Several F&F lab members attended and presented their research at the OCS conference held in Geelong, Victoria.
Clockwise: Martina Lonati, Dylan Baker, Alexa Hoffman, Melissa Ciampaglia, Mina Hatayama, Aliah Banchik and Kristy Potgieter.
In March 2024, several members of the F&F lab attended the Oceania Chondrichthyan Society conference held in Geelong, Victoria. For many, this was the first conference they had attended. The following blog post provides some of the attendees' perspectives on the highlights and challenges of attending scientific conferences like OCS, and some advice for anyone preparing to attend conferences in the future.
ALIAH
ABOUT ME
Hey! My name is Aliah Banchik and I am a Master of Marine Biology student at the F&F lab. I have an undergrad in Psychology and am currently conducting a research project looking at the link between diet and body condition in juvenile giant shovelnose easy (Glaucostegus typus). I am completely new to research and have never been to a conference before so this was a really interesting experience for me.
CONFERENCE HIGHLIGHT
I really enjoyed the first two days of workshops. These two days took place before the conference officially started so they were optional but I really enjoyed them because of the interactive nature of them. It was an overwhelming thought to be dropped into a room of impressive researchers, especially feeling like a newbie in the field, so having these two “warm up” days to break into smaller groups, work together to solve problems, and mingle, made me feel much more comfortable when the actual conference started because I already knew people. My favorite workshop was led by Dr. Cynthia Awruch and Dr. Carolyn Wheeler where we got to learn how to use an ultrasound machine!
ADVICE FOR STUDENTS ATTENDING THEIR FIRST CONFERENCE
During my time at the conference, I met so many awesome people who all had really interesting ideas for my research. Since I did not want to forget any of these conversations, I found it really helpful to have a list of those that I spoke to and need to follow up with an email after the conference. I wrote down who they were, what we spoke about, when to email them. I also recommend writing a list of people who you want to speak to at some point in the conference and check them off as you go so you can feel accomplished and feel like you have not left any rock unturned.
MAIN CHALLENGE OF CONFERENCE
I am a contextual extrovert meaning I am normally an introvert, but when placed in a social context, I become an extrovert and tend to overextend my energy. So for me, the main challenge of the conference was keeping my energy levels high whilst juggling socializing, networking and meeting new people. I am exhausted now but I enjoyed it so much!
DYLAN
ABOUT ME
Hello all you lovely people reading this blog! My name is Dylan Baker and I am a Master of Marine Biology student at JCU working with the Fish and Fisheries lab. I surprisingly do not have a marine biology background, as I am a trained paramedic and completed my undergraduate degree at UC Berkeley in Integrative Biology focusing on molecular and cell biology. This shifted a bit after I was fortunate enough to volunteer and then become a staff at the Bimini shark lab in the Bahamas, which has led me to my current passion for elasmobranch science. I am currently working on the Queensland Shark Control Program investigating mortality rates of bull sharks and pigeye sharks as a function of time on a hook in different catch systems to try and inform fisheries management decisions. This conference was my first scientific conference, so I definitely had a lot to take away from it!
CONFERENCE HIGHLIGHT
Honestly, there were way too many great things about this conference that it is hard to narrow it down, but I think that the highlight for me was getting to learn more about other people’s work. Until fairly recently, I did not have a background in marine biology, let alone shark science, so getting a first hand opportunity to learn from leading experts in this field was truly fantastic. There was such a variety of projects and techniques ranging from genetics to movement ecology to dietary studies! Even better was getting to chat with all of these experts after their talks and I was shocked to discover it wasn’t just senior researchers or PhD students, but there were actually a lot of master’s and honours students as well. Getting to know all of these people who I (hopefully) will continue to be friends with and work with was such a rewarding experience.
