Assistant Professor of Global Ecosystem Ecology at ETH Zurich, Switzerland
Dr. Thomas W. Crowther is a globally recognized ecologist and Assistant Professor at ETH Zurich, renowned for his pioneering research in global ecosystem ecology, biodiversity, and climate restoration. With a Ph.D. from Cardiff University and postdoctoral experience at Yale and the Netherlands Institute of Ecology, he has published over 200 peer-reviewed articles—including 19 in Science, Nature, and Cell—amassing a remarkable H-index of 67. Dr. Crowther is the founder of Restor.eco, a global platform supporting ecological restoration, and the SEED Biocomplexity Index, aimed at standardizing biodiversity assessment. His leadership extends to advisory roles with the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, World Economic Forum, and Elon Musk’s XPrize for carbon capture. Backed by over $28 million in research funding, he is also a prominent science communicator, with impactful TED Talks and media contributions in TIME, CNN, and The Guardian. Widely awarded, including the British Ecological Society Founders’ Prize and World Economic Forum’s Young Global Leader honor, Dr. Crowther stands out as a transformative force in ecological science and sustainability. 🌍
Professional Profile
🎓 Education of Dr. Thomas W. Crowther
Dr. Thomas W. Crowther holds a Ph.D. in Ecology from Cardiff University, which he completed between 2008 and 2012. His doctoral research laid the foundation for his future work in global ecosystem ecology, with a focus on soil biodiversity and climate change. Following his Ph.D., he pursued two prestigious postdoctoral fellowships—first at the Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies (2012–2015), where he expanded his research on global forest dynamics, and then as a Marie Curie Postdoctoral Fellow at the Netherlands Institute of Ecology (2015–2017), where he further refined his focus on ecological networks and restoration science. His strong academic training across leading institutions in the UK, the United States, and the Netherlands has shaped his interdisciplinary and globally relevant approach to ecological research.
💼 Professional Experience of Dr. Thomas W. Crowther
Dr. Thomas W. Crowther has built an impressive professional career at the intersection of academic research, ecological leadership, and global sustainability. Since 2017, he has served as an Assistant Professor of Global Ecosystem Ecology at ETH Zurich, where he leads cutting-edge research on biodiversity, soil ecology, and climate restoration. Prior to this, he held a Marie Curie Postdoctoral Fellowship at the Netherlands Institute of Ecology (2015–2017), and a prestigious postdoctoral position at the Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies (2012–2015). He is also the founder of Restor.eco, a digital platform empowering ecological restoration efforts worldwide, and the SEED Biocomplexity Index, a tool for globally standardized biodiversity assessments. In addition to his academic roles, Dr. Crowther serves on high-level advisory boards including the United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, the World Economic Forum’s 1T.org, and the XPrize for carbon capture, reflecting his influence in shaping both policy and practice in global environmental stewardship.
🔬 Research Interests of Dr. Thomas W. Crowther
Dr. Thomas W. Crowther’s research interests lie at the forefront of global ecosystem ecology, with a strong emphasis on biodiversity, soil ecology, forest restoration, and climate change mitigation. His work seeks to understand the distribution and function of life on Earth—from soil microbes to forest canopies—and how these systems interact with global biogeochemical cycles. He is particularly focused on quantifying carbon storage potential, mapping biodiversity patterns at a planetary scale, and exploring nature-based solutions for addressing climate and environmental challenges. Dr. Crowther integrates large-scale data synthesis with ecological theory to inform policy and drive global restoration initiatives. Through projects like Restor.eco and the Global Forest Biodiversity Initiative, he aims to bridge the gap between scientific research, digital innovation, and real-world environmental action.
