My Experience at the 40th Annual International ⁣Sea Turtle Symposium

As a student at Princeton University, I am no stranger to late nights. However, on this particular night, it was not my studies keeping me awake,‍ but rather my excitement for the 40th Annual International ⁣Sea Turtle Symposium (ISTS40). Despite the‍ time difference, I‌ eagerly logged onto the virtual “Gather” ‍space and was immediately immersed in a 2D video game-like world. I customized my‌ avatar and began navigating through different stands,‍ rooms, and‌ other attendees using my ⁢arrow keys and keyboard shortcuts. What struck me the most was the option⁤ to share video and audio with other avatars, allowing for impromptu conversations with fellow attendees.

In the ​wee ‌hours of ‍the morning, I had the opportunity to speak with Professor​ Colin Limpus, a renowned sea turtle expert known simply as “Col.” It took ⁢some‌ technical troubleshooting, but we were able to connect and discuss my interest in hatchling morphology and survival. Later, I had a chance encounter with Professor David Booth, whose research on hatchling incubation has been‍ instrumental in understanding⁣ the effects of​ climate change on sea turtles. It was surreal ‍to meet someone whose work I had ​cited numerous times, all while sitting in my dorm​ room on the East Coast.

My Research on Sea Turtle Hatchlings

In 2018, I had the opportunity to work with Nicki Barbour, a PhD student at ⁣the University of Maryland and Upwell researcher, on a field study in Costa Rica. We spent long days on a⁣ small boat, tracking hatchlings as they made their ‍way towards the open ocean. Upon ​my return to⁣ the States, I began my own project using the data we collected, with guidance‍ from the Upwell team and one of Nicki’s advisors, Professor Helen Bailey.‌ Our project focused on the high mortality rate of hatchlings in their⁤ first‌ hour in the ocean, with ‌nearly half ‍of all juveniles being eaten or dying. We aimed to determine if this was a form of​ natural selection, or an “evolutionary pressure.” ⁣Our findings, using computational biology, were ‌surprising – the mass mortality did not appear to be an⁤ evolutionary pressure.

Presenting at ISTS40

I was attending ISTS40 to present our findings in an oral presentation. As⁢ I wandered through the virtual space, I was​ filled with excitement and anticipation for the week ahead. I had the opportunity to meet and learn ‌from experts in the field, and ⁢share my own research with a global audience. ISTS40 ​was truly a unique and enriching experience,‌ and I ⁣am grateful for the connections and knowledge gained during my time there.