My First Day at COP16: A Microbiologist’s Journey

Today was my first time attending a UN Biodiversity Conference (COP16), and it’s been an exciting experience. As a microbiology PhD student, I’m used to working in labs, so seeing policymakers in action—negotiating and making decisions that impact entire nations—was eye-opening. It made me think about how science and policy come together, and how important it is to communicate science effectively.

One of my goals for this COP is to advocate for microbial communities. They’re crucial for regulating ecosystems, yet I haven’t seen much focus on them in the conversations about biodiversity. While exploring different pavilions, I asked if microbes were part of the agenda—so far, not much!

A big highlight was attending a press conference hosted by Wetlands International, where they discussed the importance of wetlands for biodiversity and climate. I even got the chance to ask a question and share my own research on wetland microbes and how human activities affect them. The positive feedback and connections I made with international delegates were amazing!

Overall, it was a great first day, and I’m excited for what’s next!

#COP16Columbia