Photo by Harbers Studios
Dr. c. Scott Baker
Dr. Scott Baker is a professor at Oregon State University (OSU) and the Associate Director of the Marine Mammal Institute at OSU. There he focuses on the evolution and ecology of cetaceans (whales, dolphins, and porpoises), including their abundance, population structure, genetic diversity, and systematic relationships. The New Zealand Department of Conservation looks to Dr. Baker to conduct abundance studies of the Māui dolphin using capture-recapture analyses, DNA profiling, and dorsal fin identification.
I am grateful to Dr. Baker for giving me the opportunity to work on the recovery of the Māui dolphin and for his deep commitment to protecting our planet's cetaceans.
Photo by Ingenio Magazine
Dr. Rochelle constantine
The New Zealand Herald once called Dr. Constantine "a force of nature," and I agree. As a marine scientist, she works tirelessly, both in the lab and on the water, for the protection and recovery of highly vulnerable cetaceans and marine mammals especially the dolphins and whales in New Zealand's coastal waters.
I had the privilege of assisting her in the research of Māui dolphin population census and distribution. Her other research interests include Bryde's whales, bottlenose dolphins, and humpback whales. Most of these species are threatened with extinction in large part due to human activity and commercial fishing.
Photo by Harbers Studios
Dr. Russ Mittermeier
An expert in primatology and herpetology, Dr. Mittermeier has been a leading force in biodiversity and tropical forest conservation. The year I was born, 1999, Dr. Russ Mittermeier, was named a "hero for the planet" by TIME Magazine. 10 years later I was following Dr. Mittermeier around the wilds of Madagascar in search of lemurs. I got to experience, first hand, the depth of his knowledge and passion for saving species.
He travels constantly around the world working with NGOs, agencies, and governments to educate and negotiate. Along the way he has discovered 14 new species (turtles, lemurs, and monkeys). Eight have been named after him.
Joel SartorE
Joel Sartore is a great photographer. So great that National Geographic has him on speed dial. He uses his talent to help the planet by documenting endangered species around the world. He is the founder of The Photo Ark, a photographic project dedicated to saving species and habitat. The Photo Ark documents species at risk to inspire people to care while there's still time. So far he has photographed 6000 species; it's shocking there are that many at risk of extinction.