DOSI Travel Award

Hong Kong was a first for me, and it was colder than I had expected. Thankfully, I had family in the city who made sure I was geared up for the weather. But beyond the crisp air and towering skylines, what truly made this trip memorable was attending the 17th Deep-Sea Biology Symposium (DSBS)—a gathering of some of the world’s brightest minds in deep-sea research.

Every day began with train and bus rides to the venue—quiet moments that became my personal preparation time before immersing myself in a whirlwind of scientific discussions. The symposium was filled with incredible talks, and I often found myself caught between the difficult decision of grabbing one of the delicious snacks or diving into a conversation with a fellow researcher—sometimes, we managed to do both!

The sheer excitement in the room was contagious. During many of the lectures, the audience would erupt in “oohs” and “aahs” as speakers presented groundbreaking discoveries—powerful reminders of just how much we still have to learn about our deep oceans.

One of the highlights of the event was reconnecting with friends I had met before. We became daily lunch buddies, making it much easier to meet new people and engage in discussions beyond the conference halls. And speaking of lunch—every meal was an adventure. You never knew what you were about to eat, until you suddenly realized it was jellyfish!

There was a running joke at the event: You can only pick two—science, socializing, or sleep. I made my choice early on: science and socializing. Late-night discussions, exchanging ideas, and absorbing all the new knowledge were worth the sacrifice of a few hours of sleep.

When it was finally my turn to present, I stood before a room full of deep-sea scientists, heart pounding. I started with a joke to ease the nerves and hopefully delivered a talk that did justice to the incredible research happening in our region (I was told I did 😊).

Although this wasn’t my first trip abroad, I am always amazed by how different cultures can be, even just a short distance from home. Hong Kong is definitely a place I’d love to visit again—maybe even for a future research collaboration.

The 17th DSBS was more than just a conference. It was an experience—one filled with brilliant science, inspiring people, and a renewed sense of wonder for the deep. I am deeply thankful to have been given the opportunity to attend and represent my country and our research at such a prestigious event. A huge thanks to everyone who supported me in making this participation possible!