Samuel Wasser

Biologist

Birthplace: Detroit, Michigan

Current City: Seattle, Washington

What did you want to be when you were growing up?

Veterinarian

How did you get started in your field of work?

Conducted a field study on lions in Masai Mara, Kenya, at the age of 19-20 years old. Turned 20 during the study.

What inspires you to dedicate your life to your work?

A desire to help save the planet

What's a normal day like for you?

Data analysis, writing manuscripts and grants, advising students, advising researchers interested in our methods

What has been your favorite experience in the field? The most challenging?

Watching a female baboon give birth was my favorite experience.

What are your other passions?

Playing saxophone, hiking, my family and animals

What do you do in your free time?

Bike, hike, travel, scuba dive, play music, spend time with family

If you could have people do one thing to help reduce the human impact on the planet, what would it be?

Get people to conserve the resources they use in their everyday lives and recognize the impacts of their overconsumption

Celebrating 125 Years National Geographic

Explorer Moment: Naming Baby Parrots

While studying green-rumped parrotlets, Karl Berg discovered the adults appear to "name" their young.
Survival Guide: Dodging Locusts

Swarm behaviorist Iain Couzin has a toxic reaction to a locust at the same time his team runs out of food.

Newsletter: Explorer Updates

Aparajita Datta, Wildlife Biologist

Datta explores the conservation challenges facing one of India's last vast tracts of wilderness.

Famous Women Explorers

Meet female explorers who have pushed the limits in adventure, science, and more.

Explorers A-Z

At the heart of our explorers program is the quest for knowledge through exploration and the people who make it possible.
Explorers by Category

Browse our different areas of exploration and discover the fascinating people behind the projects.