My First Conference Experience: From Science to Skipper

Attending your first academic conference as a graduate student is a milestone that’s equal parts exciting and nerve-wracking. For me, this experience came unexpectedly early in my academic journey, just a month and a half into joining my lab. The conference? The Astyanax International Meeting for Cavefish, held in San Antonio, Texas, at the San Antonio Zoo. It was a significant event, not just because it was my first conference, but also because it introduced an unexpected new member into our family—our dog, Skippy.

A Nervous Beginning

When I first learned that I would be attending the Astyanax International Meeting, I was both thrilled and terrified. I had barely scratched the surface of understanding our lab’s model system, and here I was, heading to a big international conference. The pressure to absorb as much information as possible, network effectively, and represent my new lab was intense. Thankfully, none of us in the lab were presenting at the conference, which took a huge weight off my shoulders. We were all in the early stages of our research, so we could focus entirely on soaking up the knowledge and learning from the experts in the field.

Walking into the conference, I was struck by the sheer amount of research being done on the cavefish model system. It was fascinating to see the diversity of studies, from evolutionary biology to behavioral science, all centered around these unique creatures. The presentations were intense and insightful, opening my eyes to the vast potential of the research I was about to embark on. Despite my initial nerves, the conference turned out to be an incredible learning experience and a great way to bond with my new lab, helping me to see all that our model system had to offer.

An Unexpected Adventure

However, what made this conference truly unforgettable happened outside the conference room. My husband accompanied me on the trip to San Antonio, and during one of the evenings, he suggested we check out an area known for its art murals. It was late, and the neighborhood wasn’t the best, situated near railroad tracks. As we were driving back, we spotted something unexpected—a small puppy running alongside the road.

The puppy darted under a fence and hid in the yard of a car mechanics shop. Concerned, we stopped at a nearby gas station to ask if anyone knew about the dog. We were told that the puppy had been around for a few days, but no one had been able to catch it or feed it. Determined to help, I got out of the car and coaxed the frightened pup towards us. To our relief, she came to us, and we were able to get her into the car.

Our first stop was the vet, where we learned that the puppy didn’t have a microchip. We then called animal services, but their response was less than helpful. They basically said to just let her wander the streets and they would get to her within a day or so. Not happening. With no other options, we decided to keep her at our Airbnb overnight. As I looked at her, I couldn’t help but think of the name "Skipper." The moment I named her in my mind, I knew she was going to be a part of our lives.

Balancing Science and a New Responsibility

The next day, we still had the conference to attend, but we couldn’t keep the puppy with us. My husband took on the responsibility of finding her a safe place, driving out to Pipe Creek, Texas, to a shelter called A Doggy 4 You. They agreed to take her in, allowing me to focus on the conference for the rest of the trip.

Despite the unexpected turn of events, the conference went extremely well. I left San Antonio feeling excited and motivated to dive into my research back in the lab. But my thoughts kept drifting back to the little puppy we had rescued. It wasn’t long before my husband and I decided that we couldn’t just leave her behind.

The Happiest Ending

Fast forward two months, and we had arranged with A Doggy 4 You to transport Skipper to us. We drove up to Portland, Oregon, to pick her up, and from that moment on, she became a spoiled and beloved member of our family. Looking back, I never imagined that my first academic conference would involve rescuing a dog, but I wouldn’t have had it any other way.

This experience taught me that graduate school is not just about academic growth—it’s also about the unexpected adventures and personal growth that come along with it. The Astyanax International Meeting was a significant step in my academic journey, but it was also the beginning of a beautiful new chapter in my life with Skippy by my side. I couldn’t have asked for a better way to start my graduate school experience.