Feedback by Jill Sekely

Jill Sekely, 15 July 2024

Presenting my work on the global stage at the IUFRO World Congress in Stockholm was an enormous opportunity, both in terms of delegate count (over 4,000!) and the reach I was afforded. As I finally near the summit of my PhD journey and prepare for the next phase of my career, dissemination and discussion about my project findings are essential. Through my presentation, “Forecasting through the lens of Landscape Genomics: local adaptation in the foundation species Nothofagus pumilio,” I reached many high-level scientists working in the field of forest evolutionary biology and introduced them to the inner genetic workings of the most common tree species in Patagonia. This work is also part of an ongoing 25-year-long cooperation between German and Argentinean scientists, the latter of whom were present only in spirit via my presentation, and it was an honor to present this work on behalf of them and all my co-authors.

Of course, networking is the true powerhouse of conferences. In Stockholm I was able meet some unexpected old friends and make new acquaintances, including many whose names I knew but had never met. I was also able to personally connect with experts in the field who inspired me and helped me with problem-solving my data analysis for upcoming manuscripts. It is a rare gift to be able to spend time with the people who designed the methods I use and to discuss with them the best practices and updates, as well as hear others’ opinions about the trajectory of these disciplines.

Giving a presentation about my work was only a tiny part of the benefits I gained from attending this conference, where I learned so much about the world’s forests and the brilliant people who study them.  I am deeply grateful to the EVOLTREE network for affording me the opportunity to attend.