Maddalena Bearzi is a passionate scientist, active conservationist, photo-journalist, and published author of articles and books, including Beautiful Minds: The Parallel Lives of Great Apes and Dolphins, Dolphin Confidential: Confessions of a Field Biologist, and Stranded: Finding Nature in Uncertain Times. Maddalena was born and raised in Italy and now lives in Los Angeles, California, with her husband and dog.