Torre Stockard

Torre's interest in exploration began early as her parents' careers in theater took the family to new places throughout her childhood. Although her path has taken many different directions, her fascination with the natural world, especially birds, has remained a constant. She earned a PhD in Marine Biology from the Scripps Institution of Oceanography and went on to study the diving physiology of penguins, seals, and whales. Her research has taken her from laboratory benches to oceanographic research vessels, the Greenland Ice Sheet, and North American forests. Among those experiences, spending six field seasons studying emperor penguins in Antarctica remains a career highlight and deepened her interest in how animals adapt to challenging environments across some of the world's most remote and demanding ecosystems.

Travel has taken Torre to habitats around the world, from Borneo and Africa to Svalbard. A role at National Geographic strengthened her appreciation for the power of storytelling, complementing her scientific background. Since 2007, she has shared both through her work as a naturalist and expedition guide, helping guests better understand the wildlife, ecosystems, and scientific discoveries that make each destination unique.

When she is home in Washington state's North Cascades, Torre enjoys mountain biking, skate skiing, and contributing to wildlife conservation projects, including songbird monitoring. She enjoys making science approachable and helping others discover meaningful connections with the natural world through observation, curiosity, and shared experiences.