Dr. Ruth DeFries is a distinguished environmental scientist who has established herself as a leading voice in sustainable development and conservation ecology. She currently holds the prestigious position of University Professor and Denning Family Professor of Sustainable Development at Columbia University, where she serves as Co-Founding Dean Emerita of the Columbia Climate School at Columbia University and holds the title of Co-Founding Dean Emerita. After earning her Ph.D. in Geography and Environmental Engineering from Johns Hopkins University in 1980, she built a distinguished career that included professorial appointments at the University of Maryland before joining Columbia University in 2008. Her academic trajectory reached its pinnacle in 2016 when Columbia University honored her with the title of University Professor, its highest academic rank.
Dr. DeFries employs satellite imagery and field surveys to examine the profound impacts of human demands for food and resources on tropical land use systems worldwide, with particular focus on central India. Her groundbreaking research has established crucial connections between deforestation patterns, climate vulnerability and conservation priorities in regions critical for globally endangered species like tigers. She has published over 200 scientific papers that have significantly advanced understanding of how human activities reshape Earth's habitability through influences on biophysical and biogeochemical processes. Her work has been instrumental in developing realistic pathways for sustainable development that balance human needs with environmental preservation in vulnerable tropical regions.
Beyond her academic contributions, Dr. DeFries has demonstrated exceptional leadership in connecting scientific research with practical policy applications through her active involvement with organizations including the Environmental Defense Fund, Science for Nature and People and the World Wildlife Fund. She founded and continues to direct the Network for Conserving Central India, demonstrating her commitment to on-the-ground conservation efforts. Through her accessible books The Big Ratchet: How Humanity Thrives in the Face of Natural Crisis and What Would Nature Do: A Guide for Our Uncertain Times, she has effectively communicated complex sustainability concepts to broader audiences. Her recent work continues to explore nature-inspired solutions to complex societal challenges, positioning her as a vital thought leader in the critical dialogue between ecological science and human development.
