5 Young Explorers Venture Into New Ways to Save the Planet

Some major new realms of exploration were provided last week at the headquarters of the National Geographic Society . I had the privilege of sitting in on its annual, two-day Explorers Symposium and heard from some of its newly appointed class of “Emerging Explorers.” Rather than hard-bodied mountain climbers eyeing unconquered peaks, the 14 young explorers flex thier strengths in science, focusing on pursuits like agroecology and molecular biology.  

The National Geographic's symposium goes back eight years—its first “class” was anointed in 2004. The program recognizes and supports “uniquely gifted and inspiring young adventurers, scientists, photographers and storytellers, explorers who are already making a  difference early in their careers.” Each gets a $10,000 stipend, an introduction to the Society’s extensive in-house media connections and access to the veteran Explorers-in-Residence and Fellows it supports.

Many in the new class are already atop their fields. Sasha Kramer’s nonprofit SOIL (Sustainable Organic Livelihoods) has been building toilets and trying to transform Haiti’s waste into resources since 2006. Norwegian paleontologist Jørn Hurum has been digging for fossils for decades and has unearthed the bones of 50-foot long, sea-loving cousins he’s dubbed “Predator X.” As executive director of WildlifeDirect and the Kenya Land Conservation Trust, Nairobi-based Paula Kahumbu capitalizes on the Internet to allow anyone interested in preserving wildlife in Africa, Asia and South America to observe real wildlife problems in real time using blogs, online videos and fundraising tools.

Here are five emerging explorers to keep your eyes on—they're already impacting their chosen fields, whether as educators or in-the-field scientists.

1. Hayat Sindi is introduced as a “Science Entrepreneur.” Her main work focuses on new ways to monitor health in remote and impoverished parts of the world, specifically using low-tech diagnostic tools to test for liver function. Across the developing world, powerful drugs are used to combat HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and hepatitis. Unfortunately, the same drugs often cause liver damage. Because doctors don’t have the ability to monitor long-term health implications, millions are dying from the very medications meant to save them. Born in Saudi Arabia, Sindi moved to London hoping to attend university, though she spoke no English. She learned the language by watching the BBC and became the first Saudi woman accepted at Cambridge University in the field of biotechnology. She is now a visiting scholar at Harvard, working on her Ph.D. She and her team have been awarded prizes by both MIT’s $100K Entrepreneurship Competition and the Harvard Enterprise Competition. They are the first group ever to win both prizes in the same year.

Tech2Win Application Puts the Tech 2 on Your Computer - GM Techlink

When using the Tech2Win application, vehicle communication is performed using the Multiple Diagnostic Interface (MDI). It enables technicians to take advantage of the computing power of their PC or notebook computer as well as the speed of the MDI, providing faster operation than a Tech 2 with a CANdi module. By loading the application on a PC that also has GDS 2 installed, technicians can have all diagnostic tools available quickly and easily on one computer. Is used for diagnostics only. Service programming is still performed through TIS2Web SPS. Includes the same vehicle coverage as the Tech 2. GDS 2 still must be used when servicing Global A vehicles (Camaro, Equinox, Cruze, Volt, LaCrosse, Regal, Terrain and SRX). Requires a license that must be updated every 30 days, similar to the license renewal of GDS 2. Requires PC and notebook computer specifications that meet or exceed the current minimum Techline hardware specifications. Review the latest specifications and guidelines at www.gmdesolutions.com. (In Canada, the IT guidelines are in the Service Library under Tools, Processes and Equipment on Global Connect.) The Tech2Win application does not require any special access or other tools or software. When selecting the Tech 2 software download on TIS2Web, a prompt will ask if you want to install Tech2Win. It can be installed on multiple PCs in the dealership. There is no limit to the number of installations, but each PC requires the monthly license update through TIS2Web.

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