Jimmy Bernot (he/him) is an evolutionary biologist and NSF Postdoc Research Fellow at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History. His research interests include crustacean phylogenetics, copepod taxonomy and systematics, parasite evolution, and computational biology. He is working to resolve the crustacean tree of life and understand the processes that have resulted in the spectacular morphological diversity of modern crustaceans, with a particular focus on parasitic copepods.
He is also passionate about science communication, public engagement, education, and outreach. Jimmy regularly participates in outreach events in Washington DC, especially at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History and surrounding K-12 schools. He is actively involved in science engagement on digital media platforms including Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, Skype A Scientist, and podcasts. Follow him @JimmyBernot to see his most recent updates and science engagement work. Use the contact form below or feel free to DM him on Twitter for speaking engagement or interview requests.
PhD Genomics & Bioinformatics, 2020
George Washington University
MS Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, 2015
University of Connecticut
BS Biological Sciences, 2012
University of Connecticut
Cowrote
WoRMS article for Taxonomists Appreciation Day to draw attention to
taxonomic research. March 19, 2022.
Interviewed in article on the importance of parasites. October 7, 2021.
Interviewed in article on tongue-biter parasitic isopods. July 14, 2021.
Videos and photos demonstrating the science illustration process. March 30, 2021.
Here's a thread on how I make scientific illustrations for describing new species of invertebrates #sciencetwitter #art #science #illustration #taxonomy #teaminvert pic.twitter.com/vQwbZQD7xw
— Jimmy Bernot, PhD π¦πͺ±π³οΈβπ (@JimmyBernot) March 31, 2021
Cowrote article for Taxonomists Appreciation Day to draw public attention and press coverage to taxonomic research. March 19, 2021.
Virtual live Q&A and introduction to marine plankton and parasites with >200 attendees. March 10, 2021.
Interviewed and supplied photographs for Snopes article on cymothoid isopods and fish tongue replacement. March 5, 2021.
Cowrote article for Smithsonian Ocean Portal website. March 2, 2021.
Copepod biology and adaptions. Just the Zoo of Us episode 86 β an animal diversity podcast. February 24, 2021
Invited speaker for Cal. Academy of Sciences Genomics Social Hour on Parasite and Host Genomics. Feb. 17, 2021. Talks available below on Youtube.
The World of Queer Worms. Podcast panel discussion on hermaphroditic life on Exolore Podcast episode 23, a podcast featuring scientists, historians, psychologists that discuss biological and sociological implications of sci-fi worlds. Feb. 11, 2021
Collaborated on pop-sci article with IFLScience on parasites and an experimental hookworm vaccine study. Feb. 2, 2021
Scientist Volunteers To Be Parasitized By 50 Hookworms For Vaccine Studyhttps://t.co/ot3zCsDrmB pic.twitter.com/Im8vwhkk2T
— IFLScience (@IFLScience) February 2, 2021
Twitter thread on my experience volunteering to participate in an exerpimental hookworm vaccine challenge trial. Jan. 27, 2021
Heres the story of how I volunteered to be infected with 50 parasitic worms (hookworm) for a year as part of a research study. Check out this thread & follow me for more #parasite & marine biology content [t]#ScienceTwitter
— Jimmy Bernot PhD π¦πͺ±π³οΈβπ (@JimmyBernot) January 27, 2021
imgs: https://t.co/hH5YsfS0ay https://t.co/kVurE6BbTS pic.twitter.com/l75h5XcNfl
Interviewed on LGBTQ+ STEMCast, a podcast featuring LGBTQ+ scientists. Jan. 4, 2021
Started new NSF Postdoc Fellowship at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History Department of Invertebrate Zoology. Jan. 1, 2021
Thrilled to say Iβm starting a @NSF postdoc fellowship to continue my work on the #copepod tree of life! Iβll be based at the @NMNH with @Annalida500 & @InvertebratesDC and will visit @NHM_London and @Senckenberg! #NSFfunded #PRFB #copepodology #Crustmas https://t.co/vTzF2PiPjh pic.twitter.com/ylKfrKKb43
— Jimmy Bernot PhD π¦ππ³οΈβπ (@JimmyBernot) December 14, 2020
Successfully defended my dissertation on Parasitic Copepod Evolution π₯³ Nov. 19, 2020
I successfully defended my dissertation today! So happy to share my work on parasitic copepods and crustacean evolution with my mentors, collaborators, friends and family! Thank you all! @AcademicChatter #science #ScienceTwitter #dissertation #phd #phdchat pic.twitter.com/qCVfD0mUb3
— Jimmy Bernot PhD π¦ππ³οΈβπ (@JimmyBernot) November 19, 2020
Launched World Association of Copepodologists Twitter Account! We are now on Twitter @copepodology Oct. 23, 2020
Did you know that there are more than 13,000 copepod species in the world?
— World Association of Copepodologists (@copepodology) October 23, 2020
Stay tuned to know more about these charismatic animals!
Wrote blog post for WeRepSTEM, a diversity in STEM blog. July 3, 2020