Celebrating Excellence in Science - Dr Gintaras Kantvilas honoured at 2025 STEM Awards.

November 2025

Herbarium

We are thrilled to share that Dr Gintaras Kantvilas, Head of the Tasmanian Herbarium at TMAG, has recently been recognised as the 2025 Premier’s Tasmanian STEM Researcher of the Year for his outstanding contributions to science. 
 
The annual event celebrates individuals and organisations whose work is shaping and inspiring the future of STEM in Tasmania and beyond. 
 
Gintaras is a globally respected authority on lichens of Tasmania and the temperate Southern Hemisphere.

Over 35-years at TMAG, he has discovered, described, and published more than 330 new species and 17 genera, with over 300 peer-reviewed publications to his name. His peers have honoured him by naming two genera Gintarasia and Kantvilasia, and numerous species after him. 
 
His pioneering taxonomic research has not only deepened our understanding of biodiversity but has also positioned Tasmania as a leader in lichenology.

Through active collaborations with scientists and institutions around the world, Gintaras continues to represent Tasmania on the international stage. 
 
He is currently leading the development of an online ‘Lichen Flora for Tasmania’, the first such publication since 1859.