Attending the recent Korea Water Resources Association (KWRA) conference was a valuable opportunity to explore a wide range of research topics and hear from researchers in the field. By participating in person, we were able to engage with theories and analytical results that we had previously encountered only through papers or online resources. It allowed us to gain firsthand insight into the active research areas within the water resources community.
We particularly learned a lot from the AGU-KWRA joint sessions held in the conference rooms. After each session, we asked questions about topics we found intriguing or wanted to understand more deeply. Thanks to the presenters’ thoughtful responses, we were able to deepen our understanding of several research areas. Actively engaging in these discussions reminded us of how much a conference environment can offer in terms of learning and growth.
Our lab also had a strong presence at the conference, with five members presenting their research:
- Subin Kim: Enhancing Soil Moisture Estimation Using Deep Learning-based Surrogate Model and Ensemble Kalman Filter
- Hoang Hai Nguyen: Groundwater Flash Drought and Its Potential Ocean-Land-Atmosphere Drivers
- Sungjun Lee: Deep Learning-based Chlorophyll-a Prediction for Inland Water using Satellite and Land Surface Model Data
- Nayoung Kwon: Assessment of Snowmelt and Vegetation Phenology and Their Interactions in High-Latitude Regions
- Kunhee Park: Developing the First In-situ Soil Moisture Measurement Site in Korea
Each of them delivered their presentations confidently and handled the Q&A sessions with composure, leaving a strong impression on the audience.
Listening to the various talks naturally led me to reflect on what makes a good presentation. We learned a great deal about how to structure a compelling slide deck, how to communicate key messages effectively, how to utilize visual materials to support one’s arguments, and how to respond thoughtfully during the discussion period. This experience gave me a clearer idea of how we should prepare and present in the future.
More than just acquiring knowledge, this conference served as a strong source of motivation. I was inspired to continue improving as a researcher so that I, too, can one day stand as a presenter at such a conference. I now feel a renewed determination to sharpen both my research capabilities and presentation skills. This experience will undoubtedly serve as a meaningful turning point in my academic journey.
