Explorers

Fellows

The WINGS Women of Discovery Fellowship is a distinct honor awarded to some of the highest achieving women in science, exploration and conservation. In recognition for joining this elite group, new Fellows receive an unrestricted grant to amplify their work and become part of a global network of women in STEM. They are celebrated at our annual Women of Discovery Awards Gala held in New York City each October.
Learn more about our 2025 Women of Discovery Awards Celebration.

Flag Carriers

WINGS Flag Carriers conduct original field research, carrying with them a flag bearing its own unique number; forever linked to heroic past global projects and discoveries. Our flags have flown over 80 countries, all continents and both poles. Grant funding is awarded to financially support the project, and original Flag Reports are published upon completion to share their discoveries.

Irina Nikolaeva

2008 Fellow

Born: 1962 Hometown: Moscow, Russia Education: Ph.D. in Linguistics Occupation: Professor of Linguistics Expeditions: Various places in Siberia - from the Urals in the West to the...

Grace Gobbo

2007 Fellow

Grace Gobbo is an ethnobotanist in Tanzania who studies plants used by traditional healers. Her discoveries include finding new plant species, some of...

Erin Pettit

2007 Fellow

Born: 1971 Hometown: Seattle, WA Education: Ph.D. in Geophysics Occupation: Glaciologist and educator Expeditions: Antarctica (West Antarctic Divide, Siple Dome, and the Dry Valleys), Alaska (Brooks Range), Washington (Mount...

Jane Goodall

2007 Fellow

In July 1960, Jane Goodall began her landmark study of chimpanzee behavior in what is now Tanzania. Her work at Gombe Stream would become the...

Aparajita Datta

2009 Fellow

Conservation Expert/Wildlife Biologist & Ecologist Aparajita Datta engaged in long-term protection of threatened wildlife with local communities in northeast India. She has discovered two...

Birgit Sattler

2008 Fellow

Born: 1969 Hometown: Innsbruck, Austria Education: Ph.D. in Microbiology & Limnology Occupation: Limnologist (a specialist in the study of freshwater ponds and lakes) Expeditions: Antarctica: Dry Valleys, South Pole,...

Meenakshi Wadhwa

2003 Fellow

Dr. Wadhwa is a planetary scientist, academic leader, and educator who serves as the director of the...

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