Season 5 – Episode 002 – Edith Widder - oceanographer, marine biologist, and Co-founder of Orca

Edith Anne "Edie" Widder Smith An American oceanographer, marine biologist, and the Co-founder, CEO and Senior Scientist at the Ocean Research & Conservation Association. ‘Edie’, as she likes to be known is the world’s leading expert on bioluminescence and has captured a great variety of creatures from the deep which generate their own light. She also developed groundbreaking techniques for luring in and capturing on film the legendary ‘Kraken’ (giant squid) for the first time in history. She has made over 250 dives in the JOHNSON SEA LINK submersibles ‘farting in the dark’. Her research involving submersibles has been featured in BBC, PBS, Discovery Channel and National Geographic television productions. In 2006, Edie was Awarded the MacArthur Fellowship for her efforts (the USA version of the NOBEL) for her efforts in protecting aquatic ecosystems. Born: 11 June 1951 (age 68 years), Arlington, Massachusetts, United States Residence: Florida, United States Books: The Bioluminescence Coloring Book