🏅 Awards and Honors of Dr. Thomas W. Crowther
Dr. Thomas W. Crowther has received numerous prestigious awards and honors in recognition of his groundbreaking contributions to ecology and environmental sustainability. In 2019, he was named a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum, acknowledging his influence on global environmental policy and action. He received the British Ecological Society Founders’ Prize the same year for outstanding contributions by an early-career scientist. In 2017, he was honored with the Early Career Award from the Ecological Society of America’s Soil Ecology Section. His entrepreneurial impact was recognized with the Dandelion Entrepreneurship Award in 2021, and his platform Restor.eco was selected as a finalist for Prince William’s Earthshot Prize, one of the world’s most prestigious environmental accolades. These awards collectively highlight Dr. Crowther’s exceptional scientific leadership, innovation, and commitment to restoring planetary health.
✅ Conclusion
Dr. Thomas W. Crowther embodies the spirit of the Best Researcher Award—a rare synthesis of academic brilliance, global impact, scientific entrepreneurship, and sustainability leadership. His groundbreaking contributions to forest ecology, soil biodiversity, and restoration science—combined with a powerful public voice—make him not just suitable, but outstandingly deserving of this recognition. His work is not only reshaping science but also mobilizing global action toward a more ecologically resilient future. 🌱🌍
Publications Top Noted📚
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The global tree restoration potential
Authors: J.F. Bastin, Y. Finegold, C. Garcia, D. Mollicone, M. Rezende, D. Routh, … T.W. Crowther
Journal: Science 365 (6448), 76–79
Year: 2019
Citations: 2267
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Scientists’ warning to humanity: Microorganisms and climate change
Authors: R. Cavicchioli, W.J. Ripple, K.N. Timmis, F. Azam, L.R. Bakken, M. Baylis, … T.W. Crowther
Journal: Nature Reviews Microbiology 17 (9), 569–586
Year: 2019
Citations: 2013
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Positive biodiversity-productivity relationship predominant in global forests
Authors: J. Liang, T.W. Crowther, N. Picard, S. Wiser, M. Zhou, G. Alberti, E.D. Schulze, …
Journal: Science 354 (6309), aaf8957
Year: 2016
Citations: 1497
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Quantifying global soil carbon losses in response to warming
Authors: T.W. Crowther, K.E.O. Todd-Brown, C.W. Rowe, W.R. Wieder, J.C. Carey, …
Journal: Nature 540 (7631), 104–108
Year: 2016
Citations: 1337
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Mapping tree density at a global scale
Authors: T.W. Crowther, H.B. Glick, K.R. Covey, C. Bettigole, D.S. Maynard, S.M. Thomas, …
Journal: Nature 525 (7568), 201–205
Year: 2015
Citations: 1175
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Soil nematode abundance and functional group composition at a global scale
Authors: J. Van Den Hoogen, S. Geisen, D. Routh, H. Ferris, W. Traunspurger, … T.W. Crowther
Journal: Nature 572 (7768), 194–198
Year: 2019
Citations: 1061
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Magnitude of urban heat islands largely explained by climate and population
Authors: G. Manoli, S. Fatichi, M. Schläpfer, K. Yu, T.W. Crowther, N. Meili, P. Burlando, …
Journal: Nature 573 (7772), 55–60
Year: 2019
Citations: 1024
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The global soil community and its influence on biogeochemistry
Authors: T.W. Crowther, J. Van den Hoogen, J. Wan, M.A. Mayes, A.D. Keiser, L. Mo, …
Journal: Science 365 (6455), eaav0550
Year: 2019
Citations: 997
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Managing uncertainty in soil carbon feedbacks to climate change
Authors: M.A. Bradford, W.R. Wieder, G.B. Bonan, N. Fierer, P.A. Raymond, …
Journal: Nature Climate Change 6 (8), 751–758
Year: 2016
Citations: 796
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Climatic controls of decomposition drive the global biogeography of forest tree symbioses
Authors: B.S. Steidinger, T.W. Crowther, J. Liang, M.E. Van Nuland, G.D.A. Werner, …
Journal: Nature 569, 404–408
Year: 2019
Citations: 628