Flies, Community, and Discovery: Reflections from Cold Spring Harbor

During early October, I had the privilege of attending the Neurobiology of Drosophila Conference at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory (CSHL), where I presented research from the Martha Bhattacharya Lab at the University of Arizona. This biannual meeting brings together neuroscientists from around the world to share their latest discoveries, foster collaborations, and celebrate the humble fruit fly—Drosophila melanogaster—one of the most valuable model organisms in modern science. 

Why Drosophila Matters 

Since the early 1900s, Drosophila has played a central role in shaping our understanding of genetics and biology. Many landmark discoveries like sex-linked inheritance and the molecular mechanisms of circadian rhythms were uncovered using Drosophila. In fact, 5 Nobel Prizes have been awarded to Drosophila researchers! In the realm of neuroscience, Drosophila is often used to model the development of the brain and study the molecular basis of neurodegenerative diseases—this is far from an exhaustive list! 

At CSHL, I explored the breadth of current Drosophila neuroscience research. Presentations ranged from cutting-edge genetic studies to exploring the connectome, or the full mapping of the fly brain. These presentations offered more than a year’s worth of college coursework condensed into five intellectually stimulating days. 

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Presenting My Research 

I had the opportunity to present my poster on a project two years in the making. This project was led by the “MitoTeam”: Kiara Bachtle, Aditi Ghosh, Susan Sharpe, and our fabulous mentor, Dr. Martha Bhattacharya. Our work focused on detecting glia-to-neuron mitochondrial transfer following nerve injury. Previous studies implicate this transfer process in boosting neuronal health after damage, offering potential insights into treating neurodegenerative diseases. 

During my presentation, it was constantly busy with an engaged audience, even running past the 3-hour session. I received many insightful questions and constructive feedback, which have helped to envision new experiments to strengthen our approach. It was both humbling and exhilarating to be surrounded by experts who recognized the techniques and appreciated the implications of the research. 

Building a Scientific Community 

Beyond the experiments, CSHL reinforced my sense of belonging within the scientific community. Despite being one of the only undergraduates in attendance, I was warmly welcomed by everyone. Mealtimes facilitated meaningful conversations with different attendees each day, ranging from advice on Ph.D. applications to insights into career outlooks in neuroscience. 

The atmosphere at CSHL fostered not only learning but collaboration. Many attendees were eager to share their expertise and even approached me to provide input on their own experiments. These are the kinds of experiences that retain students in science-related careers. 

The State of Science Today 

Several conversations also centered around the current challenges facing science. One example discussed was the Trump administration’s cuts to Harvard’s federal grants back in May, which led to planned layoffs of the team managing FlyBase–an online database that provides updated information about the Drosophila genome. FlyBase is an essential tool that informs the research of countless labs worldwide. Thankfully, generous donations from the Drosophila community will allow FlyBase to remain operational at least for another year. These discussions underscored the importance of advocating scientific research by spreading awareness and urging our representatives in Congress to combat the misinformation and pseudoscience that persists in government. 

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A Moment to Breathe 

Outside of science, CSHL offered moments of relief and serenity. Friday night featured a champagne reception and lobster banquet followed by a midnight dance party. The CSHL campus itself felt like a much-needed retreat, with mosaics of autumn foliage and chilling breezes across the bayside. Coming from Tucson’s dry heat, I cherished my walks through the beach without the fear of being scorched. 

Looking Ahead 

My attendance to the Neurobiology of Drosophila conference was an affirmation of my passion for science. It is the thrill of investigation, learning and connecting with such a vibrant community of experts that drives my career path towards research. Without a doubt, these conferences are essential for undergraduates to attend and thereby build the next generation of researchers. 

My deepest gratitude to the John G. Hildebrand Scholarship Committee and UBRP for making this trip possible. The insights, connections, and memories from CSHL will continue to inspire my scientific journey for years to come.