Naomi Fraga
Born1979 (age 44–45)
Alma materClaremont Graduate University
California State Polytechnic University, Pomona
Scientific career
InstitutionsCalifornia Botanic Garden
ThesisDiversity, endemism and conservation of California Monkeyflowers (Phrymaceae): a case study in Erythranthe section Paradantha (2015)

Naomi Suzanne Fraga (born 1979) is an American botanist who is the Director of Conservation at the California Botanic Garden and research assistant professor of botany at Claremont Graduate University. She has focused her career on the conservation, monitoring and habitat restoration of rare plants across California. She was awarded the 2021 Center for Biological Diversity E.O. Wilson Award for Outstanding Science in Biodiversity Conservation. In 2023, Fraga received the Peter Raven Award from the American Society of Plant Taxonomists. This award is given annually to a plant systematist who has made exceptional efforts at outreach to non-scientists.

Early life and education

Brodiaea filifolia, photo by Naomi Fraga

Fraga grew up in California. She was an undergraduate student at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona where she studied biology and botany.[1][2] In 2002 she wrote a senior thesis on A Short Flora of Short Canyon, Kern County,California.[3]

Starting from 2001 she worked as a volunteer at the herbarium of the California Botanic Garden — then named "Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden (RSABG)" — in Claremont, California.[1]

She undertook her master studies in botany at the Claremont Graduate University, finishing in 2005 with a thesis on A Vascular Flora of the Owens Peak Eastern Watershed, southern Sierra, Kern County, California.[3]

In 2015 she earned her Ph.D. with a dissertation on Phrymaceae, California Monkeyflowers.[4]

Research and career

Carson Valley monkeyflower, Erythranthe carsonensis, recognized as a distinct species by Naomi Fraga in 2012, after having been confused with Erythranthe (=Mimulus) montioides since its discovery in the mid 1800s.

Fraga works as a research assistant professor at Claremont Graduate University.[1] She is responsible for the California Seed Bank which homes billions of seeds and the world's largest collection of native plant seeds from California.

Fraga campaigned to protect Tiehm's buckwheat (Eriogonum tiehmii), which was treated by the proposed construction of a lithium mine.[5] Tiehm's buckwheat has suffered in the changing climate of California, particularly with the diminished rainfall, excess temperatures and reduction in groundwater.[6] When Tiehm's buckwheat becomes stressed the plants that sprout do not produce viable seeds.[6] She also monitors and maintains the Amargosa niterwort (Nitrophila mohavensis) and contributed to the recovery of the Hidden Lake bluecurls (Trichostema austromontanum subsp. compactum).[7]

The standard author abbreviation N.S.Fraga is used to indicate this person as the author when citing a botanical name.[8]

Awards and honors

Selected publications

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Naomi Fraga ·Claremont Graduate University". Claremont Graduate University. Retrieved 2022-07-29.
  2. ↑ "Conservation Champion: Naomi Fraga, Ph.D." Center for Plant Conservation. 2019-10-01. Retrieved 2022-07-29.
  3. 1 2 "Naomi Fraga homepage". anabaena.net. Retrieved 2022-10-23.
  4. ↑ Fraga (2015).
  5. ↑ Barber, Gregory. "The Lithium Mine Versus the Wildflower". Wired. ISSN 1059-1028. Retrieved 2022-07-29.
  6. 1 2 "California builds a 'Noah's Ark' to protect wildlife from extinction by fire and heat". Los Angeles Times. 2021-08-18. Retrieved 2022-07-29.
  7. 1 2 "2019 Recovery Champions | U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service". FWS.gov. Retrieved 2022-07-29.
  8. ↑ International Plant Names Index.  N.S.Fraga.
  9. ↑ "CPC Star Awards". Center for Plant Conservation. Retrieved 2022-07-29.
  10. ↑ "California Botanist Named 2021 E.O. Wilson Biodiversity Award Recipient". Center for Biological Diversity. Retrieved 2022-07-29.
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