Christine FiggenerDr. Christine Figgener is a marine conservation biologist studying to protect sea turtles, fighting ocean plastic pollution, and empowering women in STEM. She received her PhD from Texas A&M University's Marine Biology ID Graduate Program, where she tudied the trophic and movement ecology of sea turtles for her dissertation, and is still actively involved in sea turtle research and conservation efforts. In 2020, she assumed the role of Director of Science & Education for the US based Footprint Foundation, whose mission is to eliminate plastic from our environment. Christine has worked with sea turtles and cetaceans in Central America for 15 years, applying research findings to the conservation of these charismatic animals. To foster awareness, she uses her study subjects as ocean ambassadors to connect people to our oceans. Her claim to fame is a viral video with over 44 million views filmed in 2015 documenting the removal of a plastic straw from a sea turtle's nose by her research team. This upsetting video was a catalyst for the global anti-straw movement, leading to several straw bans by businesses such as Starbucks, Disney, and Alaska Airlines. The video is considered a pivotal moment in the anti-plastic movement and has provided Christine with an incredible platform for science communication and for conversation around the use of single-use plastics and other environmental issues affecting marine life. Christine's research and advocacy efforts have been featured in popular press articles, as well as different documentary productions, such as the BBC and National Geographic. Because of her advocacy work, Christine was named a Next Generation Leader by TIME Magazine in 2018 and a finalist for Texan of the Year by the Dallas Morning News, among receiving several other recognitions. Read More Read Less