A wide shot of a ceramics studio, featuring students working with pottery wheels and other tools.
Headshot of Camila Pizano, an adult person with a medium-fair skin tone and pulled back brown hair, smiling.

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Camila Pizano

Assistant Professor

Contact

Bio

Dr. Pizano (she/her) is a Colombian biologist with a Ph.D. in tropical ecology from the University of Florida (USA). Her expertise spans across plant ecology, plant-soil interactions, and scientific illustration. Dr. Pizano's passion for art and science is deeply rooted in her family background, with multiple generations of artists preceding her. She pursued her education in Scientific Illustration at Cornell University at a remarkably young age of 17, showcasing her early dedication to blending art and science seamlessly. Dr. Pizano's research interests lie in exploring the intricate relationships between plants and soil organisms, particularly mycorrhizal fungi, and their impact on plant functional traits, survival, and growth across various ecosystems. Through her extensive field and greenhouse experiments, she aims to understand how different soil organisms influence plant species under varying environmental conditions, including those affected by climate change. Furthermore, Dr. Pizano actively participates in collaborative efforts such as the Colombian Tropical Dry Forest Research Network and the Group of Colombian Plant Specialists, contributing significantly to the conservation and restoration of threatened forest ecosystems and native plants. Her multidisciplinary approach to research and dedication to conservation reflect her commitment to inspiring and empowering both students and fellow researchers alike. 

Awards

"16 Women of the COP16" at the 2024 UN Convention of Biological Diversity (October 2024, Cali, Colombia)

Exhibitions

Universidad de Antioquia, Hall del Teatro Universitario, Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia. Colombia: Plantas, Sabores y Saberes. Botanical Art Worldwide 2025 (May 14–September 13, 2025). Group exhibition; Lake Forest College, Durand Fine Arts Gallery, Lake Forest, Illinois, USA. In the Forest (January 25–February 18, 2025). Group exhibition; Universidad de los Andes, Sala de Exhibiciones Edificio Julio Mario Santodomingo, Bogotá, Colombia, En Busca del Origen: Las exploraciones de Alfred Russell Wallace en la Amazonia 1848—1852 (March 14–28, 2022). Book presentation; Galería Libería, Bogotá, Colombia, Hacer Amanecer (July 11–27, 2020). Group exhibition; Galería Centro Cultural Universitario Rogelio Salmona, Manizales, Caldas, Colombia, Aves en el Arte (November 7–December 7, 2019). Group exhibition; Galería Casa Cano, Bogotá, Colombia, Naturalesa (March 16–May 10, 2019). Group exhibition; Galería del Museo de Historial Natural, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia, Plantas nativas de Colombia. Botanical Art Worldwide 2018 (May 18th–June 18th, 2018). Group exhibition; Geba Art Gallery, Bogotá, Colombia, A un lápiz de la realidad, Concurso de Ilustración Científica Sobre Especies Peregrinas-Revista Fúlica (February 26–March 13, 2015). Group exhibition; Ecological Society of America (ESA) 98th annual meeting, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA, An evening of Art and Music (August 5, 2013). Group exhibition; Colegio los Nogales, Centro de Artes, Bogotá, Colombia, 14+8 exposición de talentos (14 + 8 talent exhibition) (June 6th to June 30th, 2013). Solo exhibition; Universidad de los Andes, Sala de Exhibiciones Edificio Julio Mario Santodomingo, Bogotá, Colombia, La biodiversidad es vida, es nuestra vida (Biodiversity is life, is our life) (October 21st to November 5th, 2010). Group exhibition; Natural History Museum, Dickinson Hall, University of Florida, USA, (November 1st to December 1st, 2009). Solo exhibition; Centro Nacional de Investigaciones de Café (Cenicafé)- Colombian National Federation of Coffee Growers, Chinchiná, Colombia (May 29–June 25, 2009). Solo exhibition; Florida Museum of Natural History, University of Florida Cultural Plaza, University of Florida, USA (August 9–December 10, 2006). Solo exhibition; Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Museo de Historia Natural, Bogotá, Colombia (September 30–October 31, 2002). Solo exhibition; Universidad de los Andes, Cuarto de Exhibiciones en el Departamento de Artes, Bogotá, Colombia (August 20–September 10, 2002). Group exhibition; Universidad de los Andes, Galería el Galpón, Bogotá, Colombia (March 7–22, 2002). Solo exhibition; Exhibition Center at STRI Tupper Center (Panama City, November 17–December 22, 2001). Solo exhibition; Cornell University, Hartell Gallery, Ithaca, New York, USA (July 28–31, 1997). Group exhibition.

Courses

Title Department Catalog Term

Description

Plants are not only fundamental for human survival and well-being, but they also sustain other life forms in all terrestrial ecosystems. This course examines the life of plants and their intrinsic interactions with each other, other organisms (herbivores, mycorrhizal fungi, seed dispersers, pathogens, etc.) and the environment. Topics discussed include how different plant species compete for resources and space, how plants have adapted to extreme ecosystems, and their interactions with multiple other organisms in both natural and urban ecosystems. Some of these topics will be further explored in Lab and field projects, readings (textbook excerpts, magazine and journal articles, book chapters, and interviews) and podcasts. Course work and assignments include collecting information and samples from plants in urban and natural settings such as pollen morphology, pollination activity, and mycorrhizal fungi presence/absence. Some of these activities will be done outside and others also in lab.

Class Number

2400

Credits

3

Description

Earth is full of a spectacular diversity of life forms as a result of more than 4 million years of evolution. However, human modification of ecosystems has significantly altered natural habitats and landscapes, impacting organisms inhabiting them. This course explores the causes and consequences of biodiversity loss, and how the field of conservation biology, an inter-disciplinary field, brings together different areas such as ecology, social science, genetics, anthropology, communication, sociology and restoration to identify problems and solutions to the loss of ecosystems and species. This class begins by exploring why biodiversity is important and valuable from different angles, disciplines, and instrumental arguments, while exploring the main consequences of biodiversity loss. In collaboration with Chicago¿s multiple conservation agencies, the class then turns attention to local efforts of conservation of land and aquatic species and ecosystems. Course work includes discussions, worksheets, quizzes, online videos and readings (textbook excerpts, magazine, journal and newspaper articles, book chapters, interviews), as well as talks by invited speakers. There will be required field trips to the Lincoln Park Zoo, the Shedd Aquarium, The Field Museum, and the Chicago Botanic Garden.

Class Number

2410

Credits

3