Selected invited talks
- Enhanced PINK1–PRKN mitophagy shapes lifespan in long-lived bats. University of Memphis, TN (Feb 2026)
- Comparative multi-omic analysis of shorter- and longer-lived bats reveals altered proteostasis. Understanding Life: Using Large-scale Biodiversity Reference Genomes, Wellcome Sanger Institute, Hinxton, UK (Oct 2025)
- Bat biotech takes flight: Mining mechanisms of longevity for drug discovery (with M. Cockett). Longevity Biotech, Boston, MA (Oct 2025)
- Exploring lifespan evolution through genomics. Bard Microcollege Holyoke, MA (Oct 2025)
- Genomic variation underlying complex life history traits. The Thalion Initiative, Cambridge, MA (May 2024); Tulane University (Apr 2024); UMass Amherst (Feb 2024)
- The role of genomics in the future of ESA decision-making and panel The Endangered Species Act at 50. The Wildlife Society, Louisville, KY (Nov 2023)
- Evolutionary genomics for conservation: Assessing vulnerability, resilience, and response in a changing world. UC Santa Cruz (2022)
- Earlier talks at the Verena Consortium, Conte Anadromous Fish Research Center, CSU Stanislaus, and Northern Arizona University (2021)
Interested in inviting Tanya to speak? Email tlama@smith.edu.
Scientific leadership
- Bat1K Project, Longevity Project Lead (2021–present)
- Vertebrate Genomes Project (2018–present)
- Global Bat Network, Bat1K Representative (2024–present)
- Federal Advisory Committee, Canada lynx (2018–present)
- Grant reviewer, National Science Foundation Integrative Biology (2023–present)
- Manuscript reviewer for Molecular Ecology, Evolutionary Applications, Genome Biology and Evolution, Heredity, Conservation Physiology, Journal of Experimental Biology, PeerJ, and Evolutionary Anthropology
Redefining colloquia
As a Broader Impacts objective of her NSF Postdoctoral Research Fellowship, Tanya led an initiative to rethink who is invited to departmental colloquia and what they present. The initiative drew on her experience in the student-led BRIDGE program at UMass. Traditional colloquia rarely recognize the heavy service loads that scholars from historically excluded groups often carry. The approach combines goal-oriented speaker invitations with a lead-by-example practice of including teaching, service, and inclusion work in talks. In Spring 2021 it reshaped Stony Brook’s colloquium series: 9 of 13 speakers were from underrepresented groups, and three spoke on teaching and service rather than research, a first for the department.
We maintain an open-source list of early-career scholars who self-identify as members of groups underrepresented in academia. To be added, email tlama@smith.edu.
College service
- Biological Sciences Master’s Program Committee (2026–present)
- Resources Committee, SURF advising and shared facilities (2025–2026)
- Executive Committee (2024–2025)
- Student Advisory Committee (2023–2024)
- Science Center Committee on Diversity; Junior Faculty of Color; Junior Faculty in STEM and Engineering (2023–present)