BigExpert

Albert Yu-Min Lin, Ph.D.

Storyteller, Explorer of the National Geographic Society, Research Scientist at UCSD, and Co-Founder and CSO of Planet3 Inc.

Albert Lin is an award winning modern high-tech explorer.  His journey began with the Valley of the Khans Project, a technology-driven quest for Genghis Khan’s tomb. Utilizing satellite imagery, crowdsourcing, machine learning, drones, and radar, Lin explored vast terrains while respecting indigenous beliefs, birthing innovative discoveries.  This marked the genesis of decades of similar expeditions with a high tech yet philosophical approach to discovery across the globe from the Holy Lands to the Andes. He is well known now for the use of LiDAR (Laser mapping) and geophysics to uncover ancient cities concealed beneath the canopies of remote jungles, mountain ranges, and deserts. His expeditions have been documented in numerous factual TV series, including National Geographic’s “Lost Treasures of the Maya,” and “Lost Cities with Albert Lin.” Beyond ancient history, Lin’s ‘seeing the invisible’ approach extends to the natural world, as featured in National Geographic’s “Welcome to Earth” and “Explorer.” With a Ph.D. in science and engineering from UC San Diego, Albert’s research has ranged from crowdsourced data analytics to psychedelics and neuroscience, and has resulted in multiple research centers, clinical trials, and startups. Today, as a globally recognized explorer and a trailblazing amputee in the media, he stands as an inspiration and advocate for the indomitable human spirit.

  • Albert Yu-Min Lin, Ph.D. Keynote Speaker Fee Fee range is for U.S. events, depending on location and organization type

    Please Inquire

  • Languages Spoken

    English

  • Albert Yu-Min Lin, Ph.D. Keynote Speaker Fee Fee range is for U.S. events, depending on location and organization type

    Please Inquire

  • Languages Spoken

    English

Suggested Keynote Speaker Programs

What Ancient Civilizations Can Teach Us About Leadership, Purpose, and Community

What can we learn from ancient civilizations to help us today? Even though those people are gone, their lessons remain—if you know where to look for them. Albert Lin has dedicated his life to understanding the nexus between ancient history and...

What can we learn from ancient civilizations to help us today? Even though those people are gone, their lessons remain—if you know where to look for them. Albert Lin has dedicated his life to understanding the nexus between ancient history and our future. He is both a technologist and an infectiously curious explorer of the human journey. For more than a decade, Albert and his team have traveled the world using state-of-the-art technology, making newsworthy archaeological discoveries while shedding light on what the past can teach us. In his unique storytelling presentation crafted for each client, Albert weaves together a journey of discovery with insights into the human experience. Audiences come away with visceral experiences and stories from the field while learning lessons about leadership, purpose, community, and imagination.

Learn More

The New Age of Exploration

How do you find the secrets of ancient civilizations? In the past, explorers traveled to remote locations and used rudimentary digging tools to uncover ancient cultures. Now technology has changed the game, helping unveil secrets hidden for ...

How do you find the secrets of ancient civilizations? In the past, explorers traveled to remote locations and used rudimentary digging tools to uncover ancient cultures. Now technology has changed the game, helping unveil secrets hidden for thousands of years. National Geographic Explorer Albert Lin is at the forefront of using technology to search for the past. In this riveting talk, Albert will share stories from his own explorations of the Valley of the Khans, the First Emperor’s tomb in China, and the Mayan temples of Northern Guatemala. Audiences will learn how technological tools such as satellite imagery, crowdsourcing engines, machine learning, drones, and ground-penetrating radar are helping us learn more about the world.

Learn More

The New Frontier of Transhumanism: When Technology Meets Biology

How will technology shape the future of human intellect and physiology? Advances in technology are enabling the blind to see, the deaf to hear, and the disabled to walk. What is this new transhuman frontier, and how will it affect your life? ...

How will technology shape the future of human intellect and physiology? Advances in technology are enabling the blind to see, the deaf to hear, and the disabled to walk. What is this new transhuman frontier, and how will it affect your life? When Albert Lin lost his leg in a tragic accident, he was able to use 3D printing to build a better and more affordable prosthetic for his body. His experience inspired him to join Project Lim(b)itless, helping to bring affordable, custom-fitting prosthetics to amputees worldwide. In this exciting talk, Albert shares the new frontier of transhumanism. Audiences will learn about the new technology projects changing lives worldwide, how your life might be changed, and what new frontiers lay on the horizon.

Learn More

How To Achieve The Life You Want

Are you living the life you want to lead? For many people, they follow the paths chosen for them. Few people pursue the things they want to do. Following someone else’s path can leave you feeling unsatisfied and disengaged. But what if you ...

Are you living the life you want to lead? For many people, they follow the paths chosen for them. Few people pursue the things they want to do. Following someone else’s path can leave you feeling unsatisfied and disengaged. But what if you could change all that? In 2008, Albert Lin went from a restless graduate student unsure of what to do with his life to following his dream of becoming a National Geographic Explorer. In this inspiring talk, Albert will share how he went from living in his car to exploring the world. Audiences will come away learning how to clarify their goals, commit to their dreams, and seize their opportunity when it comes along.

Learn More

Fireside Chat

In this intimate talk with Dr. Albert Yu-Min Lin, audiences can dive deep into the various aspects of Lin’s life and career: inspirational speaker, National Geographic Explorer, and Director of Project Lim(b)itless. Learn how Albert went from ...

In this intimate talk with Dr. Albert Yu-Min Lin, audiences can dive deep into the various aspects of Lin’s life and career: inspirational speaker, National Geographic Explorer, and Director of Project Lim(b)itless. Learn how Albert went from living in his car to searching for the tomb of Ghenghis Khan, how he’s using groundbreaking technology to uncover the past, or how a tragic accident inspired him to help amputees worldwide with Project Lim(b)itless.

 

Learn More

About Keynote Speaker Albert Yu-Min Lin, Ph.D.

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, but maintaining a relentless quest into the farthest reaches of our planet, where he employs 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, all while respecting the traditional beliefs of indigenous communities, which called for non-invasive exploration. This 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.” Albert’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, Albert’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’s 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 have since led to multiple university research centers, clinical trials, and technology start-ups, while 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, Albert 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 of technologies in his backpack all in the pursuit of a lifelong sense of wonder. Today, as a globally recognized explorer and a trailblazing amputee in the media, he stands as an inspiration and advocate for the indomitable human spirit.

Media

Article

Jul 23, 2021

How To Go From Living in Your Car to Living Your Dream, According to Keynote Speaker and National Geographic Explorer, Albert Yu-Min Lin

Today, you might know Albert Yu-Min Lin as a National Geographic Explorer, entrepreneur, inventor, or an international keynote speaker. Back...

Read More

Close

My Catalog

PDF

    This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

    Submit Clear All

    You have not added any speakers yet.