Albert Lin is, quite literally, a modern-day high-tech explorer,
blurring the boundaries between man and machine while redefining how
we explore our own humanity. He stands out as one of the most
prominent and versatile amputees worldwide, having lost his leg in
2016. Lin maintains a relentless quest into the farthest reaches of
our planet, employing a technologist’s approach to unearth
captivating stories of both humanity and the natural world.

His journey began with the Valley of the Khans project, a pioneering
initiative that harnessed technology to search for Genghis Khan’s
tomb. Leveraging an innovative tool kit of forest- and
ground-penetrating technologies, Lin scoured vast terrains while
respecting the traditional beliefs of Indigenous communities, which
called for noninvasive exploration. This project marked the genesis of
his application of similar approaches that led to groundbreaking
discoveries across the globe.

One of his most noteworthy accomplishments involves using lidar (laser
mapping) and cutting-edge technologies to uncover ancient cities
concealed beneath the canopies of remote jungles, mountain ranges, and
deserts. These remarkable expeditions have been brought to a global
audience in various adventure-driven factual TV series, including
“Lost Treasures of the Maya,” “Buried Secrets of the Bible,”
and “Lost Cities with Albert Lin.” Beyond ancient history, Lin’s
“seeing the invisible” mantra extends to the natural world, where
his curiosity gives way to awe, as showcased on National
Geographic’s “Welcome to Earth” and “Explorer.” Lin’s
uniquely approachable personality and “be-there-with-me” style
that merges science, adventure and discovery has become the hallmark
of his storytelling.

With a Ph.D. in science and engineering, Lin’s chops add to his
authenticity. Early in his career, he was the driving force behind
National Geographic’s pioneering crowdsourcing effort to assist his
expedition in Mongolia, using satellite imagery and public
participation, a concept he transformed into the platform known as
Tomnod, which has since engaged millions of individuals in projects
ranging from search and rescue missions to humanitarian and
environmental monitoring. His broad imagination has since led to
multiple university research centers, clinical trials and technology
startups, earning him numerous awards for his discoveries and
inventions. But, as he has always said, “Innovation is just one way
to serve the deeply human desire to explore our frontiers.”

Ultimately, Lin defines a new age of exploration. He has scaled the
imposing walls of Yosemite’s El Capitan, traversed the arid deserts
of Arabia, and dove into the deepest underground lakes in Africa with
cutting-edge technologies in his backpack, all in the pursuit of a
lifelong sense of wonder. Today, as a globally recognized explorer and
a trailblazing amputee, he stands as an inspiration and advocate for
the indomitable human spirit.
