Marleen Baling
Our School of Environmental & Animal Sciences (EAS) recently announced that Dr Marleen Baling has been accepted as a Fellow of Linnean Society of London – one of only 15 New Zealanders to have been recognised by this prestigious Society.
Marleen was nominated by EAS Associate Professors Peter de Lange, Dan Blanchon and Mark Large who are also Fellows of the Linnean Society. Her name was balloted at a recent meeting in London, where the decision was made to accept her to the Society.
The Linnean Society is the world’s oldest active biological society. The society was founded in 1788 and takes its name from the Swedish naturalist Carl Linnaeus (1707–1778) whose botanical, zoological and library collections have been held by the Linnean Society since 1829. Fellows are entitled to use ‘FLS’ after their surname. Members include professional scientists, naturalists, historians, artists and those generally enthusiastic about the natural world. The Fellowship is international and includes world leaders in each branch of biology who use the Society’s premises and publications to communicate new advances in their fields.
Marleen was accepted by the society based on her publication and research record. Her name was approved unanimously through postal ballot as COVID restrictions prevented the usual ballot associated with a special meeting of the fellows at the society’s headquarters at Burlington House, Piccadilly, London. She joins a select group of people from around the world with an interest in natural history.
Congratulations Marleen!