Virtual Workshops and Special Events
june 2 & 3 (Mountain Time)
Friday June 2nd
12:30 – 1:30 pm NSF Q&A session (special event)
Special Events with Timing TBD
Graduate Student Mixer
Mixer - Primarily Undergraduate Universities
LGBTQ+ mixer
Diverse Careers Workshop
Mixer - Primarily Undergraduate Universities
LGBTQ+ mixer
Diverse Careers Workshop
In-Person Workshops and Special Events
Wednesday, june 21
Workshop: Undergraduate diversity at Evolution (UDE) Career Development workshop
8:30 am - 1 pm + 2 pm Fieldtrip to UNM's Museum of Southwest Biology (Behind the Scenes tour)
Open to all undergraduates attending the meeting
Cost: Free; Pre-registration required
(Includes morning coffee break & lunch, + afternoon fieldtrip)
Description:
This workshop is part of the Undergraduate Diversity at Evolution program, which provides funds for travel, lodging, and meeting registration for undergraduate students in an effort to increase diversity. The workshop is open to all undergraduates who wish to participate. Topics include navigating and networking at the conference and applying to graduate school.
8:30 am - 1 pm + 2 pm Fieldtrip to UNM's Museum of Southwest Biology (Behind the Scenes tour)
Open to all undergraduates attending the meeting
Cost: Free; Pre-registration required
(Includes morning coffee break & lunch, + afternoon fieldtrip)
Description:
This workshop is part of the Undergraduate Diversity at Evolution program, which provides funds for travel, lodging, and meeting registration for undergraduate students in an effort to increase diversity. The workshop is open to all undergraduates who wish to participate. Topics include navigating and networking at the conference and applying to graduate school.
Workshop: Reconstructing evolutionary dynamics of phenomes using new ontology-informed phylogenetic methods
Time: 8:30 am - 5:30 pm
Organizers: Sergei Tarasov and Diego S. Porto
Cost: $5; Pre-registration required
Description:
Ancestral character state reconstruction drives much of the research in biology by providing insight into the mode and tempo of trait evolution. However, comparative phylogenetics has been largely lacking a method for reconstructing the ancestral phenomes—entities that consist of ensembles of multiple discrete traits, such as entire organismal anatomies or body regions. In this workshop, we aim to demonstrate how our new R package OntoPhylo can be used to reconstruct the evolutionary dynamics of organismal phenomes using non-homogeneous Poisson processes. Specifically, it is capable of: (1) reconstructing evolutionary rate shifts of phenomes across lineages and time; (2) reconstructing the interactive dynamics of organismal morphospace through time; and (3) assessing rates of evolution at different levels of anatomical hierarchy. These reconstructions are based on the PARAMO pipeline that uses ontology-informed amalgamation of individual character histories through their stochastic maps (Tarasov et al. 2019).
The workshop will comprise two sections of 4 hours. The first section (morning) will introduce ontologies in general and their potential applications in evolutionary biology, including alternative ways of describing organismal morphology using semantic data. The second section (afternoon) will focus on presenting the OntoPhylo package and its functionalities to analyze ontology-annotated data.
Time: 8:30 am - 5:30 pm
Organizers: Sergei Tarasov and Diego S. Porto
Cost: $5; Pre-registration required
Description:
Ancestral character state reconstruction drives much of the research in biology by providing insight into the mode and tempo of trait evolution. However, comparative phylogenetics has been largely lacking a method for reconstructing the ancestral phenomes—entities that consist of ensembles of multiple discrete traits, such as entire organismal anatomies or body regions. In this workshop, we aim to demonstrate how our new R package OntoPhylo can be used to reconstruct the evolutionary dynamics of organismal phenomes using non-homogeneous Poisson processes. Specifically, it is capable of: (1) reconstructing evolutionary rate shifts of phenomes across lineages and time; (2) reconstructing the interactive dynamics of organismal morphospace through time; and (3) assessing rates of evolution at different levels of anatomical hierarchy. These reconstructions are based on the PARAMO pipeline that uses ontology-informed amalgamation of individual character histories through their stochastic maps (Tarasov et al. 2019).
