Marie-Josée Fortin (photo by Diana Tyszko)
Marie-Josée Fortin awarded Romanowski Medal by Royal Society of Canada
Published: September 10, 2025
Marie-Josée Fortin, a University Professor in the department of ecology and evolutionary biology in the Faculty of Arts & Science, has been recognized with the 2025 Miroslaw Romanowski Medal from the Royal Society of Canada (RSC).
The annual award recognizes significant research into overcoming environmental challenges or for important improvements to the quality of an ecosystem in all aspects — terrestrial, atmospheric and aqueous.
Fortin is recognized for efforts to provide critical knowledge and analytical tools for the conservation of biodiversity.
Her research in spatial ecology and ecological networks has provided conceptual and applicable conservation solutions to maintain species movement – dispersal and migration – in fragmented landscapes as well as species interactions and ecosystem functions. Her insights are particularly important given today's natural disturbances such as fires, insect outbreaks and droughts; as well as human disturbances such as land-use changes and climate change.
“Receiving the Romanowski Medal is a tremendous honor that recognizes my lifelong effort to address urgent environmental issues in both terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems,” says Fortin, who is a fellow of the RSC. “In addition, this recognition allows me to share my insights through a series of lectures that accompany the honour.”
