(Image credit: ECSC)
Dr. Jennifer Cherrier, associate professor at Florida A&M University (FAMU) School of the Environment, and a PI at the NOAA Environmental Cooperative Science Center (ECSC), also located at FAMU, has been selected as a 2013 Leopold Leadership Fellow. Dr. Cherrier has served as the ECSC Deputy Director and leads the Ecological Processes thematic area of the Center. She is one of 20 environmental researchers from across North America to be awarded this prestigious award, and is first fellow to be selected from FAMU.
"Over the years, I have come to realize two things regarding environmental stewardship," Cherrier said. "As scientists, we need to produce high-quality and defensible science, and we must be able to convince others of its relevancy - how it fits into the big picture. I am thrilled to have been selected as a 2013 Leopold Leadership Fellow and can't wait to get started taking full advantage of this incredible opportunity."
As scientists, we need to produce high-quality and defensible science, and we must be able to convince others of its relevancy - how it fits into the big picture.
Based at the Stanford Woods Institute for the Environment, the Leopold Leadership Program offsite link provides outstanding academic environmental researchers with skills and approaches for communicating and working with partners in NGOs, business, government and communities to integrate science into decision-making. The program is funded by the David and Lucile Packard Foundation and by the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation.
"These 20 outstanding researchers bring different perspectives and new knowledge about today's most important question: how to meet basic human needs while preserving Earth's vital systems," said Pam Sturner, executive director of the Leopold Leadership Program. "Our program will help them gain skills, approaches and tools to translate their knowledge to action for the leap to sustainability."
The 2013 fellows are conducting innovative research in a wide range of disciplines, including ecology, marine science, economics, behavioral science, entomology, engineering and planning. They join a network of 175 past fellows who are engaged in broad-based efforts to solve society’s most pressing sustainability challenges.
The fellows were chosen for their outstanding qualifications as researchers, demonstrated leadership ability and strong interest in sharing their knowledge beyond traditional academic audiences. Fellows participate in a week-long training session followed by a year of practicing skills that will advance their efforts to lead change. The fellowship also offers peer networking and mentoring through the Leopold Leadership Network of program advisers, trainers and past fellows.