ADVICE FOR STUDENTS ATTENDING THEIR FIRST CONFERENCE
The main piece of advice I would give to students attending their first conference is to try and get out of your comfort zone (which I know is a daunting task) and really make an effort to talk to people, whether they are students or senior researchers. Even as an extrovert, I found this really difficult and nerve-wracking, but one way I found that really helped was to try and break the ice with people in a way that wasn’t just “talking shop”. For me, I played a non-science related game or asked more personal questions rather than jump straight into their publications or journey to get to where they are. I found this made people more keen to have a genuine chat, not just a brief explanation of themselves. Also, ASK QUESTIONS! Don’t ask them just to be chatty, but try and come up with genuinely interesting questions, because if you find them interesting, odds are, so will the person you are asking!
MAIN CHALLENGE OF CONFERENCE
As I was not giving a presentation, I found the most challenging part of the conference was trying to make a name for myself. It seems that most people will learn who you are by your presentation and your project (which usually leads to at least some people coming up to ask you more about your work), but since I did not have this opportunity, I struggled at first to make connections. In order to try and alleviate this issue, I did a few small things. First, I tried to ask a lot of questions about other people’s talks, whether during the meeting sessions, or afterwards. Additionally, I tried to do little things, like holding doors open for people! Lastly, I found a great way to get connected without having to present (which is nerve-wracking) was to try and get involved with the overall operations of the conference, whether it was handing out nametags, which some of my friends did, or helping with the “student night”, which I was lucky enough to help out on!
MINA
ABOUT ME
Hey there, I’m Mina, a Research Associate with the F & F lab. I completed my undergrad in Marine Science at JCU in 2022, and a joint Honours with the F & F & Heron Labs in 2023. My research focused on modeling techniques to understand the risk that ocean warming plays for sharks. Currently, I am taking a gap year for some much needed travel and relaxation before starting my PhD in November.
CONFERENCE HIGHLIGHT
OCS was my very first conference and I had such a great time! I feel like there were so many highlights, but the poster night stands out to me as a personal favorite. OCS provided snacks and drinks, and allowed ample time to stroll around to view and learn about research through people’s posters. While all the talks at the conference were undeniably impressive, the interactive nature of the poster sessions made learning about people’s research more interactive! It provided a unique opportunity to forge one-on-one connections with people, ask personalized questions about their research, and get to know the person behind the research. I personally met an amazing conservation-psychologist at the poster night, and we somehow got into a conversation completely different from her poster. She is such an amazing woman in science and it was incredible to hear about her work!
ADVICE FOR STUDENTS ATTENDING THEIR FIRST CONFERENCE
I wholeheartedly agree with all of the advice that my colleagues in the F & F lab have written! I also really recommend attending pre-conference workshops. Workshops provide an excellent, and let’s be honest, less intimidating opportunity to meet people. The workshops for OCS had 15-25 attendees, making it much easier to strike up conversations compared to a crowded room with 90 or more unfamiliar faces. Workshops are also a great place to learn! Even if you initially think certain topics aren’t directly relevant to your research, venturing outside of your comfort zone to explore other fields can make you a more well rounded researcher, and help you discover topics you didn’t know you were interested in.
MAIN CHALLENGE OF CONFERENCE
To be completely honest, I really struggle recalling names! Growing up with a foreign name in a western society, I became hyper-aware of making sure my own introduction was crystal clear that sometimes I forget the other person’s name (the irony, I know). I think it’s one of the kindest things you can do though to address someone by name when you’re chatting to them, because it really makes people feel seen. Luckily, OCS provided name tags, however, people still tend to remove their name tags at social events.
