Margery Aylwin Nicolson

"BA in Biology, MS in Chemistry from Stanford University, a one year fellowship in London at the Chester Beatty Institute followed by a PhD in Biochemistry from Baylor University School of Medicine. Three years of post‐doctoral research at California Institute of Technology, followed by 15 years as a faculty member of the USC School of Medicine, involved in both research (retroviruses) and teaching biochemistry to medical students, as well as graduate courses in virology. A second career with a biotechnology company led to 18 years working as a senior research scientist with AMGEN, helping it grow from 40 employees to 12,000, when she retired.

"Margery and her husband, Iain, were committed environmentalists, supporting many environmental causes and organizations, including the Audubon Society, The Sierra Club, The Nature Conservancy, The Wilderness Society, Environmental Defense and others. They were both active outdoorsmen, spending vacations and weekends birding, backpacking, climbing or skiing. Over the years, their interests took them to a variety of countries. One of their special interests was Audubon's Rowe Sanctuary in Nebraska, and after Iain's death in 2001, Margery was instrumental in helping to develop and fund a major Audubon Center at the Sanctuary on the Platte River. She now spends three to four weeks at the Center during Sandhill crane migration in March, acting as a guide and general volunteer for the thousands of visitors who come to see and learn about that amazing event.

"Margery is currently a member of the National Audubon Board of Directors, as well as the boards of California and Alaska Audubon, where she is involved in both committee work and a variety of projects. She is also a board member of the International Crane Foundation."

• Director (US), Cheetah Conservation Fund