2025 <scp>ATBC</scp> Honorary Fellows

In 1963, the Council of the Association for Tropical Biology and Conservation established the election of Honorary Fellows as “persons of long distinguished service to tropical biology.” This is the highest award given by the Association. To date, we have selected more than 100 Honorary Fellows from over 20 countries. This year, we celebrate two more outstanding Honorary Fellows who are both widely recognized for their scholarship and mentorship. On behalf of The Honorary Fellow Nomination Committee, we present the 2025 Honorary Fellows, Dr. Patricia Balvanera and Dr. Geraldo Fernandes Wilson. Patricia Balvanera (Figure 1) is a distinguished Mexican ecologist and full professor at the Institute for Research on Ecosystems and Sustainability (IIES-UNAM). Her work bridges biodiversity science, ecosystem services, and sustainability, with a strong emphasis on social-ecological systems. She has led pioneering research on how biodiversity underpins human well-being through ecological, cultural, and relational pathways. Dr. Balvanera is internationally recognized for her contributions to global assessments, including the IPBES Values Assessment, and serves as Editor-in-Chief of Ecology & Society. Her scientific output includes over 160 peer-reviewed articles, with more than 17,000 citations. She actively leads and participates in transdisciplinary initiatives such as Cocina Colaboratorio, co-creating sustainable food systems with rural communities, artists, and scholars. At regional and national levels, she has advanced the integration of ecological and social data to inform policies on conservation and equity. Globally, she contributes to scientific networks like PECS and GEOBON, promoting biodiversity monitoring and knowledge co-production. Through her academic leadership, community engagement, and editorial roles, Dr. Balvanera plays a key role in shaping the future of sustainability science. Dr. Geraldo Wilson Afonso Fernandes (Figure 2) is a leading Brazilian ecologist and full professor at the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), with a foundational background in Biology (B.Sc., 1983) and advanced degrees in Ecology (M.Sc., 1987; Ph.D., 1992) from Northern Arizona University. His work, spanning over four decades, centers on insect–plant interactions, gall-forming insects, herbivory, climate change, biodiversity, and restoration ecology. Fernandes has authored hundreds of peer-reviewed articles, guided scores of graduate students, and held prestigious visiting positions at institutions like Stanford University (as Tinker Professor), University of Alberta, and Universidad de Sevilla. He is also a full member of the Brazilian Academy of Sciences and a CNPq Researcher 1A. Committed to long-term ecological research in Brazilian biomes such as campo rupestre, Cerrado, and Caatinga, Dr. Fernandes investigates ecological patterns across altitudinal and environmental gradients. His studies integrate theoretical and applied ecology through contributions to biodiversity monitoring, environmental restoration, and ecosystem services, with research networks spanning from Latin America to North America and Europe. As coordinator of national programs in biodiversity and long-term environmental monitoring, he continues to shape ecological science and conservation policy in Brazil and beyond. The authors declare no conflicts of interest.