Connecting Earth and Sky with Dr. Nalini Nadkarni (Part 1 of 2)

Beauty At Work

Nalini Nadkarni’s unique academic career interweaves her scientific research on rainforest canopy biota with innovative public engagement. She has written 150 scientific papers and books on the composition and ecological roles of canopy-dwelling communities, supported by the National Science Foundation and the National Geographic Society. She also engages with those who do not or cannot gain access to science education, including faith-based groups, artists, corporations, and people who are incarcerated. Her work is featured in journals ranging from Science to Playboy, and in public media such as Science Friday, Wait, Wait, Don’t Tell Me, and RadioLab. In 2023, the National Geographic Society named her as one of their ten “Explorers at Large.” Her awards include a Guggenheim Fellowship, the AAAS Award for Public Engagement, the National Science Foundation Award for Public Service, The Rachel Carson Award for Conservation, The Wilson Award for the Advancement of Social Justice, and the Archie Carr Medal for Conservation.
In this first part of our conversation, Nalini discusses:

• Her childhood love for trees
• Her pioneering research on the forest canopy
• How the discovery of canopy roots reshaped our understanding of tree biology.
• Challenges and risks she encountered in her work
  

To learn more about Nalini’s work:

• https://www.nalininadkarni.com/
• https://explorers.nationalgeographic.org/directory/nalini-m-nadkarni

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This episode is sponsored by the John Templeton Foundation (https://www.templeton.org/) and Templeton Religion Trust (https://templetonreligiontrust.org/).

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