Vasavi Prakash
Auburn University College of Forestry, Wildlife and Environment (CFWE) alumna Vasavi Prakash has been elected to serve on the Ecological Society of America’s (ESA) Board of Professional Certification (BPC), a leadership group dedicated to upholding professional standards and ethical practices in ecology.
Prakash, a wildlife science doctoral graduate, was selected by ESA membership to serve a three-year term beginning Jan. 1, 2026. She joins other certified ecologists appointed to the BPC, which works to define minimum standards of education and experience for professional ecologists while promoting public confidence in ecological science and practice.
The Ecological Society of America, founded in 1915, is the world’s largest community of professional ecologists and supports research, education and outreach that advances the understanding of life on Earth. The BPC plays a key role in ensuring that ecological professionals meet rigorous scientific and ethical standards while supporting the continued growth of the discipline.
For Prakash, the appointment reflects a long-standing interest in how professional standards shape both individual careers and the broader impact of ecological science. Throughout her academic career and professional experience, she has seen how certification can serve as a framework for scientific integrity and responsible practice, particularly in applied and interdisciplinary settings where ecological expertise informs policy, management and community decision-making.
In her role on the BPC, Prakash hopes to contribute to strengthening the relevance and accessibility of the ESA’s certification program. She is especially interested in supporting early-career ecologists and professionals working across global and nontraditional settings by helping make certification processes more transparent and inclusive.
“I hope to contribute to strengthening the relevance, clarity and inclusivity of the ESA’s certification programs,” Prakash said. “As ecological challenges grow more complex, certification should continue to evolve in ways that recognize diverse career paths, applied contributions and interdisciplinary work, while maintaining high standards of scientific integrity.”
Prakash also sees BPC as an opportunity to reinforce the ethical dimensions of ecological practice. She believes certification should reflect not only technical expertise, but also accountability, equity and responsible engagement within communities and ecosystems. Through her service, she aims to help shape standards that affirm ecology’s role as a solution-oriented science addressing complex environmental and societal challenges.
Ultimately, Prakash hopes her time serving the BPC will support professional growth across the field and strengthen the identity of ecologists working in research, management and public-facing roles. By helping guide certification standards, she aims to contribute to a process that enhances the credibility and impact of ecological science while supporting the next generation of professionals.
