Rachel Carson Environmental Conservation Excellence Award Previous Winners
On this page, you can find previous winners of the Rachel Carson Environmental Conservation Excellence Award. Established in 2023, the award recognises professionals, researchers, and innovators whose work has made meaningful contributions to the conservation of marine and terrestrial ecosystems, in line with Sustainable Development Goals 14 (Life Below Water) and 15 (Life on Land).
Rachel Carson Environmental Conservation Excellence Award 2025
Professor Thomas Crowther
Professor Thomas Crowther, a British ecologist, was named as the winner of the Rachel Carson Environmental Conservation Excellence Award as part of the Applied Microbiology International Horizon Awards 2025.
His work focuses on understanding the forces that shape biodiversity at a global scale and how ecosystems regulate climate and human wellbeing. As founder of the Crowther Lab, he leads an international network exploring the role of biodiversity in soil health, ecosystem resilience, and environmental recovery.
Professor Crowther also founded Restor.eco, a global platform supporting community-led ecosystem restoration projects by improving access to data, funding, and collaboration. Through research, large-scale restoration initiatives, and global partnerships, his work demonstrates real-world impact in protecting and restoring marine and terrestrial
Read more: Professor Thomas Crowther named as winner of Rachel Carson Award 2025
Previous Winners
Dr François Thomas
Dr François Thomas, an independent researcher with the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) in France, was named as the winner of the Rachel Carson Environmental Conservation Excellence Award as part of the Applied Microbiology International Horizon Awards.
An applied and environmental microbiologist, Dr Thomas’s research focuses on the roles bacteria play in key biogeochemical processes across marine and terrestrial ecosystems. His work investigates how environmental bacteria drive carbon cycling and ecosystem function, combining molecular microbiology with broader ecological analysis.
Through research spanning coastal ecosystems, polluted soils, and marine environments, his work advances understanding of microbial contributions to biodiversity, ecosystem resilience, and environmental sustainability, reflecting the core aims of the Rachel Carson Award.
Read more: Dr François Thomas named as winner of Rachel Carson Prize
Dr Raquel Peixoto
Dr Raquel Peixoto of King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) was named as the inaugural winner of the Rachel Carson Environmental Conservation Excellence Award as part of the Applied Microbiology International Horizon Awards.
An environmental microbiologist, Dr Peixoto’s research focuses on ocean biodiversity and the protection of coral reef ecosystems threatened by climate change. Her work has advanced pioneering approaches to microbiome restoration, including the development and application of probiotic-based, nature-driven solutions to support coral resilience and reef recovery.
Through fundamental research, pilot-scale implementation, and international collaboration, her work demonstrates how applied microbiology can deliver practical conservation solutions for marine ecosystems, reflecting the core aims of the Rachel Carson Award.
Read more: Dr Raquel Peixoto named as winner of the inaugural Rachel Carson Prize 2023
Introducing our brand-new video series 'Under the Lens', brought to under the lens you by The Microbiologist and AMI. In Episode 1, as Professor Raquel Peixoto (winner of the inaugural Rachel Carson prize) joins Professor Jack Gilbert for a deep dive into coral reefs, microbes, and the future of our planet. The full episode is available exclusively to AMI members and subscribers of The Microbiologist
