Sylvia Alice Earle (born August 30, 1935 in Gibbstown, New Jersey) is an American marine biologist, explorer, author, and lecturer. Since 1998 she has been a National Geographic explorer-in-residence.Earle was the first female chief scientist of the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration,and was named by Time Magazine as its first Hero for the Planet in 1998.In June 2013 Earle was awarded the Hubbard Medal, the National Geographic Society's highest honor, "for distinction in exploration, discovery and research."