NAT Prize, Museum of Natural Sciences in Barcelona, 2021
Union of Concerned Scientists “Inspiring Scientist”
Distinguished Professor of Innovation and Impact, University of Utah, 2018
Osher Fellowship, The Exploratorium, 2018
Arts Summit Fellow, Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, 2018
Wings Worldquest Women of Discovery Lifetime Achievement Award: http://www.
TIME Magazine names Nadkarni’s bringing nature imagery to prisoners in solitary confinement as “One of the Best Inventions of 2014”
Archie F. Carr Medal for Conservation, 2013
Artist in Residency, Columbus College of Art and Design, 2012
University of Utah Woman of Note, 2012
American Association for the Advancement of Science Award for Public Engagement 2011
Parchi Monumentali Bardini e Peyron Foundation’s “Monito del Giardino Prize for Environmental Action, Florence, Italy, 2011
National Science Foundation Board Public Service Award, 2010
Education Award, Washington Correctional Association Conference, 2010
Evergreen State College Faculty Achievement Award, 2010
Playboy Honor Roll (Top 20 most innovative college professors in the USA, Playboy Magazine) 2010
Award for Canopy Ecology, 5th International Canopy Conference, 2009
Distinguished Alumni Award, Univ. of Washington College of Forest Resources, 2008
Grace Hopper Lifetime Achievement Award, 2007
Visiting Scholar, Helen Whiteley Center, University of Washington, 2006, 2007
Robert Hefner Endowed Lecture, Miami University, 2005
Pettigill Endowed Lectureship, University of Michigan, 2005
Aldo Leopold Leadership Fellow, 2004
Distinguished Visiting Professor, University of Miami, 2003-2004
John Simon Guggenheim Fellowship, 2001–02
Association for Tropical Biology, President, 2001–02
Board Member, The Nature Conservancy, 1998–200
Stirling Morton Award, The National Arbor Day Foundation, 1997
Alice and Rolla Tryon Endowed Lecture in Tropical Botany, University of South Florida, 1996
Council Member, Association for Tropical Biology, 1994–97
Jane and Whitney Harris Lectureship, International Center for Tropical Ecology, University of Missouri, 1994
Morgan Endowed Lecture in Science, 1992
Jessie B. Cox Chair in Tropical Ecology, Selby Gardens, 1989–91
Margery Stoneman Douglas Endowed Lecture, 1989
University Fellowship, University of Washington, 1979–82
English-Speaking Union Travel Fellowship, 1982
Northwest Science Association Scholarship, 1981