The Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI) in Panamá has assembled a team of scientists under the umbrella of the Center of Tropical Paleontology and Archaeology (CTPA) to study the geology of Panamá and northwestern South America.

Current partnerships include Washington State University (geochronology lab), Corporación Geológica Ares (Bogotá), Andes University (Bogotá) and the University of Florida’s paleomagnetics and paleontology labs as well as IGCP projects 546 (Subduction zones of the Caribbean) and 574 (Bending and Bent orogens).