Wade Davis, BC Leadership Chair in Cultures and Ecosystems at the University of British Columbia and former National Geographic Explorer-in-Residence, is renowned for his multidisciplinary expertise, blending science, scholarship, and advocacy for biodiversity.

Trained in anthropology, biology, and ethnobotany at Harvard, Davis spent three years in the Amazon and Andes, living among 15 indigenous groups. Notably, his exploration extended to Haiti, unravelling zombie folklore and inspiring the bestseller "The Serpent and the Rainbow" (1986), later adapted into a film.

A globetrotter, Davis has contributed to 23 books, including "One River" (1996), "The Wayfinders" (2009), and "Magdalena" (2020). As a photographer and filmmaker, his work, which was featured in National Geographic, spans diverse regions.

With 40 film credits, including the Netflix documentary "El Sendero de la Anaconda" and numerous lectures, Davis is celebrated for his storytelling. His accolades include honorary degrees, the 2009 Gold Medal from the Royal Canadian Geographical Society, the 2011 Explorers Medal, and the 2018 Mungo Park Medal. In 2016, he became a Member of the Order of Canada.

Genome BC was thrilled to present Wade Davis as the speaker at the 2023 Don Rix Distinguished Keynote Address. In a world where cultures are often seen through a narrow lens, anthropologist Wade Davis invites us on a profound journey to explore the intricate connections between genomics, culture and the environment.  

Discover how genomic science unveils the profound truth that we are all connected by the same genetic cloth. Davis reveals the consequences of a conqueror's worldview that led to species extinctions and climate change. He argues that Indigenous perspectives combined with genomic insights can revolutionize conservation, restore ecological balance, mend cultural divisions and provide the antidote to heal our ailing world.