The time for the oral presentations in all sessions is limited to 20 minutes. Currently, the following 13 academic sessions have been organized, and those with less than 10 oral presentations will be cancelled.

Session 1: Advances in geomicrobiology and studies of biomineralization

Convenor: Xian-Cai Lu (Professor at Nanjing University), Hai-Liang Dong (Professor at China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Director of Professional Committee on Geomicrobiology, Chinese Society for Microbiology), ​Jin-Hua Li (Research fellow at Institute of Geology and Geophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences), Hua-Xiao Yan (Associate Professor at Shandong University of Science and Technology), Luisa I. Falcon (Research fellow at National University of Mexico).

Session 2: Classification, evolution and rock-building of bacteria and algae

Convenor: Ke Pang (Research fellow at Nanjing Institute of Geology and Paleontology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Secretary General of Fossil Algae Committee of Paleontological Society of China), Robert Riding (Professor at University of Tennessee, USA), Peng-Ju Liu (Research fellow at Institute of Geology, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences), Gong-Liang Yu (Associate research fellow at Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences), Li-Jing Liu (Associate professor at Northwest University).

Session 3: Advances in studies of travertines and modern microbial rocks

Convenor: Qun-Wei Dai (Professor at Southwest University of Science and Technology), Hai-Long Sun (Associate research fellow at Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences),  Hao Yan (Assistant Professor at Nanjing University).

Session 4: Temporal and spatial distribution, formation mechanism and resource significance of deep-time microbial rocks

Convenor: Zuo-Zhen Han (Professor at Shandong University of Science and Technology, Member of the Academic Committee of IBA),  Hong-Wei Kuang (Research fellow at the Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, member of the Academic Committee of IBA), Robert V. Burne (Professor at the University of Queensland, Australia, member of the Academic Committee of IBA), Michael Steiner (Associate research fellow at Freie Universität Berlin).

Session 5: Biological and microbial structures in clastic rocks including MISS

Convenor:  Yong-An Qi (Professor at Henan Polytechnic University, member of the Academic Committee of IBA), Zhong-Wu Lan (Associate research fellow at Institute of Geology and Geophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences), Subir Sarkar (Professor at Jabalpur University, India).

Session 6: Structures of modern reef systems and their interaction with environments

Convenor: Ke-Fu Yu (Professor at Guangxi University), Tian-Ran Chen (Research fellow of South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences).

Session 7: Evolution of deep-time reef ecosystems and their interactions with environments

Convenor: Le Yao (Associate research fellow at Nanjing Institute of Geology and Palaeontology, Chinese Academy of Sciences), En-Pu Gong (Professor at Northeastern University), Markus Aretz (Professor at Paul Sabatier University, France), Xue-Song Tian (Associate research fellow at Chongqing Institute of Geology and Mineral Resources).

 

Session 8: Genesis of dolomites and advances in studies of microbial dolomites

Convenor: Hong-Mei Wang (Professor at the China University of Geosciences at Wuhan, Member of Geological Microbiology Professional Committee of Chinese Society of Microbiology), Dominic Papineau (Associate professor at University College London), Deng Liu (Professor at the China University of Geosciences at Wuhan).

Session 9: Formation and spatial and temporal distribution of biolith-related reservoirs

Convenors: Zhi-Liang He (Professor at Sinopec Research Institute of Exploration and Development), An-Jiang Shen (Professor at Petrochina Research Institute of Petroleum Geology in Hangzhou), Ming-Yi Hu (Professor at Yangtze University), Xiu-Fen Zhai (Senior engineer at Petrochina Research Institute of Petroleum Exploration and Development).

Session 10: Genesis of BIFs and large manganese ores: biotic vs abiotic

Convenor: Yi-Liang Li (Professor at University of Hong Kong), Wen-Chao Yu (Professor at the China University of Geosciences (Wuhan)), Xiu-Qing Yang (Associate professor at Chang An University).

Session 11: Evolution of ancient oceanic systems and formation of large ores

Convenors: Chun-Fang Cai (Research fellow at Institute of Geology and Geophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences), Xian-Guo Lang (Professor at Chengdu University of Technology), Xin-Qiang Wang (Professor at the China University of Geosciences at Beijing).

Session 12: Origins of carbonate micrite and recent advances in carbonate sedimentology

Convenors: Yue-Feng Shen (Associate professor at Hefei University of Technology, member of Academic Committee of IBA), Jian-Gong Wang (Professor at Northwest Branch of China Petroleum Research Institute), Fritz Neuweiler (Professor at Laval University, Canada).

Session 13: Black rocks and source rocks and evolution of Earth system and carbon cycle

Convenor: Guang-You Zhu (Professor at Petrochina Research Institute of Exploration and Development), Zhi-Fei Zhang (Professor at Northwest University), Xiao-Min Xie (Professor at Yangtze University).