The field of neotropical pteridology has expanded significantly over the last two decades. Our knowledge of the systematic relationships of tropical taxa combined with an intentional focus on taxonomy, floristics, ecology, anatomy, and evolutionary development is developing new paradigms and ways of thinking about ferns. The intensification of pteridological research in the neotropics is not a random event: much of the interest has been driven by the mentoring efforts of Dr. Robbin Moran. Robbin has been at the forefront of tropical fern education for over 30 years. He has taught several renditions of the Organization for Tropical Studies “Tropical Ferns and Lycophytes” course, and fern courses in Bolivia, Ecuador, and Venezuela. He has inspired decades of young investigators to consider ferns in their research and has collaborated directly with dozens of scientists from nearly every Latin American country on an incredible array of research topics. The goal of this symposium is to bring together a cohort of scientists to speak about their work on ferns and lycophytes across the neotropics with special emphasis on multidisciplinary topics that reflect the very spirit of Robbin Moran. The session will include speakers focusing on systematics, floristics, ecology, anatomy, and evolutionary development. This is not a colloquium about a person. This session is about how a life-long concerted effort by one individual has brought scholars together from across Latin America and beyond. From young beginning scholars to emeritus professors, every member of this colloquium has been influenced and their work expanded by Robbin Moran. These are people that have fundamentally altered our understanding of ferns and all share a common link through Robbin. In the truest sense of the spirit of “One World,” the theme of this year’s meeting, this colloquium represents a global unity and a common sense of purpose around learning from and educating people about ferns.