2002: Sheila Conant
Professor of Zoology, University of Hawai‘i at Manoa

Sheila Conant’s career in ecology and conservation in Hawaii has spanned over 30 years. Her research focus is on Hawaiian birds and her list of publications on their ecology, evolution, conservation and management is astounding. In addition, her tireless community service, public lectures, assistance in creating GK-12 curriculum and other educational materials, as well as her dedicated work with her graduate students, has influenced many aspects of conservation throughout the state. Sheila has also played a major hand in landing sizable grants and contracts to further numerous conservation efforts here.

Her list of awards and accomplishments is impressive and extensive, as is her list of inspired and successful students. Sheila served as the Chair of the Ecology, Evolution and Conservation Biology Graduate Specialization at the University of Hawaii from 1999-2001, and as Chair of the Department of Zoology from 2001 to the present.