National Geographic Announces Its Emerging Explorers for 2013
A roboticist, an astrobiologist, a glaciologist, a planetary geologist, an entrepreneur, and an artist are among the 17 visionary, young trailblazers from around the world who have been selected as this year’s National Geographic Emerging Explorers.
National Geographic's Emerging Explorers Program recognizes and supports uniquely gifted and inspiring young adventurers, scientists, photographers, and storytellers—explorers who are already making a difference early in their careers.
To help the Emerging Explorers realize their potential, National Geographic awards each of them $10,000 for research and exploration.
Selection Process
The Emerging Explorers Program does not accept applications or unsolicited nominations. National Geographic relies on a network of experts who nominate new candidates each year. Candidate lists are kept confidential, and nominees are not notified that they have been nominated. What qualities define Emerging Explorers? First and foremost, they should be at the beginning of a promising career in exploration. Their recent accomplishments should show a potential for future breakthroughs. In addition, the Emerging Explorers Program should reflect the world's diversity and should be a home for dynamic personalities who are making a significant contribution to world knowledge through exploration.
2013 Emerging Explorers
2012 Emerging Explorers
2011 Emerging Explorers
2010 Emerging Explorers
2009 Emerging Explorers
- Thomas Taha Rassam Culhane, Urban Planner
- Grace Gobbo, Ethnobotanist
- Beverly Goodman, Geo-Archaeologist
- Kristofer Helgen, Zoologist
- Shafqat Hussain, Conservationist
- Malik Marjan, Wildlife Biologist and Conservationist
- Katsufumi Sato, Behavioral Ecologist
- Katey Walter Anthony, Aquatic Ecologist and Biogeochemist
- Michael Wesch, Cultural Anthropologist and Media Ecologist
- Nathan Wolfe, Epidemiologist
2008 Emerging Explorers
- Alexandra Cousteau, Social Environmental Advocate
- Jill Pruetz, Biological Anthropologist
- Hammerskjoeld Simwinga, Wildlife Conservationist
- Zinhle Thabethe, Humanitarian and Musician
- Martin Wikelski, Zoologist and Physiological Ecologist
- Brad Norman, Marine Conservationist
- Cid Simoes and Paola Segura, Sustainable Agriculturists and Development
- Tsetsegee Munkhbayar, Environmental Conservationist
- Sol Guy and Josh Thome, New Media Cultural Storytellers
2007 Emerging Explorers
- John Bul Dau, Humanitarian
- Corneille Ewango, Tropical Botanist
- Luke Dollar, Conservation Scientist
- Mireya Mayor, Primatologist, Conservationist
- Joshua Ponte, Musical Explorer/Filmmaker
- David de Rothschild, Environmental Storyteller
- Enric Sala, Marine Ecologist
- Roshini Thinakaran, Filmmaker/Globalist
2006 Emerging Explorers
2004 Emerging Explorers
- Zeresenay Alemseged, Paleontologist
- Jimmy Chin, Climber/Photographer
- Tyrone Hayes, Biologist and Herpetologist
- Zeb Hogan, Ecologist/Photographer
- Cheryl Knott, Biological Anthropologist
- Elizabeth Lonsdorf, Primatologist
- Mark Olson, Plant Biologist
- Tierney Thys, Marine Biologist/Filmmaker
- Spencer Wells, Geneticist
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