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Prof. Walter Alvarez wrote (in Global catastrophes in earth history. eds. V. L. Sharpton & P. D. Ward, 1990), "Interdisciplinary research on mass extinctions has faced significant challenges, particularly in bridging gaps between specialized fields, addressing diverse training backgrounds, overcoming cultural differences, etc." He hoped that these barriers would diminish, and the emerging interdisciplinary approach holds the potential to become as impactful as the knowledge gained about mass extinctions.

In 1998, a pivotal meeting at the Santa Fe Institute marked an early effort to unite interdisciplinary studies on mass extinctions. This gathering explored a novel approach to analyzing evolution and extinction patterns in the fossil record. Instead of delving into complex details, the focus was on understanding and modeling the average statistical features of large-scale patterns. 

In 2019, a collaborative brainstorming meeting titled "Frontiers in Nonlinear and Stochastic Modeling of Mass Extinction" at Ohio State University brought together mathematicians, paleontologists, and other scientists. The gathering aimed to explore innovative approaches to modeling mass extinction through the concepts of dynamical systems, tipping points, and AI. Following this event, key participants sustained their efforts, leading to the establishment of the Ma(th)ssX Research Network.