Tierney Thys
American marine biologist (1966–2026)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Tierney Michelle Thys (December 31, 1966 – March 6, 2026) was an American marine biologist, science educator and National Geographic explorer.[1][2] In 1988 she earned a degree in biology from Brown University, and in 1998 she earned a doctorate in biomechanics.[3] She was also the director of research at the Sea Studios Foundation.[4] She was also the science editor for The Shape of Life and director for Strange Days on Planet Earth.[1] She had also written, narrated and produced short films.[5] Since 2000 she and her colleagues had been studying the giant ocean sunfish (mola).[3] In 2004 she was named a National Geographic "Emerging Explorer".[1] She later joined National Geographic expeditions and developed a National Geographic children's television conservation series.[1]
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- PhD Biomechanics, Duke University
- BS Biology, Brown University
Tierney Thys | |
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Thys in 2014 | |
| Born | December 31, 1966 Alameda, California, U.S. |
| Died | March 6, 2026 (aged 59) |
| Alma mater |
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| Occupations | Biologist, filmmaker |
| Known for | National Geographic Explorer |
Thys delivered two TED talks, "Swim with the giant sunfish", and "The secret life of plankton".[4] As of 2015 she was producing an online series for TEDed titled Stories from the Sea.[5]
A chapter of Earth Heroes: Champions of the Ocean, by Fran Hodgkins, is about her, and she is briefly profiled in Girls Research!: Amazing Tales of Female Scientists.[1][6] Science Methods and Process Skills: Meet Tierney Thys, National Geographic Emerging Explorer, by Kathy Cabe Trundle, was published by National Geographic School Publishing in 2011.[7] A virtual aquarium in the educational game Animal Jam Classic and Animal Jam is named after her. It features videos where she talks about marine life and answers questions from the game's players (called Jammers).[8]
She was also a certified pilot and diver. Thys died on March 6, 2026, at the age of 59.[9][10]
