When I first started my PhD, attending the Society for Marine Mammalogy’s biennial conference was something I had set my sights on. My supervisor offered my first opportunity to attend the biggest international meeting of marine mammal researchers but it came just a month into my PhD, when the conference was being held in Australia. I decided to wait until I had research of my own to share, making the opportunity to learn from and connect with marine mammal researchers from around the world even more meaningful to me. City of San Juan This October, that opportunity finally came. I travelled to Puerto Rico for SMM 2026, and it was a particularly special experience. Attending conferences is an important part of the research process, particularly as I approach the final stages of my PhD. While collecting and analyzing data is central to research, being able to share findings, discuss ideas and hear different perspectives helps shape how that research develops. Presenting work to an intern...