RevBayes NIMBioS Tutorial: Bayesian Inference of Phylogeny

[Melanie Colón]

There's still time to apply for the RevBayes: Bayesian Inference of
Phylogeny Tutorial to be held at the National Institute for Mathematical
and Biological Synthesis (NIMBioS) from August 7-11.

*Objectives: *This course features RevBayes, an exciting new program for
Bayesian inference of phylogeny. RevBayes is the successor to the
popular program MrBayes, but represents both a complete rewrite of the
computer code and a fundamental re-conception of phylogenetic models.
Specifically, RevBayes adopts a 'graphical-model' framework that views
all statistical models as comprised of components that can be assembled
in myriad configurations to explore a corresponding array of questions.
This graphical-model approach to phylogenetic inference provides
effectively infinite flexibility. Moreover, the graphical models are
specified using an R-like language, Rev, that empowers users to
construct arbitrarily complex phylogenetic models from simple component
parts (i.e. random variables, parameter transformations and constants of
different sorts).

This course is focused on phylogenetic trees and
comparative-phylogenetic methods, including divergence-time estimation,
morphological evolution, lineage diversification, and historical
biogeography. Instruction is based on a combination of carefully
tailored lectures introducing the theoretical and conceptual basis of
each inference problem and hands-on computer tutorials demonstrating how
to explore these questions using RevBayes (see
http://revbayes.github.io/tutorials.html).

Participants are not assumed to have expertise in phylogenetic theory;
rather, we provide an accessible introduction to Bayesian statistical
inference and stochastic models. We assume only that the students are
familiar with phylogenetic trees and their applications to evolutionary
biology. We therefore anticipate that this course will be most suitable
for senior PhD students, postdoctoral researchers, and faculty who want
to learn these techniques.

*Location: *NIMBioS at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville

*Instructors: *Bastien Boussau, CNRS Researcher, Univ. of Lyon; Emma
Goldberg, Assistant Professor, Univ. of Minnesota; Tracy A. Heath,
Assistant Professor, Iowa State Univ.; Sebastian Höhna, Postdoc, Univ.
of California, Berkeley; John Huelsenbeck, Professor, Univ. of
California, Berkeley; Brian Moore, Professor, Univ. of California,
Davis; April M. Wright, Postdoc, Iowa State Univ.

For more information about the tutorial and a link to the online
application form, go to http://www.nimbios.org/tutorials/TT_revbayes

*Registration Fee: *$500 for faculty and postdocs and $350 for students,
payable upon acceptance of application.

Participation in NIMBioS tutorials is by application only. Individuals
with a strong interest in the topic are encouraged to apply, and
successful applicants will be notified within three weeks after the
application deadline.

The National Institute for Mathematical and Biological Synthesis
(NIMBioS) (http://www.nimbios.org) brings together researchers from
around the world to collaborate across disciplinary boundaries to
investigate solutions to basic and applied problems in the life
sciences. NIMBioS is sponsored by the National Science Foundation, with
additional support from The University of Tennessee, Knoxville.

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