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Stanford’s List of World’s Top-Cited Scientists includes 34 from ESF

Nearly three dozen scientists from the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF) — the most distinguished institution in the nation that focuses on the study of the environment — are among the world's top 2% most cited, according to a Stanford University study.

Stanford created two lists that were released by the PLOS Biology Journal: single-year and career-long impact. Of those on the most-cited in 2021 are 22 scientists from ESF, while 29 from the College made the career-long impact list. The data examines approximately 160,000 scientists from across the globe in 22 scientific fields and 176 subfields. The list goes beyond counting papers, but is a metric that measures the usefulness of work conducted.

"ESF research is at the forefront of the environmental issues facing the world today, from climate change to renewable energy to conservation," said ESF President Joanie Mahoney. "Our scientists continue a century-long history of producing the work needed to solve the challenges of today and prevent the problems of tomorrow."

The study also noted areas where ESF researchers are ranked highly in subfields including:

  • Dr. David Nowak ranks #2 overall in the Forestry subfield for single-year impact and #6 overall for career-long impact
  • Dr. Stephen Stehman, Sustainable Resources Management, ranks #11 overall in the Geological & Geomatics Engineering subfield and #26 overall for career-long impact
  • Dr. Ruth Yanai ranks #75 overall in the Forestry subfield for career-long impact
  • Dr. Karin Limburg ranks #88 overall in the Fisheries subfield for career-long impact

Single-Year Impact, in order of individual ranking:

Career-Long Impact, in order of individual ranking:

About SUNY ESF

The SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF) is dedicated to the study of the environment, developing renewable technologies, and building a sustainable and resilient future through design, policy, and management of the environment and natural resources. Members of the College community share a passion for protecting the health of the planet and a deep commitment to the rigorous application of science to improve the way humans interact with the world. The College offers academic programs ranging from the associate of applied science to the Doctor of Philosophy. ESF students live, study and do research on the main campus in Syracuse, N.Y., and on 25,000 acres of field stations in a variety of ecosystems across the state.