Honorary doctorates for Cathryn Tonne and Harini Nagendra for their contributions to a healthy planet

'Healthy Planet' is the 2025 year theme of Utrecht University. Cathryn Tonne (Barcelona Institute for Global Health) and Harini Nagendra (Azim Premji University, India) will receive this year’s honorary doctorates in recognition for their scientific and social contributions to a healthier planet. The awards will be presented at the Dom church during the Dies Natalis on March 26^th.

The presentation can be watched live via the livestream of the Dies Natalis on 26 March at 16:00.

Cathryn Tonne

Prof. Cathryn Tonne, a renowned environmental epidemiologist currently affiliated with ISGlobal, will receive an honorary doctorate for her pioneering work on the health co-benefits of reducing air pollution while mitigating climate change. Her research has made significant strides in addressing indoor and outdoor air pollution, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), where the impacts are most acute.

Dr. Tonne has bridged critical gaps between climate science, public health, and actionable policy.

Tonne’s honorary promotor, Roel Vermeulen, Professor of Environmental Epidemiology and Exposome Science at the Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences at Utrecht University, says: “Through interdisciplinary projects such as CATALYSE, and her leadership at the Lancet Countdown for Health and Climate Change in Europe, Dr. Tonne has bridged critical gaps between climate science, public health, and actionable policy, which align perfectly with Utrecht University’s strategic themes of Life Sciences, Pathways to Sustainability, and Institutions for Open Societies.”

Prof. Vermeulen adds: “Dr. Tonne’s commitment to developing practical frameworks, such as planetary health impact assessments, and her focus on those most affected by climate hazards, reflects the university’s shared vision to addressing critical global health challenges from both social and environmental justice perspectives.”

In addition to her groundbreaking research, Dr. Tonne plays a key role in educating the next generation of leaders dedicated to safeguarding the health of people and the planet, adding to her lasting social impact.

Harini Nagendra

The Indian ecologist Prof. Harini Nagendra will be awarded an honorary doctorate for her original research on how people and nature can reconnect in cities to foster sustainability, resilience, and livability. Her work integrates urban ecology, institutional analysis, satellite remote sensing, and community engagement to examine the governance of urban commons, such as forests and green spaces.

Niki Frantzeskaki, Chair Professor of Regional and Metropolitan Governance and Planning, Section Spatial Planning, at Utrecht University’s Geosciences Faculty and one of Nagendra’s honorary promotors, says: “Prof. Nagendra is a leading voice about the importance of nature in cities and ecosystem restoration. While rooted in the South Asian context, her work provides globally relevant knowledge to the planetary polycrisis - climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution.”

Through her commitment to empowering youth in and through sustainability education, Harini Nagendra creates real-world impact.

Honorary co-promotor, Catrin Finkenauer, Professor of Youth Studies at the Department Interdisciplinary Social Science and the Scientific Director of the university-wide strategic theme Dynamics of Youth, adds: “Prof. Harini Nagendra’s research not only resonates with Utrecht University’s Pathways to Sustainability and Dynamics of Youth strategic themes, but also brings them to life. Through her engagement with urban communities and her commitment to empowering youth in and through sustainability education, she creates meaningful, real-world impact that enriches both academia and society.”

Prof. Nagendra’s influence extends beyond academia. She actively promotes awareness of the mental and ecological benefits of urban nature through popular science books, podcasts, and newspaper columns. She is the author of Nature in the City: Bengaluru in the Past, Present and Future, among other works.