National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions has unveiled the lineup of researchers selected for its 2025 Arctic Visiting Scientist Program, a pioneering initiative designed to blend scientific exploration with expedition cruising.
The program will see 10 research projects conducted across 11 voyages aboard the National Geographic Explorer and the brand’s two state-of-the-art PC-5 polar-class vessels—National Geographic Endurance and National Geographic Resolution.
Science meets adventure
Through this program, guests will travel alongside National Geographic Explorers and renowned scientists from prestigious institutions including the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute, Portugal’s University of Porto, and California’s Moss Landing Marine Labs. The aim is to conduct impactful fieldwork in remote Arctic regions, while also offering guests an immersive, science-led onboard experience.
“The Arctic region is especially powerful—allowing guests to witness both beauty and change in real time alongside the scientists working to document and protect it,” said Trey Byus, Chief Expedition Officer, Lindblad Expeditions.
“This program is a cornerstone of how we turn expedition cruising into a platform for meaningful discovery.”
Highlights from the 2025 research season
Atlantic Ocean Coupled Coastal Temperature and Biodiversity Observation Network
Led by National Geographic Explorer Rui Seabra, this project will monitor coastal temperatures and biodiversity across the Atlantic. Seabra will be aboard two voyages in Svalbard and northern coastal Norway in June.
Emerging Hotspots of Biological Productivity Driven by Greenland Ice-Sheet Melt
Dr Mike Wood will investigate changes in ocean properties on Greenland’s west coast. Sailing in August, he will collect seawater samples and deploy an oceanographic float to track data for years to come.
Mapping Arctic Seaweed Biodiversity with eDNA
In July, National Geographic Explorer Chloe Nunn and team member Luisa Düsedau will use environmental DNA to detect biodiversity shifts in seaweed—vital to Arctic ecosystems yet poorly documented.
Ice at the Edge: Walls of Change
National Geographic Explorer Catherine Walker and Caroline Needel will examine glacial cliffs in Greenland aboard National Geographic Resolution in July. Their work will inform sea level rise projections and enhance global climate models.
A voyage for a cause
The Visiting Scientist Program exemplifies the company’s commitment to turning travel into a force for good. Guests become active participants in discovery, while scientists gain rare access to remote sites that are crucial to their research.
