Nalini Nadkarni facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Nalini Moreshwar Nadkarni
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Nadkarni in 2009
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| Nationality | American |
| Education | Brown University (BS), University of Washington (PhD) |
| Occupation | Forest Ecologist |
Nalini Nadkarni (born in 1954) is an American forest ecologist. She is famous for being one of the first people to study the very tops of trees, called canopies, in the Costa Rican rain forests.
To reach these high-up places, Nadkarni used mountain climbing equipment. She first explored the canopy in 1981 and then again in 1984. Because of her amazing work, she is often called «the queen of the forest canopy».
Contents
Early Life and Education
Nalini Nadkarni was born in Bethesda, Maryland, in 1954. She grew up in the same area.
She went to Brown University for her first college degree. There, she studied both biology and modern dance. After college, she worked as a biologist in Papua New Guinea. She also spent time in Paris to practice dance.
Eventually, she decided to focus on science. She then went to the University of Washington to earn her Ph.D. in biology.
Exploring the Rainforest Canopy
Nadkarni became interested in rainforests because they had so many different plants, even though the soil was poor. She wanted to find out how these plants got enough food to grow.
Her studies in the canopy showed something amazing. She discovered that epiphytes, which are plants like orchids and ferns that grow on other trees, were collecting organic material. This material created a rich mat of nutrients. The rainforest trees had special "aerial roots" growing from their trunks and branches. These roots grew into the mats to soak up the nutrients. This helped the trees get the food they needed, since the soil below was not very rich.
Sharing Science with Everyone
Nalini Nadkarni loves to share her scientific discoveries with the public. Her work in the Costa Rican rainforest was even shown in a 1988 PBS TV series called The Second Voyage of the Mimi. A young Ben Affleck was in that show!
She has written a book called Between Earth and Sky: Our Intimate Connections to Trees. She has also given popular TED Talks about saving the canopy and about science in prisons. In 2006, she wrote parts of a book for young explorers called Kingfisher Voyages: Rain Forest.
Nadkarni has worked on many creative projects. She helped prisoners learn how to grow moss. She also invited artists, like musician and biologist Duke G. Brady, to the forest canopy to create art and music.
Science in Prisons
Nadkarni has done important work bringing science and nature to people in prison. In 2003, she helped start the Sustainability in Prison Program in Washington State. Later, in 2011, she created the Initiative to Bring Science Programs to the Incarcerated (INSPIRE).
These programs help prisoners learn about science and nature. They also help scientists share their knowledge with new audiences. This work benefits everyone involved, including the prisoners, scientists, and the wider community.
Awards and Recognition
Nalini Nadkarni has received many honors and awards for her work.
- John Simon Guggenheim Fellowship, 2001
- Aldo Leopold Leadership Fellowship, 2004
- Public Service Award from the National Science Board, 2010
- AAAS Public Engagement With Science Award, 2011
- Monito del Giardino Prize for Environmental Action, 2012
- Honorary Doctorate of Science from Brown University, 2014
- Time Magazine's Best Inventions of 2014: Blue Room (a prison room that helps inmates relax)
- Washington State University, William Julius Wilson Award for the Advancement of Social Justice, 2015
- Wings Worldquest, Women of Discovery Awards 2018
In November 2019, Mattel even created a new Barbie doll based on Nalini Nadkarni!
Family Life
Nalini Nadkarni is married to Jack Longino, who is also a professor at the University of Utah. He studies ants. They have two children, August and Rikki.
Eponymous Species
Two species have been named after Nalini Nadkarni to honor her contributions to science:
- Procryptocerus nalini Longino & Snelling 2002 - a type of Gliding ant
- Porina nadkarniae Lücking & Merwin 2008 - a type of epiphytic lichen
See also
In Spanish: Nalini Nadkarni para niños
