Shahid Naeem, head of the Earth Institute Center for Environmental Sustainability, has been elected president of the Ecological Society of America. The 9,000-member society, founded in 1915, is the world’s largest community of professional ecologists. Naeem will serve in 2023-2024.
Naeem is an ecologist and conservation biologist, Lenfest Distinguished professor and chair of Columbia University’s Department of Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Biology. He is lead editor of the journal Biodiversity, Ecosystem Functioning and Human Well-Being as well as lead author of a new book, Sustainable Food Production. He has published more than 100 scientific articles.
“Shahid brings to ESA a blend of curiosity and insights of discovery of the ecological world and an understanding of the critical role biodiversity plays in supporting ecosystems and humanity,” said current ESA president Dennis Ojima. “These insights and passion for the ecological world will provide insightful leadership.”
Naeem earlier received the distinction of being named an ESA Fellow, and has been presented with the society’s Buell and Mercer Awards.
“It’s hard to think of any organization that could be more exciting, more important and more fun to be a part of in these times of unparalleled change,” said Naeem. “I’m thrilled to have the privilege granted me by its membership to join its leadership and staff in continuing to foster scholarship, practice and diversity in the ecological, evolutionary and environmental sciences.”
Naeem earned his M.A. and Ph.D. in zoology from the University of California, Berkeley, in 1990 and was a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Michigan, the University of Copenhagen and the Imperial College of London. He served on the faculties of the University of Minnesota and the University of Washington before joining Columbia University in 2003.
Adapted from a press release by the Ecological Society of America.
