Nalini Nadkarni

Nalini Nadkarni is a pioneering forest ecologist known as the 'queen of canopy research. ' As a Professor at the University of Utah, she has spent decades studying the rich biodiversity found in the tops of trees.

Nadkarni communicates her scientific insights to diverse audiences, collaborating with poets, preachers, and even prisoners to share the wonder of forest ecosystems. Her TED talks have reached millions, inspiring new approaches to conservation and the role of emerging technologies in understanding the natural world.