Dr. Maria Fadiman is a cultural and environmental geographer and a professor in the department of geosciences at Florida Atlantic University. A National Geographic Emerging Explorer and an Explorers Club Fellow, she has lectured at universities and public venues across the globe and presented two TEDx talks. Since earning her doctorate from the University of Texas at Austin, her research has taken her throughout the world—from the rainforests of Latin America and Asia to the African savanna, and from villages across Europe to remote islands in Oceania.

In addition to her scholarly publications, Maria contributed to the book, Global Chorus, along with Jane Goodall and the Dalai Lama (among others). Her essays have been included in the National Geographic Survival Manual, No More Endlings, and American Way Magazine. She and her international work have been featured in various science and language textbooks, news publications, and the Conversation with a Geographer video series, among others. She is even featured on the children’s toy, the Toniebox. Maria enjoys sharing her international work through connecting with those around her and was awarded the Degree of Difference Award and the Service to the Community Award from her university. When not exploring, she likes to jog, read, and pet any animal that crosses her path.