Shannon Switzer Swanson

National Geographic Explorer @National Geographic

San Diego, CA, US

Shannon first connected with National Geographic when she was awarded a Young Explorer Grant to document how pollution on land impacts people and wildlife in San Diego\'s watersheds and along its coastline. She was compelled to study this land-sea interface after several close friends contracted life-threatening illnesses from surfing in polluted water. She has also worked with the Society as their “Curious Traveler,” highlighting health and wellness, eco, and sustainable travel destinations with National Geographic Traveler. In 2015 she was awarded one of National Geographic’s inaugural Collaborative Grants for a team-project documenting the global saltwater aquarium fish trade. This is an ongoing project on which her and her team are still working—building an interactive website (ReeftoAquarium.com) and producing a mini-documentary that will connect diverse audiences to the realities of this fascinating trade. In 2017, Shannon was acknowledged for her lifelong marine conservation work with a nomination as one of National Geographic’s Adventurers of the Year. In 2018, the Society awarded her an Early Career Grant to complete her doctoral work with indigenous fishing communities in Central Sulawesi, Indonesia.

Stanford University

Doctor of Philosophy, Marine Conservation

UC Santa Barbara

BS Biological Sciences, BA Environmental Studies

Duke University Nicholas School of the Environment

Masters in Coastal Management, Co-governance of marine resources