On 26 September, UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere Programme (MAB) recognized the outstanding efforts and contributions of 11 young researchers from across the globe through its MAB Young Scientists Awards.
The prize announcement took place during the 37th session of the MAB International Coordinating Council (ICC), held in Hangzhou’s Lin’An district right after the World Network of Biosphere Reserves’ global summit. On this occasion, the Council also approved the designation of 26 new biosphere reserves, announce the laureate of the 2025 Michel Batisse Award, and endorsed the Hangzhou Strategic Action Plan 2026-2035, which lays out the roadmap for Biospehere Reserves for the next 10 years.
Since 2022, the scope of the Young Scientists Awards has expanded thanks to the support of the Principality of Monaco, which provides additional funding for research on marine, island and coastal issues. In recognition of Prince Albert I’s pioneering contributions to oceanography, these additional awards bear his name.
Laureates of the 2025 MAB Young Scientists Award
From tackling the impacts of climate change on soils, pollinators and wildlife, to advancing Indigenous knowledge, promoting sustainable tourism, and analyzing the socio-environmental effects of resource extraction, the 2025 laureates’ projects advance the goals of the MAB Programme while offering replicable solutions to build more resilient and sustainable societies.
The six laureates are:
Amina Braimi, Morocco
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Amina’s work will study the impact of climate change on biodiversity and ecological functions of soils in the Arganeraie Biosphere Reserve, Morocco. She plans to develop bioindicators based on nematode fauna to assess soil health. Molecular, ecological and statistical analyses will be carried out at representative sites. The results will be used to develop agroecological recommendations that can preserve these soils in the face of future climate disruption, and this innovative approach would then be applicable to other arid Mediterranean areas.
Jiashuo Cao, China
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Jiashuo will study how indigenous ecological wisdom can guide sustainable living in the face of climate disruption. She will explore how the traditional knowledge of the Aoluguya Ewenki people in the Hanma Biosphere Reserve in northern China can be adapted to modern sustainability challenges through ecotourism, education, and cultural innovation. Using a step-by-step approach, she aims to create a model that blends cultural heritage with ecological governance, offering insights for biosphere reserves around the world.
Behzad Ghiasi, Iran
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Behzad will develop a sustainable hydrotourism model in Iran’s Miankaleh Biosphere Reserve, aiming to restore wetlands while supporting local livelihoods. He will work with communities, NGOs, and government agencies to design eco-friendly tourism that reduces pressure on water resources. Through environmental and economic assessments, he will identify viable green jobs linked to cultural heritage and nature conservation. His project will empower local voices, especially youth and women, and produce a replicable model for other fragile wetland reserves.
Hyacinthe Lukoki, Democratic Republic of the Congo
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Hyacinthe aims to produce reliable scientific data on the diversity and ecosystem services of the pollinating insect fauna in the Luki Biosphere Reserve. The data gathered will be integrated into the management tools of protected areas to strengthen the capacities of managers and local communities through training and awareness-raising activities. The promotion of data and the dissemination of results will encourage greater consideration of pollinators in conservation policies in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Finally, he plans to train local masters and agents to ensure the sustainability of the actions.
Megan McDaniels, United States of America
Megan will investigate the long-term impacts of sarcoptic mange on wildlife and ecosystems in Argentina’s San Guillermo Biosphere Reserve. She will track disease persistence in vicuñas and guanacos, monitor changes in wildlife populations, study shifts in vegetation, and analyze predator-prey behavior using field surveys, eDNA, remote sensing, and GPS collars. Her work will shed light on how disease disrupts ecosystems and guide future conservation decisions. The findings will support wildlife management, freshwater protection, and local cultural heritage, while contributing to global One Health efforts.
Beatriz Rodrigues de Carvalho, Brazil
She will study the socio-environmental impacts of uranium mining on Indigenous lands within Brazil’s biosphere reserves using GIS mapping, policy analysis, and fieldwork. Her work will discuss the role of indigenous knowledge systems, resistance strategies and cultural landscapes in environmental licensing and state planning processes. The research aims to guide policymakers and communities in protecting Indigenous territories amid energy transitions.
MAB Young Scientist Awards – Prince Albert I of Monaco
Thanks to the contribution of the Principality of Monaco, five additional awards were dedicated this year to projects focusing on marine, island and coastal issues. The segment is an official activity of the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development. These laureates will strengthen the knowledge base for the sustainable management of fragile ecosystems at the frontlines of climate disruption and biodiversity loss.
Abigail Baidoo, Ghana
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Abigail plans to investigate the ecological and socio-economic impacts of salt production at the Songor Biosphere Reserve. Using mixed methods, she will assess biodiversity, soil and water quality, as well as community livelihoods with a focus on gender dynamics. The study will aim to inform policy, document environmental changes, and empower local communities through participatory conservation efforts.
Pedro Andrés Garzo, Argentina
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Pedro will assess the morphodynamic behavior of beach and dune environments in the Mar Chiquito Biosphere Reserve, Argentina, focusing on native and exotic dune plant assemblages. Using a transdisciplinary approach—including topographic surveys, plant biodiversity censuses, remote sensing, and geomatics—he will conduct seasonal monitoring across conservation zones. Community engagement will be promoted through participatory workshops to aid in identifying invasive species. The study will generate baseline data to inform sustainable management and restoration strategies for the dune ecosystems over two years.
Yakout Nawel Moussaoui, Algeria
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Yakout’s research will combine spatial analyses, ecological vulnerability assessments and forward-looking models (2030-2050) to anticipate the impacts of climate change and human pressures on the marine biodiversity along the Algerian coast, focusing on islands and species-rich areas in Algerian biosphere reserves. With the results produced – including a map of hotspots, a typology of islands according to their sensitivity, and scenarios for the future distribution of biodiversity – she will propose recommendations for the conservation and sustainable management of these ecosystems.
Manuel Vivanco-Bercovich, Mexico
He will study the surfgrass meadows in the Pacific Islands and the Vizcaino Biosphere Reserves, Mexico in the Baja California Peninsula. Notably, he will quantify them and then assess the ecosystem services they provide and their role in blue carbon storage and their role as a habitat for fishery-related species. The analysis will offer baseline indicators of ecosystem health and will help guide conservation priorities and could support seagrass-specific management strategies.
Hongfei Zhuang, China
He will study the movement and habitat use of the endangered spotted seal, a symbolic species known as the “panda of the sea” in northern China. He will map key islands, reefs, and coastal areas in the Snake Island–Laotie Mountain Biosphere Reserve that are vital to the seal’s survival. Using ecological modeling, drone surveys, and citizen science tools, he aims to track seal activity and identify threats from human activity. His goal is to improve conservation planning, engage the public in seal monitoring, and promote better connectivity between biosphere reserves in the Yellow Sea region. The research will provide crucial data for protecting this flagship species and its coastal habitats.
- More information about the MAB Young Scientist Awards.
- More information about the Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme.
This article was originally published on the UNESCO website.