By Belinda Worland
PhD Candidate in the School of Agriculture & Food Sciences at The University of Queensland
ComBio 2015 was the very first scientific conference I had attended since starting my PhD at The University of Queensland in early 2015. I was able to immerse myself for a week in a diversity of lectures and symposia covering topics of both general and specific interest related to plant biology. Two symposia in particular caught my attention. Both were on nitrogen nutrition and crop genetics focussing on maize. My undergraduate research and my PhD relate to nitrogen use in sorghum, a close relative of maize. I was familiar with the published work of Dr. Darren Plett and Dr. Julie Dechorgnat, however their research overview added a new depth of understanding that will facilitate my own discoveries. It was also exciting to see some very interesting unpublished research being presented. During the poster sessions and social events, I was able to meet these speakers and ask many questions while discussing their work. This is just one example of my ComBio 2016 experience I shared with fellow ASPS students. It was a great event to meet and interact with some of the people who have inspired and continue to motivate my own scientific interests and investigations.
For further information please email: belinda.worland@uqconnect.edu.au