The workshop will comprise two sections of 4 hours. The first section (morning) will introduce ontologies in general and their potential applications in evolutionary biology, including alternative ways of describing organismal morphology using semantic data. The second section (afternoon) will focus on presenting the OntoPhylo package and its functionalities to analyze ontology-annotated data.
Workshop: CloudForest: A robust computational platform for visualizing and exploring structure in sets of phylogenetic trees
8:30 am - 5:30 pm
Cost: Free, with some funding support available for travel, but attendance is via selection process (Register your interest at this link)
Open to everyone
Maximum enrollment: 25
Description:
Instructors - Jeremy Brown (Louisiana State Univ.), Benjamin Toups (Louisiana State Univ.), and Reid Wagner (Univ. of Minnesota)
CloudForest is a robust and flexible computational platform that allows researchers to visualize and explore structure in sets of phylogenetic trees. The tools available in CloudForest are agnostic as to the source of variation across trees, so the tree set could represent uncertainty in the estimate of a single gene or species tree, variation across gene trees, variation across different analysis conditions, variation across data types, or any combination thereof. CloudForest runs inside a Docker image and utilizes the Galaxy framework, so analyses are easy to set up, portable, and reproducible. The suite of tools implemented in CloudForest can be combined in many different ways to help researchers compare a wide range of biological hypotheses, detect data quality problems, and rapidly gain intuition for important patterns and structure across trees.
8:30 am - 5:30 pm
Cost: Free, with some funding support available for travel, but attendance is via selection process (Register your interest at this link)
Open to everyone
Maximum enrollment: 25
Description:
Instructors - Jeremy Brown (Louisiana State Univ.), Benjamin Toups (Louisiana State Univ.), and Reid Wagner (Univ. of Minnesota)
CloudForest is a robust and flexible computational platform that allows researchers to visualize and explore structure in sets of phylogenetic trees. The tools available in CloudForest are agnostic as to the source of variation across trees, so the tree set could represent uncertainty in the estimate of a single gene or species tree, variation across gene trees, variation across different analysis conditions, variation across data types, or any combination thereof. CloudForest runs inside a Docker image and utilizes the Galaxy framework, so analyses are easy to set up, portable, and reproducible. The suite of tools implemented in CloudForest can be combined in many different ways to help researchers compare a wide range of biological hypotheses, detect data quality problems, and rapidly gain intuition for important patterns and structure across trees.
Workshop: Diverse Careers - Leveraging your PhD for careers outside Academia
1:00 pm - 4:30 pm
Cost: $5; Pre-registration required
Description:
This active and participatory workshop will guide graduate students and postdocs in planning their careers after graduate school or postdoctoral training. Through presentations and small group activities, you will learn about the many potential career avenues open to PhDs in evolutionary biology and ecology. You’ll also learn the basics of building a professional network, how to identify the transferable skills you developed during your training, and have the opportunity to ask questions of biology PhDs who hold non-tenure-track jobs. Join us after the workshop for an informal networking event!
Targeted towards Graduate students and post-docs, but all welcome.
1:00 pm - 4:30 pm
Cost: $5; Pre-registration required
Description:
This active and participatory workshop will guide graduate students and postdocs in planning their careers after graduate school or postdoctoral training. Through presentations and small group activities, you will learn about the many potential career avenues open to PhDs in evolutionary biology and ecology. You’ll also learn the basics of building a professional network, how to identify the transferable skills you developed during your training, and have the opportunity to ask questions of biology PhDs who hold non-tenure-track jobs. Join us after the workshop for an informal networking event!
Targeted towards Graduate students and post-docs, but all welcome.
Workshop: NSF Proposal Writing
1:00 pm - 4:30 pm
Cost: $5; Pre-registration required.
