I contacted my colleague. She is a kind person, she felt bad about what happened (and I truly believe her).

She said that she suggested to put me as first author and if I didn't have time to go instead for me.

But my P.I. did it the way she did it.

What I am most pissed about that I am being overthrown (?). She just took my data (which is my mental property, I generated it, I invested time and thoughts in it) and just used it to send somebody else to the conference without EVEN asking me if it was okay. Thats like robbery, somehow...

I think my P.I. should ask me if I wanted to go, then I would tell her that I am not going and tell her to send my colleague instead. But as the abstract is already submitted I can't change anything.

I feel like if I am going to whine about it, it would harm my future. She might not write a good letter of recommendation for me or something similar...

It feels like I am actually making a decision that could impact my future in a (possibly) negative way. That is why I am going to back off and let things be.

One day when I am a prof. I will not do the same mistakes my P.I. did. Treat people (and their data) with respect!