Outreach & DEI

Diversity Statement: The Bernot Lab wants everyone to feel welcome and excited about nature and science! We are committed to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion at all levels. Our lab is a space where everyone can be safe, work comfortably, feel welcome, and be free to be their authentic selves. I expect lab members to approach this commitment with attention, open-mindedness, humility, and reflection. As scientists, we pride ourselves in a devotion to life-long learning and all lab members should bring that same drive and love of learning to better understanding the diversity of the human experience and its broader sociocultural context.

See some highlights of our science engagement work below:

See the latest by following Jimmy on Twitter and Instagram @JimmyBernot

We love Skype A Scientist!

Skype A Scientist is a great way to get involved in science outreach. It is a non-profit that connects scientists with classrooms across the globe. Whether you are a scientist that wants to get involved, or are a teacher or librarian that wants a Q&A with a scientist, sign up here. Our lab has been participating regularly in Skype A Scientist since 2020.

Chaired Committee & Cowrote article: World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS) “Top 10 new marine species of 2023”. March 2024.

Interviewed in LiveScience article on Gulper Eel parasite filmed by ROV

Chaired Committee & Cowrote article: World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS) “Top 10 new marine species of 2022”. March 2023.

Cowrote WoRMS “Top 10 new marine species of 2021”

Cowrote WoRMS article for Taxonomists Appreciation Day. March 2022.

Smithsonian NMNH White House Office of Science and Technology Policy Staff & Family Night

Dr. Bernot served as an Ocean Hall Expert to talk with OSTP staff about NMNH research. Feb. 28, 2022.

National Geographic Interview on parasites

Interviewed in NatGeo article on the importance of parasites.

Interviewed in The Atlantic

Article on tongue-biter parasitic isopods.

Twitter thread on how science illustrations are made

Videos and photos demonstrating the science illustration process.

Interviewed in Slate and Undark articles on challenge trials

“From there, Bernot knew, the hookworms would travel to his lungs. Eventually, they would make their way up from his lungs, slip down his esophagus, pass through his stomach, attach themselves to the lining of his small intestine, and begin to suck his blood.”

Sharkpedia podcast feature

Cowrote WoRMS article “Ten remarkable new marine species from 2020”

Interviewed and photos for Snopes article on parasitic isopods

Article on cymothoid isopod “tongue-biters”.

Cowrote 7 Ocean Parasites Worth Celebrating on World Parasite Day

Smithsonian NMNH social media takeover

Just the Zoo of Us Podcast Feature

Cal. Academy of Sciences Genomics Seminar

Invited speaker for Cal. Academy of Sciences Genomics Social Hour on Parasite and Host Genomics.

Exolore Podcast Feature

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.

IFLScience Article

Hookworm Vaccine & Challenge Trial Thread

Twitter thread on my experience volunteering to participate in an experimental hookworm vaccine challenge trial. Jan. 27, 2021

LGBTQ+ STEMCast Podcast Feature

Interviewed on LGBTQ+ STEMCast, a podcast featuring LGBTQ+ scientists.

Launched World Association of Copepodologists Twitter

Launched World Association of Copepodologists Twitter Account! We are now on Twitter @copepodology Oct. 23, 2020

[WeRepStem Blog Post]

Wrote blog post for WeRepSTEM, a diversity in STEM blog.

“World Parasite Day” Auditorium Presentation

Dr. Bernot presented to an auditorium of 70 8th graders for Imagine Foundations at Morningside Public Charter School. Prince George’s County, MD. March 6, 2020.

PhDetails Blog Post

Congressional Science Night

Scientist representative for Congressional Science Night. Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History. Invited by Department of Invertebrate Zoology to discuss science, research, and collections with members of Congress, their families, and their professional staff at a special event for science engagement with Congress.<

Public Outreach at Smithsonian NMNH

Crustacean scientist, Ocean Hall Department of Invertebrate Zoology public outreach. Crustacean specimen displays and Q&A. Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History.

Meet-a-Scientist “Ocean Expert” at Smithsonian NMNH

“Copepods: what reefs eat, and what is eating them.” Topic included: food webs, invertebrate diversity, specimen display, Q&A. World Ocean Day at Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History.

Smithsonian “ScienceHow?” Webcast

Live Q&A on parasites in Smithsonian “ScienceHow?” Webcast. Broadcast designed to meet middle school science curriculum. Online attendance > 2,000 students. Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History.

BBC Documentary Interview

Interviewed for BBC documentary on CRISPR-CAS9 and research ethics. George Washington University. Washington, DC.

Exhibit Design

Prepared specimens and worked with a photographer to design an exhibit on tapeworms in the Connecticut State Natural History Museum. https://www.flickr.com/photos/107963674@N07/albums/72157662181220376

Parasite Curriculum K-5

Designed and presented on parasites for 1st, 3rd, and 4th grade students. Franklin Elementary School Franklin, CT.