Albert Yu-Min Lin

Dr. Albert Lin is an acclaimed scientist, technologist, explorer, and storyteller whose innovative approach to exploration has gained worldwide attention. His projects include searching for the tomb of Genghis Khan in Mongolia using advanced technologies like satellites, crowdsourcing, drones, and ground-penetrating radar. He has also led expeditions to remap significant sites from the deserts of Jordan to the jungles of Guatemala using aerial and ground-based Lidar. Dr. Lin is redefining human bionic capabilities through 3D prosthetics and “flow experiments.” He serves as a UCSD Research Scientist and a National Geographic Explorer.

Lin's career took off with the Valley of the Khans Project, where he utilized cutting-edge technologies to search for the tomb of Genghis Khan. This project laid the groundwork for similar endeavors at Maya sites in Guatemala and the First Emperor’s tomb in Xian, China. In Mongolia, Dr. Lin developed the first platform to crowdsource human analytics of satellite imagery, combining remote exploration with public participation. This platform's success led to high-profile briefings and the co-founding of the crowd-based analytics company Tomnod, which was later acquired by DigitalGlobe.

As a firm believer in the power of innovation and exploration, Lin launched the NSF-funded Engineers for Exploration program at UC San Diego in 2010, sending top engineering students on field expeditions worldwide. In 2015, he co-founded the digital K-12 education platform Planet3 Inc. to democratize the "ah-ha feeling" of exploration and science, successfully raising $15M for this initiative. Dr. Lin emphasizes the importance of science literacy, which he passionately advocated for during the 2017 March for Science.

Lin's contributions have earned him numerous accolades, including National Geographic’s Adventurer of the Year, the United States Geospatial Intelligence Academic Achievement Award, and the Explorer’s Club’s Lowell Thomas Medal. His feature in National Geographic’s “Next Generation Explorer” campaign was recognized with an Emmy in the category of Outstanding Promotional Announcement. His work has been featured in prominent media outlets such as the Washington Post, BBC, NPR, ABC News, TEDx, Wired, and National Geographic. Dr. Lin has also hosted and narrated multiple documentary films, sharing his storytelling prowess on global platforms, from the Sorbonne in Paris to Singapore’s Esplanade.

Beyond his professional achievements, Albert Lin is an avid surfer, climber, guitar player, photographer, and father. His middle name, "Yu Min," translates to "citizen of the universe," reflecting his boundless curiosity and commitment to exploring the unknown.