Sylvia Earle is a world renowned oceanographer, author, lecturer and explorer-in-residence at the National Geographic Society whose work has expanded awareness and conservation of the fragile marine environment.

Education:
B, Florida State University, 1955
M.S. and PhD,  Duke University (1956, 1966)

Background:
She was Curator of Phycology at the California Academy of Sciences (1979-1986) and a Research Associate at the University of California Berkeley (1969-1981), Radcliff Institute Scholar (1967-1969) and Research Fellow or Associate at Harvard University (1967-1981). From 1980 to 1984 she served on the President's Advisory Committee on Oceans and Atmosphere (1980-1984). In 1990 she was appointed as Chief Scientist of NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) where she served until 1992. In 1992 she founded Deep Ocean Exploration and Research (D O E R), to design, operate, support and consult on manned and robotic sub sea systems.

She has led more than 60 expeditions, including the first team of women aquanauts during the Tektite Project in 1970.  She also set a record for solo diving to a depth of 3,300 feet. Her research focuses on marine ecosystems in the deep sea and other remote environments.

Honorary degrees from the Monterey Institute (1990), Ball State University (1991), Washington College (1992), Duke University (1993), Ripon College (1994), University of Connecticut (1994), University of Rhode Island (1996), Plymouth State College (1996), Simmons College (1997), Florida International University (1998), and St. Norbert's College (1998).

She is a 2009 recipient of the Rachel Carson Award from the National Audubon Society.