Open to post-doctoral fellows only
Maximum enrollment: 30
Description:
What makes a good, potentially-fundable grant proposal? In this two-part workshop, attendees will participate in a mock review panel. This is a hands-on workshop, where you will learn how proposals are evaluated and what makes successful ones successful. Participants will be provided with two proposals to review, along with instructions, ahead of the workshop. In the second part of the workshop, NSF Program officers will answer questions about what to do and what to avoid, and comment on common problems with grant proposals.
1:00 pm - 4:30 pm
Cost: $5; Pre-registration required.
Open to post-doctoral fellows only
Maximum enrollment: 30
Description:
What makes a good, potentially-fundable grant proposal? In this two-part workshop, attendees will participate in a mock review panel. This is a hands-on workshop, where you will learn how proposals are evaluated and what makes successful ones successful. Participants will be provided with two proposals to review, along with instructions, ahead of the workshop. In the second part of the workshop, NSF Program officers will answer questions about what to do and what to avoid, and comment on common problems with grant proposals.
Fieldtrip: Specimens behind the Science: An Open Collections Event at UNM’s Museum of Southwestern Biology
1:00 pm -5:30 pm (Staggered entry times in small groups, tours lasting about 1-1.5 hours)
Cost: $5; Pre-registration required
Description:
Experience eight active natural history collections from the inside. The Museum of Southwestern Biology (MSB) contains large and rapidly growing collections of animals and plants, including the second largest mammal collection in the world, and a cryostorage facility that is heavily used for biodiversity research. The curators, collection managers, and students have designed a one-way walk-through of the collections spaces, featuring local research as well as species that have pivotal for evolutionary discoveries.
Shuttles from the Convention Center or free city buses along Central Avenue (ART buses) will bring conference participants to UNM’s Main Campus, where signs and volunteers will guide visitors to the CERIA Building (#83 on the campus map, ca. 200 m N of Yale Blvd. at Redondo Blvd.). There will be food trucks parked outside the museum, and a booth selling MSB merchandise and soliciting donations to support field collecting work by students.
Organized by: Christopher Witt (Curator, Division of Birds, UNM Museum of Southwestern Biology)
1:00 pm -5:30 pm (Staggered entry times in small groups, tours lasting about 1-1.5 hours)
Cost: $5; Pre-registration required
Description:
Experience eight active natural history collections from the inside. The Museum of Southwestern Biology (MSB) contains large and rapidly growing collections of animals and plants, including the second largest mammal collection in the world, and a cryostorage facility that is heavily used for biodiversity research. The curators, collection managers, and students have designed a one-way walk-through of the collections spaces, featuring local research as well as species that have pivotal for evolutionary discoveries.
Shuttles from the Convention Center or free city buses along Central Avenue (ART buses) will bring conference participants to UNM’s Main Campus, where signs and volunteers will guide visitors to the CERIA Building (#83 on the campus map, ca. 200 m N of Yale Blvd. at Redondo Blvd.). There will be food trucks parked outside the museum, and a booth selling MSB merchandise and soliciting donations to support field collecting work by students.
Organized by: Christopher Witt (Curator, Division of Birds, UNM Museum of Southwestern Biology)
Thursday, June 22
Workshop: Professional (r)evolution (Or... How to succeed in academia without losing your soul)
Organizer: Bree Rosenblum (Professor, UC Berkeley)
12:40 pm -2:15 pm
Cost: $28 (lunch included)
Pre-registration required
Description:
Our need for authentic professional evolution is greater than ever. We want to bring our full, creative, engaged selves to work. But academic culture often leaves us stressed, burnt-out, isolated, and fractured. This workshop will help bring your revolutionary spirit back to the center. Bree Rosenblum, Professor at UC Berkeley, will share strategies developed over the last 20+ years for cultivating authenticity and joy at work.
Open to all career stages.
