ID: 613 / 206

Category: Symposia

Track: Pending

Proposed Symposium Title: IAPT EARLY CAREER INVESTIGATOR SYMPOSIUM: THE EDGE OF THE UNKNOWN IN PLANT, ALGAE, AND FUNGAL SYSTEMATICS

Abstract: Systematics is the science of classifying and naming organisms. While this field of study represents one of the most ancient disciplines in biology, the emergence of new tools, such as phylogenomics, high-resolution imaging, and artificial intelligence (among others), is revolutionizing research in this field. These novel approaches are accelerating species discovery, improving our knowledge of how species are related to one another, and allowing for a deeper understanding of overall patterns of species morphology and distribution. The “IAPT Early Career Investigator Symposium,” is part of an ongoing symposium series focused on early career scientists. This year’s symposium aims to bring together scientists from various regions of the globe who are using a diversity of approaches to help uncover the edge of the unknown in plant, algae, and fungal systematics, both extant and fossil. By integrating a variety of research perspectives, this symposium will highlight recent advances and spur discussion on how emerging techniques are advancing the field. The symposium will provide an opportunity for participants to exchange ideas and establish new collaborations that would not have been possible otherwise. The symposium organizers invite contributions from young scientists to present their research in plant systematics using new tools and methods to document the diversity and unravel the evolutionary history of plants, fungi, and algae. We hope that attendees will be inspired by the breadth of opportunities and by the diverse perspectives highlighted.

Speaker 1: Giovanni Nunes, Museo Paleontológico Egidio Feruglio Argentina – cnunes@mef.org.ar “Using Innovative Microscopy & Anatomy to Advance our Understanding of Plant Morphology in Latin America”

Speaker 2: Carrie Tribble, University of Hawaii ctribble09@gmail.com USA — “Embracing the Complexity: Statistical Phylogenetic Approaches to Studying Plant Evolution”

Speaker 3: Lova Marline (Africa)— University of Cape Town marlinelova@gmail.com “The Briophytes of the High Mountains of Madagascar”

Topics (Up to three): Systematics

Topic 2: Bioinformatics

Topic 3: Macroevolution

Justification: The IATP “Early Career Investigator Symposium” is a venue to highlight the research of young botanists, mycologists, and phycologists from different continents and cultures, and exemplify the diversity in our discipline today. The symposium also aims to contribute to increasing diversity, equity, and inclusion by providing a platform for young researchers from diverse backgrounds to give invited talks at large international conferences. Even though these young researchers are at the forefront of science, they often lack opportunities to expand their research networks.