Ahead of the anniversary of the Republic of Estonia, President Alar Karis recognized 203 outstanding people with national decorations, including Academician, Director of ÖMI and Professor in Molecular Ecology Maarja Öpik. Prof. Maarja Öpik was awarded the Order of the White Star of the Republic of Estonia, 3rd Class.

Prof. Öpik focuses her research on soil ecosystems, studying the biodiversity of soil fungi that form arbuscular mycorrhiza and their connections with plant diversity. In addition to basic research, she leads applied projects that support the sustainable use of agricultural soils and the restoration of soil ecosystems.

Maarja Öpik has been a member of the Estonian Research and Development Council and in 2016, she and her colleagues received the National Science Prize in the field of geo- and life sciences. We are very happy about this recognition!