DOSI Travel Award

Agnes Muthumbi

University of Nairobi, Kenya

My experience during the 17DSBS in Hong Kong (Agnes Muthumbi, University of Nairobi, Kenya)

I am lucky to have received a travel grant to attend the 17th DSBS, thanks to the symposium organisers and DOSI for the support. The symposium was from the 13th to 18th January 2025. I arrived in Hong Kong on Saturday 11th January in the evening, my first time to travel this far to the east which of course comes with the jetlag experience. Although I had a bit of rough time with the immigration at the airport, I soon forgot that because everything else worked so smoothly, thanks to the order and good planning of the country and a public transport system that works well.  I had my first meeting (the DOSI Day) on 12th and that went quite well. It was a good interaction with other DOSI members. 

The DSBS was so well organised with very exciting presentations both for plenary and parallel sessions. Excellent logistical organisation that ensured good use of time and side meetings and other activities. 

What I noticed with the presentations is that there was a lot taxonomic work unlike most other scientific meetings I have attended and that was quite encouraging to know that taxonomic research is still being supported. I was able to connect with many researchers that hopefully we can collaborate together in future

The food was excellent and the service was superb, so much choices of foods and enough for all, cannot compare with any other scientific meeting I have attended in the recent past. 

The symposium provided an opportunity to visit Hong Kong that I probably would never have had the opportunity to visit. Seeing all those very tall buildings, it was amazing.  I also had the opportunity to sleep in the highest level so far -floor 38. That I will not forget, for a long time, and sometimes the fear of the lift getting stuck halfway up especially when alone in the lift. For Hong Kong, this never happened.

Thanks so much to all who made it possible for me to attend the 17DSBS in Hong Kong.