# Hongfu Yin: from defining the Golden Spike to shaping geobiology

## TL;DR

This paper highlights the scientific contributions and career of Professor Hongfu Yin, a pioneer in Chinese paleontology and geobiology.

## Contribution

Professor Yin's work redefined the Permian-Triassic Boundary using conodont fossils and advanced geobiology in China.

## Key findings

- Proposed conodont fossils as a new index for defining the Permian-Triassic Boundary.
- Established the 'Golden Spike' at China's Meishan section after 15 years of research.
- Promoted interdisciplinary geobiology research and trained many young geologists in China.

## Abstract

Professor Hongfu Yin, born in 1935, is one of the pioneers of paleontology and geobiology in China. He and his colleagues proposed the conodont fossil to replace the ammonoid fossil as the index for defining the Permian-Triassic Boundary (PTB) in 1986, ultimately setting this ‘Golden Spike’ at China's Meishan section in 2001 after 15 years of effort. Afterwards, he devoted much time to development of new interdisciplinary research on geobiology in China. Professor Yin is also a devoted teacher who established a productive research group and trained a large number of excellent younger geologists. Recently, Prof. Yin sat down for an interview with National Science Review (NSR) and generously shared his stories of the Meishan Golden Spike, the field of geobiology and his personal scientific career.

The 90-year-old pioneer of Chinese paleontology and geobiology reflects on his lifelong research journey.