Natasha de Vere

Professor Natasha de Vere is a Full Professor and Curator of Botany at the Natural History Museum of Denmark, University of Copenhagen. Previously serving as Associate Professor (2021-2024) and currently leading botanical research and curation at one of Europe's major natural history institutions.

Her educational background includes a PhD from Plymouth University, an MSc in Biodiversity and Taxonomy of Plants from the Royal Botanic Gardens Edinburgh, and a First-class BA in Biological Sciences from Oxford University where she received the Harley Prize for highest achievement in Plant Sciences.

Professor de Vere specializes in molecular approaches to biodiversity science, using environmental DNA, metabarcoding, and genomics to study plant-pollinator interactions across changing landscapes. Her fieldwork spans Arctic, alpine, temperate, and tropical environments with particular focus on climate change impacts on ecological networks. She leads major projects on Greenland biodiversity, glacier retreat effects, and urban pollinator conservation.

As Curator of Botany, she oversees 1.4 million vascular plant specimens and the living botanical collection. She teaches undergraduate and postgraduate courses including Tropical Botany and leads field courses in Tanzania's Udzungwa Mountains.

• Research Focus: Climate-biodiversity interactions, DNA-based biodiversity assessment, conservation genomics
• Professional Roles: Lead Curator of Biodiversity Gallery, SDG contributor (15, 13, 3, 11)
• Board Positions: Former Council Member of Linnean Society, Trustee of Bumblebee Conservation Trust

Her public engagement includes extensive media appearances discussing pollinator conservation, with research on honey composition receiving coverage across 19 news outlets and significant social media attention. She actively promotes the role of museums in connecting people with nature through art-science collaborations.