Mireya Mayor, Ph.D.

of National Geographic Explorer, Scientist, Correspondent

Scientist, explorer, wildlife correspondent, and inspirational speaker, Mireya Mayor, a Ph.D. in Anthropology, has reported on wildlife and habitat issues to worldwide audiences for more than a decade. Having dedicated her life to unlocking the mysteries of the natural world, she ventures into previously unexplored parts of the planet to study rare species, working closely with indigenous people in the process. In 2000 Mireya co-discovered a new species of mouse lemur in Madagascar.

Mireya is the author of Pink Boots and a Machete: My Journey From NFL Cheerleader to National Geographic Explorer, in which she shares her transformation from cheerleader to scientist and her many adventures in the wilds -- including surviving a plane crash, sleeping in jungles teeming with venomous snakes, rappelling down a 14,000-foot sinkhole in search of frogs, and being charged by an irate silverback gorilla.

Read more about Mireya on her website.

Watch a Nat Geo Live! video of Mireya talking about her life and work.

Jungle Science and the Future of Conservation

Posted by Mireya Mayor, Ph.D. of National Geographic Explorer, Scientist, Correspondent in Explorers Journal on July 2, 2012
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My love of science comes from many places. I am drawn to the adventure, the exploration, and the possibility of discovery. Like many scientists, my thirst for knowledge stems from an insatiable curiosity about the unknown. Unlike many scientists, my “laboratory” is far from civilization. In an age of technology where information is consistently and…

Help Needed for Survivors of Devastating Floods in Madagascar

Posted by Mireya Mayor, Ph.D. of National Geographic Explorer, Scientist, Correspondent on March 9, 2012
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Dozens of people have died and tens of thousand are homeless in the wake of devastating floods that swept through the African island country of Madagascar during a recent cyclone. The disaster was aggravated by ongoing deforestation and environment degradation. Survivors need our help.