Camila Pizano

Dr. Pizano (she/her) is a Colombian biologist from Universidad de los Andes (Colombia) 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 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 from the tropics to the Arctic tundra. 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. Most of her research career has been dedicated to tropical dry forests, some of the most threatened ecosystems in the world. 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 to the conservation and restoration of threatened forest ecosystems and native plants. Dr. Pizano also has a passion for art and science which 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 young age of 17, showcasing her early dedication to blending art and science seamlessly. Her multidisciplinary approach to research and dedication to conservation reflect her commitment to inspiring and empowering both students and fellow researchers alike. 

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

Scientific Publications: Camila Pizano Google Scholar

Books: 

• Pizano, C., G. Londoño, F. Piedrahita-Plata, A. Tigreros, A. Abadía, C.H. Araujo-Mejía, N. Zapata-Bustamante and H. Taquez. 2024. Aves de Cali: Un Libro Ilustrado por Estudiantes de la Universidad Icesi. Universidad Icesi, Cali, Colombia
• Baca-Gamboa, A. E., A. Idárraga-Piedrahita, A. M. Calderón-Arias, B. R. Ramirez-Padilla, C. Pizano, C. Castellanos-Castro, C. Castro, H. Mendoza, J. M Posada, N. Salinas, N. García, O. Vargas, O. Díaz-Vasco, S. Vieira-Uribe, and W. A. Velásquez-Hurtado, editors. 2021. Lista Roja de Plantas Vasculares de Plantas Vasculares Endémicas de la Alta Montaña de Colombia. Instituto de Investigación de Recursos Biológicos Alexander von Humboldt. Bogotá, Colombia
• Pizano, C. and H. García, editors. 2014. El Bosque Seco Tropical en Colombia. Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Biológicos Alexander von Humboldt, Bogotá, Colombia.

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.