image: 2026 BioOne Ambassador Dr. Matthew Girard.
Credit: Photo courtesy of Dr. Matthew Girard.
Five early-career scientists have been named recipients of the 2026 BioOne Ambassador Award, an annual honor recognizing early-career scientists who excel at communicating their work to broader audiences, fostering public understanding and appreciation of science.
Now in its ninth year, the award highlights rising talent within the BioOne community of 157 scientific societies and publishing partners. BioOne Ambassadors are nominated by BioOne publishing partners, and each winning author receives a $1,000 award and has their work recognized in the BioOne Ambassador Award showcase.
This year’s honorees span a range of fields, from wildlife conservation to botany and veterinary science:
Yana Korneeva
University of Cádiz, Spain
Our Invisible Neighbor; nominated by SEO/BirdLife for research published in Ardeola.
Dr. Maria Teresa Reinoso-Perez
Cornell University
Invisible Enemies: The secret battles fought in blood; nominated by Wildlife Disease Association for research published in the Journal of Wildlife Diseases.
Chandler Olson
The University of Alabama
First Record of Plicaherpia (Mollusca: Solenogastres: Phyllomeniidae) from the North Atlantic with Description of Two New Species; nominated by American Malacological Society for research published in American Malacological Bulletin.
Dr. Matthew Girard
National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution
The power of a name: How understanding biodiversity leads to sustainable oceans; nominated by the American Society of Ichthyology and Herpetology for research published in Ichthyology & Herpetology.
Sarah K. Morris
University of Vermont
The Andes of Colombia & Ecuador as a barrier to fern and lycophyte species from Mesoamerica; nominated by Missouri Botanical Garden Press for research published in the Annals of the Missouri Botanical Garden.
“The BioOne Ambassador Award is an important way to spotlight outstanding research while supporting the next generation of scholars,” said Allison Brock, Managing Editor for MBG Press. “For publishers, they offer a meaningful opportunity to extend the reach of the work we help bring into the world. We’re honored to see one of our authors recognized and to play a role in sharing research that informs and inspires a wider community.”
“Recognizing BioOne’s Ambassador Award recipients and nominees is an annual highlight and privilege,” said Lauren Kane, BioOne President/CEO. “Beyond their research achievements, these individuals are gifted communicators who have the ability to enrich public conversation, guide evidence-based policy, and spark the next generation’s passion for science. We are proud to spotlight their contributions and bring greater visibility to the rich research produced by the BioOne publishing community.”
The award recipients and their submissions are featured in the BioOne Ambassador Award showcase.