From Conference Attendee to Co-Author: The Journey I Never Expected

 

For years, I dreamed of it: standing in a room full of international scientists, sharing my research, and being a part of the global conversation. There was just one condition - it had to be sponsored. As a tenacious but budget-conscious researcher, I believed my work could speak for itself and win me that golden ticket.

In 2024, fresh after defending my doctoral thesis, the universe didn't just answer my call; it sent a double invitation. First, a travel grant from SERB to present my poster at the ESHG conference in Berlin, Germany. Then, an even more thrilling email: I was selected for the Graduate Student Excellence Award at the SMBE conference in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Two continents, two prestigious conferences, within a single month. It was the jackpot I had worked so hard for.

But every great adventure needs a villain, and ours was the Visa Clock.

The Great Visa Race

With only about a month between each abstract acceptance and the conference date, I was thrown into a high-stakes race against time. The anxiety of waiting, the fear of rejections, and the sight of the calendar moving faster than bureaucracy is a stress I won't forget. For both Germany and Mexico, my passport with the precious visa stamp landed in my hands just days before my flight. The relief was physical, a weight lifted that allowed the excitement to finally flood in.

Through it all, the organizers of SMBE were my unwavering allies. While I faced rejection after rejection, they didn't give up on me. Their constant communication and patience were a beacon of support. When I was finally cleared to travel, with my registration, flight, and accommodation fully sponsored, it truly felt like a dream coming to life.

A World of Burritos, Grasshoppers, and Breaking Hierarchies

Landing in Puerto Vallarta was a sensory overload in the best way. I presented my work on Proto-Dravidian ancestry to an engaged audience, receiving positive and constructive feedback that validated my effort.

But the science was only part of the story. I immersed myself in the local culture - from devouring delicious burritos to bravely trying fried grasshoppers with spicy sauce and unique cactus dishes.

The most profound cultural shift, however, was academic. I was struck by the visible lack of hierarchy between Principal Investigators (PIs) and their team members. They interacted as colleagues, with a mutual respect that fostered open knowledge-sharing. It was a powerful, living example of the collaborative spirit that Indian academia can aspire to embrace more fully.

The Ripple Effect: From a Bus Ride to a Co-Authorship

The magic of a conference often happens in the in-between moments. On a shuttle from my hotel to the venue, I struck up a conversation with a few fellow researchers. I even made a funny faux pas, mistaking a well-established PI for a postdoc! (He took it in great humor, another testament to the relaxed environment).

Months after the conference, I received an unexpected email from one of those shuttle friends. During SMBE, I had enrolled in a group challenge on demographic inference analysis, a field where I was just a beginner. Now, this team was inviting me to join them for the competition.

I took the plunge. I learned a new technique, contributed to the team's effort, and that initial curiosity-turned-collaboration led to an incredible outcome: I am now a co-author on a manuscript published in Molecular Biology and Evolution.

But the story doesn't end there. I'm also now involved in drafting a review article based on the symposium I attended. One conference, two major academic contributions. A double ace, indeed!

A Plea for More Wings

This journey cemented my belief that encouraging young students to attend international conferences is crucial. It’s not a luxury; it's a necessity. It brings us face-to-face with global perspectives, shatters our intellectual bubbles, and keeps the worldwide scientific community on the same page. I strongly urge the Indian government and funding bodies to invest more in sponsoring postgraduate and PhD students for these transformative experiences.

My journey from visa stress to co-author was more than just attending a conference. It was about perseverance, the kindness of the global scientific community, and the unbelievable opportunities that arise when you say "yes." It was the journey I got to experience through SMBE 2024, and it’s one I will carry with me forever.

Article by Jaison Sequeira

DeepSeek AI was used to enhance grammar and sentence structure.