Organizer: Bree Rosenblum (Professor, UC Berkeley)
12:40 pm -2:15 pm
Cost: $28 (lunch included)
Pre-registration required
Description:
Our need for authentic professional evolution is greater than ever. We want to bring our full, creative, engaged selves to work. But academic culture often leaves us stressed, burnt-out, isolated, and fractured. This workshop will help bring your revolutionary spirit back to the center. Bree Rosenblum, Professor at UC Berkeley, will share strategies developed over the last 20+ years for cultivating authenticity and joy at work.
Open to all career stages.
Friday, June 23
ASN Graduate Mixer
Lunchtime: 12:40 pm - 2:15 pm
Pre-registration appreciated (to help with estimating numbers)
Open to graduate students, post-docs & faculty members of the American Society of Naturalists only
Description:
The ASN Graduate Council is hosting a student-faculty lunchtime mixer for members of the American Society of Naturalists. The goal of this mixer is to create a venue for academic discussion, particularly between graduate students, postdocs, and senior researchers. Refreshments will be served.
Lunchtime: 12:40 pm - 2:15 pm
Pre-registration appreciated (to help with estimating numbers)
Open to graduate students, post-docs & faculty members of the American Society of Naturalists only
Description:
The ASN Graduate Council is hosting a student-faculty lunchtime mixer for members of the American Society of Naturalists. The goal of this mixer is to create a venue for academic discussion, particularly between graduate students, postdocs, and senior researchers. Refreshments will be served.
SSE Postdoc networking lunch
Lunchtime: 12:30 pm - 2:30 pm
Location: various offsite lunch venues
Cost: Free (but you're expected to buy your own lunch)
Open to all postdocs; Pre-registration required
Description: The SSE Graduate Student Advisory Council organizes small group networking lunches to facilitate interactions among postdocs. Signup is required during conference registration, and a survey will be sent out in advance of the conference to set up groups. Groups are responsible for finding their own lunch venues.
Lunchtime: 12:30 pm - 2:30 pm
Location: various offsite lunch venues
Cost: Free (but you're expected to buy your own lunch)
Open to all postdocs; Pre-registration required
Description: The SSE Graduate Student Advisory Council organizes small group networking lunches to facilitate interactions among postdocs. Signup is required during conference registration, and a survey will be sent out in advance of the conference to set up groups. Groups are responsible for finding their own lunch venues.
Evening at the Museum
7:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Location: New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science
https://www.nmnaturalhistory.org/
Cost: $15/students; $20/non-student
Pre-registration required.
The New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science (NMMNH&S) invites Evolution conference participants to wander its halls and exhibits. Curators and students from NMMNH&S as well as UNM’s Museum of Southwestern Biology will have many scientific specimens on display that illustrate evolutionary themes. Once in the museum, there will be drinks for purchase from a local microbrewery, as well as light snacks.
Participants will make their way from the Convention Center to the museum by shuttle bus, city bus, or on foot (1.4 miles), and are encouraged to eat dinner before entering the museum. In addition to the many food options in the Downtown and Old Town areas, the Sawmill Market has numerous restaurants under one roof and is just 0.3 mi north of the museum.
7:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Location: New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science
https://www.nmnaturalhistory.org/
Cost: $15/students; $20/non-student
Pre-registration required.
The New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science (NMMNH&S) invites Evolution conference participants to wander its halls and exhibits. Curators and students from NMMNH&S as well as UNM’s Museum of Southwestern Biology will have many scientific specimens on display that illustrate evolutionary themes. Once in the museum, there will be drinks for purchase from a local microbrewery, as well as light snacks.
Participants will make their way from the Convention Center to the museum by shuttle bus, city bus, or on foot (1.4 miles), and are encouraged to eat dinner before entering the museum. In addition to the many food options in the Downtown and Old Town areas, the Sawmill Market has numerous restaurants under one roof and is just 0.3 mi north of the museum.
