National Geographic Society Explorer-in-Residence DR. SYLVIA A. EARLE, called "Her Deepness" by the New Yorker and the New York Times , "Living Legend" by the Library of Congress, and first "Hero for the Planet" by Time magazine, is an oceanographer, explorer, author, and lecturer. She has experience as a field research scientist, government official, and director for corporate and nonprofit organizations, including the Aspen Institute, the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, National Marine Sanctuary Foundation, and many others. Formerly chief scientist of NOAA, Earle is the founder of Mission Blue and SEAlliance, and chair of the Advisory Council of the Ocean in Google Earth. She has a PhD. from Duke University and 22 honorary degrees. She has authored more than 190 scientific, technical, and popular publications; lectured in more than 80 countries; and appeared in hundreds of radio and television productions.