Elizabeth A. Widjaja facts for kids
Dr. Elizabeth Anita Widjaja (born in 1951) is a very important scientist from Indonesia. She is a Senior Principal Researcher who studies bamboo plants. She works at the Herbarium Bogoriense, which is part of the Indonesian Institute of Sciences in Bogor.
Dr. Widjaja is especially interested in bamboo found in Indonesia and the wider Malesia region. She also helps people understand how growing bamboo can stop erosion, which is when soil gets washed away.
She once said that bamboo is a great source for making biofuel, which is fuel made from plants. She explained, "It is an overwhelming source. Furthermore, it is easy to work with bamboo so research about bamboo-based biofuel should be cheaper." This means bamboo is plentiful and simple to use for energy research.
In 1997, Dr. Widjaja identified and described a new type of bamboo called Bambusa lako, also known as Timor black bamboo. Before this, it was thought to be the same as another Indonesian black bamboo species, Gigantochloa atroviolacea. However, Dr. Widjaja noticed that its appearance, or morphology, was different, so she gave it its own scientific name.
Awards and Recognition
Dr. Widjaja has received several important awards for her work:
- In 1999, she received the World Biodiversity Day Award from the Indonesian State Ministry of Environment. This award recognized her efforts in protecting different kinds of life on Earth.
- In 2000, she was honored with the Indonesian President Award.
- In 2001, she received the Harsberger Medal from the Society of the Ethnobotanist in India. This medal was given for her studies in ethnobotany, which is about how people use plants.
