Edith Widder

Biologist, adventurer, deep sea explorer, innovator & inventor, who — through her organization ORCA — is changing the nature of aquatic conservation.

  • Designs and invents new submersible instrumentation and equipment to enable unobtrusive deep-sea observations.
  • Co-Founder of the Ocean Research & Conservation Association (ORCA), a non-profit organization dedicated to the protection and restoration of marine ecosystems which  helped clean up the Gulf Oil Spill.
  • She explores the beauty and wonder of Bioluminescence in her presentation about her discovery and first photography of a giant squid.

NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY BOOKLIST

“Edith Widder’s story is one of hardscrabble optimism, two-fisted exploration, and groundbreaking research. She’s done things I dream of doing.”—James Cameron

"Phenomenal—at once substantive, moving, inspiring!"

- Mercyhurst College

"Dr. Widder drew the audience into her work and mission with remarkable visuals that elicited oohs and ahhs."

- Northfield Mt. Hermon

"Her lecture was outstanding--what an impact!"

- Western Washington University