The scientist has been appreciated for her contribution to the research on biodiversity of the least explored regions of the world. The biologist from Lodz, who participated in more than 20 tropical expeditions, so far has discovered 370 unknown to science species of orchids – Hofmeisterella biglobulosa, Myoxanthus ortizianus, Hirtzia barrerana – these are names only of some of them.
The Maxwell/Hanrahan Foundation has additionally noted the exceptional value of research conducted by dr hab. Marta Kolanowska on climate change on the issues of global warming, the reduction of tropical forests and human activity in the context of the range of orchids in the world.
The researcher is known for conducting research in the southern part of Colombia, where she cooperates with members of an indigenous tribe. Together with scientists from other centres in the world she wants to establish a nature reserve in the Sibundoy Valley and a research station there under the auspices of the University of Lodz. The Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection of the University of Lodz is involved in the project.
I am very surprised by my winning the prize! The award recognizes my past work studying diversity of orchids and their threats. I’m part of a group that includes scientists working on food webs in deep pelagic waters, language development in parrots, evolution and generics of Amazonian frogs and microscopic organisms’ survival in extreme conditions. I’m honoured to stay alongside them.
dr hab. Marta Kolanowska
The researcher from Lodz underlines that the American Foundation recognized 5 of the world's 60 young scientists nominated for the award to emphasize the value of "non-obvious" research, the common denominator of which is field research that stems from their curiosity about the world and their passion.
Marta Kolanowska’s field work documents tropical orchids in the biodiversity hotspots of Andean Colombia, Papua New Guinea and the Isthmus of Darien in Panama. She addresses conservation issues by using biogeographical analyses and ecological modelling that help us understand how climate change is affecting orchids and their specialized pollinators. Kolanowska is a leading botanist focused on systematics and conservation of tropical Orchidaceae, the largest and most diverse family of flowering plants. Through her explorations of little known ecosystems, as well as her revisions of herbaria collections, she has discovered more than 370 species of orchids that were previously unknown to science.
Part of justification of the award from the Maxwell/Hanrahan Foundation
Other awards and nominations
In May this year the researcher was nominated for the Heisig Award, conferred for the first time. The award, now called the Polish equivalent of the Nobel Prize, is meant to honor Polish scientists who conduct research at the highest level and whose discoveries change the world:
Dr hab. Marta Kolanowska, prof. of UL is a nominee for the “Polish Nobel Prize”
In 2020 she received the Otto Wichterle Award - an award conferred to young scientists by the Czech Academy of Sciences. The candidacy of Marta Kolanowska was submitted by the Global Change Research Institute.
The Maxwell/Hanrahan Foundation was established in 2018 to support individual scientists, teachers, conservationists and creators whose diverse perspectives enable us to discover new things about ourselves and our world.
The Maxwell/Hanrahan Awards in Field Biology
The award supports individual, young scientists, elevate their diverse perspectives and enable them to commit time to the observation and experimentation that help us better understand ourselves and the world around us. Launched in 2020, the annual awards recognize five outstanding scientists and support each with USD 100,000.
Internships for Field Research
To complement the individual awards in Field Biology, the Foundation is supporting internships for fieldwork at an array of US-based research institutions, in order to provide early scientists with experiences that can really make a difference in their careers.
Grants for Protecting Nature
The foundation supports organizations and educational institutions working to 1) connect people and nature, and 2) protect important places, with a focus on California and Hawaii. Past grantees have included: California Academy of Sciences; Coral Reef Alliance; Environmental Grantmakers Association; Hidden Villa; Monterey Bay Aquarium; Pacific Horticulture Foundation; Peninsula Open Space Trust; San Francisco Botanical Garden; and San Francisco Parks Alliance.
Source and photos: M. Kolanowska, The Maxwell/Hanrahan Foundation
Edit: Promotion Centre, UL