Assistant professor of biology at Stanford University, Dr Barnabas Daru, has been recognised for his contributions to biodiversity science and extensive professional and institutional service across continents.
Through his work shaping the future of ecological research and mentoring students, Daru’s influence is felt in academic and conservation communities worldwide.
The vice president of Public Affairs and Communications of the International Biogeography Society, Dr. Marta Jarzyna, described the university don as a passionate educator and mentor committed to promoting biogeography to individuals from historically marginalised populations.
According to him, Daru serves on the Jasper Ridge Biological Preserve Faculty Advisory Committee, the Biology Graduate Admissions Committee, and the Promotion Committee for lecturers, where he helps shape science leadership and inclusion within academia.
He also helps organise the department’s Biology Seminar Series, bringing global attention to emerging plant ecology and biogeography topics.
Danru was also noted for his leadership roles at Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi, including positions on key search committees for the Dean of the College of Science and new faculty recruitment. He also contributed to outreach programmes like Island Day, encouraging high school students to pursue science careers.
Daru’s editorial experience spans several leading journals, he said.
He has served as Reviewing Editor for eLife, Associate Editor for the American Journal of Botany, and Guest Editor for the Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B, one of the oldest scientific journals in the world.
He is also a frequent peer reviewer for top-tier publications including Nature, PNAS, and Trends in Ecology & Evolution.
Beyond publishing, Daru has supported global grant-making initiatives, including as a panellist for the National Science Foundation’s Systematics and Biodiversity Science Program and its Harnessing the Data Revolution initiative.
His professional affiliations reflect his interdisciplinary reach and global standing. He is a member of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), the Ecological Society of America, and the Botanical Society of America, among others.
He also serves on the IUCN Task Force on Phylogenetic Diversity, where he helps guide conservation priorities for endangered lineages.
As the world grapples with accelerating biodiversity loss, scientists like Daru are at the forefront of integrating data, policy, and education for a sustainable future.
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