Professor Nina Rønsted new head of research and nature conservation at the National Tropical Botanical Garden in Hawaii

Professor Nina Rønsted, curator of botanical collections at the Natural History Museum of Denmark, has been appointed new head of research and nature conservation at the National Tropical Botanical Garden in Hawaii. Nina Rønsted’s results with her research group are celebrated internationally, studying among other things plant biodiversity and medicinal plants. As a curator, she has initiated the digitalization of the Danish national herbarium, while also assuming great responsibility as both head of research and of education at the museum. Recently, she was the scientific curator at the new exhibition, Fashioned from Nature, which integrates the museum's large collections with beautiful objects from the Victoria & Albert Museum in London.

From one dream job to another

"Being part of the Natural History Museums' ambition to use our collections and research expertise to enrich and advise on the biodiversity of Denmark and the World, has always been my dream job", says Nina Rønsted.

"The job as head of research and nature conservation for the National Tropical Botanical Garden in Hawaii will allow me to help make a big difference to the world’s endangered plants and to international climate research. Hawaii is one of the world's biodiversity hotspots with more than 850 plant species unique to the islands. The National Tropical Botanical Garden in Hawaii is an international leader in nature conservation".

New opportunities for collaboration

At the Natural History Museum, director Peter C. Kjærgaard looks forward to new opportunities for cooperation:
"With Nina's appointment in Hawaii, we get the opportunity for a new, exciting collaborations within research, education and conservation between two, national botanical gardens," says Peter C. Kjærgaard and continues:

"The stronger we stand together internationally, the better we can face the major challenges caused by climate change and biodiversity crisis. In botanical gardens and natural history museums, we have a special obligation to use our scientific expertise, to open up and involve the population, to form bonds, and to make our knowledge available. During her time at the Natural History Museum, Nina has carried out her responsibility with the greatest integrity. We wish her every success in her new job".

Professor Nina Rønsted will continue to be affiliated with the Natural History Museum of Denmark and the University of Copenhagen. She will begin her new job after the summer holidays.