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Celebrating Role Models in Science & Engineering Achievement: Eloy Rodriguez

By carlyo on September 5, 2013.

Plant Biologist Eloy Rodriguez came from humble beginnings and now is a leading authority on ethnobotanical medicine.

Eloy Rodriguez 2 (1)

Eloy Rodriguez is an expert of  ethnobotanical medicine (the benefits of natural plants to healing and disease prevention). He coined the concept and study of zoopharmacognosy, the process by which non-human animals(such as apes) self-medicate by selecting and using plants to treat and prevent disease.

Cited in books and passed down for centuries, plants have been used for ages by many ethnic cultures to treat infections, cancer, diabetes, malaria and other illnesses. "In Mexico, for example," says Eloy Rodriquez, a leading plant biologist, "over 500 plants are used for the treatment of diabetes. And they're still using the same plants that were used from the time of the Aztecs and before."

Read more of his fascinating biography including how various cultures have used plants for healing and to treat illness here.

Learn more about the USA Science & Engineering Festival here. Save the dates for April 26-27, 2014 for the Festival Finale Expo in Washington, D.C. 

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USA Science & Engineering Festival
biology
Eloy Rodriguez
Plant biology
Role Model
STEM
STEM Role Models

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