Sandra Díaz
Born 1961 · Age 65
Argentine ecologist and professor known for pioneering work on plant functional traits, functional (trait) diversity, and linking biodiversity to ecosystem services and human well‑being. Co-chair of the IPBES Global Assessment, recipient of many international awards including the Princess of Asturias Award and Foreign Membership of the Royal Society.
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Life & Career Timeline
Born in Bell Ville, Córdoba Province, Argentina
Sandra Myrna Díaz was born in Bell Ville, province of Córdoba. She grew up in a household with large gardens — an early influence on her interest in plants.
Graduated cum laude with Biology degree, National University of Córdoba
Completed undergraduate studies in biology at the National University of Córdoba, graduating cum laude.
Awarded PhD in Biological Sciences, National University of Córdoba
Completed doctoral research in biological sciences (PhD) at National University of Córdoba; worked with Marcelo Cabido and Alicia Acosta on plant functional traits.
CONICET fellow (early career)
Awarded a fellowship at CONICET (National Scientific and Technical Research Council) during and after doctoral research.
Postdoctoral research associate at University of Sheffield (UK)
Joined J. Philip Grime's group at the University of Sheffield to work on plant responses to elevated CO2 and plant–soil microbe feedbacks.
Published Nature paper on plant feedback limiting response to elevated CO2
Co-authored 'Evidence of a feedback mechanism limiting plant response to elevated carbon dioxide' (Nature 1993), first demonstration of plant–soil microbe feedbacks under elevated CO2.
Returned to Argentina to focus on plant traits research
After her postdoc in Sheffield, Díaz returned to Argentina and resumed work on plant functional traits and their ecosystem implications.
Founded Núcleo DiverSus de Investigaciones en Diversidad y Sustentabilidad
Established the Núcleo DiverSus research group on diversity and sustainability (date not specified in source; placed here based on career timeline).
Lead author, IPCC chapter on rangelands in changing climate (AR2 WG2, 1995)
Principal lead author of the chapter 'Rangelands in a Changing Climate: Impacts, Adaptations, and Mitigation' for the IPCC report (1995).
Published 'Plant functional types and ecosystem function' (Journal of Vegetation Science)
Published influential paper (Diaz & Cabido 1997) linking plant functional types to ecosystem function under global change.
Co-author on Nature paper 'Consequences of changing biodiversity' (2000)
Contributed as co-author to a high-profile Nature paper (Chapin et al. 2000) addressing biodiversity change consequences.
Published 'Functional diversity revealed by removal experiments' (Trends in Ecology & Evolution)
Published work demonstrating insights into functional diversity using species-removal experiments and effects on ecosystem properties.
Published 'The plant traits that drive ecosystems: Evidence from three continents' (2004)
Published cross-continental evidence linking key plant traits to ecosystem processes and functions.
Published PNAS mechanistic framework for connecting functional diversity
Published a mechanistic interdisciplinary framework linking functional diversity to nature’s benefits to people (PNAS, 26 Dec 2007), later awarded the PNAS Cozzarelli Prize.
Received PNAS Cozzarelli Prize
Awarded the PNAS Cozzarelli Prize for the 2007 PNAS paper on incorporating plant functional diversity into ecosystem service assessments.
Ecological Society of America Sustainability Award
Received the ESA Sustainability Award in recognition of contribution to sustainability science.
Elected member of the National Academy of Sciences (Argentina / national academy)
Elected to the National Academy of Sciences (listed in awards/honours in 2009).
Clarivate Analytics listed her among most highly cited environmental scientists
Clarivate Analytics reported Díaz as one of the most highly cited environmental scientists worldwide (year not explicitly dated; associated sources around late 2010s).
Co-authored TRY global plant trait database paper (Global Change Biology)
Co-authored the 2011 paper describing TRY, a global database of plant traits – she is credited as a co‑founder/coordinator of the global plant trait initiative.
Built a global database of tens of thousands of plant trait records
Designed and led assembly of a global database of plant functional trait data, aggregating tens of thousands of plant records with contributions from ~135 scientists.
