Tuesday, September 9, 1.30 pm (NEW TIME), 2025. Seminar in Statistics.

The use of fossils for Bayesian phylogenetic inference
Joëlle Barido-Sottani, Institute of Biology, ENS
Abstract: Phylogenetic inference is used to reconstruct the evolutionary relationships between different species or groups, in the form of the Tree of Life. Phylogenetic trees are also used to study the diversification process which has led to the current biodiversity. In particular, we can use these trees to estimate speciation and extinction rates, and the influence of different factors (morphology, climatic changes, etc) on the rates. While phylogenetic inference was originally focused mostly on living species, it is becoming increasingly clear that we need to include information from the fossil record to obtain an accurate picture of past evolutionary dynamics. In this talk, I will show how Bayesian phylogenetic inference has expanded to fully integrate fossil samples into analyses of the evolutionary process, and I will discuss some of the current challenges faced by this type of inference.
Location: Alan Turing .

Tuesday, October 21, 1.30 pm (NEW TIME), 2025. Seminar in Statistics.

TBA
Gabriel Wallin, School Of Mathematical Sciences, Lancaster University
Abstract: TBA
Location: Alan Turing .

Tuesday, November 4, 1.30 pm (NEW TIME), 2025. Seminar in Statistics.

TBA
Morteza Haghir Chehreghani, Computer Science and Engineering, Chalmers University of Technology
Abstract: TBA
Location: Alan Turing .