Back from the South central Branch ASM meeting full of energy and new projects!

mcarges6

4 days ago

2 min read

One of the things I love most about being a scientist is attending conferences. There is something truly special about reconnecting with old friends, making new ones, exchanging ideas, and discovering opportunities for collaboration. The energy of being surrounded by people who share your curiosity and passion for science is simply incredible!

Scientific conferences are much more than an opportunity to present our latest findings. They are places where ideas grow, unexpected conversations become exciting projects, and sometimes the craziest questions lead to the most interesting discoveries. We all look at the world through slightly different lenses, and bringing those perspectives together is what makes science so exciting.

This year was particularly special because I had the privilege of seeing Jose represent the Gestal Lab with an outstanding scientific presentation. Watching him confidently share his research, engage in thoughtful discussions, and receive excellent feedback was a proud moment. Even more exciting was seeing how his work sparked new conversations and opened doors to future collaborations. There are few things more rewarding as a mentor than watching your students grow into independent scientists and seeing others recognize their contributions.

But what makes these meetings truly memorable is the people. Over the years, colleagues become friends, mentors become collaborators, and scientific discussions turn into relationships that extend far beyond the conference itself. In many ways, we become one big scientific family, brought together by our curiosity and a shared desire to better understand the world around us.

This meeting also marked an exciting new chapter for me. During the branch elections, I was honored to be elected President-Elect, with my term beginning at the start of the new year. I am incredibly grateful for the trust of my colleagues and excited about the opportunity to contribute to the future of our scientific community.

One of my priorities in this new role will be to create more opportunities for trainees—not only to present their research and connect with established scientists, but also to become actively involved in leadership, organization, and decision-making. Our trainees are the future of our scientific societies, and giving them a voice and a place at the table is essential to building a stronger, more inclusive, and vibrant community.

As I return to the lab, I bring back much more than memories. I bring new questions, fresh perspectives, exciting collaborations, and renewed enthusiasm for the work ahead.

Now it is time to turn those conversations into experiments, those ideas into discoveries, and those collaborations into meaningful science.

Back to the Gestal Lab, ready to keep challenging the way we understand host–pathogen interactions, one experiment, one collaboration, and one discovery at a time!