The XX International Botany Congress (IBC) is a prestigious event held every six years in cities around the world, gathering researchers, scholars, and professionals in the field of plant sciences to exchange knowledge on topics such as ecology, evolution, development, physiology, conservation, and more. The 2024 congress took place in Madrid, Spain, attracting approximately 3,000 scientists from 95 countries passionate about and by plants. The congress lasted for seven very dynamic days, from July 21st to 27th. I was fortunate to attend this event with the support of the FLMNH-NH Summer Award, which enabled me to present part of my research during the poster session. My presentation focused on the evolutionary complexity of Chaetogastra DC., a fascinating genus within the tribe Melastomateae of the family Melastomataceae.
The congress itself was a remarkable experience with around 200 symposia and ca. 1200 speakers. Each day began with plenary lectures that covered a broad spectrum of topics within the field, showing the cutting-edge research in plant science and providing an excellent foundation for the more specialized symposia that followed. As for the symposia, we had to choose from around concurred 10 symposia, based on our individual interests. My personal focus was on symposia related to systematics, evolution, polyploidy, pollination, plant growth and development, biogeography, conservation, and of course natural history. A particular highlight to my recent interest on pollination, since within the species that belongs to the species of Chaetogastra exhibit a fascinating shift in pollination syndrome from bees to hummingbird– an example of evolutionary adaptation that has important implications for understanding plant-pollinator interaction.
In addition to the scientific presentations, the congress provided an invaluable platform for networking and collaboration. Thanks to my advisor, Dr. Lucas Majure, and other researchers I’ve worked over the years, I had the opportunity to meet plant science researchers from around the world. I also reconnected with Spanish colleagues, including Dr. Ricarda Riina, a leading expert on Euphorbiaceae, who had been my co-advisor during my undergraduate thesis. It was also wonderful to reconnect with my peers from a workshop held earlier this year in the Czech Republic, fostering both academic and personal ties.
In summary, my experience at the XX IBC was both professionally and personally fulfilling. The knowledge shared, the diversity of perspectives encountered, and the opportunity to contribute my research to the global conversation on plant science were truly invaluable. I highly encourage students and early-career researchers to participate in such events, as the insights gained, and connections made, are immeasurable.
Malu Ore Rengifo is a graduate student pursuing a Ph.D. through the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Department of Biology, advised by Dr. Lucas Majure, Assistant Curator of the Herbarium here at the Florida Museum.
The 2024 Summer Student Travel Awards are supported by the FLMNH Department of Natural History, including funds from the Louis C. and Jane Gapenski Endowed Fellowship and the B.J. and Eve Wilder Endowment. If you would like to help support this fund for future student awards, please go to:
Louis C. and Jane Gapenski Endowed Fellowship
B.J. and Eve Wilder Endowment