Saturday, June 24
John Edmonstone Coffee Social for BIPOC Scientists
Morning coffee break 10:45 AM - 11:15 AM
Cost: Free; Pre-registration required
Description:
This event is named after John Edmonstone, who was born into slavery in British Guiana and eventually taught and influenced a young Charles Darwin. Edmonstone's life highlights that people of color have been present--if invisible--in the development of evolutionary biology from the beginning. This mixer is an opportunity to interact with evolutionary biologists at all stages of their career and training who identify as people of color and their allies. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet, discuss their work, share experiences, establish mentor-mentee connections, and build on constructive ways to make evolutionary biology a more inclusive community. Includes coffee break service. Sign-up during meeting registration, but all are welcome.
Contact email for questions: brandon.ogbunu@yale.edu
Morning coffee break 10:45 AM - 11:15 AM
Cost: Free; Pre-registration required
Description:
This event is named after John Edmonstone, who was born into slavery in British Guiana and eventually taught and influenced a young Charles Darwin. Edmonstone's life highlights that people of color have been present--if invisible--in the development of evolutionary biology from the beginning. This mixer is an opportunity to interact with evolutionary biologists at all stages of their career and training who identify as people of color and their allies. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet, discuss their work, share experiences, establish mentor-mentee connections, and build on constructive ways to make evolutionary biology a more inclusive community. Includes coffee break service. Sign-up during meeting registration, but all are welcome.
Contact email for questions: brandon.ogbunu@yale.edu
LGBTQ+ Networking lunch
Lunchtime: 12:30 pm - 2:30 pm
Cost: Free (but you will be expected to buy your own lunch).
Pre-registration required
Description:
Join your LGBTQ+ colleagues for a small group networking lunch event! This event aims to facilitate interactions between LGBTQ+ identified scientists at all career stages, help folks to network, glean career and professional advice, and create community for LGBTQ+ identified individuals.
Questions? Contact jennifer.coughlan@yale.edu
Lunchtime: 12:30 pm - 2:30 pm
Cost: Free (but you will be expected to buy your own lunch).
Pre-registration required
Description:
Join your LGBTQ+ colleagues for a small group networking lunch event! This event aims to facilitate interactions between LGBTQ+ identified scientists at all career stages, help folks to network, glean career and professional advice, and create community for LGBTQ+ identified individuals.
Questions? Contact jennifer.coughlan@yale.edu
Postdoc Fellowship Applications Discussion Lunch
Lunchtime: 12:40 pm - 1:40 pm
Cost: Free (but you will be expected to buy your own lunch).
Pre-registration required
Description:
Are you a late-stage graduate student or postdoc thinking about applying for postdoc fellowships (for example, NSF Postdoctoral Research Fellowship in Biology, NIH F32, Fulbright Scholarship, Marie Curie Fellowship, etc.) or a postdoc interested in sharing your experience with the application process? The SSE Graduate Student Advisory Committee (GSAC) will be coordinating lunches between interested postdocs and graduate students. Groups will meet for lunch at a restaurant of their choice near the convention center (note that cost will be covered by attendees). Please reach out to Cathy Hernandez (catherine.hernandez@yale.edu) or Robert Driver (robert.driver@duke.edu) with any questions.
Lunchtime: 12:40 pm - 1:40 pm
Cost: Free (but you will be expected to buy your own lunch).
Pre-registration required
Description:
Are you a late-stage graduate student or postdoc thinking about applying for postdoc fellowships (for example, NSF Postdoctoral Research Fellowship in Biology, NIH F32, Fulbright Scholarship, Marie Curie Fellowship, etc.) or a postdoc interested in sharing your experience with the application process? The SSE Graduate Student Advisory Committee (GSAC) will be coordinating lunches between interested postdocs and graduate students. Groups will meet for lunch at a restaurant of their choice near the convention center (note that cost will be covered by attendees). Please reach out to Cathy Hernandez (catherine.hernandez@yale.edu) or Robert Driver (robert.driver@duke.edu) with any questions.
Sunday, june 25
SSE Student-Faculty networking lunch
Lunchtime: 12:30 pm - 2:30 pm
Location: various offsite lunch venues.
