Thanks to the support from the The Wetland Foundation, I was able to attend the 2022 Joint Aquatic Sciences Meeting (JASM) in Grand Rapids, Michigan. I was delighted to present research findings to an in-person audience for the first time during my PhD program. I presented preliminary results from one of my dissertation projects in a talk titled “Seagrass species identity affects greenhouse gas emissions.” By listening in on presentations from various subdisciplines in aquatic science, I learned about different approaches and methodologies used to study carbon and nutrient cycling in freshwater and marine systems. I reunited with fellow coastal scientists at the Coastal and Estuarine Research Federation networking event and mingled with phycologists, limnologists, and biogeochemists at the poster sessions. I also gained experience in professional service as a member of the JASM Student Activities Committee. I thank The Wetland Foundation for supporting my conference travel and ultimately aiding in my professional development as a scientist.
