Dr. Mark Plotkin

Dr. Mark Plotkin is a renowned ethnobotanist who has studied traditional indigenous plant use with elder shamans (traditional healers) of Central and South America for over 30 years. His work primarily involves the Trio Indians of southern Suriname, a small rainforest country in northeastern South America, but his research spans from Mexico to Brazil.

As an ethnobotanist—a scientist who studies how, and why, societies have come to use plants for different purposes—Dr. Plotkin carried out extensive research and has partnered with over 50 South American tribes to map and protect over 80 million acres of ancestral forests. He serves as President of the Amazon Conservation Team (ACT), a non-profit organization he co-founded with his fellow conservationist and wife, Liliana Madrigal in 1996. ACT has been recognized by the United Nations Environment Programme Global 500 Roll of Honour since 2002 and was acknowledged for using "Best Practices Using Indigenous Knowledge" by UNESCO.

Dr. Plotkin has authored several influential books, including "The Amazon: What Everyone Needs to Know", "Tales of a Shaman's Apprentice", and "The Killers Within: The Deadly Rise of Drug-Resistant Bacteria". His work has also been featured in the Academy Award-nominated IMAX film "Amazon". He has contributed to various media outlets and his insights have been featured in numerous publications like Life, Newsweek, and The New York Times. Additionally, Dr. Plotkin hosts the podcast "Plants of the Gods", exploring ethnobotanical topics and their implications on society.

Dr. Plotkin's career is decorated with numerous accolades, including being named a "Hero for the Planet" by Time Magazine in 1999, receiving the Skoll Foundation’s prestigious Award for Social Entrepreneurship in 2008, and the honorary Doctor of Letters degree from Lewis and Clark College. His dedication to integrating traditional shamanic wisdom with Western medical practices addresses both longstanding and emerging health challenges, emphasizing the interconnectedness of environmental, health, and cultural issues.