zoologist Archives

Dr. Rohan Pethiyagoda wins Linnean Medal, the ‘Nobel Prize for naturalists’ Source:Brisbane Sri Lankan Newsletter – Dæhæna – July 2022 Dr. Rohan Pethiyagoda was awarded the Linnean Medal which is considered as the Nobel Prize for naturalists, at a ceremony in London. He is the first Sri Lankan to win the annual medal bestowed since 1888 to a botanist or a zoologist, or to one of each, in the same year. Dr. Pethiyagoda is an author, educator and taxonomist and once served as deputy chair of the IUCN’s Species Survival Commission. He is also a Rolex laureate.“His impact on biodiversity research in Sri Lanka and beyond through his output and catalytic influence cannot be overestimated” the award committee wrote, and the author of this commentary explains why this is so. Amongst his copious outputs, Pethiyagoda has contributed greatly in highlighting the very history of biodiversity in Asia, linking together scientists, ...

Linnean Medal, the ‘Nobel Prize’ for naturalists won by old Thomian Rohan Pethiyagoda – by Sunil Thenabadu Photo Source:linnean.org The Linnean Society of London was established in the year 1888 in the nineteenth century. The Linnean Medal is awarded annually to alternately a botanist or a zoologist as has been common since 1958 to one of each in the same year. It is with great pride and delight that we inform our fraternity that our very own Rohan Pethiyagoda who was awarded the prestigious Linnean Medal at a ceremony organised by the Linnean society in London recently. The Linnean medal is commonly regarded as the ‘Nobel Prize’ for naturalists, owing to renowned naturalists such as Charles Darwin and Richard Dawkins already being associated with this award. Rohan Pethiyagoda, a taxonomist which is the branch of science associated with classifications, especially of organisms received the Zoology award of the Linnean Society, it is learned that he is ...