Named Inaugural Fellow of the Ecological Society of America
Recognized as an inaugural Fellow of the ESA for distinguished contributions to ecology.
Received Platinum Konex Award in Biology and Ecology (Argentina)
Awarded the Konex de Platino (Platinum Konex) in Biology and Ecology by Fundación Konex.
Bernardo Houssay Award in Biological Sciences
Received the national Bernardo Houssay Award recognizing outstanding scientific career in biological sciences.
Honorary Member, British Ecological Society
Awarded an honorary membership in the British Ecological Society for contributions to ecology.
Published IPBES Conceptual Framework paper (Current Opinion in Environmental Sustainability)
Co-authored the IPBES Conceptual Framework paper (June 2015) that connects nature and people and informed IPBES processes.
Published 'Global spectrum of plant form and function' (Nature)
Led publication presenting the first global quantitative picture of essential functional diversity of vascular plants (Nature 2016).
First global quantitative picture of essential functional diversity (milestone)
Presented the 'global spectrum of plant form and function'—the first global quantitative depiction of essential functional diversity of vascular plants (Nature 2016).
Ramon Margalef Prize in Ecology
Awarded the Ramon Margalef Prize in Ecology (2017) for distinguished contribution to ecological science.
Nominated by Nature's 10 as one of five 'ones to watch' for 2019
Nature included Díaz among researchers to watch, highlighting her leadership in biodiversity science and IPBES processes.
Co-authored Science paper 'Assessing nature's contributions to people' (2018)
Co-authored a Science paper (Jan 2018) that articulated the 'nature’s contributions to people' framework informing IPBES and CBD policy discussions.
Co-Chair, IPBES Global Assessment (report published 2019)
Served as a Co-Chair of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) Global Assessment that engaged >150 scientists worldwide.
Listed among 'Ten people who mattered in science' by Nature (2019)
Named by Nature as one of ten people who mattered in science in their 2019 end-of-year review.
Princess of Asturias Award for Technical and Scientific Research (shared)
Co-recipient (with Joanne Chory) of the 2019 Princess of Asturias Award for Technical and Scientific Research.
Elected Foreign Member of the Royal Society (ForMemRS)
Elected a Foreign Member of the Royal Society in 2019 for contributions to ecology, biodiversity and ecosystem science.
Royal Norwegian Society of Sciences and Letters Gunnerus Award
Received the Gunnerus Award in Sustainability Science (2019).
BBVA Foundation Frontiers of Knowledge Award in Ecology & Conservation Biology
Awarded BBVA Frontiers of Knowledge Award (category Ecology & Conservation Biology) recognizing advances linking biodiversity to ecosystem functioning and human well‑being.
Elected International Member of the American Philosophical Society
Elected as an international member of the American Philosophical Society (APS) in 2022.
Awarded the Kew International Medal (13th)
Received the 13th Kew International Medal from the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, recognizing global leadership in plant conservation and research.
Platinum Konex Award in Ecology and Environmental Sciences
Awarded the Konex de Platino in the category Ecology and Environmental Sciences (Argentina, 2023).
Diamond Konex Award in Science and Technology
Received the Diamond Konex Award in Science and Technology (2023) – a top recognition from Fundación Konex.
Awarded the Linnean Medal by the Linnean Society of London
Received the Linnean Medal (2023) for contributions to natural history and systematics/ecology.
Appointed to the United Nations Scientific Advisory Board
Appointed by UN Secretary-General António Guterres to the UN Scientific Advisory Board (press release 3 August 2023).
Selected by Nature to comment for International Women's Day 2023
One of six women chosen by Nature to comment on their plans for International Women's Day (2023).
Received Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh Medal
Received the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh Medal from the Scottish First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, in an event on 13 March 2023.
Recognized in TIME's 100 Most Influential People (2025 list feature)
Featured in TIME commentary referencing her influence in biodiversity science (Time 2025 collection quotes her work and influence).
Awarded the Tyler Prize for Environmental Achievement (2025)
Named a 2025 Tyler Prize Laureate in recognition of leadership forging links between biodiversity science and human wellbeing.
Key Achievement Ages
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