Young European Biologists

It was a pleasure to be guest lecturer at the Naturalist Point event organized by Young European Biologists with BioBalkan Collab initiative and Young Biologists Matter, during which I introduced Lebanon as a #biodiversity hotspot with the focus on the #herpetofauna of Lebanon. Special thanks to Edi F. #herpinglebanon #conservation #sciencetalk #herpetology #lebanon

🧬 Celebrating the Naturalist Point: Online Symposium 🌿 It’s incredible to reflect on how far the Young European Biologists (YEB) initiative has come. Seeing this year’s Naturalist Point symposium, co-organized by BioBalkan Collab initiative, Young Biologists Matter, and YEB, filled me with pride and nostalgia. Creating YEB was one of the most rewarding chapters in my life, and seeing how it fosters collaboration among biologists reinforces its vital role in advancing science and innovation. A special shoutout to Davor Merkaš, whose outstanding leadership and support for Xhuljan Guçe. Last but not least, to my always-partner-in-crime, Stephanie Lois Zlolniski, who turns ideas into reality 💡🌟 Events like these remind us of the power of #connection and shared #knowledge in driving scientific progress and building a stronger community. To everyone who participated, thank you for contributing to this growing network of biologists and innovators. Here’s to many more moments of collaboration, learning, and growth! 🌍✨

Excited to share my experience from the online symposium co-organized by BioBalkan Collab initiative and Young European Biologists on November 23rd! This event brought together inspiring biologists and provided a platform to engage with experts across diverse topics. While I couldn’t attend all the sessions, the ones I participated in were absolutely enriching! A big shoutout to Iva Njunjić from Serbia 🇷🇸, who delivered a fascinating talk on "Discovering new species with citizen scientists." Her insights on leveraging community involvement in biodiversity research showcased the power of collaboration in uncovering the planet’s hidden treasures. I’m equally grateful to Irma Popovic Dujmovic from Croatia 🇭🇷, who spoke passionately about "Community engagement as a need in nature conservation – River Mrežnica case." Her presentation emphasized the importance of shared responsibility among stakeholders to preserve the stunning River Mrežnica, highlighting the transformative potential of united conservation efforts. Special Thanks to the Hosts for making the sessions smooth and engaging - Davor Merkaš and Lejla Mujakić . Kudos to the organizers for creating this platform and bringing such accomplished biologists to the forefront! Let’s continue to support initiatives like this and foster meaningful connections in the scientific community. #Conservation #Biodiversity #CommunityEngagement #BioBalkanCollab #YoungBiologistsMatter #YoungEuropeanBiologists

⭐ [Isn’t it great to step out of your comfort zone?] ⭐ This Saturday, the Young European Biologists initiative is hosting its first online symposium, Naturalist Point, featuring topics ranging from the importance of long-read sequencing technologies to unlocking the potential of blue carbon ecosystems. For this event, I’ve decided to fully step out of my comfort zone by delivering a talk that’s not about my research at all. Instead, I’ll share insights and advice from my personal journey—starting with moving to Heidelberg for my Master’s to now, as a first-year PhD student. In my talk, titled "Not2Basic Career Advice for Early-Stage Researchers: Things I Wish I’d Known Sooner," I’ll reflect on: - Personal struggles with perfectionism and imposter syndrome, - The challenges of comparing yourself to others in academia, and - How I’ve worked on building self-worth and self-love. I’ll also share productivity hacks that have helped me along the way, like the 80/20 principle and the Eisenhower Matrix, along with other strategies for balancing personal growth and academic success. In addition to giving this talk, I’m very happy to announce the launch of my Instagram profile, @not2basic_scientist. This space will act as an extension of my talk—a retrospective diary where I’ll reflect on completing my Master’s degree in Heidelberg, comparing how my skills and confidence have grown since then. I’ll also document my current PhD journey, sharing both successes and struggles as I navigate this next chapter of academic life. #ImposterSyndrome #GrowthMindset #SelfLove #Career #Productivity

🌿 Biodiversity Hotspot: Protecting Lebanon’s Herpetofauna 🦎 On 23 November, join us for a deep dive into Lebanon’s rich biodiversity and the fascinating world of its reptiles and amphibians. 🌍 💡 Key highlights: Lebanon as a biodiversity hotspot and its critical role in global conservation efforts An overview of the diverse and unique Lebanese herpetofauna 🐍 The threats and challenges facing these species, from habitat loss to climate change The conservation actions being taken to protect these vital creatures and their habitats 📅 Save the date: 23 November 🔗 Let’s raise awareness and take action to protect Lebanon’s incredible wildlife! #Biodiversity #LebanonWildlife #Herpetofauna #ConservationEfforts #ProtectOurPlanet #Amphibians #Reptiles #WildlifeProtection

