Dr. Tierney Thys

Dr. Tierney Thys is a National Geographic Explorer, biologist, filmmaker and research associate at California Academy of Sciences and cofounder of the nonprofit Around the World in 80 Fabrics. Her diverse research and outreach projects include mapping connections between nature and human well-being through brain imaging; quantifying nature’s effect on incarcerated populations; satellite tracking marine megafauna throughout the world ocean and researching sustainable textile solutions to fast fashion pollution. As past director of research for Sea Studios Foundation, she helped produce the NSF-funded, PBS documentary series Strange Days on Planet Earth and Shape of Life. Thys also serves as an expert for numerous National Geographic Expedition itineraries each year and has traveled to 60 countries. She is a TED All-star speaker, and frequent TEDed contributor e.g.The Secret Life of Plankton (Wildscreen Panda Winner) and serves on the science advisory board for the innovation think tank, ThinkBeyondPlastic.