Mark Plotkin
About Mark Plotkin
Dr. Mark J. Plotkin - Current Title and Role
Dr. Mark J. Plotkin is the Co-Founder and President of an organization dedicated to ethnobotany and environmental conservation. In his role, he combines his extensive knowledge of traditional plant use with a commitment to preserving tropical American ecosystems. His work spans nearly three decades, focusing on the collaboration with traditional healers to document and conserve plant-based medicinal practices.
Dr. Mark J. Plotkin's Education and Expertise
Dr. Plotkin was educated at prestigious institutions, including Harvard, Yale, and Tufts University. His primary expertise lies in ethnobotany, the study of how people in tropical America use plants for medicinal purposes. This specialization has led him to work with traditional healers and communities to document essential ethnobotanical knowledge.
Dr. Mark J. Plotkin's Professional Background
Dr. Plotkin has held several notable positions throughout his career. He has worked as a Research Associate in Ethnobotanical Conservation at the Botanical Museum of Harvard University. He also served as Director of Plant Conservation at the World Wildlife Fund and as Vice President of Conservation International. Additionally, he was a Research Associate at the Department of Botany of the Smithsonian Institution, reflecting his extensive background in ethnobotanical and environmental conservation.
Books by Dr. Mark J. Plotkin
Dr. Plotkin is the author of several influential books in the field of ethnobotany. His works include 'Tales of a Shaman's Apprentice' (1994), a continuously printed book translated into multiple languages, and the children's book 'The Shaman's Apprentice - A Tale of the Amazon Rainforest,' illustrated by Lynne Cherry. He also authored 'Medicine Quest: In Search of Nature's Healing Secrets' and 'The Amazon – What Everyone Needs to Know,' published by Oxford University Press in 2020.
Media Appearances and Documentary Features of Dr. Mark J. Plotkin
Dr. Plotkin has been widely featured in various media outlets. He played a leading role in the Academy Award-nominated IMAX film 'Amazon' in 1998 and has appeared in a PBS Nova documentary, an Emmy-winning Fox TV documentary, and on the NBC Nightly News and Today Show, CBS' 48 Hours. His work has also been covered by Life, Newsweek, Smithsonian, Elle, People, and The New York Times. Dr. Plotkin has made appearances on National Public Radio as well, broadening the reach of his ethnobotanical insights.
Awards and Recognition Received by Dr. Mark J. Plotkin
Dr. Plotkin has received numerous accolades throughout his career. Time magazine called him an 'Environmental Hero for the Planet' in 2001, and Smithsonian magazine included him among '35 Who Made a Difference' in 2005. His awards include the San Diego Zoo Gold Medal for Conservation, the Roy Chapman Andrews Distinguished Explorer Award, and an International Conservation Leadership award from the Jane Goodall Institute. He also received the Skoll Foundation’s Award for Social Entrepreneurship with Liliana Madrigal and an honorary degree of 'Doctor of Humane Letters' from Lewis and Clark College in Portland, Oregon, in 2010.