Christine Figgener was born in 1983 in Haltern am See and grew up in Germany's industrial Ruhr valley. After studying biology in Tbingen and Wrzburg, she earned a PhD in marine biology from Texas A&M University. Christine has lived and worked in Costa Rica since 2007, researching sea turtles and fighting for their protection. Her video of the painful removal of a plastic straw from a sea turtle's nose went viral and catalysed the global debate about single-use plastics that led to them being banned in many countries. For her science communication and outreach efforts, Time magazine honoured her as a Next Generation Leader in 2018. She founded and leads COASTS (the Costa Rican Alliance for Sea Turtle Conservation and Science) and the consulting firm Namaka Conservation Science, both devoted to researching and conserving sea turtles.
""This memoir brims with natural beauty... an essential compendium that will provide readers with insight into the life of a marine biologist and a true appreciation of the wonder of sea turtles."" —Shelf Awareness, STARRED ""In this charming memoir [...] Figgener details the various traits of the seven species of sea turtle—all of which are currently facing extinction. Sea turtles, she explains, are not aggressive and have few ways of protecting themselves, which is all the more reason her work is so critical."" —The Explorers Journal ""[C]aptivating....Part memoir, part science reporting and part conservationist tract, Figgener’s illuminating My Life With Sea Turtles sheds light not only on the beauty and mystery of sea turtles, but also on the urgent need to save them."" —BookPage “Of interest to young wildlife enthusiasts and experienced sea turtle biologists alike.” —Terry M. Norton, DVM, Diplomate ACZM, Board Certified Specialist in Zoological Medicine, Lead Veterinarian at the Turtle Hospital in Marathon, Florida and Founder of the Georgia Sea Turtle Center, Jekyll Island, Georgia ""Protecting endangered sea turtles — and anything else we care deeply about— requires attention to both the little things and the big picture, persistence, patience, creativity, resilience, fearlessness, and wild, unstoppable love."" —Wallace J Nichols, author of Blue Mind “In My Life With Sea Turtles, Christine Figgener has given us part memoir, part field guide. But more importantly she has given us a way to fall in love with sea turtles and their world, a world we share—and indeed a world that includes us. And nothing is more in need of love than that.” —Carl Safina, author of Voyage of the Turtle, Alfie and Me, and Becoming Wild ""A wonderful read to enter the world of sea turtles.... Christine's deep love for turtles comes through on each page."" —Craig Foster, My Octopus Teacher One thing is for sure about Christine's works is that the lives of thousands upon thousands of these incredible Sea Turtles have survived, lived, and thrived as a result of this one dedicated person. The [book is a] glimpse into something most of us will never touch. Christine is bringing us into her world of sea turtles to find the miraculousness that happens when one person is dedicated to making a difference. —Darin Olien, author and co-host with Zac Efron of the Netflix series Down to Earth The life of a sea turtle is fraught with danger but if I was a sea turtle, I'd want Christine Figgener on my side. —Dr George McGavin, zoologist, author, and broadcaster, presenter of the BBC documentary Nature’s Turtle Nursery: Secrets From the Nest.