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predator-prey interactions (IPC4, 2014; STEPPE, 2014). The discoveries, is shedding new light on the history of life and the
temporal range of our research also spans from the very old evolution of our planet. As the field of paleontology continues to
(Proterozoic) to the very young (Neogene to recent). We had the enjoy a renaissance, the role of young, motivated researchers will
opportunity to showcase our research to world experts via poster be invaluable. As junior researchers on the cusp of careers in this
and oral presentations, generate novel research ideas that cut discipline, we believe that the opportunity for early career scien-
across disciplines, make useful contacts for future research ques- tists to attend these kinds of meetings, facilitated by granting
tions, and learn of research similar to ours from around the globe. agencies and institutions such as the STEPPE consortium, is
These interactions, both amongst the STEPPE awardees and our pivotal to achieve our goals of becoming future leaders in the
fellow paleontologists, will hopefully lay the groundwork for new field, and contribute to our ever-improving knowledge of the
discoveries, technological advances, and paradigm shifts that will origin of Earth’s overwhelming diversity through deep time.
unfold over the coming decades. It is interesting to note that
although the overwhelming majority of the STEPPE grant recipi- REFERENCES CITED
ents are student members of the five partner institutions already
mentioned, many of us had never met before IPC4. Thus, in addi- Brook, B.W., Sodhi, N.S., and Bradshaw, C.J.A., 2008, Synergies among
tion to the benefits of meeting established experts in our fields, we extinction drivers under global change: Trends in Ecology & Evolution,
had a unique opportunity to form new, lasting research collabora- v. 23, no. 8, p. 453–460, doi: 10.1016/j.tree.2008.03.011.
tive relationships with other early career scientists. This goes to
show that it is through collaborative networks such as the STEPPE Gewin, V., 2002, Taxonomy: All living things, online: Nature, v. 418, p. 362–
consortium, among many others, that the inherently multidisci- 363, doi: 10.1038/418362a.
plinary areas of our study can truly come together in a way they
could not as individual entities. IPC4, 2014, 4th International Palaeontological Conference: A history of life:
A view from the southern hemisphere, abstract volume, 936 p., http://
It is an incredibly exciting time to be a young paleontologist. www.ipc4mendoza2014.org.ar/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Abstract-
Owing to the accessible nature of research in our discipline, paleon Volume-IPC4.pdf (last accessed 14 Nov. 2014).
tology enjoys wide media coverage and enthusiastic contribu-
tions from amateurs. Further, the advent of exciting new Mora, C., Tittensor, D.P., Adl, S., Simpson, A.G.B., and Worm, B., 2011, How
analytical methods, combined with seemingly endless fossil many species are there on Earth and in the Ocean?: PLoS Biology, v. 9,
no. 8, p. e1001127, doi: 10.1371/journal.pbio.1001127.
STEPPE, 2014, IPC4 blogs: http://steppe.org/category/steppe-blogs/ (last
accessed 14 Nov. 2014).
GSA TODAY | www.geosociety.org/gsatoday/
STEPPE travel awardees. From left to right, top row: Evan P. Anderson, Heda Agic, Ryan Roney, Javier Luque, Robyn Dahl, Gary J. Motz, Daniel J. Field; bottom row:
Jessica N. Tashman, Zuzanna Wawrzyniak, Lydia Tackett, Mike Donovan, John A. Fronimos, Montana Hodges, and Sarah Sheffield (not pictured: Erin E. Saupe).
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