🌍 Exploring the Arid Wilderness: Wildlife Research in Saudi Arabia 🐾 On 23 November, join us for an exciting lecture on groundbreaking research conducted in the arid regions of Saudi Arabia. 🌵 💡 Key highlights: Discover the methodology and approach used to study diverse animal groups in one of the world's most unexplored areas Uncover novel findings that are shedding light on the wildlife and ecosystems of these unique regions Explore the challenges and rewards of conducting research in such remote, harsh environments 📅 Save the date: 23 November 🔗 Don’t miss this fascinating exploration into one of the world’s most mysterious natural habitats! #WildlifeResearch #SaudiArabia #AridRegions #AnimalStudies #EnvironmentalResearch #ConservationScience #DiscoverNewWorlds

🧬 Exploring Disease Mechanisms Through Single-Cell Analysis 🔬 On 23 November, dive into the fascinating world of single-cell analysis and how it’s revolutionizing our understanding of tissue and disease states. 💡 In this lecture, you’ll learn: How single-cell RNA sequencing reveals intricate details of our biology The challenges and opportunities of analyzing data sets with hundreds of thousands to millions of cells The creation of a reference atlas of cells in the human gut and its significance for understanding inflammatory bowel disease in children Discover how big data and advanced sequencing technologies are unlocking new insights into disease mechanisms and paving the way for personalized medicine. 🌍 📅 Save the date: 23 November 🔗 Don’t miss this cutting-edge talk on the future of disease research! Lecturer: Christopher Lance #SingleCellAnalysis #RNASequencing #BigDataInBiology #IBDResearch #GutHealth #PersonalizedMedicine #DiseaseMechanisms #FutureOfScience

🌊 United for Rivers: Protecting the Heart of Southeast Europe 🌍 On 23 November, learn about the United for Rivers Initiative, a critical campaign aimed at protecting the most valuable rivers in Southeast Europe. 🌱 💡 Key highlights: Primary goal: Protect and preserve the region’s most important rivers, with a special focus on Mrežnica in Croatia. Secondary goal: Raise awareness in local communities about the importance of river preservation and the vital role of community involvement. Community engagement: Discover how we’ve been working closely with local stakeholders, inhabitants, and government representatives since 2023 through workshops, meetings, and events. 🌍 Protecting rivers is a long-term process that requires dedication, collaboration, and local leadership. 📅 Save the date: 23 November 🔗 Let’s come together to safeguard our rivers and the future of our communities! Lecturer: Irma Popovic Dujmovic #RiverConservation #CommunityEngagement #SoutheastEurope #Mrežnica #ProtectOurRivers #UnitedForRivers #SustainableFuture #EnvironmentalImpact

🌍 The Quest for New Species: How Citizen Scientists Can Make a Difference 🦋 On 23 November, join us for an exciting discussion on the discovery of new species and the critical role of citizen scientists in expanding our knowledge of biodiversity! 🌿 💡 Key highlights: Over the past 250 years, scientists have named 2 million species, but it's estimated that only 20% of species have been discovered! What does it take to discover a new species? Can anyone contribute to this groundbreaking work? How citizen scientists are accelerating species discovery and helping us better understand our planet’s biodiversity. 🌱 📅 Save the date: 23 November 🔗 Let’s unlock the mysteries of nature together! Lecturer: Iva Njunjić #NewSpecies #CitizenScience #BiodiversityDiscovery #WildlifeResearch #ScienceForAll #ContributeToScience #ExploreNature

🌊 Protecting Seagrass Ecosystems: A Key to Climate Solutions 🌱 On 23 November, join us for a deep dive into the critical role of seagrass ecosystems in preserving biodiversity, carbon storage, and providing essential ecosystem services. 🌿 💡 Discover: The threats facing seagrass habitats, from coastal development to environmental degradation The research gaps in understanding their carbon potential and overall coverage The importance of restoration and conservation efforts in protecting these valuable ecosystems Why seagrass remains underutilized in current climate policies and how we can change that Let’s explore how seagrass can be better integrated into climate strategies to maximize its ecological and economic benefits. 🌍 📅 Save the date: 23 November 🔗 Let’s work together to protect our oceans and climate! #SeagrassConservation #ClimateAction #OceanProtection #Biodiversity #CarbonStorage #EcosystemServices #EnvironmentalRestoration #SustainableFuture