Even for those who don’t typically struggle with names, the sheer amount of people you meet in such a small amount of time at a conference can make details blur. For your own clarity, taking the time to reflect is key! Setting aside a moment to yourself to journal about all the people you met and the research you learned about can significantly enhance what you take away from an interaction. This is especially helpful for networking in the long run as you might find yourself needing to reconnect with someone you met at a conference and having notes can serve as a helpful reminder of details (:
MEL
ABOUT ME
Hello! My name is Melissa Ciampaglia, and I am currently pursuing my Master of Philosophy degree with the F & F Lab at JCU. Originally from Toronto, Canada, I moved to Townsville in 2020 to complete my Bachelor of Science in marine biology. During my undergraduate studies, I volunteered with the lab and was fortunate to continue my journey with them for my research degree. My thesis focuses on the cultural ties that people in the Philippines have to sharks and rays, applying a multi-disciplinary approach to address conservation and management challenges.
CONFERENCE HIGHLIGHT
One of the standout moments from OCS was the student night event, which kicked off with an icebreaker activity organised by some of our lab members. They did a fantastic job setting up an interactive game of “Two Truths and a Lie”, which really helped us students engage with more experienced researchers. It was a fun way to get to know them on a personal level, as we tried to guess which statements were true and which was the lie. Unfortunately, our team got them all wrong, haha! This either means we’re very naïve or they’re all exceptional actors!
After the icebreaker, the event provided a wonderful opportunity for engaging conversations. It was here that I had the best interaction of the entire conference—a one-on-one conversation with an established social science researcher. She generously shared valuable insights about qualitative analysis and even encouraged me to reach out to her anytime I had questions during my thesis. The biggest takeaway? When you get invited to join a table, say yes—you never know who you’ll end up talking to! Ultimately, this event reinforced my belief in the power of connections and the unexpected opportunities that can arise from stepping outside your comfort zone.
ADVICE FOR STUDENTS ATTENDING THEIR FIRST CONFERENCE
Attending your first scientific conference can be both exciting and nerve-wracking, so it's essential to come prepared. Luckily, OCS had one session in a single main room, making it easier to attend all the talks if we wanted to. However, one valuable piece of advice I received beforehand was to avoid the pressure of attending every single session; it’s important to take breaks to recharge when needed, as the influx of information can be mentally draining. This was great advice that I would like to pass along—listen to your body and take time for yourself when necessary. Make sure to review the schedule ahead of time and select the talks that align with your interests and career goals. Lastly, take notes on what you've learned and who you meet, allowing yourself time to reflect on the entire experience.
MAIN CHALLENGE OF CONFERENCE
One of the main challenges of attending a scientific conference is navigating the overwhelming amount of information and networking opportunities. With a packed schedule of presentations, poster sessions, and workshops, it can be tough to figure out which sessions to prioritise and how to connect with fellow attendees. Plus, the pressure to network with prominent researchers and industry leaders can be a bit nerve-wracking, especially for us early-career scientists and students. It’s important to step out of your comfort zone and not let imposter syndrome get the best of you—just fake it till you make it! Balancing the urge to soak up new knowledge with the need to build professional relationships can be challenging. With some careful consideration, it can turn what may feel overwhelming into a great opportunity for growth and connection.
KRISTY
ABOUT ME
Hi there! I’m Kristy, and I have recently completed my Master of Science (Professional) degree, majoring in Fisheries Science and Management, at JCU. I was fortunate enough to work with the Fish and Fisheries Lab during my studies, and am now a research associate for the lab. I’ve been working on applications of citizen science and artificial intelligence in stingray spatial ecology research.
CONFERENCE HIGHLIGHT
My highlight for OCS was definitely the depredation workshop run by Dr Jonathan Mitchell and Dr Victoria Camilieriasch. During this workshop, the presenters provided an overview of what depredation is, the financial, environmental, social and conservation impacts depredation may have, and some of the key research questions around this complex issue. There were two small-group activities that allowed us to meet other conference attendees and work together. The first activity required us to employ fuzzy logic cognitive mapping to understand the factors that may influence depredation, and the second activity involved thinking through the effectiveness and applicability of potential depredation mitigation methods. Having previously worked on bycatch mitigation, I was interested to see how these different, complex and multifaceted issues have a lot of similarities!
