I was fortunate to attend the Entomological Society of America’s Annual Meeting in November 2025, where I had the opportunity to present my master’s research. This experience was made possible through the UF Department of Natural History Travel Award, supported by the Louis C. and Jane Gapenski Endowment and the 1923 Fund, for which I am deeply grateful.
With this support, I was able to travel to Portland, Oregon (my first time visiting the city) and present my research to fellow researchers, students, and professionals from around the world. I was proud to represent the University of Florida and the Florida Museum of Natural History, as well as the outstanding scientific work being conducted here. My presentation focused on the functional and morphological repurposing of silk glands in the tobacco hornworm, Manduca sexta, and highlighted ongoing research from the Kawahara Lab (McGuire Center for Lepidoptera & Biodiversity, Florida Museum of Natural History) aimed at understanding evolutionary diversification within the megadiverse insect order, Lepidoptera. The meeting allowed me to connect with researchers and potential collaborators, building relationships that will strengthen both my current work and my future professional development.
I was also honored to receive second prize for the oral presentation in the Graduate 10-Minute Student Competition (SysEB, Phylogenetics) at Entomology 2025. This recognition made the experience especially meaningful, as it was both my first international conference and my first time receiving an award at this level; an achievement made possible by the travel grant. The support I received will serve as a strong catalyst for advancing my research and contributing more meaningfully to the field.
Following the conference, I visited the Gorge 400 Trail in search of ice crawlers (Grylloblattodea), an enigmatic and extremely rare group of insects found only in cold environments. I was thrilled to encounter one for the first time, making the experience both exciting and memorable. In addition, I formed friendships with students and researchers from universities across the U.S. and other countries, further expanding opportunities for future collaboration.
This travel would not have been possible without the support of the Florida Museum of Natural History, the Louis C. and Jane Gapenski Endowment, and the 1923 Fund. I sincerely thank the Natural History Travel Awards Committee for their support and for considering both me and my research.
MD Jahir Rayhan is a graduate student pursuing a M.Sc. through the college of IFAS, School of Natural Resources and Environment, advised by Dr. Akito Kawahara, Director of the McGuire Center for Lepidoptera and Biodiversity and Curator at the Florida Natural History Museum.
The 2025 Fall Student Travel Awards are supported by the FLMNH Department of Natural History, including funds from the Louis C. and Jane Gapenski Endowed Fellowship. If you would like to help support this fund for future student awards, please go to: