José Sarukhán
Tyler Prize Laureate 2017
From Forest Floors to Federal Policy
Quick Facts
Born: July 15, 1940, Mexico City, Mexico
Affiliation at the time of the award: Mexico’s National Commission for Knowledge and Use of Biodiversity (CONABIO)
Environmental achievement: Recognized for his ability to translate scientific knowledge into action by creating and strengthening educational and policy institutions which have rallied the public to protect biodiversity in Mexico, with ripples that have spread worldwide.
Get to know José Sarukhán
What if protecting biodiversity started not just in the lab — but in national policy, public education, and citizen science?
But Sarukhán’s legacy extends far beyond academia. As Rector of UNAM in the 1990s, he helped launch CONABIO, a federal agency built to bridge science and policy by making biodiversity data accessible to the public and government. Today, CONABIO plays a central role in Mexico’s environmental decision-making — from forestry to fisheries to international climate diplomacy.
Sarukhán also spearheaded Mexico’s National System of Protected Natural Areas (SINAP) and played a key role in establishing the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) — both vital for safeguarding biodiversity at scale.
Sarukhán remains an advocate for citizen science, ensuring the public can access and contribute to biodiversity knowledge. Thanks to CONABIO’s digital platforms, everyday naturalists in Mexico are discovering new species — and helping build a culture of environmental stewardship.
That’s the vision Professor José Sarukhán Kermez has pursued throughout his career. Widely regarded as the founding father of modern ecology in Mexico, Sarukhán has combined rigorous ecological research with institution-building and policy leadership to reshape how biodiversity is understood and protected.
After completing his doctorate in the UK under plant ecology pioneer John Harper — work later named one of the top ten most influential papers in plant population ecology — Sarukhán returned to Mexico to train a generation of ecologists. At UNAM, he led the Institute of Biology and later founded the university’s Ecology Research Institute, creating Mexico’s first PhD program in ecology and mentoring students who now lead major scientific initiatives across the globe.
Celebrating a Giant in Global Conservation
In 2017, the Tyler Prize community gathered in Washington D.C., USA, to honor José Sarukhán Kermez’s global leadership in ecology and conservation. The celebration included a Laureate Lecture titled “From Universal Science to Local Applications” and a panel discussion, “Translating Research Into Policy Action: How Can Environmental Science Move Forward Quickly?” — bringing together scientists, students, and policymakers to celebrate his lifelong contributions to biodiversity protection. The evening concluded with an illustrious dinner, honoring Sarukhán’s legacy and fostering dialogue among global environmental leaders.