Cost: Free (but you're expected to buy your own lunch)
Pre-registration required
Description: The SSE Graduate Student Advisory Council is organizing small group networking lunches to facilitate interactions between graduate students and faculty. Indicate your interest during conference registration, and we will send out surveys to match students with faculty closer to the conference date. Groups will be responsible for finding their own lunch venues. This event is open to both members and non-members.
Lunchtime: 12:30 pm - 2:30 pm
Location: various offsite lunch venues.
Cost: Free (but you're expected to buy your own lunch)
Pre-registration required
Description: The SSE Graduate Student Advisory Council is organizing small group networking lunches to facilitate interactions between graduate students and faculty. Indicate your interest during conference registration, and we will send out surveys to match students with faculty closer to the conference date. Groups will be responsible for finding their own lunch venues. This event is open to both members and non-members.
Super Social
Evening: 7:00 pm - 10 pm
Location: Civic Plaza
Cost: Varied depending on registration level
(Children 12 and under attend free with accompanying adult)
This is the final conference dinner and social event held on Sunday, June 25th. It will be held at the Albuquerque Civic Plaza, an open-air outdoor space that is right outside of the Albuquerque Convention Center. A selection of food items are included with the cost, and cash bars will be on-site.
Note: Super Social tickets are only available until June 1. Please purchase prior to that date if you wish to attend.
Evening: 7:00 pm - 10 pm
Location: Civic Plaza
Cost: Varied depending on registration level
(Children 12 and under attend free with accompanying adult)
This is the final conference dinner and social event held on Sunday, June 25th. It will be held at the Albuquerque Civic Plaza, an open-air outdoor space that is right outside of the Albuquerque Convention Center. A selection of food items are included with the cost, and cash bars will be on-site.
Note: Super Social tickets are only available until June 1. Please purchase prior to that date if you wish to attend.
Editorial, Council, and Business Meetings
council & Committee meetings
Society Councils
Open to council members only.
Open to Joint council members only.
Open to council members only.
- ASN entrance meeting - Wednesday, June 21
- ASN exit meeting - Sunday, June 25
- SSB entrance meeting - Wednesday, June 21
- SSB exit meeting - Sunday, June 25
- SSE entrance meeting - Wednesday, June 21
- SSE exit meeting - Sunday, June 25
Open to Joint council members only.
- Entrance meeting - Wednesday, June 21
- Exit meeting - Saturday, June 24
Society member meetings/forums
Open to all members of the respective societies. Lunch is not provided (you can bring your own). No registration required.
- SSE Members Open Forum - Thursday, June 22
- ASN Members Open Forum - Thursday, June 22
- SSB Members Open Forum - Thursday, June 22
editorial board meetings
Evolution - Thursday, June 22
American Naturalist - Thursday, June 22
American Naturalist - Thursday, June 22
External events
jUNE 16-20 - SLiM workshop at UNM in Albuquerque
Description:
A SLiM workshop will be given June 16-20 (immediately before the Evolution meeting) at UNM in Albuquerque. SLiM is a widely used evolutionary simulation framework for population genetics, evolutionary ecology, and more (https://messerlab.org/slim/). Complete information here.
A SLiM workshop will be given June 16-20 (immediately before the Evolution meeting) at UNM in Albuquerque. SLiM is a widely used evolutionary simulation framework for population genetics, evolutionary ecology, and more (https://messerlab.org/slim/). Complete information here.
June 17-18 & 19-20 - Multidimensional biodiversity data: Management, analysis, process-based modeling and statistical inference (RoLE Workshop 2023)
2-part workshop devoted to data management, analysis, process-based modeling, and statistical inference of biodiversity data shortly before the 2023 Evolution Meetings. Significant funding is available to support travel and lodging for the duration of the workshop to successful applicants. We especially welcome scientists and student-scientists from groups traditionally excluded from the biodiversity and computer sciences (such as women, Latinx, Black, Native American, LGBTQIA+, and scientists with disabilities), and participants able to amplify training. Details & application form. Deadline to apply is March 24, 2023.