Tierney Thys, an American marine biologist and science educator, died on March 6, 2026, at age 59.
A National Geographic explorer, she earned a biology degree from Brown University in 1988 and a doctorate in biomechanics in 1998. Thys served as director of research at the Sea Studios Foundation, worked as science editor for The Shape of Life, and directed Strange Days on Planet Earth.
She wrote, narrated and produced short films, and since 2000 had been studying the giant ocean sunfish, or mola, with colleagues. In 2004, she was named a National Geographic Emerging Explorer and later joined National Geographic expeditions and developed a children’s television conservation series.
Tierney Michelle Thys (December 31, 1966 – March 6, 2026) was an American marine biologist, science educator and National Geographic explorer. In 1988 she earned a degree in biology from Brown University, and in 1998 she earned a doctorate in biomechanics. She was also the director of research at the Sea Studios Foundation. She was also the science editor for The Shape of Life and director for Strange Days on Planet Earth. She had also written, narrated and produced short films. Since 2000 she and her colleagues had been studying the giant ocean sunfish (mola). In 2004 she was named a National Geographic “Emerging Explorer”. She later joined National Geographic expeditions and developed a National Geographic children’s television conservation series.