally the candidate would have some experience in either population genetics or microbes/microbiome (computational background needed). We have a range of projects and are happy to tailer to your interests. Please dm/email me if interested.

omg another paper with @madeline-eppley.bsky.social and @allydefduf.bsky.social accepted!!!

Extra proud of this one (and also really nervous for it to come out). We thought a lot about how biologists define sex in our research. Out soon in Ecology Letters!

Paper accepted!!! Beyond honored to have worked with fellow queer ECRs (@madeline-eppley.bsky.social, @allydefduf.bsky.social and others not on bsky) to critically examine our field's relationship with the queer community, and how we can leverage Queer perspectives to conduct more accurate science!!

this goes insanely hard

Being faculty in the US in 2026 means your meetings with students about their grad school apps also includes checking in to make sure none of their family has been kidnapped by ICE and wtaf is this world we've made

are you off substack?

one more week to apply for a 4-years PhD position with me to work on the macrogenomics of sea warming.
Deadline: Jan 18th 2026

#MarineGenomics #EvolutionaryBiology #PopGen #Bioinformatics #conservationgenomics #consgen #conservationgenetics

US faculty, your immigrant colleagues are lonely and scared right now. And they can no longer share how they feel on social media without fear of harming their immigration status. Check in on them.

hashtag gay ally

this is very helpful!!

i’m over here shedding tears

as someone (from an immigrant homophobic family) who was in the closet for the longest time the slow pace and their inability to hold a normal conversation was so important to meeeeeeeee

i thought it was beautiful queer representation 😭😭😭

what's it like to be WRONG????????

Density‐Dependent Expression of Epitranscriptomic, Stress and Appetite Regulating Genes in Atlantic Salmon Intraspecific competition due to for example, density, has substantial influence on fitness dynamics and life histories, but the underlying physiological mechanisms are often complex and the molecula...

In this new study that emerged from a great collaboration led by @morganefrapin.bsky.social and Ehsan Pashay Ahi, we dig into the molecular mechanisms of density-dependent effects in Atlantic salmon, specifically in their hypothalamus (a key site for endocrine regulation).

A couple of points below👇

i’ve said this

unironically a huge slay

Alright scientists! It's that time again!

Time to sign up for Skype a Scientist's spring semester.

Want to get matched with a classroom in 2026?

Sign up now 🥰

docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...

THERE ARE NO JOBS IN ACADEMIA! NO JOBS! DOZENS OF HYPER QUALIFIED APPLICANTS PER JOB!

photo of andy and his friends in their phd gowns in front of a bouldering wall

photo of andy in his phd gown in front of a Moon board

photo of andy and his friend in their phd gowns climbing on a bouldering wall

Did you really go to grad school if you didn’t also become a climber???