ADVICE FOR STUDENTS ATTENDING THEIR FIRST CONFERENCE
If you have the opportunity to attend workshops or smaller networking sessions, I would highly recommend doing that! Workshops especially can be a really helpful way to easily meet and make connections with new people in a way that is not too intimidating. Smaller networking sessions are obviously geared towards making new connections, but you definitely need to go in with a game plan!
If you are presenting your work at a conference, try not let the nerves get the best of you. It may be helpful to keep in mind that you know your project much better than your audience does. I went for a little walk the morning I presented my work, and I'm really glad I did because it helped me clear my head and just relax a bit. Also, like with any presentation, practice practice practice! Ideally you want to be able to present without your notes, as you don't always have access to "presenter view" at conferences (which is something I learned the hard way!).
MAIN CHALLENGE OF CONFERENCE
Conferences are definitely geared towards extroverted people, and as an introvert I really struggled with feeling drained at the end of each day.
ALEXA
ABOUT ME
Hello! My name is Alexa Hoffman and I am currently a first semester Master of Marine Biology student at JCU and a volunteer with the F&F lab. I did my undergraduate degree in Environmental Science at Colorado College, researching alpine treeline spatial ecology until turning my attention to the ocean my third year while working at the Cape Eleuthera Institute in The Bahamas. Since then, I spent a few years teaching environmental educational programs in Colorado and then as a research assistant and teacher back at CEI last year. I have been lucky to be involved in a handful of marine research projects from shark conservation to the stone crab fishery in The Bahamas. I do not currently have a project of my own, but have been having an incredible time getting to help out other people with theirs and understand the wide variety of work that can be done in this field.
CONFERENCE HIGHLIGHT
It is hard to pick just one thing, as there were so many interesting people doing incredible work, but what really stood out to me was the depredation workshop on the very first day. I have known for a little while now that I was interested in the intersection of elasmobranch biology/ecology and fisheries, and in part came to the conference to see the type of work being done in this field. I had heard of depredation before, but did not realize how multifaceted it was. Not only was the presentation engaging, but my favorite part was the breakaway activities where we had to map out the different factors that could potentially increase or decrease depredation, and then think of potential mitigation tactics. These activities really allowed us to be creative and explore just how complex and nuanced this issue actually is. It is truly a blend of social, biological, environmental, and ecological issues, which is absolutely fascinating to me. I not only learned so much and was able to connect with a small group of people at the start of the conference, but was able to discover a field of study I would love to pursue someday.
ADVICE FOR STUDENTS ATTENDING THEIR FIRST CONFERENCE
Take time to reflect. This was advice given to our team before going to the conference, and it is still something I wish I had done more. You do not have to go to every talk or every event. Make sure you are taking care of yourself, but also taking time to write out your thoughts on the different presentations, people, posters, and workshops. Through this you can figure out what has captured your attention and interest! This helped me to process what had been presented and allowed me to come up with more follow-up questions I wanted to ask certain people, even just by jotting-down short notes and questions during the talks themselves.
MAIN CHALLENGE OF CONFERENCE
The main challenge for me during the conference, which I think is relatively common for people, is the social scene. It can be very draining being ‘on’ in front of people for an extended period of time, especially when you are pushing yourself out of your comfort zone by networking with other people in your field. I am not an extrovert by any means, and with not having a project of my own to talk about I felt lost at times trying to connect with people and experiencing imposter syndrome. By taking moments to myself I was able to remind myself I should be proud of myself for coming to the conference and pushing myself out of my comfort zone in the first place. To help take the pressure off myself, I tried to do little things around, just to get acquainted with people on a personal level if I felt like I was unable to carry a longer conversation about their work. This helped me feel like I was still making a good impression on people, without needing to rely heavily on my scientific background. Through creating these initial connections, I ended up being confident enough to allow myself to be curious and have engaging conversations with a few people whose work I was super interested in.
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