Members of the Smith lab represented Scripps in force at the recent meeting of the Western Society of Naturalists (WSN) in Seaside, California.  Accompanied by students from the collaborating lab of Dr. Sandin, students caravanned, drove, or flew to cover the long 8 hour journey and spent three days among friends and top marine ecologists alike.  Conferences such as WSN give students a chance to meet colleagues and network with other institutions, building social and professional networks that can last a lifetime.

Graduate students and post-docs from the Smith lab gave 12 minute talks or presented a poster to disseminate the research projects that are underway at Scripps and across the world.  This provides a unique opportunity to showcase the plethora of research projects the Smith lab is working on, as well as allowing for important feedback from members of the scientific community that can improve the quality of research and facilitate journal publication down the line.  Although it was an exhausting three days, it was time well spent among old and new friends alike.  After returning from the conference, many of us feel invigorated and inspired, with fresh ideas and new perspectives that can only strengthen the quality of our research.