At the frontier of deep-ocean exploration for four decades, pioneering diver/marine biologist Dr. Sylvia Earle has led more than 50 expeditions worldwide, logging 6,000 hours under water.The former chief scientist of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is an explorer-in-residence at the National Geographic Society and also heads Mission Blue, a worldwide alliance for ocean protection. She was Time magazine’s first “Hero for the Planet,” holds the women’s record for deepest solo submersible dive, and is founder of Deep Ocean Exploration and Research (DOER), a marine consulting company that aims to engineer creative solutions to underwater exploration problems.Last summer, she co-led the final mission to the Aquarius Reef Base, the world's only undersea lab. (Opened in 1993, Aquarius’ future is in jeopardy after losing its federal funding in September 2012.)Dr. Earle also is a science advisor to One World One Ocean, the conservation program of MacGillivray Freeman Films, maker of some of the most popular IMAX movies ever shown at The Maritime Aquarium, including “Dolphins” and “The Living Sea.”Tickets for her talk are $35 ($30 for Aquarium members). Reserve tickets on this website (top right of this page: "Buy Tickets") or call (203) 852-0700, ext. 2206.