5 researchers are awarded $1.5 million in total to
protect
and increase biodiversity in Chicago and beyond
CHICAGO, May 7, 2024
/PRNewswire/ -- Today, the Walder Foundation announced five 2024
Biota Award recipients. Now in its third year, the Biota Awards
continue to advance early-career researchers who are working to
understand, protect, and restore the unique and diverse ecosystems
in Chicago and around the
world.
"With ever-changing risks to our planet, the Biota Awards
represent a key part of our commitment to supporting biodiversity
research in Chicago," said
Elizabeth Walder, President and
Executive Director of the Walder Foundation. "We are excited to
support these researchers in our shared goal of fostering a city
with diverse ecosystems for future generations to enjoy, and in
elevating the contributions of the region to tackling the global
biodiversity crisis."
Each Biota Award recipient will receive $300,000 over three years to produce
on-the-ground, unique solutions to biodiversity challenges facing
our region. Research projects range from identifying invasive plant
threats to Illinois and saving
threatened trees from climate change to how bats, birds, people and
buildings can co-exist.
"The diversity of projects led by this year's recipients
highlights the array of different threats to nature," said
Jack Westwood, Program Director for
Environmental Sustainability at Walder Foundation. "From preventing
invasive species from compromising native biodiversity, to engaging
youth in bat research to understand the impacts of urbanization,
the Biota Awards are supporting early career scientists in leading
research and translating their results into on-the-ground impact to
help protect and conserve nature."
The 2024 recipients and their research include:
- Dr. Sean Hoban, a tree
conservation biologist at The Morton Arboretum, was selected for
his research titled Preserving Genetic Diversity in Trees:
Integrating an Affordable, Rapid Approach With Action and
Policy.
- Liza Lehrer, Assistant
Director of the Urban Wildlife Institute at the Lincoln Park Zoo,
was selected for her research titled BatTracker:
community-driven research to monitor bats and connect Chicago residents to nature.
- Dr. Gabriela Nunez-Mir,
Assistant Professor at the University of
Illinois Chicago, was selected for her research titled
America's Next Top Invaders: Forecasting invasive range size of
invasive plants using a traits-based framework.
- Dr. Yoel E Stuart, Associate Professor at Loyola University Chicago, was selected for his
research titled Building a mitochondrial genome database of
Illinois fish to enhance eDNA
surveys to improve conservation outcomes.
- Dr. Benjamin Van Doren,
Assistant Professor at University of Illinois
Urbana-Champaign, was selected for his research titled
Wings Over the Windy City: Science, Outreach, and Action to
Protect Chicago's Migratory Birds.
The 2024 award recipients will be recognized at a celebration in
July hosted by the Walder Foundation. To learn more about their
research projects, please visit
walderfoundation.org/biota-awards
Applications for the 2025 Biota Awards will open in June, and
for the first time will provide focused support for postdoctoral
researchers. Please visit the Walder Foundation website in June for
more information.
About the Walder Foundation
The Walder Foundation was
established by Joseph and Elizabeth
Walder to address critical issues impacting our world. The
Foundation's five areas of focus—science innovation, environmental
sustainability, the performing arts, migration and immigrant
communities, and Jewish life—are an extension of the Walders'
lifelong passions, interests, and their personal and professional
experiences. Walder Foundation's Environmental Sustainability
program promotes the long-term sustainability of the natural
environment by addressing socio-environmental challenges to
climate, water, food and health.
Media Contact:
Nell DeCoursey Brennan
Jasculca Terman Strategic Communications
For Walder Foundation
377361@email4pr.com
785-817-2033
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SOURCE Walder Foundation