The Analytical Paleobiology Workshop (APW) or Summer School is held annually to train graduate students in modern analytical techniques for paleobiological research. Since 2022, the Friedrich–Alexander–Universität Erlangen–Nürnberg (FAU) —GeoZentrum Nordbayern—Paleobiology in Erlangen, Germany, has hosted the 3-week intensive workshop through the PaleoSynthesis Project, funded by the Volkswagen Foundation. Meyrick Tablizo, an instructor and a graduate student from UP NIGS, particularly the Nannoworks Laboratory, was selected as one of the 12 graduate students to attend the APW 2024 from August 5 to 23, 2024. He was supported by the Heidemarie Johnson Scholarship Fund in Applied Student Educational Experiences from the Paleontological Society (USA). During the workshop, Meyrick had the opportunity to learn from the experts and meet PhD students from around the globe, all of whom are researching different paleontological questions across various geological periods, locations, and fossil groups.
From left to right: Laura Mulvey (FAU), Emma Dunne (FAU), Adam Kocsis (FAU), Andrés Felipe Alfonso-Rojas (University of Cambridge), Blanca Martínez-Benítez (Spanish National Research Council), Kristína Kocáková (University Zurich), Die Wen (Nanjing University), Kella Venu Gopal Srinvasa (IISER Pune), Hanui Huang (University of Oxford), Wolfgang Kiessling (FAU), Rhiannon Nolan (University of New Mexico), Menna Jones (University of Chicago), Meyrick Tablizo (University of the Philippines), Joel Heath (University College London), Nathan Wright (Baylor University), Alejandro Prieto (Vanderbilt University). Obtained from the Analytical Paleobiology Workshop website.
The workshop focused on various modules related to analytical paleobiology, primarily using R and, to a lesser extent, Python. The topics covered during APW 2024 include biodiversity dynamics, morphological disparity, time-series analysis, Bayesian phylogenetics, tree dating, PyRate, paleogeography, and niche modeling. The modules clarified the complex analyses presented in recent data-driven paleontological studies. Since paleontological data is still lacking in many developing countries, including the Philippines, reports on fossil assemblages, morphology, taxonomy, and stratigraphy remain highly relevant.
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