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Does your daughter think science is cool? If not, maybe you should introduce her to Mireya. A former NFL cheerleader with a PhD in Anthropology, Mireya is credited with the discovery of a new species of lemur. Her adventures have been documented by the National Geographic Channel in a few of their series: Ultimate Explorer, Explorer, and Out There. You'll soon see her as one of the four elite explorers on the History Channel's Expedition Africa. We thank Mireya for encouraging girls to discover the world for themselves.

"For more than a decade, I've worked with highly endangered animals in remote jungles and stretches around the world. I have seen firsthand the devastation and obliteration of forests that are home to some of the most critically endangered. I have seen the chopped hands of endangered gorillas sitting on a pyre, and I have witnessed an orphaned elephant mourn the loss of his mother after she was killed for her tusks. Most of the time it is lack of funding for education and research as well as providing work for the local people so that they have alternatives to hunting, that is at the heart of the problem. This money would change not just my life, but the lives of many. It is my hope in winning this contest I can continue to try and protect the rare animals of Madagascar through research, and with the help of the local people, create education programs for the kids who will be ultimately responsible for their fate." — Mireya Mayor

Reade more about Mireya's story
Read the rest of Mireya's Momination
Read more about Mireya's travels and discoveries here

runners up

health/science

Katie Allison Granju

After losing her son, Henry, Katie has made it her life's work to raise awareness around teen drug use and the nationwide epidemic of teen drug overdose. Providing a strong voice in what was formerly a vacuum through her blog Mamapundit, Katie has shown determination and strength. She also blogs on Babble Voices.

Read Katie's Momination | Check out Katie's blog, MamaPundit

Dr. Kayla Laserson

Dr. Kayla Laserson is director of the Center for Disease Control's KEMRI/CDC Field Research station in Kisumu, Kenya, where she battles HIV, TB, and malaria every day. Overseeing a staff of 950, she runs comprehensive research programs; provides demographic surveillance; and strategizes programmatic service delivery of care, treatment, and prevention programs.

Read Kayla's Momination | Check out Kayla's website

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