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The Society for Ethnopharmacology-India (SFE-India) has presented its "SFE – Outstanding International Ethnopharmacologist Award – 2022" to Prof.- Dr. Rainer W. Bussmann, Professor of Ethnobotany and Head of the Department of Ethnobotany at the Institute of Botany and School of Natural Science and Medicine, Ilia State University.

The award will be given to Bussmann virtually at the society's annual meeting and scientific conference in Mysuru, Karnataka, India, on April 22, 2022.

Ethnopharmacology is a branch of ethnobotany and pharmacology focused on the traditional knowledge and customs concerning medicinal substances (especially those of plant origin) and their traditional medicinal uses. The field encompasses traditional ethnobotany, modern scientific and clinical research of historically used medicinal substances, and quality control of these substances as they are used in modern societies.

"I am happy to note your valuable contribution in the field of Ethnopharmacology and Medicinal Plant Research. Based on the nomination made in your favor for the annual award and considering your contribution in this area, the Society for Ethno pharmacology, India chapter is happy to confer you the SFE-Outstanding International Ethnopharmacologist Award - 2022 - Pranab Banerji Memorial Award wrote Professor Birendra Kumar Sarkar, President, Society for Ethnopharmacology, India

Prof. Dr. rer. nat. Bussmann earned his M.Sc. (Diploma) in Biology at Universität Tübingen, in 1993 and his doctorate at Universität Bayreuth in 1994. He is an ethnobotanist and vegetation ecologist, and currently Head and Full Professor at the Department of Ethnobotany, Institute of Botany, Ilia State University, both of which he co-founded. Before moving to Georgia, Dr. Bussmann was director of William L. Brown Center at Missouri Botanical Garden, William L. Brown Curator of Economic Botany, and Senior Curator. Before accepting the directorship of WLBC, he held academic appointments as Research Fellow in Geography and the Environment at University of Texas at Austin from 2006 to 2007, as Associate Professor of Botany and Scientific Director of Harold Lyon Arboretum at University of Hawaii from 2003 to 2006, and as Assistant Professor at University of Bayreuth from 1997 to 2003, following a postdoc at the same institution from 1994 to 1997. He holds affiliate appointments and serves as external thesis advisor at universities worldwide. His work focuses on ethnobotanical research, and the preservation of traditional knowledge, in the Andes, Caucasus, and the Himalayas. Dr. Bussmann has authored over 330 peer reviewed papers, over 1200 peer reviewed book chapters, and authored or edited 38 books. According to Stanford University, he is one of the most cited ethnobotanists and recognized among the 2% most influential scientists worldwide. Dr. Bussmann is past President of the Society for Economic Botany and has served as board/council member of the International Society for Ethnopharmacology, Society of Ethnobiology, Botanical Society of America, and International Society of Ethnobiology.

"I am deeply honored and grateful to receive this award that recognizes the international impact of our research and educational efforts, putting them on the same level as a variety of very distinguished colleagues worldwide" said Bussmann in his acceptance of the award.

Previous recipients of the award include Michael Heinrich, PhD, professor of pharmacognosy at University College London; Geoffrey Cordell, PhD, retired professor emeritus of pharmacognosy at the University of Illinois-Chicago; and Robert Verpoorte, PhD, professor emeritus at Leiden University.

About SFE-India

SFE-India works to disseminate knowledge for the promotion of ethnopharmacology and medicinal plants. In keeping with its mission of "Globalizing local knowledge and localizing global technologies," SFE-India strives to provide an environment for knowledge-sharing among researchers, health care practitioners, and decision-makers interested in the promotion of ethnopharmacology and medicinal plants.

2022