Ecology, Evolution and Behavior, College of Biological Sciences, 2024
Regents Professor Elizabeth Borer is a visionary ecologist whose work and research has transformed the way that ecologists approach the science of studying the Earth, creating a pathway for tackling global problems with global science. Borer, a professor in the Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior, College of Biological Sciences (CBS), University of Minnesota Twin Cities, currently holds the John and Abigail Wardle Chair for Microbial Ecology.
Borer’s research lays the conceptual foundation for tackling grand ecological challenges, with significant implications for solving global environmental issues. She conducts much of her work by testing ecological theory using a globally replicated experiment, the Nutrient Network (NutNet), that she initiated and has co-led for nearly two decades. This experiment, begun in 2007, now includes over 300 scientists performing identically replicated experiments and observations at more than 170 sites in 29 countries spanning 6 continents. Her “NutNet model” has empowered a new generation of diverse scientists to conduct collaborative, global scale experiments that are building understanding of global human impacts.
Borer’s leadership in research is well exemplified by her publications, grants, and awards. Borer has published over 200 peer-reviewed papers and has been recognized annually by the Web of Science as a Highly Cited Researcher (top 1%) in Ecology and the Environment, since 2019; her work has been cited 22,923 times and currently has an h-index of 67. Her work has been continuously well-funded by sources including the National Science Foundation, US and international research centers, as well as state and local sources, including Minnesota’s Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund. Her contributions to ecology have been recognized through her selection as a Leopold Leadership fellow and her election as a lifetime fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science and the Ecological Society of America.
Within the University, Borer’s efforts have been indispensable to the 60-student graduate program in the Department of Ecology, Evolution and Behavior (EEB). She acted as director of graduate studies from 2017-2020, and during this time she led multiple efforts to increase equity and inclusion. Notably, she put in place an “inclusive community” fellowship program to support graduate students developing programs and activities to increase diversity, equity, and inclusion within the graduate program, EEB community, and science more broadly. Borer also made changes to the fee structure of the program to make fees equitable between domestic and international students. She has contributed countless hours mentoring students and postdocs, having served on over 30 PhD committees and advising nine PhD students and 17 postdocs. Half of her PhD students have been women, and include students with disabilities, underrepresented minorities, and international students. She has mentored dozens more graduate students and postdocs at other institutions under the auspices of her work in the NutNet network.
Borer’s critical contributions to the University community include current service on the Campus Curriculum Committee, the Institute on the Environment Faculty Leadership Council, and the Cedar Creek LTER Executive Committee in addition to past service on the Graduate School Advisory Board, the Global Program & Strategy Alliance, Faculty Advisory Council, and as associate dean for faculty (CBS). Her outreach is global, ranging from developing educational modules for K-12 students, serving on the editorial boards of international scientific journals, and serving on national and international scientific panels and advisory boards, including the International Long-Term Ecological Research Network and the long-term Biodiversity Exploratories project, based in Germany.
Borer’s contributions to ecological discovery are transformational and at the forefront of her discipline. She has shown visionary and inspirational leadership and is widely recognized as one of the most influential ecologists of her generation. She has bolstered the University of Minnesota’s reputation as a leading center of ecological thought and has show-cased research at Minnesota throughout the world. Borer has been described by her colleagues as “a force of nature on behalf of nature.” The University is honored to have Borer among its most distinguished faculty.
Biographies are as-of time of award presentation.