Dr. Britney Schmidt an Associate Professor at Cornell University, develops robotic tools like Icefin to explore Earth’s poles and other planets. Her work in Antarctica has revealed the impacts of climate change, while also aiding in the search for life on Ocean Worlds. Named to Time’s 100 Most Influential People of 2023, she has worked on NASA missions and led groundbreaking research on melting ice shelves and glaciers. Schmidt holds a Ph.D. in Geophysics and Space Physics from UCLA and has conducted numerous field seasons in both the Arctic and Antarctic.

Dr. Cassandra Brooks is an Assistant Professor at the University of Colorado Boulder. She works at the intersection of marine science, environmental policy and public outreach to achieve conservation solutions. Cassandra has a fierce passion for Antarctica, with the last fifteen years of her career focused on protecting the region.

Julie Ouimet and Michel Labrecque are internationally acclaimed underwater imagemakers and expedition leaders. Known for their work in remote regions like the Comoros and Oman, they have produced visuals for Discovery and CBC. Fellows of The Explorers Club and Royal Canadian Geographic Society, they co-founded Anticosti Ecotours on Canada’s Anticosti Island.

George Kourounis is an award-winning explorer, storm chaser & TV presenter who has spent 25 years documenting extreme forces of nature and natural phenomena around the globe including tornadoes, hurricanes, volcanoes, floods, and the effects of climate change. He is frequently seen showcasing nature’ s fury on television programs worldwide.

Dr. Katlin Bowman Adamczyk is an American oceanographer specializing in mercury biogeochemistry and marine plastic debris. She has led over a dozen global expeditions, including a 65-day journey to the North Pole. A National Geographic Explorer since 2018, she was named to the Explorers Club 50 list in 2024. Katlin completed her Ph.D. in Environmental Sciences at Wright State University and postdoctoral training at UC Santa Cruz.

Natalie Hewit is an award-winning UK director and producer, known for prime-time documentaries for broadcasters like BBC and National Geographic. Her work, including Forensics: The Real CSI and Surviving Covid, has earned critical acclaim. She has filmed in challenging locations like Antarctica and is a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society.

Natalie Schmitt is an ecologist, conservation geneticist, and documentary filmmaker dedicated to innovative solutions for the biodiversity crisis. She integrates scientific research with Indigenous knowledge and storytelling to inspire conservation action. Her work includes developing DNA detection technologies for wildlife monitoring through her company, Wild Tech DNA. In 2022, she was recognized as one of The Explorers Club 50 individuals changing the world.

Dr. Peter Campbell is a Lecturer in Archaeology at Cranfield University, specializing in underwater archaeology and heritage crime. With a PhD from the University of Southampton, he has led expeditions in eight countries, including work on ancient shipwrecks and Indian Ocean trade. An expert in art crime, Peter collaborates with global law enforcement agencies and has appeared in documentaries on BBC, History, and National Geographic. His TED Ed lessons have been viewed over 5.4 million times, and his research has been featured in major media outlets such as The New York Times and Bloomberg.

Ricardo A. Nascimento is a Lisbon-based underwater cinematographer and Sony Wildlife Photographer with over a decade of experience. Combining a background in mechanical engineering with freediving and scuba expertise, he has captured stunning visuals for brands like Red Bull and Lexus. A Fellow of The Explorers Club, his films raise awareness about marine conservation and have been featured at Cannes and Sundance.

Sefra Alexandra, "The Seed Huntress", is an ethnobotanist dedicated to seed conservation and biodiversity. She leads The Ecotype Project, creating the first ecoregional seed supply chain in the Northeast, USA, and guides citizen science through BOATanical.org. A certified Permaculture educator, she has worked with global communities on seed conservation and disaster response. Sefra is a WINGS WorldQuest Explorer in Residence, a member of The Explorers Club, and holds an M.A.T. in Agroecological Education from Cornell University. Her work has been featured in Forbes magazine.

Ulyana Horodyskyj Peña is the head of science communication for the University of Colorado Boulder's Climate Adaptation Science Center. She' s a national fellow of The Explorers Club and holds a PhD in geological sciences, specializing in glaciology. By the time she turned 23, Ulyana had traveled to and worked on all 7 continents.