Published: 26-06-2023 13:11 | Updated: 27-06-2023 08:50

Lennart Nilsson Award 2023 is awarded to Fredrik Pleijel

Fredrik Pleijel, researcher in marine biology at the Department of Marine Sciences, Gothenburg University, is awarded the 2023 Lennart Nilsson Award for his ability to depict and make visible the beauty of marine life. “I'm just a photographer who happened to be fascinated by the animals in the sea,” says Fredrik Pleijel.

Fredrik Pleijel.
Fredrik Pleijel. Photo: John Wingborg, University of Gothenburg

Fredrik Pleijel researches the phylogeny of marine worms and the taxonomy of invertebrates. For many years, he has developed and refined techniques and methods to capture the beauty of marine worms and other marine organisms with the help of the camera. These inconspicuous animals are perceived by many as ugly or even disgusting, but Pleijel's deep knowledge of species, in combination with his images, contributes to arousing curiosity and interest in these important organisms.

Motivation:

Fredrik Pleijel is awarded the 2023 Lennart Nilsson Award for his scientific photography of fragile marine animals. In the spirit of Lennart Nilsson, he makes the invisible life of marine invertebrates not only visible but also aesthetic and fascinating. His images are an important contribution to the taxonomy of organisms in marine sediments. Through his images he reaches well outside the academic world in portraying the beauty of marine life and stimulating our fascination for biodiversity.

Bonellia viridis (Swedish name lacking) belongs to an odd group of worms and it has only lately been understood that they are modified bristle worms. The photo shows a female, about 50 cm long in extended condition.
Bonellia viridis belongs to an odd group of worms and it has only lately been understood that they are modified bristle worms. The photo shows a female, about 50 cm long in extended condition. The male is microscopic and lives as a parasite inside the female. Photo: Fredrik Pleijel
Noctiluca scintillans (sea sparkle) belongs to a group of unicellular algae called dinoflagellates. When it blooms, usually in late summer, the surface water turns into a characteristic brown-pink color, and after the sunset you can see the sea sparkling. The light pulses are produced with an enzyme reaction that is triggered when the algae are disturbed. The alga on the hoot is about mm in diameter. Photo: Fredrik Pleijel
Elysia viridis (English name sap-sucking slug) is shell-less slug that feeds on green algae and extracts the chloroplasts. These stolen chloroplasts, also referred to as cleptoplastids, then continue to photosynthesize to the benefit of the slug.
Elysia viridis (sap-sucking slug) is shell-less slug that feeds on green algae and extracts the chloroplasts. These stolen chloroplasts, also referred to as cleptoplastids, then continue to photosynthesize to the benefit of the slug. The specimen on the picture is about 2 cm long. Photo: Fredrik Pleijel
Eupolymnia nebulosa (Swedish name lacking) is a tube-building bristle worm that belongs a group called spaghetti worms, referring to the tentacular crown at the anterior end.,The animal on the photo is about 3 cm long and has been removed from the tube.
Eupolymnia nebulosa is a tube-building bristle worm that belongs a group called spaghetti worms, referring to the tentacular crown at the anterior end. The animal on the photo is about 3 cm long and has been removed from the tube. Photo: Fredrik Pleijel

The Lennart Nilsson Award Foundation

The Lennart Nilsson Award Foundation was established in 1998 in recognition of the world-renowned Swedish photographer Lennart Nilsson and his extraordinary body of work. The main aim is to promote education, training, and research within the medical, biological, and engineering sciences through the use of images. This is achieved through the Lennart Nilsson Award, an international award bestowed annually upon an individual in recognition of outstanding contributions within the realm of scientific photography.