Dr. Gary L. Stringer, professor of geology in the ULM Department of Geosciences will chair a symposium titled "Marine Vertebrate Faunas of the Gulf Coastal Plain," in conjunction with the 42nd Annual Meeting of the Geological Society of America (South-Central Region) in Hot Springs, Ark., from March 30 - April 1.

The symposium, which was organized by Stringer, will emphasize the fossil marine vertebrates such as sharks, fishes, reptiles, and mammals that are present in the Gulf Coastal Plain.

Stringer said, "I was very pleased that my proposal for a symposium on marine vertebrate fossils from the Gulf Coast was accepted by the Geological Society of America. Furthermore, I am delighted at the quality and diversity of the symposium presenters, including several ULM graduates."

The gathering will include presenters from California, North Dakota, South Dakota, Arkansas, Texas, Louisiana, Tennessee, and Georgia. Some of the universities represented will include California Polytechnic State University, University of Texas, Texas A&M University, Tulane University, and the University of Tennessee.

One of the symposium's key speakers will be Dr. Harry Fierstine, emeritus professor from California Polytechnic State University, who is considered one of the world's leading experts on fossil billfish (fish such as swordfish and sailfish).