I am excited to share my recent experience attending the Entomological Society of America (ESA) annual meeting in Arizona, a journey made possible with the support of the FLMNH staff travel award. This funding helped cover registration costs and the cost of flying to Arizona for the event. This allowed me to present our blue calamintha bee conservation research at the meeting and gain invaluable insights into the latest research and methods in insect science.
At the Florida Museum, our lab focuses a great deal on conserving pollinators, and the ESA meeting provided a unique opportunity to share our efforts in bee conservation while learning from others in the field. The experience was both professionally rewarding and personally enriching. Here are some of the highlights of my time at the conference:
Networking and Expert Connections
One of the most rewarding aspects of attending the ESA meeting was meeting and connecting with leading experts in bee taxonomy and ecology. These conversations deepened my understanding of the challenges and opportunities in bee research. I was fortunate to meet one of the original authors who described the bee species that much of my current research is centered around. This exciting moment connected the dots between my work and the foundational research in this field.
Throughout the event, I also had the chance to engage with academic, private, and government colleagues. From meals to casual social interactions, these conversations helped me forge valuable networking connections that I hope will support future collaborations and partnerships.
Learning Through Talks and Posters
The ESA meeting is known for its wealth of scientific talks and research posters, and this year was no exception. I attended various talks, many focusing on bee conservation, ecology, and pollinator health. Seeing how much research is being done to understand and protect these vital insects was inspiring.
I also had the opportunity to engage with numerous research posters, providing feedback to students and early-career researchers. It’s always exciting to see the next generation of entomologists pushing boundaries, and I hope my feedback helped them refine their ideas and research methods.
Exploring New Tools for Research
As part of the event, I had the chance to interact with vendors showcasing new tools and technologies for scientific research. This was an exciting opportunity to explore cutting-edge equipment and resources that could play a crucial role in advancing my research on ways to evaluate bee habitat and their conservation strategies.
Presenting Our Work
One of the most fulfilling moments of the conference was presenting our work on the blue calamintha bee and watching other lab members present other techniques we use to study and monitor understudied insect pollinators. I had the chance to engage attendees in discussions about the importance of studying local bee species and the conservation efforts necessary to protect them. It was heartening to see the interest and enthusiasm of other researchers, and I hope my presentation inspired graduate students and young researchers to explore pollinator conservation in their communities.
Exploring Arizona
In addition to the professional benefits of attending the ESA meeting, I also had the chance to explore Arizona’s stunning landscapes and landmarks. As someone who had never been to the southwestern USA before, I was in awe of the state’s natural beauty. I spent a couple of days after the conference traveling around, taking in iconic sites like the Grand Canyon, Sedona’s red rock formations, the petrified forest, and the painted desert, as well as the desert’s unique flora and fauna.
I also had the chance to reconnect with a cousin I hadn’t seen in over a decade, which made my trip even more memorable.
Reflecting on an Amazing Experience
Overall, the ESA meeting was an incredibly enriching experience. The knowledge I gained, the connections I made, and the insights I gained into bee conservation will undoubtedly inform my future work at the Florida Museum. I’m incredibly grateful for the Natural History travel grant that made this trip possible and for the support from the Daniels Lab, which continues to be a source of encouragement and resources in my research endeavors.
It’s an exciting time for bee conservation, and I’m thrilled to be part of this dynamic field. With renewed energy and a wealth of new ideas, I look forward to the next steps in our research and the potential for collaboration with the many inspiring researchers I met at the conference.
Thank you to the Natural History Awards Committee for making this experience possible. I’m excited to continue sharing the important work we do at the Florida Museum!
Chase Kimmel is an Insect Conservation Biologist in the Daniels Lab of the Florida Museum of Natural History.
The 2024 Fall Postdoc Travel Awards are supported by the FLMNH Department of Natural History