José Sarukhán Kermez facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
José Sarukhán Kermez
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|
|---|---|
| Rector of the National Autonomous University of Mexico | |
| In office 2 January 1989 – 6 January 1997 |
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| Preceded by | Jorge Carpizo McGregor |
| Succeeded by | Francisco Barnés de Castro |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 15 July 1940 Mexico City, Mexico |
| Spouse |
Adelaida Casamitjana Vives
(m. 1963) |
| Children | 2, including Arturo |
| Alma mater | National Autonomous University of Mexico (BS) Colegio de Postgraduados (MS) University of Wales (PhD) |
| Profession | Biologist |
| Awards |
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| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Population ecology, conservation biology, sustainable development, education |
| Institutions | National Autonomous University of Mexico |
José Sarukhán Kermez was born on July 15, 1940. He is a famous plant biologist and ecologist. An ecologist is a scientist who studies how living things interact with each other and their environment. Dr. Sarukhán is known for his work on the amazing variety of life, called biodiversity, found in Mexico.
He studied at the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), where he earned his first degree in 1964. He then got a Master's degree and later a Ph.D. in Ecology from the University of Wales. His main interests include studying plants in different environments, especially in tropical areas. He also focuses on how to train and educate new scientists.
A Career in Science and Leadership
José Sarukhán Kermez has had a long and important career. He has held many leadership roles in science and education.
Leading at UNAM
From 1979 to 1996, Dr. Sarukhán was the director of the Biology Institute at UNAM. This institute is a major center for studying living things. In 1987, he became the Vice Chancellor for Science at UNAM. This meant he was in charge of all the scientific research at the university.
Rector of the University
From 1989 to 1997, Dr. Sarukhán served as the Rector (President) of UNAM. This is a very important position, similar to being the head of a large university. He helped make UNAM a leading place for research and learning. Even after his time as Rector, he continued to be a professor at the Institute of Ecology.
Building Research Groups
Dr. Sarukhán was a key person in creating Mexico's main ecology research group. He also helped build the Ecology Institute at UNAM. This institute now has many researchers and has helped train over 160 Ph.D. students. He also supported the creation of the Ecology Center in Morelia, Michoacán.
National and International Roles
Dr. Sarukhán has been a leader in many scientific organizations. He was president of the Botanical Society of Mexico and the Mexican Academy of Sciences. He also led the Association for Tropical Biology and the Latin American Union of Universities.
Protecting Mexico's Biodiversity
In 1992, he played a big part in setting up the National Commission on Biodiversity of Mexico. This group is called CONABIO. He was appointed as its National Coordinator. CONABIO works to understand and protect Mexico's incredible variety of plants and animals. From 2000 to 2002, he also served as a Commissioner in the Mexican government, focusing on social and human development.
Recognized by Fellow Scientists
José Sarukhán Kermez has been chosen as a Fellow by many important scientific groups. Being a Fellow means that other scientists recognize your important contributions.
Prestigious Fellowships
He became a Fellow of the Association for Tropical Biology and Conservation in 1996. He is also a Fellow of the U.S. National Academy of Sciences and the American Association for the Advancement of Science. In 2003, he was elected a Fellow of The Royal Society, a very old and respected scientific organization in the United Kingdom. He is also a Fellow of the Academia de Ciencias de América Latina and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.
Awards for His Work
Dr. Sarukhán has received many awards for his dedication to science and the environment.
Honorary Doctorates
Nine different universities have given him honorary doctorates. This is a special degree given to people who have made great achievements, even if they didn't study at that particular university.
Top Environmental Awards
In 2017, he received the Tyler Prize for Environmental Achievement. This award is often called the "Nobel Prize for the Environment." It recognizes people who have done outstanding work in environmental science.
In 2016, he was given the Lifetime Achievement Award as part of the Champions of the Earth program. This award celebrates people who have made a lasting impact on protecting our planet.
National Recognition
In 1990, the Mexican government honored him with the National Prize for Arts and Sciences. This is one of the highest awards in Mexico for achievements in science, arts, and literature. He received it in the Physics, Mathematics, and Natural Sciences category.
