S.M.A.R.T. Advisor Biographies

S.M.A.R.T. ADVISORS

Michael J. Balick, Ph.D. Vice President for Botanical Science Director of the Institute of Economic Botany The New York Botanical Garden Dr. Michael Balick has studied the relationship between plants and people, the field known as ethnobotany.  Most of his research is in remote regions of the tropics, where he works with indigenous cultures to document their plant knowledge, understand the environmental effects of their traditional management systems, and help develop sustainable utilization systems for the region.   Dr. Balick has authored 16 scientific and general interest books and monographs, on topics ranging from Useful Palms of the World, to Rainforest Remedies. He currently holds adjunct teaching appointments at Columbia University, Yale University, and City University of New York and mentors graduate students.   In 1980, he was appointed to the staff of The New York Botanical Garden and a year later, with Sir Ghillean Prance, he co-founded The Institute of Economic Botany.