Where research came alive

When Environmental Studies’ Leo Tan signed up for the Species on the Move conference, it was not simply out of curiosity. Encouraged by his professor, he saw the conference as an opportunity to connect his undergraduate research project, which explores morphological and reproductive differences in widespread species, with a larger global conversation on species range shifts and evolutionary biology.  

“The conference felt deeply relevant to my work,” he says. “It made me realise how interconnected ecological and evolutionary questions are across different systems and regions.”

Among the highlights of the conference, presenting his research stood out as the most meaningful experience. It marked a unique opportunity to connect with researchers from diverse backgrounds through a shared love for evolutionary biology.

“Despite our cultural and geographical differences, we all connected through research,” he recalled. “That was quite touching for me.”

Reinforcing his passion 

Over the course of the conference, he found himself inspired not only by the research presented, but also by the people behind it. From Master’s students presenting early-stage findings to distinguished research fellows sharing years of expertise, every speaker demonstrated a shared passion for discovery.

Listening to researchers present their findings was both “motivating and intellectually stimulating,” he says, especially when he discovered he could apply perspectives from his coursework and research experience to critically evaluate the studies being discussed.

Attending the talks taught him an important lesson: passion and perseverance are just as vital as scientific acumen. “Seeing how researchers communicated their work so passionately made me realise that confidence matters in bringing research to the wider community,” he says. “If you believe in your research, you can help others see why it matters too.”

The experience strengthened both his personal and academic aspirations. Beyond learning about ecological and evolutionary concepts in the classroom, witnessing how theories come alive in real-world research has reinforced his conviction to pursue research as a career.

Looking ahead

The conference ultimately left a lasting impression on how he approaches both research and life. “Moving ahead, I will consider my research questions more critically and​​ look at ways to engage with the proximate and ultimate mechanisms underlying my research question,” he says.

Beyond academics, the experience brought forth a more personal lesson: “The conference taught me to stay true and passionate to myself, no matter what I do.”